Cheerz Photo Book Test: a nice performance from the French lab

Very sharp contrasts

For our two books, we therefore opted for a finish on matte paper. The first is made using silver print, the second contains printed photos. In both cases, the photos are well inserted, and no major problems are detected. Having no smudges, they are very clear, with bright colors and a dive at the rendezvous.

digital print

Silver print

enlarge

In the case of printed photos, the traces of the printer’s screen are nevertheless detected by scanning them. Particularly visible on large areas of color, it is however difficult to detect with the naked eye. The silver print is quite remarkable, with a high level of sharpness, which is not always the case with silver and in the case of marked contrasts.

Excellent colorimetry

digital print

Silver print

enlarge

In addition, both books offer excellent colorimetry. The average Delta E values ​​recorded by our probe are among the best in our comparison. Thus, on silver prints, we note a Delta E of 5.5. The green shades are particularly well rendered, as are the blue ones. The digital print is doing even better, with an average Delta E of 4.4, very close to the expected value of 3. Several shades are below the 3 mark, while others are close to it. A very good performance.

digital print

Silver print

enlarge

Digital or silver print, which to choose?

If the image quality depends on the laboratory, the technologies or the paper chosen, we can still define certain main lines that distinguish a digital print from a silver print. The first is made with a printer, while the second is obtained via laser exposure on photo paper and chemical development.

Digital printing generally allows for slightly more faithful colors, higher precision or a feeling of sharpness and offers a wider choice of paper. Generally, it is also less expensive. On the other hand, the color gradients may be less precise, the screen may be visible, and there are sometimes defects related to the printing, such as the presence of scratches.

The silver print is most of the time more upscale. The gradations are better managed, the rendering seems more natural and the visible absence of the screen or of defects linked to the digital print are its great strength. On the other hand, a silver print often loses in terms of sharpness, while the less luminous general appearance will flatter the eye of a neophyte less. In addition, the silver print is often more expensive.