Research

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Investigation into the Perceived Image Quality of Digital Print Technologies for Photofinishing

Area: Industry Studies
Document # PICRM-2011-04

In recent years the print methodologies used in photofinishing have been evolving rapidly. Not much more than a decade ago, photography was a process involving the recording of images on film and the printing of these images on silver halide paper. Today, the majority of images are captured digitally, and though digital silver halide certainly remains a dominant player in the photofinishing market, a great many images are printed at home on ink jet printers. Images are also being printed in forms other than 4x6 prints. Electrophotographic printing technology is being used to generate photo books, cards, and calendars. It is of interest, then, to understand the perceptual image quality being achieved using the various printing technologies.

The objective of this project is to evaluate the perceived image quality of ink jet and electrophotographic photo finishing relative to digital silver halide. The stimuli used in this study will take the form of photo album pages. The target audience for this project will be typical consumers rather than individuals who are more skilled in image evaluation.

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Tags: photofinishing image quality digital printing inkjet electrophotography

Author

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Susan Farnand
Staff Scientist, Center for Imaging Science
Rochester Institute of Technology

Author

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Franziska Frey, Ph.D.
McGhee Distinguished Professor, School of Print Media
Rochester Institute of Technology

Author

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Mariela Rodriguez Adames
Graduate Student, School of Print Media
Rochester Institute of Technology