(make sure to click ‘full screen’ – bottom right hand corner – after the movie starts)
If you prefer reading, then continue 
With LabFTP 3 you can order prints online from Queensberry. The software is very simple, but should you need it, here is a complete description of how to go about it.
LabFTP sends a copy of the original high-res file to Queensberry. There’s no need to crop or size the original file yourself, or to send multiple copies of it if you want to order more than one print. All that will be handled at the lab end.
Before you start
You’ll need to complete your User Preferences. LabFTP “filters” your uploads to ensure that:
- Your files comply with the lab specifications
- The lab receives a clear, comprehensive, unambiguous set of instructions.
Preferences are accessible from the Edit menu (Windows) or LabFTP menu (Mac)
Click on any image to view it full size.
Step 1: Open LabFTP
When you start LabFTP you’re taken to the main Order History window, where you’ll find a list detailing all your previous sent and unsent orders. Obviously this will be empty the first time you use the software.
Step 2: Start a new Print Order
To start preparing a print order, click the Order Prints From Queensberry button at the bottom centre of the Order History window. This will open the Print Order window and the dialogue below.
You’re asked to select a Lab (Queensberry), a Service (Full Colour Service or Print-Ready) and a Studio Reference. You’ll then need to select the Priority (Standard or Rush) and Paper stock on which you want this order printed.
Note, these selections apply to the entire order. If you want some of your prints to be on metallic paper, for example, you’ll need to create a separate order for them.
Click on any image to view it full size.
The Print Order window will look like the graphic above, with the Order Details you’ve just entered in the bottom left corner. (You can edit them at any time, but don’t forget the changes will apply to the entire order.)
Step 3: Import the images
Now you’re ready to import the images you want to order. Either…
- Drag the images, or a folder on to the “grid” area of the Print Order window.
- Alternatively you can click the More button, select Import More Images and browse to the images you want to upload.
- Finally you can click the More button and load images from a PJ Remix event. More about this below.
However you load the images, you’ll be asked to specify a default print size and quantity for the ones you’re currently importing (above). You can also specify laminating and mounting options if available.
As it says in the graphic, you can change these details later, image by image, but you’ll probably want to organise your images ahead of time, so that you can import your 7x5s, 14x11s or whatever in separate groups.
Important: LabFTP is for ordering prints, not selling them, but Photojunction Remix is a great sales tool. Use it to build Collections (eg “Grandma’s Order”) that you can then import directly into LabFTP. If you’re ordering lots of prints you could also build Collections based on print size. If you’re using third party software instead, you could flag or sort the images by print size, and import them in accordingly, so you don’t need to change the sizes after import.
Don’t forget, if you want to order multiple print sizes from a single image file you only need to import it once.
Whatever approach you follow, once you’re done you’ll see the images loading into the Print Order window, as above.
Step 4: Prepare your order
Now that you have images available, check out what you can do…
- With the buttons at the top of the window you can rotate, remove and duplicate selected images (you’re not affecting the original files, just the the way they’re represented in LabFTP).
- You can change the display between Grid (thumbnails only) or Summary (showing your order details).
- You can sort and filter images by filename.
- You can use the slider to change the size of thumbnails.
When you select a single image you can adjust the frame and crop in the zoom/crop box (top left); this works exactly the same as in PJ Remix. When you send your order the lab will crop the image according to what you specify here.
If you prefer you can double-click on the thumbnail to display the image full-screen, so you can adjust the crop there.
With a single image selected you can also view the Print Details for this thumbnail and change them if you wish (eg print size and quantity, and texturing and mounting if available).
A reminder: don’t confuse these “Print Details”, which apply to individual images, with the “Order Details” that appear below them, and which apply to the entire order.
If you want to specify a non-standard print size, select Custom from the Print Size menu and create a new size. The image will be printed on the next largest standard size and the cost calculated accordingly. LabFTP will remember your non-standard sizes so you can reuse them.
If you want to order a second print size from an image, simply duplicate it and change the print details for the copy.
If you want the lab to do any artwork on a file you should enter the instructions in the artwork/comments box. Artwork is only available on Full Colour service orders.
To review details of your order, and check the costs, switch to Summary view (above). As well as print prices etc this will calculate rush surcharges and apply volume discounts. Print discounts (based on your Queensberry purchases) are not shown, but will be applied before your payment is processed.
Step 5: Scan and finalise your order
When your order is complete click the Next button on the bottom right of the Print Order screen. LabFTP will scan your image files and advise of any problems (eg non-compliance with the lab file specification). These may result in extra costs. If necessary, click Back and remedy the problems or check Accept and Continue.
What happens next depends on the service you’ve chosen. Print-Ready orders will continue straight to uploading, but if you select Full Colour Service, two more screens will appear. LabFTP will ask you to clarify your artwork instructions and whether or not you want the corrected files returned to you on DVD. You’ll also have the opportunity to upload support files and enter special instructions.
Step 6: Upload your order
Click Continue to move on to uploading. LabFTP will start gathering up files and uploading them immediately. An upload progress window will open when the upload process starts. The Order History window will reopen and you’ll see a progress bar while the upload continues. LabFTP also queries the Queensberry server and enters a reference under LabID. Please use this reference in any communication with the lab.
Cancelling and resuming
If LabFTP loses the connection to our server, it will automatically try again every minute (you’ll see a message in the progress window).
If you decide you want to pause or cancel the upload, click the Pause or Stop buttons to the right of the progress window. Stop cancels the upload, and you’ll need to start again.
If you quit LabFTP, or turn off your computer, or pull the plug, LabFTP will ask if you want to resume uploading when you reboot. Alternatively you can double click on the order in the Order History window to resume.
Click here for help registering and setting up the software.
