Business Details
48 Years
experience
Custom Printing & Digital Production Services
Blow Up Lab has been a leader in digital printing innovation since 1978, pioneering the transition from chemical photo processing to 100% digital production in 2000. Our expertise spans custom large-format printing, archival art reproduction, and eco-conscious practices using non-toxic inks and acid-free materials. We serve a diverse clientele including artists, corporations, and institutions worldwide with personalized service combining cutting-edge technology and traditional craftsmanship. Our commitment to sustainability is demonstrated through a 95% reduction in water usage and 80% decrease in energy consumption since our green conversion. With over four decades of experience, we maintain industry leadership through continuous technological adaptation while preserving personalized client relationships.Our team of master printers and art directors delivers precision in mural installations, courtroom graphics, and fine art restoration. We differentiate ourselves through unique capabilities like print-on-demand archiving and custom substrate mounting. Our facility houses state-of-the-art Epson, HP, and Canon printers capable of producing 64-inch wide prints on diverse media. We maintain strict quality control through custom ICC color profiles and UV-inhibiting laminates. Our comprehensive service model includes pre-production design, scanning up to 8x10 feet originals, and global shipping/installation logistics.
Services
Large-Format Printing
Archival Art Reproduction
Mural Installation
Digital Scanning
Courtroom Graphics
Photo Restoration
Pre-Production Design
Eco-Friendly Printing
Custom Mounting
International Shipping
Details
- Year established: 1978
Highlights and features
- 40+ years of digital printing innovation since 1978
- Pioneered first 100% digital photo lab conversion in 2000
- Eco-conscious operations with 95% water reduction
- State-of-the-art Epson/HP/Canon printers up to 64" width
- Global shipping and installation capabilities
Services
Large-Format Printing
We produce high-resolution prints up to 64 inches wide using archival inks on acid-free cotton rag paper, canvas, and synthetic materials. Our Epson, HP, and Canon printers deliver museum-quality results for murals, exhibition graphics, and retail displays. Clients receive color-matched proofs and substrate consultation for optimal longevity and visual impact.
Art Restoration
Our Photoshop experts digitally restore damaged photographs, posters, and artwork using high-resolution scans and precise color correction. We recreate lost details while maintaining original character, then print on matching or upgraded archival media. This service preserves historical documents and revitalizes family heirlooms with accurate color and texture reproduction.
Eco-Friendly Printing
Our sustainable practices include vegetable-based inks, 100% cotton acid-free papers, and recyclable packaging. We implemented the first chemical-free digital lab in 2000, reducing water usage by 95% and energy consumption by 80%. Mounting scraps are donated to art programs, and we use electric vehicles for local deliveries to minimize environmental impact.
Legal Services
We create trial exhibits, evidence displays, and courtroom graphics for law firms and government agencies. Our services include oversized x-ray scanning, document blow-ups, and interactive magnetic exhibits. With 30+ years of experience, we maintain strict confidentiality while delivering precise visual evidence solutions for complex legal cases.
Pre-Production Design
Our team optimizes digital files for perfect printing through color correction, resizing, and image enhancement. We offer professional photo shoots using 36MP Sony cameras and LED lighting, along with art consulting to source ideal imagery. This ensures technical perfection before production begins, saving time and reducing revisions.
People
Frank McGrath
President/Owner
Photography expert and digital printing pioneer with 40+ years experience. Transformed the industry by launching San Francisco's first digital photo lab in 2000. Specializes in archival inkjet printing and Photoshop techniques for fine art reproduction.
Carol Covington
Vice President/Owner
Art director with extensive experience in commercial design and museum exhibitions. Manages project art direction and installation since joining in 2009. Combines gallery curation expertise with production knowledge to deliver client-focused visual solutions.
Questions
What printing capabilities do you offer?
We print up to 64" wide by 25' long using archival inks on paper, canvas, fabrics, and vinyl. Our Epson, HP, and Canon printers handle both color and black-and-white projects with precise color matching.
Are you truly eco-friendly?
Yes. Since 2000 we've used non-toxic inks, acid-free materials, and reduced water usage by 95%. We recycle mounting scraps, use electric delivery vehicles, and package with recyclable materials.
How do I schedule a printing appointment?
Contact us via phone or email to book an appointment. Our San Francisco facility operates Monday-Friday 9am-5pm by appointment only for personalized service and project consultation.
Can you restore old family photos?
Yes. Our digital restoration service repairs damaged or faded photographs using high-resolution scanning and Photoshop techniques, then prints on archival media for lasting preservation.
Do you handle large corporate projects?
Yes. We manage global roll-outs for corporations, including museums, universities, and retail chains. Our post-production team handles packing, shipping, and installation logistics worldwide.
What file formats do you accept?
We work with most digital formats including TIFF, PSD, PDF, and high-resolution JPEGs. Our pre-production team can assist with file optimization and color profile adjustments for best results.
Reviews (6)
Agata A.
Mar 24, 2020
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Frank one of the owners I had the privilege of talking to is so awesome! He helped me with a printing task when a lot of other places could not, and his proactive, friendly attitude towards someone he didn't know speaks volumes. I would definitely recommend this lab and business, don't even hesitate!
Rob Mangum
Mar 17, 2020
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The BEST place on the planet for large format printing of photography and art. Their portfolio is stunning and their attention to detail is amazing.
Jaya Y.
Feb 14, 2020
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These peeps are looking out for ya. No job is to small. Well, some may be but aim high and they will do the rest. Really helpful and extremely patient.
C. G.
Sep 07, 2019
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Positive experience. Wanted to have several digital pictures made into high quality prints for 5x7 frames. Greg was helpful in providing options for me to look at for the prints (in terms of paper quality, color quality, etc.) and prints were delivered within 2-3 days. Was happy to be supporting a local business as well. Prints and paper quality were great.
Heidi P.
Jan 17, 2019
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These folks are great! I needed a digital image cropped and retouched and filtered to print out at 6'. They understood exactly what look I was going for and made suggestions that totally improved the final product. They were knowledgeable about paper and framing and communicated in an easy-to-understand and timely manner. I wish I had more giant print needs so I could work with them again!
H. R. G.
Dec 21, 2018
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Gregory and team helped me scan some works on paper for a more than fair rate and a very reasonable turnaround time. The digital files came out beautifully. They had them ready when they said they would, even a little early. They were easy to communicate with. Very happy.
