Minilab

Digital or analog minilabs, minilabs also represent a very small space the complete process of photo development. Analog minilab include a film scanner for small- and / or roll film negatives, an exposure unit ( screening of the negative ), and a processor for photo paper. Digital minilabs expose the photo paper as opposed to analog minilab laser or LCD / LED exposure. These minilabs can include a film scanner for slides and negatives depending on the manufacturer. There is also an optional upgrade possible. A so-called front-end PC (integrated in the minilab or connected externally ) adds more features: Picture by picture (flatbed scanner), prints from memory cards ( card reader), templates ( passport photos, calendar pages, greeting cards ), network services for order- stations or web orders (Simple Print software ), etc.

The devices can expose photo paper from 10 cm to 30 cm wide, this covers all the possible formats up to A3. In the format of 10 cm x 15 cm, up to 1,800 prints / hour are produced.

Currently, four categories of digital minilabs offered on the German market. Devices up to an aspect ratio of A5, continue on A4 and A3 formats to 60 cm x 90 cm.

Since the introduction of digital minilabs in 1996, the share of analog technology has extremely reduced. Learn esp. use in drug stores as SB - offer.

Frontier is a product range of the company Fujifilm. DL is the term for digital minilabs, the company Doli. In addition to Fujifilm and Doli offer to other manufacturers minilabs, eg KIS, Noritsu minilab and factory GmbH (formerly AGFA ).