Profolab Is Top Of The Class

Weymouth based ProFoLab Imaging Ltd has graduated to become a specialist in schools photographic processing with the Fujifilm Schools System.

Completed proof cards are scanned before the required selection is processed by the Frontier 370

The family-run prolab, headed by directors Geoffrey Huggins and wife Diane Huggins, is the first small business in the UK to install the new Schools System.

Geoff said: "Having worked with photographers to process schools packages in the past, we knew that schools-processing work represents a steady annual print volume, which is good for print turnover. However, processing and compiling school packages is very time consuming and labour intensive.

"Fujifilm's Schools System has been designed to do all the homework for you, taking both hassle and man hours out of the process. It works in a simple format. The photographer takes the pictures of the entire school on film or digital media. The images are either scanned or uploaded and given an individual reference number. The school or the photographer is then able to choose a number of packages they will offer to sell to parents."

ProFoLab is headed by directors Geoffrey Huggins and wife Diane Hugginss

Profolab creates a proof card, which displays the picture and the different sets available, complete with tick boxes. The proof card is printed on the Frontier 370 as a 5"x3" photographic print, complete with barcode and individual reference number.

"Proof cards are sent to schools and distributed to parents who select the sets they require. When we receive the completed cards, we scan the barcode reader and input the required selection, school and image, which is then automatically processed by the Frontier 370.

"This is a far cry from previous systems where print packages were made up for every pupil and parents would either accept and pay for them, or return them. This was an administrative nightmare for photographers and wasted processing time, materials and revenue.

"The schools system eliminates these problems all together. For example in May 2003 it took just two hours to scan and process proof cards for three schools - something which would have taken nearly two days with our previous system!"

Contact ProFoLab on 01305 774098 or at www.profolab.co.uk