In the world of custom photography prints, where options are plentiful but often overwhelming, Lumaprints stands out by offering a straightforward, user-friendly service that focuses on quality and convenience. PetaPixel interviewed Lumaprints CEO Kenneth Li to learn more about the company and how professional photographers can use Lumaprints to automate selling prints online.
Full disclosure: This article is brought to you by Lumaprints.
As more photographers seek ways to showcase their work beyond the digital screen, companies like Lumaprints offer a straightforward solution to turn digital images into tangible memories. Whether you’re a hobbyist looking to decorate your home or a professional photographer seeking high-quality prints for clients, Lumaprints makes the process seamless and efficient.
“The mission of Lumaprints is to provide our customers with the highest quality wall art at affordable prices. We understand that customers want the best product inputs to represent their designs or photography well,” says CEO Lumaprints Kenneth Li.
But how does Lumaprints stack up in terms of product quality, variety, and overall experience? Let’s take a closer look.
Who is Lumaprints: From Art Reproductions to Photography
Lumaprints specializes in custom photo prints, offering a range of high-quality products designed to display photographs in vibrant and lasting formats. From traditional prints to more modern formats like canvas and metal, Lumaprints offers a diverse range of options for photographers and individuals seeking to preserve and display their images.
Founded in 2010 by brothers Kenneth and Yong Li, Lumaprints initially focused on reproducing hand-painted art. However, as the business grew, the founders shifted their focus to digital printing — a move that helped them scale and meet the needs of a growing creative community.
“The business began in 2010. Originally, the business was in mass-producing hand-painted art, but we pivoted towards digital printing. We first started with local artists and photographers, valuing their input in quality and service. We continued to develop our products (both in offerings and quality inputs) and prices with them in mind first. This helped grow our business beyond the Orange County area thanks in part to word of mouth. We’ve since moved to a larger facility in Anaheim, California, and added another one in Louisville, Kentucky.” Kenneth Li explains.
The company remains deeply connected to its roots, prioritizing feedback from artists and photographers as it develops its offerings. That approach has paid off, with a reputation for dependable service and excellent print quality.
Its promise is to provide a high-quality, easy-to-use service that takes the guesswork out of custom printing. With an emphasis on delivering professional-grade products, the company aims to cater to both amateur photographers looking to create personal gifts or home decor, as well as professionals needing print solutions for galleries, exhibitions, or clients.
The Product Range: More Than Just Prints
Lumaprints offers an extensive selection of high-quality print products, including Framed Canvas Prints, Framed Fine Art Paper Prints, Metal Prints, and Photo Prints, each crafted with durability and visual impact in mind.
“Our materials are archival-quality, meaning they are meant to last a very long time. We use Epson and Canon printers with genuine inks, regularly calibrated to ensure accurate colors. We also use solid hardwood stretcher bars and frames, which makes a big difference in quality,” Li says.
Li notes that, unlike some competitors that use MDF (medium-density fiberboard), which can sag or dent over time, Lumaprints focuses on longevity and presentation, something professional photographers greatly value.
Among Lumaprints’ options, Framed Canvas Prints, Framed Fine Art Paper Prints, and Metal Prints are standout product types; most popular for professional photographers, offering quality, variety, and customization. Let’s take a closer look at each of these main product offerings and how they can elevate your photography.
Framed Canvas Prints
Canvas prints have long been a favored choice for adding depth, texture, and a touch of artistry to photographs, and Framed Canvas Prints from Lumaprints are no exception. These prints are produced using fine art-grade canvas, renowned for its exceptional durability and ability to retain rich, vibrant colors. The canvas is stretched over a wooden frame, creating a sturdy and professional presentation that’s perfect for home decor or gallery exhibitions.
“We started with local artists and photographers and built our products around their expectations. That helped shape our offerings — canvas prints, especially, remain one of our core strengths,” Li says.
The texture of the canvas itself adds a unique, tactile quality to the image, giving it a painterly effect that works beautifully for portraits, landscapes, or abstract art. Lumaprints offers a range of frame styles, from minimalist black or white frames to more rustic wood options, allowing you to customize the look of your print to suit your space or project. The Framed Canvas Prints arrive ready to hang, so there’s no need for additional assembly, just a seamless way to showcase your work.
Framed Fine Art Paper Prints
For those who prefer the traditional elegance of paper prints, Framed Fine Art Paper Prints offer a premium, timeless solution. These prints are created using acid-free, archival-quality fine art paper that enhances the fine details and subtleties of your image. The paper’s smooth, refined texture brings out the intricate elements in your photographs, making it ideal for high-resolution photos, fine art portraits, and stunning landscape shots.
“Photographers and interior designers love these because of how well they capture fine detail. We continually look at framing trends to offer our customers current and timeless options,” Li adds.
This option is perfect for photographers who appreciate the sophistication and high-quality finish of traditional photographic prints. The Framed Fine Art Paper Prints are available in various framing options, including classic black and white frames, as well as natural wood frames, to complement the elegant look of the print. Delivered ready to hang, these prints offer a gallery-worthy presentation that’s perfect for exhibitions or personal collections.
Metal Prints
For photographers looking for a modern, striking presentation, Metal Prints are a popular choice created by infusing your image directly onto a sheet of aluminum, resulting in ultra-crisp, vivid colors that practically pop off the surface. The glossy, reflective finish gives your images a three-dimensional quality that enhances contrasts and sharpness, making it perfect for bold, high-contrast images or abstract art.
Metal Prints are incredibly durable and resistant to fading, making them an excellent choice. Plus, they require no framing, as the clean, frameless design allows them to “float” on the wall for a contemporary, high-tech look. Whether you’re showcasing a cityscape, a dramatic portrait, or a colorful abstract, Metal Prints offer a sleek, eye-catching solution that will undoubtedly stand out.
By offering a diverse range of print options, including Framed Canvas Prints, Framed Fine Art Paper Prints, and Metal Prints, Lumaprints ensures that photographers can find the perfect product to match their style and vision. Each print type is meticulously crafted with the utmost attention to detail and quality, delivering professional-grade results that elevate your photography to new heights. Whether you prefer the traditional appeal of fine art paper or the modern edge of metal prints, Lumaprints offers a product for every occasion and preference.
How It Works: Simple, Streamlined Process
Navigating Lumaprints’ online ordering system is straightforward. Users can upload images, select product types and customizations, and place orders with ease. For professionals, the platform also integrates with online stores for seamless print-on-demand fulfillment.
“We handle the manufacturing and shipping on a customer’s behalf. This allows our customers to focus on creating or capturing their designs and building their business,” explained Li.
Once an order is placed, Lumaprints handles everything, printing, packaging, and drop-shipping, offering a truly hands-off experience for photographers and artists.
Lumaprints for Professional Photographers: Print-on-Demand Fulfillment and More
For professional photographers, the ability to offer high-quality prints to clients and fans can be a game-changer. Whether you’re creating bespoke prints for individual customers or selling your work in bulk through exhibitions or online galleries, Lumaprints provides a reliable and efficient platform to meet those needs. What sets them apart is their Print-on-Demand (POD) fulfillment service, a powerful model that streamlines your workflow, reduces overhead, and boosts flexibility.
Print-on-Demand Fulfillment for Professionals
The print-on-demand (POD) model is at the heart of Lumaprints’ offering, enabling professional photographers to sell prints without incurring upfront inventory costs or managing logistics.
“Each product is created only when it is ordered. This reduces financial risk and enables photographers to offer a wide range of customizable options to their customers,” Li promises.
Lumaprints’ POD service includes white-label shipping, ensuring that packages contain no Lumaprints branding, and fulfillment from multiple facilities in Anaheim, California, and Louisville, Kentucky, reducing shipping times and costs from coast-to-coast in the United States.
The process is simple: photographers sign up for free, connect their online store, and start selling their prints. When an order is placed, Lumaprints takes care of everything: printing, packaging, and shipping directly to the customer. This on-demand model reduces the risks of overstocking or holding unsold inventory, allowing photographers to scale their business without the significant upfront costs associated with commercial-grade printers and staff.
The Client Unboxing Experience
For a real-world test, I ordered three 8×10 prints: an 8×10-inch Framed Canvas with hanging wire of one of my bear photos from Alaska, an 8×10-inch Glossy White Metal Print of one of my favorite wild horse photographs upgraded with inset hanging wire, and lastly, a photograph of an egret in breeding plumage perched among white flowering elderberry bushes as an 8×10-inch Black Framed Fine Art Print on archival matte paper dry mounted to foam core under acrylic glass with a three inch mat on all sides, in a black frame and wired for hanging for an overall total size of 15×17 inches.
Each print came very well wrapped in a nondescript box marked fragile. The shipping address listed my name above Lumaprints’ address, with no Lumaprints branding, receipt, invoice, or markings, providing a true “white label” drop-shipping experience.
The attention to detail is apparent not only in the final products for all three prints but also in the shipping preparation. Every print type was individually wrapped in a plastic sleeve and secured in cardboard, with the Framed Canvas Print also carefully edged with cushioned foam. The included hanging hardware for each piece was taped to its individual cardboard bracing.
Why Print-on-Demand is Ideal for Photographers
POD offers a range of advantages for professional photographers, starting with easy market entry. There’s no need for an initial investment in equipment or bulk inventory, which lowers financial barriers and enables photographers to begin selling prints immediately. As each product is created only when it is ordered, the financial risk is minimal, making it a low-cost way to test different print formats and styles.
Moreover, customization and personalization are built into the POD model. Photographers can offer a range of print options, including different sizes, finishes, and frames, allowing customers to tailor their orders to their preferences. This level of personalization enhances the product’s appeal and can drive increased sales.
Additionally, Lumaprints’ fulfillment model enables fast shipping. Prints are shipped from locations closest to the customer, which reduces shipping costs and improves delivery times. This makes it easier for photographers to tap into global markets and grow their audience beyond their local region.
“We try to stay in our customers’ shoes. Our goal is to provide high-quality products, top-tier customer support, and options that help photographers and artists grow their business,” Li remarks.
For photographers who want to experiment with their offerings, POD is an excellent model for testing new ideas. With no need to produce large quantities of stock, photographers can offer new designs or products and assess customer demand without the risk of unsold inventory. This flexibility allows photographers to adapt quickly and innovate with minimal investment.
Lastly, sustainability is another key benefit of the POD model. By producing items only when orders are placed, Lumaprints minimizes waste and reduces the environmental impact associated with overproduction. This makes POD an attractive option for eco-conscious photographers seeking to operate a more sustainable business.
A Reliable Solution for Professionals
Lumaprints has carved out a solid reputation by combining professional-grade quality with a commitment to service and support. From archival materials to responsive customer service, the company’s foundation remains grounded in its core values of supporting photographers and artists.
“We know it’s rare these days to hear from a real human being when you need help with an order. That’s why we maintain a dedicated support team to address concerns in a timely manner,” said Li.
Whether you’re looking to print a single portrait for a client, create a product for an online store, or run an entire print-on-demand business, Lumaprints offers a streamlined print-on-demand solution that combines convenience, quality, and flexibility backed by a team of professionals to make selling prints easier and more profitable.
Full disclosure: This article is brought to you by Lumaprints.
Image credits: Kate Garibaldi
