Digital minilab - Definition and Overview

A digital minilab is a computer printer that uses traditional chemical photographic processes to make prints of digital images. Photographs are input to the digital minilab using a built-in image scanner, a kiosk that accepts CD-ROMs or memory cards from a digital camera, or a website that accepts uploads. The operator can make minor corrections such as brightness or color saturation. A laser or Micro Light Valve Array (MLVA) then exposes photographic paper with the image, which is then processed by the minilab just as if it had been exposed from a negative.

Digital minilabs are too expensive for typical home use, but many stores purchase or lease them to offer photo printing services to their customers. The resulting photographs have the same quality and durability as traditional photographs since the same processes are used. This is often better than can be achieved by typical home ink jet printers. The printing cost is often less than ink jet printers for small photographs, but often not for larger ones.

Example Usage of Digital