What, exactly is FTP server access anyway?
FTP Server Access includes an acronym for something called File-Transfer-Protocol. This is a legacy technology that is still used to move digital files from one device to another. An FTP software application called a “client”, enables your device to connect directly to our server.
This provides a very reliable means of transferring virtually any number, size, or type of file. This is ideal when sending large uncompressed files such as TIF, PSD, or RAW images.
What kind of software is needed?
We recommend applications like FileZilla, Fetch, Cyberduck, or similar program. Once your FTP file transfer to our server has been successfully completed, you need to contact us so that we will know to download your images and begin work on your job.
Once we have successfully retrieved your files, we delete them from the server. Call us at 301-937-5510 or toll-free at 800-362-5959 so that we may verify the upload. Experienced users may be able to make FTP transfers through web browsers like Microsoft Edge, Chrome, Safari, or Firefox with the appropriate plugin installed.
Did you just say it was Free??
We use and highly recommend Filezilla, which is available for both MAC and WINDOWS computers. Make sure to select the FileZilla Client version for your computer’s Operating System (MAC or Windows).
Download this FREE software by clicking the image below.
Once you have downloaded and installed the software, you will need to contact us at 301-937-5510 or toll free at 800-362-5959 to request the required login credentials. You will need to have the Host, Username and Password in order to log onto our FTP Server and upload your files. We usually send this information via email.
How it Works.
The FileZilla Client’s main screen (below), illustrates how the left column of the divided screen displays the content on your device, while the right half displays our FTP upload area when connected on-line.
Transferring folders/images is as simple as clicking and dragging the folder of files from the left side of the screen to the right side. You may also “right-click” a file or folder on either device to manage the upload/download options. The bottom section displays the status, and when transfers have been completed.
FileZilla Main Screen
Please Read this Section Before You Do Anything Else !!!
You will need to prepare your files for submission. First, create a new folder on your computer with your name/studio, and date, for example – “Joe Smith MM-DD-YYYY”. Next, copy the files you want to send us into this new folder.
If submitting RAW files that have had any previous adjustments made to them, make sure to include their XMP files along with the RAW images. This will allow us to access your adjustments as a starting point to any additional corrective work that we may need to perform.
If you are submitting JPG or TIF files with multiple sizes or quantity requests, you can create additional folders the specify output sizes and/or quantities within the main folder as needed.
When ordering conventional photo prints, please make certain that your files are saved as 8-bit sRGB jpeg or non-compressed TIF files. Make sure that TIF’s are flattened and without any additional alpha channels.
If you want us to be able to correct/adjust images that contain layers, please send un-flattened PSD files. DO NOT send 16-bit TIF or JPEG files, for any printing service as these must all be converted to 8-bit before they can be printed.
Studio Giclee Prints, Canvas Wraps, and Digital Archival Prints can be produced from 8-bit, Adobe 1998, or 8-bit sRGB files. Conventional photo printing is only produced from files saved in sRGB. Converting a large number of files may add a handling fee to your photo print order.
Don’t forget to create a short text document that includes your contact information, (name, phone number, and email) plus a description of the work you want. Specify print sizes, cropping, and/or full-frame and border requirements.
Specify if you want us to make color/density corrections or print the images “as-is”. If you have retouching, mounting, or framing requests or a need to meet a deadline, please mention that as well.
Uploading - The last Step!
Once you have installed the FTP software and successfully connected to our remote server using the login information supplied in your setup e-mail, you will be ready to drag and drop the prepared folder from your computer to our FTP Server.
You will be able to monitor the progress of the upload within the status window at the bottom of the Filezilla screen. When finished, please call (preferably) or e-mail us to let us know you have sent us the files.
