A mechanism is disclosed for managing delivery of digital image files to image processing labs for printing. The mechanism involves marking a digital image file with metadata that indicates a processing lab at which an image in the file should be printed. In turn, the mechanism involves reading the metadata indication from the file to identify the processing lab where the image should be printed and responsively sending the image file to that designated processing lab. Such digital image files could be sent to an image hub, which could then read the metadata indications from the files and responsively route the files to designated processing labs for printing.