Printing & selling on your own?

[Raist3d]

This topic has probably been already discussed so my apologies in advance if I am asking a "FAQ" question. I just saw that Canon is coming out (finally!) with some really nice long-lasting print capable printers and I have been very satisfied with their printers overall. When I do the cash conversion seems like their low end for pigment printing will be in the order of $600-$850 USD.

So, a question for all those who print their work (and sell it- if you exist) on your Epsons and whatever other brands- is this cost effective at all? My hunch is "no way" considering that a full flush of inks on a 10-pigment cartridge type printer is probably $100+.

Anyone with experience willing to chime in? I like the idea of printing my own stuff to sell but... ouch. I would love if Canon came out with a 4-color printing hi res long lasting printer like the ip5000- and wide carriage, but looks that, it's not happening.

By the way- when you print your own stuff you go to exhibitions and sell on your own? How are your experiences doing this? Do you do this at a farmer's market? Where do you do it? What kind of "permits" you need? I am in California land....

Thanks again.

- Raist

[jcboyd]

Hi Raist,

I do not print my own but send them out. So far I haven't seen the advantage in cost doing your own prints.

The following info is from a post I answered concerning art shows. I hope these may help answer some of your questions about selling your work.
john


Just noticed this post and thought I would pass along some websites that may help. These are hosted by Larry Berman. Larry is a photographer/web designer/writer/artist and a host of other things. You may have seen his "50 Fast" series of books. "50 Fast Digital Camera Techniques" "50 Fast Photoshop Techniques" and a few others.

Larry participates in art shows and a large part of his income seems to come from these. While the group site seems to be geared for the East coast it still provides a wealth of knowledge for the beginner.

I have started doing these shows (Central part of California) and a few words of advice. Start small to test the waters. The larger the show the more difficult it will be for a newbie to get accepted. Not because your work may not be good enough but because you will be competing with others who have been doing this for 20-30 years. These people will know just what it takes to get accepted into the best shows. Each show will only have a set number of slots for each category.

No matter how good your work is you may fall short of your goals without excellent people/selling skills. This is something I am still working on. I do not want to be pushy but you need to understand what to say when the customer steps into your booth, when to back off, when to step back in, and what to say at this time to try to close the sale.

Another thing that is very important. Get to know the other artist selling not only work like yours but other types also. The other photographers should not be considered as the competition but as your friend. The others here may have a wealth of information they are willing to share. Shows coming up in the area, which shows are good and which shows you should stay away from. Places to purchase supplies at a better price.

Good luck and maybe our paths will cross at a California show.

John
BoydImages

This site seems to be the best for shows on the west coast. You can sign up for free and receive information on upcoming shows. If you want detailed info you will need to subscribe.
http://www.eventlister.com/errors/login_required.php

Yahoo group about selling at art shows.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/artshow_photo/

Larry’s home site.
http://bermangraphics.com/

An article from “Shutterbug Magazine” about selling at art shows, by Larry Berman
http://shutterbug.com/techniques/pro...503sb_selling/

Resource list for all types of things you may need to get into this art show business. Also ran by Larry.
http://artshowphoto.com/contents.htm

[Raist3d]

Thank you very much!

- Raist

[Blinky]

I generally print my own. Sometimes customers ask for prints and even when I tell them they can get it done cheaper elsewhere, they ask me to print them. I charge $15US per square foot for archival inks on heavy Ilford semi-gloss. I always mount them on a paper backer(120# cover) and trim them out.

I use a couple of Epson P2200s with continuous ink systems... It's probably not profitable because there's lot of waste and unexpected problems. I bought the printers to do small Art Repro Prints in volume but got out of that business about a year ago. I have a love/hate relationship with those printers... they do make wonderful portfolio prints. I've not offered prints for general sale... yet, maybe one day if there is ever a demand.

Chip

[johnw]

I sell my prints as well, I used to just use the DA Prints account on deviantART.com, but now I do them myself with my Epson 2400. When I am shooting a new model I usually upload about 24 prints to Shutterfly, use a coupon or code and get them for about 2.00 with shipping and give them to the model.

Fotki.com is a good place to use for selling prints as well, but doing them on your own gives you the ability to have better quality control and sign them when requested.

[Kevin Barrett]

I do both, but most of the time I utilize a professional color lab for prints that are sold.

I have a show going on through April 18. Had my open house on April 2 with a pretty
good turn-out. Did get an invitation to exhibit with three other photographers for
a show a year from now. Essentially, showcasing the city of Lowell from four different
viewpoints.

I'm known at the chamber of commerce and also the local arts council. I do donate
work to fundraisers etc. as well. Starting to get some traction in the market...

[FocusingOnFlorida]

I have mine posted in a local coop art gallery in Kissimmee, Florida. It generate more side work than sales. I think I've sold about 5 prints in 7 months. About the norm fo rthose that are in there.

I have been wanting to get into some art shows as well but went back to college a bit late in life. I finish up in two weeks and plan on getting into some shows then. I wish you luck and keep us posted how it works for you and what you learn from it.

[Mark McCall]

One thing to consider if printing your own....

The time involved in upkeeping and calibrating that printer. Ordering, receiving then stocking the paper and loading profiles when changing paper types.
How much is your time worth to you?

The cost of the printers, paper and ink was never was an issue.

We never could justify the time investment.

[johnw]

Originally Posted by Mark McCall

One thing to consider if printing your own....

The time involved in upkeeping and calibrating that printer. Ordering, receiving then stocking the paper and loading profiles when changing paper types.
How much is your time worth to you?

The cost of the printers, paper and ink was never was an issue.

We never could justify the time investment.

It's no different than - Darkroom, Equipment, Paper, Chemicals and your time


With a little bit of research/playing you will be able to have a work flow for your printing, just as we did in the darkroom.

[Mark McCall]

Originally Posted by johnw

It's no different than - Darkroom, Equipment, Paper, Chemicals and your time
With a little bit of research/playing you will be able to have a work flow for your printing, just as we did in the darkroom.

Your right.*
Unfortunately few photographers have made it work.
We visited roughly 25 studios while travelling on a photographic lecture tour last year. Only one of those studios printed their own work in house.
Coincidentally, it was also the only studio that had a darkroom in the past.
All of them had the same story. It just made more businesses sense to outsource to a lab.

K Porter Photography, (the only studio in my market area who prints his own) tells me his biggest challenge is keeping the Epson 4000 working properly. He's constantly cleaning heads, calibrating, runnning test prints. His biggest complaint is the frailness of the paper, which scratches easily, and must "cure" after printing. He had several prints lying about so they could dry out.
As we were speaking, he noticed a fresh print with a scratch across it.* Metamerism is also still evident in prints as well.

Epson recently laid off all of the studio solution sales reps for W. Texas, including Howard Kimbrough, due to a lack of printer and print supply sales. Too many customers migrated back to pro labs after poor experiences, I suppose.

I'm not knocking in-house printing. Nor would I discourage anyone from buying a system.
Personally, I'd love to be able to deliver prints on the spot.

The proposed advantages never materialized.