Home · Register · Join Upload & Sell

Moderated by: Fred Miranda
Username  

  New fredmiranda.com Mobile Site
  New Feature: SMS Notification alert
  New Feature: Buy & Sell Watchlist
  

FM Forums | Post-processing & Printing | Join Upload & Sell

  

Archive 2013 · Selling my own prints

  
 
blutch
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: On
p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Selling my own prints


Currently, I only sell clients digital copies of the photos I take. Mostly head shot and portraits stuff.

I'm considering buying an Epson 3880 and selling clients prints that I do myself. I know there are a lot of pro togs who do this, but I'm curious about pricing and making it cost effective. I know these things will print up to 17X22 and that they just SUCK down ink. What kind of prices do you have to charge to make this profitable? 8X10, 5X7, 4X6, etc... How often are you having to refill ink and how expensive is that.

Thanks for the advice.

B



Dec 29, 2013 at 06:16 PM
katzung1
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Selling my own prints


Hi B:
Check out the recent exchange on the [email protected]. They covered ink costs, use of non-Epson inks, etc. IIRC, the 3880 ink set costs a lot to replace, but is much cheaper per print because the cartridges are large. And the printer comes with a full set to start with.
Bert



Dec 29, 2013 at 07:01 PM
hugowolf
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Selling my own prints


You will not make any money with small prints. I wouldn't even consider printing less than 8.5 x 11.

BTW, the printer will do 17" x 95 cm (approx 37.4") with the driver limitations, and longer with a RIP. There aren't many papers availalbe in 17" x 25", but it is ideal for 16" x 24" prints with a 1/2" border.

Brian A



Dec 29, 2013 at 08:04 PM
blutch
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: On
p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Selling my own prints


What is a RIP?

Thanks
B



Dec 29, 2013 at 08:15 PM
lukeb
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Selling my own prints


Question: How often does the printer need to be used to keep the heads from clogging. Say you go away for 10 days to 2 weeks on an assignment. Will the mozzles need to be cleaned??

I've always used (long ago Mizell [sic]), Millers, MPIX PRO, Bay, so printing myself is a new adventure.



Dec 29, 2013 at 08:29 PM
hugowolf
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Selling my own prints


blutch wrote:
What is a RIP?
B


Raster Image Processor. It is software that replaces the driver:

http://www.colorbytesoftware.com/
http://www.printfab.net/
http://mirage.dinax.de/
http://www.caldera.com/product/visual/

In some markets the 3880 is bundled with Mirage.

Brian A



Dec 29, 2013 at 09:43 PM
hugowolf
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Selling my own prints


lukeb wrote:
Question: How often does the printer need to be used to keep the heads from clogging. Say you go away for 10 days to 2 weeks on an assignment. Will the mozzles need to be cleaned??


The 3880 is one of the least clog prone pigment ink printers on the market. Two or three weeks shouldn't be a problem, but normally you would be better printing at least a couple of times a week; or at least running a nozzle check print to keep things flowing (office paper and about 5 cents of ink)

Anyhow, an occasional head cleaning isn't a problem.

Brian A



Dec 29, 2013 at 09:47 PM
lukeb
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Selling my own prints


hugowolf wrote:
The 3880 is one of the least clog prone pigment ink printers on the market. Two or three weeks shouldn't be a problem, but normally you would be better printing at least a couple of times a week; or at least running a nozzle check print to keep things flowing (office paper and about 5 cents of ink)

Anyhow, an occasional head cleaning isn't a problem.

Brian A


Many thanks!

Happy New Year



Dec 29, 2013 at 09:50 PM
Peter Le
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Selling my own prints


I sell 8 x 12 matted to 12 x 16,..... 12 x 18 matted to 18 x 24..... 16 x 24 matted to 24 x 32. If you use high end fine art papers you can make a fair profit.....but I would go no smaller the 8 x 12 matted to 12 x 16. JMO


Dec 29, 2013 at 10:12 PM





FM Forums | Post-processing & Printing | Join Upload & Sell

    
 

You are not logged in. Login or Register

Username       Or Reset password



This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.