And if so--how do you figure out a pricing schedule?
I have recently been approached by a few local photographers to do some of their printing for them instead of them sending out to a photo lab.
I have several large Epson printers (7900). These people would be wanting a bit of color correction and cropping done to their image.
Definitely cannot compete with the big labs pricing--but what are your thoughts on how to charge for this service?
If your business "printing on the side" takes hold, I think you will quickly find that your Epson 7900 is woefully too small.
But the good news is that Epson has continuing rebates on their 9900.
While it is true you cannot compete with pro-labs on small print sizes, you can offer a higher quality product to set yourself apart. I have found that I can offer higher quality products and media at comparable pricing for larger sizes, particularly higher quality photo fine art photo substrates (not available with pro labs) and canvas gallery wraps. For example, I offer matte fine art papers such as bamboo, sugar cane, rice paper, and other smooth and textured cotton papers; Hahn photo rag barytas, Canson platine fibre rag, Lyve Canvas, etc. with custom icc profiles made for my 9900.
I base pricing on a multiplier of cost for printing and media and sizing. Obviously you don't have to worry about pricing yourself as "the photographer/artist" because it's not your intellectual property/copyright.
What has worked for me best is to offer a higher quality product, attention to detail, and products not offered by typical pro labs.
kdphotography wrote:
If your business "printing on the side" takes hold, I think you will quickly find that your Epson 7900 is woefully too small.
But the good news is that Epson has continuing rebates on their 9900.
ken
That would be a nice problem to have!
Thanks, Ken--I think you are right that on the larger sizes you can match the labs in pricing. Minimal pricing on small prints--just to get them in the door. I find that a lot of these people do need some help in post processing their images--and that is a service I can provide to them.
