I'm in the process of re-doing my website on Lightroom with a paypal option to buy prints and then ordering the prints myself through an online printing company.
Firstly, I've seen many sights were people just have customers e-mail them with sizes and quantities then send a check. Is the paypal option just not worth it?
Secondly, I don't have the printing capabilities at home and I'm wondering if there are any tested sites online that could do EPSON (example) quality prints and even matting. Do most people find people would rather use their own frame that might match their home or is it customary for the photographer to assign the frame?
If these have all been addressed before then sorry and please send me in the right direction.
There are a number of comanies like LabPrints that work more or less along the lines you describe. They will host your site or link to your site and provide a "go between" service to take and place orders directly with your lab. We're still investigating, but for our studio and far-flung clients the ability to post session photos to the LabPrint site for relatives all over the world to view and order from directly has a lot of appeal.
Most professional labs have arrangements with one or more companies like LabPrints. Ours (H&H) works with close to half a dozen of them.
In your shoes I'd continue my quest to find the right lab to meet your quality criteria, then see which companies like LabPrints they work with.
It's a good idea. We find that when dealing with a pro lab, they're instantly good for reprints if a problem crops up with a delivery. That sure beat reprinting (and reprinting!) with your own supplies, even if it costs more. We're perfectly happy to pass along the higher print prices to our customers with the assurance that our lab backs us completely.
I have tried this and many other options to the point I nearly chucked it all. Then noodling around with SmugMug, I found their solution and services to be easy and successful. If Marc Meunch can use them I can. Within 24 hours of activating my galleries to sell I made 3 large print sales! Take a look at SmugMug
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2 repliesI'm in the process of re-doing my website on Lightroom with a paypal option to buy prints and then ordering the prints myself through an online printing company.
Firstly, I've seen many sights were people just have customers e-mail them with sizes and quantities then send a check. Is the paypal option just not worth it?
Secondly, I don't have the printing capabilities at home and I'm wondering if there are any tested sites online that could do EPSON (example) quality prints and even matting. Do most people find people would rather use their own frame that might match their home or is it customary for the photographer to assign the frame?
If these have all been addressed before then sorry and please send me in the right direction.
Thank you all for your time.
-Ronan
www.ronandonovan.com
Most professional labs have arrangements with one or more companies like LabPrints. Ours (H&H) works with close to half a dozen of them.
In your shoes I'd continue my quest to find the right lab to meet your quality criteria, then see which companies like LabPrints they work with.
It's a good idea. We find that when dealing with a pro lab, they're instantly good for reprints if a problem crops up with a delivery. That sure beat reprinting (and reprinting!) with your own supplies, even if it costs more. We're perfectly happy to pass along the higher print prices to our customers with the assurance that our lab backs us completely.