I'm THINKING about getting an Epson 7800 printer later this summer. I've been getting requests for larger prints of my work and I want more control over the printing of those larger pieces.
To help finance this thing, I was THINKING that I might offer to print larger prints for you all here at PNWNP.
Now, I'm only THINKING about it so far. As far as printing for you all, it's sort of like starting another business. I could accept discs, print the photo and send you back the photo in a mail tube. OR you could come out here, work the photo to your desire and go home with a print. I don't know... As of right now, I'm thinking of charging $35, 40, 45 somewhere in there (not including shipping) but I'd like to have some sliding scale were if the print didn't turn out EXACTLY how you wanted it, I'd print it again for like... my cost, or something like that.
This is an IDEA that I'm THINKING about. I'd like some feedback about the me-printing-for-you idea.
Wow Mark. That is great news for you. The only thing I would keep in mind, is how many paper combinations would you offer? It could get pretty pricey, with longer payback time, if you have to supply rolls of different papers. Just a thought. If I was to use the service, I would supply the image ready to print, have it printed and delivered in a tube.
Thanks, Jim, I hadn't thought of the different kinds of paper to offer. Hmm...what about you buying the roll of paper, having it delivered to my house and then that roll is only used for you. Of course you'd get a discount on your print...
You could set up the printer right next to the roaster at your business. Then you could print and roast at the same time. You could even throw in a sample of your famous coffee with your prints. Why didn't you think of this before?
I'm very much interested in this for the same reasons you bring up - more control over the end product. And I agree buying several different types of paper on rolls is no small matter financially. Again agreeing with Jim my image file would most certainly also be print ready. No need to fuss n muss at your time expense.
Your SWAG at prices certainly seems reasonable Mark. I just wish you were up here so I could drive over after work and sip some Hood River Coffee as my prints came off the printer and shoot the breeze with YOU!!
Mark,
It's a great idea, and you already know that I'll be puttin gin a big order as soon as you get the darn thing.
I'll add...that Mark's printing right now, is pretty methodical...and really pure. (he knows what he is doing, and I'd trust him more than some flunkie getting minimum wage).
...I'd offer only 2 or 3 different types of paper...anything else...have them bring out their own. This way, you would sorta know what to expect as a final product...no suprises.
Posted by Randy Hanna on April 11, 2006 at 7:47 PM
Mark:
Another issue to consider will be the ICCs. If people want a paper that you don't have, they should also provide the ICC or you should bill for the creation of such. I print with a 4800 and a 2400. I have been lucky enough to find a local guy that will print larger images for me on those rear events in which 17 x ? is simply not large enough. Last time that I had a 24x 39 printed, I paid about $180 which included a little PS time. You will also want a good RIP if things really get going for you. Unless you want glossy, there is no reason to offer anything other than Ultra Smooth Fine Art paper (only available in rolls) and uses only matt or phmatt ink - IMHO.. The phmatt will keep you from changing photo to gloss and suffering a 30% ink loss (blacks and something like 3-5% on other colors all due to line cleaning) on every change-out. I've been there with my 4800.
All I have to say is that if you set it up, I will come and print! Udevelop.com has a 7800 and they charge pretty close to what you already mentioned. They will print on 3 kinds of paper.
For me, there is the picture, the PP, and the print. I'm really struggling on that last part, even to the point of buying the 2400 just so I print something decent. If I knew I could get any size print from your 7800, I would probably forego the printing at home b/c I know I could get a good print from someone I trust.
How's this sound?
You send me a file somehow, I print up an 8x10 "approval print" and send it back to you. You either ok it or suggest improvements. If it's okay, I print up the final version, it not, we work on it till we get it right.
You could also ask the person supplying the file to you, to send along a sample 8x10 for you to match. This was how most of the large printing houses used to do it.
Posted by Ned Fenimore on April 12, 2006 at 1:25 PM
I'm slow to reply, Mark - but I definitely have an interest. I'm looking to begin using Ultra smooth and possible Moab Entrada on my 2200. There would be an interest on my part to do 17" wide prints occasionally - this printer goes wider that 17"? I haven't checked. If it does, than an occasional very large print for some of the better images I capture. At least with the Entrada, I would want to buy and provide sheets for printing instead of rolls. I'm very interested in doing some black and white, and would like to explore that.
My other idea would be to have test targets printed on these two papers, (if you can go that route), and having Dry Creek Photo or another source provide a paper-specific profile that I would pay for too..
Okay, I did it, I ordered it.
It'll ship on the 20th and I'll have it by the end of the month. Of course, I'm not going to start right out doing contract jobs for everyone, I'm going to figure it out and work from there.
This is going to be fun!
Mark,
I just read on the large format forum, that when setting up the printer that you should budget $1000 at the beginning for the next set of ink cartridges, since when you are up and running the new set will be needed soon. Don't know if this is due to smaller cartridges supplied with the printer or because you use so much during the setup process. Just thought I would let you know.
Posted by Mark Hudon on April 13, 2006 at 11:46 AM
Thanks, Jim, I was figuring on that. The printer comes with on set of the 110mm cartridges and then the printer takes 30% of that to charge the lines. The 110mm cartridges cost about $50/60 each and the 220mm cartridges cost $80/90. There are eight cartridges so I can see how it will add up quick.
You and everyone else have a lot of large prints you need me to do, don't you?
Just because I shoot Large Format doesn't mean that my images should be printed large. Subject matter dictates whether an image is better big. I for one feel that the images I produce, maybe 10% would be better larger than I am capable of printing at home. I might get 1 or 2 printed, but if you think I will be a big purchaser, you might re-consider it.
No, I'm not thinking I'm starting a new business. My feeling is that I'll have this tool that will sit idle quite a bit. The printing I'll do for others will pretty much just pay for my ink I figure. That's all I care about. Really, that, and to maybe give you all a little hassle free printing.
The only reason I'm getting this printer is so that I have more control over my large prints, I don't print dozens of large sizes either, I just want more control over what I do print.
My photography only has to pay for more of my photography. I have a day job and my bills are paid with that, this printer just is a tool. Heck, I'll be surprised if I print ten photos for other people in one year.
Posted by Curtis Knight on April 13, 2006 at 10:07 PM
I'll be in Hood River this summer so that I can watch and learn!
Discussion
22 repliesTo help finance this thing, I was THINKING that I might offer to print larger prints for you all here at PNWNP.
Now, I'm only THINKING about it so far. As far as printing for you all, it's sort of like starting another business. I could accept discs, print the photo and send you back the photo in a mail tube. OR you could come out here, work the photo to your desire and go home with a print. I don't know... As of right now, I'm thinking of charging $35, 40, 45 somewhere in there (not including shipping) but I'd like to have some sliding scale were if the print didn't turn out EXACTLY how you wanted it, I'd print it again for like... my cost, or something like that.
This is an IDEA that I'm THINKING about. I'd like some feedback about the me-printing-for-you idea.
Your SWAG at prices certainly seems reasonable Mark. I just wish you were up here so I could drive over after work and sip some Hood River Coffee as my prints came off the printer and shoot the breeze with YOU!!
It's a great idea, and you already know that I'll be puttin gin a big order as soon as you get the darn thing.
I'll add...that Mark's printing right now, is pretty methodical...and really pure. (he knows what he is doing, and I'd trust him more than some flunkie getting minimum wage).
...I'd offer only 2 or 3 different types of paper...anything else...have them bring out their own. This way, you would sorta know what to expect as a final product...no suprises.
Another issue to consider will be the ICCs. If people want a paper that you don't have, they should also provide the ICC or you should bill for the creation of such. I print with a 4800 and a 2400. I have been lucky enough to find a local guy that will print larger images for me on those rear events in which 17 x ? is simply not large enough. Last time that I had a 24x 39 printed, I paid about $180 which included a little PS time. You will also want a good RIP if things really get going for you. Unless you want glossy, there is no reason to offer anything other than Ultra Smooth Fine Art paper (only available in rolls) and uses only matt or phmatt ink - IMHO.. The phmatt will keep you from changing photo to gloss and suffering a 30% ink loss (blacks and something like 3-5% on other colors all due to line cleaning) on every change-out. I've been there with my 4800.
All I have to say is that if you set it up, I will come and print! Udevelop.com has a 7800 and they charge pretty close to what you already mentioned. They will print on 3 kinds of paper.
For me, there is the picture, the PP, and the print. I'm really struggling on that last part, even to the point of buying the 2400 just so I print something decent. If I knew I could get any size print from your 7800, I would probably forego the printing at home b/c I know I could get a good print from someone I trust.
Other than price for you, it makes sense.
Kevin
I think I'd take a poll to see what the most popular papers are and offer those. At first I wouldn't offer more than three papers.
You send me a file somehow, I print up an 8x10 "approval print" and send it back to you. You either ok it or suggest improvements. If it's okay, I print up the final version, it not, we work on it till we get it right.
My other idea would be to have test targets printed on these two papers, (if you can go that route), and having Dry Creek Photo or another source provide a paper-specific profile that I would pay for too..
I'm getting real close to acting on this.
It'll ship on the 20th and I'll have it by the end of the month. Of course, I'm not going to start right out doing contract jobs for everyone, I'm going to figure it out and work from there.
This is going to be fun!
I just read on the large format forum, that when setting up the printer that you should budget $1000 at the beginning for the next set of ink cartridges, since when you are up and running the new set will be needed soon. Don't know if this is due to smaller cartridges supplied with the printer or because you use so much during the setup process. Just thought I would let you know.
You and everyone else have a lot of large prints you need me to do, don't you?
The only reason I'm getting this printer is so that I have more control over my large prints, I don't print dozens of large sizes either, I just want more control over what I do print.
My photography only has to pay for more of my photography. I have a day job and my bills are paid with that, this printer just is a tool. Heck, I'll be surprised if I print ten photos for other people in one year.