Posted by Chris Moore on October 26, 2012 at 9:14 AM
Hi, I am relatively new to selling prints, I use BayPhoto for my printing. I currently offer customers their three surface types- Lustre, Glossy, and Metallic. I have lost a few sales recently for customers who have vanished in the course of me trying to explain the different surface types. Someone told me they just wanted to choose a size, the photographer should choose which surface type is best, and the options were just too much.
My question may be silly, but is there a GENERAL consensus among photographers as to which paper surface is best and/or popular for individual print purchases? My gut tells me Lustre, as some don't like the reflective quality of glossy, and while I like Metallic a lot, not everyone does. Thanks for the info.
Chris
My question may be silly, but is there a GENERAL consensus among photographers as to which paper surface is best and/or popular for individual print purchases?
Short answer: Nope.
Longer answer: two basic options--
1. Print the photograph on the media that best brings out what you are attempting to convey. If the client likes it, they will buy it.
2. You could offer to send the potential client a small proof print on say, glossy, and lustre. They could then choose the surface they like best. You would eat the cost of making the proofs and shipping them, but it might net you a sale.
Attempting to explain the differences between various papers is an exercize in futility, as you've discovered. I think it best to simply let the customer know that you'll print the image at their requested size, at a set price on the paper you choose. In short--keep it simple.
For my own work, I print on Lustre paper, primarily; although I have printed on glossy and matte--it depends upon what makes the photograph 'sing'.
--P
Posted by Mark Stahlke on October 26, 2012 at 11:43 AM
Print the photograph on the media that best brings out what you are attempting to convey.
That's what I do. Most of the time I use a matte finish paper like Moab Entrada. Some images look better on a semi-gloss paper like Ilford Gold Fibre Silk. And then there are those that cry out for a textured fine art paper. I don't like a glossy finish and don't use it. I've never tried metallic.
It won't work except for face-to-face sales, but a display is worth a thousand words. Let them see examples of the effect of paper on an example image, then discuss it if they want. More likely they'll defer to your recommendation unless they have some effect they want specific to their installation.
Discussion
3 repliesMy question may be silly, but is there a GENERAL consensus among photographers as to which paper surface is best and/or popular for individual print purchases? My gut tells me Lustre, as some don't like the reflective quality of glossy, and while I like Metallic a lot, not everyone does. Thanks for the info.
Chris
Short answer: Nope.
Longer answer: two basic options--
1. Print the photograph on the media that best brings out what you are attempting to convey. If the client likes it, they will buy it.
2. You could offer to send the potential client a small proof print on say, glossy, and lustre. They could then choose the surface they like best. You would eat the cost of making the proofs and shipping them, but it might net you a sale.
Attempting to explain the differences between various papers is an exercize in futility, as you've discovered. I think it best to simply let the customer know that you'll print the image at their requested size, at a set price on the paper you choose. In short--keep it simple.
For my own work, I print on Lustre paper, primarily; although I have printed on glossy and matte--it depends upon what makes the photograph 'sing'.
--P
That's what I do. Most of the time I use a matte finish paper like Moab Entrada. Some images look better on a semi-gloss paper like Ilford Gold Fibre Silk. And then there are those that cry out for a textured fine art paper. I don't like a glossy finish and don't use it. I've never tried metallic.