Another Pricing / Logistics Question

[astrostu]

Someone e-mailed me and asked if some of the photographs on my web site were for sale. Well, she asked about one in particular, a moon phase montage I had put together, and I replied that I hadn't considered it as for sale because it was incomplete (it's missing 4 of the phases due to clouds). But, I told her if she was still interested to let me know what size she would want, if she wanted it matted, framed, etc., and I'd get back to her.

Well, she got back to me and said that she was still interested, was looking for it at around 11x14, and wanted it matted and framed. She also asked if some of the other photos on my site were for sale.

So the situation I'm in now is that I've never actually printed up photos, matted them, nor framed them. How does one go about this process? I'm assuming that I should go with a "professional" printer, but would a place like Wolf Camera cut it, or do I need to go someplace that's more up-scale?

And after that, where would I go to get it matted and framed? I assume I could do it fairly easily myself since it'd be a somewhat standard size, but are there cheap places to get non-bulk orders of this stuff?

And finally, what's a reasonable markup? Since I've never done this before and I'm not well known outside my own little bubble, and I'm not looking to gouge her, I'm not looking at a "pro"-level markup, but I obviously want to make something off of this.

Any/all advice would be appreciated! :hug::

 

[AprilRamone]

I've heard before that you should figure out what your costs are & then multiply it by 3 at least to get a decent price.

Also, I use Wolf to do my proofs, but I use Millers Professional Imaging to get any other prints done except for proofs. MPix is owned by Millers and makes good prints too I've heard.

I have used Wolf on occassion when I'm pressed for time and haven't had a problem with it.

 

[Big Mike]

A framing shop would be able to put together a nice matte & frame for you...the prices vary but they are usually rather expensive but they do a good job (the ones I've seen anyway). You could then double or triple your cost and pass that on to your customer...I think that's what a lot of photographers do.

Another option would be to just buy a frame & matte and mount it yourself, it's not hard. Cutting mattes yourself, from stock, is the part that takes practice.

As for printing...I would suggest using someplace that is local and has good customer service. As long as they use good quality paper etc....you should be able to get good results...even if you have to get them to reprinting it until it's up to your standards.

 

[astrostu]

Thanks for the advice.

 

[RacePhoto]

Thanks for the advice.

Sounds like you do some good work, if people are asking for prints. Good luck!

Here's a site that looks pretty interesting. You can price your photos and they print them. You set the price, over your costs and that's your profit.

http://www.imagekind.com/

Earn 15% commission on frames, mats and glazing!

• Markup your art, and keep 100% of the profit!
• Dedicated URL (http://johndoe.imagekind.com)
• Nothing to buy, stock, or ship!

Free gallery, 200 mb storage/bandwidth, up to 24 photos.


When I did a search for photos on canvas, there are pages and pages of places that will sell to you, but this one stood out as a marketing tool.

I've also looked at http://www.SmugMug.com which seems to have reasonable rates, but you need to subscribe for a fee to make a profit. They do calendars, mugs, shirts... and oh yes, photos.

 

[dostagamom]

I have used Reedy Photo out of Florida. They do GREAT work and have a fast turn around. Very good prices too.

 

[astrostu]

Wolf said it would cost $13 to print an 11x14, so I told the woman I would charge her $35 and that would include shipping but not a frame (since I figure shipping would run no more than $5 without a frame, so it's about a 230% mark-up above cost). She needs to let me know what kind of frame she'd want and then I would provide her a more specific quote.

I also told her (since she asked) that I would print other photos at up to 7.5x11 (or whatever the appropriate dimensions would be, but those would be max.) and to let me know what, how many, and what size and I'd get her a quote on those.

This'll help pay for the new apartment I'm going to be renting next month ...

 

[astrostu]

Geesh. Selling photos is much more complicated than I thought. Especially since I had never looked into frames, matts, printing, shipping ... it's a headache.

And she's asking to order two more of my moon shots and wants them put together all three in the same frame (I suggested an 11x14 for the large photo and two 5x7 for the others so that the dimensions would somewhat line up).

Now I have to call up a frame shop because there's NO WAY I'm going to have the first matte I cut be so complicated.