Questions about selling prints

[limr]

I always assumed they were inkjet.

The main page for prints (Photo Prints - Online Digital Photo Printing, Professional Large Quality Prints - AdoramaPix) says, "

[h=2]At AdoramaPix, we offer the best online photo printing services for all your photo printing needs. Using Kodak Professional Endura Supra paper in five different finishes, we provide professional online digital photo printing services at competitive prices. You can get poster sized prints, small prints, as well as large photo prints online at our e-store depending on your requirements.[/h]

[h=2][/h]I also looked at a FAQ page and they claim, "

Our photo lab is now completely digitized.

I don't know enough about printing to have thought that printing digital images would be possible through any means other than printers. A quick search of the process yielded this info about "Digital C-Type Printing" from a Wikipedia entry: "

Prints can also be exposed using digital exposure systems such as the Durst Lambda, Océ LightJet and ZBE Chromira, yielding a digital C-Type print (sometimes called a Lambda print or LightJet print). The LightJet and the Lambda both use RGB lasers to expose light-sensitive material to produce a latent image that is then developed using conventional silver based photographic chemicals. The Chromira uses LEDs instead of lasers which results in a faster imaging time but can result in banding and Moiré patterns in fine details, if photographs submitted to the printer are at a size that differs from the actual crop and pixel resolution of the image file. All of the aforementioned printers utilise ICC colour profiles to achieve colour and density accuracy and also to correct paper sensitivity errors. The same technology can also be used to produce digital silver gelatin bromide black and white prints.

So is this what they are doing? Is this some sort of hybrid between inkjet and wet printing? Is this a better or worse than straight inkjet printing?

 

[vintagesnaps]

Congrats Leonore! Sounds like a great opportunity and recognition for you.

The past 2-3 years or so I've been submitting photos to juried exhibits and have had something accepted into three so far. I've usually looked at how works were priced when I've been to art shows, galleries in art centers, artist coops, etc. Pricing in my area seems to run $100-300 for local galleries and juried exhibits and closer to maybe $25-40 for small matted photos at craft fairs, etc. (large galleries in the city are much higher but they represent more well known and established artists). I find it depends on the location and what type show or display it is. I don't think I've seen photos sold unmatted.

What I've usually seen done is either a signature in pencil on the mat, or the artists name, title of the work, contact info. on the back. I've also seen more info. added as a small attachment on the back, something printed with the artist's bio, description of the work, etc. I personally probably wouldn't write directly on the front of a photo.

Enjoy the opening!

 

[limr]

Thanks Sharon!

I would have preferred matted prints, but it was too much this time around and we only got the prints at all because the sale at Adoramapix was too good ($1 for 8x10 and $2 for 11x14). We've got sleeves for the prints and figure we'll have them there with us unmatted but will offer the option of paying extra for matting and we'll mail them the matted print. For this particular venue, I'm okay with trying out that approach, but who knows? It's a casual and small enough venue that allows me to still learn from my mistakes without doing any serious damage to either reputation or finances. I might say differently after Friday, but for now, that's my story

 

[vintagesnaps]

If that's your story, stick to it! LOL I don't know if people sometimes sell unmatted photos, I just don't think I've seen it in my area (doesn't mean it's not an option). Sometimes I think you just have to give things a try, I've had something I didn't think would work or did by accident and if nothing else I learned something (that it either did work, or not to do it again! LOL).

 

[Ilovemycam]

If that's your story, stick to it! LOL I don't know if people sometimes sell unmatted photos, I just don't think I've seen it in my area (doesn't mean it's not an option). Sometimes I think you just have to give things a try, I've had something I didn't think would work or did by accident and if nothing else I learned something (that it either did work, or not to do it again! LOL).

I never offer anything matted. But the institutions that get my prints would prefer them non matted anyway. For art fairs and the like... I guess they like matted prints.

My prints all have wide white borders, so they look matted even with no matte.

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:%27Left_Silver_Gelatin_Print_-_Right_Hahnemuehle_Ink_Jet_Print%27_Copyright_2013_Daniel_Teoli_Jr..jpg

 

[The_Traveler]

For future reference

ClearBags? Show Kit (Set of 10)

 

[Ilovemycam]

Thanks Sharon!

I would have preferred matted prints, but it was too much this time around and we only got the prints at all because the sale at Adoramapix was too good ($1 for 8x10 and $2 for 11x14). We've got sleeves for the prints and figure we'll have them there with us unmatted but will offer the option of paying extra for matting and we'll mail them the matted print. For this particular venue, I'm okay with trying out that approach, but who knows? It's a casual and small enough venue that allows me to still learn from my mistakes without doing any serious damage to either reputation or finances. I might say differently after Friday, but for now, that's my story

$2 for an 11 x 14 is very cheap. Fine Art Baryta cost $3.10 a sheet just for the paper. But your prints are not on rag paper. Museums don't like RC paper that much. I only use rag or cellulose for my prints other than work prints that may get some RC use.

 

[Ilovemycam]

I didn't know that Adorama offered inkjet prints. I sign, date and title on the back of the print and add information about the materials and print type (as specific as possible, to give info about predicted life and display conditions) version and edition. If there are any special care requirements they would be added as well.

Technically it's Adorama Pix: Online Photo Books, Prints, Calendar, Digital Photo Printing Services - AdoramaPix I always forget the "pix" part of it.

im not much of an "artistic" guy....which is why i sell pictures people ASK me to take, rather than take pictures and then try to sell them.
...
it may take a few shows in your area to determine where a good price point for your work is. you could also try Ebay, or your own online gallery.

Pixmedic, I read a thread you started about doing impromptu beach shots at a wedding and I have to say, hats off to you and other wedding/aspiring wedding photographers. This is a big reason I don't want to be a commercial photographer. I detest weddings as it is, but to have to deal with crap like that? Seriously, good for you for putting up with clients and still doing good work.

As for the online gallery, it's a thought. I am sure this first show is going to be mostly a learning experience and I do plan on taking notes!

I sign my prints on the back. They also have the name of the image, date and copyright info. They are all archival pigment prints and are listed as such.
...
Good luck!

PS: Would like to hear about your 2 photog relationship. I always wondered how they would work out.

PS #2 Send in some pix of the gallery showing. I like to see the turnout and display.

Thanks!
And that's one more vote for signing on the back. It seems like the way to go and I'm comfortable it.

The two photog relationship works quite well. We have different enough styles that we don't step on each other's toes but similar enough that we can help each other out. He's better with technical details of exposure and equipment (and he comes in quite handy when a camera needs repair!) so he helps me be more systematic, and I am more 'artsy' if you will, and help him try different compositions and lighting. We both have cameras with us most of the time and neither one gets annoyed at "Hang on, I need to take this shot" or the "Stop! Get out of the way!" when one of us walks unwittingly into the other's frame. It does help that we've known each other for over 20 years (as friends, and then as a couple for the past 8 years.) The problem is that we are both crap at talking each other out of more gear Luckily we're both pretty dedicated to film and older cameras so at least our gear is more affordable.

I do plan on taking pictures at the opening. Am even playing with the idea of a long pinhole exposure just for kicks and giggles

Thank you everyone for the wonderful advice!

Glad the relationship is working out. I never liked working around other photogs. Maybe it is the strteet / loner photog type of thing.

There was an artist lady on Art 21 PBS that took pinhole pix with the home made cams she put in her mouth. The pix looked like they were shot with the outline of an almond shaped eye that her mouth gave the pix. I'm not much for pinholes. So have some nice non pinholes as backups.

BTW, If you getting a type C wet print $11 x 14 for $2?? Just unheard of prices.

 

[KmH]

Is this some sort of hybrid between inkjet and wet printing? Is this a better or worse than straight inkjet printing?

No it's not a hybrid.
The c-print is a traditional wet print making process, but the machines listed in your quote do the entire exposure and wet process internally, so there is no darkroom.
Chromogenic color print - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Like photography, print making involves a set of technical and artistic information that has a learning curve.
The Digital Print: Preparing Images in Lightroom and Photoshop for Printing
Fine Art Printing for Photographers: Exhibition Quality Prints with Inkjet Printers

There are many different kinds of inkjet printers. Some inkjet printers have thermal print heads. Some have piezoelectric print heads.

Home type inkjet printers just use 4 colors and can only print up to 8.5".
Pro grade inkjet printers can use 12+ colors and print really big.
Epson prosumer and pro printer heads have 360 nozzles per print head, while Canon prosumer and pro printer heads have 300 nozzles per print head.

There are a variety of inks and dyes available for inkjet printers, in a variety of solutions - water-based, solvent-based, UV-light cured, etc.

Consequently the color fastness and life span of inkjet prints is variable.
Wilhelm Imaging Research

Paper prints made with the better inkjet dyes generally have a longer lifespan and better color fastness than c-prints do.

 

[limr]

For future reference

ClearBags? Show Kit (Set of 10)

Thanks for the link.

What I've decided to do for this show is to essentially start putting a portfolio of sorts together. I bought an album with large plastic sleeves that are bound to the spine (not a 3-ring binder, in other words.) I'll put the prints in the sleeves (attached to a heavy white paper) and some information about pricing matted and unmatted next to the image. The ones I already have printed will be in their own separate plastic envelope thingies and people can buy them on the spot. If they want it matted, I'll take an address and mail it to them matted. If they want a print that I'm out of, I'll also take their address and mail a print.

Prints are all framed, signed on the back (title, name, location, year) and then also on the mat in the front (just name, title, year). They are being hung tonight. I laid them out the way I wanted them, we took pictures and I drew a diagram, but my bf had to go on his own because I teach evening classes this semester (just finished about 10 minutes ago, as a matter of fact!)

Thanks so so much to everyone for the advice, information, and encouragment. I'll let y'all know how it went!

 

[manaheim]

I print most things 12x18.
I mount on acid-free archival quality backing.
I mat acid-free archival quality.
I sign the front bottom right of the print using a non-acid paint pen.
I title and serial on the mat, and I title and date on the back of the print in non-acid pen.
Standard black metal frame.
Standard glass. I'd love to do IR reduction glass, but hooo... spensive.
I sell most of my stuff $300-450 for this size and quality.

 

[limr]

Manaheim, those are the same things that I'd like to be able to do, and if I ever have the chance to show in a more formal gallery, I'm sure I'd pony up to do that for a few shots. I couldn't do that for this particular show with this many pictures so I had to do what I could.

I ended up pricing between $95 - $195. I made a portfolio book with prices for prints, both matted and unmatted, though I only had the unmatted available for an on-the-spot purchase. If I were to get a table at a fair or a market, I'd have the matted prints.

The iPhone dude had 15 pictures, all framed and sized exactly the same, all for $200. He sold one. One of my bf's friends really liked a picture of mine and his wife wanted a picture that my bf took, so we'll sell them but there's no way I'm making them pay the full price. And these are not the kind of people who would buy something just because they know the person. So I guess I 'technically' sold something!

The opening went well and was an interesting experience. Here are some crappy pictures of a) some of the crowd, and b) my wall. And there's one of the photo of mine that sold (resized with a big watermark so none of y'all infringe on my copyright! )








Thanks again for everyone's help! I will keep it all in mind when I do this again in April. As mentioned, it's a show of exclusively Polaroid work, so there will be some oddball sizes and I plan on a more intentionally eclectic look to my presentation, but all the advice given here is still really valuable to me. So thanks again!

 

[Ilovemycam]

Manaheim, those are the same things that I'd like to be able to do, and if I ever have the chance to show in a more formal gallery, I'm sure I'd pony up to do that for a few shots. I couldn't do that for this particular show with this many pictures so I had to do what I could.

I ended up pricing between $95 - $195. I made a portfolio book with prices for prints, both matted and unmatted, though I only had the unmatted available for an on-the-spot purchase. If I were to get a table at a fair or a market, I'd have the matted prints.

The iPhone dude had 15 pictures, all framed and sized exactly the same, all for $200. He sold one. One of my bf's friends really liked a picture of mine and his wife wanted a picture that my bf took, so we'll sell them but there's no way I'm making them pay the full price. And these are not the kind of people who would buy something just because they know the person. So I guess I 'technically' sold something!

The opening went well and was an interesting experience. Here are some crappy pictures of a) some of the crowd, and b) my wall. And there's one of the photo of mine that sold (resized with a big watermark so none of y'all infringe on my copyright! )


View attachment 56129

View attachment 56130

View attachment 56128

Thanks again for everyone's help! I will keep it all in mind when I do this again in April. As mentioned, it's a show of exclusively Polaroid work, so there will be some oddball sizes and I plan on a more intentionally eclectic look to my presentation, but all the advice given here is still really valuable to me. So thanks again!

Thanks for the gallery shots. Looks like a nice turnout. So were you happy with the $2 photos? Everything work out or any hiccups?

 

[Ilovemycam]

For future reference

ClearBags? Show Kit (Set of 10)

Thanks for the link.

What I've decided to do for this show is to essentially start putting a portfolio of sorts together. I bought an album with large plastic sleeves that are bound to the spine (not a 3-ring binder, in other words.) I'll put the prints in the sleeves (attached to a heavy white paper) and some information about pricing matted and unmatted next to the image. The ones I already have printed will be in their own separate plastic envelope thingies and people can buy them on the spot. If they want it matted, I'll take an address and mail it to them matted. If they want a print that I'm out of, I'll also take their address and mail a print.

Prints are all framed, signed on the back (title, name, location, year) and then also on the mat in the front (just name, title, year). They are being hung tonight. I laid them out the way I wanted them, we took pictures and I drew a diagram, but my bf had to go on his own because I teach evening classes this semester (just finished about 10 minutes ago, as a matter of fact!)

Thanks so so much to everyone for the advice, information, and encouragment. I'll let y'all know how it went!

Post bound portfolios are good for that. I also make a pocket portfolio and spiral bind it. Good luck!

 

[limr]

So were you happy with the $2 photos? Everything work out or any hiccups?

I think the prints are really well done. They are $4 normally, but because my bf and I have done a couple of photo books with Adoramapix, he's now on a mailing list of sorts and gets special deals from time to time, so that's how we got the 11x14 for $2. I eventually want to set up my own darkroom and do printing myself, but it's just not going to happen for a while, so Adorama works quite well for the moment.

Everything seemed to work well. There were a few things I might have done differently, but nothing that caused me any major consternation. And the photo book/portfolio was just right. The book was on a podium next to my wall, so people were able to flip through it after seeing the framed pictures (you can see the book and podium in the second shot.) I had an envelope with some contact information and some of the cards were actually taken, so that was a nice surprise.

Thanks for asking!