price for prints of pre-shot photos?

[Daniel Buck]

I have had a few people contact me about getting a print or two of some of my shots that I either have in my gallery, or that I have shown around in various places. I don't usually sell my work (just a hobby) , so I have just resorted to the "$30 plus whatever it costs me to have it printed/mounted" type price. Usually $20-$30 over head over what it costs me to print/mount. (I use places like WHCC and MPix for my printing, so the prints are excellent)

Any thoughts on this pricing? This isn't something I want to get more into (selling my photography) but I won't say no if/when someone asks for a print. Should size of the print be taken into consideration above and beyond my overhead + printing price?

Any thoughts or comments welcome :)

[Jacob Leveton]

how big is the shot?

it should be a percentage (ie, if a 5x7 costs you $5, and you sell it for $25, if someone asks you for an 11x17 which costs you $9 to print, you don't charge $29 cuz your mark up is $20 above cost).

[John Thawley]

If it's not something you want to get into, then a charge accordingly. At those prices, you'll be getting "into it."

For general racing prints I charge $45 for a 10x15 on up to $135 for a 20x30

For serious stuff, a 10x15 would run around $95 on up to $295 for a 20x30

It's not about the print... it's about the image.

JT

[Todd Corzett]

I do 12x18 prints for $45 ($4 to print). Just like JT said, it's not about the print... it's about the image. I've not really figured-out a good model for the larger than 12x18 sizes, because of the increase in costs... but I've not really had to deal with that yet, 12x18 has been large enough for all but one of the people who want to buy prints (I admit that I don't market print sales at all, so don't do much volume in that regard). If someone came to me today and wanted a 20x30 I'd have to charge in the >$100 range just to cover my costs.

-Todd...

[Daniel Buck]

Thanks for the info :-)

I'm not planning on doing this very often (not advertising it, or letting folks know my prints are for sale) but I think this should get me in the ball park of where I need to be. Thanks for the suggestions!

[Jeff Boerio]

If it's not something you want to get into, then a charge accordingly. At those prices, you'll be getting "into it."

For general racing prints I charge $45 for a 10x15 on up to $135 for a 20x30

For serious stuff, a 10x15 would run around $95 on up to $295 for a 20x30

It's not about the print... it's about the image.

JT


Jeez JT, there's a whole other category out there that you didn't mention. I'm certainly paying and paying for those books I bought from you. The trauma I endured getting them signed will keep my therapist in business for a long time! :p

Back on topic ... for me, I don't want to be in the printing/shipping business. I'd rather transmit the digital image to the client (along with a letter granting permission to print) and let them get it printed whereever they want for whatever that printer is going to charge. I know this has its pros and cons, but that's just what I want to do. I might be inclined to print stuff for local clients for "serious stuff".

[Todd Corzett]

I don't want to be in the printing/shipping business. I'd rather transmit the digital image to the client (along with a letter granting permission to print) and let them get it printed whereever they want for whatever that printer is going to charge. I know this has its pros and cons, but that's just what I want to do. I might be inclined to print stuff for local clients for "serious stuff".
If you don't want to deal with the printing/shipping you may want to look into an online printer who can then mail directly to the client. This way, you get the pros of not sending-away your high-res images, without the cons of needing to print/ship. Personally, if I had to do all the work (as a client), I'd not want to pay $45 for a file so that I can go get a print made... remember, many people still thing that "digital is free"... and will not want to pay (much) for a file.

-Todd...

[Jeff Boerio]

If you don't want to deal with the printing/shipping you may want to look into an online printer who can then mail directly to the client. This way, you get the pros of not sending-away your high-res images, without the cons of needing to print/ship. Personally, if I had to do all the work (as a client), I'd not want to pay $45 for a file so that I can go get a print made... remember, many people still thing that "digital is free"... and will not want to pay (much) for a file.

-Todd...

Todd,

Agree across the board. So far, I haven't run into problems, but I should probably have a service like this in my hip pocket :)

- Jeff