Requests for prints..what do I do?

[Maggie_M]

I have been showing my work on Facebook for a few months now and I'm starting to get requests for prints and I don't have the foggiest idea how to go about providing them. I've been looking at some of the print on demand sites like fineartamerica.com,they look convenient, but expensive. Is there a better way to go?
I've also been considering getting a large format printer, but don't want to mortgage the house to do it!
Any advice is appreciated!

[GadgetRick]

Well there are lots of sites which allow you to sell prints. Others can chime in on which is better as I'm researching this myself.

As far as a large format printer, why are you looking to buy one? I'd say, until you have regular work, outsource it. Will be cheaper until you get enough work to warrant buying one.

Once you do need one, look for used. Unfortunately, a LOT of printers are going out of business these days. Because of this you can get some great deals on used equipment. Just do your research before buying.

[Ray Dockrey]

Have you looked at MPIX ? They have a great turn around time and the prints are really good. Plus they are really inexpensive. The address is:

Mpix.com - Home

[zona5101]

there are places (plenty I am sure) where you can post your pics and customers do their own ordering so you don't have to touch an order form or handle money or any of that. You can secure your images so only folks you invite can see and order...

Checkout unitprints.com - Professional Photo Printing

[Jim Bryant]

I use exposuremanager.com. Only about $95.00 a year, you set up your gallery on their site, set up the pricing, people go into it, select their choices and sizes, pay by credit cards and the exposure manager prints and sends to customers. And you receive a monthly check by th e22nd or so.

[BCampbell]

Those of you using services that print & ship for you, you don't have issues with not seeing the work before you send it to your customer?

[Jim Poor]

I used the sample prints and then had my first few orders shipped to me just to be sure.

Then, I started shipping every 5th order or so to me first as a spot check, plus I get my samples and such from the same place.

Now, I have two different shipping options, standard and economy. The economy orders get submitted in bulk every two weeks and shipped to me for reshipment to the clients.

I see a fair number of the images coming through so I'm confident in my lab's abilities to get it right.

[Brian Mullins]

Smugmug & exposure manager both allow you to upload galleries and get prints made. Your ordering can be seperate from your lab, if you prefer. Millers Lab and WHCC are both awesome pro labs that will have your order to you within two days. It would be wise to open another bank account for these transactions to keep track of your expenses.

One note - if/when you start generating revenue from this, please, please, please do it legally. You are delivering a physical product that is subject to sales and income tax. It's very easy to register to collect & remit sales tax in most areas. The penalities for not doing so, if caught, are ugly so please do your research before this.

As far as a large format printer - I use an Epson 3800 which is sheet fed with great results. It is more expensive to print yourself then at a lab, but you have ultimate control in the appearance (which you may or may not want).

[Jim Bryant]

Exposure manager hasn't screwed up yet, so until they do, I'll stick with their services. I have feed back where customers can comment on the quality and services. Most of them are amazed that it's not even a week passes from the time they order to when it's received by them.