Mark-up on Prints....

[FGPhotography]

Generally, I admit, I don't sell prints - I sell digital images... But I have a client who really wants prints, how do you mark these up? I mean for me to buy and 8x10 for example, before taxes, is 2.99... I certainly can't sell the for that price, that's insane! So, my question is this; what is the general mark-up percentage you all use? Thanks so very much!! =)

[funcrunch]

My philosophy is that my clients are paying for my services, not the lab's. I put in the exact same amount of effort whether the client orders a 4x6 or a 20x30. So I charge a fixed markup for prints, rather than a percentage.

[FGPhotography]

Originally Posted by funcrunch

My philosophy is that my clients are paying for my services, not the lab's. I put in the exact same amount of effort whether the client orders a 4x6 or a 20x30. So I charge a fixed markup for prints, rather than a percentage.

What is your mark-up cost, just so I have an idea of where to go... Thank you! =)

[funcrunch]

Originally Posted by FGPhotography

What is your mark-up cost, just so I have an idea of where to go... Thank you! =)

I'd rather not say, not because I'm trying to be coy but because I'm working on adjusting my prices currently :-)

[Nekrose]

I sell my prints individually and as a part of a package. With the package, I tally up how much it costs to print and ship and multiply that by four.

For individual prints:
4x6= 5
5x7= 10
8x10= 20

I am still working on my pricing though.

[FGPhotography]

Originally Posted by funcrunch

I'd rather not say, not because I'm trying to be coy but because I'm working on adjusting my prices currently :-)

I understand, no worries =) It was worth asking. Thanks for your help still. Good luck with your price adjusting!

[private]

What you should do is research what is going on in your area and price accordingly. every area is different. Some areas $25 for an 8x10 is cheap and others its expensive...

Depends... do you like them?

[Niresangwa]

Originally Posted by maxharvard

Depends... do you like them?

This

However, as Pat said, look around your area. It should take only a little while to research a few photographers, do some math anf figure out what they're charging, and adjust as you need to.

Around Milwaukee, if I look at the aggregate price for the popular print sizes from 'decent' studios, based upon what I know they're paying, I'd say its approx (cost of print) x 8-10.

[BigVinnie]

Don't take this the wrong way, but your thinking is wrong

The ONLY factor lab costs should play is when you do your taxes. It is just a cost associated with delivering the final product.

To put it another way, you are selling someone an image. Only a small part of the cost is what it costs to bring that image to a piece of paper. The value of that image is proportional to the size, not necessarily cost to produce that size. I think Costco charges $9 for a 20x30. I can't see myself valuing that for just a few dollars more than an 8x10.

In the years that I did studio work I don't think lab costs were ever really factored in to the pricing. It was just considered overhead like the film costs were.