Recommendation for Poster size print

[robertr316]

For the past year I've been taking pictures of my kids at their games, working on my skills to hopefully, one day, quit my day job and do this for a living. In the meantime, one of the parents has offered to pay me for a poster sized print of her son...my first customer. Does anyone have a recommendation of where I should go to have a poster sized print made, and what is the appropriate markup you charge a client for a poster? Any advice/suggestions/recommendations would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[robertr316]

Sorry. I'm in Austin, TX. As for the size of the poster, the request was sent in an email and asked for a poster. I'm assuming that's about 20x30 or 24x36. I'm trying to do my homework on this subject before I respond back. :)

[HappySnapper90]

But is she expecting movie poster type paper which is rather cheap or photo quality paper? This site has good enlargement prices, though you have to buy 2 prints off this list to get these prices.
http://www.elcocolor.com/poster_special.htm

[flauri]

I use ELCO. They do great work. I just ordered fourteen 18x24's mounted on foam core. I believe they are in NJ.

[robertr316]

I'm trying to get more specifics regarding size and quality of the print from the client. Are the poster prices at El-Co for cheap paper or quality paper? And if you printing a poster for yourself, would you go with the lustre, glossy, or fugi metallic, and why?

If it helps, the photo I'm printing is a lacrosse action shot. If I go with El-Co and their 2 print minimum, I'll probably get a print of my son as well.

Any suggestions on what % of cost I should mark up the print? FYI...my wife is a graphic designer/illustrator so I completely understand the value of not giving away your artwork for peanuts. And as mentioned, selling the first print will set the precedence, so I want to make sure I do this correctly from the start.

[PhotosGuy]

...my wife is a graphic designer/illustrator... So I think she'd appreciate the quality & cost of Costco prints. I think they're better than any local pro lab I used for decades.
Post #10 & #18. Note that these are 2005 threads & I haven't had any problems with them in 6 years.
Costco & Sam's Club Digital Prints (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=123887)

[gonzogolf]

Sams club also do a decent job on 20x30 poster prints at a ridiculous price.

[gonzogolf]

High or low? :)
Low, under $10

[PhotosGuy]

Make sure to tell Costco, "No color correction". Without that, Costco may try to "fix" all your hard work! Mine has it turned off.
High or low? :) Low. 12X18" @ $3. 16X20" & 20X30 @ $10.
They also have books & canvas now, though I haven't tried them.

[HappySnapper90]

I'm trying to get more specifics regarding size and quality of the print from the client. Are the poster prices at El-Co for cheap paper or quality paper? And if you printing a poster for yourself, would you go with the lustre, glossy, or fugi metallic, and why?

I've gotten only Luster from them. Glossy paper is going to be more reflective, that's why I always go with a luster/semi-gloss finish. Shipping from El-co to Ohio is about $12 to $15.