Portraits; Print them or have them printed?

[Photorebel]

I've got a nice little portrait gig starting up. Got all the equipment, lights, knowledge, and clients lined up. I have done portrait work in years past,
and did ok, for a part time venture. That was with film. I sent all my
work out to be printed..and was satisfied.
Now it's digital.

What would be better, printing at home on a professional grade printer, or
using a digital pro service?

There are pros & cons on both sides.

If I send them out, it's a time saver, the work should be more consistent,
but what about print permanence?

Printing myself, on a pro quality, type printer (Epson 2400 or 4800) neither
of which I currently own..would give me more control, but take up much
more time, and be a substantial investment. Not just the printer, but
the ongoing costs, ink, paper..etc.

Frankly I'm leaning toward having my prints printed by a pro lab, and would like any suggestions.
Unless, someone could give me reasons why printing myself would make
more sense.

Thanks

[chtgrubbs]

I would go with a pro lab. It will give you a consistent product ( or should,anyway) and you will know exactly what your unit cost is. When you print yourself, there is a tendency to make more than 1 print to get it just right on the second or third try, and then your costs multiply.

[liza]

It's cheaper to have them printed at a lab. I've heard good things about www.whcc.com and www.mpix.com .

[JaertX]

portraits? no way I'd print them myself. Like Liza said...it's cheaper (and better IMO) to get them printed...just use a good lab like one of the ones she mentioned.

Maybe fine art type prints where you have complete color management, but then only if you're framing them yourself.

[Photorebel]

I would go with a pro lab. It will give you a consistent product ( or should,anyway) and you will know exactly what your unit cost is. When you print yourself, there is a tendency to make more than 1 print to get it just right on the second or third try, and then your costs multiply.

You are right on the money, and I didn't consider how I might be making multiple prints to get it right. Maybe in time, with a lot of experience, I could become a better printer. It's still doubtful I'd have a great print first time out, every time.
I can already see in my mind, costs escalating. And the more I think about it, a pro lab can do the job cheaper and give me a better print, which is ultimately what I want anyway.
Thanks for your insight.

[Halliday]

It's not bad to have a printer to run off quick shots, but any kind of volume you should hire out.

[SonyaL]

I have used MPIX and there service was great. I put and order in on Tuesday night they were here on Saturday and that Friday was a holiday so to me thats great consisering they were coming from out of state.
Quality was top notch much better that with my printer here.


Sonya

[JaertX]

Sonya - I'm always amazed at how fast MPIX gets prints to me. I ordered a set last Monday (early morning) and it was delivered that Wednesday (and some prints were mounted). Amazing. Maybe there's something about mail between Kansas and Texas.

If you're in the States, I would highly recommend them, Jeff.

[Photorebel]

I'm going with M-Pix...can't hurt to give them a try. Thanks for the suggestions.

[Mike Panic]

What would be better, printing at home on a professional grade printer, or
using a digital pro service?

im unaware of any "professional grade printer" for home use that will equal a chemical made print from a lab. even if you spend the money on an r1800... its pennies when you compare the price of a frontier or noritsu printer, not to mention the knowledge of the person running it and making the prints.

as mentioned, $ for $ its cheaper to have a lab do it

id also suggest looking into a local lab... they may be a few pennies more, but you'll get a faster turn around and be able to build a better relationship w/ them for when you have a situation that needs a rush... like a same day or next day print - something mpix or whcc do not offer.

[pparker]

I would have a nice printer such as the Epson 4800 for rare occasions when you need a print right away, but would use a lab such as MPIX, Millers, White House Custom Color, or http://expressprints.com Look closely at the express prints web site and take time to see what they offer. I think this looks like one of the best offerings there is for digital photographers. I haven't tried them yet, but I really like the user interface and template offerings.
I have used MPIX with excellent results also. They're quick, and the quality of the prints is very good as long as you monitor is calibrated properly.

I hope this helps.
Pete

[coreypolis]

I think this answers what I use.



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v721/viperx27/IG3Q9344.jpg


and with pricing like this its hard to compete


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v721/viperx27/pic1.jpg



so when using 16" paper I can do 2x 8x10s for $0.55 each. Tell me any online place that can print and ship for that



Never having to deal with the headasches of lost or incomplete or incorect orders is well worth my time that it takes to print. Qimage sets it all up, and the printer does the rest. I printed one myself and had the local pro lab do one. Both were good but I actually liked mine a little better.

[Mike Panic]

so when using 16" paper I can do 2x 8x10s for $0.55 each.

this is true. but you also didn't factor in the cost of the printer(s) and that they are inkjet prints (nothing wrong w/ that) and not silver halide

[coreypolis]

this is true. but you also didn't factor in the cost of the printer(s) and that they are inkjet prints (nothing wrong w/ that) and not silver halide

well I needed a printer anyways

I got the store to mark it down from 2000 to 1800. then I had a 150 credit and I was moving, so it went toward that. It had a $400 rebate, and I sold my 2 year old 2200 for 550.

so thats
1800-150-400-550 = 700. then when it comes with a full set of ink, theres another 400. so that made it less then the price of a r1800, and it uses less ink per sq ft and the ink is cheeper. it doesn't take long at all for the printer to pay for itself. If you sell an 8x10 for even $20, thats 19.45 - your time, that goes toward paying for the printer and eventually profit.


the k3 inks and good paper will last for longer than we will.

peronally I can't stand the typical gloss of the fuji paper and matte should only be used on some types of images.

[coreypolis]

between that and the fact that clients are wowed by the fact that you can produce the images yourself with the utmost of ease and control, it works for me.

[Mike Panic]

i never let my clients know where the prints come from... they have no real need to know