i9100: ink cost per print?

[k-j-m]

Hey all-

I am planning on producing 8x10 and 13x19 prints and selling them (hopefully!). I can figure out the cost of each print for paper, packaging, etc easily enough, but the one variable that is causing me major headaches is trying to come up with (even a rough estimate) of the cost of the ink used per print. I've been searching the web for days and can't find anybody that has done any comprehensive studies on this. I realize that it can be a major variable depending on the paper used, type of image being printed, etc - but what I am looking for is at least a rough guess of how much I should add to the cost of each print for ink usage.

The closest I could come was a web site that stated you can expect to use about 1.5ml of ink per square foot of printing. Easy enough to do the math on that, but how do I factor in the fact that I am using a i9100 with 6 tanks? Average it out between all 6 tanks? I'll be printing out scenic shots taken in Hawaii, so my guess is I'll be using a lot more blues and greens than anything else.

I know there is no magic formula that will give me an exact cost, but if any of you have any ideas? Should I just play it safe and add 50 cents per print for the 8x10 and a dollar for the 13x19's? I'd like to keep it low so I can get some good margins. Any input from you all would be most appreciated!!

kjm

[dn7elson]

... but how do I factor in the fact that I am using a i9100 with 6 tanks? Average it out between all 6 tanks? I'll be printing out scenic shots taken in Hawaii, so my guess is I'll be using a lot more blues and greens than anything else.

I have a Canon S9000, the model prior to the 9100 and find that I use the Photo cartridges (Photo Cyan & Photo Magenta) more quickly than the other colors with Cyan and Yellow following.

The color density of the image and shading will both affect ink consumption. I really haven't taken the time to see what the ink/print ratio is on the printer. I just order replacement ink tanks as soon as the last batch has been consumed. :lol:

I try to have 2 of each on hand and order replacements when I am down to one tank in about 1/2 of the colors. That way I don't get caught without ink in the middle of a print run and can get a better price per tank with a little advance planning, rather than running down to the closest store and paying whatever they ask.

I have found that Databazaar.com has some of the best prices on ink tanks and provides free shipping. I have placed 4 orders with them so far and have never had a problem and the shipments arrive within 2-3 days or ordering. I have no interest in this vendor other than as a satisfied customer. http://www.databazaar.com

[Longwatcher]

I have been getting between 30 and 40 8x10.5 photo prints (yes I am weird in my print size) per set of BCI-6 cartridges on average, the photo cartridges do seem to go faster, but a lot of green sucks up the yellow one pretty fast. Using OEM inks at $9 each ($60 for set w/S+H or tax) works out to about $1.50 per 8x10 print. A 13x19 will use up about $5 in ink.

You may get slightly more if printing in large batches as the printer seems to suck up ink just sitting there. You will get less if you print borderless.

I use the s9000 for reference (same ink set).

Obviously using 3rd party ink will be cheaper, but with more risk of customer disatisfaction.

[Gibmeister]

I have been tracking my printing on the Canon S9000 for a while now and this is what I have come up with.

Black .001407/square inch
Photo Cyan .001588/square inch
Photo Magenta .00288/square inch
Cyan .001521/square inch
Magenta .002186/square inch
Yellow .001283/square inch
Total .010866/square inch

So a:

4x6=$.26
5x7=$.38
8x10=$.87
11x14=$1.67
13x19=$2.68

This is cost of ink only. It is based on paying $9.26 per cartridge of original Canon ink from Canoga. I realize that everyones printing habits are different and the costs will vary depending what colors you tend to print during any given cycle. This is how my first round came out. I am still tracking and will update as I go.

Hope that this helps.

Gib

[k-j-m]

Thank you all for your input so far - it's giving me a better idea of the costs.

Gib - Thanks for the detailed breakdown. Since the S9000 is the precursor to the i9100 I'm sure the costs will be similiar. Can you tell me - how do you track your usage?

kjm

[Gibmeister]

kjm,

Everytime I print a picture I put a tick mark under each color based on the size of the print 4x6, 8x10 and so on. When a color runs out I calculate how many square inches of prints I got out of that color and record it. When I get done with each of the 6 colors I calculate the total per inch cost.

Gib

[k-j-m]

Right on - thanks Gib! I'll start tracking my usage the same way and see how my costs compare to yours. Appreciate it!

kjm

[Gibmeister]

kjm,

I am still tracking and will post updates as I get them.