On Site Photo Printing for Events?

Hello
I have some events that i'm going to be photographing this year and I know I will sell more at the event then selling online. I will still have them up online too though. My question is there any fast portable printers that can print at least 5x7's? The events would consist of Biking and running races. Thanks for your help
--Justin--

Most people use Dye Sublimation printers for events. There are currently some very good deals on these printers, where you get a lot of free media. Be aware that these aren't cheap printers though. If you don't have AC power available, you'll need a generator or something too.

Take a look at the Sony UPDR150 ($1700) and the Mitsubishi CP9550DW ($1250). Note that the promotions on these printers both run out in the next few days. It's unknown if they will be renewed. Both printers are available at http://www.imagingspec​trum.com.

Wow they are little above my buget at the moment but how about inkjet printers? I was looking at the HP A716. Im thinking ill probley only be doing up to 100-140 prints a race.
Thanks for the info dagwell!!

Well, I personally hate inkjets so I couldn't help you much there. Less expensive dye sub printers are available, but they either aren't as optimal or they aren't as good of a deal.

The Kodak 1400 is currently selling for about $250 after rebate. It prints 8x10 or 8x12 sheets. You can then trim 2 5x7 prints out of a sheet. But that's a lot of work.

If you are willing to get 4x6 prints, then there are a ton of inexpensive options available. I have and use an Olympus P-10 that I picked up on sale for $10. That was a good deal!

I have been doing onsite printing since i had my first kodak 260 with an epson 900 sylus, They where 4x6 prints at golf outings. I now use a cannon 5d with 2 cannon i9900 and print as large as 13x19 at motorcycle events. I use to use a marine battery with a power inverter. I now use a honda quite generator. If you have to slow of printer you will not be able to get your prints done.

physed wrote in post #2920087
I have been doing onsite printing since i had my first kodak 260 with an epson 900 sylus, They where 4x6 prints at golf outings. I now use a cannon 5d with 2 cannon i9900 and print as large as 13x19 at motorcycle events. I use to use a marine battery with a power inverter. I now use a honda quite generator. If you have to slow of printer you will not be able to get your prints done.

The i9900 is not that fast of a printer,especially at 13x19. Do you ask people to come back or people willing to wait more 10minutes or more for their prints?

jmacfoto wrote in post #2919440
Im thinking ill probley only be doing up to 100-140 prints a race.

Bear in mind that even these numbers will take you maybe over three hours to print!

TJ

I highly suggest you go for the Sony UP-CX1, is more affordable than the DR-150 and portable too. It offers printing up to 5x7 and a print time of roughly 18 secs.

We were using a pair of Kodak Dye-Subs but just recently purchased a Shinko Dye-Sub ($2500 after $250 instant rebate and $250 credit for turning in one of the Kodaks) since it prints out an 8x10 in 35 seconds and uses roll media.
We were having jamming issues with the Kodaks and they take about 90 seconds to print an 8x10.

Shinko also makes a 5x7 dye-sub, not sure what the price is though.

here are the 2 Shinkos, but this place has a very high price on them.
http://www.vistek.ca …CategoryID=ProP​hotoDyeSub

CanonXTuser wrote in post #3079097
The i9900 is not that fast of a printer,especially at 13x19. Do you ask people to come back or people willing to wait more 10minutes or more for their prints?

Who says it's not that fast?My i9900 prints a 13x19 in about 3 minutes or less..4x6 and 5x7 in 30-45 seconds.And 8x10 in about a minute and a half.I think its pretty fast.

I think you will sell just as much if you take orders onsite (with viewing stations) and do the post-processing and printing at the lab of your choice at your leisure. Your customers will get better prints as well.

Printing onsite I don't feel adds to sales, and it eliminates a bunch of headaches and manpower issues.

That does make alot of sence but some People from the race are requesting that i will do them at the events. I would totaly rather do the sales after Thanks-

Gatorboy wrote in post #3150914
I think you will sell just as much if you take orders onsite (with viewing stations) and do the post-processing and printing at the lab of your choice at your leisure. Your customers will get better prints as well.

Printing onsite I don't feel adds to sales, and it eliminates a bunch of headaches and manpower issues.

think of the manpower and cost of having to mail out your prints to the customer.
Our clientele want their pictures onsite and so we provide that for them.
We also post the images on our website so that if they want to order more prints or larger than 8x10 they can.
We sell our prints by the unit (a unit is an 8x10 sheet with either an 8x10 image, 4 4x5's, 2 5x7's, or 8 wallets) and we have packages setup to maximize our sales, for example, a 4 4x5 unit needs to be ordered with an additional unit.
We price our units at $15each with tax included and we average 175 units per event.