Prints

[jhonenfreak]

What is the most cost effective way to get one's own artwork printed (without having to buy like 500+ items)? I know DA has a print-on-demand service, and you can buy your own stuff at base price, but shipping is so expensive that it isn't all that cost effective in the end. To ship 25 calendars costs like $200 for one order. I know CafePress makes products (just about anything accept prints), but I've heard their quality is pretty poor.

Most local places print work for a set-up fee + $X per square foot. The closest one to me (Target Copy) charges $30 for one 16"x20" poster, and I know I could go elsewhere to get a giclee for that price, but it's still not cost effective.

I'm just looking for a place to print like 20-50 decent quality prints at an affordable price.

(Btw, if you're wondering what I'm trying to print... nothing yet. I was just curious for the distant future. My cg art still sucks.)

[fallenangel]

Good places to go are generally online photo sites. They tend to have good quality and price discounts the more you order. Of course, 16x20 will likely always be rather expensive and have to be made up for in the price of the prints. Most people I know who sell prints at that size just end up buying a printer for $800-ish dollars and making them themselves.

I don't remember if you're in school or not, but my print lab at school has a large format printer (56" wide on a roll) and charges a fraction of what places like kinkos wants. It's about $7-$15 dollars to print 18x24 depending on what paper you want. But that doesn't help much unless you're a student with a print lab.

Someone on epilogue recommended this place. http://www.vipphotolab.com/digital.htm#chromira It's really quite cheap if you prepare your own files for print. Prices are down towards the bottom, VIP Economy Prints. If you were gonna make a lot of 16x20 of the same print, it'd be $6.25.

And here's the thread where she recommended them. http://www.epilogue.net/cgi/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=17808
_________________
"I care about people as much as I care about lawn furniture" - Dexter/Michael C. Hall

[Gameglitch]

I have an idea, it might sound crazy but it may work. Go out and buy an industry printer and make your prints yourself. You can buy one for about 2-3000 dollors then buy the paper yourself. I dont think its very cost effective in short run, but in the long run well it might be worth it. I know that a local store where I live, you can buy these priters, there massive and can be the size of a small computer desk so you need some space to put these things in. I think professional photographers use these priters mainly, but I think they might be useable for art too.

[jhonenfreak]

[quote]I don't remember if you're in school or not, but my print lab at school has a large format printer (56" wide on a roll) and charges a fraction of what places like kinkos wants. It's about $7-$15 dollars to print 18x24 depending on what paper you want. But that doesn't help much unless you're a student with a print lab. [/quote]

I printed something at my school yesterday... very streaky with dark colors. Thanks for that link, though. I'll check that site out.



[quote]You can buy one for about 2-3000 dollors then buy the paper yourself. I dont think its very cost effective in short run, but in the long run well it might be worth it. I know that a local store where I live, you can buy these priters, there massive and can be the size of a small computer desk so you need some space to put these things in.[/quote]

I've considered that, but I have $50 to my name and live in a dorm. Ramen cases pretty much take up any space I have left. Maybe in the future, though, if I ever get better and actually have people who want to buy my stuff.

[fallenangel]

Ah. Well...find an art student and get them to print them for you. Art schools always have good print labs.
_________________
"I care about people as much as I care about lawn furniture" - Dexter/Michael C. Hall