burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

In the long run, small prints (below 11x14 or so) are less expensive from labs. Large prints cost more at labs, because they can get it! Few folks have 24” or 44” wide printers at home.

If you make lots of big prints on special papers, printing your own is less costly than using a lab.

clint f. Loc: Priest Lake Idaho, Spokane Wa

You could get some good quality prints made for you by a custom lab and see if your plan to sell the photos works out. Selling prints is not as easy as you might hope. Your friends all love your work but in the harsh light of business they need to be so unique that a total stranger sees them and has to have one. If you find that your prints from a reputable lab are significantly eating into your profits then is the time to consider if the cost of an exceptional printer, ink, paper and time is worth it, both financially and time wise. My observation from this forum is that there a lot of pics that get thumbs up in the forum out of kindness, and that’s ok. That is balanced against some stunning photos. We all want to be in the stunning group and sell our art. Go into it with eyes wide open and as in any sales job expect a lot of rejection. Good luck in your endeavor.

photoman022 Loc: Manchester CT USA

D_Bird Loc: Fairbanks, Alaska

I see a number of the replies to this recommend COSCO. Just yesterday I was at the COSCO store in Fairbanks Alaska, (very important to note the location), and specifically asked about printing photos. They are not set up to print photos and the person told me that COSCO is phasing out of that department. Too much online competition. He stated that all the stores nationwide are slowly phasing out the photo printing departments.

Since they are mentioned a number of time in this thread I thought I would pass it on. Again, note my location. We are shy a whole number of things up here because we just do not have a population to support them. And I also take the word of an employee at this remote location being so informed of a large corporations plans.

BebuLamar

For 4x6 prints there is no way you can print for less than the lab. For larger size prints you can save money if you don't make any scrap prints and don't have to waste ink for head cleaning.

clint f. Loc: Priest Lake Idaho, Spokane Wa

Please don’t be offended but it’s COSTCO.

Bluefish Loc: Berks County, PA

Hey Vic, I thought you were a full time RV’er. I guess I just assumed that seeing how you pal around with Chief and his Mate ocassionally.

Anyway isn’t space at a premium in an RV that could be used more productively than for a photo printer? Just askin’.

TMurphy71

I print at home and outsource my prints. I print a t home for the "need it right away" prints. I bought my large format refurbished espon printer directly through the epson website for under $150. A huge savings. I buy the ink, high quality photo paper, matts and frames in bulk. My printer can print up to 13x19.

When I outsource my prints I order them from White House Custom Color. They have an unbelievable selection of papers and print types. Prices are OK, but the Quality is superb!

MW

Depends on whether or not you call them “glicee”! 😜

Sidwalkastronomy Loc: New Jersey Shore

Glicee???

WILLARD98407 Loc: TACOMA, WA.

Test strips!!

cahale Loc: San Angelo, TX

It is definitely cheaper to print your own photos - if you print enough of them. If you do, then the question answers itself. No-one is going to print them for you without wanting a profit, so print them your self and keep the profit. Also, if offering to the public, you have all your product virtually on hand; no waiting for return from the printer. Get one of the wide format printers with a width large enough to print the maximum size you anticipate producing. You can print more than one copy of smaller sizes, given that the narrow side is 1/2 the width of your printer (or less). Paper type depends on what you want to produce. The selection includes gloss, semi-gloss, matte, metallic, canvas, and who knows what else. For the bulk of your ordinary shots, I would say semi-gloss (also called satin), because it doesn't have as much shine as gloss, and is not as likely to pick up fingerprints. I personally like the P series Epsons, but that's just me. All the major brands have their points and shortcomings. I would, however, wait until I had actually sold some to try and predict what demand will be. Good luck.

BebuLamar

But in the case of 4x6 I challenge any one that can make a 4x6 print for less than 33 cents which is the price MPIX charges for the quantity of 1. They lower the price if you order more. The cost of printing at the lab as far as material is a lot cheaper than yours. The highest cost is the labor. They can offer for less than your cost if the prints can be made with little labor.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Very true. You have to make prints larger than 8x10 — frequently — to justify home photo printing on cost alone. That’s assuming you make quality inkjet prints on the least expensive photo grade papers...

cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

I prefer to make my own prints because that is the only way I can have the complete control that I desire. Small prints, like 4" x 6" can likely be outsourced cheaper, but I do save money on anything 8" x 10" and up. I own an Epson P800 printer with which I am very happy, and send out (to a pro lab) anything over 16" x 24". Best of luck.