In a digital world photographers might not think they need to focus on physical prints of their work, but eventually there will come a time when you need to display or sell your work in a physical form.
For beginner photographers, finding the right way to get this done can be frustrating and confusing.
You might be asking yourself questions like:
“Should I buy a printer and make my own prints?”
“Should I print via a 3rd party service?”
“Should I print on Paper, Canvas, or something else?”
These are all good questions and we’ll take a quick look at my answers below…
Printing Your Own Prints at Home
For the truly intrepid photographer, especially those self employed entrepreneurs that want to do it all themselves, getting your own printer set up might seem appealing. But keep in mind that finding the right printer can be expensive, and the ink could be even more expensive.
To go full out I would recommend the Canon ImagePROGRAF Pro-1000 printer. It is top of the line, but it also retails for about $1300. Also full re-uping on your ink cartridges (I used the the CanonInk Lucia bundle) will cost you $100-$170.
If you have a regular business of selling prints, this could make perfect sense. However if you after just doing a one-off presentation, need to decorate a gallery, or want to outsource your printing, it may make sense to go with a 3rd party printing service.
Printing via a 3rd Party Service
Printing via a 3rd party printing service may make sense in the following situations:
- You don’t make prints regularly, only on occasion.
- You don’t have the time or space for setting up a printing facility in your home or office.
- You want to focus on scaling your print sales.
In these types of situations it would make sense to develop a relationship with a 3rd party printing service and figuring out how you can have a mutually beneficial relationship (i.e. one that is profitable for both sides).
One extra perk to keep in mind, many printing services could also double as an outlet for selling your art to their customers. Many sites will sell straight to consumers, and you could have your art listed on their platform.
Paper Prints vs. Canvas Prints vs. Metal Prints
There is a lot of popularity nowadays for canvas prints and other mediums besides paper. This is for a few reasons:
- Canvas and other mediums will last longer than paper.
- More platforms are available to make canvas prints. This competition leads to higher quality and lower prices.
- Consumers like canvas prints for home decor.
You can find a list of the best canvas print companies here, which should help you select one to use for your printing services.
Metal prints are somewhat new on the scene, but are gaining popularity, especially with the introduction of HD Metal Prints via Dye Sublimation. They can create very vivid scenes that really exemplify the nuances, colors and depth of the photography.
- Aluminum is fit for outdoor installations, and is generally considered to be “weather proof”.
- Deep, rich colors, especially with the dye sublimation printing.
- While prices are higher, as well as shipping rates (due to increased weight), the market is getting more competitive.
The best metal photo prints are HD Dye Sublimation prints, so make sure you select a company that provides this service.
Another type of print that is becoming more popular is a wood print. These are unique because the surface of a mood print is never the same from piece to piece, so you won’t get the exact same effect. This might work very well, but for those artists that are very particular about their work, it might not be the best fit for them.
- Unique texture means each print is “one of a kind”.
- Works well with earth tones and nature themed artwork.
- While it can be a good fit in some cases, it’s not a perfect fit for lots of photography.
Both canvas, metal, acrylic, wood and other mediums all have their benefits and drawbacks. Canvas probably the best non-paper medium as it’s lowest in cost but still provides the benefits over paper.
Conclusion
At the end of the day it’s up to you, what the reality of your business needs are, and how much time, space and effort you have to dedicate to the printing process. Finding the best fit for your situation isn’t about some ideal or principle, it’s about what gives you the best results for your wallet and your day to day life. Choose wisely!
