where to get mats, sleeves, and prints CHEAP?

07/13/2005 04:28:12 PM · #1

hi --

it appears that i'm going to be selling prints at an art fair soon. this is rather sudden and surprising and i'm completely unprepared.

i would like suggestions as to where i might find supplies for such an endeavour? i would like to sell matted prints in plastic sleeves.

also, if anyone has experience purchasing great prints from an online source at a reasonable price, i would like advice on that as well. i print relatively few shots and just have it done locally.

finally, if anyone has done this sort of thing before, what is the price range you place on your images? this is more out of curiousity than anything else.

thanks in advance.

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

07/13/2005 04:34:04 PM · #2

DPC Prints is "reasonably" priced, and good quality.

I get most of my prints at Costco--they are the cheapest by quite a bit, and my local store has a good-quality lab. Beware that the larger prints (16x20 and up) are processed by Snapfish.

If you want Kodak glossy paper instead of Fuji paper try Ofoto.

faidoi

Pentax K10D

Pentax DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF

07/13/2005 04:38:50 PM · #3

Costco, Walmart, but watch out if it looks too professional they may not print them :P

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

07/13/2005 04:42:40 PM · #4

Originally posted by faidoi:

Costco, Walmart, but watch out if it looks too professional they may not print them :P

Uh oh, they've never given me any friction about mine ... : (

Prof_Fate

07/13/2005 04:46:18 PM · #5

Walmart is good, winkflash should be good and about the same price. Walmart uses different finish on 1 hour vs 2-3 day service...

I have had no issues at my local walmart with 'too professional'...an insult I tell ya!

as for mattes...I hear light impressions is good. They have this item that might work for you.

redimat has several options and poly bags - one stop shopping.

buzzmom

Panasonic DMC-FZ20

07/13/2005 04:51:39 PM · #6

walmart gave me a hard time and asked to see the original on one of mine...they said they dont reprint professional photos...i jumped over the counter and hugged and thanked her...wow i was so excited...PROFESSIONAL!!!

Photoholic

07/13/2005 04:52:13 PM · #7

Costco - has a machine you pick the prints you want the size
4 x 6 .14
5 x 7 .75
8 x 10 1.99
You can choose glossy or lustre - with or withour borders -- The picture quality is GREAT !

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

07/13/2005 04:56:33 PM · #8

Originally posted by Photoholic:

Costco - has a machine you pick the prints you want the size
4 x 6 .14
5 x 7 .75
8 x 10 1.99
You can choose glossy or lustre - with or withour borders -- The picture quality is GREAT !

I think the 4x6 prints are $0.18 if uploaded via the internet, but that may be with the old ordering system.

My store also has 12x18 prints for $2.99--remember you can gang up odd sizes or panoramics (e.g., two 6x18 prints, or a 12x12 plus a 6x12) on one bigger print and cut them apart yourself.

fstopopen

Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

07/13/2005 05:04:14 PM · #9

I only use MPIX now. I have found that EVERY other processing place goofs up my colors. They seem to have some sort of "enhancing" feature that messes with my pics. On MPIX you can check a bos that says "do not edit my photos". I love every picture I get from them.

about the matting and sleves, I would be glad to know what you find out. I have been trying to get a plan about this as well.

drake

07/13/2005 05:14:57 PM · #10

thanks for the feedback so far everyone. i have coupons for 40 free 4x6 prints at costco that i had completely forgotten about, so that's a good way to get a lot of small ones finished.

the redimat place looks VERY promising.

Originally posted by fstopopen:

I only use MPIX now.

have you ever gotten anything matted from them? i'm wondering about the quality of the mats. it's more expensive to have them do it, but i'm in a time crunch and it might be worth it...

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

07/13/2005 05:44:46 PM · #11

Other layout tricks:

@ if you need full-color business cards in a hurry, you can fit three standard 3-1/2x2 inch business cards on a 4x6 print. Buy a steel ruler, cutting mat, and a good utility knife and you can run off/change cards as necessary, with only a little hand work involved. Cheaper even than VistaPrints.

@ if you are a self-produced musician, you can fit two standard cassette "J-card" inserts onto a single 4x6. Unfortunately, I think you'd have to go up to a 5x7 for a CD insert, so that's only really practical for demo copies.

@ I think you can fit four passport-sized copies of an image onto a 4x6, but check the tutorial on making passport photos to be sure

Message edited by author 2005-07-13 17:45:02.

07/13/2005 11:23:51 PM · #12

good ideas, paul. thanks!

i just submitted a "test" order to mpix because the metallic paper is something i've been wanting to try. $5 shipping (*frown*), but it was worth it for a test. i also got one with the mat just to try it out too.

i think one of the processing places in town here uses it, but their prints are a helluva lot more.

any other ideas? please keep 'em comin'!

ltb2738

Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 EX APO IF HSM for Nikon

07/14/2005 12:25:41 AM · #13

Has anyone used Shutterfly.com? I buy bulk 500 5x7's for $295 (.59 each). They put them in your account and you use them as you need them. Their shipping is also very reliable and quick. I don't know how the quality stacks up against anyone else but I have had no complaints.

Message edited by author 2005-07-14 00:26:28.

macox

Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT

Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 APO Macro Super II for Canon

07/14/2005 12:40:06 AM · #14

I wonder if when using walmart,costco,walgreens printing if you could put a small black and white alternating border (you know.. that 1-2% they crop)or something to at least make the software not try to change the dynamic range?

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G IF-ED

07/14/2005 10:17:55 AM · #15

ltb: do you have to pay for shipping every time you order?

i had trouble getting some stuff printed at costco because the woman wasn't really able to get the exact crops i wanted (even though i supplied 5x7 and 8x10 files exactly). i had to go home and re-save a bunch of files and then drive up there again. i wasn't thrilled, but it might work for this (if someone else is operating the machine :)

Jaimeson

Nikon D40

07/14/2005 10:47:25 AM · #16

I purchased some frames and matting from Frames By Mail. The prices are very reasonable.

As for sleeves, I looked around online and found this place: Pfile.com

Hope it helps!

Message edited by author 2005-07-14 10:55:30.

woohoopepper

Nikon D70

07/14/2005 11:00:39 AM · #17

I like this thread because I've been planning on doing the same thing. I've been thrilled with dpcprints so far and mpix. DPCPrints is far cheaper on large sizes than mpix and I like the Fuji paper. Mpix is cheaper on the smaller sizes but not by that much, so on a bulk order I think I'd still use DPCPrints.

Do you guys really use stores for printing your photos? I've been soooo disappointed in the quality. I had a photo processed at Walgreens and the same one done at DPCPrints. OMG, what a difference in quality. The Walgreens photo was dark and awful; the DPC one was perfect.

I've been debating whether it is best to mat (museum mat) and package each print, or go a little cheaper with just mounting with photo squares each photo to a matboard, or slipping them in polybags containing liners to stiffen the bag. I wonder how many people want the mat that is sold with each photo or if people prefer taking the photo somewhere and choosing a mat (and frame) of their choice? What do you think?

TerryGee

Canon EOS-30D

07/14/2005 11:02:25 AM · #18

Here is some info on doing Art shows.
They list many resources on there.
I think I ordered my bags from here
and my mats from here.

also, I get all my prints done at my local Costco. They are fast and the cheapest around.
If you get something you dont like they redo it without a problem.
A few hints....
Make sure you write do not color correct and do not imprint costco name on your ordering bag..
Last thing you want is them to color correct the image you worked on in PS and you dont really want to sell images that say costco on the back.
This is what my first art show booth looked like.

Message edited by author 2005-07-14 11:11:05.

lwkimages

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

07/14/2005 11:05:52 AM · #19

I just received 20 X 30 inch prints of these:

and

My cost was $14.10 each, plus $7.95 combined shipping (took 3 days).
The print quality is absolutely fabulous...

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

07/14/2005 11:07:45 AM · #20

Originally posted by TerryGee:

Last thing you want is them to color correct the image you worked on in PS and you dont really want to sell images that say costco on the back.

great advice! thanks!

Artan

Canon Digital IXUS v3

07/14/2005 12:08:59 PM · #21

Originally posted by lenkphotos:

I just received 20 X 30 inch prints of these:
and
My cost was $14.10 each, plus $7.95 combined shipping (took 3 days).
The print quality is absolutely fabulous...

The best price I can find for a quality print in the UK is Photobox at GBP19.00 each thats about USD33.00 each plus delivery....