[Larne]

Seems quite a few of you have websites selling pictures, and having looked I think it's a great idea.

When someone orders a print what do you (personally) do to fill that order? Do you have a photo printer and run the print off yourself or do you use a printing service?

I want to start doing a bit of portrait photography so I am going to need to produce prints. The current colour printer I have would be woefully inadequate and I'm not sure I want to buy a new one just yet as any free cash I have should be going towards some new lenses.

I'm keen to understand what other people do. If you use a printer what do you use (printer / ink / paper) and how do your results compare with 'professional' prints? If you use a printing service who do you use and what are the results like (quality / time / cost)?

Should I be looking to buy a printer (will it pay for itself) or will I be better off in the short term using a printing service? If the former how much money do I need to spend?

Niall

[Dabhand16]

The size of the prints are going to determine how you print them. Realistically, unless you are going to do enormous volumes, an A3+ printer is the biggest one that most people use, and they will cost around £500, although older models are available quite cheaply.

I'm not sure what the maximum size the A3+ printers will print, but I'm sure someone who knows will be along soon.

Remember that home printing can be a can of worms in terms of consistency, so if you do any prints for clients, remember to note the printer settings

I've only got an A4 printer, so if I want bigger prints I have to use a print service like the Pixalo Print Service.

[Larne]

There's a Pixalo print service?

Wanders off casually to take a look.
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.
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Wanders back scratching his head. Where do I find this Pixalo print service exactly?

[Dabhand16]

If you look on the Forums Home Page - on the RHS there is a sidebar. Pixalo Printing service is the second one down, under the One-Stop ad.

[fionaB]

ummmmmm graham. its not there, its only a google ad under the one stop ad

[Dabhand16]

Originally Posted by fionaB

ummmmmm graham. its not there, its only a google ad under the one stop ad

Not for me - it goes one-stop, Pixalo Printing service/Photobooks then the Nodal ninja Panny head

Maybe you block ads? Or could it be that as you are in a different country, the ads are not the same for you? I know that Steve in Germany does not see the same ads as most of us as they are targeted dependant on the country.

[JMitchell]

Pixalo - digital photo processing, poster printing, photobook, photo calendars, photo gifts

Or just click here

[fionaB]

this is what is on my screen


while i am here can someone explain the size formats on the pixalo thing....... what actual size does the different formats mean?

[Dabhand16]

Damn! you've realised that you are excluded from the Pixalo Printing Service

The size formats are the widths of the paper.

[JMitchell]

Ergh Fiona AOL browser?

[fionaB]

so if i wanted an 8 x 10 i would order on the 8in format? and any reason why i cant see the printing service thingymajig?

an erm whats wrong with an AOL browser......... seems pointless to have to open two things when one will suffice?

[Dabhand16]

I think it depends on the aspect ratio of your camera. If it is 4:5 then the 8" format will give an 8x10 print. If it is 2:3, than the 8" format will give a print 8x12 - near as dammit A4.

[fionaB]

hmmm ok scenario, i have an image already sized to 8 x 10 which format would i order it in to be printed at 8 x 10?

FI

[Dabhand16]

Looking at the avail