Pro Option: Framed Prints?
geraldfinnegan
Registered Users Posts: 308 Major grins
I was thinking how nice it would be if sales of framed prints were made available to potential customers. I'm thinking of an inexpensive, simple frame for standard print sizes. From a customer's standpoint when considering a purchase, the easier it is to go from the image in front of him to something on his wall home is the best bet. Otherwise, the customer must order from someone they may not know, wait a week, get the print, go out and get it framed or buy a frame, and THEN he's done. That's a lot unless he's crazy over the image he sees to begin with. But maybe he just likes it. In that case, If the whole thing was done with one click, it might be more attractive.
www.finnegan.smugmug.com
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I was thinking about the same thing. IE: Gold, SIlver or Black aluminun frame option would be nice but then I got to thinking that a framed print doesn't look all that good without a mat. I usually double mat all of my prints when I frame them. It adds to the beauty tremendously.
I suspect that this opens a can of worms. People will want different color mats to go with the different color frames. Now we have a large stockeeping problem. we have to stock different color mats and give customers another option on each image then we have to stock at least three frame colors which means the customer has to make another choice.
I don't see Smugmug getting into the matting and framing business any time soon. It's a lot of work and expense.
To solve this problem, I added a separate link for purchasing / discussing matted and / or framed prints. This link sends me an email. Now, if a customer wants a print they can go the normal Smugmug route but if they're interested in something more, they can talk to me directly. I recently installed this so we'll have to wait to see if it works.
A framed photo is still a good idea, though.
Lee
www.leefortier.com
The honest answer is we have quite a few very large jobs in progress, such as the customization work we'll be involved in for a long time.
And when I think of the things that are on our list like custom watermarks, greeting cards, etc., I can think of a long list of things that most of our customers would choose to put ahead of frames, brutal as that sounds.
What I've been pushing for is simply an ordering system, so that in the "custom pro pricing" form for each image, there would be a new option at the bottom or top. I'd chose my own framing style and enter a description into a box, such as
"Buy this print as a 16x24" photograph matted on a light blue mat into a 20x30" black wooden frame, with high quality non-glare glass."
And then there would be a box where I enter the price I'm charging, and of course next to it would be smugmug's 85% calculator thing. That'd be it. As soon as someone were to order a framed print, they'd pay smugmug and smugmug would send me an invoice listing what the person had just purchased. Then, here's the crux and the reason why smugmug probably can't afford to venture into this whole thing, ...then, it would be up to me to print the photo, frame it, and mail it to the customer. Personally I'm willing to put my reputation on the line and say that I could be trusted to pull this off, the whole receiving an invoice and shipping a framed print thing, but I doubt smugmug wants to subject themselves to the possibility of irate customers asking why so and so hasn't sent them their framed print and it's been a month etc. etc...
I'm sure it could all be worked out, you know, they could devise a system where smugmug doesn't bill the customer until we ship or they recieve the framed print, but yeah that would take soooo much work, like I said I'm currently just content to say "hey, email me if you're itnerested in this stuff framed!"
Just my two cents,
-Matt-
My SmugMug Portfolio • My Astro-Landscape Photo Blog • Dgrin Weddings Forum
That's a good idea. Lrt us know how the response is.
I think you're right if you expect to satisfy the sophisticated buyer, and the various framing options you mention would then be necessary. However, that customer might be directed to the photographer for in depth discussion of what would satisfy him/her. Or,if the photographer did not wish this added work then the sophisicate would merely buy the print and handle their own framing.
However, I had in mind the more average person who sees a print he'd like to put in the family den for example and simply wants to avoid all that and be able to get his print already framed in a neutral & inexpensive frame, perhpas merely glass clipping onto a black backing, all one inch larger than his print. Then it's "framed" an inch around in black, the print protected, and he can hang it or stand it on a desk when it arrives at his house. I bought a few of those for around $4 at B&H Photo in NYC. That type, or something similar is fine for most people and it performs the function of increasing the desire for a sale because it's all done in advance. Most don't want elaborate framing, just something functional and practical that won't overwhelm the print but that they can pop up on the wall without a lot of fuss and expense. I think it would really help sales of prints, so maybe a little more of an essential item as you prioritize all your tasks.
(GOOD LUCK!)
This is the second thread today I have bumped about this. I do all my own framing right now, and I do offer it on my site, but the buyer of the print would have to ship the print to me, or have me order the print, get it, matte and frame it, and then ship it to them. Cost and time to me is large, and yes I would profit off the cost+markup, but I think this could be a nice thing for SM to offer. Offer the customer their choice of say 5 or 6 frames initially, and large assortment of matter colors and choices. Either single or double matte. Choice of glass, and allow the artist to change the markup on it based on what the artist values the framed and matted work at. Just a thought. I just had an anonymous print sale today, e.g. I had no previous contact with the buyer, and they bought something. And I thought to myself great, maybe they will contact me about framing, but I am not holding my breath. It would be nice to offer a customer the full buying experience if they desire it. Like I said in the other thread I bumped today. RedBubble and other "free" art re-sellers offer printing, matting and framing all in one place. I pay a decent amount for pro fees here, and I guess I would like another benefit for paying that price. So maybe only offer it to pro's initially also.
-Andy
Portfolio • Workshops • Facebook • Twitter
Glad to hear that! Since it is actually Bay Photo that is providing the service, I don't see why they can't offer a selection of frames and mattes for clients who so choose them.
I hate to mention any other photo web providers, but I'll just say the service I just switched from offered frames and mattes for any size of print my clients chose. I was willing to sacrifice that option for your superior service, but if you add it, it will just be icing on the proverbial cake!
greg