My client has questions.. we are new to SmugMug

SteveAx

Hello,

I am in the process of setting up a website and SmugMug account for a client of mine. She has a couple of questions:

- Is there a big difference in the 2 labs that are offerd for prints?
- Is there a way to order samples from either or both labs?
- How can I be sure that the lab won't send out a print that isn't very good?
- How do others figure out what to charge? Is there a 'standard' acceptable price for various sized prints?

Any assitance on these will be appreciated.

gluwater

Hi Steve!

Great questions. Please let us know if you have any others.

SteveAx wrote:

Hello,

I am in the process of setting up a website and SmugMug account for a client of mine. She has a couple of questions:

- Is there a big difference in the 2 labs that are offerd for prints?

The two labs, EZP's and Bay Photo are quite different. One main difference is that Bay Photo is only available to Pro accounts so if your client has a Standard or Power account they can only use EZP's.

Bay does all color correction by hand. A tech looks at each image and corrects them if color correction is selected.

EZP's uses an automated color correction.

The products offered are different with the two labs also. Check out the product catalogs:

EZP's: http://www.smugmug.com/prints/catalog
Bay: http://www.smugmug.com/prints/catalog/b

If your client has a Pro account I would highly suggest using Bay and their color correction.

There's some more info on the labs here: http://www.smugmug.com/help/choice-of-printing-labs.
Both labs are covered by our great print guarantee: http://www.smugmug.com/help/print-guarantee

SteveAx wrote:

- Is there a way to order samples from either or both labs?

Send an email to the help desk and we can send you some sample prints: http://www.smugmug.com/help/emailreal

SteveAx wrote:

- How can I be sure that the lab won't send out a print that isn't very good?

Both labs have good Q/C procedures but Bay does a more thorough job, especially if color correction is used. They look at every single print that goes out the door. You can also enable Proof Delay which allows you to review an order before it's sent to the lab in the first place. So you can check cropping and change it if necessary. You can also replace images in the order if necessary.

SteveAx wrote:

- How do others figure out what to charge? Is there a 'standard' acceptable price for various sized prints?

Any assitance on these will be appreciated.

Pricing is very photographer specific. I'd suggest doing a search in this forum for pricing and you'll find many threads about it. It mostly depends on your clients and what your market will bear. There is no standard for pricing. The only standard is to make sure you end up making a profit, especially if you are offering coupons.

SteveAx

gluwater wrote:

Hi Steve!

Great questions. Please let us know if you have any others.

The two labs, EZP's and Bay Photo are quite different. One main difference is that Bay Photo is only available to Pro accounts so if your client has a Standard or Power account they can only use EZP's.

Bay does all color correction by hand. A tech looks at each image and corrects them if color correction is selected.

EZP's uses an automated color correction.

The products offered are different with the two labs also. Check out the product catalogs:

EZP's: http://www.smugmug.com/prints/catalog
Bay: http://www.smugmug.com/prints/catalog/b

If your client has a Pro account I would highly suggest using Bay and their color correction.

There's some more info on the labs here: http://www.smugmug.com/help/choice-of-printing-labs.
Both labs are covered by our great print guarantee: http://www.smugmug.com/help/print-guarantee

Send an email to the help desk and we can send you some sample prints: http://www.smugmug.com/help/emailreal
Both labs have good Q/C procedures but Bay does a more thorough job, especially if color correction is used. They look at every single print that goes out the door. You can also enable Proof Delay which allows you to review an order before it's sent to the lab in the first place. So you can check cropping and change it if necessary. You can also replace images in the order if necessary.
Pricing is very photographer specific. I'd suggest doing a search in this forum for pricing and you'll find many threads about it. It mostly depends on your clients and what your market will bear. There is no standard for pricing. The only standard is to make sure you end up making a profit, especially if you are offering coupons.

Thank you so much for the info.. I will pass it on.