My own printer or send out?

BeemerChef

This might have an obvious reply from you all, but havening never gone that route of printing pictures and offering them on my website, the question remains. Should I try to buy my own printer, even though living on the road I am cramped for space!... or order out as I would with SmugMug... Cost effectiveness mainly as I am sure SmuMug will do the best there is.
Thanks... Ara

www.theoasisofmysoul.com

Andy

Ara, as much as you are on the road, I can't imagine you printing your own stuff. Let SmugMug do it for you!

Pupator

Smugmug will be more cost effective than doing your own. The only reason to bother with printing yourself anymore is if

1) You enjoy it (and sometimes I do, especially with large prints)
2) You need prints instantly (never an issue for me)

I doubt there's any scenario where it's more cost effective.

jdryan3

I still have my Canon PIXMA 5000 which I use for small prints or test prints such as art paper. I was looking at printing my own large (12x18 or bigger) stuff, but DavidTO had a few 'comments' on the cost per print that got me thinking. Especially since I don't do that many large prints. The cost of the printer, ink, ink life sitting around,... I agree it just doesn't make sense.

I have used MPIX in the past for their metallic prints & B+W. I am looking at doing some large 'standard' color prints in the near future and plan on giving SmugMug a try.

SloYerRoll

Let the pro's worry about the prints. It can sometimes be a excrutiating process until you get a good process down.. Do what you enjoy and take pictures!

Besides, I doubt if any printer you buy comes w/ a 100% satisfaction guarantee!

BeemerChef

Simply... "Okay"!!!

I thought that would be the answer, I cannot see adding one more piece of machinery here!
That is great... I appreciate the replies, specially Andy, I know how busy you are.

Be well...

Ara... and Spirit

Rhuarc

In my opinion it all depends what you want to get out of it. If you are just looking for prints, then go with smugmug. If you are looking to get the enjoyment out of doing it as a hobby, then try printing your own. I do my own prints for fun, friends, and family using a PIXMA 6000D that I refill my own ink cartridges. Yeah, I know the ink will fade faster, and the color might not be perfect. But for some quick prints for the family when they are up or things it is perfect, and fun!

BeemerChef

I was smiling at the last post! My dog and I live on the road with a motorcycle an a sidecar (for him of course...) and a 23' RV which is our home base... a website, Blog, photography... ANOTHER HOBBIE??? Spirit will shoot me for sure!!!
Thanks for the replies... SmugMug it is!!!

Be well...

Ara

dogwood

BeemerChef wrote:

I was smiling at the last post! My dog and I live on the road with a motorcycle an a sidecar (for him of course...) and a 23' RV which is our home base... a website, Blog, photography... ANOTHER HOBBIE??? Spirit will shoot me for sure!!!
Thanks for the replies... SmugMug it is!!!

Be well...

Ara

Good decision. I have a nice Canon i9900 wide printer that has been sitting idle for a good six months. I used to refill my ink cartridges and all that-- but it seemed like every time I wanted to print something, I'd need to refill one cartridge or another. Then the printer sat idle for a few weeks and the head got clogged and I just haven't had the patience to work it all out. So the printer just sits there...

... still, can't help but eye the Epson 2400, but that's more a case of "I wants" than "I needs"!

Rhuarc

dogwood wrote:

Good decision. I have a nice Canon i9900 wide printer that has been sitting idle for a good six months. I used to refill my ink cartridges and all that-- but it seemed like every time I wanted to print something, I'd need to refill one cartridge or another. Then the printer sat idle for a few weeks and the head got clogged and I just haven't had the patience to work it all out. So the printer just sits there...

... still, can't help but eye the Epson 2400, but that's more a case of "I wants" than "I needs"!

I've got somewhere that 9900 could call home if you are looking for somewhere to donate it!

dogwood

Rhuarc wrote:

I've got somewhere that 9900 could call home if you are looking for somewhere to donate it!

Not just yet... unless you want to trade for an Epson 2400?

djspinner2k

i print stuff for myself at home. but all orders go through smugmug.

BeemerChef

Of course now I have decided to only do postacrds!... and, I have no doubt that SmuMug's printer is the best (I have read the process), but at $1.99 a card!... WOW...
I have some thinking to do again it seems like...
Be well...

Ara & Spirit

SloYerRoll

BeemerChef wrote:

Of course now I have decided to only do postacrds!... and, I have no doubt that SmuMug's printer is the best (I have read the process), but at $1.99 a card!... WOW...
I have some thinking to do again it seems like...
Be well...

Ara & Spirit

Not really, by the time you factor in time spent, printer, ink, stock to print on. You'd be surprised how expensive it gets. This doesn't even include the totally disgusting times when you've created your masterpiece and hit print only to be met w/ a ink low dialog like dogwood mentioned. And I promise this will happen at the worst time

If you want to print on your own, go for it. If your just trying to save a few pennies, you may find it's a wash.

If you do think more about photo printing. You might want to look into dye-sub printers. Easy example: kodak easy share printer. Most dye-sub's also give a waterproof coat on top of their photos, so you can really put a beating on a photo and it will hold up. Something that comes off a HP Photosmart 8750 (I use mine for graphic design proofs, not photos) will get a bit wet and it's pretty much game over...

beetle8

Pupator wrote:

Smugmug will be more cost effective than doing your own. The only reason to bother with printing yourself anymore is if

1) You enjoy it (and sometimes I do, especially with large prints)
2) You need prints instantly (never an issue for me)

I doubt there's any scenario where it's more cost effective.

3) Customer won't wait... I guess that would be more of a 2) B. Customer won't wait