Digital BW, The Print

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "chipcarterdc" 
<chipcarterdc@h...> wrote:
> I've got a corporate client who, w/in the next 2 weeks, will be 
> purchasing 4 large (at least 20x24) B&W prints from me for their 
> office.  I currently have an Epson 2200 + ImagePrint, so obviously my 
> current equipment won't work.

On my Soapbox:
You're pricing your work based on what you would pay yourself for them if you were tight 
on cash :-). You're dealing with a CORPORATE client. And they're obviously interested in 
the work. In the end, you get more respect for charging "high" rather than low. But it 
sounds like you need to determine a pricing structure for your work. Factor in production 
costs (ie flight hotel, expenses to shoot in, say Yosemite), calculate materials cost (ie film, 
developing, and printing costs). Add in your TIME, then factor the markup/profit you'd like 
to earn. These principles are the same for Walmart (OK you're not hiring undocumented 
immigrants for poverty wages) and your local plumber. Treat it like a business, or just give 
them away. The benefit of developing a pricing structure is you don't have to go through 
existential angst over what to charge everytime someone wants to but something.
Practical advice:
If you've got 2 weeks to deliver a framed print, you'll have to order and take delivery of a 
9600, verify its working properly, get comfortable with a RIP, fine tune your images for 
output, and have absolutely no hiccups whatsoever to meet this turnaround. 

best of luck

amadou diallo