Digital BW, The Print

Thank you all for your comments so far -- please keep 'em coming!  I 
obviously have a lot of thinking to do...I think the advice of figuring out pricing 
b/f figuring out whether it makes the most sense to jump and get the 9600 v. 
sending them out makes sense.  However, I'm not sure one really can ever 
come up w. a totally scientific pricing structure.  For example: if I followed the 
suggestions below, the image I took in Cleveland (where I live) that they're 
interested in would sell for a miniscule portion of the image I took 2 weeks 
ago in Valley of Fire State Park that they're also interested in (factoring in 
hotel, airfair, rental car, etc).  So, my approach thus far has been to either (a) 
try to get a sense of what others are charging or (b) just make it up.

In an earlier post, someone mentioned $500 as appropriate for framed prints 
this size (say 20x24).  I mean, I would pay that for an image I loved, so I guess 
it's not unreasonable for a corporate client to pay that.  (It's an  office of a big 
insurance company, but I think it's an independent office, so I'm not sure if 
they have "corporate" dough).  I guess it is better to come in too high and 
negotiate down, but I'd hate to be perceived as unreasonable and turn them 
off...

So, please kepe your thoughts coming.  Also, if anyone has any input on the 
technical decision (9600 + IP v. 9600 w. Epson driver and Atkinson profiles for 
this job), I'd appreciate it.

The point below re: the turn around window makes sense, even ignoring 
issues of becoming proficient w. the printer and software.  I already have the 
2200 and ImagePrint, so I'm assuming the learning curve w. the 9600 won't 
be that high.  But given that it would be at least 5 days b/f I got the printer and 
at least a week to get the prints framed and matted, I'd be pushing my 2 week 
turn-around.  (There is some flex in that -- they just opened the office, so they 
want to get stuff up ASAP, but they won't die if it takes 3 weeks rather than 2).



> 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