do you sell 4 x 6's

[carrbowl]

I hate that questions...I hate doing all that photoshop and then they spend a few dollars for a 4 x 6....give some reasons to tell people I don't want to mess with them?? Could I compromise and sell them a 4 x 6 as long as someone is buying a bigger print of the same photo???

[RobTesnear]

My images can be printed in any size I offer, of course. The standard per print price for 4x6s is the same as a larger print. Let them choose whatever size they want.

It takes just as much talent and work to create prints regardless of the size. I always get the impression they're looking for something they can scan. Some use a texture on prints to make them harder to scan. WHCC has some good ones. But then you run into those that will hang a crappy scan with your logo. Its a battle.

[AndrewCCM]

I typically offer 4x6 and 5x7 at same cost (the 5x7 rate). Too much PITA to work up, print, and deliver 2 or 3 4x6's at a lower rate (which seems to happen on occasion). I keep meaning to have a minimum order, but still a bunch of 4x6's to get to that minimum would be a pain IMO.

One thing that seems to be of interest to some customers is the shipping costs. I "sometimes" use exposure manager to host files for fulfillment.. order 1 or 10 4x6's and your still going to pay another $5 or so for shipping..

[PhotosbyHollyWood]

I offer them and they are a lot of pain especially when they order one or two ...
but I offer packages as well... with add ons...

[Gateruner]

I dont offer them because I feel they are to much like what anyone can go get at Walmart. 5X7 is my smallest size and I feel there is a better professional perception to that size. If I was going to offer 4x6's again they would be the same price as 5x7 as others have said.

[HotHolly]

We don't offer that size.

[carrbowl]

So Holly, what do you say to people when they ask for them???

[Detonate]

Perfect timing, as I'm running into this right now.

I'm thinking of adding a retouching fee or something on a per image basis.

I figure it takes me about 15 minutes to do an extremely detailed post processing for large prints. For a 4x6, I think I could do it in under 5.

So if I add a $1 or $2 per image charge for retouching, that may make it worth it.

[a2rob]

I sell them. I use photoreflect and they also drop ship to customer. They are priced at $2.75 now and - am going to raise that price. I have seen some sites from forum member that I have visited price their 4x6 as high as $10.00 each. It is a standard digital size, frames are readily available at wally world, why not offer them. Worried about scanning, place your logo on them.Granted if they have a scanner at home you can't prevent the duplication, but you initally made the sale!!!

A2rob

[my3peas]

I don't offer this size. As noted above, the cost to create a 4 x 6 is around the same cost to create a 5 x 7. I don't like the way 4 x 6s look...too snappy to me. If asked, I simply respond that I don't offer these unless purchased in bulk amounts over 50.

[bondarnes]

Let's look at this from a different angle. Our basic price point print is an 8X10 and for this exercise we are going to say it is $25.00 mounted and sprayed. We don't normally mount 5X7 so the lab cost difference is about $2.00 so we would price a 5X7 at $20.00. A 4X5/4X6 costs only a few pennies less than a 5X7 so we would price it at $19.00. At this point price is no longer the main decision criteria.

We also have a $5.00 handling fee on all orders and additional shipping fees if we have to ship it. So now one 4X6 costs at least $24.00, but for $30.00 you can get a nice mounted 8X10. Which would you choose? You guys need to quit selling paper and start selling images. Decide what your price point image size is and create a fair price for it. Anything smaller is the same price or the same price minus the difference in you print cost. As a business rule we try to never say no. We will always say yes at the right price.

[asyouwish]

One thing I learned from my online image hosting company is to price the 4x6s at just a tiny bit less than the 5x7s. People see the value in the larger size and buy up.

Y'all are seriously making me consider taking them off altogether. I like the idea that professional images don't come in consumer sizes.

Too bad I just ordered new price lists. :(

I wish I could do everything a la Doug Gordon: all his images are 5x5 or 5x10 ratios. No exceptions. He does this not only to stand out and be unique, but also to sell the add on frames and things. Plus, it makes album designing so fast and easy! But, I don't want to order every single print. I want them to order online through a service and until the printers catch up to the flexibility of digital technology, I don't know a good way to do this.

-Lori

[BWDPhoto]

I offer 4x6's in my a-la-carte option, but not in my packages. The lab I use allows me to upload everything and crop w/in their ordering system. Their crop ratio default is that 4x6/8x12 - I can go in w/ just a few seconds and crop to 8x10/5x7 or whatever so it's not too terribly time consuming. My clients typically buy the packages though and might add-on a few smaller ones. I also charge a heftier prices for the a-la-carte options and then offer them a discount when they purchase w/ a package.

[Breezy]

I do not offer 4X6s
My proofs are at 4X5s

[HotHolly]

Originally Posted by bondarnes

So now one 4X6 costs at least $24.00, but for $30.00 you can get a nice mounted 8X10. Which would you choose?

Bingo! If you price your stuff so that the smaller sizes are cheaper, that doesnt always help you sell what you want.

We tend to want to sell big prints - 16x20 and larger. My fav size being 30x40. If they want something small - say for a GP in a retirement home (not lots of space) the little prints wallets and 5x7s are complimentary depending on what they buy.

When they ask, 'do you sell 4x6' - I say 'no.' When they ask why? B/c my work is art meant to be displayed, and I want it big. They're the ones that hired the loony that insists everything has to be big. hee hee. (prices & products are disclosed ahead of time)

Its your business. Run it the way you want to. Just think through the ramifications of your prices and products.