Delivering The Prints

[Kym Kilcrease]

I am just curious how everyone else is delivering the Prints? I have printed up to a 8 x 10, but soon will be delivering a 13 x 19 Poster...

Also, I have been using WHCC to process my prints.. I like them ok. Is there someone Better!

Thank in advance for the comments.

[dartlrt]

I don't think you will find anyone better the WHCC. If you are using them to print your product why not jut have them ship it to the client?

[bluman95]

I use MPIX and on the large prints, they come taped to a sheet of cardboard with some padding over them and then another piece of cardboard. You know your basic kodak and padding sandwich.

[my3peas]

Presentation is a huge part in how you deliver your product. putting prints in protective covering, wrapping with tissue paper, setting in a nice box would be a start.

I use WHCC, but am going to be comparing labs this month and next to decide if I need to switch, I've heard of lots of new labs this year, just haven't had the time to test yet :)

[Photographer557]

I am testing out Pounds labs right now. I like their Pros software. It does make ordering easy online. I haven't tried anybody else yet who is local. I really am wanting to stay with a company that is local. A place I can actually walk into and recieve real customer service as opposed to the pseudo customer service you get through email with companies half way across the country.

[dartlrt]

If you want someone local in the Dallas side try www.BWC.net, Full Color, The Color Place, and Master Photo USA.

[Kym Kilcrease]

Christie,
Where do you get your boxes? I need some that are 13 x 19 to hold the posters. I do wrap in tissue paper now and if 8 x 10 and under I have Flat bags to place them in, THe Boxes are sometimes more expensive than the Prints!

[boxofrocks]

Originally Posted by Kym Kilcrease

I have been using WHCC to process my prints.. I like them ok. Is there someone Better!

Not for my money. And the CS is great!

[dartlrt]

Kym,

Why would you shipp a 13x19 poster flat. The shipping cost will kill you. Look into shipping tube and roll it. I bought a print from John Shaw, a panaramic and he sent it in a tube. Did you order a print that large and they sent it in a flat box?

[Kym Kilcrease]

No---- I print the 13 x 19 poster myself with the Canon Prixma 9500/........but I have no way the deliver it............I looks bad me just handing them a Large Poster!

[MicWayWal]

Originally Posted by dartlrt

I don't think you will find anyone better the WHCC.

Oh yes you will. Find one that fits you and your style. Always use the VERY SAME file to send to different labs to see what they produce. You will be surprised at the differences.

Originally Posted by dartlrt

If you are using them to print your product why not jut have them ship it to the client?

Are you kidding? Two reasons:
1. I don't want to miss the emotion you get when you deliver a beautiful product to your client. I THRIVE off those feelings. Those feelings are what I am trying to produce and are just as important to me as the money. If those warm fuzzy feelings are not there in the image, it IS just another picture and you might as well just mail it to them.
2. Because presentation of your final product is EVERYTHING. For people who charge a lot of money for their work, it confirms to the client that the money they spent for it, was worth it.

Originally Posted by dartlrt

Why would you shipp a 13x19 poster flat.

Maybe it is mounted. Everything 8x10 and larger that goes out of my studio is mounted. I want it to FEEL like it is worth a lot of money.

[epoh]

I have not see the packaging yet, but the Miller's Pro wrapping stuff seems very very nice. I've got an order I am about to process and I will probably get that to see what it looks like.

[MyKey]

As Christie said packaging is a HUGE part of the entire process of delivery of prints. While 16x20's are very easy to do with boxes and such from many online stores such as www.dnlphoto.com larger sizes can be harder since boxes are not made for them.

There are very nice photo bags which you can get your logo on them for larger prints, we use them and they work well (up to 30x40" prints)

We also have very nice DVD packages for negatives and wallet boxes with our logo on them and a whole bunch of other items. We spend lots of money for these items but again it is something that makes you look like a professional over a person with a digital camera.

As far as labs there are a TON of them out there, find one which you like product, but then Customer Service is top notch since they all make mistakes, it is correcting them where it really counts. We use Miller's and Collages.net which after researching them all very in depth I found to be the best lab out there for our business.

[diannebunch]

I second the www.fullcolor.com. I do some work for them and they are a great lab choice. If you decide to try them out use code 50off and they will give you 50% off your first order. Let their customer service know if you need anything--they are really helpful! Good luck on finding what you need out of a lab.

[Frazzled LaShawn]

I use Miller's and could not be more impressed. They are fast and very good. I ordered some products and was lazy (they were for me and I was in a hurry, not a customer) and did not pay attention to my bleed areas. Text was cut off and the lab caught it and canceled the order. They says a lot to me. They do not want bad product leaving their lab.

Does anyone else have any suggestions on where to order bags and boxes to deliver to clients?