event printing printers and software

[Emma]

Oh, BTW, one local event photographer loves ACDSee Pro for events, but it does not add borders. Since he doesn't use borders, he recommended it. I have it, but it's not installed, so I can't personally say I've tried it for this. Adding the graphics is a big must for me, but not for everyone, in case you want to give that software a try.

He also uses 5 Minute Photo and recommends it.

[klynam]

So a $1K printer w/paper rolls that cost over $1/print (5x7). What is your average price per print? I'm curious how long it would take to break even on this type of setup...? ? ?

[Emma]

My prints are about .19 for 4x6 and .25 for 5x7, so at $10/5x7 I can pay for the printer and both rolls of paper in about 2-3 100 guest parties. And most are closer to $15-25/5x7 and $10-15/4x6. I need to raise my prices and just give them a discount, rather than looking cheap now and making people mad by raising them next year!

I did $800 yesterday at a Santa party, in my pocket, after paying the assistant and supplies, and that doesn't include the quick mini family sessions I did the same day right after the party.

I did a 2-hr $700 event last week that didn't even want onsite prints, but because I advertise myself as an event photographer due to my printer, they found my Google listing. They wanted the images on DVD instead for their commercial promotions, so I sold them a DVD.

That's not to say I haven't done a lot of rinky-dink stuff where I make $50, like peddling photos as a vendor rather than being hired. It's hit or miss, but my printer and paper are all paid for now, and this is my first season. After this, it's gravy.

And taxes...

[klynam]

Wow - looks like a great business model you have...

Originally Posted by Emma

My prints are about .19 for 4x6 and .25 for 5x7

I checked the website you listed and the 5x7 roll of paper+ribbon was something like $450 and has a yield of around 400 prints. Assuming every print was sell-able, and leaving out the initial equipment cost, that would be a little over $1/print. How do you get your cost down to $0.25/print?

[Emma]

Ah, I think I am confused after shopping for so many printers and calculating so many prints costs!

It's 800 prints, 2 rolls of 400, so the cost is 53 cents, plus shipping puts it around 60 cents per 5x7

4x6 is 19 cents, plus shipping puts it at 25

I think the Sony SnapLab had the lowest cost per print for ink and paper

okay, so I printed about 100 photos, made $800 (some ordered more than 2 and got bulk pricing, so I haven't checked my printer to see what the end number was yet), so I spent roughly $60 on supplies.

Now, the host paid for the Santa and my assistant. If I bring the Santa I charge the host, but usually pay for my own assistant, around $50 or $10-12/hr.

I put the images online in a gallery and charge $20 for a LR retouched digital negative, but don't sell many of those. I book a session or two per event, but I haven't done many yet, I'm still new!