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Selling Prints from an Inkjet Printer?

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Beth

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Beth wrote:

I am printing from an Epson 1280 and thinking of taking some of my prints to coffee shops and cafes that display local art for sale. Is it ethical to sell inkjet prints with their less than archival inks and if so, what warning should customers be given? Is anyone doing this?

My thought was that I would put a disclaimer with the photos, so that no one would buy without understanding the limitations. Does anyone have a disclaimer that they are currently using? Ideas?

--Olympus E-10 (Still tilting at windmills...foolish me!)
Gallery: http://www.pbase.com/galleries/cokids
 
Beth,

Color prints ALWAYS fade--no matter how they were printed. If you follow the Epson recommendation (use their ink and their heavyweight matte paper) they say 25 years of display indoors and behind glass before significant fading of a print from the 1280. I think that's excellent for a color print, and not something you'd have to be ethically concerned about.

My advice: offer them nicely framed and matted behind glass, 11x14 or so in size, and priced reasonably but not dirt cheap, and I bet you'll have happy customers and an enhanced budget for more goodies. Good Luck.

Bob
 
Hi Beth,

Sorry I don't have an answer to your question; although ethically I think the one reply you have received is right on. I have a question for you though: You had some problems with your first 1280. Are you satisfied with the replacement printer?--Best Regards,Alan
 
Beth said:
I am printing from an Epson 1280 and thinking of taking some of my
prints to coffee shops and cafes that display local art for sale.
Is it ethical to sell inkjet prints with their less than archival
inks and if so, what warning should customers be given? Is anyone
doing this?

My thought was that I would put a disclaimer with the photos, so
that no one would buy without understanding the limitations. Does
anyone have a disclaimer that they are currently using? Ideas?
Click to expand...
All you have to say is that they were printed on an Epson 1280. It's up to the buyer to figure out that means the print is going to turn orange in a few days.
 
Beth said:
Beth wrote:

I am printing from an Epson 1280 and thinking of taking some of my
prints to coffee shops and cafes that display local art for sale.
Is it ethical to sell inkjet prints with their less than archival
inks and if so, what warning should customers be given? Is anyone
doing this?

My thought was that I would put a disclaimer with the photos, so
that no one would buy without understanding the limitations. Does
anyone have a disclaimer that they are currently using? Ideas?

--
Olympus E-10 (Still tilting at windmills...foolish me!)
Gallery: http://www.pbase.com/galleries/cokids
Click to expand...
 
Typically photographs are printed on glossy paper. Does anyone think that a buyer would be put off by matte paper. Epson's Color Life is I think their attempt to get the 25 year life also but its only semigloss and apparently not waterproof.

Tim
 
Well I was in a show last fall (I was showing traditional B/W) and there three digital artists their...the prints were beautiful and very well received; they were all framed; the images were relatively small, but it did not take away from their beauty...go for it
Tim Barnum said:
Typically photographs are printed on glossy paper. Does anyone
think that a buyer would be put off by matte paper. Epson's Color
Life is I think their attempt to get the 25 year life also but its
only semigloss and apparently not waterproof.

Tim
Click to expand...
 
bob d said:
Beth said:
I am printing from an Epson 1280 and thinking of taking some of my
prints to coffee shops and cafes that display local art for sale.
Is it ethical to sell inkjet prints with their less than archival
inks and if so, what warning should customers be given? Is anyone
doing this?

My thought was that I would put a disclaimer with the photos, so
that no one would buy without understanding the limitations. Does
anyone have a disclaimer that they are currently using? Ideas?
Click to expand...
All you have to say is that they were printed on an Epson 1280.
It's up to the buyer to figure out that means the print is going to
turn orange in a few days.
Click to expand...
I've had photos sitting out (as tests) in various places for about 8 months. There is no orange shift at all--nor any fading. They are printed on HWM.

--Diane B http://www.pbase.com/picnic/galleriesB/W lover, but color is seducing me
 
Tim Barnum said:
Typically photographs are printed on glossy paper. Does anyone
think that a buyer would be put off by matte paper. Epson's Color
Life is I think their attempt to get the 25 year life also but its
only semigloss and apparently not waterproof.

Tim
Click to expand...
Tim, when you listen to many of the pros on some of the lists, many of them are printing on various matte papers--art papers, Somerset Enhanced, etc. I think that there is acceptance of photos printed on matte or semi gloss, when framed, without any problem judging by the papers the pros are choosing for their gallery prints. In fact, its pretty difficult to tell what papers are used when they are under glass.--Diane B http://www.pbase.com/picnic/galleriesB/W lover, but color is seducing me
 
Beth said:
I am printing from an Epson 1280 and thinking of taking some of my
prints to coffee shops and cafes that display local art for sale.
Is it ethical to sell inkjet prints with their less than archival
inks and if so, what warning should customers be given? Is anyone
doing this?
Click to expand...
It depends on what you are selling. If you tell them it is a 'photograph' then you might be really saying it is on photograph paper, when in fact it is just an inkjet print. You would be best off simply telling them that it is an "Digital Print you printed on your Epson".
Member said:
My thought was that I would put a disclaimer with the photos, so
that no one would buy without understanding the limitations. Does
anyone have a disclaimer that they are currently using? Ideas?
Click to expand...
Yea, I have an idea. How about simply getting them printed on photographic paper at one of the internet sites and they you don't have to worry. If they say, 'Hey, that is too expensive." Then tell them you can get an inkjet for them that would look about the same, but be a little cheaper or simply offer them both at the same time and show them the inkjet and tell them you can get them a slightly more expensive photographic print.

As for a disclaimer, just put a little tag on the back that says:

"Printed on a Epson 1280 color inkjet printer. These prints should last 25 years without fading.*
www.epson.com/....(fill in the link to the epson site where it says that)"
 
Beth wrote:
Hi Alan,

Yes, the replacement is running fine. It too was a refurb, but I am no longer having random dots of color on Office Depot Premium Glossy as I was with the other one. I'm quite satisfied!
Alan Mead said:
Hi Beth,

Sorry I don't have an answer to your question; although ethically I
think the one reply you have received is right on. I have a
question for you though: You had some problems with your first
1280. Are you satisfied with the replacement printer?
--
Best Regards,
Alan
Click to expand...
--Olympus E-10 (Still tilting at windmills...foolish me!)Gallery: http://www.pbase.com/galleries/cokids
 
MagicAngel said:
"Printed on a Epson 1280 color inkjet printer. These prints should
last 25 years without fading.*
www.epson.com/....(fill in the link to the epson site where it
says that)"
Click to expand...
I'd say that was good advice. In addition you might think about using an aerosol fixative, some of which help to prevent fading from UV light. They also make the ink waterproof.

There are types of glass used in framing which also help cut down UV.--Phil
 
I sell the 1280 prints on HWM to art gallerys and shops, they had 1 on display mounted under glass in a window (not direct sunlight for 8 months) with no noticable fading. I tell the gallerys and shops about the 25 year life and they will only sell the HWM prints, also because of their look. I do not know what they tell their customers.
JP Photopgraphy
Phil King said:
Member said:
"Printed on a Epson 1280 color inkjet printer. These prints should
last 25 years without fading.*
www.epson.com/....(fill in the link to the epson site where it
says that)"
Click to expand...
I'd say that was good advice. In addition you might think about
using an aerosol fixative, some of which help to prevent fading
from UV light. They also make the ink waterproof.

There are types of glass used in framing which also help cut down UV.
--
Phil
Click to expand...
--The best always,JP Photography~large files, slow load show, enjoy~ http://members.localnet.com/~endoline/JPresters
 
JP Photography said:
Phil King said:
Member said:
"Printed on a Epson 1280 color inkjet printer. These prints should
last 25 years without fading.*
www.epson.com/....(fill in the link to the epson site where it
says that)"
Click to expand...
I'd say that was good advice. In addition you might think about
using an aerosol fixative, some of which help to prevent fading
from UV light. They also make the ink waterproof.

There are types of glass used in framing which also help cut down UV.
--
Phil
Click to expand...
--
The best always,
JP Photography
large files, slow load show, enjoy
http://members.localnet.com/~endoline/JPresters
Click to expand...
I like JP's advice on listing the website as a reference to the supposed "life" of the print. Buyers can make their own purchasing decision once the information is made available to them. I too plan to display and attempt to sell some prints, framed in weathered barn lumber, under glass.
Beagler
 
Give them the real McCoy ( chemical or sub dye ) and don't
put your name on the line, it ain't worth it.
 
The web link was Serras idea, most people I talked to in the art gallerys were excited that these are digital prints, it did not make a difference to them, they are interested in the subject matter not the media that made it. It is accepted in the art world, as a painting does not have to be oil, can be water color etc.... I have made prints from film for 30 years and digital is still not there, but getting close !
JP Photography
Beagler said:
JP Photography said:
Phil King said:
Beagler said:
"Printed on a Epson 1280 color inkjet printer. These prints should
last 25 years without fading.*
www.epson.com/....(fill in the link to the epson site where it
says that)"
Click to expand...
I'd say that was good advice. In addition you might think about
using an aerosol fixative, some of which help to prevent fading
from UV light. They also make the ink waterproof.

There are types of glass used in framing which also help cut down UV.
--
Phil
Click to expand...
--
The best always,
JP Photography
large files, slow load show, enjoy
http://members.localnet.com/~endoline/JPresters
Click to expand...
I like JP's advice on listing the website as a reference to the
supposed "life" of the print. Buyers can make their own purchasing
decision once the information is made available to them. I too
plan to display and attempt to sell some prints, framed in
weathered barn lumber, under glass.
Beagler
Click to expand...
--The best always,JP Photography~slow load show, enjoy~ http://members.localnet.com/~endoline/JPresters
 
Hi Beth,

I would state what you know about the longevity from Epson. I sell my prints matted with details and care instructions, ie; mount under glass, keep out of UV light, don't spray window cleaner directly on the the glass, etc., etc.. This info goes along with the print. Personally, I wonder how many people really want an image to hang on their walls for 200 years anyway ????

The gallery that exhibits my images has gone one step further. They offer a LIFETIME replacement on fading. The artists there all agreed that we would print replacements when and if a customer came back because of a problem. Customers LOVE this and I would think that it gives them a warm secure feeling, particularly at the price charged. It's a nice insurance policy for them. You may want to give them your business card and do something similar. Just a thought.

Good luck!
nancy
Frank C. said:
Give them the real McCoy ( chemical or sub dye ) and don't
put your name on the line, it ain't worth it.
Click to expand...
 
I recently did some portraits of a family with a new baby. The logevity issue really worried me with that since a baby album is around a lot longer than 25 years. In this case I created a cd with the pictures on it also and explained about the possible fading issues. The parents have the cd and when technology improves they can have them reprinted or I left them the option of getting prints from a third party. Right now they are thrilled with their baby photos. I have sold a couple of framed prints also. I always explain about the expected lifespan of the print. No one has ever walked away. I agree with what someone else said that most people don't care if a photo is gonna last 200 years...

Teresa
 
Beth said:
Beth wrote:

I am printing from an Epson 1280 and thinking of taking some of my
prints to coffee shops and cafes that display local art for sale.
Is it ethical to sell inkjet prints with their less than archival
inks and if so, what warning should customers be given? Is anyone
doing this?

My thought was that I would put a disclaimer with the photos, so
that no one would buy without understanding the limitations. Does
anyone have a disclaimer that they are currently using? Ideas?

--
Olympus E-10 (Still tilting at windmills...foolish me!)
Gallery: http://www.pbase.com/galleries/cokids
Click to expand...
Beth--I've wrestled with the same problem. One thing to consider is that photographic prints will ALSO fade. We had one print that was displayed in an area where sun hit it during the day. It almost totally bleached out within a year's time. With that said though, if you still feel uncomfortable, go ahead and get your digital files printed at a photo lab. The advantage is that you will have better control over the output and, thus, the final image. I use an Epson 1270 and an 870 and, although the prints are usually quite good, photographic prints from the same files are always at least a little better. What looks like grain in the inkjet will usually disappear in the photo print.
Have fun, Ed Keys
 
Beth said:
Beth wrote:

I am printing from an Epson 1280 and thinking of taking some of my
prints to coffee shops and cafes that display local art for sale.
Is it ethical to sell inkjet prints with their less than archival
inks and if so, what warning should customers be given? Is anyone
doing this?

My thought was that I would put a disclaimer with the photos, so
that no one would buy without understanding the limitations. Does
anyone have a disclaimer that they are currently using? Ideas?

--
Olympus E-10 (Still tilting at windmills...foolish me!)
Gallery: http://www.pbase.com/galleries/cokids
Click to expand...
 
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