Ongoing uni assignment, printing services

Jarvman · Oct 14, 2008

In my second year of uni at the moment I've entered into what they've called the specialist practice module. I spoke to my tutor today and we're both agreed that I should persue black and white printing. Trying like many others here do to sell prints but perhaps leaning towards printing others images to their specifications. It involves putting together a series of commercially viable images that reflect current trends in the area, then also another set of personal/experimental work that needn't be. It'll also involve a work placement hopefully with a top class printer. I thought this would be a better place than any to ask for information as the answers here are always honest and there are alot of different perspectives. Who here makes a living from their prints and/or printing for others? What are the 'current trends' in print sales? Where do you predict the future is for traditional printing and where can money be made? Some broad questions and I'm sure they've been asked a thousand times before so I'm wary of asking but it'd be nice to have some opinions and ideas which way I should direct my energies. This will make up part of a research file. Thanking you kindly

Bob Carnie · Oct 14, 2008

Hi There
I make all my living from printing for others, have been doing it for a while now.
I believe with lightroom, PS and inkjet printers the market for printing for others has dramatically dropped since 2001.
I see that the only way to survive is if you are located in a large area that would demand your service, or a fantastic web / shipping capability.
I think there will be a demand for enlarger black and white prints for a few years still but people converting to scan to inkjet is on the rise.
I am going to concentrate on digital negs for colour and black and white and offer prints on platinum, cyanotype, gum and colour carbon.
As well continue to print for clients I have acquired over the last 20years of operating a fibre lab.
Without strong PS skills I think your options are limited if you plan to build a lab that will accomodate others work.
I do believe that the mix of digital and traditional methods is the way of the future.

Jarvman said:
In my second year of uni at the moment I've entered into what they've called the specialist practice module. I spoke to my tutor today and we're both agreed that I should persue black and white printing. Trying like many others here do to sell prints but perhaps leaning towards printing others images to their specifications. It involves putting together a series of commercially viable images that reflect current trends in the area, then also another set of personal/experimental work that needn't be. It'll also involve a work placement hopefully with a top class printer. I thought this would be a better place than any to ask for information as the answers here are always honest and there are alot of different perspectives. Who here makes a living from their prints and/or printing for others? What are the 'current trends' in print sales? Where do you predict the future is for traditional printing and where can money be made? Some broad questions and I'm sure they've been asked a thousand times before so I'm wary of asking but it'd be nice to have some opinions and ideas which way I should direct my energies. This will make up part of a research file. Thanking you kindly

Ongoing uni assignment, printing services

Jarvman

Bob Carnie

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