Wed, Jun. 24th, 2009, 04:46 pm
Poster Question
I found a printer who will do short run printing 11x17 mini posters for a very reasonable price. I ordered up samples or two different types of paper. Both have their pros and cons, and neither one would be a bad choice, but I'm looking to stock just ONE type of poster. Poster Paper: A semi-gloss paper that's the approx thickness and feel of a poster. Can be rolled up like a poster. Cardstock Paper: A thicker more durable semigloss paper. Cannot be rolled. Seems to print just a touch darker. Question 1: If you had a choice between the two, which would you paper would you be happier with if you were purchasing an 11x17 miniposter print? Question 2: I sell unmatted 8.5 x 11 prints for $8 and mounted/acetate wrapped 8.5 x 11 prints for $12. 100 pieces of artwork are available at these sizes Now, if you saw a small (4-8 images) selection of 11x17 poster prints, would you feel $8 for a poster print makes the 8.5 x 11 prints seem like a rip off? On the other hand, is $12 too much for an admittedly large print, but small poster? Feedback appreciated :-) Be honest.
Wed, Jun. 24th, 2009 09:05 pm (UTC)
![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif) draike
1. Lately I prefer cardstock, because I like my prints to be durable and have a little bulk to them. Especially for a smaller poster at 11x17, I think the cardstock would do it more justice. The thin rolling aspect is more of a necessity for larger prints. 2. I'm awful with price gauging, but I know the cost of the matted/wrapped prints is justified, especially if you're doing that by hand. Acetate is enough of a pain in the ass to work with that you want the price to offset the labor involved. (Not to mention if you're like me and have epic battles with the mat cutter.) $8 for 11x17 would definitely make the $8 8.5x11 seem like a ripoff. Doesn't mean that it would be, but it's more about how non-artistic customers would interpret it. Personally, I would compromise and make the posters around $10-12. Pay a little more for the extra size, but not as much for the wrapped and ready to frame prints. Thu, Jun. 25th, 2009 02:08 am (UTC)
neondragon
Yeah. I'm going to have to price the posters a bit higher. I can't actually price the smaller prints lower. The smaller prints are one of the few high-profit margin items I carry to a con, and while people may think "Wow, you made 4x what you paid for your print!" It's actually not.... Because of taxes, hotel fees, con fees, table feeds, gas, food for the con weekend for two people... the prints profit margin is part of what helps to pay for these extra expenses. Wed, Jun. 24th, 2009 09:10 pm (UTC)
neogeen
I like the poster paper because it is easy to transport - you can roll em up in a tube if you move. The cardstock on the other hand looks beautiful framed! Just going from past con artist-alley buying experience, I've paid anywhere between $15-$35 for that sized poster print. I wouldn't have the poster and 8x11 be the same price, it does demean the value of the normal sized print. $12 is not too much at all, $15-25 would be average going price these days. Thu, Jun. 25th, 2009 02:10 am (UTC)
neondragon
I think I've worked out a way to tube the posters in clear plastic, like you see in the store :-) This hsould make them easy to grab and to transport. Huh. When I go to cons people shy away when they find out my prints are an EXTRAVAGENT $8. All the artists at anime cons seem to price at $5. Oh dear. Thanks for the input! Wed, Jun. 24th, 2009 10:03 pm (UTC)
destroyah_des
I would rather have poster paper you can roll up. As for prices, I don't know. But 8 and 12 don't sound expensive to me. Thu, Jun. 25th, 2009 02:10 am (UTC)
neondragon
I'm leaning toward rollup paper too. Wed, Jun. 24th, 2009 10:13 pm (UTC)
hawkeyethedragn
1.I would prefer cardstock if I was going to buy a poster, simply because it is more solid. In my experience, posters tend to get wrinkly over time, even just sitting on the wall. 2.On the pricing I have no clue, but I would like to agree with draike on the the fact two sizes being the same price might seem like a ripoff. Thu, Jun. 25th, 2009 02:12 am (UTC)
neondragon
It's a trade off either way. I looked at them in the sunlight and the poster paper posters definately have noticibly better color, but the paper thickness worries me. Mind you, they're both on thick paper! Wed, Jun. 24th, 2009 11:12 pm (UTC)
jods
Poster paper that can be rolled up is much easier to deal with if you're going to be shipping/moving it. Mailing something that's 11 x 17 flat can be a real pain in the ass. D: To echo what's been said, cardstock really does look nice framed though. As for prices, I usually go with around $15 for an 11 x 17, and $10 for an 8.5 x 11. Varies though depending on the quality of the paper (I also have the option of printing out of my own home on a few speciality papers). :) Thu, Jun. 25th, 2009 02:11 am (UTC)
neondragon
Thinking about displaying several 11x17 pieces on the table is a nightmare. I think they're gonna have to be rolled up for display as well as shipping, haha. Thu, Jun. 25th, 2009 03:10 am (UTC)
jods
Lol, agreed there. :) What I've done before is used one of those large portfolios with sleeves, and then stuck a few of the prints that people could choose from in there. Then they can just flip through to see if there's something they like. However it's still good to have at least a couple on display, specially if the area has some heavy traffic/people aren't being leisurely enough to browse. Thu, Jun. 25th, 2009 12:29 am (UTC)
_zwielicht
I'd personally rather have a cardstock print, however because the larger size is an issue, my vote goes to the poster paper. I think $10-12 for the 11x17 unmatted sounds fair. However, if you did print it on cardstock, it would look nicer and if people really wanted it they would pay the extra shipping fees, especially if you sign it. Thu, Jun. 25th, 2009 02:11 am (UTC)
neondragon
I t hink I've worked out a packaging system where I could tube, bag, and label all the posters in an attractive manner. I'm hoping it pans out :) Tue, Jun. 30th, 2009 11:29 pm (UTC)
(Anonymous): Poster
Q1: I'd prefer cardstock. Any poster that comes in contact with my hands gets crinkeled up, but not cardstock.
Q2: Considering the $12 prints are mounted, no it's not a rip-off. Maybe sell posters for $10, to balance things out. |
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contemplative