Sunday, December 05, 2010

Do you wonder how to make prints?

Occasionally, I get questions about how to make prints.  I will tell you what I do and what I use and what my resources are; however, understand that my way is not the only way.  It just works for me and I have made the investment to do it this way. 

As you see above, I have an Epson Stylus Photo R2400 printer.  Actually, I'm not sure this model is available now but a similar  one is.  This is a large bed printer and will print up to 13 X 19.

So, if you are going to print "in-house", you should research printers to see which fits your needs, as well as budget.
It uses 8 different Epson Ultra Chrome K3 Ink cartridges  which are fairly expensive and I will tell you that it does seem to suck down the ink. 

As you can see above, when a cartridge is running low, it tells you each time you print until you finally have to change the cartridge.  I always keep extra on hand.
And so happy that I do because today was the day I had to change those two low ink levels before I could print this beautiful print of Circus Day.

There is more to it than printer and inks.  I have experimented with all of the Epson papers. I am now using the Epson Ultra Premium Photo Paper Luster  which gives a beautiful print. 

Another consideration if you are going to market your prints and will be shipping them, is weather or not to mat them and what you will mail them in.

I don't know if  "matted" prints are more desirable to the consumer or not; but, I assume that it is matters to some and not to others. Having said that I, consider the mats as part of my shipping and handling cost and do not adjust the print price. I get mat supplies from Redimat. They have "25 pre-cut mat boards, backing boards, and Clear Bags in a kit. Available in 8x10, 11x14, 12x16, 16x20 and 18x24." Note:  the
kit includes the mat, backing board and clear bag and the price is very reasonable. 

I stopped selling prints about a year ago because of other obligations and needing to edit my time.  I am very excited that I am now back in business with prints.     I still have a small supply of the 8 x 10 (for 5 x 7 prints) mats and will offer them as long as my supply last.  I have decided to discontinue including the mat.

This beautiful print is available for the first time.  I just added it today. 

I will now ship in a White self-seal Stay Flat envelope that is said not to bend.  I can recommend this company for their service.  I placed my order one day and it was delivered the next. 

For more on the subject of selling your prints you might want to read this from a very talented and successful artist, Kristna Laurendi Havens.

That's it for now.
Oh, One more thing, don't forget you will get 10% discount on anything in my shop if you use the special code: INEEDTHIS  when you check out.  Sale will continue until December 15th.

I've had this on my mind to share for a good while now. Hope it is helpful.
Sharon

15 comments:

  1. Yuhey :) Circus day print is mine :)Love those colors.

    Ohh.. yes.. and thank you for info about printing. Maybe some day..
    I've just had early visit of Santa, brought me scaner :) I've been good :)

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  2. Norah - thank you SOOO much for this information! I am so glad you are one of the artists who loves to share info and encourage the rest of us...you are one of the people I watch and learn from as I try to "listen" to the Source of my creativity, gaining insight and direction each and every day....

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  3. Thank you for this special information...I have considered making some small prints to employ as fronts for special family Christmas Cards. Imagine and Live in Peace, Mary Helen Fernandez Stewart

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  4. Hi Sharon! Your print and your art is so amazing and just beautiful! I really enjoyed your tips on printing, I have just recently bought an Epson Artisan 835, and I too print my own art. I have much to learn though, so I sure appreciated the information and also the "Redimat" link, I like how they include it all in one order! Thank you!!

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  5. thank you soooo much for this Sharon....you have answered so many questions..... :-)

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  6. Thank you for sharing - this was such great information - I really appreciate it!

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  7. Thank you for sharing. It's so helpful.

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  8. Great info Sharon! Was wondering what kind of scanner you use too?

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  9. Thanks so much for all this info, Sharon. It's fascinating to read how other people experiment until they find what is right for them. And doesn't it take HOURS to find the right supplies, and the combinations that will appeal to customers ??? Raymond (my photography husband) also uses a multi-ink Epson printer and has or a long while, and suddenly, some of the colours are 'discontinued' - it took me days to discover a UK company who would supply bulk bottles so that he could refill his own cartridges. Hope this does not happen to you.

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  10. Oops, why did I call you Sharon? Oh I am mortified and apologise for my rudeness and stupidity. (grovel, grovel, grovel)

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  11. Thanks so much for this tutorial. I often wondered how to do this. I have never taken this task on before.
    hugs and blessings

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  12. Thank you for being so open and sharing this info! There is so much to learn and this helps tons! :)

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  13. Thank you for sharing! Very nice gesture. The print is gorgeous!

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  14. Sharon and all-
    I have been an HP user for years and my last printer does seem to suck down the ink as well. Recently there was a class action suit settlement involving HP printers and unfair practices. Seems the prompt tells you to change your ink sooner than may necessarily be needed (so let it run completely out, baby!)and it also doesn't tell you clearly that you have the option to print black only- in other words their method adds color to the black for a richer tone= using more of your ink. Wish I'd had the heads up years ago so am sharing with you all. I like to ask the sales clerks at the office supply store for the low down on all things computer/printer/ink!

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  15. Thank you so much for sharing my post on your beautiful blog!

    I too am a BIG fan of Epson - I have the R1900 and find the print quality fantastic.

    Exceellent adivce...beautiful art...cheers!

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