I keep getting requests for larger sizes and I can't accommodate :(

[allyandb]

This week I've gotten several convos about my prints in larger sizes. I'm so bummed that I can't work with these potential buyers because at this point, I'm still printing everything at home and my printer can only print up to size 8x10"

I'm hoping once my business grows in the future I can offer larger sizes, but for now it just sucks I can't!

In the convos I very politely explained how I am hoping to offer larger size options in the future, and I even offered other print suggestions from my shop, but it still bums me out that I'm losing potential customers!

Anyone else have a similar issue?

[Former_Member]

I had this issue when my shop was open. I started doing 11x17s and having them printed by iprintfromhome.com. I raised the price to $30 and sold a few, although it made me anxious sending larger and worrying about them getting ruined. I wound up offering digital prints instead, and resizing the images to the requested size.

[seemomster]

You should explore whether or not a local printer can print them for you. I know a local shop that does large-format work. Not sure what they charge, but you should look around and see if you can find someone to print for you.

[WanderingJeweler]

A local printer could be a great option, that way you could cut down on the turn around time and you could do a more of an on demand print service. Also you could talk to them about discounts based on how much printing you do.

[allyandb]

Thanks for the input!

Holly - I had never heard of that website but I just looked into it. It seems very reasonably priced. Was the quality good? I might order a few just to test it out!

Melanie - there is a local shop in my town (actually we bought our house from the owners of the print shop) - however, they do professional giclee prints and canvases, and it can get quite expensive since you purchase the digital file for $75 (per image) and then order any prints for like .20 or something like that. If I have hundreds of images to have printed, I cannot afford to get digital files made at $75 a piece. :(

[Former_Member]

" since you purchase the digital file for $75 (per image) "

How does that even work? Do they convert your illustrations to vectors or...?

[allyandb]

Lix- here is the link to their services and pricing:
http://www.osiobrown.com/services.htm

[Former_Member]

Yes, great quality! They offer Kodak Metallic Prints for only a little more which add a great shine and I think are a good selling point to potential customers too.

[allyandb]

Thanks Holly!! I think I am going to try ordering some to see how they turn out!

[Former_Member]

Isn't your artwork already digital?

[allyandb]

Lix- the problem is that I scan all of my original drawings into my computer at home and then I print them from my home printer as needed. The problem is that it can only print up to size 8x10.

If I continue to print from home as my business grows, my hope would be to buy a larger printer in the future. Otherwise, I would need to have them professionally printed if I wanted larger print sizes.

[Former_Member]

Hmm. I may be able to help you digitize your drawings so you can scale them up and have them printed at any size? Convo me?