Photo prints from wide format inkjet workflow

[ripek]

Hi!

I'm wondering about offering photo prints like the ones you can get from a photolab but printed on more fine papers on wide inkjet printer (ipf 8400).

Printing is excellent but the real challenge is how to convert big sheets of paper with dozens of images on them to loose cut prints.

Right now it's a ruler and a scalpel deal but there must be a faster way!

Any ideas how to automate it without damaging this very delicate substrate?

I was thinking about smaller inkjet printer and narrow rolls but would the printer be accurate enough to leave even white borders around?

This is the product I'm thinking about: https://images.bigcartel.com/bigcart...myCQAErv_V.jpg

Thanks for any help!

[hugowolf]

I'm wondering about offering photo prints like the ones you can get from a photolab but printed on more fine papers on wide inkjet printer (ipf 8400).

Printing is excellent but the real challenge is how to convert big sheets of paper with dozens of images on them to loose cut prints.

Sounds like a money losing preposition if I every heard one.

Right now it's a ruler and a scalpel deal but there must be a faster way!

Rotatrim Professional or Dahle Premium or Professional rotary trimmers.

Any ideas how to automate it without damaging this very delicate substrate?

What subrate would this be? You haven't mentioned which paper(s).

I was thinking about smaller inkjet printer and narrow rolls but would the printer be accurate enough to leave even white borders around?

You might consider a printer with better sheet feed than the 8400, but if you are going with rolls, then the 8400 is not limited to wide rolls. What size prints were you considering?

This is the product I'm thinking about: https://images.bigcartel.com/bigcart...myCQAErv_V.jpg

Your link doesn't work for me.

Brian A

[BobShaw]

Sounds like a money losing preposition if I every heard one.

+1
The fotolabs have it down to a fine art and each size of print has it's own printer with rolls of the right size paper.

[dgberg]

Sorry to bust your bubble and agree with everyone else. Way.. too much labor involved.
The smallest we do is 8" x 10" and 8 1/2" x 11" and they are usually proofs for larger prints.
We started doing Chromaluxe dye sub metal prints several years ago and found out the first week 8x10's and smaller were not viable.
We now pretty much start with 11" x 14"
Little things that you learn quickly are that it takes the same amount of time to do an 8" x 10" ($39) as it does a 16" x 20' ($89)

Rotatrim is money well spent.
Use those baby prints as a loss leader if you want and maybe that will bring them back for larger profitable work.

[r010159]

I think you first need to research and develop a viable business plan. I think finding a solution to automate the cutting of prints is a n insignificant problem to solve. Are you actually trying to compete with local pro labs? Do you have any idea about what this would entail in research, knowledge, time, and money? I am not talking about technical knowledge here. Also, why would their customer use your service instead of an established well proven photo lab business? I will give you a hint: it has nothing to do wth using "quality" inks on "quality" papers.

All I am trying to say is maybe, just maybe, you need to spend more time to think this through. If I have offended you in any way, I apologize. Personally, I would find a better and more viable way to make money.

Bob

[ripek]

Thanks for your reply. I'm in no way offended

We are not competing against local photolabs and this product is not aimed at "9cent" client. We aim at professionals.

We sell 4x6" for 2.29USD each and still have a steady growth of clients. We've been doing it for 2 years now.

This product together with a hand made box is really something else.

I just want to use the time as best as possible.


The problem with printing small rolls in the final size of the image is the prints are curled closer to the roll end and our clients want their prints flat.

We could press heat them but I think the fastest option is to decurl the bigger sheets and then cut them.

Here are the links to what we do. Hope it works now.

https://scontent.cdninstagram.com/hphotos-xap1/t51.2885-15/e15/11327099_715763905200201_1455649979_n.jpg

https://scontent.cdninstagram.com/hphotos-xpa1/t51.2885-15/s640x640/sh0.08/e35/12142485_911111748966799_983665426_n.jpg

[enduser]

Qimage will let you layout many small images on a large sheet will also print the cut lines for you.  Makes making small images easier.

[hugowolf]

...
The problem with printing small rolls in the final size of the image is the prints are curled closer to the roll end and our clients want their prints flat.

The width of the roll makes no difference to the curl.

We could press heat them but I think the fastest option is to decurl the bigger sheets and then cut them.

Sheets shouldn't need decurling, and some fine art papers are available in US Arch D (24" x 36") and sometimes larger sheets. If you are talking about roll paper, then there is no problem decurling several strips side by side with a D-Roller.

Here are the links to what we do. Hope it works now.

A Rotatrim with an 24" extension ruler would be the way to go. The extensions are ridiculously expensive, but would save you more time. The Dahle trimmers, however, cut in both directions, which also saves time.

Brian A

[ripek]

The width of the roll makes no difference to the curl.

Sheets shouldn't need decurling, and some fine art papers are available in US Arch D (24" x 36") and sometimes larger sheets. If you are talking about roll paper, then there is no problem decurling several strips side by side with a D-Roller.

A Rotatrim with an 24" extension ruler would be the way to go. The extensions are ridiculously expensive, but would save you more time. The Dahle trimmers, however, cut in both directions, which also saves time.

Brian A

We do print with Qimage - a lifesaver!

I'm not talking about the width. I'm talking first prints vs last prints from the single roll. Because the core is a bit small, last pages are massively curled.

I'm thinking about sheet paper. Maybe some epson printer with CIS system? Main reason we use IPF for prints is the cost of ink.


Do you know any good flatbed paper cutters which read marks on the paper and cut them automatically?

[Ernst Dinkla]

Fotoba. You have to convince Mike though to add the right Fotoba cut marks to Qimage. a request I made several years ago.

Met vriendelijke groet, Ernst

http://www.pigment-print.com/spectralplots/spectrumviz_1.htm
December 2014 update, 700+ inkjet media white spectral plots

[dgberg]

You want to take the labor out of the equation. (Well some of it anyway.)
Epson has the small home/event printer Picture Mate.
One of the newer models prints 4x6 and 5x7. All the other models print only 4x6. I had one of the earlier models 5 years ago and the gloss prints are just stunning.
As close to Cibachrome as you can get. Paper and ink costs are around .25 each which is still a number you can pay and still make money.
I actually think I may get another one just to fool with. Optional battery pack that can release you from a computer for onsite printing if that is of interest to you.

[ripek]

Ernst! Thank you - I was looking for this machine. Lost the link months ago!

I wonder if it's gentle enough for matte cotton rag paper.

Hope Mike can add this feature. This would help us a lot with other products.