Dan. Thanks for the input.
Firstly I am no expert, but would like to become very well versed!
A Link to the podcast would be great. 9 to 15 month sounds awful! Can you clarify what exactly this means? Yes I do understand there is no archival certification but I was led to believe that the lifespan would be almost if not guaranteed so, as long.
I'm based in Ireland. I purchase my materials from the UK. What I'm trying to say is that where I am based. The market is flooded with cheap, polyester based imitation canvases. Yes I do print them, but I'm the only one locally who has them profiled and varnished. When you attempt to explain to a customer about richer colour or quality of materials or lifespan, their eyes glaze over and they question the decency of your product. I try to explain that in order to get the very best they just have to spend a little more but in recession hit Ireland it seems to be price and not quality that matters.
I would like to have believed that local "professional" photographers would also believe in quality and have printed multiple samples on all the different canvases and explained the differences and archival qualities (to the best of my knowledge, which is limited) on each. Out of 10 local "professional" 8 choose the crap polyester, 2 choose 800m. Even thought they are informed with the Breathing Color literature that I provide.
Costs I think may be a little different in the US vs here in the Irish Republic. a 24" roll of 800m costs around $137.46 for me from the UK using xe.com conversion to $. The US site sells it for $79.20. A 24" roll of lyve costs me €191.65 for the US it's $129.60. A bit of a difference, I'm sure you'll agree.
So 800m per sq ft for me costs circa $1.72. So a 16x12 with a 2" wrap costs circa $3.82 in 800m. The stretcher costs me around $5. Epson UK tell me after xe.com conversion that the ink costs me $3.57. So, it works our almost €10 for me at cost even before counting timeless or glamour ii coatings. My competitors are charging €15 for a 16x12 print. Margins are tight. Quality does not seem to be No.1 in peoples priorities.
What I'm looking for is a sure fire way to educate people (who are passionate about their photos) in the advantages of real archival prints vs local lab (fuji chrystal prints). Very few are interested in canvas, the majority just want to buy an inexpensive frame and insert their prints. In this recession I would like to stay in business and pay back for the machinery I invested in AND print the best I can.
I understand where you're coming from Dan and I wish it was as simple as I guarantee this will last, an here is the evidence from my media manufacturer.
Again folks, excuse any ignorance I have and thanks in advance for the help!