[Leica] OT: large print output service?

[deroulhac at cox.net (Greg de Roulhac)]

Richard,

Having been a pre-digital lab owner for 12 years, I would advise that  
you purchase the large format printer for your own use and not  
attempt to cover the costs by operating a digital printing service.  
While it may seem like a simple proposition, operating a print  
production service is not as straight forward as it looks on paper.  
Dealing with folks who want their work printed is a demanding job.  
You will not be able to satisfy them by just running the files  
through the machine.  Also keep in mind that many people who order  
large prints want them mounted.

If the purchase/operating cost is too steep to justify for your  
personal use, go into a partnership with someone else who needs a  
large format printer.

Best Regards,

Greg de Roulhac
deroulhac@cox.net

> I am seriously thinking about getting a Z3100, the 24" large format  
> printer from HP. The primary reason being that with my integrating  
> Chinese calligraphy into photoimages, even a 13x19 print looks  
> small for calligraphy. The major downside is of course the cost.  
> Plus that who knows how many these images I can make...
>
> One way to defray the cost is to sell printing service at slightly  
> premium over material cost. With the builtin color calibration, the  
> printer should produce prints that look pretty darn good.
>
> What do you think? A viable "business" plan? Or should I just a)  
> give up whole idea, or b) bite the bullet and purchase the printer  
> anyway?