Imagekind v. ZenFolio v. ?

[Leigh]

This is a quote from another thread, which I did not want to hijack:

One thing I like about using Imagekind as my current solution for selling prints is that buyers can not only choose whether or not they also buy a frame, they can choose what kind of frame and even the kind of paper they'd prefer. You can set defaults, of course, but the buyer has options. I see that as a good thing.

With Imagekind, who provides the actual print that goes to the customer?

It appears from their website that they do, so what control does the artist have over the delivered product?

Any other comments or observations regarding them, or comparing them with ZenFolio or other sales venues?

TIA

- Leigh

[Kirk Gittings]

I'm curious if anyone really sells images from these sites?

[David Aimone]

I have sold from Zenfolio, even a couple of sales to total strangers. Most, however, are sold from specific photo shoots (portraits, products, etc.) or as a result of someone who has seen my photos elsewhere, "live" in a gallery or place of business or on another web site (including Facebook).

It does provide a great online portfolio and can handle a sale easily if needed. I use their provider (Mpix) for digital print sales, and use "Artist Fulfillment" to sell darkroom prints and digital prints that I need to sign and/or frame myself.

Zenfolio site link below if anyone wants to check it out.

I'm curious if anyone really sells images from these sites?

[jnantz]

i have sold some of my work through imagekind for over a year.
they print and deliver the work to the customer. i know some of the folks
i have sold to in the last year and i haven't heard any complaints about
their printing or quality of the work they deliver.
when i first started up with them, i asked for
sample prints from my gallery ... and i couldn't complain
about the quality either...

[vinny]

I'd have a hard time selling work which someone else has printed that I haven't seen. If you delivered the work, that'd be another thing.

[David Aimone]

Unless it's a "snapshot" type photo, even if I have Mpix print it, it's sent to me, I sign, mat and/or frame it, then send it to the buyer. But the purchase goes through Zenfolio as an "Artist Fulfilment" purchase.

Beautiful work on your website, Vinny!

I'd have a hard time selling work which someone else has printed that I haven't seen. If you delivered the work, that'd be another thing.

[Leigh]

Unless it's a "snapshot" type photo, even if I have Mpix print it, it's sent to me, I sign, mat and/or frame it, then send it to the buyer.

That makes more sense to me.

I'm worried about letting another entity have complete control over my product.

- Leigh

[jnantz]

if you do color work and have a lab that is out of town
process or print it for you ... it is the same thing.
i have a lab in MN print my digital c-prints.
i calibrate my monitor, and receive test prints to see if they "match"
every few months, just like i do with imagekind ...
not everyone prints ink at home, and not everyone has a pro-lab
near to them that does good work. most of the pro labs near me are out of business
so i get my work done somewhere else ... and i don't really have
trouble trusting them, since when i get test prints, they look just fine ...
not sure how they have "complete control" over my product
when it is me who is doing all the digital post production ...

[vinny]

if you do color work and have a lab that is out of town
process or print it for you ... it is the same thing.
i have a lab in MN print my digital c-prints.
i calibrate my monitor, and receive test prints to see if they "match"
every few months, just like i do with imagekind ...
not everyone prints ink at home, and not everyone has a pro-lab
near to them that does good work. most of the pro labs near me are out of business
so i get my work done somewhere else ... and i don't really have
trouble trusting them, since when i get test prints, they look just fine ...
not sure how they have "complete control" over my product
when it is me who is doing all the digital post production ...

Same thing?
Regardless of who printed it, when I pack up a print for shipping, I know it's the best work I'm capable of and there are no defects or blemishes. Test prints and the delivered product are two different prints.
I've had lightjets printed that had specks imbedded in the print which the lab didn't see on more than one occasion (Calypso, now closed). I've had prints show up with scratches as well. Chemistry changes too. I just can't do it without seeing the work in person.


just out of curiosity, what lab are you using in MN? I can no longer use WCI since they
instated a $250 minimum purchase on prints.

[jnantz]

i am not saying that you should use imagekind, or buy images off their site.
i am just saying that i haven't had trouble with what they offer, and
the images i have purchased off of their website have been very good.
i think if their product was sub standard they wouldn't have any customers
( both internal, or external ) bad news travels far and wide and forever on the internet ...

they offer a no hassle return regardless ... and as i said, i haven't had any problems
or returns .. my experience with them has been trouble-free.
for me, it is the same thing, putting your trust in someone that does work for you, obviously to you it isn't the same thing ...

the lab i use in MN is whcc.com
i can't complain about them either ... i've printed with them
for a good 6 or 7+ years ...
i have also had them ship directly to clients ...
the hundreds of prints they have sent me have never had things imbedded in them
or dents / dings, or specs, or scratches ...
i have even had coffee table books printed by them ... nothing short of perfect.

both places ( whcc + imagekind ) have tight quality control and i don't have any
problem putting my trust in them ....
other labs i have brought work to over the years ( in person ) well,
i have had more trouble with them then i have had with these guys ...