New venture

[TonyM]

Hi all,
Recently I asked people opinions reagarding a printer suitable for canvas printing.
As usual people were very helpful, but my funds are very limited.
Anyway just to let you know i have bought (still to collect on Sunday, subject to seeing it working amd loaded onto my laptap) a HP DesignJet 750c Large Format Inkjet Printer. It is a 36 in printer and although a bit old fully refurbed with a guarentee.
I hope I have done the right thing as i said money is a bit tight (I paid £450)
I have seen that I can get the inks at a good price and even refillable carts with litre bottles to fill.
I really hope to be able to do some canvases and large prints.
Any advice re where to get my supplies and what canvas I need for my projects would be gratefully recieved,
I see there are many different types from polysester to canvas to photo canvas, varying in weights and sizes.
I have looked at the 36in rolls I would need and the vary massively, ranging from £30 a roll to £85 a roll.
Bit of a minefield when starting out on a new venture.
I hope I have made the right decision as i see the way forward for me is large format printing based on my background and contacts. IE I know people who will want them.
Tony

[socialgiraffe]

Hi TonyM

Wishing you all the best. £450.00 should mean you see a return on that pretty quickly.

http://www.picturemaster.co.uk/ is a very good web site for supplies. It was recommended by someone on here and I have purchased quite a few times from them without any problems.

Good luck

[TonyM]

Thanks SocialGiraffe.
I am lucky that I have some rare photos that i took, they are mine, and will be sought after by enthusiasts, and I am able to get quite a few more.
You might say I have a cunning plan.
Hopefully.

[RogerC]

Just my 2d worth. Depending on what you want to produce ie.....cheap and cheerful or a premium product be selective in the canvas you buy in. A lighter weight will be ok for the cheaper option and likewise something like LCAN 430 micron will be good for the better quality product. There are also different varnishes you could apply...smooth, satin, matte and my favourite 'brushmark' which gives the look of a painting.

Whichever you decide......good luck.

[logobear]

there is a huge margin in canvas wraps, provided you have the right outlet. As mentioned before, you have such a small investment, you have little to loose, BUT - there is quite a lot to learn to make GOOD wraps.
Getting tension and corners right, avoiding cracking, tricks with photoshop to get the edges looking right, profiling, if you want to laquer/oversprey etc.
The market for 'wall art' is 10+ years mature, - I am sure there are still opportunities, but the buyer might be more discerning now???

My wide format at 4.5k made me more profit than my minilab of 70k!
If you sence that you do have a good marketable product, but your machine is hassle, get a good replacement asap - your time & sweat is perhaps more valuable than a cheap printer!
Good luck

[TjCanvas]

Most canvas suppliers will be more than happy to supply you with samples of the canvas they supply (usually around a meter) contact various suppliers and ask for samples and do a few test prints to see what works for you. We shy away from the cheaper inks as alot dont tend to have the same vibrancy as the genuine inks which our photographer clients require. Having said that there are many good inks on the market again ask the suppliers for 100ml samples to test them out. Most reputable suppliers will be more than happy to help as they want your return custom.

Good luck and hope it works out.