Print Sales Are Pure Profit
Digital files are your baseline. Print products are where the margin lives. A $200 print order costs you $30-50 to fulfill. That is 75-85% margin. But only if you have a workflow that does not eat your time.
The Print Order Workflow
Step 1: Client Selects Favorites
Set up your creavio Collection in proofing mode. Clients browse their gallery and mark their favorite images. They can add notes: "This one as a 16x20 for the living room" or "Wallets of this one for grandparents."
Set a selection deadline. "Please make your selections by [date]." Add a reminder automation that nudges them 3 days before the deadline if selections are not complete.
Step 2: Build the Order
Review the client's selections in creavio. Create an invoice with line items for each print product:
- Print size and quantity
- Mounting or framing options
- Canvas wraps or metal prints
- Albums with page count
- Specialty products (ornaments, magnets, cards)
Include product images or descriptions so the client knows exactly what they are ordering.
Step 3: Collect Payment
Send the invoice through creavio. Require full payment before placing the lab order. No exceptions. You do not want to front lab costs for an order a client might cancel.
Step 4: Place Lab Order
Submit the order to your print lab. Popular options:
- WHCC (White House Custom Colour): Professional-grade prints, albums, and specialty products
- Bay Photo: Excellent canvas wraps and metal prints
- Miller's: Wide product selection, good turnaround
- MPIX: Consumer-friendly, good for volume
Track the lab order number in creavio's session notes. Note the expected delivery date.
Step 5: Quality Check
When prints arrive, inspect every item before delivering to the client. Check for:
- Color accuracy
- Print quality and sharpness
- Correct sizing and cropping
- Frame or mounting quality
- Packaging integrity
Step 6: Client Delivery
Deliver prints in person when possible. The unboxing experience is powerful. If shipping, use quality packaging with branded tissue paper or a thank-you card.
Update the session notes in creavio: "Prints delivered [date]." Send a follow-up email asking if they love their prints and encouraging them to share on social media.
Pricing Print Products
Standard markup is 2.5-4x your lab cost. If an 8x10 costs you $3 from the lab, charge $8-12. For premium products (canvas, metal, albums), markup can be higher: 3-5x.
Create a print pricing guide to include with gallery delivery. Clients need to see options and prices before they are asked to select favorites.
IPS vs Online Ordering
In-person sales generate the highest per-order revenue. But they require time and a presentation space. Online ordering through creavio is more scalable. Choose based on your business model and client volume.
Print fulfillment is a high-margin revenue stream that most photographers leave on the table. Set up the workflow once and offer prints to every client. Even a 20% take rate significantly increases your per-session revenue.