Why Would Anybody Buy a Printer?

Today I look (roughly) at my printing costs and compare the figures to ordering prints from a photo lab. I use a Canon Pro 1000 and print in Lightroom. After discussing these costs I go ahead and print one of my images from my recent landscape photography trip to Canada.
𝐌𝐲 𝐋𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬𝐜𝐚𝐩𝐞 𝐏𝐡𝐨𝐭𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐩𝐡𝐲 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤: thomasheaton.c...
𝐁𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡 𝐦𝐲 𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐫𝐞 '𝐎𝐧 𝐋𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧' 𝐂𝐚𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐮𝐞: • Binge Watch EVERYTHING...
Skip to 11:57 to see printing
My Instagram: / heatonthomas
My Website: www.thomasheat...
*Music*
To Relax - Gunnar Johnsén
**All Downloaded from Here: goo.gl/DGwrJE
My Gear blog: bit.ly/tomsgear
My E-Book: geni.us/onlocation
Those Who I Was With in Canada:
Gavin Hardcastle: / fototripper
Adam Gibbs: / agibbsphotography
Nick Page: / @nickpage
Brent Henderson: www.brenthende...
Some kit used/seen in this video. These are affiliate links.
My Photography Gloves: bit.ly/2DHSRR7
My Vlogging Camera - geni.us/3SJDN
My Mic - geni.us/vidmicro
My Wide Lens - geni.us/16to35f4
My Medium Lens - geni.us/24to70L
My Long Lens - geni.us/200lens
My full kit list blog: bit.ly/tomsgear
#LandscapePhotography #Printing

[@owainshaw]

"Get your kids into Photography, that way they'll never have money for drugs."

[@mr.treefrog8641]

@SwitchRich got to teach them marketing some how right

[@johnm6088]

so

[@SeanKimStyle]

But They got addicted in buying gears

[@owainshaw]

@@SeanKimStyle They still might become gear-heads.

[@mikeatkins2964]

Can actually confirm

[@cgriggsiv]

Thomas great video but you cannot give away that hat it does not matter if it's a little large use a baseball cap if you have to. The person who knitted that hat has a very kind-hearted soul and excellent skills P.S Thomas wash the hat in extremely hot water and then throw it in the dryer it should shrink

[@scotty4418]

To me, the bit at the end of the vlog summaries the benefits of printing as you have done the planning, the travelling, getting on scene and then taking the image. Printing the image is the completion of the journey especially when the adventure has been a memorable one

[@jacebeleren429]

I know the comment section is turning into hatgate 2019, but printing is my favorite part of photography. Some advice from someone who did a bit of a deep dive into the subject. Your printer/paper will define your end product, similar to how instagram lends itself to square crops and over saturation. You need to understand first the broad strokes of what you want to make before you shop. Do you want to print fast, at high quality, how wide do you want to go, does my cameras resolution work with the size I want to print... on and on. I was on the verge of choosing that pro1000, but I realized I wanted to go wide. That printers driver only supports something like 17"x25.5" and that is what you are locked into. So I ended up going with the Epson P800 because it has a roller attachment which allows me to use 17"x100'+ rolls. The widest I have printed so far is 17"x110" which really gives me the sense of scale I was trying to communicate. The P800 also allows you to print on thick inflexible media like metal plates and the such. Anyhow my point is not that one printer is better than the other, (because they are both great) but that you will be bound to the physical dimensions and media materials compatible with the printer. FWIW If you are just starting out get the Canon pro100, pick up a few sample packs of Moab, Canson, Hahnemuhle, or whatever and start your journey. To me, printing is the most satisfying thing about photography. Just make sure you ask your spouse before you hang a ~10ft wide photo on your livingroom wall ;-).

[@LegacyStudio]

Just got my Canon Pro100 and it has opened my eyes Thomas. Thank you for all your videos and it has inspired me to get one and get started! I absolutely love it and my KZbin channel has a new goal. Review camera tech and get “the bucket print” from every location I get. Thanks so much for the inspiration and as always, I absolutely love your work man!

[@JeffCreates]

Is it wool? Put it on an absurdly high temperature to shrink it, then put it on your head when it's still wet - bespoke sizing!

[@PaulAdshead]

this ^

[@nuno_das_fotos]

Exactly was just about to write that but came here looking for comments!

[@djvincon]

Thissss

[@HeathBarbierPhoto]

Jeff coming in with the top tips!

[@JeffCreates]

Heath L Barbier only regarding fabric care and haberdashery

[@Elysianplains]

Should Thomas keep the hat? Yes: 👍🏻 No: 👎🏻

[@johnsmith1474]

The vid is about printing.

[@raymondgoodman9148]

@@johnsmith1474 how many times did you make this comment?

[@redauwg911]

John- Manners always come first.

[@johnsmith1474]

@@raymondgoodman9148 - Hopefully once for every nitwit who posted a fanboy hat comment to a printing vid. Did I miss one?

[@frauleindaniela]

John Smith Yes me! Now I'm offended. How could you miss my comment? Maybe you're just not thorough enough?

[@TWBrit65]

Printer: a business plan cycle is 5 years, divide the printer cost by either 3 or 5 years... Hat: Never give away a personal gift - it's just rude

[@Artyomthewalrus]

Always ensure a personal gift gets use. If I were to spend a dozen hours knitting a hat, which didn't fit the intended wearer, I would much rather they forward it to someone else who will use it rather than simply leaving it in a drawer unused for the sake of politeness.

[@heero101086]

Thomas! You can’t give away that hat! A fan put in all that effort to make you a hat and you just want to give it away? I’m sure you can “edit” the hat to make it fit....

[@cgriggsiv]

I totally agree. You cannot give away that hat to anyone. The person who knitted that hat is a very special person with a lot of heart that did that so what if the hat is a little bit too big you just cannot give that away to anyone

[@Caspersight]

Yeah, I would be so pissed off if I made that and he just through it to one side and said who wants it lol. Just slide it back a bit so you can see!

[@geriko29]

I have to agree Thomas that feels slightly clumsy for that poor follower, even if I'm sure you were full of goodwill!

[@johnsmith1474]

@@Caspersight - All you people need to get over yourselves.

[@thdcinema]

Don't rush to conclusions on this one guys, perhaps the person or persons who made the oversized hat for him are making him a new well fitted hat for him as we speak.....or not, I could be wrong too ;0)

[@BernardAguiar]

Without sounding like a hater... I was very surprised that Thomas gave away a hat that someone took the time to make for him. Of course, that's just my thoughts.

[@dayjeenhomeschool1369]

I thought the same thing. I would just keep it because someone is kind enough and thoughtful enough to make the hat, especially for him, fit or not I would just keep it. I don't hate or dislike Thomas. Thank you for making this video.

[@andre1987eph]

You're a good judge of character. I felt the same way.

[@googledeez5552]

I agree as well, his parents must’ve not taught him to appreciate little things.

[@p.i.vanblerk3043]

I actually think it's a good thing. If you're not gonna use it is better to give it away than throw it in a closet for it to never be used. If I had made that hat I would had been fine with him giving it away to someone who might have a better use for it.

[@utopia901]

Same. Pretty ungrateful. Stitching a hat like that takes time.

[@seandonno9248]

Not enough photographers print their work, or get prints done! For me it completes the process from point of capture to final printed image, and I have total control over this whole process. I dithered for ages on buying a printer, but in the end went for the fantastic Canon PRO100S. Got it for 250 UK pounds and it prints up to A3+ sizes. Large enough for any prints I want to display around the home. Genuine set of inks can be got for 75 pounds. I print ALL of my favourite images on 5x7 paper first, and make any adjustments before printing to A3+. I ignore the initial cost of the printer, just as I wouldn't consider the price of a new lens. It's a one off cost. So basing my print costs on the paper and replacement inks alone, 5x7 prints cost just over 1 UK pound per print, and just over 6 UK pounds for an A3+. I think this is a bargain personally, and worth every penny to me. Interesting also, that when I started to print it changed my whole post processing workflows, for the better.

[@semperfi-1918]

Im in USA. And i get cost of start and cost of exspenses running business. One is recovery cost and the other ... well is with the print for the cost of goods. But in the end once i have mine set up and i have enough slush fund and justifyable selling enough prints to cover the cost... then itll be worth it.

[@MO-ss7qt]

Ah, love the print on 5x7 first! Why didn't I think of that!

[@mhc2b]

Hi Thomas - I make my "photo" money by setting up at juried outdoor art shows in the Southeast US. For me, being able to print what I sell at these shows is extremely important. My printer is an Epson P6000, 24". I print on Matte fine art paper (Epson Hot Press) with mat black ink. Two big reasons why I choose to print my own - I can print WHENEVER I want, and I have full CONTROL over the final print, not to mention that I can see the results in a few minutes, instead of a few days. If I had to buy prints from any lab, the first disadvantage is time. Secondly is the inconsistency of quality. Granted, I sell at a much larger quantity than you do, from 20 prints per mediocre show to 50+ prints at a really good show. I do about 20-25 shows per year, depending on how many accept me. PS - Always enjoy your videos. Wish I could travel as much as you do, but could not tolerate the extremes of the weather and difficult terrains that you cover!!

[@SD_Alias]

Wash the hat at 60-90° C in washing machine and it will fit your head ;-)

[@mymenare]

but, do not be wearing the hat, when you do this.....

[@dorycoli]

He didn't like your answer mate, i think it was a good idea, at this point i think he just did't like the hat, he wants to get rid of it.

[@danev1969]

Thomas, Over the years we owned 24" professional printers and the profit margin was narrow. We are retired now and we are members of a local Photography club in Sun City AZ. A few years back our club purchased a Canon iPF-6400 24" (similar to your Pro-1000). We manage the profiles (we can make our own with Silverfast). With this setup, our members can print a 16 x 20 on art paper for about $5.00 to maybe $10.00 depending on the paper. And we have members that print a 24x36 on Breathing Color Canvas for about $20.00. This is probably the only way self-printing can be economical. All of our computers are color managed and it takes a team to ensure the accuracy and minimal waste that allows us to keep cost down. Thanks as always for the excellent video.

[@MagicCallanta]

I just bought a pro 1000 last week.. printing gives my photography life

[@simeontse5384]

In a digital age, an picture is not a image until you can hold it in your hands. I owned an Epson 4900 and I found that the printing experience another part of creating an image. There is something so satisfying watching the print head go back and forth laying down one of the most expensive liquids known to man. Having had to relocate for work, I had to sell my printer and it is something I miss dearly. Keep up the content coming Thomas, love watching!!!

[@SD_Alias]

one thing to consider is if you have longer printing breaks, for a month or longer, the printhead may clog and dry. So endless cleaning routines and massive ink consumption is the result. I would only buy a printer if i would really often print without longer breaks…

[@RichFreeman]

Yup. I got a printer bundled with a camera and ended up parting it out on Ebay and donating the rest just because it made no sense for me to maintain the thing properly. I wouldn't print that much, and you can't just let an inkjet sit for months between prints. I rarely print anyway, but if I did I'd just order from a lab, where if they run out of ink the middle of a run they just toss it in the trash and print it again. If I were in business I'd be more likely to consider it a cost of doing business and consider the value of being able to turn around prints in a short time. If you get enjoyment out of watching the print come out by all means buy a printer, but I just don't really value that part of the experience...

[@mylittleninjas]

Georg E. I forgot to mention that in my post. Printers are meant to be used as a production tool, not just as a convenience for occasional prints. They become an expensive headache for a lot of unknowing consumers. The sales people won’t tell you that.

[@johnsmith1474]

Important point, these things will use a ton of ink charging themselves.

[@r.alecbowman1232]

You can help keep the inks from drying out by leaving the power on the printer. The heat helps keep the ink from drying out. (This suggestion comes from Canon)

[@renambot]

The pro-1000 does very well even after several weeks not used. I have it in a very dry office for several years and it's fine. It might take a little while to warm up and self-clean, but it's much better than any printer I got before (pro-10, various epson and hp).

[@josh885]

I just got a Canon pro-10 for $100 after xmas sale. It's normally a $700 printer. I agree with you 100% After the first print came out that was it. Now for me photos on the screen aren't even real or finished anymore. There is simply no way to describe the feeling when your photo which you saw in your mind, than created with your camera now exists in the real world not just virtually on a screen. Manifesting the work in the real physical world is the final, and true act of creation. It didn't' exist and now it does. Because of you. That's not something you can even put a price on. I can never go back to not printing. After doing it myself I would never go back to using a lab either unless I wanted a print that was too big for me to make. I adjust the photo for the print depending on the paper I'm using and the lighting where the photo is going to be displayed ect. It is part of the creative process and not something I want to leave to someone else.

[@seandonno9248]

Couldn't agree more :-)

[@stevenscarborough9376]

Agree. I, too, bought a Canon Pro 10 for $100. Have to tell ya I got got hooked and love the printing process. Spent a lot on extra ink and paper (of course I now prefer Canson PrintMaking Rag...heh, heh...$) I am glad I got into printing, as it is a pleasing part of my creative process as a hobbyist.

[@jaredwolfe8438]

Yep pro-10 is great. Have enjoyed mine the passed few years. Still haven’t done anything bigger than 8x10 but I need to.

[@josh885]

@bellaconca Well from what I understand these rebates only happened in the U.S. Also the reason why it was so cheap is because Murphyy's camera had a big discount in addition to the rebate Canon was offering. Murphy's sale price was $300 and canon was offering a $200 rebate at authorized retailers. So that makes it $100. But I got a combo deal for paper too. So after Murphy's discounts and Canon's rebates I got the printer and 100 sheets of 13X19 (A3+) canon pro luster paper for $120+$65 for shipping.

[@johnburgess1547]

To handle a print that you have created from start to finish and see it come out of the printer is magical. At least you can boast "All my own work"

[@Ulrich.Bierwisch]

You don't need to buy a camera, lenses, tripod, filter, bag, computer, software, printer, ink, paper, travel to remote locations, stay days or weeks in rain and cold just to take a few mediocre pictures and hang them on the wall. You only need to find your favorite youtube channel that does everything for you and sell much better pictures for a decent price. On the other hand - it's fun.

[@miriammoriarty8588]

Ha! Yes. It's the process.

[@WayneRobertsonPhotography]

I agree that it is wise to look into the costs and effort involved with printing your own images before committing to the purchase of an expensive printer. If you can cope with the costs etc. then like you say it's a very rewarding feeling to see your images in print knowing you've done it all from start to finish. I think if you have a passion for photography you will love printing.

[@KeirTheDouche]

They made that hat for you, don't give it away

[@KSXmedia]

Well this is awkward...

[@matthewkrah1567]

Printing is truly rewarding when you are finished with a master file and it comes out to a physical item. Well worth the money!

[@jbairdexp]

One day I'll sit down and work out how much it costs me to make a print at home... until that point, I'll just carry on in ignorance and enjoy all the benefits!

[@MarinaGarrison]

The value of a print depends on your philosophy of photography. Is it about the journey or the end result? For many people (myself included) photography is an art form and the value is in the end result.

[@Momo-yl3hs]

So it’s not about being profitable business investment but rather self-actualization value right ?

[@jimrookphotos]

Thomas, maybe since you tried printing, you could try to wash the hat. If it's wool or a blend, it will shrink. Be careful though not to put it into the drier especially in the hot cycle. Do the hot cycle and you'll find out your head is bigger than you think. No pun intended. Regarding printing, yes quality papers are costly but there are some quality options such as Red River Papers that also offer some sales annually thus making their beautiful Baryta paper quite reasonable on cost. You can also consider purchasing smaller sizes of the paper for the test prints.

[@wolffgang101]

My girlfriend is a photographer. She rarely printed her photos, but I was interested in editing and seeing the final photo. I've had a couple printers so far. To me, the photos printed out are beautiful

[@romiemiller2485]

Beyond my other comments, the proof is in the printing. It's amazing how much better a photographer you'll become if you print your own photos.

[@AmorLucisPhotography]

Thanks for that really timely video as I've been thinking in the past few weeks about getting a printer. But I'm not sure I agree with your cost comparison. Your costs estimate seems to assume that you replace the printer every year after printing just 30 images. In reality the initial cost of the printer would be spread over the useful lifetime of the printer - 3 to 5 years, perhaps? - rather than one. A fairer cost estimate for the printer costs for one year would therefore be much less, perhaps 180 to 300 pounds per year. If we assume a complete set of inks every year (Thomas: if you could give us an estimate of ink costs on 30 x A2 prints that would be really useful, we're guessing a bit without that info. You suggested that a couple of inks might need replacing every couple of months, so that suggests about 12 inks per year) and high quality art paper at 5 pounds per sheet, I think that comes to between 26 to 30 pounds per sheet, which would be *cheaper* than the lab costs (with errors and test prints probably making them about the same).

[@tomaskonkol8894]

Hi Thomas, very nice replica of your hat, love to have it. But! Given Gift should not be given away, its not nice to Pearson who give it to you. Home printing? I love that feeling when you can produce everything at home. Its like in old days when you produce your photos in dark room and in end of day you have your product in your hand.

[@BadPigg]

I now understand why i think I am crazy and am ok with that. I like the control and satisfaction of the full creative process. I think you have given a perfect diagnosis of this creative and rewarding photography obsession I have. Thank you Thomas.

[@Goughie]

I’ve considered buying a printer for a while! They are so cheap second hand too! I can’t recommend printing or getting your photos printed enough! There’s something special about holding a print! Ps Don’t give away the hat!! It’s an awesome gift regardless!

[@LPNewsomPhotography]

Thomas, I lost a beloved scarf in Iceland. In Feb of 2016, to be exact. No chance our garments met? Sadly, no one cared I was there. So happy your member was returned. My scarf-buddy's disappearance still haunts me to this day. 😓 Happy for you for your happy ending. 😉

[@olivierwhite2451]

Great video Thomas i learned a few things:), i recently bought a pro 100 from canon. You can find refill cartridges online and perfectly fine ink with it. I use brother matte photo paper and my total €1 per print. (a3) it gives you so much more print fun, and you dont have to be so stressed. Printing should be fun.

[@sl2608]

That is what my costs come to also. I think his calculations are way too high. There is no way an A2 print cost in the U.S. is $70 as I believe he said in the video.

[@romiemiller7876]

The cost is inaccurate. The printer cost needs to be spread out over the life of the printer, not one year. And, for people who print a lot, such as portrait photographers, the cost of a print you make yourself is about 1/4 of a high quality print from a good lab. And what really makes me angry, some labs put Hahnemuhle and Canson papers in what the call "Gleclee" prints. and charge an extra $100 for a print. There is no reason for the extra price. Also, if one gets to be a very good printer, you'll make prints that are better than the ones you'd get from a lab. Finally, and perhaps most important, once you understand printing you'll be a better photographer. * I agree with you 100% on NOT buying 3rd party inks or pigments. Fortunately, I have an excellent local lab that will print large prints at reasonable prices.

[@ookiemand]

About the hat, I must say just wash it a bit warm and use it. If I were the maker I would be rather unhappy if you just gave it away. The print looks great and I must ask, how much ink and trial and error cost did you have setting up and tuning the printer and software? Also have you got trouble with clogged ink cartridges? - Lovely video, lovely images!

[@2163mrjeff]

I got a cheap canon digital camera 15 yrs ago and I MASTERED that camera. I had the coolest pics on MySpace. Well 10 yrs later I got back in the game with a Sony a6000 and 5yrs later I got serious so i got a sony A7iii.. AND only a year ago did I start shooting in RAW and actually editing and color grading... Now, any time the family or in laws decide on a family portrait or need some photos, I'm the guy. At this point a printer is just the final piece to the puzzle.. I'm just an electrician by trade. But I've ALWAYS been an artist at heart. And it's time to bring all the art accumulated over the years into life!

[@craigoneill4504]

Your printing costs are a little skewed... your calculations assume you're paying for the printer in year 1. You'll probably keep the printer for 3 years, so that would be £300 per year for the printer, £469 for ink (probably too high for 30 prints) plus paper... that would be £30 per print on fine art paper, £6.50 cheaper than your print supplier ... Plus you get your prints immediately no postal damage etc... just saying is all. Plus... keep the hat and say sorry. ;-)

[@martinbuttrick]

That’s not taking profits into consideration in the catering trade we would multiply the 30 x 3.5 to give us the selling price plus vat 😁

[@markfectic4887]

You are right Craig but i think he was more giving people an idea of costs if you went out now and purchased the printer gear and what it's going to set you back in the first year. He did mention the costs decrease over time and if you use it more.

[@BubbleGendut]

Agree with Craig. The printer amortization needs to be considered. Makes it a lot cheaper than the Lab!

[@Yannis_Larios]

I agree with Craig. That's the proper way to amortize the costs, not as a once-off cost. Not to mention the overall MUCH better control over printing and the timely production of the end product.

[@christianpetersen1782]

Thanks Thomas for a very interesting video. My experience of printing my own was that I’d print at least 3 prints before I got one just as I wanted it, so probably closer to 100 per year. The options for setting the printer seemed endless with terms I’d never heard of before. The printer would use lots of ink at startup before I even started printing. Jets would get clogged and require self-cleaning which used up yet more ink. I binned the printer at the recycling centre and now have prints done without the hassle and expense. I should add that I hadn’t travelled long journeys to take my photos so perhaps I wasn’t so emotionally attached to the prints. I’m happy to live without the frustration and high cost.

[@PMCJohn]

It’s funny because I work at a print shop, one of the largest fees on most of our jobs is the cost of the paper, but it depends on the job. However we don’t use inkjet often, only when we are working on a wide format printer, we use laser jet which is a lot less expensive but has a smaller color range. But still anyways, the digital printer industry now has gone to absolute crap, they charge so much for something so inexpensive for them, and they make their machines bully you with software errors. For example, inkjet cartridges are sold for like $30USD when they produce them for probably $1-4 each. And the cartridges have chips in them that say they’re “empty” when they are still half full. However in the end, the satisfaction you spoke of, is what makes me like printing so much, I am able to supervise a print from receiving a file or even a request, to printing it, to packaging it, to shipping, delivering, or handing off the product. It is just an outstanding feeling.

[@AlbertoMesquita]

Dear Thomas, you're a great landscape photographer and a very nice person from what I can see, but doing cost calculations is something you have no clue how to do it. Hint: start by determining how many prints, on average, you can do with a set of cartridges... By the way, please look at all the other comments that strongly suggest you not to give away the hat, it's a bit offensive for the person who stitched it most certainly with so much affection... now, you'll have to compensate him/her wearing the hat for a whole video ;-)

[@huszarpeter7108]

Hi Thomas! Great video, I like your channel very much! However I think your approach to compare the cost of home printing to printing lab ones is not entirely ‘apples to apples’. From economical point of view 1) a printer doesn’t get depreciated in one year (so definitely you will use it for several years, 3 years minimum but rather more) Therefore the yearly cost is 300 GBP (sorry, I cannot find the GBP symbol on my Hungarian keyboard); 2) with one set of ink cartridge you can print much more than just 30 sheets (let’s say 400 pages in average is not overestimated); the per page cost of a print is roughly 1.2 GBP (469 GBP / 400 = 1.2 GBP); 3) if you want to print 30 photos and a box contains only 25 sheets than you need to buy 2 boxes therefore you should have calculated with 2x123.5=247 GBP. But staying with 5 GBP per sheet the correct math would be 300/30 + 1.2 + 5 = 16.2 GBP per print roughly. This looks much more friendly than the 50 GBP that you calculated. 

[@redauwg911]

I don't think that's very nice for someone to send you a gift and you give it away

[@johnsmith1474]

The vid is about printing.

[@redauwg911]

Manners always come first.

[@sk8freshcst]

@@johnsmith1474 It's also about about a hat someone knitted for him. If you put the video on at 1:24 roughly you can see what I'm talking about.

[@edstar83]

I agree.

[@Artyomthewalrus]

I disagree. If it's an ill-fitting hat, it would likely end up unused in a drawer somewhere. It would be more respectful to ensure someone gets to enjoy the hat so the hard work the person who made it put into it doesn't get wasted.

[@johnhjic2]

I to find it so satisfying taking the image printing the image and framing the images. In the last three years I have started making my own moulding out of hard woods caving and shaping and its such a scence of achievement. Yes I get a lot of people now asking for frames I think the biggest was 3 meters by 2 meters. But I just love printing my own images. Nice video Thomas.

[@UTAZCO.Overland]

To me, controlling the WHOLE process, from capture, through editing, to printing is worth the expense. I average about 60 prints sold per year (mostly my 'print of the month') sold at art shows. Hope I can switch some of that revenue to online...

[@Sawta]

As someone who doesn't know a thing about printing, my jaw nearly hit the floor when I heard "25 sheets for 124 pounds." I'm sure the paper is excellent, but wow...I just had no idea something I thought so little about could be so highly priced. Incredible to learn about something I know absolutely nothing about!

[@Mojave511]

With all due respect, I think you might ask an accountant to help with the cost calculations. I love making my own prints of my work to my satisfaction. I don't really care what it costs, it is the results that I am interested in. Probably a carryover from when I printed all my own black & white in the chemical darkroom loving the process as well as the results.

[@thelmakelly3628]

Thomas, before you give the hat away, you should find someone handy that can stitch a cozy piece of fabric (like a headband style) around the inside perimeter of the hat! I just love your videos!

[@danielbaggenstos7675]

Congrats to the Lady who made that hat, beautiful work!

[@MrJimckorn]

Until you print you do not realize how bad your photography is until you print. Excellent technique for feedback. The expense forces you to do better. note: I have a large head if no one wants your cap,I will take. Every time I buy a cap that says one size fits all, it fits all except me. Thanks for the video

[@critterstocosmos]

I used to think I was your biggest fan. And then someone goes and knits you a hat!!! They win... lol

[@DOM_4GOOD]

yeah BUT, it dosen't fit him , so we may still have a chance ;)

[@critterstocosmos]

I couldn't knit to save my life. I could send Thomas one of my used hats. Correction... previously enjoyed hat.

[@johnsmith1474]

The vid is about printing.

[@photographingwithcarl8729]

John Smith stfu

[@sk8freshcst]

​@@johnsmith1474 It's also about about a hat someone knitted for him. If you put the video on at 1:24 roughly you can see what I'm talking about.

[@demppa8323]

I really like your "man in a shed" analogy. There are 2 types of people a pro/enthusiast printers cater for: the people who are actually looking to streamline their print sales and see this as an investment, and the people who are not going to sell a single print but want more involvement in the craft. I hate when a lot of videos focus on the former crowd and turn into an echo chamber of "just use labs if you're not printing all the time". Getting that new lens does not always make sense, but the enjoyment you get from the experience has a lot of worth on its own. I see printers and printing similar: It is indeed the missing link of turning that vision in your mind into something tangible. Thanks for the video, I enjoyed the "going on a bit" parts the most!

[@gstandaert]

I totally agree with you. The initial invest of buying a decent printer, inks and a couple of different papers is rather big. But seeing your own photograph rolling out of your own printer is just magical :) ps: When you print from Lightroom there's an option to print the copy name underneath the image. No need to smudge it :p

[@gregkiserphotography]

I went through that same inner argument when setting up my studio a few years back. Feeding a printer gets expensive for sure, but I happened to get enough rebates when I was buying equipment that I got my printer for $30.00 and figured it was worth having a Pro100 for that. I've been supremely impressed by it since buying it and can completely relate to your emotional connection with the prints that you make. While watching the video, I am here in the office looking at all of the framed prints that I have visualized, captured, edited, and printed with no outside influences. It is a special feeling, and one that connects me to the prints as much as the capture.

[@The_Essential_Light]

About 12 years ago I bought a Epson printer that took 8 ink cartridges. It got some use but not enough to justify the cost. People don’t print photos like they used to. All they want is to post them on Social Media. I noticed that the printer had been sitting on my desk for over a year without being used. I picked it up ( it was heavy) and I went and threw it in the trash. It wasn’t even worth trying to sell to someone. I really doubt I will ever buy another photo printer. The flatbed scanner I bought several years ago is going to meet a similar fate soon.

[@jacopotassinari]

A printer is not that great deal but still you can take a path from the camera to the printed paper and have full control on your work. But once you may desire to test film, just black and white, maybe! And then you will discover what is life in a darkroom. Color photography in the darkroom can really be a killer if you haven't any good help. ;) Nice video, cheers

[@QuietLightPhoto]

Sad to say but I think my head would be too big for the hat, apart from that Karin would be quite offended that I was wearing another man's hat, lol. Okay, the snowy wonderland shot looks great without the twigs at the bottom, you sold me.

[@johnsmith1474]

I'd forgotten the twigs, they would have added scale.

[@tobiasyoder]

@@johnsmith1474 Not really, they were in the very foreground and with a wide lens it would actually make the mountains even smaller. Also, the viewer would not really know how large the twigs were anyway.

[@johnsmith1474]

@@tobiasyoder - Yes really.

[@gypsycollective9517]

This video to begin gave me buyers regret as I just bought a pro printer, my anxiety went through the roof! However I really can’t wait to go though the creative process from start to finish with total control. Thanks for the vid :)

[@davemenard5089]

I was gonna knit you a hat. Now I don’t think I will.

[@Deliquescentinsight]

Yeah,. what an ingrate!

[@jord9261]

That was a real slap in the face for the person who made it

[@MTi-yl4oy]

@@jord9261 he says the person that made him the hat said. "if the hat doesn't fit. You can donate it"

[@GMC43]

I look forward to a Sunday. Out most of the day the chill out and watch some Thomas 👌 i learn something new everyday sunday. Thanks Thomas

[@worldofrandometry6912]

Oh dear, Hatgate!

[@johnsmith1474]

Half of every crowd is below average intelligence by definition.

[@mdimp1468]

You’re leading the pack, a John Smith.

[@jbilly24]

John Smith are your nuts numb?

[@janlasalle8845]

Ive been thinking alot about how expensive it is to own a printer and print my own work. Its insanely expensive but I guess it is an emotional choice and I was brought up in the film days.Very few of my clients even want a print these anymore as they cant share it with thousands of people on Instagram . I print now mostly for an ongoing exhibition at a prominent studio and also for a new photo space Ive inherited ,,,As pricey as it is I think it is in some ways it separates me from the photographers who no longer do this and adds to my voice as an image maker. Thanks for your thoughtful insights. So far I havent been able to let go of this final process.

[@RandyPollock]

How to ruin a decent video about the pros and cons of printing (I'm a Pro 10 printing guy myself)...discuss how you are going to give away a knit hat that doesn't fit...comments explode.

[@250157andyw]

Ah ha - that sparked lots of comment! Between 'hatgate' and the costing there are some 'issues'. My Epson R3000 A3+ printer lasted 10 years and I have replaced it with an Epson SC-P600 (also A3+) which I also expect to last many years. So let's get the costing improved a bit ... Printer £900 lasts at least 5 years so the annual cost is only £180 (talking of your accountant - they will 'depreciate' the asset over its useful life for costing purposes even if they write it off in the first year for tax purposes). New printers come with at least some ink, although they vary as to whether they are full tanks or not. Let's say you need a set of inks in year one but get some ink with the printer so you can print 50 photos with that ink volume. We are printing 50 photos so that's £250 for paper. So the annual costs for printing 50 sheets ... 180 + 450 +250 = 880 total divided by 50 = £17.60 per photo ... NOT £50!

[@hyreemadz7281]

It's my first to watch his video and stopped right away when he was giving away the hat! I feel bad for his fans who made that special for him.

[@jamesoliver6625]

Thomas, it's a lot like the difference between listening to a lo-rez MP3 of your favorite music (Shostakovich Symphonies in my case) or being front row at Proms when Dudamel and his young Venezuelans did the Shostakovich 10th (it's on KZbin). It's not the same experience and that experience in it's full flower is why I write music and take photographs. I'm an old man getting back into photography after being "out" for 40 years and it's been a while since I've heard my music live, but my career was as data cop , archive manager and page tech in a fairly large offset printing house here in Austin Texas. At that time we were high end and knew it and took pride in it, and whenever we had clients who were interested in the finest color separation and execution to print, it brought the whole department alive. Everyone was on their toes to bring it about. When we were sold, and quality was no longer an object, is was depressing but unfortunately, more profitable, but only financially, not experientially.

[@hupenpeter]

Shrink the hat with a hot wash. Don't give it away. Honor the Donor!

[@johnsmith1474]

The vid is about printing.

[@hupenpeter]

@@johnsmith1474 without his opening this would be true. I really like him, but this is a bit unsensitive.

[@johnsmith1474]

@@hupenpeter - It's true no matter the opening.

[@johnsmith1474]

@@redauwg911 - How fucking stupid.

[@johnsmith1474]

@@redauwg911 - Tsk tsk manners!

[@asyukr]

Very good review of photography business. I like your approach to a business process. And, your landscape photos are amazing.

[@user-fza3]

thanks for the video I enjoy it , but about the hat don't say if any body want take it as it dosnet mean any thing to you even if you don't like it just who make it for you he send it from his heart and he take atime to make it and send it for you, again thanks for the video

[@ukpete47]

Hi Thomas. I have been printing for a few years a Canon 10s and before that i developed my own film. I love being able to take my pictures and then have them on my wall.

[@AndyGarton]

Probably a silly question, but could you cover the framing part at some point please? Do you cut the border from the print for example? If so, how?

[@johnsmith1474]

It's a great question. Cheapest I've seen is $125 or so to do-it-yourself frame an A2 print with Heaton level quality materials if you buy in bulk using a discount coupon at Hobby Lobby (USA craft chain) and assemble yourself using 2cd quality museum glass (the most expensive part). Double that or more if you give to a frame shop - for one print. Yes the framing costs more than the printing. Proper prints require much larger mats for a respectable border, larger frames, and glass. You do get a real thing, a fantastic object (presuming the image is important!) that will last many decades or more. You can go cheaper for run of the mill end product for casual use but that's not the game is here. Then, you need wall space ....

[@sujiphoto]

No matter what the subject, I always find myself grinning whilst watching your videos! (Perhaps not so much when you're depressed over camera reviews...) Keep on keeping on!

[@daykz69]

The hat give away is a no no, a rethink is in order. I am torn on buying a quality printer over lab prints due to the cost etc. But having the ability to get it immediately to see the results is a tough one to get past. I will continue to ponder, in the meantime great vlog as ever.

[@1978BenF]

Hated my printer when I got it, I think it really exposed a lot of shortfalls in my photography and editing skills. Love it now - it taught me loads to control the process from start to finish. We spend so much money on this hobby it seems daft not to finish the process for a few hundred quid.

[@Skidoo22]

Wow somebody made a hat and now its a giveaway. Thankyou to hatspace for.....

[@zalllon]

I got an Epson 3880 when it first came out, and it’s still going strong. F-ing initially expensive, but I enjoy it. I mainly print 11x14 on Epson Luster, and do all my test prints on 4x6 cut from 8.5x11 luster sheets.

[@batworker]

I hate printers. Rule one of network management - have 2 workstations and 2 printers you’ll spend 50% of your time on the printers...have 200 workstations and 2 printers you’ll still spend 50% of your time on the printers 😂😂😂

[@RichFreeman]

Seriously, if I got a call from my wife while I was at work 4/5 times it was due to printer frustrations. I switched to a color laser and those headaches went way down, and we'd just order prints online. There is a reason the office buildings at my company don't have inkjet printers in them...

[@goghtube1890]

Hi. I stopped printing my pics about ten years ago. I spent a couple a thousand dollars to do 13x19 prints. I’ve never sold any of them. It was just to expensive to continue. I just post my pics on Instagram so my friends can see them. No cost.

[@EugenioTrainer]

In the USA there is a way that you can buy that printer for $200 brand new. Great video!

[@unknownKnownunknowns]

Eugenio hi how please?

[@EugenioTrainer]

@@unknownKnownunknowns I you are student or if you have any student in your family, you can apply for the student ID in B&H, then a few times a year Canon and BH will send you an email offering you the printer for $500 and a rebate of $300 = $200 I did that and I am happy, I saw that offer twice las year.

[@gandalf253]

hello Thomas, I really like your videos but when I saw this one I was a bit amazed how you came to your conclusion. My reasoning is as follow if I may: If you buy a pro printer like the pro-1000 I don't think you will buy a new one after one year printing ? Especially this pro-1000 printer is made to last much longer and therefor the calculation per photo is much less. When I do the calculation for all consumer costs (ink + ink wastage for cleaning cycles + paper) I come to around 8-10 euros for one A2 print. In this price I don't include the purchase price of the printer. If you would assume that the printer would last 7 years and you print 30 prints a year as you assume in your video then one should add 4-5 euros. A professional a2 print online costs around 35-40 euros (transport included). I also think that 30 prints a year is not really very much for this type of printer. I might be wrong in my calculation but just wanted to share my thoughts on this :-) Happy printing with the beautiful pro-1000 !

[@Disco_Shrew]

Come on Thomas, giving away the hat? That's really unacceptable.

[@a.keithclarke7975]

Agreed, (publicly, no less) giving away a gift seems a bit ruthless!

[@rayjenkins2754]

Recently bought a new printer - Epson ET 8700 - at just under $1000. dollars. My main reason for getting it was that most reviews were saying that it was well made / reliable - and it came with 2 years worth of ink ( sizable bags of ink - not cartridges ). The ones I saw that were in the $350 ~ $600 range, people / reviewers complained about issues / problems. The reason I have Toyota vehicles is that they just work. The 8700 is fast - relatively quiet & with documents the quality is great with out using much ink. A camera friend came by & asked to use my printer to make 2 - 8x11 color prints. The results were very, very good ! After my friend left I cked the ink levels ; the magenta was down to @ 1/4 remaining ! Before printing I had set the 'quality' level to standard ( not high ) Dame ! This thing is a hog when it comes to color usage. I complained to Epson on the phone & they have sent me a free magenta ink bag. They also said they wanted - with my help - to run some tests. Its $26 for one red ink bag. At this rate of color ink consumption, I'm putting a large gar next to the printer with a sign that reads, " $ $ for color prints ! $ $.

[@EasyFinnish]

I need that hat in Finland right NOW! It is freezing cold!

[@Jason-xm4ov]

When collecting maple sap into a one gallon bucket, it takes 40 trees to collect 40 gallons of sap in a measure of time. So in a nut shell it takes all of 40 gallons of maple sap to make "one" gallon of condense maple syrup. I don't know how much is diluted with water before receiving it from a store shelf in its plastic bottle. The point that I am making is what it takes to manufacture most colorful ink before a couple or few ounces are put into a cartridge with a $69.99 cost value for a professional printer of any brand name. Remembering my son's watched episode of how the yellow magetic ink is processed and mixed into a perfect blend. It was able to make 6 tons of ink that was not yet diluted for its standard size product; OUCH. And any child watching it understood that this was a daily process for one single printer company and for its single ink color. Mr. Heaton, I surely enjoyed your video. I am the 910 comment, not much for others to go crazy over when reading this, but I felt like posting this probably just as much as you posted this with your sensitive compassion which drives us to keep going in our works. Thank you for your time in this video.

[@mauraseabrooke9768]

I am a bit disappointed with you Thomas. Someone has gone to the trouble of knitting that hat for you and you just want to give it away. I don't think you realise the work that is involved. Tut Tut Tut!!!

[@nickfanzo]

Maura Seabrooke young folks don’t have empathy

[@paulwood6729]

NOMA makes a very pertinent comment below regarding the cleaning cycles. My Canon Pro-10S will go through more than a complete set of inks in a year just by virtue of being switched on. It can't be avoided. Unplugging it triggers a full 480 hour cleaning cycle. It's an out-right con. I'm happy to take the risk of only using it infrequently and printing in bulk.

[@paulbarnard5267]

Anyone else thinking Tom has a ‘ghost’ account called John Smith? It’s certainly a pseudonym common in the UK.

[@reiddickson]

I would be very surprised if that was him. "John Smith" doesn't seem to communicate with nearly the same attitude.

[@adrianyup4197]

I have a pixma pro100s and I love it. The experience printing my own images at home is so fulfilling. I feel like I am creating every aspect of my photo's. Everything is done by me and when people like the final image it makes it feel amazing knowing every little aspect from snap,edit to print was all my work. :D Also great video

[@TheFlick175]

Just use a dot matrix

[@rymdskrotet]

Mmmm. STAR LC-10

[@willparsons32]

Your "negative" points for printing your own prints is absolutely reasonable and makes good sense. The point I'd also make is that most consumer type "Walmart Brand" printers is that they're limited to a maximum size - usually 8.5 x 11 inches. A photograph printed at that size is hard to see from a reasonable distance unless one shines light upon it. Not something usually done unless it's hanging on a wall in an art gallery. I'd also like to reflect on what you mentioned about how many of the same photograph does one need to print - especially for their own viewing enjoyment? Regardless of how many beautiful compositions you have stored on the memory card, there's a limit for everything.

[@happycamper6260]

You haven't added in the $489 for an XRite Studio 1 monitor/printer calibrator..

[@pdp11]

Happy Camper absolutely, you can't print without profiling.

[@scottweaverphotovideo]

Because we print frequently and the convenience of that capability in the studio is worth the costs. Of course I also use other print suppliers as well.

[@jasonfazio6170]

I bought a printer purely to control my product. I've learned a lot. Still in the negative, but learned a lot. Lol

[@markfectic4887]

What printer did you buy?

[@jasonfazio6170]

@@markfectic4887, I've got the Canon 100 and the 1000.

[@johncallery814]

Thanks, Thomas. This is important info for folks. Printing at home is Expensive! As someone who started printing B&W in the late 1960s to be able to do color prints at home, this easy is a miracle. I agree you can get great results from a lab at a far lower cost. It comes down to how much of a perfectionist one is and consistency of prints. Having a high-quality Matte monitor (~$1200), and Spectrophotometer/monitor calibration (x-Rite I-1 Studio ~$350) really helps. For me, it was doing my own paper profiles with the X-Rite I-1 Studio that allowed me to nail my print colors.

[@pgtips4240]

Thomas, it's quite ignorant to give the gift away on a public platform like that. Secondly, you can print really good quality for a fraction of that price! This might be the price if you buy the best of gear but not many could afford that. Just being honest with you mate.

[@markfectic4887]

He did mention you can do it cheaper by purchasing less expensive printer setup and he noted it will have a more expensive running costs. I think he gave comparison to all the options pretty well.

[@pgtips4240]

@@markfectic4887 More expensive running costs? At £469 for a set of ink cartridges? Ha ha you're joking aren't you? What kind of printers are you looking at? Lol

[@markfectic4887]

@@pgtips4240 You go through a lot more ink especially because of wastage. They are no where near as efficient as the better printers. This is what Thomas explained to me in person and it was from his own experiences.

[@pgtips4240]

@@markfectic4887 Some printers are like that but some are not. You have to do your research diligently. You do NOT need a £900 printer and ink that costs £469, I absolutely reject that this is the most efficient way to go. For some people this is a months wages and thankfully it's NOT true.

[@jeanmarcturmes]

Dear Thomas, 1. I own the Pro-1000. From an accounting standpoint, it was a terrible choice to buy a printer. However, just like you I feel that printing my own work while having 100% control over the final print is extremely rewarding. I bought the printer because I felt very strongly about the print being the final step of photography, even (or: especially!) in the digital age. I can recommend papers by Canson btw.! 2. I have a huge head.

[@garybraach100]

Acknowledge the gift, say thank you...wonderful moment! Announce it doesn't fit, going to give it away... Boo!

[@M.Campbell]

Some things to consider: Your numbers are correct if you want to recoup the cost of the printer in one year, but you don't usually buy a new printer every year. Realistically, you should spread the cost of the printer out over several years. As you said, the more prints you do the more your costs go down. I don't know how business taxes work in the UK but in the US we can depreciate business equipment over the course of several years. Basically, every year, you can take a portion of the printer's cost away from the profit of your business. That helps the overall price. It's complicated but for me, when I was doing art prints, it was worth it to print my own prints. I was a quality freak and controlling every aspect was what I wanted. Having a print done commercially involved buying an entire print run in order to get the best price because commercial printers give you a price break for quantity orders. But then you have to store those prints until they sell. Having one print at a time done was not only more expensive, the colors tended to vary. So, for me, it worked out to be cheaper and (like Thomas) more gratifying, to own my own printer, in the long run. Your mileage may vary.

[@musoade]

If you are running a business your accountant would write off about 20-25% of the value per year - reducing balance... So - printing... I think your craft is producing photographic images - for screen or print - why get someone else to take over part of that process? It’s like getting someone else to take the photo. When I print an A3 image it feels like a proper work of art - when I post to a website it doesn’t.

[@oneeyedphotographer]

I'm interested in running costs, I think ignoring the capital cost best. Depending on print volume and maintenance, the printer should last a few years, perhaps more for me than you.

[@AlanMorrisSF]

Shrink the Hat: Wash it and put it in the dryer.

[@bellasvistas3463]

I have 2 Epson Printers a 17 inch and a 44 inch. On my last road trip of 3 months or so the 44 inch printer clogged beyond belief. I was unable to clean the clogs while pumping tons of ink down the drain. I really enjoy making my own prints, frames and such. Epson says I should not replace the head in my 9800 but retire it and buy a new one. The cost of making a print pales in comparison to the gas, food, health insurance and so on, however if the printer dies every time I leave it alone for 90 days.....

[@bjarnebuggesolvik6034]

Get a Canon or HP, they have replaceable print heads. I have a HP z2100 that I use for canvas, relaxing the printheads are some 3-400 dollars. I leave my on and it cleans the heads every tvelve hours. I have a Epson P800 that does not clog, but will never get a 24/44 Epson. Better Canon even the printheads are more expensive then HP.

[@H3ath]

Frame the hat please :D Love my pro 1000 cost me an arm and a leg but now my house is filled with prints :D :D :D