So I've got another client who wants proofs. For those of you who still do this, do you just print up bordered 4x6 prints, or do you make sure your studio name is on the front.?

What I DON'T want to happen is for these proofs to become gifts for attendees or family members. And I'm not sure who to use that is reasonably priced. WHCC (for once) wouldn't be cost effective here. Any suggestions for this -- and a nice (but cheap) album for 300 proofs?

Thanks,
Aaron

Here is what I do. I offer 4x6 and 5x7s at $10, but I offer 4x6 proofs as well. All our 4x6, whether proofs or not have our signature black border. The only difference is that the proofs on the bottom left corder partly on the image and partly on the border say "PROOF" and on the bottom right have our copyright notice. I do the proofs this way because the client get a picture that doesn't have some time of watermark across it but it still shows that it's a proof. Sure they can cut that out, but then they end up with something of a 3.5x5 if that.

My $.02

I don't put studio info on it... my clients want prints, not proofs. (They get the image files anyway.) I do put a black border w/ white keyline around it, so it doesn't work real well for framing... that way even if it turns out to be a gift or something, I still get reprint orders.

I use ProDPI for all my proofing, mainly because they offer good quality at a good discount (but you gotta be a DWF member to get that).

Thanks guys, I appreciate it.

Anyone else have suggestions for where to print proofs -- and a reasonably priced proofing album for 300 images? I REALLY would love to avoid stuffing an album, but this client won't go for a box of proofs.

Thanks,
Aaron

I just recently got some really nice prints from proofsrus. The looked great and were nice and fast. Oddly enough I was looking for really reasonable poster size prints to use for a parade. They were so nice I was sad they were just going to be beat up in the parade!
And in response to your other questions, we print borders on all our 4x6 proofs and not on our 4x6 prints. And some of the cheapest slip in albums I've gotten are from Albums inc. or target! Hope this helps!

There is another thread about [together] books. Here is the link.. You can send them your own prints and they're bound, so they're not usable otherwise. It's an expensive option though.

Why not? That's a big selling point for me for my clients - is that they get a set of proofs that they can pass on to some family members if they want.

Why do you care what they do with them, as long as you get paid for them appropriately? IME, photographers are the only people who try to control WHAT people do with the product they buy ... and I don't get that mindset.

Karen

I give proofs with all my packages and I try and find the cheapest priced quality proofs that I can find. I figure they are just proofs and as long as they are good quality, I'll go for them. They are just bordered with a keyline, no logos. I still use a few different Labs depending on their current proof price.

For the socal locals, there is Accucolor Imaging, in Northridge. The have non-color corrected proofs for a good price. ProDPI (also in CA) has decent prices as will. I've also tried WHCC for proofs, but the are a tad pricier. All 3 of these Labs have awesome quality proofs that are bonafide prints, not just proofs.

I don't use albums for them...just a proof box that I pretty up with some bows, so can't help you there.

Good luck, Jan.

For the socal locals, there is Accucolor Imaging, in Northridge. The have non-color corrected proofs for a good price. ProDPI (also in CA) has decent prices as will. I've also tried WHCC for proofs, but the are a tad pricier. All 3 of these Labs have awesome quality proofs that are bonafide prints, not just proofs.

I don't use albums for them...just a proof box that I pretty up with some bows, so can't help you there.

Good luck, Jan.
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Thanks for the tip on Accucolor in Northridge. Not far from me, at all. And I'll just go with the standard border as many of you mentioned.

And Karen, I have to agree with what you said. I think it has to do with being an artist though. It's the product we created, and sometimes it's hard to let it go! But I know writers who freak out if their editors change even one word, so it's not unique to just photographers!

Thanks again everyone!

I like the idea of having my logo on the proof. That way, if the bride gives them out, or shows them to people, they know right away who took the pictures. It would get my name out there more.

That's just my .02. I haven't actually done it yet though We'll find out how it goes after the wedding I'm shooting next week!