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|| SportsShooter.com: Member Message Board
Who else besides Wallhogs for wall decals?
Eric Canha, Photographer
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Brockton | MA | United States | Posted: 9:01 AM on 10.07.08 |
->> Like the title says, who besides Wallhogs, are you using for creating Fat Heads like wall art? Quality is key but so is pricing.
I'm finding that a lot of these places can't seem to shake the end user/retail pricing so that a reasonable margin can be added.
I don't have any complaints against Wallhogs I'm just shopping the options. |
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Ron Hawkes, Photographer
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Rockland | ME | USA | Posted: 12:16 PM on 10.07.08 |
->> Eric, I have not tried these, but have been happy with everything else I have received from them. Not sure how prices compare or quality.
http://mpix.com/Product.aspx/wallclings |
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John Cheng, Photographer
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New Milford | CT | USA | Posted: 12:35 PM on 10.07.08 |
->> Eric,
I'm working with StickyFan http://www.stickyfan.com/ on providing something similar to the local Pop Warner parents. They sent me a 4' sample with one of my images and the end product looks pretty good. Not having seen a real FatHead myself, I don't think it is as thick. The StickyFan is printed on somee kind of vinyl paper and looked a little flimsy at first, but after having it installed on the wall it actually looks awesome. You can see it here:
http://teamphoto.exposuremanager.com/p/fathead/2jc_901617
I've moved it several times and it never lost the stickyness. The general feedback from one of my test bed parents has been positive. The pricing is reasonable as well. |
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Eric Canha, Photographer
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Brockton | MA | United States | Posted: 1:18 PM on 10.07.08 |
->> Thanks guys! I just sent emails asking for samples etc.
n e 1 else? (sorry price of texting to kids;)) |
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Steven Ickes, Photographer
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Mechanicsburg | PA | USA | Posted: 2:13 PM on 10.07.08 |
| ->> I think Mpix just announced they are now offering these. Not sure of pricing, quality, etc. |
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Steven Ickes, Photographer
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Mechanicsburg | PA | USA | Posted: 2:15 PM on 10.07.08 |
->> Eric,
You are correct about the pricing. I had looked at Wallhogs but with such a higher price and smaller margin than prints, it's tough for me to offer these to parents at this point. |
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Eric Canha, Photographer
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Brockton | MA | United States | Posted: 3:52 PM on 10.07.08 |
->> Steve that's the problem here too. These companies don't seem to understand reseller channels. 20 points is a Sunday Ad sale not a reseller discount. Oh well.....
If the cutouts become popular I'll just buy a used plotter/cutter on eBay. I've got the feeling that the market is going to be flush with used machines in the next 6 months. Small shops are not going to survive the lean times. |
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Scott Schupbach, Photographer
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Fenton | MI | U.S.A. | Posted: 10:40 PM on 10.07.08 |
->> Eric, I've used these guys.http://www.wallbusters.com/
there local for me, but I'm sure they will ship. I have a sample they did for me and the quality is nice. |
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Clark Brooks, Photo Editor, Photographer
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Urbana | IL | USA | Posted: 11:32 AM on 10.08.08 |
->> Guys.
The problem isn't "companies don't seem to understand reseller channels" as Eric wrote. The problem is the cost of the raw materials, equipment, operating expenses... you get the jist....right? I, too thought the price was high when had the first done by a local service bureau, so I looked at purchasing a printer, ink and paper, lamination machine and the other stuff needed. Unless I started printing them for SS members and lots of them, the cost per unit was four times as much if I tried to recoup my investment in three years. But then I would spend all my time printing other folks work instead of creating my own just to pay off the equipment.
To see if you are getting a good deal or not, multiply the length by the with of the wall product you want done and multiply that by $5. Basically, if you are paying around $4/sqft you are getting a good deal. If you paying over $5 you can do better and probably locally with a service bureau or a business that does large inkjet outputs. Almost any one with a large format Epson, Canon or HP printer can make a WALLHOG or whatever you want to call them. All they need to have in stock is low-tack adhesive paper - basically it is the same material they use to cover cars and buses or used for outdoor signage.
If you already have at 36" or 48" printer you can produce these yourself by ordering the paper direct online. The huge cost is the lamination machine needed to handle this size print. You could have a service bureau do it for you, but if they screw it up you'll have to print another at your expense so DIY will cost you more. Then you have to spend the time cutting it out by hand if you don't have the bones to buy a digital cutter.
I say check locally so you can save your client shipping costs. There is probably a large format printer in your town that can handle the job and offer you a reasonable rate.
If people really want one for themselves or their child they will spend the money on it. Don't underprice them! Offer a discount to customers who spend a certain dollar amount on your other product and services that have a great margin. For example, if a high school senior buys your top package, offer the wall print at discount to the point that covers your cost and a slight profit. Once more of them are in the hand or ...er on the wall of clients around your area, demand will slowly grow and the people who want them won't dally about the sticker price. |
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Steven Ickes, Photographer
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Mechanicsburg | PA | USA | Posted: 1:50 PM on 10.08.08 |
->> Clark:
My problem isn't really with the cost of these items. I understand that the resources to produce them are far greater. Most parents love the action shots but are only willing to spend so much on this. As a business I need to maximize my profit from there limited budget. A hundred dollars in prints are going to net me significantly more than one $100 wall cling.
Having said that though, I am going to offer them on a limited basis to test the waters. |
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Delane B. Rouse, Photographer, Photo Editor
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Washington | DC | US | Posted: 2:19 PM on 10.08.08 |
->> Steven said "A hundred dollars in prints are going to net me significantly more than one $100 wall cling"
Then you're pricing it all wrong. Price it so that you make more profit than selling a handful of prints. You're not selling a fat head of Tony Romo where you've made thousands of these and get a bulk discount. You're selling a one of a kind work of art that should command a premium price.
Contrary to what Clark said, I don't believe in selling high cost items for huge discounts to customers.
dbr |
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Steven Ickes, Photographer
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Mechanicsburg | PA | USA | Posted: 3:51 PM on 10.08.08 |
->> Delane,
I certainly understand what you're saying. Unfortunately in my area that would price wall clings out of my market. One or two other vendors in this area used to sell them. I was told by one football league that they really missed having those available. Even priced with razor thin margins, I wasn't able to sell one. They were heavily promoted to parents by the league on it's web site. I used the flier templates offered by Wallhogs and had a sample printed for all to see. Everyone knew about them. Everyone thought they were cool and impressive. No one purchased.
Bottom line is that youth sports market can be lucrative but in general is upredictable and finicky. Luckily for me it's just an opportunity for me to make a few extra sales every month. |
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David Harpe, Photographer
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Louisville | KY | USA | Posted: 9:42 PM on 10.08.08 |
->> In a related question...
Does anyone know where you can get a similar product, only designed for pasting on the INSIDE of a window? I have some windows in my studio that are dying for something cool to be put in them.. :-) |
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Jim Roshan, Photographer
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Bowling Green | Ky | USA | Posted: 3:00 AM on 10.12.08 |
->> David,
We at EventPhotoMarket.com in Bowling Green, Ky. can do those for you including the "Fathead" type of stickers. We have "reseller" pricing for professional photographers. We also do banners, vehicle graphics and floor stickers.
They are not listed on the website yet but if you contact us we can give you the pro pricing. We are in the process of redoing our site.
On another note - We just installed our new Xerox iGen4 digital press last week so hopefully by Nov.1 we will be able to print real books, calendars, greeting cards, etc. We are the first photo lab in the world to get the iGen4 - it prints offset quality. So, those portfolios you need can be done one at a time (print-on-demand) with custom covers with very competitive pricing.
I hope you don't read this as an ad for the company - I really intended it to be educational as to what else is really out there. |
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Erin Schrad, Photographer, Assistant
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Glen Allen | VA | United States | Posted: 4:09 PM on 10.12.08 |
->> I have been looking at these, but with another idea in mind... my dad coaches a high school baseball team and I was thinking it would be cool to get a couple of these made to put on the press box/concession stand walls or the back of the dugout. Are they just for inside use? Or can they be put up outside for an extended period on cinder block walls?
Thanks! |
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Delane B. Rouse, Photographer, Photo Editor
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Washington | DC | US | Posted: 4:29 PM on 10.12.08 |
->> Eric, I have to imagine that you will have issues with the glue on the back in extreme temperatures (cool/wet at night, warm in the day)
The cost is relatively low so why don't you give it a shot and let us know how it works?
Delane |
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Eric Canha, Photographer
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Brockton | MA | United States | Posted: 7:58 PM on 10.12.08 |
| ->> Eric I have been in contact with several companies that make these. There are versions that are UV stable made with a permanent adhesive. I'll get you names in the morning. |
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John Germ, Photographer
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Wadsworth | Oh | USA | Posted: 3:57 PM on 07.27.09 |
| ->> Sorry to bring old threads back - but just wondering if any more information has been gleaned about companies that produce a quality product at a reasonable cost. Anyone have any updates from the last 9 months? |
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Eric Canha, Photographer
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Brockton | MA | United States | Posted: 4:18 PM on 07.27.09 |
| ->> Check you mail box :-) |
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Mike Huffstatler, Photographer, Assistant
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Rancho Cucamonga | Ca | United States | Posted: 8:11 PM on 07.27.09 |
->> I recently learned about this company...http://www.ipixxl.com
I've not used them, nor do I know of anyone personally that has so I can't speak to the quality. |
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Diana Porter, Photographer
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Houston | TX | USA | Posted: 5:49 PM on 07.28.09 |
| ->> I use wall-stars.net and they've always been pretty good. They have lots of cool stuff. |
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David Richard, Photographer
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Cleveland | OH | USA | Posted: 6:15 PM on 07.28.09 |
->> I've tried several companies and the clear winner in quality goes to Filmet.com. They will also drop ship for a $6 charge.
I've found many companies can't reproduce a nice contrast. Whites are often gray. Filmet produces a sharp product.
They are easy to work with and have online chat available during business hours. Their online software is pretty straight forward.
Feel free to email me with questions. |
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John Germ, Photographer
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Wadsworth | Oh | USA | Posted: 7:18 PM on 07.28.09 |
| ->> Thanks everyone. I have a few companies to look into now. Much appreciated. |
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