[Barry]

Originally Posted by Greg

I have been using Estimate for my pricing and I think I see now that there is a problem.

The plug-in for wide format printing allows you to configure vinyl prices and ink prices which are easy enough as is the hourly rate. There's a range of other very subjective configurable items, any of which changes the price considerably.

All I really need is a price per square foot. The price I get is much higher than any listed in this poll. Perhaps the "print speed" variable is way off but you'd think if I had it set as if the SP-300 printed faster than it is capable of my prices would be lower?

Ink=$75 per cart
vinyl= .17 and up
Almost Always print at high rez since Standard isn't that great
Hourly rate= $50 (or less)
wear and tear=?

So, I guess the question is.....just how do you folks figure your price per square foot? Keep a log of ink used (i.e.#of carts), square footage of vinyl used, time spent printing/cutting each job, etc. and averaging it out?

I'm way off........no one has complained....but then again business isn't exactly booming either at the moment.

You are correct that they are MANY varibles that can effect price. I generally figure that I have about $1 or less of materials per sq foot in a print for normal jobs unlaminated.

Orajet 3651 = 23 cents a sq
Ink = Less than 50 cents a sq About half that when I go bulk.

Since Im normally printing is 720dpi 16 pass mode my machine is running approx twice as fast as yours, it will go even faster once I get the new bulk inks and run in 8 pass mode.. With a properly configured printer & profiles 720dpi looks every bit as good as 1440dpi on most prints.

Now I dont necessarly charge a shop rate for printing since I can hit print and walk away and work on something else. For normal customers Im generally in the $8-$10 a sq foot range. I can currently print approx 20 sq foot an hour which translates to $160-$200 an hour of printing with only approx $20 of that being materials. Now if I run my machine for 8 hours a day Im up into the $1280-$1600 range (This never happens).

Now you also have to remember that there may be other charges assosiated with this job. Artwork, Lamination, installation ect, and all of these can be addition charges and increase your profits.

Also the numbers Im quoting are for larger jobs, smaller jobs may bill at $25 a sq foot or more.