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

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

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

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 ;-).

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!

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.

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

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 KZfaq 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!

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....

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

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

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!!

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

Haven't got time to watch now, but look forward to it. Just bought a beginner Canon A3 printer and wouldn't want to go without anymore. Thanx for the nice video's every week. When possible in the future, i'd love to go on a workshop with you

Really enjoyed this video and found the whole process, including the practical demo on how to use the filter system, a lot easier to understand than any other I have watched. And that’s a lot! It helped that the V6 system is the one I am considering upgrading to from the circular ones I use now. As a relative newcomer to the technical side I’m really looking forward to experimenting with long exposure - and although it wasn’t given as a tip I’ll be taking some sunscreen with me too next time!

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.

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

Everytime you upload a video about printing I get excited!

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!!!

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.

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).

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.

Hi Thomas, Thank you for all the information and examples... especially useful since I haven't owned a printer in several years, and am interested in having some prints made. Love your work, and how you present it!

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!

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…

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.

Great video, I bought a used canon pro one printer and it’s been a big learning experience, makes you really appreciate the image so much more seeing it in real life, than on a screen.

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.

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

Another great video. Very timely (or maybe too late!) as I have just bought a Canon Pro 100s and a test pack of Fotospeed paper! Now looking forward to the challenge (and hopefully fun) of printing my own images.

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.

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.

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!

A very interesting and comprehensive video. Thank you for showing me exactly how to work with ON1 And other software in Photoshopping. Just what I needed.

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

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.

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

Wow Tom. Just bought a printer this Christmas(Pro 10S) Really pleased with it. The joy of printing an image rounds of the whole photographic experience. Great vlog!

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

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

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.

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.

Great video, Thomas! As the owner of an Epson Stylus Pro 3800 (17x22" printer) I sometimes wonder why I keep it as infrequently as it gets used. Then it reminds me: printing for the first time in 3 months and the thing prints perfectly (no clogged nozzles!) and the images are so beautiful. And there's all the paper to try. And even canvas. But then again it's HUGE and takes up such a large space. Great discussion of the pros and cons and thanks for inspiring another tiny-head to print something again soon.

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

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!

Thanks Thomas! Not sure if this video was triggered by my question a few weeks ago about re-editing for print but spot on. Thanks mate!

Thank you for showing your soft proof workflow! If you plan do similar videos in the future, you can avoid this QT limitation, in MacOS you can easily set the BENQ as the primary display.

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

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.

Printing was by far the biggest challenge when I first started playing around with digital photography (at that point, I was scanning slides). Like many activities, there was a certain amount of satisfaction in slowly developing an understanding of the interface between computer and monitor and printer and paper. I purchased a middle level Epson Pro printer over a decade ago and it still works like a champ. The ink is expensive, but the printer is downright cheap, if you take into account how long I have had it (and with no service!). It's also great to be able to make quick, high quality smaller prints, either for your own evaluative purposes or to give to friends. Now that I think about it, the "regular" three-in-one home office printers that seem to always be on sale at big box stores are probably more expensive to own than the professional photo printer, since the home office printers seem to completely break down after a few years. (Also, their cartridges are less expensive than the large photo ones, but they don't last very long.) By the way, your new office space looks great!

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!

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

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...

Perfect timing. I was watching the latest Nigel's video and it was about printing too. I am considering buying a printer. Thanks for the video.

I really enjoyed this video! I have never printed my work and I really can’t wait, I imagine the pleasure of seeing your work on paper!

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

Fan: Spending hours making him a replica hat. Thomas: Gives away the hat.

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 :)

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.

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.

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

Good video, I think this is the second video on printing from you. Enjoyed and it will be useful for me in the future.

Really intuitive video Thomas! I'm still in limbo about buying a printer or not. I don't know if your video helped me or asked more questions... haha. It definitely helped :)

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

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. ;-)

Thanks for the video Thomas. I've been agonizing over purchasing the Pro-1000 and haven't convinced myself I really need a printer. All the reasons you suggested are valid. Its not the cost but more about what do I do with so many prints? Its a hobby but as you said, there's something very satisfying about printing and mounting ones own photos.

Excellent video Thomas. I use a lab as I prefer "C-Type" prints (made by exposing light to genuine photographic paper rather than printing on an inkjet printer). I believe this type of traditional prints have more depth to them as the image is formed within the paper emulsion. The lab can do these prints from both film and digital sources.

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

Oh dear, Hatgate!

Good job. I am in the middle of deciding whether I want to go Lightroom CC or stick with Classic. I could not believe that Adobe does not have a print module for Lightroom CC. I get that it is 2019, but I always assumed that would just be a given. Glad to see I am not the only one that enjoys the process of being hands on to the final print.

Hello Thomas Thank you for the wonderful content you endeavour to provide for You tube. A tip that I have not long stumbled on myself which you might find useful is to use the (Scale) slide in the Transform Controls in Lightroom it will allow you to view the your image framed while in the soft proofing mode. Many Thanks Joe

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 ;-)

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

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.

Spot on, answered some of the questions I didn’t know I needed to ask!

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

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?

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!

Great informative video Thomas giving me some things to think over regarding printing

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.

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 😂😂😂

Thomas - Thumbs up for a great video and tutorial. While I'm a very long time photographer (I've just turned 71), I'm new to the world of printing and have been printing away for the past 6 weeks. Completely agree, it's not the cost of the print; that is of importance, it's the completion of the photographic process. When I see the final print done in all it's glory - I'm amazed and feel a sense of satisfaction I never experienced with prints from a lab. I'm sure once I feel comfortable with the process , I will be quite a bit more discriminating as to what will become a print (as I did when sending files off to the lab). For now, it's a wonder to see the print created by me. Peter

Awesome timing, I'm really thinking of buying a proper printer this year ❤️

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

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.

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.

You're in my head Thomas. Just yesterday I was weighing up the pros and cons of getting a pro printer. I am however leaning towards continuing with having a lab do it, for the set up costs to doing it at home is purely counter productive in my circumstance.

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

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.

Aside from being a twin of my nephew you have a very easy approach which I enjoyed. I had to laugh because I recently bought an expensive printer and just had to replace some cartridges so I could identify all the negatives associated with owning a printer. A new fan.

This was a great video. Answered, or cleared up a lot of questions for me.

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

Just use a dot matrix

Excellent video! Your honesty is appreciated