Subject on Reprints and Corrections

[yarbro.livejournal.com]

Hi AB!

I finished a commission just a few days ago. It went smoothly. I was sending my client a lot of WIP. My client loves the final piece and got her final approval. As part of the deal, I made a photo print and gave it to her- we noticed a smudge in the print. When I went home- I noticed it was my mistake because how I "digitally paint". I am sending her a fixed version. And she is considering of maybe getting a reprint of the piece.

If it does boil down to it- should I pay out of my pocket for another reprint or should she pay for it? Sadly I never address this issue in my TOS. And how big the print is- they are expensive.

Thanks for you advice.

Comments

[kayla-la.livejournal.com]

Unfortunately, if it was indeed part of the deal and your mistake, it would be good business sense to replace her print free of charge.

[ryunwoofie.livejournal.com]

Basically this. Your error, you pay.

[petercat.livejournal.com]

I concur, although it's a bit awkward because the client approved the final image -- but the flaw may not have been apparent on her screen, depending on its quality and resolution. It's difficult to have to swallow the expense of a new print, but it would make you awesome in the eyes of your client, they can show the print proudly and tell everyone who did it.

[yarbro.livejournal.com]

"but the flaw may not have been apparent on her screen, depending on its quality and resolution."

You nailed it on the head. We both didn't noticed it until the print was done and physically examined it. The error is tiny.

It is a birthday gift. I ask my client to point the mistake to person who will received the gift.

So, we will see in a few days.

[roxyfur.livejournal.com]

I wouldn't say that it's necessary, but it would be in good business practice to do so.

[thaily.livejournal.com]

If it's a mistake, rather than just your style clashing with the print technique, then yeah I guess you should replace it. Sucky as though it may be.
Maybe she'll tip you for the effort and soften the blow?

[yarbro.livejournal.com]

Thanks for responding. So here is a quick update.

I forgot to mention the commission is an birthday gift. So, I will know in a few days if the commissioner wants a reprint or not.

But as I figured I will pay for the reprint. I just want to make a journal entry to make sure that it is the best action to do. And undoubtedly- everyone agrees to it (even I personally agree).

[wolf-goat.livejournal.com]

You should definitely pay for the reprint. But I think you know that! :)

[timelapsedecay.livejournal.com]

I recently had a glossy print made for an image I did as a gift for a friend. Fortunately it wasn't a business transaction, but the print did end up with what essentially looked like a water stain- just because of how I painted the image. It was literally completely invisible as a digital image, from my perspective and the friend's. Essentially I ended up in this situation, where just the way I paint effected the printed product.
While I agree you should pay for the reprint (and obviously you know this already), it's worth saying that I've been in nearly this exact scenario before. It totally happens!

[stormrunner1981.livejournal.com]

For future - though not all printers are the same - flaws like this should show up. So print a smaller version on a smaller printer at high quality on similar paper (gloss, semi gloss, plain etc). 11X17 is usually a good bet, or if it is YOUR machine 8.5 X 11 may even show it.

Mine does - but I have a Canon so..dunno about other printers. I know more professional ones did show my flaws before.

I worked in printing for a very long time - so I know what I'm saying - but also take it with a grain of salt because it has been 5 years since I worked in the industry. I also use to be able to see the defects on digital - but it takes a trained eye ... and I may not be able to do that anymore either.

Now, I'm rambling - I apologize.

Oh! Also work in CMYK or Adobe RGB 1998 as most printers are set up to work with that - and make sure the printer knows this is your settings.

Ugh sorry for all the edits.