Who is still doing everything old school!

I was just thinking about getting a ctf machine but thought I'd ask who is still using the camera and darkroom for negs and burning plates. I know the few shops here in town went to ctp but I don't like poly plates or the cost of ctp metal

 

We always outsourced our negs, still do. Old school here.

 

Really isn't outsourcing all your negs kinda pricey? I know I pay like $30 a 12X18 neg if it's output

 

compare your cost of work vs. cost of service and think about things you can do if you not have to work in the darkroom.
First thing I did as i bought my shop: demolished the darkroom for more space.
And I started working 1968 - old school

 

i just use film, a postscript laser printer, posi plates and a print down frame

 

Not if ya take into consideration. Payroll, Chemicals, machinery, costs for proper disposal of spent chemistry... this does not include the space it would take up. I am very happy to spend a grand a month for output. We use to have our own driver for delivery too. Between the cost of the vehicle, insurance, tickets, the occasional accident and payroll I was happy to ditch that expense as well.

 

My dark room is located on my 2nd floor so it dont take up room. Plate burner and developing/wash table are upstairs as well so I go up and down the stairs quite a bit if I need new plates or something but I share my building with an insurance company to save on rent so they have half of the first floor

 

i have just gotten back into using film negs output from an imagesetter. i send out for them. i used to do a ton of 4 color work but online was cheaper until i factor in the longer runs then shipping is more than the job. now i am looking into a film imagesetter or a DTP, or even this epson inkjet to plate machine. i will make a post about the epson and see if anyone has any experience with it in a real shop yet.

 

I have only been in the business for 5 years, and very young at that (compared to most in this industry) I'm only 29. Family bought the place and i started to work with no experience. Learned from a guy that's been doing it for 40 plus years and using the darkroom was part of the job. just this year my 3m brand camera went up in flames. one of the lights in it broke and started the fire. had it not been for that we would still be using the darkroom. now its been turned into a bindery room.

 

OLD is GOLD

 

old school has ben great for me over the years. we still operate our dark room as we did 20 years ago.

 

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