What is the difference between a poster, photographic print, and fine art print?
There are three major differences between posters, photographic prints and fine art prints:

Quality
Longevity
Price

POSTERS are usually mass produced using low quality papers, offset printing presses, and inks that have a short lifespan. This results in a "poster" that is very low cost (hence low priced at retail) but is also not intended to be "high quality" or to last for many years. If you examine a poster closely you can generally see the "dots" that make up the printed image. Over time, the dots will shift in color and also fade with time. Exposure to sunlight or bright lights will greatly reduce the amount of time a poster looks good. Posters generally sell for $10 to $40 depending how they were originally created. Poster prints usually have an unprinted border with writing below the main image. Posters have a projected life span of 5 - 20 years.

PHOTOGRAPHIC PRINTS can be created a variety of ways using traditional photographic papers and chemicals that develop the print or they can be "printed" using high quality inkjet printing systems that are designed to create high quality, continuous tone, prints. Traditional photographic prints have a lifespan of 20 - 50 years.

Our photographic prints are created using archival quality, pigment based inks, and professional grade photographic papers. This results in a highly detailed, continuous tone, print with a projected lifespan of more than 200 years without color fading or color shifting. Color fastness and longevity are hallmark standards for our prints. We offer our photographi prints in black and white or color and on satin finish or glossy photographic paper.

FINE ART PRINTS can be created in several ways. As a general rule, fine art prints refer to prints that are designed for maximum quality, on pH balanced media, and that have lifespans that can reach 250 or more years.

All of our fine art prints are created using pH balanced professional grade media and pigment based archival quality inks, a combination that results in a superior quality print with a color fastness and longevity rating in excess of 250 years. We offer our fine art prints on smooth or textured fine art paper or artists canvas. Each of our fine art prints is coated with Ultra Violet blocking lacquer or UV varnish (depending on the media). The projected lifespan of our fine art prints is 250+ years. More info about our process can be found at: Wilhelm Research

Do you add photos and prints on a regular basis?
Yes. We continually add new prints to our online outlets. Click on "Newest Photos" to see the most recently added prints.

Can I submit photos to sell?
We are always looking for talented photographers/artists to work with us. There are minimum technical standards that have to be met along with the requirement that your photographs offer a compositionally unique perspective. Each listing incurs a listing fee, paid by the photographer to cover the cost of the time it takes to update the website and when a sale occurs, San Diego Photos and Prints will keep a portion of the sale as commission. If you have compelling content, feel free to send us an inquiry using the contact form on this website.

Do you offer refunds?
Selecting art for display in your home or office is a very personal choice and we understand that from time to time a print that has been ordered does not meet the expectations of the buyer. Prints can be returned for a full refund less the cost of return shipping and payment of a 10% restocking fee. Returns must be made within 48 hours of receiving the print and must be returned in their original condition. Prior to returning the print, call 858.274.0665 for a return authorization number.  

If I buy one of your prints or posters, can I use it on my website, brochure, etc.?
NO. Each of the prints offered on this website is copyrighted and registered and can only be used in the way it was intended. Prints and posters should be framed and then displayed in your home, office, or business.

Many of our prints can be licensed for website, editorial, or commercial use by paying a licensing fee. We offer two types of licenses; royalty free (for non commercial use purposes) and rights managed (for commercial use purposes). In general terms, a license for website use usually costs from $50 - $100 and is a one time fee.

More detailed information about appropriate uses can be found at
San Diego Photos.

I really like one of the prints on your website but I can't find it offered as a poster. Why can't I buy it as a poster?
The artist/photographer decides on whether to offer a particular print as a poster, photographic print, or fine art print. Artists have to pay the upfront cost for printing several hundred posters in the hopes of selling them. This is different than fine art prints, which are created one at a time. The cost of printing posters is a heavy cost to bear by the artist so many prints are simply not offered as posters. You can always purchase the print as a photograph or fine art print.