Print fulfillment for photographers: lab or self-fulfillment?

When can a client see a print store?

The gallery must be published and the viewer must have valid gallery access. Pictage looks for an enabled lab connection on the workspace; otherwise it checks whether self-fulfillment is on. If neither exists, the store displays a friendly unavailable state. This prevents a photographer from taking an order without an available fulfillment route.

The storefront then loads sellable items for that gallery and applies the photographer's markup where a lab connection is used. Check the displayed size, paper, finish, crop, price, shipping and tax at checkout. An internal catalog item is not automatically a sellable client product.

What changes with self-fulfillment?

Self-fulfillment removes the lab handoff: the photographer owns production and shipping. Use it only when you have a real process to receive orders, check crops, print, pack, and support delivery issues. Tell clients an honest turnaround rather than implying that a lab is managing the shipment.

A connected lab is not a blanket fulfillment guarantee either. Confirm that it is enabled, the item has a supported mapping, and test the order flow before offering it widely. Pictage has a WHCC adapter in the product, but the account-specific connection and SKU setup determine what can be sold.

How should you prepare a launch check?

Use a private test gallery with the same access method as the client. Inspect each product tile and crop, then test a full checkout in the correct test environment before taking live money. Recheck the current order and shipping policy, refund terms, and support contact. Never use a live sale as a substitute for a fulfillment test.