Overview
The print budget is the amount you allocate to the client within the gallery price for ordering prints. In Mafelo, you do not set a "quantity" limit in the package, but rather a "monetary budget". This gives the client flexibility – they can choose more cheaper prints or fewer premium formats, as long as they stay within the set amount.
Key benefits
Flexibility for the client – the buyer can mix different photo formats within a single budget.
Automatic billing – if the client exceeds the budget, the system will automatically charge the difference.
How does the print budget work?
The budget configuration is based on a simple rule: Print price × Number of prints = Client's budget.
To set this up correctly in the system, follow the steps below:
Set the price per single print in the Print Formats tab (e.g. 1 €).
Decide how many prints you want to give the client in the package (e.g. 20 prints).
Multiply these values (1 € × 20 pcs. = 20 €).
Enter the resulting amount (20 €) in the budget field in the gallery/package settings.
Important: Remember that the budget applies only to products defined in the Print Formats tab.
Configuration scenarios
Below you will find the three most common ways to configure prints in Mafelo.
1. Prints included in the gallery price
This option is for photographers who include physical prints in the package.
Set format prices in the Print Formats tab (e.g. 15x10 cm – 1 €, 15x21 cm – 2 €).
Calculate the budget (e.g. you want to give 20 small prints: 20 × 1 € = 20 €).
Enter 20 € in the budget field.
Result: The client has 20 € at their disposal. They can order 20 small prints (at 1 € each) OR 10 large ones (at 2 € each), OR a mix of both formats (e.g. 10 small and 5 large). As long as the total does not exceed 20 €, the client pays nothing extra.
Important: If your offer includes a print in the price of a file, and the client can choose any number of photos, do not set a budget, because it would need to change with the number of purchased shots. Inform the client that the price of each photo includes one print, and they can order additional prints for family members at an extra cost.
2. No prints included, but available for purchase
Choose this option if the package includes only digital photos, but you want the client to be able to purchase prints additionally.
In the Print Formats tab, set the available formats and their prices.
In the package settings, set the budget to 0 €.
Result: The client has no free credit for prints. Each selected print will be added to their bill as an additional charge.
3. No prints at all
If you offer exclusively digital products and do not handle printing.
Set the budget to 0 €.
In the Print Formats tab, do not add any formats.
Result: The client will not see the option to order prints.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can a client order the same photo in multiple formats?
Yes. The client can choose the same shot in e.g. 10x15 and 15x21 format. The system will deduct the appropriate amount from their budget or charge for each item according to the price list.
What happens if the client exceeds the budget?
Mafelo will automatically total the value of the selected prints. If it exceeds the available budget, the difference will be added to the client's order as an "Additional print charge".
Why do I have to set a budget instead of a quantity?
The monetary model gives the client more freedom. They can choose whatever formats suit them without exceeding the amount you have set.