Can you turn your original artwork into prints to sell? Yes, you absolutely can! Selling prints is a fantastic way to share your art with a wider audience and create a new income stream. This guide will walk you through the entire process, from choosing the right art reproduction methods to making sales. We’ll cover everything you need to know to successfully sell art prints, whether you’re working with traditional media or digital art printing.
The Power of Prints: Why Reproduce Your Art?
Creating prints of your artwork opens up a world of possibilities. It’s a way to make your creations accessible to more people. Not everyone can afford an original piece, but many can purchase a high-quality print. This allows you to reach a broader customer base and build a larger following. Plus, prints offer a consistent revenue stream, allowing you to focus more on your passion: creating art.
Benefits of Selling Art Prints:
- Increased Accessibility: Reach customers who might not be able to afford original pieces.
- New Revenue Streams: Generate income from your existing artwork.
- Broader Reach: Share your art with a global audience.
- Brand Building: Consistent prints help establish your artistic identity.
- Passive Income Potential: Once set up, prints can generate income with less direct effort.
Deciphering Your Reproduction Options: What’s Best for Your Art?
Choosing the right art reproduction methods is crucial. The quality of your prints will directly impact how your art is perceived and how well it sells. There are several popular and effective ways to turn your art into prints.
Printmaking Techniques: Traditional vs. Digital
Historically, artists have used various printmaking techniques to create multiple copies of their work. Today, technology offers new and exciting ways to reproduce art.
Traditional Printmaking Techniques:
These methods involve creating a matrix (like a woodblock, metal plate, or stone) and then using ink to transfer the image onto paper.
- Linocut/Woodcut: The artist carves an image into linoleum or wood. Ink is applied to the raised surface, and then paper is pressed onto it. This creates bold, graphic images.
- Etching/Engraving: An image is incised into a metal plate. Ink is applied to the grooves, and the excess ink is wiped off. Paper is then pressed onto the plate. This allows for fine detail.
- Screen Printing (Serigraphy): Ink is pushed through a stencil on a mesh screen onto the printing surface. This is great for bold colors and flat areas.
- Lithography: An image is drawn onto a flat stone or metal plate using a greasy substance. Ink adheres to the greasy areas, and water adheres to the non-greasy areas. Paper is pressed onto the plate.
While traditional printmaking techniques can produce stunning, unique prints with a distinct artistic touch, they often require specialized equipment, materials, and significant skill. They are also typically more labor-intensive and can be more expensive to produce in smaller batches.
Digital Art Printing: The Modern Approach
Digital art printing involves scanning or digitally creating an image and then printing it using high-quality inkjet or laser printers. This is the most common and accessible method for most artists today.
- Inkjet Printing: Uses fine jets of ink to create images on paper.
- Laser Printing: Uses toner and a laser to fuse the image onto paper.
For selling reproducible art, inkjet printing is generally preferred due to its superior color accuracy and ability to handle a wide range of media.
Mastering the Art of Fine Art Printing
When we talk about turning your art into prints for sale, we’re often referring to fine art printing. This term signifies a commitment to quality, using specialized materials and processes to ensure the artwork looks as close to the original as possible and lasts for a long time.
Giclée Printing: The Gold Standard
Giclée printing (pronounced zhee-clay) is a highly regarded art reproduction method. It uses a special type of inkjet printer that sprays microscopic dots of pigment-based inks onto high-quality archival paper or canvas.
Why Giclée Printing is Superior:
- Exceptional Color Accuracy: Achieves a very wide color gamut, meaning it can reproduce a vast range of colors with incredible precision.
- Long-Term Durability: Pigment-based inks are much more resistant to fading than dye-based inks, offering excellent lightfastness. This is known as archival printing.
- High Detail and Resolution: Capable of printing at very high resolutions, capturing even the finest details of your original artwork.
- Versatility of Media: Can be printed on a variety of high-quality papers (like cotton rag, smooth matte, or textured) and even canvas.
If you’re serious about selling high-quality prints, Giclée printing is often the best investment. It ensures your reproductions are viewed as valuable works of art in their own right.
From Digital File to Physical Print: The Workflow
The process of turning your artwork into a print involves several key steps, especially when working with digital art printing.
Step 1: Capturing Your Artwork
The first step is to create a high-quality digital file of your original artwork.
Methods for Digitizing Your Art:
- High-Resolution Scanning: For smaller to medium-sized works on paper, a high-quality flatbed scanner is ideal. Ensure your scanner has a high DPI (dots per inch) setting, preferably 600 DPI or higher, for maximum detail.
- Professional Photography: For larger works, especially those with texture or three-dimensional elements, professional photography is often the best approach. Look for a photographer experienced in art reproduction who uses specialized lighting and high-resolution cameras.
- Digital Artwork: If your art is created digitally, you already have your files. Ensure they are saved in a high-resolution format like TIFF or JPEG (at its highest quality setting).
Step 2: Preparing Your Digital File
Once you have your digital file, it needs to be prepared for printing.
File Preparation Essentials:
- Resolution: Aim for a minimum resolution of 300 DPI at the desired print size. Higher resolutions offer more detail and sharper prints.
- Color Space: Most printing services use CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black) color space for printing, while digital displays use RGB (Red, Green, Blue). If your file is in RGB, your printer will convert it, but it’s often better to do this yourself in a photo editing program to have more control over the color shift. Convert to CMYK using a profile like SWOP (Specifications for Web Offset Publications) or Gracol.
- Cropping and Orientation: Ensure your digital file is cropped precisely to the dimensions you want for your prints. Check the orientation (portrait or landscape) matches your original artwork.
- File Format: Save your final print-ready file as a high-quality JPEG or TIFF. TIFF is often preferred for its lossless compression, meaning no image data is lost.
Step 3: Choosing Your Printing Service
You have two main options for getting your prints made: print on demand services or a local/online fine art printing lab.
Print on Demand Services: A Convenient Option
Print on demand services (POD) are a popular choice for artists. You upload your artwork file, and the service handles printing, packaging, and shipping directly to your customer when an order is placed.
- Pros:
- No upfront inventory costs.
- Reduced workload (no printing, packing, or shipping).
- Wide range of products available (prints, canvases, mugs, etc.).
- Easy integration with online stores.
- Cons:
- Lower profit margins per item due to service fees.
- Less control over print quality and packaging.
- Potential for longer shipping times.
Popular POD services include Printful, Society6, Redbubble, and Fine Art America.
Local or Online Fine Art Printing Labs: For Premium Quality
Using a dedicated fine art printing lab, whether local or online, gives you more control over the process and often results in higher quality.
- Pros:
- Higher profit margins per print.
- Greater control over paper type, ink quality, and finishing.
- Can inspect samples before ordering in bulk.
- Opportunity for personalized packaging.
- Cons:
- Requires upfront investment in inventory.
- You handle all printing, packing, and shipping.
- Need to manage your own stock.
When choosing a lab, look for those specializing in Giclée printing and archival printing. Ask for samples and check their customer reviews.
Paper, Canvas, and Beyond: Selecting Your Print Media
The material your artwork is printed on significantly impacts its look, feel, and longevity.
Paper Types for Fine Art Prints:
- Cotton Rag Paper: Made from 100% cotton, this paper is acid-free and lignin-free, making it highly archival. It has a luxurious feel and excellent print quality, often with a subtle texture.
- Smooth Matte Paper: Offers a bright white surface with a smooth, non-reflective finish. It’s great for vibrant colors and detailed images.
- Textured Paper (e.g., Watercolor Paper): Mimics the feel of traditional watercolor paper, adding a tactile element to your prints. This can complement certain art styles beautifully.
- Lustre/Semi-Gloss Paper: Offers a slight sheen, enhancing color saturation and contrast. It’s a good compromise between matte and glossy.
Canvas Prints: A Versatile Choice
Printing your artwork on canvas gives it a more painterly, textured appearance and can be a great alternative to paper prints.
- Archival Canvas: Look for canvases specifically designed for Giclée printing that are acid-free and coated for longevity.
- Stretched Canvas: The canvas is stretched over a wooden frame (stretcher bars) and can be printed with “gallery wraps” where the image extends over the sides, or with a mirrored edge.
- Unstretched Canvas: The canvas is printed as a flat sheet, allowing customers to frame or stretch it themselves.
Other Media:
- Metal Prints: Images are infused into aluminum sheets, creating a modern, vibrant, and durable print.
- Acrylic Prints: Images are mounted behind a sheet of acrylic, giving them depth and a high-gloss finish.
Mounting and Framing Art: Enhancing Presentation
The way your prints are presented can greatly influence their perceived value and appeal to buyers. Mounting and framing art professionally adds a polished finish.
Mounting Options:
- Matting (or Passe-partout): A cardboard border placed around the print, usually inside a frame. It protects the artwork from touching the glass and creates visual breathing room. Use acid-free mat boards for archival printing.
- Foam Board Mounting: The print is mounted onto a rigid foam board, giving it a flat and sturdy backing. This is good for presentation without a frame.
- Gatorboard/Dibond Mounting: More rigid and durable than foam board, offering a premium mounting solution.
Framing Your Prints:
- Choosing the Right Frame: Select frames that complement your artwork’s style and color palette.
- Glass vs. Acrylic: Acrylic is lighter and shatter-resistant, while UV-protective glass can prevent fading.
- Professional Framing: Investing in professional framing can significantly elevate the presentation and price of your prints.
Pricing Your Art Prints: Finding the Sweet Spot
Pricing is a critical aspect of selling art prints effectively. You need to cover your costs and make a profit while remaining competitive.
Factors to Consider for Pricing:
- Printing Costs: The cost of paper, ink, and any printing services.
- Edition Size: Limited editions (e.g., 50 prints) can command higher prices than open editions.
- Size of the Print: Larger prints naturally cost more to produce and can be priced higher.
- Materials and Finishing: Special papers, mounting, or framing will increase the cost.
- Your Brand and Reputation: As your name and following grow, you can adjust your pricing.
- Market Research: Look at what other artists with similar work and quality are charging.
Pricing Formula Example:
(Printing Costs + Other Expenses) + Desired Profit Margin = Wholesale Price
Wholesale Price × 2 (or more) = Retail Price
For example, if a print costs $20 to produce and you want a 100% profit, your wholesale price is $40. If you sell direct to consumers, you might price it at $80-$100.
Selling Your Art Prints: Where and How?
Once you have your beautiful prints, it’s time to find buyers. This is where your art business advice comes into play.
Online Sales Channels:
- Your Own Website/E-commerce Store: Using platforms like Shopify, Squarespace, or Etsy gives you maximum control over branding and customer experience.
- Online Marketplaces:
- Etsy: A popular platform for handmade and vintage items, including art.
- Saatchi Art: A curated online gallery focused on fine art.
- Artfinder: Another platform for independent artists to sell original art and prints.
- Society6 / Redbubble: These print on demand services also have marketplaces where your work can be discovered and purchased directly.
Offline Sales Channels:
- Art Fairs and Festivals: Direct interaction with customers, great for building relationships.
- Local Galleries: Partnering with galleries can expose your work to a new audience.
- Pop-Up Shops: Temporary retail spaces for direct sales.
- Craft Fairs and Markets: Good for reaching a local audience.
Marketing Your Prints: Getting the Word Out
Creating great prints is only half the battle; you need to let people know they exist!
Key Marketing Strategies:
- Social Media:
- Instagram/Pinterest: Highly visual platforms perfect for showcasing your art and prints. Use relevant hashtags.
- Facebook: Share updates, behind-the-scenes glimpses, and promote sales.
- TikTok: Create engaging videos showing your process, print reveals, or packaging.
- Email Marketing: Build an email list and send out newsletters about new prints, sales, and exhibitions.
- Blogging: Write about your art, your creative process, and printmaking. This can drive traffic to your website.
- Collaborations: Partner with other artists or influencers.
- High-Quality Photography: Use professional photos of your prints for all your marketing efforts. Show them in context (e.g., hanging on a wall).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the difference between an original painting and a print?
An original painting is a one-of-a-kind piece created by the artist. A print is a reproduction of that original artwork, made using methods like Giclée printing or traditional printmaking techniques. Prints allow for multiple copies to be made, making art more accessible.
Can I sell prints of artwork that isn’t mine?
No, you cannot legally sell prints of artwork that you did not create or do not have the rights to reproduce. This would be copyright infringement.
What resolution should my digital art file be for printing?
For high-quality prints, aim for a resolution of at least 300 DPI (dots per inch) at the intended print size. This ensures sharp details and prevents pixelation.
How do I ensure my prints are archival quality?
To achieve archival printing, use pigment-based inks (like those used in Giclée printing) and acid-free, lignin-free papers or canvases. Proper storage and display away from direct sunlight also contribute to longevity.
What are the benefits of using print on demand services?
Print on demand services offer a low-risk way to sell prints without holding inventory. They handle production, shipping, and customer service, allowing artists to focus on creation and marketing.
How do I price my art prints?
Consider printing costs, size, edition type (limited vs. open), your brand’s reputation, and market research. A common approach is to double or triple your production costs to arrive at a retail price.
By following these steps and embracing the creative possibilities of fine art printing, you can successfully turn your artwork into desirable prints and build a thriving art business. Good luck!