How To Make Prints Of Digital Art: Your Guide

Can I sell prints of my digital art? Yes, absolutely! Making prints of your digital artwork is a fantastic way to share your creations with a wider audience and generate income. This guide will walk you through the entire process, from preparing your files to showcasing your finished pieces. We’ll cover everything you need to know for successful digital art printing.

Getting Your Digital Art Ready for Printing

Before you can even think about ink on paper, your digital masterpiece needs to be perfectly prepared. This is a crucial step that directly impacts the quality of your final prints.

File Resolution and Size

This is perhaps the most critical factor in art print production. Printing is different from viewing on a screen. Screens use pixels to display images, while prints use dots of ink. For sharp, detailed prints, you need a high-resolution file.

What is resolution? Resolution is measured in dots per inch (DPI) or pixels per inch (PPI). Higher DPI means more detail.
Recommended DPI for Printing: Aim for at least 300 DPI for most prints. Some high-quality prints, especially for large formats, might even benefit from 600 DPI.
File Size: A higher resolution file will be larger. This is good! A small, low-resolution file will look blurry or pixelated when enlarged for printing.
Working Size: Create your artwork at the intended print size, or larger, from the beginning. It’s much easier to scale down a larger file than to scale up a smaller one.
- If you know you want to sell an 8×10 inch print, create your artwork at 8×10 inches (or larger) at 300 DPI.

Color Space: RGB vs. CMYK

Your computer screen displays colors using RGB (Red, Green, Blue). Printers, however, typically use CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black). These two color spaces have different capabilities.

RGB: Has a wider range of colors, especially bright, vibrant ones. This is what your digital art is likely created in.
CMYK: Has a smaller color range than RGB. Some of the bright, neon colors you see on your screen might appear duller when converted to CMYK.
Conversion: Most professional printers will handle the conversion from RGB to CMYK for you. However, it’s good practice to:
- Ask your printer: Inquire about their preferred color profile or if they can accept RGB files.
- Soft Proofing: If you have photo editing software like Photoshop, you can use the “soft proofing” feature to see how your colors will look in CMYK. This helps you make adjustments before sending your file.

File Formats

The file format you choose can also affect print quality.

TIFF (.tif): This is often the preferred format for professional printing. It’s a lossless format, meaning no image data is lost during saving. This preserves maximum detail.
PSD (.psd): If your printer accepts Photoshop files, this can also be a good option, especially if you have layers you want to preserve.
JPEG (.jpg): While common, JPEG is a lossy format. This means some image data is discarded each time you save to reduce file size. Use JPEGs for smaller prints or if your printer specifically requests them, but save your highest quality version as a TIFF.
PNG (.png): This format supports transparency, which can be useful if your artwork has a transparent background. However, for most art prints, a solid background is expected.

Choosing Your Printing Method

There are several ways to bring your digital art to life as physical prints. Each method offers different benefits and aesthetics.

Giclée Printing

Giclée printing (pronounced “zhee-clay”) is a high-quality inkjet printing process used to produce fine art prints. It’s a popular choice for artists because of its exceptional detail, color accuracy, and longevity.

How it Works: Giclée printers use multiple (often 10 or more) different ink colors, including specialized shades of black and grey, to achieve a wide color gamut and smooth tonal transitions.
Key Benefits:
- Archival Quality: When printed on acid-free, archival papers with pigment-based inks, giclée prints are incredibly durable and can last for 100 years or more without significant fading. This is crucial for archival art prints.
- Vibrant Colors: The advanced ink systems produce rich, accurate, and vibrant colors that closely match the original digital artwork.
- Exceptional Detail: The fine spray of ink captures subtle details and textures beautifully.
- Versatility: Giclée printing works well on a variety of paper types for art prints, including textured watercolor papers, smooth fine art papers, and even canvas.

Standard Prints (Digital or Offset)

These are more common and generally less expensive than giclée prints.

Digital Printing: Similar to home inkjet printers but on a larger, professional scale. Good for smaller runs and faster turnaround times.
Offset Printing: Traditionally used for high-volume commercial printing. Less common for individual artists selling small batches of prints, but offers excellent quality for larger runs.

Canvas Printing

Canvas printing is a popular option for artists who want a more painterly, textured look.

Process: Your digital artwork is printed directly onto stretched canvas using specialized inkjet printers. The canvas is typically stretched over a wooden frame (stretcher bars).
Finish: Prints can be left as is, or a protective varnish can be applied to enhance durability and color depth.
Framing: Canvas prints can be displayed as is (gallery wrap style) or framed.

Print on Demand Art (POD)

Print on demand art services allow you to upload your digital artwork, and they handle the printing, packaging, and shipping when a customer makes a purchase. This is a low-risk way to sell prints without managing inventory.

How it Works:
1. You create an account with a POD service (e.g., Etsy, Redbubble, Society6, Printful, Printify).
2. You upload your digital art files.
3. You choose the products you want to offer (prints, canvases, mugs, etc.) and set your pricing.
4. When a customer buys something, the POD service prints it and ships it directly to them. You receive a portion of the sale price.
Pros:
- No upfront inventory costs.
- No need to handle printing or shipping yourself.
- Easy to test different products and designs.
Cons:
- Lower profit margins compared to self-fulfillment.
- Less control over print quality and turnaround times.
- Can be harder to build a strong brand presence.

Selecting the Right Materials

The substrate (the material your art is printed on) significantly impacts the final look, feel, and longevity of your print.

Paper Types for Art Prints

Choosing the right paper is key to showcasing your digital art effectively.

Fine Art Papers: These are high-quality, often textured papers designed for artistic reproduction.
- Cotton Rag Papers (100% Cotton): Considered the premium choice for archival art prints. They are acid-free, lignin-free, and have a beautiful, luxurious feel. They offer excellent color depth and detail. Available in various textures (smooth, slightly textured, heavily textured).
- Alpha-Cellulose Papers: Also acid-free and archival, but made from wood pulp. They offer excellent quality at a slightly lower price point than cotton rag.
- Textured Papers: Papers like watercolor or baryta papers have a surface texture that can add depth and a traditional feel to your prints, mimicking the look of traditional paintings or drawings.
- Smooth Papers: Offer a clean, modern look with crisp detail, ideal for graphic designs or photographs.
Photo Papers:
- Luster/Satin: A popular choice with a subtle sheen. Offers good color saturation and is less prone to fingerprints than glossy paper.
- Glossy: Provides high contrast and vibrant colors but can be prone to glare and fingerprints.
- Matte: Offers a non-reflective surface with excellent detail.

Table: Paper Types and Their Characteristics

Paper Type	Material	Texture	Archival Quality	Best For
Cotton Rag	100% Cotton	Varies	Excellent	High-end art prints, archival pieces, detailed artwork
Alpha-Cellulose	Wood Pulp	Varies	Very Good	Fine art prints, general art reproduction
Textured Photo	Resin Coated	Textured	Good	Vibrant colors, mimicking traditional art
Luster/Satin Photo	Resin Coated	Slight Sheen	Good	General purpose prints, vibrant photos
Matte Photo	Resin Coated	Non-Reflective	Good	Detailed graphics, photography, avoiding glare

Canvas

Cotton Canvas: Offers a classic, painterly feel.
Poly-Cotton Canvas: A blend that is often more durable and less prone to cracking than 100% cotton.
Polyester Canvas: Very durable and water-resistant, but can have a more plastic-like feel.

Working with a Professional Printer

For the best results in art print production, consider partnering with a professional printing service.

Finding a Reputable Printer

Online Print Shops: Many excellent online services specialize in fine art printing. Research reviews, look at their portfolios, and check their printing techniques (e.g., do they use pigment inks?).
Local Print Shops: Sometimes, a good local printer can offer personalized service and allow you to see paper samples in person.

What to Ask Your Printer

What printing process do you use? (Giclée, digital, etc.)
What type of inks do you use? (Dye-based vs. pigment-based – pigment is generally more archival.)
What paper and canvas options do you offer? Ask for samples if possible.
What is your recommended file resolution and format?
Do you offer color correction or matching services?
What are your turnaround times?
What are your pricing structures? (Per print, per square inch, etc.)

Achieving Accurate Colors: Color Management

Color management for prints is crucial to ensure your printed art matches what you see on your screen. This can be one of the trickiest parts of the process.

Monitor Calibration

Why it matters: Your monitor’s color display can vary significantly. Calibration ensures your monitor is showing colors as accurately as possible.
How to do it: Use a hardware calibration device (like a Spyder or X-Rite calibration tool) that attaches to your monitor and analyzes its color output. It then creates a custom color profile for your system.
Regular Calibration: Calibrate your monitor regularly (e.g., monthly) as colors can drift over time.

Working with Color Profiles

Monitor Profile: Your calibrated monitor will have an associated color profile.
Printer Profile: Professional printers often use specific printer profiles designed for their equipment and the particular paper they are using.
Soft Proofing: As mentioned earlier, use your design software to soft proof your image using the printer’s profile. This simulates how the colors will appear when printed.

Finishing Touches: Matting and Framing Digital Art

Framing digital art can elevate your prints from simple reproductions to professional, gallery-ready pieces.

Matting

Purpose: A mat (or mount) is a cardboard border placed between the artwork and the frame. It creates a visual space, draws attention to the artwork, and prevents the print from touching the glass.
Materials: Use acid-free, archival mat board to protect your archival art prints from yellowing and degradation.
Colors: White, off-white, or neutral grey mats are common and work well with most artwork.

Framing Options

Ready-made Frames: Available in standard sizes at craft stores and online. Convenient but may not offer a perfect fit or the highest quality.
Custom Framing: The best option for a professional look. A custom framer can help you choose the perfect frame, matting, and glass to complement your artwork and your style.
Frame Styles:
- Gallery Wrap: Canvas prints are often wrapped around the edges of the stretcher bars, creating a seamless, modern look with no frame needed.
- Floating Frames: These frames create a small gap between the canvas and the frame, giving the illusion that the artwork is floating within the frame.
- Traditional Frames: Wide variety of materials (wood, metal) and styles (ornate, minimalist) to suit any aesthetic.

Glass vs. Acrylic

Glass: Traditional, scratch-resistant, and offers good clarity. Heavier and more fragile.
Acrylic (Plexiglass): Lighter, shatter-resistant, and offers UV protection. Can be prone to scratching. Many professional framers offer UV-protective acrylic that filters out damaging rays.

Marketing and Selling Your Prints

Once you have beautiful prints, you need to get them into the hands of buyers. This involves smart marketing digital art prints.

Pricing Your Prints

Cost of Production: Factor in printing costs, paper, ink, matting, framing, and any packaging materials.
Artist’s Time: Account for the time spent creating the art and preparing it for printing.
Market Research: Look at what other artists are charging for similar quality prints.
Perceived Value: Consider the quality of your materials, the uniqueness of your art, and your brand reputation.
Pricing Tiers: Offer different sizes and framing options at different price points.

Where to Sell

Online Marketplaces:
- Etsy: A popular platform for artists and crafters.
- Shopify/Your Own Website: Gives you complete control over your brand and customer experience.
- Society6, Redbubble, InPrnt: Platforms focused on artist-designed products, often using print on demand art services.
Art Fairs and Markets: Great for direct interaction with customers and building local awareness.
Galleries and Local Shops: Approach local establishments that align with your artistic style.

Promotion and Presentation

High-Quality Photos: Take excellent photos of your prints, ideally in lifestyle settings (e.g., on a wall in a room) to show buyers how they might look in their own homes.
Engage on Social Media: Share your process, behind-the-scenes glimpses, and finished prints on platforms like Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook. Use relevant hashtags.
Build an Email List: Collect emails from customers and interested parties to send out newsletters about new work, promotions, and events.
Artist Statement: Write a compelling artist statement that explains your work and its inspiration.
Packaging: Ensure your prints are packaged professionally and securely to prevent damage during shipping. Include a thank-you note or business card.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the best resolution for printing digital art?

The generally accepted standard for high-quality prints is 300 DPI (dots per inch) at the intended print size. For very large prints or those viewed from a distance, a slightly lower DPI might suffice, but 300 DPI is a safe bet for detail and sharpness.

Can I use any digital art file for printing?

No, you need to ensure your digital art file is prepared correctly. This means having a high enough resolution (300 DPI at print size), using an appropriate color space (often RGB, but check with your printer), and saving in a suitable file format like TIFF or high-quality JPEG.

What is the difference between giclée printing and regular printing?

Giclée printing is a specialized, high-quality inkjet printing process that uses multiple, precise ink droplets and often pigment-based inks on archival materials. This results in exceptional color accuracy, fine detail, and long-lasting archival art prints, whereas regular printing can encompass various technologies with potentially lower quality and longevity.

How do I choose the right paper for my art prints?

Consider the look and feel you want. Cotton rag papers offer premium archival quality and a luxurious feel, ideal for fine art. Photo papers provide different finishes like luster, glossy, or matte, with varying levels of sheen and durability. Always check if the paper is acid-free for longevity.

What is print on demand art?

Print on demand art is a service where you upload your designs, and a third-party company prints and ships your artwork to customers only when an order is placed. This eliminates the need for you to hold inventory and manage production and shipping.

How important is color management for prints?

Color management is very important for ensuring that your printed artwork accurately reflects the colors you see on your screen. This involves calibrating your monitor and potentially using printer-specific color profiles to minimize color shifts during the printing process.

Can I frame my digital art prints myself?

Yes, you can frame your prints yourself using ready-made frames or by purchasing matting and frames separately. For a professional finish and to ensure the longevity of your archival art prints, consider using acid-free mat boards and UV-protective glass or acrylic.

How do I price my digital art prints?

To price your prints, calculate your production costs (printing, materials, packaging), add a reasonable amount for your time and artistic value, and research what similar artists charge. Consider offering various sizes and framing options at different price points.