Selling Prints

[faisal]

Every month a market is organised where artists and crafters are allowed to display and sell their work. I'm planning to take part this time. I not sure how I should go ahead with this. i.e what size to print, should I frame or not, what type of frames, what type of mounting if needed, lamination etc....

We are either given an artists space with two chairs and two easels or a table with two chairs. You can add upto 2 more easels to the initial setup or/and art rack.....

I already have a slightly damaged A2 print of a shot from the plane that I thought I'd use to display but not sell....

Any advice is welcome...

Thanks!!!

[cdifoto]

If you don't frame, at least have them ready to hang (they're called gallery wraps around here). People pay for presentation. If it's just a print, it'll barely get looked at, let alone purchased.

Don't ever display a "slightly damaged" anything.

[Nickcanada]

Hmmm, If it was me, I'd probably just sell the prints. I'd put them in a clear bag with a cardboard backing to keep it from flexing (like a comic book collector does). Start with small 8x12 or 11x14 prints and see how it goes! Good luck!

[faisal]

If you don't frame, at least have them ready to hang (they're called gallery wraps around here). People pay for presentation. If it's just a print, it'll barely get looked at, let alone purchased.

Don't ever display a "slightly damaged" anything.

Never seen that done here so it might come at a higher price if available. I was thinking of IKEA frames. I'm trying to keep costs low as I don't want to over spend and end up not selling at all...

Hmmm, If it was me, I'd probably just sell the prints. I'd put them in a clear bag with a cardboard backing to keep it from flexing (like a comic book collector does). Start with small 8x12 or 11x14 prints and see how it goes! Good luck!

I was thinking more in the range of 8*10 or 8*6.....hmm...maybe I should rethink now!!!!

[Nickcanada]

I only say 8x12 so you don't have to crop the images and here it's the same price as a 8x10

[cdifoto]

Go big or go home. Seriously. Big prints blow people away. 8x10s aren't as impressive. Mount them in some hangable way - they're not comic books.

I'd rather sell one 16x20 for 80 bucks than 100 8x10s for the same 80 bucks. You could mix it up though - have some huge prints on display all nice & pretty then some smaller more affordable prints on hand.

[TheWengler]

I'd rather sell one 16x20 for 80 bucks than 100 8x10s for the same 80 bucks. You could mix it up though - have some huge prints on display all nice & pretty then some smaller more affordable prints on hand.

100 8x10s for $80 sounds like a pretty good deal. :D

I agree with this idea. Big and framed for display and smaller and midsize prints (not framed or matted) at more affordable prices. Then if someone wants a bigger size they can order it from you.

[faisal]

So if I print 2 A3's(framed) and 10 A4's(framed) while printing close to 40 5*7/8*6 for sale/order....does that sound like a plan???

The total cost would be close to $250...will need to see if I can afford that right now!!!

[Nickcanada]

If you do that make sure you print out stuff you wouldn't mind keeping just in case it doesn't sell. That's one of the reasons I was thinking keep it cheap. You don't even know if there will be a market for the pictures! no need to go spending a bunch of money up front.

[faisal]

Any advice on what kind of frames to look at....i.e boring ones (http://www.framesonlineuk.com/six-a3-pine-picture-frame.jpg) or little more interesting but costlier ones (http://www.thehop.co.nz/images/a3frame.jpg)

Also, should I print matte or glossy??

Thanks

[D Thompson]

For this type of market I wouldn't frame as IMO it would be a wasted expense. If I'm going to buy a fine art shot I'll take care of the framing myself, because lets face it, tastes differ and I'm going to want a frame that goes with my decor. I would mount them on something like this matboard (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?ci=0&shs=ARPM8101114W&sb=ps&pn=1&sq=desc&InitialSearch=yes&O=jsp%2FRootPage.jsp&A=search&Q=*&bhs=t&Go.x=0&Go.y=0&Go=submit) and I wouldn't print anything smaller than 8x10 with probably 16x20 the largest. Offer larger by special order.

Good luck.

[michaelb]

There's a really good nature photog around my neck of the woods who sells at all the local fairs, etc. He has many large prints framed for sale that really grab your attention and he also has smaller non-framed versions of the same shots if you don't want to spend as much - seems like a good way to go to me.

[Csae]

I've sold a fair bit of prints, though never online and never at a fair.

The most common sizes are usually prefered, 4x6, 5x7, 8x10, 14x17,etc.

I usually display 8.5x11 because they are affordable and are of decent size, 14x17s also work well but i have a harder time getting them. I usually show them a couple bigger ones (4 to 6) either 8.5x11 or 14x17 or 13x19s, then I have a nice portofolio type book which includes alot of 4x6s of the different pictures i offer, though they can get them at any size they wish (Some pictures i limit to 8x10 because of the camera they were taken with). I am thinking of switching to a nice 8x10 type book instead, but it'll be bulkier to carry and wont hold as many, up to you depending on the number of prints you want to offer. Sometimes having too many can be a bad thing.

This is something that a website can be really helpful for, because you can't always carry with you, but i guess im more print oriented then most photogs.

Having some frames is generally useful as people like to buy the print and the frame at the same time, i have 2 different types, normal wood frames, and some all-glass no borders frames. Frames shouldn't be more expensive then your print, it'll overbloat your price for sillyness, at least thats my opinion, i like to keep my prints charged 50% more then the frame.

8x10s are the most i've sold, 5x7s next.

If i was at a fair, i'd have 2 maybe 3 "book gallerys" to look through (Chained to the table, mind you with a nice fake gold chain), while having maybe 4 or 6 nice 13x19s/ 14x17 or 16x20s on display framed to grab the attention. Then maybe keep one or two 8x10 or 8x12 framed but with different frames just to show the different frames you offer, that'd be a done deal.

Finding frames to offer with your prints can be the most annoying part really :( You need something bulk'ish, generic, cheap'ish, and something that you can buy more of later, i've found 1 nice pack, but then they stopped selling them, and i don't like to order frames online because they can get heavy on the shipping $ and delayed.

Thats my experience so far, i'd like to get a permit and setup a similar stand in the tourist section of my city but its rather expensive and tricky to do :(

[faisal]

I'm off to Ikea and after that to Paperchase....let me see what I can get. Depending on that I'll decide if I can do any of the things advised....Thanks!!!

[faisal]

putting my name at the bottom on the picture....should I or should I not???

If yes, how big and what font etc

[AdamW]

putting my name at the bottom on the picture....should I or should I not???

If yes, how big and what font etc

Don't do it on the image itself, or with photoshop. It'll be the difference between "fine art" and "something I ran off the printer at home."

I sign my prints twice. I put my name and the month/year in permanent marker very small on bottom right edge. This is hidden by the mat, but stays on the print if the customer changes the mat. I then sign and date the mat in the same place with pencil. My goal is to have it readable, but as discreet as possible.

[Csae]

Im a bit cheaper, i also leave a signature but i used my wacom to get a handwritten type into photoshop and print it outright.

I've been meaning to do something nicer, perhaps with a serial n and series n as well as date photo taken but i haven't gotten around to it and sometimes i dont use mats, so it would show. Wherehas my current signature is very discreet and always blends in nicely so even if it shows on my prints my customers never minded.

Mind you, im pretty special about it, i've never seen prints signed the way i do it, but i signed all my drawings and consider my photos the same as a drawing.

http://fc03.deviantart.com/fs45/f/2009/082/2/a/Light__s_Street___Aged_by_SaintCase.jpg

This is an example, thats exactly how my print will be. I won't scale the signature though, it'll remain a certain small size no matter how big the print ends up. Even without a mat, sometimes the frames border will hide some half of the signature, but my favorite frames at the moment are borderless and use a cheap black paper mat that i end up placing the picture ontop of instead of behind (Cheap cutout in the center makes it ugh), that gives me a 100% full view of the picture.

[faisal]

I'm basically making big prints that will have the thick white border around it that will go into black/brown frames. They seem to look good at the displays at IKEA. I got the frames from IKEA cause they seem to be nicer compared to similar priced ones in the market and the frames that you can order at printing places cost a little too much for me to afford it right now (something like $30 per meter for a basic frame). So where should I put my signature/name on the type of prints I'm making??

Adam....how can you sign on a glossy photo paper....??

BTW...I repeat, should I print glossy or matte. most of them are going to be in frames that have those hard transparent plastic over it...

I've got these frames
1 x 19 3/4*27 1/2 with viewable 15 1/4*19 1/4
1 x 15 3/4*19 3/4 with viewable 11 1/2*15 1/4
2 x 19 3/4*9 (panorama frame)
3 x 11 3/4*15 3/4
5 x 8 1/4*11 3/4

[faisal]

My biggest print might be this...shot at ISO 200
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q121/faisal7/400D/IMG_3268_2.jpg

Or this one (without the sensor dust)

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q121/faisal7/400D/IMG_6261.jpg

Will a 3100*2400 be sufficient???

[AdamW]

I use Epson luster paper, so it's semi-glossy. I was using a fine point permanent felt-tip marker (Sharpie brand.) Then I bought a nicer one at the art supply store. I think it was about 5 $US.

I think that for the type of color images you're gonna print, that a pearl, luster, or semi-gloss finish would work best. It's personal preference, but I don't like paper that's too glossy, and I prefer mat for black & white.

Finally, matting adds to the cost, but a mat is not just decorative. The primary purpose of a mat is to keep the surface of the artwork from coming into contact with the back of the glass (or plastic.) This is to prevent the art from sticking to the glass, or to reduce the chance of moisture damage and/or mold. Mats also make the finished product look more professional. I go for good quality mats and the cheapest decent simple black or dark brown wood frames I can get. I've gotten lots of good ones at thrift stores.

You should sign under the image, on the right side of the bottom edge. Just your name, and maybe the month and year or just the year the picture was taken. Don't number the print--that implies a limited edition and means you have to destroy the negative (or digital file) so that no more prints can be made.

[michaelb]

Let us know how it goes faisal - I think you've got some great images to sell.

[faisal]

Will do Michael....

Adam......2 frames already have the mats in them. But the others don't though I can put mats in them. I was thinking of trying the IKEA way(to keeps cost down) and instead of matting all of them, just printing 12*16 images on a 16*20 paper....something like the images above....good or bad idea???

[jcon]

I am too lazy to read the entire thread, sorry, i probably should, but after briefly reading, what I would suggest is this.. dont waste money on frames, its an unneeded expense. I would get larger prints mounted on Masonite, or Sintra, that way they can be displayed better. Or you could have them printed on whats called a stand out mount, its similar to gallery wraps. If you dont have an account with a pro lab, I strongly suggest looking into one, this is a job for one! And they are much, much cheaper than any other printing store. If you would like some suggestions on pro labs PM me.

[AdamW]

Will do Michael....

Adam......2 frames already have the mats in them. But the others don't though I can put mats in them. I was thinking of trying the IKEA way(to keeps cost down) and instead of matting all of them, just printing 12*16 images on a 16*20 paper....something like the images above....good or bad idea???

Well, you don't want the print to be touching the glass. If you don't want to use mats, some sort of spacer in the corners might work.

[jcon]

Well, you don't want the print to be touching the glass. If you don't want to use mats, some sort of spacer in the corners might work.

Glass is a big no-no for framed images. Almost every pro photographer Ive talked to doesnt put glass on the frames, one of the reasons is it degrades the image. There is no need for glass, especially if the print is professionaly done with a protective coating.


As for the name on the print... NO! Customers pay for the print, not your name to be displayed on it! If you want your name somewhere, get a sticker printed with all your info on it and place it on the back of the mounting.

[Csae]

Hm, well that is an interesting opinion.

I do put glass on all my prints to protect them from various effects, i can see the logic where the print shouldn't be touching the glass, however im not quite sure how that will affect its lifetime, if it shortens it by 20 out of 100 years... Well.. Oh well. Only my cheapest prints use that type of setup, that being said i might change it since its a valid concern and if i can find cheap black mats. I would never mount a print without glass ontop or some sort of lamination process, coating is nice but it will not last very long.

Afaik there is alot more moisture contact with a print if it isnt in a glassed framed, if you were for example to just stick the picture on the wall, you would easily notice the paper stretch maybe even curl within a week or two.

About the name on the print, i know alot of people will agree with that, however, my customers buy a artwork that i created. It will be signed by me, as the artist. I would expect no less from a painting or a drawing.

Of course if someone is just buying a print of their headshots i wont sign it, that'd just be silly. It depends if the prints you are selling are of artistic nature or just portraits.

[cdifoto]

Everyone I know uses frames with glass or at least plexiglas. I've never heard of glass degrading an image. It's washable too. I also see a lot of artists signing their work, be they photographs or paintings. People don't buy a funky mess of shapes; they buy a Picasso.

[jcon]

Hm, well that is an interesting opinion.


Afaik there is alot more moisture contact with a print if it isnt in a glassed framed, if you were for example to just stick the picture on the wall, you would easily notice the paper stretch maybe even curl within a week or two.



Who frames a print without a mounting like Masonite? If you have it printed at a pro lab onto Masonite, you dont need to worry about curling or stretching.

As for the coating not lasting... all my prints are guaranteed for life from Kodak with their "promise of excellence" policy.

To each there own I guess, if you want glass in your frame, go for it, but for me, I dont like anything coming between the eye and the image. Contact anyone at ACI Lab, or Herff Jones Lab and you will get the same responce.

[cdifoto]

I dont like anything coming between the eye and the image.
I don't like anyone sneezing their swine flu all over my prints.

[faisal]

Jcon...I've gotten the frames so I need to use them though I will give clients an option to mount frame less etc...

The shop guys want me show them the frames to get the print right so still don't know what I'm doing...will go in 2 hours or so again!!!

I'm still undecided about the name n print!!!....

[faisal]

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q121/faisal7/400D/IMG_1014-2.jpg

[faisal]

Just managed to sell three prints...one pano (50cm*23cm), one A3 and one A4....managed to just recover my sunk costs....will be doing it again when it happens in September...hoping for a better response cause recession has hit it bad in the past few months!!!

[michaelb]

Just managed to sell three prints...one pano (50cm*23cm), one A3 and one A4....managed to just recover my sunk costs....will be doing it again when it happens in September...hoping for a better response cause recession has hit it bad in the past few months!!!

Not a bad start faisal. I'm not surprised that one of your panos sold - you've got some excellent ones.

[tim11]

That's a great shot there on post #31. I thought it might be different where you are Faisal but over here I don't expect a photographer to sell many prints directly at an exhibition. If I set up a stall, I'd be hoping for business exposure to the public; not for making profit from prints on site.

[faisal]

Thanks michael....

True that tim....but the exposure wasn't great either as the footfall this time was quite low compared to what it used to be. But I'm hoping it would pick up till the next time, once recession softens up a bit...