5 Insider Tips to Maximize Art Print Profits
Selling fine art prints from original artwork is one of my favorite recommendations when a client says they’re ready to add an additional income stream to their art business.
Maybe it’s because once upon a time, that’s how I made money. But before I tell you THAT story…
Still pulling your hair out trying to figure out how to make high-quality prints from your originals, with only a sad stack of meh proofs to show for it?
Forget wasting another day (and another dollar) trying to nail your art-to-print process and say hello to multipliable income!
Click here to start making high-end art prints.
Oh, and btw, this post contains affiliate links. The small number of businesses I affiliate for are trusted sources that I’m happy to share with my clients. If you click any of the links in this post, I’ll get a small kickback at no extra cost for you. I take affiliating seriously and I only recommend the best of the best.
It feels like it was yesterday when I had my little art print shop on Etsy. This was around the time when the platform was just getting started...
when Grace Bonney from design*sponge was blogging in all lowercase. Erm... That’s kind of an obscure reference (but please let me know if you get it). Let’s try again—
Around the time Ben and JLo dated THE FIRST time...
There we go. That’s better.
Anyway, back then, I painfully put down multiple thousands of dollars on a professional camera (a Nikon D40) and my very own archival printer. An Epson that took up what felt like 50% of my tiny apartment living room.
I never completely figured that printer out. Or the camera for that matter. I had no clue how to use the software to prepare my files. I knew nothing about lighting. There were basically zero tutorials online on how to do what I was trying to do. So I clobbered together a process that made me constantly second-guess the quality of my prints and throw my fists at the heavens cursing my creative career choice...
All because I couldn't figure out all the tech behind making prints!
The only reason I put up with it was that the biz was a side-job… a creative outlet I loved, and I had lots of time to kill. But when a husband and a baby were added to the mix, the luxury of wasting time and patience with the janky process disappeared.
So I tried partnering with a local printer to save time. Turns out sucky files make sucky prints. What I saved in time, I paid for in money. And after all that I got back proofs that were more womp than wow. 🤦♀️
Like me, you proooobably don't have the luxury to waste any kind of money and energy on a process you know deep down is not working.
That’s why when I thought about writing this post, I knew exactly who to go to… my friend and art print maven extraordinaire, LaurieAnne Gonzalez! LaurieAnne is not only talented and charming and whip-smart, she’s also become industry-famous for her impeccable high-quality prints. These prints have allowed her to multiply the return on her energy investment and land some truly profitable partnerships.
I asked her to tell me…
5 insider tips to actually make money from art prints.
Here’s the scoop:
#1: Take great photos of your originals before selling them.
Ouch! Nothing can cancel out the excitement of deciding to offer art prints than the pain of realizing you don’t have a photo of previous art that works to make prints.
Even if you’re reading this and not offering prints yet, taking good photos of your art for your archive (and future books, prints, licensing, etc) should be something to strongly consider.
Photoshop is great, but starting with crummy photos won’t yield prints that keep your collectors coming back for more.
#2: Offer larger prints.
You can’t create prints larger than the original art it’s based on, think most artists.
Buzzer sound. Wrong.
Yes, you can and LaurieAnne can show you exactly how!
This means that not only would you be multiplying the ROI on your time at the easel, but you can also make even more per print by offering prints in generous sizes to suit big walls.
Ooof! How’s that to get your mind rushing?
#3: Invest in the right tools to make high-quality prints.
There are so many scanners, cameras, and equipment out there. But knowing which one is going to be the best bang for your buck can be frustrating and expensive.
Having the right tools for the job will make your process smoother, faster, and more profitable.
Not sure what equipment you need for the best possible prints? Then this is for you.
#4: Stop Googling answers.
Google is our friend. But it can also be a life-sucking black hole. If you’re on a budget, it may sound like a worthy use of your time and energy to try to pull together a process that works for you based on the advice from people online.
But what can really happen is that you end up wasting a lot. A lot of pricy ink and pricy paper. A lot of precious time. A lot of peace of mind. I cringe thinking of this because this was exactly my experience.
Cut to the chase and go directly to a reliable source where you can learn all you need to learn about creating game-changing art prints.
#5: Elevate. Elevate. Elevate.
Treating art prints like yesterday’s soggy french fries might be keeping you from selling more of them.
Wondering how one might do that? Tap the tip of your Blackwing to your tongue and take note, because I’m going to hook you up:
Make them limited edition prints.
Sign (and number, if they’re limited edition) them.
Include a certificate of authenticity if they’re limited edition.
Use only THE best materials that will prolong the lifespan of your prints.
If it’s a print from a canvas piece, offer it printed on canvas. If it’s a print from a paper piece, offer it on paper. Sounds simple, but this can greatly help your prints look just like the originals and raise the perceived value.
Offer to UV-coat the print.
Dream up an Instagramable unboxing experience and encourage your collectors to post about it on social media.
Offer to frame or stretch the print for them for an additional fee. Nothing kills the unboxing art buzz like having to stash it on your kitchen counter until you get a chance to go pick up a frame for your piece.
Elevate your print listing shop photos. Showcase them in frames, or stretched, in different settings that go with your brand.
NOTE: Be discerning if using any art mock-up apps. Make sure they look high-quality and natural.
Talk about your art prints on your social media channels and your email newsletter. Don’t think that because they cost less than originals they should be ignored.
Price your prints for profit.
Think about creating print bundles around specific holidays or occasions. Or create a “gallery wall in a box” deal where they get a framing and hanging guide to create a gorgeous gallery wall in their home.
All of the above are great ideas to get your creative juices flowing. But, the better your print quality and photos are, the more chances of success you’ll have.
Question is…
how do you get prints that command top dollar?
Meet my pal, LaurieAnne.
She spent years perfecting her art print process… you know… the one that’s made her industry-famous and landed her multiple profitable partnerships? That one.
She wants to show you how you can also work less and make more moolah.
Introducing
Art to Print
The ultimate how-to course that demystifies the art-to-print process so you can stop trying to figure it out and get straight to making high-quality art prints, unlocking a MULTIPLYABLE income stream.
This is the no-brainer business investment you can whole-heartedly say come to mama to because it can help you to...
Claim back your time and energy...
Multiply the income you get from each original painting, and...
Give your prints that JLo glow.
Laurie Anne's seriously spilling the beans (I mean, she holds back NAAH-THING) on her entire process. Start to finish. Whether you want to print in-house or outsource, she breaks it down into easily digestible modules.
If I'd had access to these secrets when I would stress-peel my hot pink nail polish each time a print order came in, I would've paid $1,000 for that level of peace of mind.
Lucky for you, you don't have to spend a grand for this priceless guide.
If I told you that for less than $700 you could finally quit wasting your precious time once and for all, would you finally feel confident leveling up your print game?
Just hit pause for a sec because the answer will determine whether you'll operate your biz from a place of ease, or you'll keep being Jenny from the Block (before the rocks).
So tell me, friend…
I know you're serious about your business. And that, like me, you also give business investments thought and consideration.
Huddle in...
Laurie Anne's not teaching you how to print money, buuuut....
What do you call it when your prints command top-dollar, help you land wholesale accounts you've always dreamed of, and allow you to multiply the income from each of your originals? 🤔
But seriously, after taking this course how many of your new, high-quality prints will you need to sell to make back your investment? I'm guessing not many.
