Selling fine art prints

[ben4633]

I recently went to an arts and wine festival and found many booths with photographers selling their photos as fine art prints. serveral of these photographers photos were not much different than what I shoot, asking up to almost 500 bucks for a framed picture. This got me thinking, maybe I should be selling my photos at a arts and wine festival. So, my question is this, what do I need to do if I want to explore this? Do I need to copyright my pictures? Where would I go about pinting a photo onto a 38 inch high quality paper or fine art paper? If any of you guys are doing this where are you getting frames from? What other expenses can I expect?

[PhotoPrincess]

You will need to get ready to invest some serious money in printing! You should have lots on hand, ready for the taking, or pickup at the end of the day. Even if all you have are samples and they place on order for shipping or something, you will need a big selection. Call up some pro labs and see if they can do what you are looking for. Some places will give you free (or reduced price) samples so you can see if you like them. Also you will need to also have tables, easels, etc. that you can bring. Usually events such as these provide only booth space.

[Hikin Mike]

This is what I do....

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showpost.php?p=6320527&postcount=5

[Karl Johnston]

It could be cheaper for you to buy your own printer. I recommend the epson 4800..but that may be a bit small for 38". For 38" you're going to need one of these...a steal at 6500$

http://epson.ca/cgi-bin/ceStore/WideFormat/WideFormatDetail.jsp?BV_UseBVCookie=yes&infoType=Specs&oid=-14684&category=Professional+Imaging&menuSpec=4599

I'm not joking, I use the 11880 and the 3800 ...I save mad cash with these large format beasts.

That said..you don't need one of those.

Mpix quality is pretty top of the line for the midrange market I hear. I don't really like the kind of paper they use, though, I like to have more options (just two? come on...)

Another printer I like is http://www.gallerystreet.com

[ben4633]

Wow, lots of great info from you guys. How much do you guys have invested in your websites? Should I get a website before trying to sell fine art prints?

[Hikin Mike]

I don't have too much money invested in my websites...I have a backpacking/hiking (http://www.thebackcountry.org/) website and nature/landscape website. I just have my normal hosting fees once a year. I designed my site/galleries myself.

If I were you, I would start with a website. Once you have that together then hit the art's and craft shows. Make sure you have plenty of business cards with your website on it.

Good luck and have fun with it. I do this for 'fun' and I doubt I'll ever recuperate my costs, but it gives me something to do. :D

[The Stig]

I would personally use a professional printer - one less thing to worry about.

[ben4633]

It may be one less thing to worry about, but how much are we talking for a professional printer capable of a 36x24 print?


I would personally use a professional printer - one less thing to worry about.

[Naturalist]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I would personally use a professional printer - one less thing to worry about.

I think The Stig is referring to the MPIX and WHCC labs as a professional printer.

[elai]

If you quickly look at bayphoto.com , a 30x40 would cost approx $80-150

[Karl Johnston]

Professional printers add up...if you get to be very popular (5 prints a month) then it is very very very worth it to print yourself. No worry if your "professional printer" screwed up.

a 36" wide would probably be a large format printer class...I think the epson 7900 stylus pro is your best bet. It goes up to 36x24" and it comes with a free 110mL ink supply...they will last FOREVER (not really, but you would probably crank out 36x24" into the high double digits (90-100) before you need to replace that tank!

Extremely worth it if you ask me

Add another 300$ for your paper and calibration software and you will be set for the rest of the year.

If you do some quick math, at 36x24" size
100 x 45 $ at a lab =4500$+ depending on the lab and where you get it printed and on what.

I know I said you may not need your own printer, but I really have no idea...it depends on how much you think you will use it.

Though I will say this; it makes no sense to lease a car if you have the money, already, to buy it ;)

[PhotosGuy]

Considering the state of the economy & not knowing the market for your type of work, I'd suggest that you start small. Granted that the paper options are limited, but my Costco does quality printing for a ridiculously low price, so they would be ideal to feel out your market before you take the plunge into a large investment that might not pay back for years.
Printing at Costco (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=421705)

[The Stig]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



I think The Stig is referring to the MPIX and WHCC labs as a professional printer.


Whew yeah - thanks for reading my mind :) It's not a bad way to start before jumping headlong into a dollar-intensive investment like your own printing equipment. That gives you a chance to gauge your market, grow your customer base, and get a handle on the business. Yes it'll cut down your profit margins at first, but IMO better than spending a lot to find out to didn't necessarily need to right now.

[zagiace]

Seeing another artist charge $500 for a framed print may give the impression he/she is making a killing. be warned the actual cost to produce a quality salable image is more then you might think. There are many costs associated not are not clear. Other then the booth rental and booth materials many of these organizations require resale permits and Certificates of Insurance naming them. In addition merchant accounts with wireless machines are not cheap either.
I would agree, before you add the complexity of printing equipment start with a pro lab. Costs will be much easier to figure. Ink is worth more then gold. And difficult to judge your per print costs. To start, your waste will be high. In addition to the actual printing equipment you will want to invest in calibration software and hardware. Not just for the monitor, but one that calibrates the printer too.
If you decide to do it, you will be able to write off some seriously fun vacations!
And yes, absolutely copyright your images!

[ben4633]

Yeah, i know its not cheap, even the cost of printing, mounting, matting and framing is alot. however, the fact that i brought up the $500 was not to imply that the photographer was making a killing, more so that people were spending that kind of money on some of these photos. If i ever do it, it would be a just a hobby, not really to make any money. Believe me, im not quitting my day job, im not that good.

Seeing another artist charge $500 for a framed print may give the impression he/she is making a killing. be warned the actual cost to produce a quality salable image is more then you might think. There are many costs associated not are not clear. Other then the booth rental and booth materials many of these organizations require resale permits and Certificates of Insurance naming them. In addition merchant accounts with wireless machines are not cheap either.
I would agree, before you add the complexity of printing equipment start with a pro lab. Costs will be much easier to figure. Ink is worth more then gold. And difficult to judge your per print costs. To start, your waste will be high. In addition to the actual printing equipment you will want to invest in calibration software and hardware. Not just for the monitor, but one that calibrates the printer too.
If you decide to do it, you will be able to write off some seriously fun vacations!
And yes, absolutely copyright your images!

[photoguy6405]

We had a couple who does this come to our camera club and explain how and what they do. Just the hassle in the fairs and festivals themselves, let alone the photographic concerns, is enough to deter me.

[zagiace]

I do not mean to discourage, I enjoy seeing these booths. Great to see someone actually printing their work.
Being a very good photographer and having stellar work is definitely not enough to make a go at it. Actually, I would venture to say having good business sense is more important. All photographers would be wise to marry a smart business person (with good credit.)

[Karl Johnston]

...or just read a couple of books and take a couple of financing and marketing courses

Lot cheaper than marriage! (or girlfriends for that matter)...