Selling - With/Without Borders?

Hi All,

I am selling a couple of my photos, and I've been asked to give some ideas on presentation.

I'm thinking a bit more long term, but if I were to start selling these images on a larger scale (i.e: through Photobox Galleries or SmugMug etc) would you just sell the image with a little watermark in the corner with your name, or would you border them like I have?

Picture 1
Picture 2
Picture 3

Obviously that border will be there regardless of print size.

Any ideas are appreciated.

Thanks!

I like the borders

Just a personal preference, but I don't care for the black. I think it's a bit overbearing, and tends to dominate an image.
Unless you're presenting these as large scale posters, I wouldn't even do the title and name.
I'd show you an alternate presentation or two, but see you have not permitted editing and reposting of your images.

The only time you see the kind of presentation that you have here is when it is marketed as fine art works. I have sold many prints and never put my name on them, even in the corner. The exception to this is that anything 16x20 or larger I hand sign in gold foil in the lower right corner. On a print that large it is not that noticeable but people can come closer to the print to see the name. On smaller prints I have a sticker that I apply to the back plus my lab puts my business name on the back of everything they print for me. Once you have sold the print a watermark for copyrighting purposes is no longer required, imo.

I like borders for images being displayed online but for actual prints, it doesn't do much for me. If you must/want a border, title and your name on each one I would suggest that you treat each one uniquely. Black is not going to work for each print and I think it best if you tailor the border and typeface for each work you sell.

thanks for the reply everyone.

Trout - feel free to show me an alternative

ssim, thanks for the info. i am unsure if photobox galleries provide a service whereby they can print my name on the reverse of the image.

I agree that for larger prints I could offer an alternative presentation.

Im all for Borders

Here's something I've been using on occasion-- a "faux" or digital mat around the image.
Easily created in photoshop or probably even PS elements. It involves creating a layer (the size of the "recessed" area, and placing an inner glow layer style on it. The style needs to be switched from the default screen to multiply, with a dark color selected, but you can vary the size and intensity. You get the look of a mat, but don't necessarily need glass. I think it's a neat look with a thin black frame around the print.

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The borders look OK, if you like that sort of thing. Like a previous post, I think the borders are a little over powering.

Personally, if I were buy those prints I would like a plain white border, with enough space, that I can sort out a mount for them.

If you want to add a title and/or a signature then place them far enough away from the print so I can hide them with the mount. Nothing personal, just don't like prints with writing on them.

Thanks for the extra posts guys.

I'll have to have a think through how I want to market my images.

Do you tend to offer more than one example of an image? I.e: the larger type prints could include the border but the smaller/cheaper prints could be without.

Another question I forgot to ask is about ratios for printing.

I would like to list several of my items various print sizes and canvas. The image is 3624x2416 which is a size of 1.5:1

So, does this means I should only choose canvas or prints that have the same ratio?

Such as, 30.5 cm x 20.3 cm (which is 1.5) instead of 40.6cm x 30.5cm which is 1.33?

Thanks
Amnesia