Opinions, please

[joflasher]

Its getting to be time to stop talking about it and actually do it. Making prints of my artwork, that is. I've already picked out a printing place online that a lot of my friends from the online art community recommend. Prices aren't bad, system's pretty intuitive, shipping is good, stuff like that. Now some of you have expressed interest in getting copies of certain pictures of mine, namely Red Masquerade, though pancua liked that damn rabbit for some reason.



I'm trying to make plans for Arisia and Boskone this year and I want to get some idea what to take as far as sizes. My plan was to take a large print of both Red Masquerade and Its Majic and put maybe 5 to 10 of the smaller prints in the printshop. I'm probably not going to take any of my big originals, since I don't think they would sell well. No name artist who believes in nice ROUND price tags on originals and all...I do hope to have one or two little originals there that I'm willing to let go for under $100, so it won't all be prints.

So my question to you is, what sizes would people be interested in?

The original is 20 x 15 and I was thinking of doing a very limited run of prints (maybe 25 or 50?) that size that are signed and numbered. Thing is, that is fairly big as far as prints go and I would have to charge at least $50 for it. Now I can do 8x10s, 11x14s or 12x18s for substantially cheaper. We're talking about $12 for the 8x10s, $18 or so for the 11x14s and between $25 and $30 for the 12 x18. If I do the smaller ones, I'm not going to sign or number them. They would just be open edition prints. So what do people think? If you wanted a copy of one of my big watercolors, what size would you be interested in, given those pricing options? Are those pricing options to high, low, just right? Remember, I didn't even to to Arisia the last two years and skipped Boskone last year as well.

So, input? People who haunt the art show, what do you look for? Artsy friends who've done this before, wanna pipe up?

Comments

[pancua.livejournal.com]

I think the fairy ones are to die for and I know that I would like a print of them for my hallway. And of course the rabbit. ;) As far as sizes, Uhm....Im not sure, I go with whatever the artist deems is neccessary to best show off the work.

[luminifer.livejournal.com]

what place are you going to use...?

[flasher.livejournal.com]

Like I sent to you personally, I'm not going to post my printing place up here. I've already had one big arguement with someone who believed that $2 over printing cost was more than enough and any artist who tried to actually make money off of their work were just money hungry bastards.

As far as I'm concerned, the printing cost should not effect the public's opinion on whether or not a print is worth the price posted on it. Either it is or it isn't and none of this "well, it only cost you $5 to print it, I'm not paying you $10 for it" bullshit.

Not saying that this is why you were asking but its the reason I'm leery of handing the information out.

[talldean.livejournal.com]

Don't really care about the printing cost; if it's worth more than what you charge for it, and people have the money, it'll sell.

I'd be interested in something, but only certain prints; not sure which you're considering since I haven't seen anything recent.

[flasher.livejournal.com]

well, my art page is up on Chris Chiappa's snurgle network... or at least, that has anything I'm willing to show in public up :)

[jnanacandra.livejournal.com]

If you're willing, would you let me know what printing place you're using? (hkeith at fireseastudios dot com)

When I worked at a photo-portrait studio, the individual prints were about exactly the prices you state above, so I'd say they're right on.

I don't know how you're thinking of packaging them, but I've found www.clearbags.com immensely useful - flat clear-plastic bags and backing boards in any size you can think of, far cheaper than matting!

[flasher.livejournal.com]

Actually, clearbags.com has an immense following amoung the epilogue and scififantasyhorrorspace_artshow people (try typing that one without looking). I was already looking at them but having you give them a thumbsup definitely helps.

I was planning on matting the display pieces for the actual show and just bag the stuff in the print shop.

[talldean.livejournal.com]

I'm just not the world's hugest fan of fantasy art; the rabbit wins. :)

Although 'Bored Water #1' also amuses me.

[starherd.livejournal.com]

Having not submitted to any art shows, I'm afraid I'm not much good for help on pricing, because I tend to go to them to look at the art rather than trying to acquire it... and my memory is fairly bad at the moment. (It's supposed to just be hormones, and get better... hope hope hope...)

Of course I want one of everything... you know me, I always want one of everything. But realistically speaking... I'm short on wallspace and expecting... :-P

I really do love the Red Masquerade and Winter Fan, though. Really really really. No idea where I'd put 'em, so smaller is probably better (read: safer)... Have to see what Husband Dear thinks, though, as he might have different thoughts/preferences...

[luminifer.livejournal.com]

sorry, didn't even occur to me that people would do that... anyway i was asking because i was thinking of having some of my photos and such printed professionally, etc...

just thinking about. but you know.

also, i don't have working outgoing mail, so that's why i'm responding here :)

[tg2k.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I don't even want to think about artwork right now, even though it's really good and it's yours!

Everyone seems noncommittal, so I'll give you as close to an answer on sizes as I can. First, experiment. You don't have to print everything the same size, and if it's feasible, you can make multiple-sized prints of the same stuff. Your better stuff, people will be willing to spend more on, and thus will be more eager for bigger sizes. Obviously it's one part raving fan-dom, another part objective (as if) evaluation of your art, and another part financial means. In looking at how Mistress of Doom does her stuff, you see a lot of her stuff selling multiple prints of similar stuff in the small sizes, with the more highly-sought-after items selling in larger sizes with equally high demand and for much higher prices.

Hang on to some of those early originals, though, especially the ones you like. (Well, either hang on to them or give the prints to your best friends ;-), even if "on loan" just to clear space.) If your work goes up in price you can produce additional runs later on (if you didn't specify them as exclusive) plus the originals will attract some strong interest.

Oh also, with those early and most experimental runs, feel free to number, but be careful of saying "13/50" until you really get the hang of it, or you'll lose out on making #51-100 of a popular print, and in a bigger size.

As always, that's my $.02, and it ain't worth much more than that. Good luck.

[flasher.livejournal.com]

It doesn't occur to most people to do that but the arguement sure leaves a bitter taste in your mouth. I'll send the place right along...

[flasher.livejournal.com]

the general concensus on the numbering thing is start small and if you need another run, make the second run a different size. Numbering on 13/50 and then doing 51 - 100 later on at the same size and quality is considered really bad form.

Who is the Mistress of Doom...leslie's mentioned her before but I don't know her.

As for clearing space, I don't really worry about it. None of my art gets hung in the house except the butterfly one. Everything else goes into a big folder under the guest bed where it doesn't take up needed space and doesn't watch me.