selling individual prints locally

[themadness]

has anyone here ever tried to sell prints individually on a local level? for example taking a few shots printing and matting them, then turn and sell them as "art prints". i was thinking of doing that as way to earn a little extra cash. it seems to be a cheap way to turn a profit with minimal effort. any suggestions?

[OsmosisStudios]

I have, mainly by request. It has also become my housewarming gift, what with the majority of my friends getting their own places.

If you have some sort of venue where you can sell your prints, go for it!

[pjl]

I'm booked for a 2 day art fair in Sac in a couple weeks.
(My very first art show! BIG gamble full of 'artistic angst'...lol! )
I'll be selling prints of my stuff.
I figure most folks will want to mat and frame their own way, so I'm leaving that part to them.
I'll have 3 or 4 framed demos on display so they can see how they look framed up.
There's a whole bunch more on my presentation I'm working out.
I'll let you know how it goes; hopefully it'll be a big hit!

[favorite mom]

@pjl, do you plan to have prints available for sale at the art show, or do you prefer people order them and you send it later?

I was thinking about selling prints on Etsy. Anybody have anything good or bad to say about that idea?

[pjl]

I plan on having a bunch of different 11x14's available.
The one's I've gotten oohs and ahhs on from a gaggle of friends/relatives (they gave me the boot to sign in for the ArtFiesta gig...).
I also went to a local flea market a few weeks back in an attempt at surveying likes/dislikes.
(I definitely found the "different market = different markup"!)

Since most of the foot traffic at the fair is generally local folk, I can take orders and deliver.
I figure I've got a decent shot at a local market for my stuff, why not invest a damn big smile and deliver the goods at no extra charge!

This whole thing is a crap shoot.
I 'spect it's about gettin' your work/name out the best way you can and hope they come knockin' at yer door...
I think my stuff is pretty good and I'm hoping others like it enough to take it home.
I've sunk 3 Bens and a Grant into it so far for test prints, mat boards, supplies and the entry fee.
It's goin' down in a trendy shopping mall with pleasant, nicely-heeled folks who go every year.
If I can get my investment back and make a few sheckles besides, it's all good!
Might even land some individual custom works; you know, pet shots, kid sport shots, stuff like that.

[digirebelva]

Here is a artfair forum you might want to look at if you are going to sell at an art fair..
I did my first last year and its a definite eye-opener...from what you assume/think compared to actual reality...

Art Fair Insiders - Call for Artists, Making Money at Juried Art Fairs, Craft Shows and Festivals

bad mistake comparing a flea market to an art fair, its a different set of customers and expectations..at flea markets you are looking for "cheap" deals, not moderate priced art...
If you have time before you do yours, travel to a few art fairs around you and observe what others are doing in the same genre..(look at setups, displays, watch how they interact) even local ones have a good stock of images on hand as most people will prefer to buy what they can put their hands on..in other words matted at the very least...

[snapdragon]

I find the best shows Art Shows are the Christmas shows. I also do Trade Shows to sell wholesale to gift shops and am working at increasing and expanding to new markets. I am also interested in Art Licensing , it may take 1-2 yrs to see money but the cost until then is $ .0 and if you get signed the money is very good. I am currently looking for an agent after attending the Surtex Show in NYC May 16-18. I also walked the Stationary show that was on at the same time.Lots of ways to make money with photography,finding them is the problem. Good luck!

[BCampbell]

Originally Posted by themadness

has anyone here ever tried to sell prints individually on a local level? for example taking a few shots printing and matting them, then turn and sell them as "art prints". i was thinking of doing that as way to earn a little extra cash. it seems to be a cheap way to turn a profit with minimal effort. any suggestions?

Haha, minimal effort. Pull the other one.

Once you're through proofing, printing, labeling/signing, matting, framing, and optionally hanging your work, you'll be out a not insignificant amount of money and a more significant amount of time. And then you actually have to get people to buy the stuff. And by the way, do you take credit cards?

Your main avenues here are:
- direct sales, e.g. sell from your website.
- fairs/festivals: usually there is a booth cost (anywhere from $50-$500+ depending on the event) just to set up.
- galleries: formal galleries or less so, e.g. coffeeshops.

If you have images that cater to your audience those are usually your best bets. For example, if you're selling local, then local landmarks and points of interest often work. You never know what will resonate; a freind of mine sold a painting within minutes of marketing it online because the subject was a local club -- the DJ bought it. For selling at fairs and festivals, the same goes and also anything that fits the theme of the event. There will be at least one other nature photography booth and one other "fine art" booth. So you've got to be better at them.

Galleries are more passive, and they will charge a comission, but the good news is that people go into galleries looking for art for sale.

Your best research is probably done by talking to local galleries and shops where art is on display and checking out local arts fairs and events and talking to the other photographers who sell there.

[digirebelva]

Originally Posted by BCampbell

Haha, minimal effort. Pull the other one.

Once you're through proofing, printing, labeling/signing, matting, framing, and optionally hanging your work, you'll be out a not insignificant amount of money and a more significant amount of time. And then you actually have to get people to buy the stuff. And by the way, do you take credit cards?

Yep my first art fair cost me about $2,000+ by the time I got most of what I needed to do it...and I didnt get everything.....

If I could have received a dollar for every "love you work comment" I would have made out like a bandit..remember this is photography not painting...its a bit different mentality when it comes to purchasing photographs v/s paintings...people buy paintings because they know they cant do it...how many people do you know that dont have a digital camera nowadays...

[kuvahmagh]

Originally Posted by digirebelva

remember this is photography not painting...its a bit different mentality when it comes to purchasing photographs v/s paintings...people buy paintings because they know they cant do it...how many people do you know that dont have a digital camera nowadays...

Its not just that, people consider paintings to be work where as photography to be easy and simple, the fact that everyone has a camera now has just made that thought even more so.