Selling Prints at an art fair

[Drake]

My community is doing a comunity christmas craft and art fair any ideas for selling prints and ideas for booth what sells well what dosn't any help would be apreciaed

[nh7tn]

I tried to sell some prints of waterfalls and sunsets, fully framed but I couldn't even sell them for the actual cost of the print.

[Gobae]

I agree with nh7tn. Community craft fairs are can be really rough venues for quality products and artisans.

Typically they are chock full of retirees and homemakers who are using their free time to produce goods; this means that everything is notoriously under priced. Consequently the consumer has come to expect cheap items.

[OsmosisStudios]

As far as what sells and what doesnt: If it's good, it should go, but don't expect to make tons of sales.

Portraits generally dont sell well in this kind of situation: people dont want to have a portrait of someone they dont know hanging on their wall, except for very rare circumstances. Abstracts, still life, landscapes, etc. work best.

Also keep a printed copy or a laptop with your portfolio on it at all times: if people like your work but want something else, you may have it in another format or may be able to provide a service they want: keep an open mind.

[piperholland]

Help!!! Glad to have found this thread... I recently took a few shots at sunrise of a FL beach and the local beach community and surroundings. Then I was asked to display and sell some of these images at an art show coming up on the 19th. I am such a noob- don't know where to begin! Should I order different size prints online, say at Wolf camera, and go pick them up since they are close to my home? Can/should I just buy plastic sleeves to market the prints in, and if so, where do you find those? Should I try to frame any before selling them or maybe just a few to display? I need the cheapest/easiest options and suggestions...anything will help me. Thanks so much!!!

[CanonRebelz]

As OsmosisS said, bring your laptop or some type of portfolio. If they want to see more, then show them more on your laptop/portfolio. If they like your work but they want the picture in the 8x10 instead of the 5x7, or the 5x7 instead of the 8x10, then give them your contact information so that they can place an order.
Landscapes landscapes and more landscapes, that's mainly what people will want. Abstracts may be good too.

[Celainej]

Thank you for the good information. I'm thinking about putting up a booth at a school bazaar and this is good information. I have never done this, but have seen it done in numerous fairs around my community.

I think having the laptop handy is a really good idea for show casing other pictures that folks can order.

I have a few questions:
1. Any idea on where to buy the sleeves and where I can find good prices on mats? I was thinking to put the prints with a mat in sleeves and show them that way. Thoughts?
2. Pricing: How much should I sell the prints for? What should I start at? I want to cover the cost of the materials, however, I don't want to price too high either. Ideas?

I want to have a nice display that will attract folks, but I don't want to spent a whole lot of money up front. I already have to pay for the space at the bazaar.

Thanks again for all the good information. Have a good one!
CEJ

Enjoy Life!

[NathanFranke]

I've done a couple of these and have some notes: Cards sell well. Note cards and post cards are pretty easy and cheap to create. At least as far as cost of materials goes, you can make a profit on a couple cards for a couple bucks. People don't necessarily come to these things looking to blow hundreds of dollars, so framed fine prints won't sell. Small items for small prices do well--a pack of 5 note cards for $10 has a much higher profit margin than a 8x10 print matted to a 11x14 frame for $30. Also, it's cheaper and will sell more. People are intrigued by non-standard prints--like prints on canvas or metal. Interest due to novelty doesn't translate to purchases though.

My advice--if you're spending money on material to sell, make sure it's stuff that people can afford. Don't spend $1000 on fine art archival prints that no one is going to afford. Customers don't care what it cost you to make--they care what it cost them to take home. Spend your money on small stuff that fits in a shopping bag and they don't have to go into their savings account to purchase. You'll get a much higher ROI on that.

[Gobae]

Originally Posted by NathanFranke

I've done a couple of these and have some notes: Cards sell well. Note cards and post cards are pretty easy and cheap to create. At least as far as cost of materials goes, you can make a profit on a couple cards for a couple bucks. People don't necessarily come to these things looking to blow hundreds of dollars, so framed fine prints won't sell

+1

Carrying items of the appropriate price point for the event is key.

Keep in mind there are a wide range of events called "craft fairs" and therefore a wide range of appropriate price points.

Some are hosted by the local Elks Club, Rescue Squad, Church, or some other non-profit. At this level often only the smallest and cheapest items do well. Others, such as those hosted by larger groups, States or places such as The Hildene can command much higher prices.

A couple of other points. First, the general rule of thumb used by people who do the craft fair circuit for their business is that the price of your table (admission fee) should not exceed 10% of your take for that event. For instance, if I paid $100 admission fee I should be pulling in at least $1000 in sales for that event.

Second, you've got to factor the time you're spending at the craft fair against any money made. Unless you're able to actually "produce product" while you're their (take and/or print more photos) it's lost time.