Kevin Hayler: Professional Wildlife artist, author, and traveler.
- Offset Lithographic printing – Bulk buying from a company using a printing press.
- Giclée printing – Small runs from a company using digital printers
- Giclée printing – DIY at home using a pro-printer
- Dropshipping – Individual prints ordered online and dispatched for you.
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1. Making Offset Lithographic Art Prints Using a Print Company
What Are Offset Lithographic Prints?
The Advantages of Offset Litho Art Printing for Artists
- Cost-Effective for Bulk Printing: The more you print, the lower the unit cost, making it ideal for large-scale art printing projects.
- Lowest Unit Price: When compared to other methods, offset lithography offers the cheapest price per individual art print.
- Proven Quality: This traditional method has been used for years and is known for producing quality art prints.
The Disadvantages of Offset Litho Art Printing for Artists
- High Upfront Costs: To benefit from the lower unit costs, you need to make a significant initial investment.
- Finding a Reliable Printer: Searching for a trustworthy professional printer can be a time-consuming and difficult task.
- Storage Space Needed: You’ll need a large, dry space to store the thousands of art prints produced in bulk.
- High Risk: If the prints don’t sell, you could face significant financial losses.
- Inconsistent Quality: The quality can vary, which may not be acceptable for some artists or collectors.
- New Plate for Each Size: Changing the size of the print requires the creation of a new plate, adding to the cost and complexity.
- Losing to Digital: As digital printing technologies improve, offset lithography is becoming less popular for fine art printing.
How Do Artists Find a Good Printing Company?
I interrupt this article to shamelessly plug my own book!
2. Printing Giclée Prints Using a Printing Company
It is now possible to get your art printed, one at a time, to the highest standards. It’s a very appealing solution for artists who have no time or desire to print at home.
Like all the options discussed here, there are pros and cons, but before I go further let me clarify what is meant by Giclee.
I found this useful link: Fine Art Trade Guild’s recommended papers and printers
What is a Giclée Print?
The Advantages of Printing Giclee Art Prints Using a Company
- Low Risk: Ideal for artists looking to produce limited edition prints without a large upfront investment.
- Consistent Quality: Professional companies often have stringent quality control measures.
- Flexible Re-ordering: You have the freedom to order based on demand.
- Multiple Sizes: You can offer your art prints in various sizes without worrying about additional setup costs.
- Large Format Available: The option for large-scale prints is available, which could be a selling point for some buyers.
The Disadvantages of Printing Giclee Art Prints Using a Company
- High Cost: The per-print cost can be prohibitive, especially for emerging artists.
- Maintenance Dependence: The quality is only as good as the maintenance of the printing equipment.
- Finding a Reliable Company: It’s essential but challenging to find a company that you can rely on for quality and service.
- Durability Issues: The final art prints can be sensitive to scratches and marks, which may affect customer satisfaction.
How Long Do Giclee Prints Last?
3. Printing Giclee Prints at Home Using Your Own Printer
Dye vs Pigment-Based Printing Inks: What’s the Difference?
The Advantages of Home Dye-Based Printers
- Affordable Inks: The cost per print is generally lower, making it budget-friendly.
- Lower Initial Cost: Dye-based printers are often cheaper than the industrial printers used by companies.
- Vibrant Colors: If you’re looking for prints with strong, vibrant colors, dye printers deliver.
- Faster Print Speeds: Home printers usually print faster.
- Disposable Prints: Ideal for items like greeting cards that don’t require long-lasting inks.
- Quality 3rd-Party Supplies: A wide range of third-party inks and papers are available, offering you more choices and cheaper alternatives.
- More Test Prints: You can afford to experiment more due to the lower cost per print.
The Disadvantages of Home Dye-Based Printers
- Short Ink Lifespan: The inks may fade quicker than pigment prints.
- Not for Premium Art: Not the best choice if you’re looking to sell high-end art prints.
- B&W Printing Quality: Generally less effective for black and white prints compared to pigment-based options.
- Learning Curve: Setting up the printer and learning how to use it can take time.
- No Roll Printing: Dye printers won’t accommodate rolls, which limits the size and types of prints you can produce.
- Space Requirements: You’ll need a dedicated space for your printer, which might be a challenge in smaller living spaces.
The Advantages of Giclee Art Printing at Home
- Full Control: Home printing allows you complete control over the entire process, from image selection to print settings.
- On-Demand Printing: Print the exact quantity and type of art you want, exactly when you want it.
- Affordable Desktop Printers: Printers capable of up to A3+ sizes are generally affordable
- Less Storage Needed: Home printing requires less storage space for your final prints.
- Versatile Printing: You can print on different materials and sizes, offering greater versatility.
- Affordable Third-Party Inks: Some cheaper inks claim to offer the same permanence as their expensive counterparts.
- Roll Printing Available: The ability to print on rolls allows for more size options and fewer constraints.
The Disadvantages of Giclee Art Printing at Home
- Steep Learning Curve: Setting up and understanding your home printer can take time and effort.
- Maintenance Required: Regular upkeep is necessary to keep your equipment in top condition.
- High Repair Costs: If something goes wrong, the repair costs can be significant.
- Expensive Branded Supplies: Branded inks and papers can drive up the overall cost.
- High Cost per Print: Even with budget options, the cost per print can still be high.
- Space Requirement: Adequate space is necessary to set up and operate the printer.
- Fragility of Prints: Home-printed artworks can be susceptible to damage, affecting their longevity and appeal.
4. Print-on-Demand Dropshipping
What is Dropshipping and How Does it Work for Artists?
There are many more dropshipping options, but most of the major players require you to sell via their own marketplace platforms. That’s fine, there are advantages to setting up an online art store for a passive income. As long as you remember the limitations.
You don’t have access to the customers. That’s a big drawback for repeat trade and online sales.
Alternative Print-on-Demand companies that provide an online marketplace include:
- Sell Art on Society6: Step-by-Step
- Is Redbubble Worth it? Pros and Cons For Artists Explained
- Is Print on Demand Worth it? The Pros and Cons of a POD Business
The Advantages of Print-on-Demand For Artists
- Low Setup Costs: Minimal financial investment is required to start.
- Ease of Use: Most print-on-demand platforms are user-friendly, even for those not tech-savvy.
- Wide Range of Merchandise: From wall art to apparel, the product range is vast.
- No Inventory Hassles: Eliminates the need for stock management, storage, and shipping.
- Passive Income Model: Allows for the possibility of earning money with less ongoing effort.
- Multiple Platforms: The flexibility to list your artwork on multiple sites increases visibility.
- Best for Graphic Designers: This model is particularly beneficial for graphic designers.
- Great for Digital Art: A convenient way to monetize digital artworks.
The Disadvantages of Print-on-Demand For Artists
- Time-Consuming Setup: Although it’s easy to use, initial setup can be time-consuming.
- Lack of Quality Control: There’s no guarantee of print quality, which can affect your brand.
- Small Profit Margins: The profits are less compared to other methods.
- Not for Signed Editions: If you’re interested in selling signed, limited editions, this method isn’t ideal.
- Hard to Stand Out: The market is saturated, making it challenging to get noticed.
- Marketing Challenges: Success often requires a strong marketing strategy, which can be time-consuming.
Making Hi-Res Scans of Your Artwork For Premium Printing
- A drum scanner – For super hi-res results which can be enlarged. Suitable for flexible materials only (i.e. paper).
- A professional flatbed scanner – For hi-res reproductions for same-size images or smaller.
- A professional photography service – A studio photograph for large or bulky artwork
- DIY at home – An Epson V600 is probably the best domestic scanner
Drum Scanning
Commercial Flatbed Scanning
DIY Home Scanning
Photographing Your Artwork
Look for a photographer with plenty of experience working with art and artists, who will do the whole thing for you. If possible ask to sit in while the digital image is being edited. It’s amazing how many times miscommunications occur, especially at the processing stage.
Things to check :
- Save your files as a TIFF file type
- Use no presets. Any processing must be done after the scan
- The printing trade needs CMYK color format
- You need a resolution of 300dpi (industry standard) or above
How Do Artists Approach a Printing Company?
You’ve done your research, asked around, searched online, scoured the small ads in specialist magazines and you’ve decided on a printer. Let’s face it, it’s a calculated gamble.
You ring up and agree on a time to pop over.
Handing Over Your Artwork to a Printer
In my experience, very few employees have any respect for your work. I’m not talking about the quality, I’m talking about the handling.
You can gain a lot of insight in the first few moments of producing your art,
Very few people handle art properly and if a printer is unable to carefully pick up your original piece of art, with both hands, right in front of you, how are they going to treat your art when you’ve gone?
You must be aware that your artwork is likely to be damaged unless you take precautions to prevent it.
Look out for these faults:
- Thumb buckles and kinks in the paper.
- Fingerprints
- Damaged corners
- Smudges
- Creases
Another common horror is to see your work placed on a surface, only to have something else casually placed on top of it! It happens regularly.
I never hand over an unsupported sheet of paper anymore. I attach a cardboard backing with acid-free, low-tack, masking tape.
If shit happens and your art is damaged, read this: How to Repair Drawing Paper: 9 Ways to Rescue Your Artwork
I write instructions, stating clearly, how to handle the artwork and how much the original is worth.
I also insert my original into a clear plastic sleeve to prevent accidental fingerprints, splashes, and idiots resting stuff on the surface.
I also carry my work in a portfolio case and leave it with them. It’s better to bring something with you and know the work is safe than to trust the printer to do it for you.
Choosing the Right Paper for Printing Art
Your art will look different, on different papers. Some papers absorb the ink, which softens the image, while other papers are coated, making the image crisper.
Your preference will be influenced by your original artwork. If you are scanning a watercolor it makes sense to choose a watercolor paper. If you have a line drawing it may be wiser to have a sharper image so a coated paper would make more sense.
The problem comes with deciding which paper stock to use for your test print (artist’s proof). If you insist on multiple proofs the price can add up.
When in doubt, go for the nearest match to your original paper, both in tone and texture.
Only you can determine the type of prints and quality you’re looking for; are you going to make limited edition prints or open editions?
If you’re making limited editions then choose a good quality, premium, acid-free archival paper, and charge more.
If you’re selling open editions for a lower price, it makes more sense to economize with cheaper paper stock.
The weight of your paper stock is also important. It’s expressed as grams per square meter (gsm) in Europe and pounds (lb) in North America.
To give you some idea, a sheet of photocopy paper is about 80gsm, while posters and leaflets are printed on 130-170gsm. Quality magazines and brochures are 200 – 250gsm. From this point onwards, the paper is more like a light card.
I use 250 – 300gsm paper. The feel is substantial, When I show my potential customers the quality of the physical prints, they can feel the spring in the paper.
I don’t want my paper any thicker for one very practical reason. I need to roll my prints and post them in tubes. Any thicker than 300gsm and that gets tricky.
I can roll most 250gsm papers into a 65mm (2.5″) diameter tube and most 300gsm paper into 75mm (3″) tubes.
Please bear in mind that paper weights are not set in stone. The structure differs between types of paper and this means some papers roll better than others.
You’ve got to see and feel some physical prints in your hands to really know what they’re like.
Another consideration is the tint. White is not white. You didn’t think this would be easy, did you?
When presented with a paper swatch you will encounter a range of whites from dazzling snow-white to a dull cream. Naturally, your chosen tint will alter the image.
My paper is slightly off-white. It lends itself to black and white illustration. It lends warmth to the image that otherwise might look too cold for the home.
A brilliant white paper will give your image a zing and enhance the color but be careful. Many papers contain optical brighteners which turn yellow over time. Check the specifications online before you commit.
One last thing to bear in mind. I’ve had great papers in the past only to have the paper mill suddenly discontinue the line. This has happened many times in the 20 years I’ve been trading and it throws me every time.
You might want to play safe and use branded paper. Your printer should advise you.
What is an Artist’s Proof?
The printer will supply you with a proof copy of your work to approve or reject. They will provide you with the best quality print they can but it’s up to you to sign it off.
Some printers will charge extra for adjustments and it’s important to establish the extra costs upfront. You need to know how many proofs are included in the price.
My printer (offset litho) sends me three proofs. The one that most closely matches the original, one lighter and one darker.
Now you’d think that I would always go with the nearest match but not always. I often choose a slightly darker print for better results. This is because the reflective light from an original can differ from a print.
My work is in graphite and the sheen gives a depth that is not always apparent in the print. One-stop darker is usually enough to compensate for that anomaly.
Offset litho is not as accurate as giclee in practice. That’s one of the drawbacks. You will not get 100% identical prints throughout the print run. Some will be slightly too dark and others too light.
You will have to discard the extremes and settle for the best prints in the middle band. Even then, you must allow for a 10% margin of acceptable error. That’s the shop-floor reality.
A proof for giclee printing is more straightforward. When you have agreed on the proof it should be the best high quality print and identical every time you reorder.
A proof should act as a binding contract but in my experience this is seldom so. Sadly many printers have little time for artists ‘picking holes’. This is why you MUST use a specialist printing company, one that deals with artists daily.
Art Print Quality Checklist ✅
When you receive a print of your artwork, especially from a third-party service, it’s crucial to inspect the quality thoroughly. Here’s a checklist you can use to ensure the print meets your standards:
Check the image thoroughly before you sign off the proof:
- ✅ Cropping: Have they cropped it badly?
- ✅ Signature: Is your signature still there?
- P✅ Borderline: Do you want a thin borderline around the image or not?
- ✅ Font Correctness: Is the font correct?
- ✅ Font Visibility: Is the font too light or too dark?
- ✅ Spelling: Check the spelling.
- ✅ Spacing: Check the spacing.
- ✅ Centering: Is the image centered on the paper?
- ✅ Background Cleanliness: Have they ‘cleaned’ the background properly (specks, unwanted texture)?
- ✅ Color and Contrast: Check the color, contrast, and tint.
Use this checklist as a guide to scrutinize each print you receive, ensuring that it lives up to your artistic standards.
You can’t give the thumbs up and then complain that something’s wrong after you receive the prints.
If you approved it, it’s your fault.
If you want to print a title and/or a borderline, don’t choose black. It’s a good idea to tone it down to about 60%. Grey is softer on the eye and will look better.
And get the file. You need it. Make sure you get the raw scan, the modified Tiff file, and a PDF. Do not assume your company will safeguard your files for you.
I’ve had businesses not keep good records, go bust, and I lost some files in a fire. If I hadn’t insisted on having a backup copy of every file, I would have lost a lot of my work.
Getting The Printing Job Done
You’ve accepted the quote, approved the proof, and given the thumbs up. Woohoo!
If your printing company is local, take your original home as soon as they have finished with it. Don’t trust them to look after it properly. Better to play safe.
Picking Up Your Giclee Prints
If you have ordered giclee prints, there will be only a few prints to examine. You can collect them yourself. Bring the proof and see that they match.
Giclee prints are the most reliable and they are unlikely to go wrong but even so, there are some things to look out for.
Check for the following faults:
- Streaks
- Inkspots
- Paper blemishes
- Finger marks
- Scratches
Giclee prints are easily damaged. Make sure you treat them as kindly as an original. Keep your hands off the surface.
Picking Up Your Offset-Litho’ Prints
If you’ve ordered offset litho prints you should be more diligent.
There will be too many prints to check each one, and your printer will always put the best images at the top of the pile.
Check the rest at random. Go through the pile and select a few. There will be a slight variation but this should be within the 10% leeway. You will have a few rejects, it’s inevitable when you order a large batch, but don’t get too worked up about that. Factor it in.
My current printer always prints another 10% beyond my original order to cover any defective prints that got through.
I learned about the importance of checking my prints the hard way. When I first started out, I put my trust in everyone to have my best interests at heart, that was naive.
I had 12 stacks of prints, each containing 1000 copies, and with that number of prints, I only checked the top few in each pile. I happily signed them off and arranged the delivery.
I was at home when I discovered the junk hidden in the middle. I lost a chunk of my order, but that never happened again.
How to Make Prints of Your Art: Final Thoughts
Printing Art is a minefield but if you get it right it can be your springboard to success.
For us independent artists, the only way to capitalize on our efforts is to scale up with reproductions. Musicians must sell their recordings, writers must sell their books, and artists must sell their prints. There’s no difference.
And just like the other arts, there are pitfalls and obstacles everywhere. You will make mistakes and lose some money trying to get things done properly. If your eyes are open and you can accept that things rarely go smoothly, you’ll be fine.
If you are selling prints as a professional artist, you’re an entrepreneur, and as such, your mindset must be reset to succeed. If you encounter a problem, you find a way around it. It’s an obstacle, not a defeat.
And with that in mind…
Why not take the bull by the horns and go for it?
If you like the way I draw and want to try things for yourself, this is my basic kit
No one said business was easy and that’s why you need a guide. I’ll show you how to do everything. This is the help I needed 20 years ago!
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If you found this article useful you may like these too:
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- 10 Best Ways to Sell Your Art Locally: Mega Guide
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- What Kind of Art Sells Best? The Secrets Revealed
- How to Start a Printables Business: A Beginner’s Guide
- How to Print From Procreate: Your Step-by-Step Guide
- Is Selling on Etsy Worth it? Pros and Cons for Artists and Crafters
- Where to Print Art Prints From Etsy (Downloads / Printables)
- 12 Wildlife Art Bestsellers (Use These Subjects to Make Money)
- 7 Bird Art Bestsellers: Best Wall Art Selling Guide
- 25 Platforms for Artists to Sell Their Art and Make Money
- How to Price Art Prints: Practical Advice For Beginners
Get to Grips with your Art business with Katy on Domestika
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Hi, I’m Kevin Hayler
I’ve been selling my wildlife art and traveling the world for over 20 years, and if that sounds too good to be true, I’ve done it all without social media, art school, or galleries!
I can show you how to do it. You’ll find a wealth of info on my site, about selling art, drawing tips, lifestyle, reviews, travel, my portfolio, and more. Enjoy