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How to sell prints online

Selling prints online can be a profitable and rewarding way to showcase your art, photography, or designs. Whether you’re an artist, photographer, or graphic designer, you can easily sell your prints to a global audience. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to sell prints online effectively:

1. Prepare Your Prints for Sale

Before listing your prints online, you need to make sure the quality of your work is top-notch. Here’s how to prepare:

  • Create High-Quality Artwork: Ensure that the images you’re selling are high-resolution and well-prepared for printing. If you’re selling digital designs, make sure the files are in formats suitable for printing (e.g., TIFF, PNG, or PDF). For photography, ensure the resolution is at least 300 DPI for high-quality prints.
  • Choose Your Print Medium: Decide whether you’re selling digital downloads (print-yourself) or physical prints. Physical prints can be sold on various types of paper or canvas, while digital prints allow customers to print them themselves.
  • File Size and Format: For digital art or photography, ensure your files are large enough to produce high-quality prints. File formats like PNG, JPEG, or TIFF are most common for printing. Also, keep multiple sizes in mind (e.g., A4, 8×10, 16×20) so your customers can choose the best size for their space.
  • Consider Framing Options: If you’re offering physical prints, you can provide framed versions or offer framing services (at an additional cost). This adds value to your product.

2. Choose the Right Platform to Sell Your Prints

The platform you choose will play a key role in how you reach customers and manage your sales. There are several excellent platforms for selling prints online, and it’s important to select one that aligns with your goals.

A. Your Own E-Commerce Website

  • Best for: Artists who want complete control over branding, customer interaction, and profits.
  • Platform options:
    • Ordefy: A highly flexible e-commerce platform that allows you to sell both digital and physical prints without commission fees. With Ordefy, you can create a custom store that showcases your art and prints and offers a seamless checkout experience.
    • Shopify: An easy-to-use platform with plenty of customization options, perfect for artists looking to create a professional online store.
    • BigCartel: Great for smaller artists or makers who want a simple, budget-friendly option for selling prints.
  • Advantages:
    • Full control over branding and customer experience.
    • No commission fees (on your own website).
    • The ability to create a unique and personalized storefront.
  • Disadvantages:
    • You’ll need to handle marketing and drive traffic to your site through social media, SEO, or ads.
    • Requires some technical setup (though platforms like Ordefy make this easy).

B. Online Marketplaces

If you want to take advantage of an established audience, marketplaces are a great option for selling prints. They come with a built-in customer base and handle the logistics of payment processing and delivery. Some popular options include:

  • Etsy: Etsy is a fantastic marketplace for selling handmade, vintage, and unique items, including art prints. It offers an audience that’s already interested in artwork and crafts.
    • Pros:
      • Established customer base of buyers looking for creative and unique items.
      • Easy to set up and manage.
    • Cons:
      • Etsy charges listing fees ($0.20 per item) and takes a transaction fee (around 5%).
      • Less branding control; you’ll be competing with other sellers on the platform.
  • Redbubble: Ideal for artists and designers who want to sell their designs on various products, including prints, t-shirts, phone cases, and more. Redbubble takes care of production, shipping, and customer service.
    • Pros:
      • Passive income model (they handle production, shipping, and customer service).
      • You only need to upload your designs.
    • Cons:
      • Redbubble takes a percentage of each sale (typically around 20%).
      • Limited control over branding and pricing.
  • Society6: Another platform where you can sell prints, art, and home decor. Like Redbubble, they handle production and shipping.
    • Pros:
      • Wide range of products you can offer (prints, canvases, pillows, etc.).
      • No upfront costs or inventory management.
    • Cons:
      • Society6 takes a significant commission (around 40%).
      • Less control over pricing.
  • Saatchi Art: A marketplace that allows you to sell original works of art and prints. Saatchi Art offers a curated selection, so your art will be exposed to high-end collectors.
    • Pros:
      • Saatchi Art is a well-known, respected platform.
      • They handle all payments and shipping for you.
    • Cons:
      • Saatchi Art takes a 35% commission.
      • Requires approval to be featured on their site.

C. Print-on-Demand Services

Print-on-demand (POD) services like Printful, Printify, or Gooten are ideal if you want to sell physical prints but don’t want to deal with production or shipping.

  • How it works:
    • You upload your artwork to the POD platform.
    • When a customer makes a purchase, the POD service prints and ships the product directly to them.
  • Advantages:
    • No upfront costs: You don’t need to invest in inventory.
    • Easy to set up: Many platforms integrate with your e-commerce website (like Shopify or Ordefy).
    • You can offer various print options (posters, canvas prints, framed prints, etc.).
  • Disadvantages:
    • Lower profit margins: POD services take a cut of each sale (usually 20-40%).
    • Less control over product quality and fulfillment speed.

3. Price Your Prints

Pricing your prints can be tricky, as it depends on several factors:

  • Cost of production: For physical prints, calculate the cost of printing, framing, shipping, and any other expenses.
  • Market research: Look at how other artists are pricing their prints on the platform you’re using. This can help you determine competitive pricing.
  • Print size and edition: Larger prints and limited editions can command higher prices.
  • Your reputation: As you build a following and brand, you can justify higher prices.

Tip: Consider offering different print sizes (e.g., 8×10, 11×14, 16×20) to cater to different budgets.

4. Create Stunning Listings

Your product listings are critical in converting visitors into buyers. Make sure each listing is compelling and informative.

  • High-Quality Images: Use high-resolution images of your prints, both close-up and in-situ (e.g., showing the print framed on a wall).
  • Detailed Descriptions: Include details about the medium, size, and any other relevant information. Explain your process or story behind the artwork to connect with customers emotionally.
  • Clear Pricing: Ensure the pricing is clear, and include any additional costs like shipping or framing.
  • Shipping Information: Be transparent about shipping fees, delivery times, and policies on returns or exchanges.

5. Market Your Prints

To get your prints in front of potential customers, you need to market your work effectively. Here are some strategies to consider:

  • Social Media: Platforms like Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok are visual-first, making them perfect for showcasing art. Post high-quality images of your prints, behind-the-scenes content, and stories about your work. Use relevant hashtags to increase visibility.
  • Collaborate with Influencers or Bloggers: Work with influencers or art bloggers who align with your style to increase your reach.
  • Email Marketing: Build an email list by offering discounts or freebies in exchange for sign-ups. Send regular newsletters about new prints, exclusive deals, or art updates.
  • Paid Advertising: Run paid ads on Facebook, Instagram, or Google to promote your prints to a targeted audience.
  • Offer Discounts or Promotions: Run limited-time promotions or discounts to encourage purchases.

6. Fulfillment & Customer Service

  • Fulfillment: If you’re selling physical prints, make sure you use reliable shipping services. Consider packaging your prints with care to ensure they arrive undamaged.
  • Customer Service: Respond promptly to customer inquiries, and offer easy returns or exchanges (if applicable). Providing excellent customer service builds trust and encourages repeat purchases.

Final Thoughts: Selling Prints Online

Selling prints online can be a fulfilling way to share your art with a global audience. Choosing the right platform, whether it’s your own e-commerce store like Ordefy, a marketplace like Etsy, or a print-on-demand service, is essential for long-term success. Focus on quality in both your prints and customer service, and use creative marketing to reach the right customers.

By offering high-quality prints, creating compelling listings, and utilizing effective marketing strategies, you can turn your art into a profitable business!