Photo Art Print Pricing - DPChallenge Forums

11/19/2004 03:09:56 PM · #1

I am hoping to start the new year witha new business- selling art prints. I know some of you do seel art prints, and I am curious as tohow much you charge, and whether you sell them matted or framed, locally, on the internet, or what have you. Following the basic pricing idea in this article (//luminous-landscape.com/essays/selling.shtml) I end up with about $15 for matted 5x7 prints and $25 for matted 8x10 prints. What are your opinions?

digistoune

11/19/2004 03:43:01 PM · #2

Congratulations on your decision to start marketing your work! You seem to be on the right track so far... I might recommend reading "Focus On Profit" (available at Amazon) for some good info about the business side of photography.

I would also encourage you to set your prices fairly but don't set them so low that it degrades the market overall. Does that makes sense? We photographers have to stick together and realize that while competition is fierce, we each have our own individual vision which comes thru in our work. So even if we have (for example) 10 photographers selling fine art prints, we will have different viewpoints. If those same photographers price their work reasonably then they all stand to make a profit. However, if one of those photographers low-balls everyone else, selling their work 50% cheaper, then it brings everyone else down in order to compete.

Gee, kinda got on a tangent! LOL Good luck to you!!

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

11/19/2004 03:53:13 PM · #3

Thanks for the thoughts. What, in your opinion, would be low-balling?

dsidwell

Canon EOS-5D

11/19/2004 04:00:04 PM · #4

Each artist sets his or her own prices. A well known artist that has been featured in galleries and exhibitions garners much more than someone just starting out. I think it is difficult to 'low bal'l as an artist, if you establish yourself as a beginner breaking in. Once you start selling more, raise your prices. You'll be surprised at what folks will spend for good work. Remember to price for the cost of the frame, your hours spent in front of the computer, and your reputation. Good luck!

jmsetzler

Sony Alpha a6000

Sony 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 E-mount

11/19/2004 04:07:33 PM · #5

My average prices for matted and framed prints are:

8x10 matted/framed to 11x14 - $119
11x14 matted/framed to 16x20 - $159
12x18 matted/framed to 16x23 - $229
16x20 matted/framed to 20x26 - $289
16x24 matted/framed to 20x30 - $339

The mat/frame sizes vary a little based on the orientation of the print. I also cut my own mats for most of my 12x18 and larger prints and some of my smaller ones also.

On the 16x24 matted/framed prints, my cost on the print, matting, and framing is anywhere between $70 and $110 depending on what materials I use.

I like to buy framing from //www.americanframe.com and I generally buy the metal Neo-Florentine framing. It is very nice looking and easy to assemble. I buy my glass at the local hardware store and they cut it to the size I need for me.

digistoune

Sony 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 E-mount

11/19/2004 05:19:46 PM · #6

Originally posted by jmsetzler:

John,
I noticed that you're selling prints thru Deviant Art now (clicked the prints link from your web site). Did you give up on printing stuff yourself? Or did you simply find it more cost effective to utilize an outside source for print sales and fullfilment?

Thanks for the info :-)

jmsetzler

Sony Alpha a6000

11/20/2004 11:59:49 AM · #7

Originally posted by digistoune:

I still print a lot of things myself, but I'm gonna try something a little different in the coming months.

Sony 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 E-mount

11/21/2004 02:59:00 AM · #8

John, If you know, how does the quality of the print and ease of use for buyers, compare between DeviantArt and DPCPrints?

Message edited by author 2004-11-21 03:16:23.

jmsetzler

Sony Alpha a6000

11/21/2004 03:10:00 AM · #9

Originally posted by vontom:

JOhn, If you know, how does the quality of the print and ease of use for buyers, compare between DeviantArt and DPCPrints?

The quality of the print is the same because the printing service that handles both is the same service. I don't know much about the 'buyer' end of it because I have never spent much time looking at either from that perspective.