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DPChallenge Forums >> Tips, Tricks, and Q&A >> Art Festivals
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 06/19/2006 10:54:05 AM · #1
What is the going rate for an 8x10 at an art festival? I'm participating in a festival at the end of the month and was hoping to get an idea of how I should price things.

Message edited by author 2006-06-19 11:12:27.
 06/19/2006 11:32:37 AM · #2
I'm planning to participate in my first festival in October. I'll have prints matted to 8x10 and 11x14 for $20 and $25 each. I'll have other prints matted to 16x20 for $40 each. My framed stuff will start at $200 and go up from there (12x18 prints matted and framed and larger also).

My space at this 3 day festival is costing me $125 and another $60 for the 10x10 canopy tent I bought to use.

I have a few friends who do these festivals regularly. They don't sell much stuff that costs over $50, so it's probably worthwhile to have a LOT of less expensive stuff available. I'm hoping to have about 150 matted prints in the various sizes available for this festival.
 06/19/2006 11:42:32 AM · #3
Originally posted by jmsetzler:
I'm planning to participate in my first festival in October. I'll have prints matted to 8x10 and 11x14 for $20 and $25 each. I'll have other prints matted to 16x20 for $40 each. My framed stuff will start at $200 and go up from there (12x18 prints matted and framed and larger also).

My space at this 3 day festival is costing me $125 and another $60 for the 10x10 canopy tent I bought to use.

I have a few friends who do these festivals regularly. They don't sell much stuff that costs over $50, so it's probably worthwhile to have a LOT of less expensive stuff available. I'm hoping to have about 150 matted prints in the various sizes available for this festival.


John, are you planning on having any postcards? I hear that they are pretty good moneymakers.
 06/19/2006 11:44:34 AM · #4
Thanks John, that's about what I was thinking. I'm probably only going to sell unmatted prints and notecards, mainly because I can't afford to put much money upfront for framing costs. Hopefully I'll make some money here that I can put back into things like this.
 06/19/2006 11:46:53 AM · #5
FWIW - I've been grabbing the free postcard deal from VistaPrint every chance I get. You can get 100 postcards free, but all same image, so I now have 100 each of about 10 images and have only paid for shipping. :)
 06/19/2006 11:50:54 AM · #6
Originally posted by idnic:
FWIW - I've been grabbing the free postcard deal from VistaPrint every chance I get. You can get 100 postcards free, but all same image, so I now have 100 each of about 10 images and have only paid for shipping. :)


That's where I had the notecards printed. They weren't free but they were great quality. I'll have to look into the postcard deal. Thanks.
 06/19/2006 11:51:09 AM · #7
Originally posted by jemison:


John, are you planning on having any postcards? I hear that they are pretty good moneymakers.


No. I have thought about that in the past though and I may pursue it later. The company that prints my business cards has a great deal on postcards also.
 06/19/2006 11:56:33 AM · #8
John, do you put them in those clear 'plastic' 'sleeves', and if so where do you get those? Do you get your mats at the frame store you work at, or do you get them in bulk somewhere else? Thanks! And those are great prices for your beautiful work!
 06/19/2006 11:59:52 AM · #9
Originally posted by Telehubbie:
John, do you put them in those clear 'plastic' 'sleeves', and if so where do you get those? Do you get your mats at the frame store you work at, or do you get them in bulk somewhere else? Thanks! And those are great prices for your beautiful work!


I actually buy my mat board direct from one of the same vendors we use at the frame shop where I work. I get it cheaper that way and don't have to pay sales tax on it.

I get my bags here:

clearbags.com

I sell the matted prints in these.
 06/19/2006 12:05:02 PM · #10
Depends on your area (I'm waaaay out in the sticks, so mark-up as applicable), but at arts festivals around here I usually charge:

Hand Signed Matted Prints
3"x5"= $10
5"x7"= $15
6"x9"= $20
8"x10"= $25

Hand Signed Limited Edition Prints (Numbered)
5"x7"= $25
6"x9"= $30
8"x10"=$35

Framed Pieces
Small= $45-$60
Medium= $60-$85
Large=$85-Up

Note Cards
4 1/4"x5 1/2"= $2.50 each or 5 for $10
5 1/2"x8 1/2"= $4.00 each or 3 for $10

Bookmarks
$5.00 each or 3 for $12.00

Hand Signed Unmatted Prints
Smaller than 8"x10"= $10 each or 2 for $15
8"x10"= $15 each or 2 for $20

People like to feel like they're getting a bargain, so the "x# for $x" tactic seems to work really well. I only use it for the smaller priced items and to reduce my inventory, but that's what most people buy. I sell a lot (and I mean a LOT) of note cards and I use the entire back of the card as advertisement for myself. I print them myself, so my costs are not bad and I get my wrappers from clearbags.com. People pay $2.50 and up for a Hallmark card, so why not have something with real art on it? Throw in the fact that they think they're getting a bargain at 5 for $10 and it adds up. Granted, it's not going to get you rich overnight or land you a gallery showing in NYC, but it does get your work out there and is pretty good marketing bang for your buck. :-)

I design and make the bookmarks myself and include about 5 shots on the front and 2 on the back - along with more marketing for myself. You can use heavy cardstock and buy laminating kits and cut them yourself. Then just punch a hole and tie a nice piece of string or ribbon through it.

I'd also suggest that you have plenty of business cards available and signs with your phone number indicating your availability for consignment (if applicable). Good luck and have fun!

Message edited by author 2006-06-19 12:07:49.
 06/19/2006 12:09:20 PM · #11

has anyone used print100.com for postcards ?
06/19/2006 12:30:24 PM · #12
I went to the Three Rivers Arts Festival linky. Juried to get in, $380 for 3 or 4 days (weekend is 3, weekday is 4). Lots of photogs selling prints - some local scenes, some very PS'd.

5x7, double matted to an 8x10 frame were $25-35, 8x10 double matted to 11x14(?) were $65-95, 11x14 matted to 16x20 were $140-165, 16x20 matted to ? were $195 ish. One guy had a nice print of Pittsburgh at night, a common image here (in pgh and on DPC) printed HUGE - 5 or 6' long, simple frame w/ no mat - $1390. No clue if he sold it or not. A unique item, and impressive as a show piece.

Questions Everyone was using white double mats - where to get them in bulk?

Limited edition/numbered - if you have an image, is this limited by the size or the image? How many? 100 total in all sizes or 100 in each size? What about using that image again in the future?
 06/19/2006 12:59:36 PM · #13
Cool, thanks John (and SJ for some nice ideas). Just what I've been looking for.
 06/19/2006 05:22:39 PM · #14
How do you guys display your work at the festivals?
 06/19/2006 05:43:32 PM · #15
I've wondered if this is ever worth considering for people who do not look to photography for their primary source of income. I'd use it as a way to pay for my hobby, but what is the general haul, after expenses, for a weekend?
 06/19/2006 07:54:35 PM · #16
I've done a few (small entry fees - of course small attendance too - LOL). Entry fees $25-$75 for 10'x10' or 10'x12' space. I have a tent that I purchased for this purpose ($50). I use borrowed display panels (nice carpeted ones) or I use chicken wire covered 2x4s that make large folding panels that I cover with black cloth. It depends on whether it's inside or outside. I also have a couple of small tables and I use Longaberger baskets as bins for prints.

As far as how much $$ I've made, it's ranged from $25 to over $500 net for one day. :-)
06/19/2006 09:31:04 PM · #17
It's like any other flea market type sale - good crowd, bad crowd? Busy or not? Good booth location or stuck in some back corner? You pick a price, and 2 booths over someone else is selling very similar images for $5 less...you sell nothing, or enter a price war.

I want to do this and a friend is willing to go in on it with me (he has better pics than me but will split the profit - lucky me!). We are meeting this week to plan what we need for images to sell...i asked in a previous thread what type of images sell and got some idea, but nothing concrete.

I like the idea of postcards and notecards and bookmarks!

There is an outfit here that does art/craft shows at local malls too - i am awaiting info on that. Long hours though.
 06/22/2006 08:58:08 AM · #18
My sister has a booth in an upcoming festival (her first) and wanted to try and sell some of her stuff. Can someone provide a link to a site that explains the proper way to mat prints, and the best (quality wise and cost-efficient wise) materials to use?

Thanks!
 06/22/2006 09:02:03 AM · #19
If you don't mind me asking, where do you get your supplies for printing (bookmarks, laminating, note cards), and what type of printer do you use? I'm in the market for a new printer and have not been thrilled with the inkjets i've used in the past (they always seem to print nice when they're new, but as they age the quality seems to go to crap).

Thx
m

Originally posted by SJCarter:
Depends on your area (I'm waaaay out in the sticks, so mark-up as applicable), but at arts festivals around here I usually charge:

Hand Signed Matted Prints
3"x5"= $10
5"x7"= $15
6"x9"= $20
8"x10"= $25

Hand Signed Limited Edition Prints (Numbered)
5"x7"= $25
6"x9"= $30
8"x10"=$35

Framed Pieces
Small= $45-$60
Medium= $60-$85
Large=$85-Up

Note Cards
4 1/4"x5 1/2"= $2.50 each or 5 for $10
5 1/2"x8 1/2"= $4.00 each or 3 for $10

Bookmarks
$5.00 each or 3 for $12.00

Hand Signed Unmatted Prints
Smaller than 8"x10"= $10 each or 2 for $15
8"x10"= $15 each or 2 for $20

People like to feel like they're getting a bargain, so the "x# for $x" tactic seems to work really well. I only use it for the smaller priced items and to reduce my inventory, but that's what most people buy. I sell a lot (and I mean a LOT) of note cards and I use the entire back of the card as advertisement for myself. I print them myself, so my costs are not bad and I get my wrappers from clearbags.com. People pay $2.50 and up for a Hallmark card, so why not have something with real art on it? Throw in the fact that they think they're getting a bargain at 5 for $10 and it adds up. Granted, it's not going to get you rich overnight or land you a gallery showing in NYC, but it does get your work out there and is pretty good marketing bang for your buck. :-)

I design and make the bookmarks myself and include about 5 shots on the front and 2 on the back - along with more marketing for myself. You can use heavy cardstock and buy laminating kits and cut them yourself. Then just punch a hole and tie a nice piece of string or ribbon through it.

I'd also suggest that you have plenty of business cards available and signs with your phone number indicating your availability for consignment (if applicable). Good luck and have fun!
06/22/2006 09:32:14 AM · #20
My research is turning up:
for mats try//www.redimat.com/ - they have bags and such too. ther was one other site that i con't find now that had mats like i saw at the art show (white, double).
for bags //www.clearbags.com/
and you use mounting tape to tape from behind the photo into the mat. to get first rate, you back the whole thing with backer board,but that adds some cost to the whole deal, $2 or 3 per print. plus it makes it all that much bgger and heavier to carry.

as for injet printing - unless you have some reason, i don't think it makes sensoe for prints under 16x20, and even then it may not. it's handy i suppose for prints on funky surfaces. my lab can print up to 40x50 as a continous tone so i use them.
 06/22/2006 10:29:31 AM · #21
Originally posted by PSUlion01:
If you don't mind me asking, where do you get your supplies for printing (bookmarks, laminating, note cards), and what type of printer do you use? I'm in the market for a new printer and have not been thrilled with the inkjets i've used in the past (they always seem to print nice when they're new, but as they age the quality seems to go to crap).

Thx
m

I use an HP inkjet printer (PSC-2055) for all my smaller prints and all of my note cards, bookmarks, etc. It's still relatively new and makes beautiful prints. I buy really good paper too - that helps. I usually have larger prints printed at a local print shop or now at DPCPrints (*smile*) because I can only print up to 8x10. And I get my supplies at Office Maxx, Staples, clearbags.com, & Target (for inexpensive standard size frames they're great). My brother & sister-in-law gave me a matte board cutter for Christmas, so I can cut odd size mattes now too. For bookmarks, I just buy heavy card stock and cut them myself (usually 5 or 6 to a sheet). Laminating and note card supplies can be found at most office supply stores - with several varieties from which to choose.
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