prints
I've been playing around with a few ideas the past couple of days. One of them is digital prints. I posted one at Etsy tonight (as well as this new banner) to see if there's any sort of market for such an animal. What about the idea of selling good-quality archival prints of photoshopped photos (as sometimes seen here on my blog) or artwork (as seen on my banners)? Ideas/feedback on the whole print-as-affordable-art concept welcomed!
posted by andrea at 9:28 p.m.
10 Comments:
Personally, I think you could kick some butt by selling prints of your (physical or digital) artwork.
I realize you said, "good-quality archival prints," however, it's unclear what you mean by "digital prints" and it tells a potential customer nothing except that you're making the prints with your home computer printer...?
If it's (carbon-based) laser printing, do describe it as such. You can probably also describe it as archival (but do check the fine print on your ink first to be sure of that because various brands may differ).
If it's inkjet printing, do mention if you're using Epson pigment inks because they have a chance of retaining their color 20-50 years in decent condition.
If it's run-of-the-mill standard inkjet ink, it's highly water soluable and prone to fading if exposed to light (like room lighting). Doesn't matter if you print onto archival paper (or canvas) because the medium *isn't* archival and may not even last into next week. Some of those inkjet inks are that bad, definitely not a good thing to try to sell at any price.
Search around a bit and you'll find detailed "inside" info on making/selling fine art prints, tips from artists doing it, etc. Check out www.wetcanvas.com , www.epilogue.net and the archives of www.painterskeys.com as three places off the top of my head. Also check through www.renderosity.com , www.cgnetworks.com and www.digitalart.org for tips related to preparing digital images for printing.
Maybe you've got the basic info covered already, but your post here sounds uncertain, and your description at etsy of "digital print" worried me. So that's where I'm coming from, and if you already know this stuff, all I can say is *oops*. Maybe the info will help someone else reading this.
Me again! Yes, Andrea, sounds good to me and I was going to make the points that "Silver" has. I was also going to say that Robert Genn has written about, ages ago.
Another thing to be aware of is supposed "art experts" givng giclee a finite life. No one can do that as this method has only been around for a couple of years (give or take)And I'm sure you know, but many don't, that giclee is simply the French word for ink-jet! Some people have the idea that giclee is somehow better than ink-jet!
So, as Silver said, check it out.
And I have another thought, but will come back on email with it!
I've been visiting your blog for a little while and I LOVE it! And I love your art. But that feedback from Silver was an added bonus!!! It has certainly helped to point me in the right direction. Very helpful so thank you.
Andrea, I think this is a great idea, but as Silver said...you need to make sure the ink you use is also archival. The Epson ink (ultrachrome) Silver suggested is what I use with my Epson R2400 printer, and on archival paper, it's supposed to last from 61 years on Epson Velvet Fine Art paper to 108 years on Ultrasmooth Fine Art paper.
Andrea - I've been making prints of some of my word over the last few days - but the resolution I've worked at means that 5x7 inches is the maximum they'll go to comfortably. At this level they really glow! So maybe good for greetings cards? Have you the equipment to do high resolution and large?
I meant work not word obviously!!
Wow! This is a very interesting and informative post and the comments even more so. I always learn a lot from your blog Andrea. What a brilliant idea and your art work render themselves beautifully to this medium.
Oh by the way, Imelda says "hello". She can't read or write.
I've always liked the idea of art being available to all, and prints make that a possibility to for those whose wallets are on the small side. That's why I've made my work available on Imagekind. Since my wallet is an example of the small version, it was a way to offer prints of my work without investing a lot of money into equipment or inventory.
I really like that I might be able to own one of your pieces in a print that I missed out on buying the original.
I also like all the wonderfully imformative comments you've gotten here. I plan on using them for furthering my own research into the subject.
The prints I sell are laser printed through a local company and will last a life time.I think you should give it a whirl if it's something your interested in or if it's the direction you'd like your art to go.I think your digital work is quite awesome.It's really just another base in which to display your work I think.Same as saying on canvas, paper, wood etc.Best wishes !
I think this is a great idea! I have been soaking up these posts - thinking of doing a similar thing this coming year! I just got a fabulous Epson R2400 and am so in love with the Velvet paper. Amazing texture!
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