How To Make Prints of Your Art To Sell: A Guide for New Artists

As an artist, turning your original artwork into prints is an excellent way to reach a wider audience and boost your income without losing the value of your one-of-a-kind pieces. 

Today, artists have a wealth of tools to produce high-quality prints that reflect the vibrancy and uniqueness of their original work, whether through a professional print shop or print-on-demand services.

In this guide, we'll walk you through the essentials of creating, pricing, and selling art prints, helping you turn your creative passion into a sustainable business.

Prints vs Originals: Know the Difference

When it comes to selling fine art, understanding the distinction between original artwork and prints is crucial for both artists and collectors.

This knowledge not only helps artists price their work appropriately but also informs their marketing strategies. Here’s a comprehensive breakdown of what sets originals apart from prints, along with the benefits and drawbacks of each.

Original Artwork

An original artwork is a one-of-a-kind creation made directly by the artist, whether through painting, drawing, or any other medium.

These pieces are typically created using high-quality materials such as archival inks, fine art paper, or canvas, ensuring their longevity.

Originals are often priced higher because they are irreplaceable—there is no other copy in existence.

This rarity, combined with the artist’s time, effort, and expertise, makes original pieces highly sought after, often attracting collectors who value uniqueness and authenticity.

Art Prints

In contrast, art prints are reproductions of the original artwork.

These prints can be produced using various methods, such as giclée or inkjet printing, and techniques, such as high-resolution scanning, to capture the finest details.

Prints are usually made in multiple copies, allowing artists to reach a broader audience at a more affordable price point than an original piece.

Through online platforms and print-on-demand services, artists can sell art prints online without the need to maintain physical inventory.

For many artists, selling both original artwork and prints offers a balanced business model.

Originals provide high-value sales, while prints allow for volume sales. This enables artists to generate ongoing income without sacrificing the uniqueness of their original pieces.

Benefits of Selling Prints Online

Selling art prints offers several advantages, making it a smart move for artists looking to expand their business and grow their reach.

Artists can print and distribute their artwork in various formats online, leveraging the space to generate consistent income, build their reputation, and make their work accessible to a global audience.

Let’s dive deeper into the key benefits:

1. Increased Revenue

One of the most compelling reasons to sell prints online is the potential for increased revenue.

After an artist creates an original piece of artwork, they can produce multiple prints of the same work, allowing them to sell the same design many times over.

This creates a reliable, recurring income stream, as prints can be produced on-demand or in limited runs, depending on the artist’s strategy.

Whether it's selling fine art prints in limited editions or high-quality prints on a print-on-demand basis, the ability to reproduce art allows for consistent revenue generation without the artist needing to start fresh with new pieces constantly.

2. Wider Audience

Original artwork can be out of reach for many potential buyers due to its higher price point, which can be influenced by factors like the artist’s reputation, the materials used, and the uniqueness of the piece.

Art prints, on the other hand, make it possible to offer artwork at a more accessible price, allowing a much broader audience to enjoy and purchase the work.

Prints appeal to buyers who may not have the budget for originals but still want to own a high-quality piece of art.

3. Brand Exposure

Selling prints online does more than just generate income; it can also significantly boost an artist's brand exposure.

Each print that is sold or shared can act as a marketing tool, spreading the artist’s name and work to new potential fans and customers.

Prints are highly shareable and can often be displayed in homes, offices, or public spaces like cafés and galleries, creating organic exposure to a larger audience.

4. Scalability

Another significant advantage of selling prints online is the scalability it offers.

Artists can expand their product range to accommodate various types of buyers, offering everything from smaller, budget-friendly art prints to larger, more premium options such as canvas prints or limited-edition pieces that can command a higher price.

And with the flexibility of print-on-demand services like Fourthwall, artists don’t have to worry about overproducing prints or maintaining physical inventory.

This makes it easier to manage costs and scale up their operations as demand increases.

Choosing the Best Materials for Your Prints

When printing your artwork, there are several materials to choose from, each offering distinct advantages based on your artistic vision and desired outcome. Here are some of the most popular types of print media:

Fine Art Paper (Archival Paper)

Fine art paper is a high-quality, acid-free material designed specifically for creating art prints.

It offers exceptional color reproduction and smooth texture, making it an ideal choice for works that require fine detail and depth.

Archival-quality fine art papers are durable and fade-resistant, ensuring your prints will last for years without deteriorating.

These papers are perfect for artwork that needs a more refined, professional look, such as detailed paintings or photography. 

Canvas

Canvas prints provide a textured, painterly feel, making them a great option for works that resemble traditional paintings.

The natural texture of the canvas adds depth and character, giving prints a gallery-like presentation. This material is especially suitable for reproducing oil or acrylic paintings, as it enhances the tactile nature of the original piece.

Canvas prints are also highly durable and can be stretched over a frame to create a finished, ready-to-display artwork.

While canvas prints tend to be more expensive, they offer a premium, professional look that appeals to collectors and buyers seeking high-end art reproductions.

Photo Paper

Photo paper is an excellent choice for reproducing photography or digital artwork. It is designed to handle high-resolution images, allowing for precise color accuracy and crisp details.

Available in both glossy and matte finishes, photo paper can highlight vibrant colors or provide a subtle, soft finish depending on the type of artwork you're printing.

Glossy photo paper, for instance, is ideal for images with rich, deep colors, while matte photo paper minimizes glare, making it suitable for works emphasizing form and texture.

Metal Prints

Metal prints offer a modern and sleek aesthetic with vibrant colors and exceptional durability.

These prints are produced by infusing dyes directly onto a metal surface, which results in a glossy finish and a depth of color that’s hard to match.

Metal prints are highly resistant to fading and damage, making them ideal for contemporary artwork or photography that requires a bold, striking look.

The reflective surface of metal prints can enhance the luminosity of colors, giving the artwork a contemporary, almost three-dimensional appearance.

Acrylic Prints

Acrylic prints feature a glossy finish that enhances color saturation and creates an illusion of depth.

This material is especially suited for vibrant artwork and modern photography, as it amplifies the visual impact with bright, luminous colors.

Due to their sleek, sophisticated appearance, acrylic prints are often used in contemporary art displays.

The glossy surface can make the colors in your artwork pop, adding to its overall visual appeal.

Quality Considerations

When selecting a material for your art prints, the quality of the paper or canvas is essential to ensuring that your reproductions reflect the true character of your original work.

High-quality materials help maintain the colors, texture, and overall look of the artwork, ensuring a print that mirrors the original as closely as possible. Key considerations include:

DPI (Dots Per Inch)

DPI is a crucial factor in print quality, especially for highly detailed artwork.

A higher DPI (300 or more) ensures that your print retains sharpness and clarity, replicating the fine details and textures of your original work.

This is particularly important for detailed drawings, paintings, or photographs where every intricate line or pixel needs to be captured accurately.

Archival Quality

If you want your prints to last for decades without fading, opt for archival-quality materials.

These materials are acid-free and resistant to deterioration, ensuring your prints remain vibrant and intact over time.

Fine art paper and canvas are both archival-quality options that help preserve your artwork for years to come.

Choosing the Best Printing Methods

Different printing methods yield distinct results, so it’s important to choose one that aligns with the style of your artwork and the type of print you want to create. Popular printing methods include:

Giclée Printing

Giclée printing is a fine art inkjet printing process that uses high-quality, fade-resistant inks to reproduce artwork with exceptional color accuracy and fine detail.

This method is ideal for reproducing paintings, photography, and digital art that require intricate details and vibrant colors.

Giclée printing is known for its museum-quality results, making it a popular choice for artists who want to produce high-end prints that closely resemble the original.

Screen Printing

Screen printing is a manual process where ink is pushed through a screen to create a print.

This method is particularly effective for limited edition runs or designs that require bold, graphic images with rich color applications.

Screen printing is ideal for artists who want to create multiple copies of a design with a hands-on, textured finish.

It’s commonly used for posters, T-shirts, and fine art prints that have a graphic, stylized look.

Lithography

Lithography is a traditional printing method that involves creating a print from a stone or metal plate.

While it is more labor-intensive than other methods, it is well-suited for large print runs and offers a unique, tactile quality that some artists prefer for certain types of artwork.

Lithography is often used for prints that need to be produced in bulk or for artworks that have a vintage or classic style.

Choosing the Best Medium for Your Art

To choose the best medium for your prints, consider several factors:

1. Artwork Style: The medium should complement the style of the artwork. For example, canvas is ideal for reproducing traditional paintings, while metal prints or acrylic prints work well for contemporary photography or digital art.
2. Longevity: If durability and archival quality are important, opt for fine art paper or canvas. These materials ensure that your prints last for decades without fading, especially when using giclée printing or other high-quality methods.
3. Display Environment: Consider where the print will be displayed. For bright spaces or outdoor environments, glare-resistant materials like matte paper or metal prints are ideal. For indoor galleries or personal collections, canvas or fine art paper are both timeless choices.
4. Desired Look: If you’re going for a modern, sleek finish, metal or acrylic prints may be the best option. If you prefer a more traditional, textured feel, canvas or fine art paper should be your material of choice.
5. Test Samples: It’s always a good idea to print test samples on different materials to see how your artwork translates. This allows you to assess the look and feel of the print before committing to a larger production run.

How to Create Prints to Sell in 6 Steps

Creating and selling custom prints of your artwork is an excellent way to reach a broader audience and generate income from your creative efforts.

By digitizing your original artwork and offering it as high-quality prints, you can expand your art business and share your vision with people worldwide. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you create and sell prints of your art.

1. Digitize Your Art

The first step to selling art prints online is digitizing your original artwork. You need a high-quality digital version to produce prints that accurately reflect your creation. There are two main methods to digitize your art:

• Scan Your Artwork: Use a high-resolution scanner (at least 300 DPI) for flat works such as drawings, illustrations, and watercolors. This ensures that the fine details and subtle textures of your work are captured with precision. If you're using a scanner, be sure to clean up any background marks or scanning errors to maintain a professional appearance.
• Photograph Your Artwork: Photographing your artwork might be necessary for larger pieces or textured artwork. Use a DSLR or mirrorless camera with proper lighting to avoid distortion. A tripod helps ensure a steady shot and prevents blurring. When photographing, try to capture the artwork in natural light and use a high-quality camera (12 megapixels or more) to ensure that your digital image is crisp and clear.

After capturing your artwork, it's crucial to edit the digital file using photo editing software like Adobe Photoshop. Correct color discrepancies, crop the image to the desired frame and ensure the file is at least 300 DPI for optimal print quality.

2. Edit Your Digital Files

Once you have the digital version of your artwork, you’ll need to fine-tune it. This step is essential for achieving a high-quality print accurately representing your original work. Here’s what to do:

• Adjust Colors: Use editing software like Photoshop or Lightroom to ensure the colors in your digital file match the original artwork as closely as possible. This step is crucial to avoid color discrepancies between the print and the original.
• Resolution and Size: Make sure your image is at least 300 DPI (dots per inch) to ensure a sharp, high-quality print. A higher resolution ensures that your print will retain fine details and clarity when printed on different materials.
• Crop and Composition: Crop the image to the desired size and make sure the composition is balanced. If your artwork requires a specific frame, adjust the file to fit those dimensions.

3. Choose a Printing Method

Now that your artwork is digitized and prepared, the next step is selecting the best printing method. Different methods can give your prints distinct characteristics:

• Giclée Printing: This high-quality inkjet printing process uses fade-resistant inks and can reproduce artwork with remarkable detail and color accuracy. It's ideal for fine art prints and is widely used by artists looking for museum-quality reproductions.
• Screen Printing: Screen printing is a manual process where ink is applied through a mesh screen. It's great for limited edition runs and works well with bold designs or graphic artwork. This method is often used for creating prints with textured finishes or vibrant colors.
• Lithography: This traditional process creates prints from a stone or metal plate. It is ideal for large print runs but may not capture the fine details of more intricate works as effectively as giclée printing.

4. Select a Printer or Printing Service

After choosing your printing method, you’ll need to decide where to print your artwork. Here are your options:

• Print at Home: If you own a high-quality inkjet printer, you may want to print your artwork yourself. This gives you more control over the process and allows you to print on demand, but it requires time, effort, and quality supplies.
• Local Print Studios or Stores: For larger volumes or higher-quality prints, local print studios or stores are excellent choices. These establishments ensure consistency and often offer a wider range of materials and finishes than a home printer might provide. Local print shops can also offer personalized service, allowing you to review and adjust proofs in person before finalizing the order, ensuring that the prints meet your expectations.
• Print-on-Demand Platforms: If you’re looking for an online platform that can handle everything from printing to shipping, POD platforms like Fourthwall are your best option. Fourthwall offers high-quality print-on-demand services, allowing you to upload your artwork, select materials (like canvas or fine art paper), and have your prints produced and shipped directly to customers without worrying about inventory or logistics.

5. Review a Proof Print

Before moving into full production, it’s essential to review a proof print. This is a sample of your print that allows you to check the colors, details, and materials.

• Check for Color Accuracy: Compare the proof to your original artwork to ensure that the colors match and the overall image quality is consistent.
• Inspect the Material: Whether you’ve chosen canvas, photo paper, or fine art paper, ensure the texture and finish of the material complement your artwork.
• Resolution and Detail: Examine the proof for sharpness and clarity. Make sure there are no visible artifacts or pixelation.

Once you're satisfied with the proof, you can move forward with full production.

6. Set Up Your Art Business and Sell Online

Now that your prints are ready, it’s time to start selling! Here’s where Fourthwall excels. This platform is designed to help creators like you set up an online art business effortlessly.

• Create Your Online Store: Fourthwall makes it easy to set up a branded store to sell your art prints. You can customize your storefront, upload product photos, and provide detailed descriptions of your prints. The platform handles payments, orders, and customer service, so you can focus on creating.
• Sell Custom Prints: Through Fourthwall’s print-on-demand service, you can offer your artwork on various products, from traditional prints to more innovative items like phone cases, apparel, and home décor. This allows you to expand your audience and increase revenue by selling not only prints but also other merchandise.
• Market Your Art: Fourthwall integrates with social media platforms like Instagram, enabling you to easily promote your prints and connect with your followers. The platform also supports email marketing, helping you engage your audience and boost sales with minimal effort.

Think About Pricing Your Pieces

The price you set will influence not only your earnings but also how your art is perceived in the marketplace.

It's essential to find a balance between covering production costs, appealing to your target market, and maintaining the perceived value of your artwork. Here are some factors to consider when pricing art prints: 

Materials

The cost of materials plays a significant role in determining the final price of your art prints.

Consider the quality of the paper, canvas, or other media you are using, as well as the ink and printer maintenance.

High-quality materials, such as archival paper or premium canvas, tend to cost more, but they provide long-lasting, vibrant prints that are more attractive to buyers.

Additionally, if you're using a local print shop or professional services, you’ll need to factor in their fees for printing, finishing, and packaging.

Time

Don’t forget to account for the time you’ve invested in creating and preparing the print. This includes the time spent on scanning, editing, and formatting the file for print.

The effort put into each piece, from initial concept to final production, should be reflected in the price.

If you’re selling limited-edition prints, the amount of time you’ve dedicated to curating each piece can justify a higher price point, as collectors may value the time and craftsmanship involved.

Market Demand

Researching the current market is essential to understanding what customers are willing to pay for similar prints.

Look at the prices of other artists who sell prints in your niche, whether they specialize in fine art prints, photographs, or illustrations. 

Gauge the demand for prints in your style and price range. If similar pieces by well-known artists are significantly more expensive, you might consider pricing your prints at a competitive rate to attract more buyers.

Moreover, if your style is unique and in demand, you may be able to set a higher price point.

Common Pricing Tiers

When pricing your art prints, it’s helpful to use tiered pricing to cater to different audiences and buying preferences.

Offering different pricing options can help you attract both budget-conscious buyers and high-end collectors.

Open-Edition Prints

These prints are produced in unlimited quantities and are generally priced more affordably.

Open-edition prints are a great way to introduce your work to a wider audience and allow customers who may not be able to afford limited-edition prints to purchase high-quality art.

The affordability and accessibility of open-edition prints make them ideal for mass-market sales, but they generally carry a lower perceived value due to their abundance.

Limited-Edition Prints

Limited-edition prints are produced in a finite quantity, often with a numbered edition and sometimes signed by the artist.

They are more exclusive and, therefore, can be priced higher.

The exclusivity of these prints—combined with the potential for future appreciation—makes them attractive to collectors.

Limited-edition prints are an excellent way to elevate the perceived value of your work and create a sense of urgency among potential buyers.

5 Strategies for Pricing Art Prints

Effective pricing is about more than just covering costs—it’s about maximizing profitability while ensuring your art remains accessible to your target audience.

Here are a few pricing strategies that can help you set the right price for your prints:

1. Cost-Plus Pricing

A simple pricing strategy is cost-plus pricing, where you add a markup to the cost of production.

For example, you might start with the total cost of materials and printing and then double that amount to set your price.

This ensures that your costs are covered while also allowing for a profit. However, keep in mind that market factors may require you to adjust this markup based on demand, exclusivity, or your brand’s value.

2. Tiered Pricing Structure

To appeal to a broad audience, consider offering your prints in different sizes or editions at varying price points.

For example, you could offer smaller prints at a lower price and larger ones at a higher price.

This strategy makes your work accessible to a wider range of buyers, from casual customers to collectors who are willing to pay more for a larger, limited-edition print.

3. Dynamic Pricing

Consider adjusting your prices accordingly as demand for your artwork grows or your editions sell out.

This is known as dynamic pricing, where you can increase prices as fewer prints remain available or as your reputation and demand increase.

Dynamic pricing can also be used if you release new prints or collections, offering early bird discounts or higher prices as the edition nears its sell-out.

4. Psychological Pricing

Implementing psychological pricing tactics, such as pricing a piece at $99 instead of $100, can subtly influence buyers to make a purchase.

This small pricing adjustment often feels more affordable to customers, even though the difference is minimal.

Pricing your prints just below a round number can make them appear more accessible and increase the likelihood of a sale.

5. Discounts and Promotions

Occasionally offering discounts or promotional pricing can help you attract new buyers and incentivize purchases.

For example, offering a special discount for first-time buyers or holding a seasonal sale can generate interest without permanently lowering your prices.

Just be careful not to overdo it—maintaining the perceived value of your art is important for long-term success.

Best Ways to Sell Your Prints

Once your art prints are ready, the next crucial step is to get them into your customers' hands. There are several ways to sell your prints, each with its own advantages and reach.

• Online Platforms: Websites like Etsy, Fine Art America, DeviantArt, or your own website are great places to list and sell your art prints. These platforms attract a global audience and provide a streamlined process for uploading artwork, setting prices, and managing orders, giving you access to customers worldwide.
• Social Media: Platforms like Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook allow you to market and sell directly to your followers in an engaging and personal way. By sharing high-quality images of your art and behind-the-scenes content and engaging with your audience, you can create a strong community that helps drive sales.
• In-Person Sales: Selling your prints at art fairs, galleries, or through local businesses offers the benefit of direct interaction with potential buyers. These venues not only provide exposure but also allow you to build relationships with customers, receive immediate feedback, and make in-person sales.
• Print-on-Demand Services: Platforms like Fourthwall, Shopify, and Redbubble make it simple to upload your artwork, set your prices, and start selling immediately without dealing with inventory. These platforms manage the printing, fulfillment, and shipping, so you can focus on creating while they handle the logistical side of the business.

4 Tips for Selling Your Prints Effectively

Tip 1: Create a Collection

A cohesive series of art prints can make your work more appealing to buyers by offering a visual theme or narrative that ties the pieces together.

Buyers are often drawn to collections because they feel a sense of completeness, encouraging them to purchase multiple pieces to display together.

Tip 2: Photography

Ensure your print images are high-quality and well-lit to accurately represent the colors, textures, and details of the artwork.

A well-photographed print can showcase your work in the best light, helping potential buyers visualize the piece in their own spaces and making them more likely to purchase it.

Tip 3: Customer Service

Clear communication about shipping times and expectations is essential to building trust with your customers and encouraging repeat business.

Additionally, offering a hassle-free return policy can give buyers confidence in their purchase and help resolve any issues they may encounter with the prints.

Tip 4: Shipping

Proper packaging is important for protecting your art prints during transit to ensure they arrive in perfect condition.

Invest in sturdy, protective materials like rigid mailers, tubes, or custom packaging to prevent bending or damage and to leave a positive impression on customers when they receive their artwork.

Start Selling Prints with Fourthwall!

If you're an artist looking to design and sell your own custom prints, Fourthwall is the perfect platform to help you turn your artwork into a business. 

Fourthwall simplifies the entire process, offering a user-friendly platform where you can upload your artwork, set your prices, and manage sales with ease.

Whether you’re just starting out or looking to streamline your existing business, Fourthwall provides a professional solution that allows you to focus on what matters most—creating art.

Here’s why Fourthwall is a must for artists:

• Customizable Storefront: Personalize your online shop to match your branding and artistic style. With Fourthwall, you can create a unique, professional storefront that showcases your artwork in the best possible way.
• Effortless Upload and Setup: Quickly upload your artwork and customize your store with Fourthwall's easy-to-use interface. Setting up your shop is simple, so you can start selling your prints and merchandise right away.
• High-Quality Prints: Fourthwall offers high-quality art print products, including posters, and canvas prints. These ensure that your designs look stunning in every form, with professional-grade printing, your art will be presented beautifully to your customers.
• Printing, Fulfillment, and Shipping: Fourthwall handles all the logistics—from printing and packaging to shipping and customer service—so you can focus on creating new artwork. They take care of the back-end details, ensuring a smooth process for you and your customers.
• Global Reach: Fourthwall enables you to reach customers worldwide without worrying about international shipping or logistics. The platform offers global fulfillment, helping you expand your reach and grow your audience.

Ready to start selling your prints and designs on high-quality merchandise? Join Fourthwall today and take your art business to the next level!

Frequently Asked Questions

How Are Painting Prints Made?

Painting prints are generally made by scanning or photographing the original artwork to create a high-resolution digital file. 

Once the digital file is captured, it's used to produce the print using a method like giclée printing, which utilizes high-quality inks and inkjet printers to achieve vibrant, long-lasting reproductions. 

For larger-scale works or those with textured surfaces, photography with a high-quality camera may be used to capture every detail of the painting before the printing process begins.

What Are the Steps of Making a Print?

Making a print begins with scanning or photographing your artwork to create a digital version of the original piece. 

After capturing the image, you'll need to edit the digital files in software like Photoshop, ensuring the colors are accurate and the resolution is set to a high DPI (typically 300 DPI). 

Then, you choose the appropriate printing method (such as giclée printing or screen printing) and a reputable printing company to ensure high-quality results. 

After reviewing the proof, you can proceed to print your artwork, making any necessary adjustments along the way.

How Do I Create a Print Design?

Creating a print design starts with preparing high-resolution digital files of your original art, ensuring the image is free of imperfections and that the colors are accurately represented. 

You can use tools like Photoshop to enhance the image and ensure that it is properly formatted for the chosen print method, whether it’s giclée printing for fine details or screen printing for bold graphics. 

Once your file is ready, you'll need to select the right printer and materials, like matte paper or canvas, to achieve the desired effect for your prints.