The starving artist maybe a romantic trope, but we all need to work to live in reality. For an artist, that means selling your artwork. It doesn’t matter whether you’re an illustrator, digital artist, or photographer; to become a successful artist, you need to sell your work. In today’s digital landscape, selling your artworks has become easier than ever. But how can you stand out from the competition? Today we’re examining what you need to do to make money selling art.
1. Get your picture
The cornerstone of selling your artwork is print. Printed works offer an accessible price point and are quick and easy to produce. Once you’ve selected the images your want to make prints of, you’ll need to get them prepped. The highest quality prints need to start with high-resolution images. For the sharpest quality prints, you’ll need +300 DPI. Next, check with your printer to see if they have specific file requirements, as many prefer TIFF or other lossless file formats.
2. Choose your print style
Once your images are ready, it is time to decide which way to print artwork: Giclée and C-type.
Giclée
If you’re looking for bright, bold colours that won’t fade or deteriorate, giclée printing is the one for you. This halftone printing technique uses microscopic drops of ink to add colour to specially treated paper. Giclée prints are renowned for their vivid spectral colour and +100-year longevity. Made with the highest quality materials, giclée prints achieve archival quality, making them perfect for limited edition prints.
C-type
C-type is the perfect print style if you’re a photographer or producing images with smooth gradient colour. Chromogenic type or c-type printing was originally used for developing colour photographs. However, today c-type printing offers the ideal printing style for large-scale prints from both digital files as well as negatives. Ideal for replicating skin tones, water, and sunsets without any pixelation, C-type prints use lasers that react with specially treated silver halide paper to create striking, true-to-life images.
3. Framing and mounting
Nothing stays professional like mounted or framed artwork. While it may be tempting to sell your prints as is, framed and mounted artworks sell better. Framing your artwork not only adds the finishing touch to your work, but it makes it easy for collectors—no need for them to go to the framers. As soon as they receive their work, it can immediately be hung on their wall. Bespoke framing also allows you to add your own personal touch and ensure that the frame compliments the subject. No matter your choice, prints with quality framing and mounting will sell better and give your works a professional finish.
4. Hang your work as a Pro
Hanging artworks professionally takes more than just a hammer and nail. Artworks should be placed so that they focus the viewer’s gaze. Whether in a domestic or a gallery setting, we recommend hanging artworks at eye level, approx—150 cm from the floor. Frames and mountings can have numerous different styles of fixings for attaching them to the wall. Once your picture is at the right height, it is time to level it using a spirit or digital level.
5. Spread the word
To sell your art, people need to know about it! Whether you’re selling online or in a gallery, people need to know about you and your artwork before you can expect them to buy it. That is why marketing and promotion are essential. Today, with social media, self-promotion is more accessible than ever before. Snap eye-catching photos or shoot a video tour of your exhibition to create buzz around your work and encourage community engagement.
