Selling Prints - Graeme Smith - Bog

Just imagine how many artworks are done in a year.You aren't distinguishing 'good' and 'bad', or realist and contemporary artists.Some artists create a few pieces, others hundreds and some thousands.Printmakers, due to the nature of the process, create more than most others.Now also consider just how many artists there are.Count anyone who actually paints, prints or makes artworks.You aren't trying to distinguish between 'good' and 'bad' or realist and contemporary artists.I've seen figures in an Australia Council report suggesting 40,000.That's my country but there are more in the USA, Asia, UK and Europe!Also imagine you could look into each artist's studio.A corner of a garage, spare bedroom, or elaborate purpose built structure.While there, count the number of finished paintings, prints or other artworks.Add all artworks in all galleries and other places where people can buy art.Don't forget works that are not on show but in the stockroom out the back.Again we don't know how many works this would come to.But it's another huge amount.How many artworks do you suppose are sold annually?No doubt galleries sell quite a lot, as do many art shows.Paintings are even sold over the fence to the lady next door.No matter how sold, or for what amount, it's quite a large number too.Someone could research to find estimated answers to these questions.Total all works produced yearly by all artists and subtract those sold?If the answer is a negative amount, then demand exceeds supply.If the answer is positive, then supply exceeds demand.It's pretty obvious that supply exceeds demand.Unsold works, in studios, galleries is the amount supply exceeds demand.Any industry where supply exceeds demand is a depressed industry.This is true for the art industry.Just as for the wool, car, housing, or any other market segment.To understand this is a step to a realistic appraisal of what is possible.Do you wish to be a serious participant in the art industry, as an artist?It's not usually sufficient that you be a 'good' artist.Many very talented people do not 'make it but many do of course.Should you even consider prints then?The print production process means oversupply is more acute.If they're not going to earn money, then why have prints published?Selling prints is a pretty tough business.Seriously consider if they are worth spending your professional time on.But because you are reading this book you have decided that you do.Be guided to a realistic and long-term approach to print publishing.Make a major contribution to your professional career by making money.These days there are all sorts of print processes.Once it was etching, then lithographs, followed by screen prints (serigraphs).More recently giclee prints have become popular for posters.It can be confusing, so how do you sort it all out?Let's focus on just one aspect of print production, reproduction prints.That's making copies of your original artworks.Should you be involved in this aspect of our industry?There ARE valid reasons why you might reproduce your work.But there are many reasons NOT to as well.Prints are a way to increase income or generate greater interest in your work.But, are you also prepared to take on the additional burden of marketing?Unless you are, print production may not the right choice!The hardest part of producing prints is selling them (what's new).Prints will not help develop a new market, unless your work is suited.So to repeat, get the marketing sorted out before having ANY prints made.This precaution saves money, time and heartache and even earn money too.When might you consider reproducing your work?If the original repeatedly attracts buyers (a painting you could have sold 30x).YOUR original paintings are selling faster than you can produce them.You supplement your income with a low price range if paintings appreciate