So, you’re an artist and you’re looking to share your creations beyond the original canvas or paper? Many artists reach a point where they want to offer prints of their work, making their art accessible to a wider audience. But how do you actually go about making prints of your art, especially without breaking the bank? This guide will walk you through the essential steps to create beautiful art prints, covering everything from capturing high-quality images of your artwork to choosing the best production method for your needs.
Capturing High-Quality Images of Your Art
The first crucial step in making prints of your art is obtaining a high-resolution digital image of your original piece. This image will be the foundation of your prints, so quality is paramount. There are several methods to achieve this, each with its own advantages and considerations.
Scanning Your Artwork
Scanning is a popular method for artists, especially for flat artwork like drawings, paintings on paper, or illustrations. Professional scanning services offer top-tier results, but they can be costly. Taking photographs can be unreliable in terms of consistent lighting and image quality. A good middle ground, and often the most practical for artists, is to invest in a quality flatbed scanner for home use.
When starting out with art prints, a standard all-in-one printer/scanner can suffice. However, as your needs grow, you might find limitations, particularly with color accuracy, especially with fluorescent colors which some basic scanners struggle to capture. The author of the original article experienced this issue and upgraded to an Epson Perfection v600 scanner. This scanner is known for its ability to produce high-quality images, speed, and compatibility. While it’s a more significant investment than a basic scanner, it can be a worthwhile upgrade for serious artists looking to consistently create excellent art prints. If you already have a basic scanner/printer, using it until you feel the need for better quality is a sensible approach. But if you’re choosing a new scanner specifically for art reproduction and don’t need printing capabilities, a dedicated scanner like the Epson V600 is a strong contender.
Photographing Your Artwork
Photographing your art is another option, particularly for textured pieces or artwork on canvas. To achieve professional-looking results through photography, consider these tips:
- Lighting is Key: Use natural, diffused daylight or consistent, even studio lighting to avoid harsh shadows and glare. Overcast days often provide ideal soft, even lighting.
- Stable Setup: Use a tripod to keep your camera steady and prevent blurry images.
- Camera Quality: While smartphone cameras have improved significantly, a DSLR or mirrorless camera with a macro lens will offer greater control and higher resolution for capturing fine details.
- Shooting Straight On: Ensure your camera is positioned directly parallel to your artwork to avoid distortion.
- Color Accuracy: Use a color calibration tool or gray card to ensure accurate color reproduction in your photographs. Adjust white balance settings in your camera or editing software.
- File Format: Shoot in RAW format if possible, as it captures more image data and offers greater flexibility in editing.
Professional Scanning Services
For artists seeking the absolute highest quality image capture, professional scanning services are available. These services utilize specialized equipment and expertise to produce exceptional results, especially for large or delicate artworks. This option often comes with a higher cost, but it can be justified for artists who require top-tier reproduction quality or are working with very valuable original pieces.
Choosing the Right Print Production Method
Once you have a high-quality digital image of your art, the next step is to decide how to produce your prints. There are two primary paths: producing prints yourself (DIY) or outsourcing print production.
DIY Print Production
In the beginning, some artists might consider printing their own art prints at home. This offers maximum control over the entire process. However, it also comes with challenges. Using a basic inkjet printer and standard paper can lead to frustrations with print quality, color accuracy, and the cost of ink and paper. Achieving professional-grade prints at home requires a significant investment in a high-quality photo printer, archival inks, and fine art papers. Experimentation and material waste can also add to the overall expense and learning curve.
Outsourcing Print Production: Print-on-Demand and Print Services
For many artists, especially those starting out or looking for a hands-off approach, outsourcing print production is a more practical and efficient solution. Print-on-demand (POD) services and professional print labs offer various options to suit different needs and budgets.
Print-on-Demand (POD) Services:
POD services like Redbubble and similar platforms (e.g., Society6, Printful) handle everything from printing to shipping. You simply upload your artwork, and they manage the production and fulfillment process whenever a customer places an order.
- Pros: No inventory management, no upfront costs, wide range of product options (prints, cards, merchandise), hands-off fulfillment.
- Cons: Lower profit margins for artists, less control over print quality and materials, branding limitations.
The original author mentions using Redbubble initially. While Redbubble offers high-quality products, the artist profit margins are quite small. It’s a good option if profit isn’t a primary concern or if you have very high sales volume. Redbubble’s card options are appealing due to cello-wrapping and envelopes, though the shop link on the back of cards cannot be customized.
Professional Print Labs and Drop-Shipping Services:
Services like iPrintfromHome offer a balance between quality and control. They provide high-quality prints on various fine art papers and often offer drop-shipping services, meaning they can ship prints directly to your customers.
- Pros: Higher print quality compared to some POD services, more paper and finish options, drop-shipping convenience, better profit margins than POD.
- Cons: Requires managing orders and customer service, may have minimum order quantities for bulk orders, shipping costs need to be considered.
The author currently uses and recommends iPrintfromHome, praising their print quality, packaging, and customer service. They offer white borders on prints and drop-shipping, which is ideal for artists who want to minimize handling and shipping themselves. While iPrintfromHome doesn’t offer international shipping directly and lacks matting/cello-wrapping services, the overall quality and service are highly rated. The human element and personal touch in their customer interactions are also highlighted as positive aspects.
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Local Print Shops:
Exploring local print shops is another avenue. Some local printers might offer print-on-demand services, while others may focus on bulk orders. Local options can provide opportunities for building relationships and potentially negotiating better rates for larger volumes.
Sustainable and Affordable Print Production
Ultimately, the best approach to making prints of your art is one that is both affordable and sustainable for you. Consider your budget, the volume of prints you anticipate selling, the level of control you desire, and the time you can dedicate to the print production process. Experiment with different methods and services to find what best fits your artistic practice and business goals. Don’t feel pressured to follow a specific path just because it’s what others are doing. The key is to find a system that empowers you to create and share your art in a way that you enjoy and can maintain long-term.
If you are an artist who creates prints, what methods do you use? Do you have any recommendations for fellow artists? Share your advice in the comments below! And if you’re new to art prints, what questions do you still have? Let us know in the comments, and we’ll do our best to address them.
*This post contains affiliate links for products the author recommends. Supporting these links helps support indie artists and content creators.
