Perhaps because we're often dealing with folks who are traveling, 8x10's sell better numerically than the larger sizes. That's in light of the need to mail them after purchase, or worse yet, stuff them in a suitcase for pawing by TSA staff at airports. In light of that, we charge a fairly steep price for our 8x10's. The size certainly reflects the distinction between our relatively small local population compared to the # of travelers.
I agree with the others that larger sizes are better sellers for locals. 8x10's languish in bins in the "off" season without tourons. We no longer sell premats, but 16x20 seems to be some kind of magic overall dimension. When we were matting them 11x14's matted to 16x20 sold better, but once we quit matting 16x20's moved to the front of sales.
I'll echo what others have to say. I have a gallery in Estes Park, CO and the best selling format by far are prints matted to 16x20. They outsell the others by 2 to 1.
Posted by Dan Borzynski on February 4, 2008 at 11:06 PM
Interesting. By far, my best selling size is 8x10 matted to 11x14. It outsells 11x14 matted to 16x20 by around 3:1. About every other show, I'll sell a 16x20 matted to 22x28.
Posted by Steve Foss on February 5, 2008 at 9:03 AM
My experiences echo Dan's and Hank's to some degree, while I have sold some prints up to 20x30. I've only been offering prints for about three years, and have one permanent show and a couple yearly shows, as well as online sales.
My 8x10s matted to 11x14, whether framed or matted/mounted and ready for framing, easily do the best sales-wise.
One thing hasn't come up yet, which we feel is important. Your display at fairs and such will have much more impact and draw the most interest if you hang display prints that are as large as possible. We don't plan on selling them, but are happy to do so when the rare sale occurs. But they do increase sales of everything else.
There's an adage in studios and galleries which we've confirmed repeatedly and thoroughly: The biggest print you will sell is one size smaller than the largest you have displayed. I.e., larger display prints "drag up" the size of your other print sales. It really, really works for us. I keep wondering if we displayed one size larger than 30x40, would we sell more 30x40's? Kinda academic, because we don't have room for more and larger displays. In the current economy, I don't think I would want to build or buy a larger studio, much less add onto the one we own now. A paid-off mortgage is a beautiful thing!
Discussion
10 repliesI'm not asking for your opinion as an artist. I'm asking for your opinion as a business person.
This is not custom work it's for "bin work" at an art show.
Pete D.
I agree with the others that larger sizes are better sellers for locals. 8x10's languish in bins in the "off" season without tourons. We no longer sell premats, but 16x20 seems to be some kind of magic overall dimension. When we were matting them 11x14's matted to 16x20 sold better, but once we quit matting 16x20's moved to the front of sales.
Pete D.
My 8x10s matted to 11x14, whether framed or matted/mounted and ready for framing, easily do the best sales-wise.
One thing hasn't come up yet, which we feel is important. Your display at fairs and such will have much more impact and draw the most interest if you hang display prints that are as large as possible. We don't plan on selling them, but are happy to do so when the rare sale occurs. But they do increase sales of everything else.
There's an adage in studios and galleries which we've confirmed repeatedly and thoroughly: The biggest print you will sell is one size smaller than the largest you have displayed. I.e., larger display prints "drag up" the size of your other print sales. It really, really works for us. I keep wondering if we displayed one size larger than 30x40, would we sell more 30x40's? Kinda academic, because we don't have room for more and larger displays. In the current economy, I don't think I would want to build or buy a larger studio, much less add onto the one we own now. A paid-off mortgage is a beautiful thing!