Posted by Phillip Noll on February 6, 2011 at 3:25 PM
Hi All,
I have two questions for those of you selling fine art prints:
1.) Print Area vs. Paper Size
When you sell, for example, a 16 x 20 print, is the print area 16 x 20 or is the paper size 16 x 20 ? In other words, is your 16 x 20 a full bleed (no borders) on a 16 x 20 size piece of paper or do you sell a 16 x 20 sheet of paper with a print on it that is somewhat smaller to allow for a white border?
2.) Bulk discounts.
Many of you offer a bulk discount if a person (or corporation) purchases 5 or more prints at one time. My question is, how much of a discount do you offer?
Thanks in advance!
Posted by Luke Ormand on February 6, 2011 at 3:34 PM
I can only answer the first - whenever I get a print it covers the entire area. I have had a client ask for a white border on one and I think in that case I bumped up the size of the print to accomdate the border so the actual image was still the same size.
We don't discount bulk sales, rather we follow the model we use in our studio- We offer free prints for orders over certain sales thresholds. E.g., a $500 sale allows the customer to choose a free 8x10, and a $1000 sale is good for an 11x14 and an 8x10. I just pulled those #'s out of my head for this example because I don't have our studio break sheet handy. I do recall that purchase of 4 of our nature prints qualifies for a fifth of the same size free.
In our experience that stimulates the extra sales to reach thresholds, and customers seem to respond better than straight discounts.
Posted by Howard Cheek on February 7, 2011 at 6:48 AM
Never had a customer ask for an image with a white border so far, so the actual print size is what they get..
I started a 10% discount "coupon" at Photoshelter to any returning customer of multiple prints, beginning last week with a 3 print sale.
Posted by Brad Mangas on February 7, 2011 at 9:52 AM
I believe you should always allow for an unprinted boarder around a print. Prints of any quality will need matted will will cover up the edges of the paper. Even if they are not matted it's not a problem for a quality frame shop to frame using spacers and trim edges if needed. I really don't understand why anyone would print all the way to the edges of the paper, I personally don't think it even looks good.
I agree on all of Brads points. How do you even handle a print with no borders?
The size quoted, however, should be the print area. Otherwise you could order a 16x20 and end up with a blank 16x20 sheet and a 1x1in print on it.. that would be pretty lame.
Posted by Jim Sabiston on February 7, 2011 at 12:41 PM
Phillip,
My self printed photographs come off the Epson r2400 with a small border - approximately 1/8 inch. The printer will not print right to the edge of the paper. Personally, I think this gives the raw print a more finished appearance. I use strictly standard size paper and pre-cut mats and they all fit perfectly. I occasionally get requests for a wider border with my signature placed in that wider margin. This typically comes up with someone ordering a print for framing later, when I will not be around to sign the mat. I quote the size of the paper, regardles sof the size of the printed area, which is usually a minimal difference anyway. Larger print that I farm out come back with no border for what its worth.
As for discounts - I usually limit those to purchasers of multiple prints and the discount is typically in the 10 to 15% range, depending on the size of the prints and the overall order.
Posted by dan elster on February 7, 2011 at 1:57 PM
I've been selling prints at shows for several years now and I've never used borders and use pre cut mats. I think its a personal preference, just be consistent. Borderless prints require no explanation to a customer and keeping it simple is important to indecisive people.
As far as bulk discounts, they are a great way to increase sales. I sell 11x14 matted prints for $40 OR 3 for $100.00..if someone has their heart set on 2 prints, a lot of times they'll go for the thrid.
Posted by Jason Kim on February 7, 2011 at 5:26 PM
Having sold only a dozen or so prints, I'm not sure my opinion holds much value, but I sell my prints with a 1" white border all the way around, to facilitate handling and allow for some flexibility when matting. If I'm charging for a 16" x 24" print the actual printed area will be a bit smaller, but I explicitly state this so my customers won't feel misled or short-changed.
As for # 2, I've never been in a position to offer a bulk discount, but I'd probably consider a 5-10% discount in a situation like that. That's just me. In my other business (the one that pays the bills) bulk discounts are considered standard and often expected. Art sales are a little different, I'm learning...
Posted by Lon Overacker on February 7, 2011 at 5:38 PM
Phillip,
To your first part, 16x20 = image area. Paper size bigger and dependent on preferences.
I agree with others about having an extended border, canvas if you will. Print handling is one, but just as important is to allow the print to lay much flatter if you're doing something like hinge mounting your print to backer board, foam core, gator board, whatever.
I believe printing the image all the way to the edge with no border is simply a carry over from direct printing from enlargers. When you use to send in slides to have Illfachromes, TypeR's or whatever, that's how images were printed and delivered, no border.
Discussion
9 repliesI have two questions for those of you selling fine art prints:
1.) Print Area vs. Paper Size
When you sell, for example, a 16 x 20 print, is the print area 16 x 20 or is the paper size 16 x 20 ? In other words, is your 16 x 20 a full bleed (no borders) on a 16 x 20 size piece of paper or do you sell a 16 x 20 sheet of paper with a print on it that is somewhat smaller to allow for a white border?
2.) Bulk discounts.
Many of you offer a bulk discount if a person (or corporation) purchases 5 or more prints at one time. My question is, how much of a discount do you offer?
Thanks in advance!
In our experience that stimulates the extra sales to reach thresholds, and customers seem to respond better than straight discounts.
I started a 10% discount "coupon" at Photoshelter to any returning customer of multiple prints, beginning last week with a 3 print sale.
The size quoted, however, should be the print area. Otherwise you could order a 16x20 and end up with a blank 16x20 sheet and a 1x1in print on it.. that would be pretty lame.
My self printed photographs come off the Epson r2400 with a small border - approximately 1/8 inch. The printer will not print right to the edge of the paper. Personally, I think this gives the raw print a more finished appearance. I use strictly standard size paper and pre-cut mats and they all fit perfectly. I occasionally get requests for a wider border with my signature placed in that wider margin. This typically comes up with someone ordering a print for framing later, when I will not be around to sign the mat. I quote the size of the paper, regardles sof the size of the printed area, which is usually a minimal difference anyway. Larger print that I farm out come back with no border for what its worth.
As for discounts - I usually limit those to purchasers of multiple prints and the discount is typically in the 10 to 15% range, depending on the size of the prints and the overall order.
As far as bulk discounts, they are a great way to increase sales. I sell 11x14 matted prints for $40 OR 3 for $100.00..if someone has their heart set on 2 prints, a lot of times they'll go for the thrid.
As for # 2, I've never been in a position to offer a bulk discount, but I'd probably consider a 5-10% discount in a situation like that. That's just me. In my other business (the one that pays the bills) bulk discounts are considered standard and often expected. Art sales are a little different, I'm learning...
To your first part, 16x20 = image area. Paper size bigger and dependent on preferences.
I agree with others about having an extended border, canvas if you will. Print handling is one, but just as important is to allow the print to lay much flatter if you're doing something like hinge mounting your print to backer board, foam core, gator board, whatever.
I believe printing the image all the way to the edge with no border is simply a carry over from direct printing from enlargers. When you use to send in slides to have Illfachromes, TypeR's or whatever, that's how images were printed and delivered, no border.
Lon