by bergina » Sat Jun 07, 2008 8:34 pm
Knapp,
I have reproduced 12 of my original paintings in the Real Iris Giclee format, about $800.00 to $1000.00 each initial order. Some were bombs, other very successful. I think I have run the course of the giclee print direction.
The hard question, what to sell them for? Quite simple ( but really not) , it all depends how many you want lying under your bed for the next 10 years, ha, but not funny.
No really, do you have a ready market and a lot of potential buyers? This “market and buyer” deal is all hinged on a few important facts.
Is your work outstanding in your chosen artistic direction and style? If I Google you name, will I see 10 / 20 honest hits about your accomplishments? . Before I will ever lay out another $800.00 for prints, my work better be spell bounding ( hasn't happend yet but it will) . Do you have access to a large group of people who recognize and admire your work and like you personally? Do they understand why the Iris Giclee is the most accurate reproduction of an original and flock to buy an early edition number? Actually they probably won’t care as long as it looks great on their wall.
Few personal notes base on my school of hard knocks.
Make sure what you are reproducing is never based on “ Wow, I think I did a great painting”, have to reproduce it, it will sell, no problem. Wrong,
Did you paint something marketable , something the general public will recognize, probably been painted a thousand times but your interpretation is just so good.
I have never seen your work so you could be unbelievable, have the right topic and rock the economic art world.
Did your supplier give you any general direction? Have you managed to establish a personal rapport with them? I always try to avoid selling just a signed numbered print because little profit even at doubled my print costs. I have sold over 200 framed prints limited edition and maybe 75 matted prints.
My advice is two fold: 1. invest a few bucks into framing gear , take a course on how to do it right and do it yourself. If you are not really handy or have no time or space forgets it.
2. Find your own personal framer who can frame your prints at 1/3 price , they will great and you will make a nice profit.
3. Sell your prints for at least 2.5 % - 4% more than your total cost. (Optical eye glass frame shops sell custom frames for over 1000% over cost. All sporting gear is at least 500- 1000% higher.
Here is my most important advice;
Forget about the Giclee prints and focus all your efforts on selling your originals.
Hope this was of some help,
Al
