Any photographer (or artist for that matter) should be putting out their work for the world to enjoy. Selling photo prints online is an easy way for you to do this and line your pockets at the same time. The magic of the internet offers multiple avenues for exposure and monetization. Let’s take a look at how and where you can sell your photos to give you a better idea of what may suit you.
What Type of Print?
It used to be that photography was simply printed on paper. If you’re looking to hang artwork on the wall, old-school printing methods still apply. However, today you can slap your photos on virtually any product that uses prints. Here are a few ways you can present your photos to the public.
Canvas Prints
Canvas prints are photos printed on canvas using an inkjet printer. The canvas is then stretched over a wood frame. Some people choose to frame canvas prints, but a borderless look is more common. Borderless canvas prints can either be in gallery/full wrap (the image wraps around the sides of the frame) or museum wrap (the sides are either white or black).
Canvas is usually made from cotton or polyester, although linen and hemp are alternatives. Cotton lasts longer and is closer to museum quality, while polyester is more affordable and has richer colors. Canvas is also available in glossy or matte finishes with both having minimal issues when it comes to glare/reflections.
Mounted Prints
A mounted print is a paper print that’s attached to a backing board, making it solid and rigid. Once attached, the photo can then be hung or framed. Photo corners, hinge mounts, and adhesive tape are all common ways to attach the print. These allow you to swap out the print if you wish to do so. If framing it, a matte border is usually placed between the print and the frame to isolate the photo from its environment. Another way to mount the print is by gluing it to the board. This is known as dry mounting and is permanent.Â
All mounted prints use one of the following boards:
- Foamcore: A styrofoam-like board that’s sturdy and won’t warp. It can be cut using a sharp knife, but the corners and photo can be easily damaged if dropped.
- Gatorboard: A step up from Foamcore, it’s extremely rigid, warp-resistant, and can’t be easily damaged. Cutting it is a bit more challenging and may require an electric saw.
- Mat Board: Mat Board is a heavy-duty board, and is the most expensive option. It’s usually used as an archival board for longevity and is commonly referred to as Museum Mat Board or Cotton Ragboard.
Metal Prints
If your photography requires bold colors and deep contrast, you might want to look into metal prints. It’s a popular option among landscape photographers for just this reason, and choosing a high-gloss finish gives a high-definition 3D look. The dyes are infused into the metal, making the photo resistant to UV fading as well as humidity. Framed photos under glass have issues with reflections, whereas metal prints significantly cut down glare. Matte finishes eliminate glare (compared to minimal glare on a glossy finish), but they’re also lower in contrast. Metal prints are also ultra-durable, and you can hang them outdoors in all weather conditions with virtually no problems.
Novelty Prints
You can sell your photography on things like mugs, calendars, t-shirts, hats, pillows, fanny packs, laptop skins, laptop cases, and even cell phone cases. Some companies offer this service online, which we’ll get into further in this article. But it’s important to understand that you can get your work out in ways that aren’t limited to traditional means.
Limited Edition Prints
Limited edition prints are just that – limited. They’re a special one-off run of a print that’s presented as a collectible and are usually signed by the photographer. As a result, everything about this option should be top-quality to justify the premium price you’re charging. Being a limited product, they’ll retain their value over time, and may even increase depending on the photographer.
Where To Sell Your Photography
Where can you sell your photo prints online? There are two options: work with a company, or do everything yourself. Let’s take a look at each option so you can decide which one works better for you.
Print On Demand
Using a print-on-demand (POD) service is an extremely popular way to sell your photos. These companies take care of everything when it comes to product fulfillment and shipping. That means all you have to do is upload your photos and watch the money roll in.Â
Ok, that may be an oversimplification, but here’s how POD works:
When a customer makes a purchase, the POD company prints and ships the order directly to them. You also have a wide range of print choices to choose from – canvas, metal prints, mounted prints – anything the customer wants in any size. The trade-off is that the POD company will either charge you to use their service and/or keep a percentage of each sale.Â
Still, the power of going print-on-demand can’t be overstated enough. It takes away a lot of the headaches that come with printing and shipping your photos. Here’s a list of popular POD companies:
Pixieset
Pixieset isn’t just a print-on-demand company. In addition to your online store, you can also share galleries with clients, and you can even use their templates to create your entire site. After a user adds a photo to their cart, they’ll be able to choose from a variety of print styles and sizes. If you sign up with a free account, Pixieset takes 15% of your sales. If you pay for a monthly membership, you’ll keep 100% of the profit. Plans range from $10 to $50 for monthly billing ($96 to $480 yearly) and provide you with additional storage as you go up in price.
Fine Art America
Fine Art America is one of the oldest print-on-demand companies online, and for good reason. It has hundreds of thousands of creators selling both traditional photo prints and products. FAA has a base price for each product and sellers choose how much they want to mark them up. The upside is that you have a wide range of things you can sell with your photos on it. The downside is that anything other than prints gets pretty expensive and it’s not very conducive to turning a decent profit. But if you stick to traditional prints, it’s a great option for making some extra cash and getting your work out there.
Great Big Canvas
Canvas prints are very popular when it comes to home decor. Great Big Canvas bases its entire business model around adding these prints to your home. On their site, you can browse different categories – anything from abstract art to travel photography or even classic paintings. You can even search by room to help generate ideas for interior design. Great Big Canvas isn’t like other POD companies though, as you need to submit your photos to be reviewed. If the company approves them, they’ll contact you to discuss a partnership.
Etsy
Etsy is one of the most popular online marketplaces where entrepreneurs sell handmade goods. Photographers fall under this category with most using a POD service to fulfill orders generated through their Etsy store. Popular POD companies for Etsy are Printify, Printful, and Gooten. Etsy charges 5% on every sale made, and that also includes a take of the shipping cost. A percentage for using their payment processing service is also deducted from your profits. While it’s costly to use, Etsy is one of the most recognizable marketplaces, so the exposure alone might be worth it.
Custom Products
Similar to how Fine Art America can print your photography on custom products, many sites offer the same. These include Society 6, CafePress, Redbubble, and Zazzle. You’ll have to read the fine print before you decide which one(s) may be worth your time. Some charge a monthly fee for your store, while others take a cut of each sale. The numbers vary so make sure you crunch them to ensure your store is profitable.
Sell Photos On Your Website
If you want total control over your prints, as well as how much money you’ll make from them, sell through your website. This option requires a lot more work on your end, as you’ll need to learn how to set up the site, payment processing, printing, shipping, and marketing.
WordPress users can use e-commerce software such as Woo Commerce which is virtually free, while sites like Squarespace and Wix offer store software at a price. Pixieset was mentioned earlier, and adding it to your site is as easy as creating a link in your menus. Format is a similar service that has comparable costs and print fulfillment. Another option you can use is FotoMoto, a low-fee POD service that can be easily integrated into almost any website.
Self-Fulfillment & Shipping Costs
Self-fulfillment means you’ll work with a local printing company in your town. By doing this you can see the final product your customers will get when they order your prints. If something is unsatisfactory with the print, you can make adjustments so they come out perfect every time. You’ll also have to take into account how much shipping costs will be. This depends on the mail service you’re using and also where the item ships. The cost of shipping a print to your home country is a lot less than shipping it internationally.
While there’s a lot more involved with setting up your print fulfillment this way, it will benefit you in the long run. You’ll not only learn more about business as a whole, but you’ll be delivering a high-quality product every time. If you’re a stickler for quality and control over both your photography and reputation, this is the best way to go.
How Much Should You Charge?
A lot of creative people struggle when it comes to money matters. Sometimes it’s a lack of belief in their talents, while other times it can be an over belief. Some creatives think charging for their art cheapens it or brands them as a sellout. But if you want to have any kind of longevity, you need to play the sales game and be comfortable charging for your work.
To sell prints, you’ll have to do research and find the sweet spot for your genre. If you undervalue it, it will be just another print in a sea of endless photos. If you charge too much, people will think it’s overpriced. While there’s a fine art market for photography, this is usually for single/rare pieces that cater to a specific genre.Â
Your best approach is to take into account all costs (monthly online store fees, printing fees, shipping fees, payment processing fees) and then mark it up roughly 4 times the amount. So if all your costs total $10, charge $40. Of course, this won’t be a standard price if you’re offering multiple prints at different sizes and using different materials for each one. So make sure you price all your work properly. You should also take into account how much similar photographers charge for their work. By keeping your prices in line, you won’t underprice or overprice yourself out of the market.
Simple Selling
It’s never been easier in the history of the time to sell a product. Selling photo prints online is not only easy but imperative if you want to have a career as a serious photographer. With so many options at your disposal, all you have to do is weigh the pros and cons of each and take action to bring your photos to life.
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