[LucyD]

I'm trying to decide between using a Print on Demand site (like Fine Art America) or having a shop on my own site. The biggest hitch of PODs is not being able to know who my buyers are. For obvious reasons, this is a priority for any working artist. But as I'm still 'emerging' as an artist and don't have much of a following or mailing list, I'm wondering if a POD is a better option for me to start with, then maybe transition to my own shop site later.

Thoughts?

 

[Liz]

I love PODs, I sell on zazzle and Imagekind. With PODs you do not need any inventory or go through the expense of making prints. You also don't need to deal with shipping and PODs have a much bigger customer base than you as an emerging artist do so you have a greater chance of selling on a POD than on your own site.

 

[Geeksandgraphite]

I'm personally goingto put my hand in both cookie jars what do you guys think?

 

[TerryCurley]

Sounds smart.

 

[LucyD]

I'll probably try both, but would have to pick just one shop to promote. Otherwise, it could get confusing. So, not sure how effective it would be. Will see!

 

[Liz]

The more places you have to sell your art the better. I agree that trying to promote several PODs on your website can be confusing but you can still sell on as many PODs as you want and just promote the one you like best on your website.

The large PODs do their own marketing and promoting so you can get sales without doing anything other than uploading your art and putting in good titles and descriptions so that the products can be found.

 

[chanda95]

I am still thinking about doing prints myself so this is a helpful thread for me.

I have always thought that your first prints off a painting or a drawing should be a set of numbered/signed/limited edition prints..therefore you should probably go and get them done off the original artwork and have them on hand to sell. After that go with POD.

How is the quality of a POD print? Isn't it based off uploaded files? If that is the case then you need to ensure your photography/scanning is spot on. Correct? In my opinion I feel a lot is lost when a photograph is taken of my work - no matter how good of a photograph it is. To have a print made of a lower quality rendition of the actual piece would bother me. I live in a rural area so POD prints would be a great choice if they were high quality renditions of my actual work.

 

[Liz]

Yes the prints are made from uploaded files so the print is going to be as good as the digital image. I mostly sell my computer art on POD sites so I don't really have an issue with the quality of the actual file. I haven't ordered any prints yet but I've read on some forums from those who bought prints from Fine Art America, Zazzle and Imagekind that they are happy with how they turned out.

The downside of PODs is that because it's printed as the order comes in and not in batches, the same print can come out different as so color intensity, etc. so ordering a print won't really tell what the next one will look like.

In any case many artists successfully use PODs to sell their art on the internet.

 

[Geeksandgraphite]

I think it's a get what you pay for thing. Some customers wont have the money for original paintings but are just as happy with a print. Also with some sites these prints can be on things other than paper and canvas. A customer can choose to have something on a T-shirt, bag or cup etc.