New startup venture -Canvas Gallery and wide format printing

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Dan Berg

Dan Berg

CGF, Certified Grumble Framer
Joined
Feb 15, 2009
Posts
172
Loc
Mohnton,Pa.
Well I am closing my cabinetry business and have spent the last 6 months renovating the showroom into a canvas gallery for my nature and landscape photography. We will also be offering printing to 24" widths on canvas and fine art papers.(Epson 7900) I just read the advertising thread about what % folks are spending on advertising. My situation is quite different. I live in the country and people will have to drive specificaly out to our gallery. I forsee very few walk ins. I have the website about finished and have now started advertising. (2 internet newspaper ads for a month each at $500 apiece) I have no rent and almost no overhead so what can I expect to spend to try and get this going. Right now their is 0 income from this but we have just opened. Any suggestions? I had my sign company make a nice sign for out front. Other then that I could use some help on where to spend my advertising budget. I do not have a Thousand a month for too many months without some revenue.
What we offer.
Landscape and nature canvas gallery wraps
Scanning to print on canvas
24" wide format printing on canvas or fine art paper.
Mat cutting for my prints only. (Speed-Mat cutter)
Bring your files to us for canvas printing and wrapping.
Offering canvas printing and wraps for professional photographers.
"Capture To Canvas" Onsite event photography with canvas gallery wrap included.
Canvas printing and gallery wrap workshops. 1 and 2 day workshops. Still working on the details.
Thats about it. Did I forget anything that you think I should offer?

Dan Berg
www.bergscanvasgallery.com
 
Dan ...obviously your internet site will most likely be your best exposure but it'll take time and other efforts to get things going.

You have several different business avenues you are trying to tackle at the same time:

Your artistic photography
Output Services
Event photography
...Etc.

None of these by themselves are unique except for your own images. The way you approach customers and how you present your services will differentiate yourself from others doing the same thing and there are many.

Some loose thoughts:

~ Contact event planners in your area and make them aware of your services. Do this in person or via telephone.

~ Contact artists to make it known that you can do their reproductions.

~ Contact the marketing departments at major corporations, hospitals and schools/colleges in your area to make them aware of your services.

When you do the above invite them to an Open House at your studio. Schedule a good weekend ...Friday night , Saturday and Sunday afternoon. Don't be shy about asking any of those you contact about any other people they know of that may use your services. I would probably give a small print to each attendee of the Open House with your contact information included.

You might consider having a business arrangement with a good custom framer in your area. In any case, visit the framers and galleries to make sure they are aware of your services too. Offer a courtesy discount or wholesale pricing to them.

Good luck with all!
 
I'm concerned that your 24' 7900 isn't wide enough for a strong business doing gallery wrap prints.

With your equipment I would suggest printing those beautiful landscapes panoramic style and selling them matted and framed. For Canvas customers sell a big liner/frame. All for big bucks I hope.

Good Luck

Doug
 
Doug,
10 minutes after my first canvas wrap I was asking myself what was I thinking why did I not purchase the Epson 9900?
You are so right ,big is in and with a 24" printer the largest you can gallery wrap is 20 X 40+. Another option is to see how it goes and if I get a few requests for larger I can get someone to print them. If I get alot of requests I can just buy the 9900.
Dan Berg
www.bergscanvasgallery.com

Ps. Doug,what is a liner frame?
 
Your printing size was my first concern. Let us know how the internet advertising goes for you. I have always wondered what type of outcome we would have with a paid ad campaign on the internet.

I guess if I did any of that I would have to clean up the website. That's been on the to do list for a year now.
 
Jeff Rodier said:
Your printing size was my first concern. Let us know how the internet advertising goes for you. I have always wondered what type of outcome we would have with a paid ad campaign on the internet.

I guess if I did any of that I would have to clean up the website. That's been on the to do list for a year now.
Click to expand...

jeff,

I think a well ranked printing web page will give you more business than any other form of advertising. I would spend the money on web design. Your prices are great. All you have to do is get them out there.
 
Have you thought of "Facebook" advertising. With Facebook advertising, you do "pay per click" but they are targeting clicks.

You can specify to show your ad only to people who live in your "network' and only to those who are photographers (for example). That way only targeting viewers will click on your ad and you save in advertising.
 
Kirstie you are right about the website. I need to create the printing page so it captures the photographers. I do a fair amount of printing for the local artists, photographers and stores needing display posters.
 
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