Question Question about Reproducing Artwork

[LindaK]

How does one reproduce art?
I have a customer that is quite the artist. He does it all in his spare time and I feel that his work is quite beautiful.
He's one of those customers that I love to see walk thru the door because 1) his art is so enjoyable to work on, 2) his kind disposition makes it very easy to work with him and 3) he's just a really nice guy.
I asked him one time if he ever thought about displaying his art in a show or selling his work and he said that it was all very personal and he felt like he would be giving his children away if he ever sold his originals.
Then I asked if he ever thought about selling copies of his work.
He thought that he might consider that but he had no idea how to go about it.

I told him that I'd check with y'all.
Suggestions?
Thank you.

 

[tedh]

Talk to other artists about the best or most suitable giclee printer in his area, and start there. A good print shop will be able to produce prints on canvas and paper, and in multiple sizes. I encourage artists to build a print portfolio which includes notecards, sizes relative to stock frame size, and some larger ones. Keep the volumes low until he can tell which sizes and which subjects sell best. If he has a favourite subject, or if there's one that you think would really sell well, print it, and go crazy with the framing. Use this one as the centerpiece in a display.

 

[Shayla]

Ted's advice is worth heeding, especially the part about keeping the volumes low initially.
Several years ago, a lady came in who was all excited about having cards made from her
black & white drawings of horses. She was about to pay some print shop $2000.00 for
a boatload of the things. I suggested that, rather than spend so much money up front,
she might try printing ten each of her favorite few images and seeing how that went
before doing more. The best printer in our town is a guy who will also do very small runs,
and that helps for artists who are just getting started.

 

[Prospero]

The crucial thing about printing is the origination. Get a good hi-res photo/scan and that's 90% of the battle. Photographing artwork is quite tricky. Lighting must be just right. Paintings with texture and glossy surfaces are particularly difficult.
On a small piece you may be able to get away with a domestic camera. Bigger things really need pro equipment. Nowadays it's very easy to correct colors and retouch flaws with PC software. Generally tweak things to get it looking good. But you can't add missing image information if it's not there in the first place. Once you have a good source file you can do prints as you need then and (in theory) each print should be as good as the last one.

Use a printer who has some conception of the requirements of 'fine art' printing. It's not like doing flyers and brochures. Art prints have to last, so quality paper and lightfast inks.

 

[LindaK]

Thank you so much for the excellent advice!