Question trade discount for artist/commission

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EB_Gallery

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We are now going to be displaying local artist works and would like to know how much of a discount, if any, do you give an artist to frame his picture that is going to be display at your shop. Do you charge full price or give a discount? Also, how much of a commission does the shop take? Does it make a difference if the piece was framed at your shop or the artist brings his piece already framed? Could use some feedback on what frameshops/galleries are doing these days. Thanks to those who respond. Edith
 
You should feel comfortable taking a 40 or 50% commission on any sale. If the artist is going to frame with you, I would consider a 10-15% discount. However, any pieces displayed have to meet your framing standards if the artist gets them framed elsewhere. Otherwise, you can either refuse to put them on the wall, or you can reframe them properly at the artist's expense. Any viewers will think you framed everything, so don't put up with 1-inch mat borders, or uneven mat borders, or Ikea frames with busted corners.

You might even consider charging the artist $250 rent for use of your wall space, too. That's quite common.

Finally, ask the artists what they will be doing to promote the showing. Will they be mailing something out to their contact list? Make sure you get a copy of anything mailed out. Frankly, if the artist gives you a blank look when you ask that question, then charge them rent for use of the wall space. They should be doing their part to promote this, not taking a free ride on your business.
 
My personal opinion is that the framing discount should be the same as the commission percentage. Traditionally commissions were 30% but over the past few years they seem to have crept up to 50%. I have seen a lot of consignment galleries closing and I believe the 50% commission is a piece of the cause. At the same time that the consumer became careful about spending framers have increased prices to cover supply increases. Gallery percentages have increased as well making the retail prices quite steep.

In the past when I did consigment I required that I receive 30% of retail and if the artist wanted to negotiate the sale price it came out of the artist cut. That will force the artist to set a realistic price on day one increasing the chance of sales.

One strategy that I think would be very effective is to charge 30% on your framing and 50% if framed by someone else. I would flat out refuse to hang anything that I would consider junk framing. No hand cut (Exacto knife) mats or garage sale frames. I have only been inside of one competitors store but a few that closed had garbage framing hanging near the front window. I'm talking spray painted frames and ones with the corners split apart enough to pass a quarter through the gap. The prices on these things were $400 to $1,000. Don't hang anything you would be embarrased to have in your store.

Be blunt with the artist about the quality issues in advance. Offer the artisits some great framing deals and the word will get around quickly. I have artists in my store daily buying something. Whether it sells in your store or somewhere else, each one that sells is a new one to frame.
 
Thanks for your prompt reply. I have a lot to think about. I gave the artist a 30% discount for the framing and told him upfront that my commission will be 30% of the retail. I'm accepting less for commission than most galleries charge because I'm trying to promote the local artist in our area. However, now he came back with a proposal to see if I would accept 30% after he deducts what he paid me for the framing. I don't agree with this. He wants to make a certain amount from his original painting but doesn't want to increase his price. I don't feel I should take less. Any suggestions on what I could tell this artist.
 
Thanks for responding. I'm definitely not accepting framed pieces that don't meet my standards. The dilema is that the artist wants me to accept less of a commission. Instead of taking 30% commission from the retail. He wants to pay me commission after he deducts the framing cost. This is after I have already given him a 30% discount for the framing. It just doesn't seem right.
 
Don't take less. It's difficult to explain to someone who is trying to watch his bottom line, but so are you! If he doesn't want to increase his price to meet your needs, then where has he been displaying and selling his pieces for less of a commission? This, I think, is the issue here.

Stand fast! If he doesn't like it, you can find someone else to showcase in your store who is more than happy to meet your requirements!

Wendy
The Art Corner
Salem, Ma
 
I think I'm the only gallery he is displaying his pieces. He usually sells his pieces at fairs or art shows. I just need to stand fast, as you mentioned. Thanks for the encouragement.
Edith
 
Tell the artist that the parking lot at the local Holiday Inn is a great place to display his art. He wants access to YOUR space, and to YOUR customers, at minimal cost. What do you gain from this if he puts up his pieces for a month and nothing sells? Nothing. It's your space, make a profit from it.
 
So, first he gets the discount, without any garantee that his piece will sell. Right there, you as the framer have lost 30% already. Will he reimburse you if the piece doesn't sell?????.... of course not.

So there is absolutely no reason to agree on what this artist suggest. You can simply tell him that there has to be something in it for you too. You provide discounted framing, you provide the space to display, you expect to be paid for it! 30% is on the lower side already, you might mention that most galleries take 50% and no discounted framing (probably).
 
This can be tricky. I've promoted local artists for nearly four years. I don't charge a hanging fee, I take 30% commission on sales and give a 30% discount on framing for the pieces in the show. Not all artists take me up on the framing offer for as many reasons as you can imagine. The artist is in charge of their own marketing (postcards/invites), food/beverages. I provide a tidy space (forces me to clean the shop on a regular basis), I hang the show, do the gallery listings in the papers, line mention in my newsletters and website. Not all shows sell work; one sold half the show on opening night - you just never know.

This part of my business model was never intended to be the big $ maker; instead it was to bring people in (who come to the artists opening night) and give the window a new look. They view the artists work AND all of the framing samples which increases the framing business.
 
Edith
I think you are being way beyond generous. Stick to your guns or let him walk on to the next gallery. Most likely he will find out on his own just how generous you are.

40-50% is the norm around here. Renting space with an additional 20% commission is also popular. As Paul said, artists are taking up expensive real estate. Let them share in the cost. At least you have income coming in if nothing sells.
 
We are just setting up our gallery and have decided on 30% commission as a base but will vary that amount depending on the artist and the traffic their work will bring to our shop.
We have always given producing artists and photographers a 20% discount on framing to encourage them to refer their customers to us. Same as a trade discount in any other line of work.
We also have an adopt an artist program for deserving local artists who have the talent but not the resources to market their work properly.
 
We are just setting up our gallery and have decided on 30% commission as a base but will vary that amount depending on the artist and the traffic their work will bring to our shop.
We have always given producing artists and photographers a 20% discount on framing to encourage them to refer their customers to us. Same as a trade discount in any other line of work.
We also have an adopt an artist program for deserving local artists who have the talent but not the resources to market their work properly.
 
Im not a big fan of sharing my wall space with local artist. They all want to get in for little or nothing. Why waste my space on something that I would make only a small commision on instead of a piece I framed. The only local artist I work with are long time customers who I have developed a relationship with. Even then I trade the cost of the art work and frame it myself so I can keep my normal profit margin on the materials.
 
Consignment

I've been giving artists 25% off framing for many years and taking 40% on gallery retail sales. Many reputable galleries ask 50%. The gallery in this case does all advertising and marketing (mailings, etc.) often including an opening reception for the aritist. The artist hopefully has a mailing list with additions to the gallery list.

Renting out wall space in my opinion is more of a, "vanity" gallery situation. Many artist co-ops are run that way.

Most, "artists" unfortunately are not wonderful clients for a wide array of reasons not the least of which is an ignorance of the value of quality framing to the selling of art. That said, my best framing customer is a pro and a consistant return customer. He does know the value of framing to the sales of his art. My goal is establishing a lifetime relationship with artists hopefully cultivating and educating them in the process.
 
Nothing goes up on my walls that is not framed in our shop. We have an image to maintain and I won't show anyone else's work.

We rarely give space to artists as our experience has shown less than stellar results in such art sales. No regular discounts apply as I am doing them a favor. I tend to split 40/60 in such situations, rare as they may be.

Regarding artists as customers, we like them and we rely on their business for a nice percentage of our sales. Although they often buy ready mades from us and add mats and sometimes CC glass, a sale is a sale, and we enjoy helping them prepare for thier shows. They are big on DIY.
 
good advice in the 1st 2 replies(didnt read further) because I wanted to add that you need a contract with each artist stating ALL your conditions (stated what YOU must/will do and what THEY must/will do under all the situations you can dream up). do not forget to include a clause about you being able to terminate their showing at any time/for any reason, w/o their being able to do anything about it, AND that they must furnish you(in writing) with a 30/60 day lead, of their intent to vacate the deal, etc. also think about what you will need/do if they want to pull pieces to show elsewhere(either weekend shows or thru another venue)--things such as rent return for time unused(NOT doable! they'll just have to wait till the end of the rent period), or just a eekend---you 'might' have sold it if it had been on your wall, but... etc etc etc
you need to put a LOT of thought/time into how you'll do this(view it from alot of different angles)

Unfortunately, they day of a deal-with-a-hand-shake is looooooooooong gone(it may 'work' but dont shead a tear if it gets you into hot water). so I'd think about you're running the end result by a lawyer to get his opinion as the the 'doability' of the thing.(if you can get said opinion for free or a cup of coffee/piece of pie from a 'buddy' (as cheaply as possible). YOU get a copy, the artist gets one, same goes for any changes made 'on-the-fly', you use the back pages to annotate sales/revenues, and you dont trash yours (ended agreement) until 4-5 years down the road(or file them with that year's tax papers)
 
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