Selling Your Art: Originals vs Prints - What's the Best Choice?

If you find yourself in the position where a potential buyer is interested in purchasing your paintings, you're left with a crucial decision: should you sell the original piece or offer a print?

The Benefits of Selling Originals

Selling the original pieces of your art ensures that each buyer receives a one-of-a-kind piece. This approach aligns well with the market's preference for unique and handcrafted items, leading to potentially higher pricing and greater satisfaction for your buyers. However, if you're concerned about preserving the value of your original work, you might consider offering prints as well.

Offering Prints for Broader Accessibility

Not all artists can sell their original works exclusively, especially if they produce a large volume of art. Offering prints can help you reach a wider audience and ensure a steady income. Prints are a great way to maintain a balance between the demand for unique pieces and the need for broader accessibility. Prices for prints can vary, but they should generally be lower than the originals to reflect their broader availability.

Consider Your Goals and Market Preferences

The choice between selling an original or a print depends on your personal goals and the preferences of your market. If your primary goal is to maintain the exclusivity and uniqueness of your artwork, selling originals might be the way to go. On the other hand, if you want to increase your reach and still generate income, offering prints can be a wise strategy.

Legality and Authenticity

Please note that if you have previously made reproductions of your originals and still have some left, you can sell them, but make sure to price them lower than the originals. Hand-enhance glicee prints and pricing them higher than standard prints can also be a smart move. Additionally, it's a good idea to indicate on the verso (back) of the print whether it is an original or a reproduction, ensuring transparency and authenticity.

Inspiration from Great Artists

Many successful artists, including Picasso, have found that selling their original work and maintaining a good supply of prints can boost their output and creativity. This is because successfully selling one unique piece can inspire them to create even more exceptional art. Remember, the more you create, the more chances you have to excite potential buyers and keep your creative juices flowing.

Conclusion

In the world of art, both selling your originals and offering prints have their merits. As an artist, you have the freedom to choose what best suits your needs and goals. Selling originals can help you maintain exclusivity, while offering prints can ensure you have a broader reach and a steady income stream. Ultimately, the decision should be based on your vision for your artwork and how you best want to serve your audience.

For more information on the art sales process, check out my Quora profile, where I dive deeper into these concepts and provide valuable insights for artists like you.