How to Create and Sell Art Prints of Your Artwork
So, you’ve made some artwork you’re really proud of, and now you’re thinking, “Okay… how do I get this out into the world without giving away my one and only original? Good news: the answer is art prints!
Selling art prints is such a smart move. It lets you share your work with more people, start building a steady income, and grow your fan base, without having to part with your originals.
Now, if you’re sitting there thinking, “Sounds cool, but I have no idea where to start,” don’t stress. I’ve got you. In this post, I’ll walk you through the whole process, step by step, in super simple terms. No need to be techy, fancy, or have a professional studio setup.
By the end, you’ll feel totally ready to start making and selling art prints like a pro.
Ready? Let’s do this together!
What is An Art Print
An art print is basically a high-quality copy of your original artwork. Instead of selling the one-and-only painting or drawing you made, you’re making reproductions of it, either on paper, canvas, or another surface, so that more people can own and enjoy it.
Think of it like this:
Your original artwork is the masterpiece, and the art prints are like its twins—they look the same, but they’re not the original.
Step 1: Choose the Right Artwork
Not every piece you’ve ever made needs to be turned into an art print. Some artwork works better for art print sales than others. Here are a few questions to ask yourself:
- Is this piece something people might want to hang in their homes?
- Does it look good in different sizes?
- Is it finished and high-quality?
Popular pieces, bold colors, and strong emotions usually do well. But most importantly, pick work that you love and are proud of. If you’re not excited about it, that energy won’t transfer to your buyers.
Step 2: Scan or Photograph Your Work
Okay, so now you’ve picked the piece or pieces. Great! Next step? Getting a digital version.
If your artwork is small and flat, like watercolor or drawing, scanning is usually best. Try to scan at a high resolution, at least 300 dpi. That ensures it will look crisp when printed.
For larger or textured work like acrylic paintings, you’ll want to photograph it. Use natural light, avoid shadows, and try to shoot from straight above or directly in front. If you don’t have a DSLR, a modern smartphone with a good camera can still do the job, just make sure the image is clear and sharp.
If you can, edit your image to match the original colors. There are lots of free or low-cost tools like Canva, Snapseed, or Lightroom.
Step 3: Decide How You’ll Sell Your Art Prints
Now that you’ve got your digital file, let’s talk sales.
You have two main options here:
1. Print and ship them yourself
You print your art at home or at a local print shop, package each order, and mail it yourself. It gives you more control, and you can add cute extras like thank-you notes or stickers.
Great if:
- You want to handle quality personally
- You enjoy packing and shipping
- You want to sign your art prints
2. Use a print-on-demand service
You upload your digital files to a platform, and they handle printing, shipping, and customer service for you. A few good ones include:
Great if:
- You don’t have space or time to ship stuff yourself
- You want to sell globally with ease
- You’re okay with lower profit per item in exchange for convenience
Both are good options, it just depends on your lifestyle and what feels doable for you.
Step 4: Price Your Art Prints
Let’s talk money.
Size of the print
Cost to print and ship
Platform fees
Your time and effort
A good starting point is:
- Small prints (5×7”): $10–$20
- Medium (8×10” or A4): $20–$35
- Large (11×14” or A3): $35–$60+
And remember, you’re allowed to value your work! If it’s unique, beautiful, and high quality, people will pay for it. Just make sure you’re covering your costs and earning something back.
Step 5: Promote Your Art Prints Like a Pro
Now that your art prints are ready to go, it’s time to tell the world!
Here’s how to promote them without feeling too sales-y:
- Post behind-the-scenes content on Instagram or TikTok. Like the printing or packing process.
- Share close-up shots of the details
- Tell a story about the artwork, why you made it, what it means
- Create a limited edition to create urgency. e.g., “Only 25 available!”
- Ask friends and followers to share your post
And if you’re part of communities like Arts to Hearts Project, be sure to take advantage of their artist spotlights, calls for submissions, and features. Their platform loves supporting women artists and emerging talent. Getting featured can seriously help boost visibility and sales. Trust me, they’re one of the most encouraging and artist-centered communities out there.
Join Open Calls to Get Seen
Here’s something many artists don’t think about: joining open calls can actually help you sell more art prints. How? Visibility.
Let’s say your work gets selected for an online show or a virtual gallery. Now you’ve got a ton more eyes on your art, and if you’re offering art prints of those pieces, chances are good that someone will want one for their wall.
Keep your eyes open for artist-friendly open calls like the ones from Open Call for Artists. They run monthly features, solo virtual exhibitions, and online shows that are great for exposure. And they don’t just look for big names, they genuinely support all kinds of creative voices, including emerging artists.
It’s a great way to grow your audience and promote your shop or website naturally, without feeling like you’re constantly shouting “Buy my stuff!” into the void.
Step 6: Don’t Stress About Perfection
Real talk: your first few art print sales might feel a little clunky. You might forget to include a thank-you note or send the wrong size art print; I’ve been there, too. It’s okay. You’re learning!
You don’t have to have the perfect shop, the fanciest art printer, or the most curated Instagram feed. What matters is that you’re sharing your work and making it available to the people who love it.
Keep improving, stay open to feedback, and most importantly, keep creating.
You’re Closer Than You Think
Selling art prints isn’t just for “big name” artists or people with studios full of gear. It’s for you, right now, where you are, with what you have. If you’ve got art that you love and want to share, that’s the only real requirement.
So take the next small step. Maybe today it’s scanning that painting. Maybe tomorrow it’s checking out an art print-on-demand site. Before you know it, your art prints will be in someone else’s hands, brightening up their wall and connecting them to your creative heart.
You’ve got this. Now go turn that art into art prints, and let the world fall in love with it.
