Normally when I do these question and answer episodes, I get anywhere from 20 to 30 questions to ask my guest - for this topic - the questions numbered in the 100’s! Thankfully, Jake Hawley from Picture Salon was willing to take time out of his schedule to answer many of your questions here on the podcast. In our conversation, Jake touches on file sizes, how to take the best pictures of your art, tips for pricing your fine art prints, and much more. If you’ve ever considered selling prints of your artwork - this is the episode for you! 

Should I buy a large format printer? 

Finding a good print shop to work with can be difficult, and you may be tempted to invest in a large format printer to take care of it all yourself. While buying a large format printer might work for some artists, the truth is - unless you are planning on using the printer regularly - it’s a poor investment. Instead, consider taking the time to research and explore some of the print shops in your area or even using a service like Picture Salon.

How to get the best lighting

One of the challenges of getting good fine art prints is taking a high-quality picture of your artwork. Many artists think that snapping a photo on their iPhone will suffice - unfortunately, there are many additional factors to take into consideration. Jake encourages artists like you to use a tripod when taking a photo of your artwork; he also stresses the value of paying close attention to your lighting and how it impacts the image. Ultimately, if possible, Jake suggests connecting with a professional photographer who has experience photographing fine art for reproduction. 

Materials matter

Did you know that the material you choose to have your art printed on can make all the difference? It’s true! In our conversation, Jake’s answers to various material questions took us on a tour of papers, metals, and more. I’ve had first-hand experience working with Jake and his team while I agonized over which type of paper I wanted to use when printing my art. If you are wondering what type of paper to use with your art - consider giving Jake a call. At Picture Salon, they’ll help you figure out what paper works best with your art and they’ll even send you some free samples. 

Tips for setting a price on fine art prints

If I had one, I had a dozen questions about pricing fine art prints. I get it, putting a number on your art can be challenging - especially when it comes to prints of your artwork. In our conversation, Jake was kind enough to share several tips on accurately pricing your fine art prints. Jake suggests pricing a print between 3 and 5 times the cost it took to produce the print. Make sure to factor into your price the time the original took you to create as well as the time it took to get the captures. Follow up with Jake and his team at Picture Salon to get more helpful information like this!

Outline of This Episode

• [0:50] I welcome my guest, Jake Hawley. 
• [2:00] What do I need to know about setting up a print shop on my website? 
• [5:40] Should I buy a large format pr

Do you spend more time thinking about making art than actually making it? Start things you never finish? Make work and then stack it against the wall, facing inward, so you don't have to look at it?

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