Selling your art prints online can be a game-changer for your creative career. Whether you’re a painter, photographer, digital illustrator, or mixed media artist, turning your work into print-ready products is a great way to build a following, earn passive income, and reach new audiences.

But where do you start? What do you need to know before offering prints? And how do you make sure the quality is good enough to impress your customers?

In this guide, we’ll walk through the essentials of selling art prints online — from choosing print formats and pricing your work, to finding the right printing partner and setting up your shop.

🎯 Why Sell Art Prints?

If you’re creating original artwork, you already have everything you need to start selling prints. Reproducing your work allows you to:

  • Reach more buyers at lower price points

  • Create scalable income from a single piece

  • Sell internationally without shipping originals

  • Offer limited editions or open editions

  • Showcase your portfolio professionally

It’s also a great way to build a loyal collector base — many customers will buy prints before they’re ready to invest in an original.

🖨️ Step 1: Choose the Right Print Method

There are a few printing methods available, but if you want professional, long-lasting results, Giclée printing is the gold standard.

Why Choose Giclée?

  • Uses archival pigment inks

  • Printed on museum-grade paper

  • Offers incredible detail and colour accuracy

  • Prints can last over 100 years with proper care

At Giclée UK, we specialise in working with artists who want to sell high-quality reproductions. Whether you’re launching your first online store or managing a full portfolio, we can help ensure your prints do your work justice.

🧾 Step 2: Get Your Work Digitised Correctly

You’ll need a high-quality digital version of your artwork before you can sell prints.

For Digital Artists:

  • Export at 300 DPI (dots per inch)

  • Use AdobeRGB colour profile if possible

  • Save files in TIFF, PSD, or high-quality JPEG

For Traditional Artists:

  • Scan at 600 DPI or higher for artwork up to A3

  • For larger works, use a high-resolution photograph with professional lighting

  • Remove dust, correct colour balance, and crop edges

We offer file checking and test prints, so if you’re unsure about the quality of your scan or photo, we’re happy to help assess it before printing.

📐 Step 3: Decide on Print Sizes

Offering different sizes helps you reach a wider audience and gives your customers more flexibility.

Popular Print Sizes:

  • A5 (148 x 210mm) – Great for postcards or affordable art

  • A4 (210 x 297mm) – Most common entry-level art print

  • A3 (297 x 420mm) – Ideal for framing

  • A2 (420 x 594mm) – A larger statement piece

  • Custom sizes – Perfect for square, panoramic, or non-standard work

Make sure your original file is large enough to support the largest size you offer. For anything under 300 DPI, we’ll let you know before printing.

💬 Step 4: Add Borders, Signatures & Edition Info

Many artists choose to include a white border on their prints for signing or framing. Others offer:

  • Hand-signed prints

  • Limited editions (e.g. 1 of 50, 2 of 50, etc.)

  • Certificates of authenticity

If you’re offering limited editions, keep clear records and make sure you don’t exceed your edition limit. This adds credibility and collectability to your work.

We can trim your prints to include a signing area, or leave a margin at the bottom/top depending on your preferences.

🖼️ Step 5: Choose Your Paper

Paper plays a huge role in how your final print feels.

Some artists love a smooth matte finish, while others prefer the look of textured watercolour paper. Photographers may want a slightly satin or semi-gloss paper to bring out depth and contrast.

At Giclée UK, our most popular papers include:

  • Hahnemühle Photo Rag – Soft matte, great for fine art and photos

  • Canson Rag Photographique – Bright white, smooth, and clean

  • Epson Cold Press Natural – Textured with a warm tone

  • Enhanced Matte – Budget-friendly, ideal for open editions

We’re happy to send samples or test strips so you can compare and pick the right paper for your brand.

🛍️ Step 6: Set Up Your Online Shop

You have two main options when it comes to selling online:

1. Sell on an Existing Marketplace

Platforms like Etsy, Folksy, or Saatchi Art make it easy to list your prints without needing a full website.

Pros:

  • Built-in traffic

  • Simple setup

  • Good for beginners

Cons:

  • Fees on every sale

  • Less control over your branding

  • Competing with thousands of other artists

2. Build Your Own Website

Using platforms like WooCommerce (WordPress), Shopify, or Squarespace, you can set up a custom site and sell directly to your audience.

Pros:

  • Full control over branding and pricing

  • Keep more of your profit

  • Build long-term customer relationships

Cons:

  • Requires some setup time

  • You’ll need to drive your own traffic

If you’re serious about selling long-term, building your own site (or at least using your own domain name) is a smart move.

💸 Step 7: Price Your Prints

Pricing can feel tricky, but don’t undervalue your work.

A simple formula to get started:

(Printing cost + Packaging + Shipping + Your Time) × Markup = Retail Price

Markup often ranges between 2.5x to 5x, depending on your reputation, audience, and whether the print is open or limited edition.

Also factor in:

  • Signature value (hand-signed = higher price)

  • Scarcity (limited editions = higher price)

  • Framing or mounting (if offered)

We’re always happy to quote for printing and help you build a pricing model that supports your business.

📦 Step 8: Shipping, Packaging & Fulfilment

Customers expect their prints to arrive safely and in pristine condition.

At Giclée UK, we offer:

  • Protective packaging (acid-free tissue, tubes, or flat mailers)

  • Optional drop-shipping directly to your customers

  • International delivery

You can also keep prints in stock at your home or studio and ship them yourself — or let us handle the printing and shipping as needed.

📣 Step 9: Market Your Work

You don’t need a huge budget to promote your prints — but you do need consistency.

Ideas to get started:

  • Share work-in-progress shots on Instagram

  • Create videos or timelapses of your creative process

  • Build an email list with updates and discounts

  • Run seasonal promotions or limited-time editions

  • Collaborate with influencers or local shops

Don’t be afraid to show your personality — people often buy art because of the artist, not just the image.

🧠 Final Tips for Selling Art Prints

  • Start small, then scale your range as you learn what sells

  • Focus on quality over quantity

  • Protect your files with watermarked previews if needed

  • Always proof your prints before selling to ensure consistency

  • Build trust through great communication and packaging

🚀 Ready to Start Selling?

If you’re ready to start selling your art prints, Giclée UK is here to help. We offer:

  • Expert advice on file setup, papers, and sizing

  • Professional Giclée printing with pigment inks

  • Test prints and proofing options

  • Drop-shipping or local collection in Edinburgh

Let us bring your artwork to life — so you can share it with the world.