Are you ready to turn your artwork into a profitable business? Whether you're a seasoned artist or just starting out, creating prints of your art is a great way to preserve your originals and earn extra income.
But where do you begin? Should you go for online printing or work with a local shop? And which material will make your art shine? We're here to guide you through the process step by step, so you can confidently share your work with the world. Let's dive in!
Advantages of Make Prints of Your Art
Turning your original artwork into prints isn't just about sharing your creativity—it's a smart way to grow your art business. Let's break down why this strategy works, especially as the global online art market is projected to hit $17.76 billion by 2030, growing at 8.5% annually.
Prints create a passive income stream. Unlike selling a single painting, you can sell unlimited copies of a print. Imagine earning money while you sleep: someone buys a digital download or physical print, and your bank account grows without extra effort.
Prints make your art accessible to more people. Original pieces can be pricey, but prints let buyers own your work at lower costs. This expands your audience—from students decorating dorm rooms to collectors on a budget.
And with the online art market booming, you're not limited to local galleries. A customer in Tokyo or Paris can discover your work with a few clicks.
Here's how prints help you build your brand:
- Consistent visibility: Display prints at markets, on social media, or your website to stay top-of-mind.
- Portfolio diversity: Offer different sizes or finishes (like glossy vs. matte) to appeal to varied tastes.
- Collaboration opportunities: Partner with cafes, stores, or influencers to showcase your prints.
Worried about quality? Modern printing tech ensures colors stay vibrant, and papers or canvases feel professional. You don't need to be a tech expert—many print-on-demand services handle production and shipping, so you focus on creating.
Selling prints lets you test what resonates with audiences. If a certain style sells fast, you'll know where to direct your energy. Plus, every print shared online acts as free marketing. A buyer's Instagram post could potentially save you a fortune in advertising dollars.
In short, prints can turn your art into a scalable, adaptable business. Letting you reach a wider audience and make money in a smarter way.
How to Make Prints of Your Art
Step 1: Prepare Your Artwork
Before you can start printing your art, you will need to prepare the artwork. And whether your artwork is a painting, drawing, or digital design, first you need to make sure that it's prepared for the scanning or photography stage. Be sure to clean your work of any dust, fingerprints, or imperfections.
For paper art, you might need to clean the surface or get it flat on your work surface. For larger projects, it's advisable to take photographs in well-lit conditions in order to enhance your details.
Step 2: Digitize Your Artwork
After finishing your art, the next stage is to convert it to digital. There are two broad ways to do this:
- Scanning: For smaller pieces, a high-res scanner is best. This method preserves every detail of your artwork with precision. For best results, scan images at 300 DPI (dots per inch) or higher.
- Photography: If your product is larger or canvas-based, a DSLR camera is recommended. Avoid shadows and glare with photos taken in natural light. Just make sure to modify the camera settings to capture the best image you can.
Get tip: Inspect the image for any blemishes after the scanning process. If necessary, adjust using editing software.
Step 3: Edit Your Image
Editing your art is an essential step in making the final print look professional. Open the image in an editing program like Photoshop or GIMP. Make adjustments to the colors, brightness, and contrast to ensure the digital version of your art matches the original as closely as possible.
You can also crop the image to fit the print size you want. Resizing the image is important to ensure that the final print maintains a high resolution, especially for larger prints.
Step 4: Choose Your Print Method
Now that you have a digital copy of your art, it's time to choose how you want to print it. You can either print it yourself using a high-quality printer or send it to a professional print service. If you choose to print at home, make sure to use high-quality paper like photo paper or canvas for the best results.
If you're unsure about printing it yourself, many online or local print shops offer custom printing services, where you upload your file and they handle the rest.
Step 5: Finalize Your Prints
After printing your art, it's important to check the quality. Ensure the colors are accurate and that the print quality meets your expectations. You can also consider framing or packaging your prints for sale or display.
Read More:
- How to Make Art Prints at Home for Beginners: Comprehensive Guide
- 10 Ideas to Unlock Passive Income for Artists: Make More Earnings
Local vs Online Printing Services: What's Best for Your?
Local Print Shops
If you want to have more control over the quality of your prints, a local print shop is often the best option. You can inspect the prints in person, ensuring the paper quality and colors match your expectations. In many cities, you'll find print shops that specialize in high-quality art prints.
Some local shops may even offer deals or free prints to artists to help with their artwork production. Additionally, going local can give you the opportunity to discuss your needs directly with the print shop, allowing for more tailored advice and service.
However, the costs may vary. Local print shops can sometimes be a bit more expensive, depending on their capabilities and the quality you're after.
It's also a good idea to inquire about different paper options and printing methods to find what works best for your art.
While it might not be the cheapest option, the benefit of being able to see and control the final product is significant for art prints.
Online Print Services
If you're looking for convenience and affordable prices, online print services may be the way to go.
Websites like PrintKK and Redbubble provide print on demand services where you can upload your artwork and they handle printing, shipping, and even selling your prints.
This can be an especially good option if you're new to selling art prints and don't want to deal with managing inventory or order fulfillment.
The quality of online prints can vary by service. For example, Printful may be a bit more expensive, costing $20 for a framed print. On the other hand, platforms like PrintKK offer more cost-effective pricing, where you can get a canvas print for $5.
While online services offer a more hands-off approach, you have less control than working with a local print shop. After all, you don't have the opportunity to check the print quality before shipping.
The best choice depends on what you're comfortable with and what your budget allows.
If you're looking for high-quality prints and personal control, consider going local. But if convenience and scalability are more important, then online print-on-demand services may be the better fit.
Best Tips for Digitizing Your Artwork
Digitizing your artwork is a key step to make prints that look great in 2025. Here's how you can do it well, broken into simple tips with clear steps.
Use Natural Light and a DSLR Camera
Take photos of your art in natural light for the best results. A DSLR camera works better than a phone because it captures details and textures clearly.
Phones can work, but they often miss the small stuff.
Set up near a window on a cloudy day to avoid harsh shadows. This helps your digitized artwork look true to the original.
Set Up Two Diffused Lights
Glare can ruin your photos, especially with pencil drawings. Use two soft light sources, like lamps with diffusers, placed on either side of your art.
This cuts down shine and keeps colors accurate. Test your setup first to make sure there's no reflection before you snap the picture.
Photograph Instead of Scanning
Scanners can make canvas texture or brushstrokes look odd, which might distract from your artwork.
Photography with a DSLR is usually better for capturing what your piece really looks like. It might take a few tries to get a flat painting just right, so be patient and adjust as needed.
Edit Your Photos
After you take the shots, edit them to fix colors and contrast. Free tools like Gimp let you brighten backgrounds or smooth out flaws.
For more control, try Photoshop Elements to correct lens distortion. Good editing ensures your prints match your vision.
Save in High Resolution
Aim for high-quality files like TIFF to keep all the details sharp. You can switch to JPEG later for printing, but start with the best resolution.
If your art is big, photograph it in sections and stitch the images together in Photoshop.
Talk to a Print Shop
Check with local print shops about paper and methods. They can guide you on what works best for your digitized artwork and help your prints turn out perfect.
PrintKK Helps You Create Quality Art Prints on Different Materials
Whether you're just starting out or looking to expand your art prints, PrintKK is here to help you produce stunning prints that truly reflect your vision. You can choose from a range of materials to create prints that will appeal to your customers or enhance your personal collection.
Metal Prints
For those looking to create something sleek and modern, metal prints are a great choice. These prints offer a contemporary edge, with a smooth, shiny surface that makes colors and details stand out.
PrintKK ensures that metal prints are vibrant and durable, perfect for making a statement piece in any home or office.
Print on Demand Metal Photo Prints with Stand (Vertical) - Home Decor - PrintKK
Acrylic Prints
One popular option is acrylic prints. Acrylic is known for its glossy finish and ability to make colors pop, making it an excellent choice for those wanting to showcase vibrant art.
PrintKK ensures that your acrylic prints are sharp and detailed, bringing your artwork to life with a high level of clarity and depth.
Custom Acrylic Wall Art Prints Square (Punched Type) - Print-On-Demand - PrintKK
Canvas Prints
Another great option is canvas prints. This material gives your art a more traditional look, with a textured finish that mimics the feel of a painting.
Whether you're creating modern or classic designs, canvas prints from PrintKK maintain excellent quality at an affordable price, making it easy to sell or display your work.
Print On Demand Wood Framed Canvas Prints Wall Art - PrintKK
Poster Prints (Paper)
If you're looking to create posters, PrintKK offers high-quality paper prints that are perfect for artwork with vibrant colors and intricate designs.
Paper prints are a cost-effective way to share your art with a larger audience. PrintKK provides excellent printing services, ensuring your posters look fantastic while remaining budget-friendly.
Custom Printed on Demand Posters (2:3) - Wall Decor - PrintKK
Wood Prints (Skateboard Art)
Finally, for a truly unique art print, consider wood prints, like skateboard art. This material offers a natural feel and can add a rustic or edgy look to your designs. PrintKK produces high-quality wood prints that are durable and visually striking, ideal for artists looking to stand out.
Custom Printed on Demand 3 Panels Wood Skateboard Prints Wall Art (Made in USA) - Wall Art - PrintKK
With seamless integrations with platforms like Etsy and Shopify, you can easily sell and promote your prints online. Whether you're showcasing your art or selling it,
PrintKK is your partner in creating exceptional prints that resonate with your audience.
Expert Tips
Now that you've learned the steps to make prints of your art, it's time to put your plans into action.
Whether you choose online printing or a local service, you have the tools to preserve your original work and start making money from prints. Remember, selecting the right materials and understanding the printing process are key to ensuring your art looks its best.
Don't rush the process—take your time to find the best options for your artwork. The world is waiting to see your art in print!
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