Angela Lansbury with a painting produced at Susan Alison's art class at Writer's Holiday, in Fishguard, Wales, 2018.
Problem
The art teacher wants me to send one of my paintings for her website. Gladly.
Selling
But she is selling cards of her work. Could I sell my work? I don't want to part with my paintings. If I had two dozen similar I might.
Buying
I bought a little watercolour picture, postcard size, from somebody else for a modest price. It was under £10 including postage. I saw it on ebay. I knew I had in stock some postcard size frames.
I don't want the hassle of posting things out. I want a website which will create the items and, like Lulu, post them out to buyers.
But I would happily sell a card or key-ring using one of my paintings.
Vistaprint
If you already use Vistaprint, they make all kinds of good from your artwork. The question is, would the results be cheap enough for you to make a profit? To put it another way, if you add on your profit, is the price sufficiently low to tempt people to buy?
If you are uploading photos, anybody could just copy them and print them out on typing paper. You can watermark your photo.
Some site put up one photo which is free. All others pictures by the same photographer or painter are paid for. The free one is there as advertising. Some poeple may buy a photo just as a thank you - getting two for the price of one. Others will like their photo and coma back to you later if they want a birthday present.
What could you make with your designs?
animal and bird scenes
anniversary cards
birthday cards (for all ages - from toy scenes to 100 years old)
bon voyage cards
caps
calling card (address card) size pictures to collect and swap (artists do this)
charity fund-raiser cards
cushion covers
ear-rings
engagement cards
jewellery sets
key-rings
notecards
Pendants
pens with pull-out scroll pictures
pillow cases
post card size pictures
rings
Xmas cards
Xmas cracker gifts
Xmas stocking gifts
wedding cards
Xmas tee-shirt
Wikipedia
Or do what Wikipedia does. People put up free use of low-resolution images. If readers want high resolution, they have to go back to the author or painter and pay the commercial rate.
A key ring or cap or t-shirt would be less copiable.
You can sell paintings, originals at much higher prices.
Where can you sell?
Though the website of the company making the product.
Through ebay.
Through etsy.
Through Amazon.
Through local craft fairs.
Through craft fairs all over the world.
The Cost of Selling
You are likely to be charged for a stand. But you may be able to share a stand, or offer your goods to somebody who has not enough to fill their stand, on a commission basis.
Display and Packing
How can you display your cards? You can buy display racks. Or DIY your own. Or use plate racks.
If you are selling cards, you need see-through protective envelopes so buyers can transport their cards home safely.
Timing
If you are selling birthday cards, Xmas cards, holiday wear, or through a company such as ebay which rates you on whether you send off goods within 24 hours and get them to the customer within a time limit, you have to be a well-organized person.
Record Keeping
No good if you are a typical creative, prone to losing the goods, forgetting, falling ill, travelling. If you are not well-organized you might be better off using a company which sends the goods out for you. Then you have to be sure to give them your bank account details, check you get paid, keep records, and fill in a tax return.
Packing
The way to send things off fast is to have the item you are selling packed up ready to go with your address inside. Add a note thanking the buyer and hoping they like the goods.
Weighing
Take the goods to the post office to get them weighed in advance. Or buy a franking machine.
When you get an order, just print out the label and take the goods to the post office.
Time your visit to the post office so it is a regular walk or drive daily. Or use a collection service.
If you don't want to do this, sell collection only.
Framing
https://www196.lunapic.com/editor/?action=border
Here are the companies I have found:
Useful Websites:
https://www.thoughtco.com/paintings-into-notecards-or-greeting-cards-2578008
https://www.craftsy.com/paper-crafts/article/drawing-greeting-cards/
http://www.art2card.co.uk
Finally: Facebook. I was looking for how to add a frame, which instead I larned how to make a card.
You can click on a photo and save it as a card and add text. The price I was offered was 79p. However, I don't know the size or how long it takes to deliver.
Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer, author and speaker. Please bookmark and share links to your favourite posts.
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