The do and don't of Giclee Prints.......Please share whatever you know.

[Former_Member]

SK just had this beautiful Giclee Print made of one of her paintings....Isn't is lovely. (Lovely is one of my fav. words)
http://www.etsy.com/listing/111394226/crazy-salad-giclee-print-of-original

Please share what you may know or have experienced in having prints made.

I've only had a couple of prints made locally....I was please with them and they were not very expensive. This is one.
https://www.etsy.com/listing/69119673/print-of-aspen-trees-from-my-original

I took a second look and I need to take better photos....for sure

[SKColeArt]

Hi Donnarose, I had my giclees printed here: http://www.fineprintimaging.com/.

Everything was done via email and telephone. I ordered the cheapest option and only ordered two prints, because I wasn't sure how they would turn out, but they came out really nice.

The cheapest option was about 9 x 9 in size and printed on Decor textured paper, which is a pretty nice paper and reminds me of 140 lb cold press watercolor paper .

They cost 9 dollars a print, with a minimum order of two, plus it was another 9 dollars for the shipping. They include a blank certificate of authenticity that you can sign and send to your customers.

On the whole, I was very happy with what they did, but I'd like to find a place near where I live so I don't have to pay the shipping.

[SKColeArt]

PS your aspen pic is really nice.

[Former_Member]

Thanks SK
I will take a peek at that site....
Now that you like there work maybe there is free shipping if you order a certain amount.
Where do you live?????
I'm in Montana and a shop in Missoula......about an hour away.......charges quite a bit more then $9 and plus there is usually a set up charge. I"m sure they don't call it set up but it is a charge for them to take the photo etc.
My print are on a nice paper but maybe a little too shiny to me but then others may think it is ok......all personal taste.

[SKColeArt]

Donnarose, I live in the S. F. Bay Area.

[SKColeArt]

I got the invoice from the giclee printing website. The shipping charges were less than I expected. Only $5.50. Plus, they did not charge any print prep fees or set-up charges; only for the prints. So, I will probably use them again.

They are also willing to keep my digital art on file for re-orders.

[MorganRalstonArt]

I use a company called The Giclee Factory. They're great and VERY inexpensive for the quality they provide!.. which like I said before is great ;)

http://www.thegicleefactory.com/home.htm

Check out their prices!

http://www.thegicleefactory.com/prices.htm

Shipping is a flat rate of 19 bucks though so if you do choose to use them try for a larger order. But even with three prints you'll be saving.

[SKColeArt]

Wow, those are cheap prices, Morgan, thanks! I will give them a try.

[MorganRalstonArt]

Their quality is great too.

[BingArt]

So...

a.) Yes, I know this thread is super old, but I'm bringing it back from the dead! because...
b.) I just ordered prints through the service that Susan recommended ( fineprintimaging.com ). I have had absolutely terrible experiences in the past with prints... so we'll see how this goes.

I've just had a hard time keeping up with stocking originals and thought maybe prints are the answer. I'll be sure to update!

[sherischart]

Donnarose and Morgan ~ how do you ship your fine prints? Any suggestions?

[BingArt]

Still waiting to receive mine... can't WAIT cause my inventory is being depleted with this rush lately.

[Former_Member]

I have pictures of my paintings taken professionally only about 10 miles from where I live. He then shows me a proof of the picture and then prints on whatever paper I choose. There is a difference on how digital cameras and computers and printers interpret the data so the final print might not be what you'd expect. My photgrapher/printer has all of his equipment "tuned" identically to avoid this problem. How does a online printing company know what the actual picture looks like? I can take the graphic file (.tif) from my printer and run a small copy at home and it looks nothing like it should.

[Former_Member]

We had a photographer that did that here but we're in somewhat of a small town and the shop is no longer here. It is expensive for many but you pay for quality.

[BingArt]

Well I received the prints and I have to say I'm pleased with them! We worked out all the kinks over the phone and everything looks great. I'm working on how to package them now and will wait a few weeks before adding them to my shop :)

[Former_Member]

I'm glad your prints worked out fine, Rachel. How do you work out the kinks over the phone ... what kinks? I am interested in case my supplier is ever not available.

[BingArt]

I just went through exactly how I wanted the prints to appear... I wanted to make sure you could see the texture and that the colors didn't look runny :) They sent samples before I made the final purchase so I could see! Loved the experience.

[MorganRalstonArt]

@Sherri - Sorry for the very late response. I purchase flat canvas giclee prints, sign them, roll them, bubble wrap and tape them and package them in a shipping tube with a few business cards inside and one on the outside of the tube. I have to use tubes wider than 8 cm or the post office charges a premium.

I used to ship them matted with a foam core backing but that was to costly to package and ship. This way I can keep my prices reasonable.

[ABitofWhimsyArt]

Great thread, I often wonder how other shops operate in the selling of their prints.

I've been using www.iprintfromhome.com for the past few years. I'm really happy with their quality & customer service. The Somerset Velvet Giclee prints start out at $10 a piece for 8"x10", but the price goes down significantly when ordering in bulk. The shipping costs are also free after ordering more than $36 worth of prints. I've also in the past ordered a Giclee stretched canvas from them at a reasonable price that really came out beautifully.

I invested in a scanner a few years back that I honestly can't live without it. Once a piece is scanned, I simply upload the image to iprintfromhome and place my order. It's been an investment but worth it for me.

I've been also using www.uline.com for the past few years. I personally have had really bad experience from my own post office when *receiving* cardboard mailers. I know a good majority of people ship their work using cardboard mailers but have stayed away from them with the fear of a customer receiving damaged artwork. Besides, most of my original artwork that sells is 11" x14" anyway, this way I can use the same box whether it's an original piece or print.

Believe it or not the boxes are pretty inexpensive & I've simply incorporated to the in to my shipping costs. The boxes I use are 17"x15"x1". I order a 100 at about $1 a box. Uline is awesome because the offer sooo many different sizes!

I remember searching & searching for info on the printing and making of Giclee prints a few years ago and it was so hard to get someone to divulge who they use!

I'm glad for this team, you all have been so very helpful :)

[Former_Member]

Along these lines I'm considering going the giclee route to bring my art to a wider market. Just not sure how to proceed. Offer giclees and have them done on demand or order several to have on hand? Sizes? Pricing is also an issue. What to do? Steps to take? Any feedback is welcomed.

[MorganRalstonArt]

I had a local giclee provider but then I moved and I'm having a hard time finding one in my area. I sign and edition mine so, shipping costs are undoable for on demand orders. So, I order a bunch in bulk because my provider overs free shipping with orders over $99.

I could use one of my POD sites to offer prints, have them unsigned and ship them direct from the provider... But I don't have enough faith in their shipping times. A lot of people have had a fair bit of success doing it that way, since the Etsy rules have been changed to allow shipping direct from source.

[JBeaudetStudios]

I'm using fineartamerica and just purchased their somerset velvet. I'm happy with how they turned out. The only problem is the shipping time and the price of shipping. I haven't ordered on canvas yet but just had a sale for one through their site, so I hope they like it! I don't like not being able to see it myself first.
On a side note, I think I've said before on here, I used to be the color corrector at a giclee print shop. This was years ago, when no one but very high end artist knew what a giclee was. The company was the Giclee "pioneer" and I'm proud to have worked there! I learned a lot which has helped my art career but one thing I remember is how hard it was to work with artists! haha Not all of them, but there were a few! Thank goodness things have changed and prices have gone way down. When I was working there it was $800 a sheet and you had to buy the whole sheet!

Anyway, for now I'm happy with fineartamerica and their promotional opportunities, alone with the quality and customer service. But…I'm still going to check out some of the other mentioned in this thread! Good discussion!