How do you print your artwork for buyers?

[Former_Member]

I want to start a shop to sell my digital prints but first I want to get an idea of the process you guys use to get the artwork on paper and shipped out.

I was thinking the easiest way would be to have an online service print and mail it to a buyer. I wonder if this is more expensive than doing it locally? Perhaps it's a trade-off for convenience?

If you do it locally, what is the process for that? Do you bring an flash drive or something to a print shop?

Just trying to get a general idea of how things work. Thanks!

[Former_Member]

I am very lucky, I work in a commercial print shop and print all my prints on a high end commercial xerox copier.

[KinAndCaboodle]

I print myself. I have a high quality Epson inkjet printer that creates archival prints that rival (or are better than) any print shop I've found. By printing in my home studio, I have control over every aspect of my product including media, color calibration, packaging, production speed, etc. It is also slightly less expensive than outsourcing the printing.

When I first started, I tried a local print shop, but the output colors varied so much (from my monitor and also from visit to visit) that I dug into my savings and invested in a printer. I haven't regretted it!

[Former_Member]

Megan, if you don't mind sharing, which Epson do you use? I love the quality of my local print shop (the colors are nearly identical to my monitor), but it can be so inconvenient at time, so I'm looking into buying a printer. Also, what cutter do you use?

[Former_Member]

I have an epson stylus c88+ It prints great. I plan on selling my items via print and ship and digital. If you do digital just make sure you print them for your listings so customers can see what they look like. Colors will vary by monitor and printer so make sure your clients know this and list it in your policy. Here is a tip...really look on here and just send a contact to the art shop whom you love and tell them so and let them know you are an aspiring seller and need advice. I got great advice from sellers who really sell. I did digital but I went about it all wrong and now it I am getting things together!

[ColourscapePrints]

We also use a Epson printer, that way we can control every aspect of the printing.

Be aware that Etsy's TOS prohibit you from drop-shipping (ie: third party printer sending it directly to the customer).