Prices too high?

[allyandb]

I recently increased my prices in order to lower my shipping costs, but I'm wondering if I am charging a reasonable amount for my art prints. Please keep in mind that they were all hand drawn by me in colored pencil. Although they are prints, it is not digital/graphic art, and any "customizable" item will have to be re-drawn by me.

I want my buyers to feel that I am a serious artist and that I hold a lot of pride in my work...do you think this is coming across? Are my prices too high for the content? Some of my pieces look simple, but they still take me some time to make. I have been getting a decent amount of views, but no sales lately.

Thank you for any constructive criticism!

[Etchddreams]

Marie

Very nice work. As for Price art is subjective and its worth as much as a customer will pay. This time of year it is slow for everyone.

Honestly I think I would have left your shipping cost up and kept your price lower. Because the customer is never going to understand the cheap shipping.

I charge what shipping cost. And most customers know those cost. And I ship priority mail. So almost all my shipping cost are at least $10.00 and I have never had anyone complain.

I like your work a lot. Keep it going.

[allyandb]

Thank you so much for your kind words! I really appreciate it!

I am definitely striving to grow my business!! Working on developing a certain style (my signature collection) and considering focusing on children's art to hone in on one audience/buyer (plus, it's my favorite thing to draw since having my son!). :)

I will think about my shipping prices!

[Former_Member]

Here's a thought - include in your title something like "prints from original illustration/drawing/art". My impression is that there is quite a bit of digital art out there, and since your work could seem like it's digital when viewed quickly, I think it's important to really emphasize what they are and your technique.

Hope that might be of help, I know it's not a direct answer to your question. :)

[allyandb]

Thanks for your advice Jen!

[WhatCandySays]

Your shipping costs is more than my items....a large box of chocolate....

Unless you ship your items by a very special package...$3 for shipping is really too high....

Personal opinion....

[Former_Member]

Very nice work. I do not think your costs are too high-- I'd suggest keeping shipping costs at actual cost (customers who question shipping cost for safely mailing art work in rigid mailers can be invited to look up costs).

It's also nice that you offer your art work in a variety of sizes, and in note cards. Only suggestion I might make is to note the size (8x10, etc) in title or near top of description-- but that might just be a personal thing I like.

Best Wishes!

[allyandb]

Thank you for your kind words Kylee! Yes, I ship my prints in a rigid mailer to avoid damage and I include a tracking number so my buyer has an idea of when it will arrive. My actual cost for shipping and packaging materials is around $6 but the highest shipping price I would charge would be $5 (if I change it).

Thank you for the size suggestion too - I will consider that too! :)

[allyandb]

Chocolatesays -

I'm confused by your response...isn't a box of chocolates in your shop around $25? Why is $3 more than your items?

Maybe I read something wrong?

[michellemach]

I don't $3 is too high at all for shipping, especially since you explain in your listing what people are getting for that amount.

I do think it's hard to see the technique in your prints, which is what would make them worth the price. Have you thought about including a close-up, maybe showing the pencil strokes? You wouldn't have to show a close-up of an entire piece, but just a section.

[Former_Member]

I think they meant your shipping costs are higher than the shipping costs for a box of chocolates...they charge $2.92 to ship....

[AttentionGetting]

People always think price is the issue, when it usually isn't. If they really love one of your pieces a few dollars won't make a difference.

I wrote a blog piece recently about shipping. Offering free shipping is actually more effective than lowering your price and just work the additional cost into the selling price.

My blog url in on my shop and profile page as we aren't suppose to put in links here.

You want to target the parenting market, don't expect to get all your business from Etsy search as it is too competitive.

I would change your avatar to one of your prints. It's like a mini ad.

[WintergreenDesign]

I think you just need to charge what it costs you to ship the item plus what ever supplies you need to keep it safe... if you add those costs to the price of your item you pay fees on them.

I say this all the time but you really need to ship outside of the USA... you have the potential for far more buyers if you open yourself up. As a Canadian when I search for products I click the "ships to Canada" box and then every shop that doesn't ship to me is removed from my search. If I didn't see your post here I never would have found your shop. Most international shoppers search like this to avoid disappointment. It's really not hard to ship to places like Canada and Australia... custom forms are easy and we are used to paying slightly higher shipping (if they are within reason).

[allyandb]

Chocolatesays - Sorry for the misunderstanding about the shipping costs!

G.B. - Stupid question, I'm sure, but what is the "avatar"? (sorry I'm new at all of this!!!)

Christa - I am definitely willing to ship internationally...I just never put it, because I had no idea what the shipping cost might be. Should I go to the post office to ask? Or can I calculate in on their website?? Also, I had no idea that my listings would not show up in those search results because of only shipping to the US...thanks so much for the advice!!!


Thank you everyone for your advice!

[ScrapendipityDesigns]

I didn't read everything everyone said, so I am sorry if this has been mentioned. But my my suggestion would be to definitely do a close up shot of the corner or piece of the print you are selling so the buyer can really see the texture created by the colored pencil and see the dimension it creates. i think this would really differentiate it from digital art.

Good luck!
Rachel

[xoxocrocheted]

Sales are slow this time of year for everybody - don't undercut yourself on prices. I'll bet it takes a long time to hand-draw every one of those. I think it's a good, fair price :)

[allyandb]

Thanks again everyone! I will definitely consider those close up shots!

[Former_Member]

$3 for shipping is totally fine!! Most of my prints ship for somewhere around there, though I often pay a bit more. I just factor the difference into my listing price for the items (and I totally think your prices are fine!)
I was totally freaked out about selling outside my country (Canada) but once I tried it I found shipping prints is really easy. You don't even have to do duty/customs stuff since its "paper products."
Most of my customers are in the States but I've had some great sales in Europe and Australia too, so you should give it a try!!

[Former_Member]

I think that your prices would be fine if you were working with limited editions. For open edition digital art prints, they seem a bit high. As far as aesthetics, I think your shop might hold the viewer's attention longer if you cluster the brighter colored items near the top... The crayons and legos are quite eye-catching!

[WintergreenDesign]

I think if you are just shipping unframed prints in a non-bend mailer you wouldn't be looking at high shipping fees or even customs at all as it would basically be letter mail. You could take one of your prints up to the post office and ask them what it would be to ship to various parts of the world and then add a bit to your shipping for the cost of the envelope and cellophane bag (if you are using) and you should be good to go... it really is worth it to ship outside your country. If I only sold and shipped within my own country I would've made 10 sales in two years... lol