Specific question about one of my products

[thepatternedpeacock]

In my shop I sell what I call wall art boards. It's one of my prints mounted to a painted piece of wood with a sawtooth hanger on the back. I paint and seal the sides and the back. I was shopping at a craft show in NYC yesterday and noticed that other vendors who were selling their prints mounted to wood didn't paint the back. (One didn't even paint the sides.) These pieces were a similar size and pricepoint to mine.

It obviously adds extra time to my production process to paint and seal the back. (I usually do two coats of each.) Put yourself in the shoes of the buyer. Does the painted backside add value? If not, should I skip it and save myself the time?

Here is a listing for one of the pieces so you can get a better sense of what I'm talking about. The second image is a photo of the back. Thanks for your help!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/85836305/plum-wall-art-cabinet-of-curiousities

[Former_Member]

I think the sides should be painted, but I do not care about the back at all. Its going to be hidden by the wall anyhow.

[Former_Member]

Those are really pretty :) I personally like the painted back. It finishes it off very professionally and looks like something you could get in a store. But - It probably isn't necessary. I would wager most people don't care or wouldn't notice. I think only crafty people would notice, lol. Sides must be painted though!

[Former_Member]

I agree with the 2 above-the back painted is nice, but not necessary. The sides definately need to be painted. I like your product!

[AllisStudio]

Beautiful! I agree...sides definitely, back not so much (even though it does give it a nice polished look).

[MyGigiDoll]

I agree that the sides should be painted but not the back. In fact, I think I would like it better if the back were left unsealed because it would give me a glimpse of the wood that is under the paint.

Your shop is very pretty! :)

[thepatternedpeacock]

Thank you for the compliments everyone! I am so torn about this decision. I want to have a high quality product and to me, part of that, means attention to the little details. But at the same time if I try to wholesale these, I would like my production process to be as streamlined as possible. I appreciate the feedback. The more opinions, the better.

[Former_Member]

I love your work! I would definitely go for painted sides. I also think that painted back just makes your product stand above the crowd. You might want to keep it and incorporate that in your pricing.
Good luck!

[Former_Member]

I also make works on boards (paintings) and feel that painting the back makes it feel "finished" and hides some of the construction info. You don't want it to look like "just a board" with something on it. Also, remember the customer has to hang it and will be getting involved with the back, albeit briefly. I sometimes put a short, handpainted message there for special orders. Or you could make your own stickers to put there. More subtle advertising, more implied worth!