Hi everybody, I'm an experienced acrylic painter who is a newbie to art fairs and forums! My first outdoor showing will be in June and I have a lot of little questions, so thanks in advance to everybody for the knowledge!
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I'll check out 1nb.com, glad to see I have options. I'm going to be at the Easton Art Affair, it's the last weekend in June but I do plan on checking out the Columbus festival. I see a lot of paintings at the monthly gallery hop here and at many festivals in the past, I think a lot of it seems overpriced but I'll definitely keep scouting prices.
Connie Mettler said:
Hi James,
Glad to have you here. Excellent questions. As far as credit cards 1nbCard.com is a sponsor on this site and specializes in mobile merchants (that's you), folks who sell their art at art fairs. You might give them a look. Click on the link on the right side for more info.
Are you going to the Columbus Art Festival? I think you can expect more than 68,000 people to attend! People do sell originals in all price ranges, do not be afraid to show them at what you think are appropriate prices. Have you attended many art fairs? In the weekends between now and Columbus get to some art fairs (check out the list at www.ArtFairCalendar.com to find ones near you.) Especially check out other artists prices. I cannot stress this enough. There is nothing that will be more helpful so that you will be able to take the most advantage of your participation in Columbus.
Glad to have you here. Excellent questions. As far as credit cards 1nbCard.com is a sponsor on this site and specializes in mobile merchants (that's you), folks who sell their art at art fairs. You might give them a look. Click on the link on the right side for more info.
Are you going to the Columbus Art Festival? I think you can expect more than 68,000 people to attend! People do sell originals in all price ranges, do not be afraid to show them at what you think are appropriate prices. Have you attended many art fairs? In the weekends between now and Columbus get to some art fairs (check out the list at www.ArtFairCalendar.com to find ones near you.) Especially check out other artists prices. I cannot stress this enough. There is nothing that will be more helpful so that you will be able to take the most advantage of your participation in Columbus.
Welcome to Art Fair Insiders. I was just reading over your questions and here are a few thoughts/suggestions.
First, I am not an acrylic artist nor do I live in OH - I am in Maryland. I do have some friends who do oils and acrylics and from what they have shared with me, sales REALLY vary from show to show. One says smaller prints sell well while another does well selling large art work. One thing they do say is if you can offer work at various sizes and at various price ranges you have more of a chance to make something. I also work in a craft boutique and only around the holidays 2D artwork sells however, year around the best sales are blank note cards or sentimental notecards/postcards individually as well as in packs. This really appeals to teens and Baby Boomers looking for a card that is different than what you find in Hallmark. Also it is affordable and at the same time you are still selling their work AND it is almost like advertising - the customer is giving it to someone who might want to see what else you offer. It is like Chris, a member here, the $1-$5 items can help pay for your space, but your larger work will help bring in profit.
As far as credit cards there are MANY discussion on this and I have given my 2 cents on this with over 10 discussion on the topic. DO LOOK UP THE DISCUSSIONS they are chock full of valuable info. I personally use 1st National Processing and love them. Check out their website for they have everything very well detailed as to what to look for in a processing company, machines, testimonials, etc. I love them because they have great customer service, never had a problem with my machine a Nurit, and fees are on par (about 2% per transaction). They even offer machine rentals and seasonal activation (good if you don't plan on doing shows year around).
I wish you luck with your first shows. Do continue to use this site as a resource - you are not the only one here looking for answers!
Ok - money - First my paintings are priced at around 200.00 a square foot - I do have smaller originals and they are 200.00 on the low end they go up to 3000.00 on the high side - 1500.00 is the average price of an original in the booth.
The first two years I did outdoor shows - I did not make one sale at an event - I considered it all an advertising expense - After the show I would get call backs and commissioned pieces.
Then I got some prints made at a graphics place in town - they sold ok - but because I was having to cover the graphics place charges ( Digital scan - proofing - printing ) they were a little high - So I invested in an Epson wide format printer/ Canon 8 megapixal camera and started making my own
I paid for those items with the first show in sales - You still have to have something that people want to buy - but now I cover ever price range - I've just this year upgraded to canvas prints so the jury is out on that but paper prints start at 5.00 and the high side is still 3000.00 - something for everyone!
I 'm going to away from the computer most of the day if you have more questions just call at 309-339-1814
That makes me feel better. I was worried it would be a little more out of pocket up front. Well Tom, I have a couple more questions if you don't mind. Being the newbie that I am, I have very limited experience with actual sales of originals. My art rep has sold paintings for me, but I'm never there for it and it's hard for me to imagine just how many people go to these shows and are willing to drop $500 for an original. I would like to offer a prints selection and I understand the lower priced items are where people make their money at these shows, but I need to get a better understanding of how likely it is that I would sell any originals and where they need to be priced to move, yet not devalue me. I uploaded a few paintings on here if you wanna check them out. The fair I'm doing is expecting 68,000 people through, over 3 days in Columbus, Ohio.
So anyway, my questions are: Since you've been doing the outdoor shows for 8 years, on average how many originals do you sell and what kinds of sizes and prices? Based on your knowledge and experience, the size of the fair, the quality and/or subject matter of my paintings- do I have any hope, what could I possibly expect?
I hope this isn't too hard to read, my brain stopped working 20 mins ago. Oh, and if any of it is too personal then don't worry about it. Thanks
tom gross said:
I've had good luck with an on-line site www.propay.com - They have a pretty good deal for someone starting out - You can get set up to take credit cards for a $60.00 fee that covers the whole year - no monthly minimums ( so if you don't use it - no charges) The only drawback is that starting out you have $300.00 per transaction / $3000.00 a month limit - They will raise them for an extra fee - You can call and get an approval code - and you can take all major cards -Visa/MC/Discover/Amex - They do take a percentage of the transaction and funds are available after 2 business days. They have a link for forms and a "knuckle buster" - card imprinter or for an extra fee they have a scanner so you can upload faster. It should get you started for as little as possible - hope it helps and good luck!
James Sewell said:
Hi Tom, My biggest question is about payment. I'm sure lots of answers are on the forum already, I just haven't had a lot of time to search this site yet. Do most outdoor art vendors have credit card machines? If so, are they expensive? Is there a regular service fee? What are other forms of payment that you would regularly accept?
tom gross said:
Hey James,
I'm also an acrylic painter - I do large scale cityscapes ( most are over 48" in at least one direction) I started doing outdoor shows about 8 years ago- What are your questions?
I've had good luck with an on-line site www.propay.com - They have a pretty good deal for someone starting out - You can get set up to take credit cards for a $60.00 fee that covers the whole year - no monthly minimums ( so if you don't use it - no charges) The only drawback is that starting out you have $300.00 per transaction / $3000.00 a month limit - They will raise them for an extra fee - You can call and get an approval code - and you can take all major cards -Visa/MC/Discover/Amex - They do take a percentage of the transaction and funds are available after 2 business days. They have a link for forms and a "knuckle buster" - card imprinter or for an extra fee they have a scanner so you can upload faster.
It should get you started for as little as possible - hope it helps and good luck!
James Sewell said:
Hi Tom, My biggest question is about payment. I'm sure lots of answers are on the forum already, I just haven't had a lot of time to search this site yet. Do most outdoor art vendors have credit card machines? If so, are they expensive? Is there a regular service fee? What are other forms of payment that you would regularly accept?
tom gross said:
Hey James,
I'm also an acrylic painter - I do large scale cityscapes ( most are over 48" in at least one direction) I started doing outdoor shows about 8 years ago- What are your questions?
Hi Tom,
My biggest question is about payment. I'm sure lots of answers are on the forum already, I just haven't had a lot of time to search this site yet. Do most outdoor art vendors have credit card machines? If so, are they expensive? Is there a regular service fee? What are other forms of payment that you would regularly accept?
tom gross said:
Hey James,
I'm also an acrylic painter - I do large scale cityscapes ( most are over 48" in at least one direction) I started doing outdoor shows about 8 years ago- What are your questions?
I'm also an acrylic painter - I do large scale cityscapes ( most are over 48" in at least one direction) I started doing outdoor shows about 8 years ago- What are your questions?
Replies
Connie Mettler said:
Glad to have you here. Excellent questions. As far as credit cards 1nbCard.com is a sponsor on this site and specializes in mobile merchants (that's you), folks who sell their art at art fairs. You might give them a look. Click on the link on the right side for more info.
Are you going to the Columbus Art Festival? I think you can expect more than 68,000 people to attend! People do sell originals in all price ranges, do not be afraid to show them at what you think are appropriate prices. Have you attended many art fairs? In the weekends between now and Columbus get to some art fairs (check out the list at www.ArtFairCalendar.com to find ones near you.) Especially check out other artists prices. I cannot stress this enough. There is nothing that will be more helpful so that you will be able to take the most advantage of your participation in Columbus.
First, I am not an acrylic artist nor do I live in OH - I am in Maryland. I do have some friends who do oils and acrylics and from what they have shared with me, sales REALLY vary from show to show. One says smaller prints sell well while another does well selling large art work. One thing they do say is if you can offer work at various sizes and at various price ranges you have more of a chance to make something. I also work in a craft boutique and only around the holidays 2D artwork sells however, year around the best sales are blank note cards or sentimental notecards/postcards individually as well as in packs. This really appeals to teens and Baby Boomers looking for a card that is different than what you find in Hallmark. Also it is affordable and at the same time you are still selling their work AND it is almost like advertising - the customer is giving it to someone who might want to see what else you offer. It is like Chris, a member here, the $1-$5 items can help pay for your space, but your larger work will help bring in profit.
As far as credit cards there are MANY discussion on this and I have given my 2 cents on this with over 10 discussion on the topic. DO LOOK UP THE DISCUSSIONS they are chock full of valuable info. I personally use 1st National Processing and love them. Check out their website for they have everything very well detailed as to what to look for in a processing company, machines, testimonials, etc. I love them because they have great customer service, never had a problem with my machine a Nurit, and fees are on par (about 2% per transaction). They even offer machine rentals and seasonal activation (good if you don't plan on doing shows year around).
I wish you luck with your first shows. Do continue to use this site as a resource - you are not the only one here looking for answers!
Michelle
www.bythebaybotanicals.com
www.quickcraftartisttips.blogspot.com
The first two years I did outdoor shows - I did not make one sale at an event - I considered it all an advertising expense - After the show I would get call backs and commissioned pieces.
Then I got some prints made at a graphics place in town - they sold ok - but because I was having to cover the graphics place charges ( Digital scan - proofing - printing ) they were a little high - So I invested in an Epson wide format printer/ Canon 8 megapixal camera and started making my own
I paid for those items with the first show in sales - You still have to have something that people want to buy - but now I cover ever price range - I've just this year upgraded to canvas prints so the jury is out on that but paper prints start at 5.00 and the high side is still 3000.00 - something for everyone!
I 'm going to away from the computer most of the day if you have more questions just call at 309-339-1814
So anyway, my questions are: Since you've been doing the outdoor shows for 8 years, on average how many originals do you sell and what kinds of sizes and prices? Based on your knowledge and experience, the size of the fair, the quality and/or subject matter of my paintings- do I have any hope, what could I possibly expect?
I hope this isn't too hard to read, my brain stopped working 20 mins ago. Oh, and if any of it is too personal then don't worry about it. Thanks
tom gross said:
It should get you started for as little as possible - hope it helps and good luck!
James Sewell said:
My biggest question is about payment. I'm sure lots of answers are on the forum already, I just haven't had a lot of time to search this site yet. Do most outdoor art vendors have credit card machines? If so, are they expensive? Is there a regular service fee? What are other forms of payment that you would regularly accept?
tom gross said:
I'm also an acrylic painter - I do large scale cityscapes ( most are over 48" in at least one direction) I started doing outdoor shows about 8 years ago- What are your questions?