Hi! I am going to be expanding my booth to include larger metal prints. I don't have much room to have be able to restock if something sells, so I'm thinking that I will take orders and have drop-shipped from lab to customer. Is this common practice, or do people expect to walk away with the print that day? The largest I will have displayed is 20x30, down to 11x14. Any and all advice appreciated!

You need to be a member of Art Fair Insiders to add comments!

Join Art Fair Insiders

Votes: 0
Email me when people reply –

Replies

  • I rarely sell directly off the wall. Most of the displayed pieces are 36x54 or larger and are signed artist proofs. I offer custom orders to ensure the final piece is flawless and always handled in a controlled environment. I review every single piece before it is shipped. Shipping is included in my pricing, and customers at shows have always understood that I don’t sell my inventory for shows. Instead, I deliver a perfect piece to their door at no extra cost. The process usually takes 3-4 weeks, and I make sure they know this upfront, staying in touch throughout printing and framing.

  • Hey Linda, I know I'm a few weeks behing (LOL) I don't pop in here enough. So regarding your excellent question, speaking on behalf of myself, I find it to be a semi-common practice to drop-ship the same artwork {size & finish} to the client. If this happens, its a common practice I don't ever identify the print lab, or master printer.  To help make the transaction go smoothly, I emphasize the fact that I'll deliver the artwork without delivery costs directly to them. Also, if its a Limited or Luxury Edition piece I'm offering, I explain I'll mail the signed COA seperately.

    This can easily be handled without offputting your prospective client. For example, throughout the day I set the tone during conversation by stating "booth space is so limiting during art fairs, and I'd love to exhibit more of my work." This becomes a natural bridge to navigating on my website to place the order on the spot as needed.  

    I recently had this happen at a juried Berkshire county Fall Art Walk... It was a 30x20" Chromaluxe dye-infused piece - and the first time I ever exhibited this new work publically. I had NO idea it would garner so much attention right off. I sold all {3} of the matted prints {24x18"} in the bins within the first 90 minutes.. On the final day of fair, I had a client requesting to procure a larger version - either a 36x24" or 45x30" which I was thrilled to accomodate them.... however, they wanted the piece so badly they purchased the 30x20" on display after a brief discussion a few yards away. I had another show scheduled for the following weekend - so I was really all in on ordering (the bigger size) from my website on the spot.  I couldn't push back too hard without potentially having them slip off the hook.    

  • it depends! Just bring a few latrge ones to your first few shows and see how it goes. In my experience, customers get excited about what they see and want to take it with them. Offering to ship "from the lab" may be offputting. It takes the magic out. 

    • That is so true, when you say it takes the magic out. I was trying to think how I could reword the "from the lab" thing, and I couldn't think of anything. I thought maybe I could say that this is my "sample" and I would rather send them a "brand new" one (leaving "the lab" out of it...even though that's where it would come from). But no matter what, I think most people are going to want it NOW.

  • normally we sell 20x30s and the customer takes the metal print home with them that day.  You could do either but I think that would really depend on your customer.  some may list having to delivered to them as long as there isnt an additional charge, but some might want to take it home that day.

    • Thank you, Neal!

This reply was deleted.