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!
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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. I don't ever really mention the print lab - or my master printer - but I do emphasize the fact that I can deliver the artwork with NO shipping costs directly to them by saying "I'll cover that expense for you". The cost of delivery is an issue on the back of their mind at all times, so I make it the primary concern. If its a Limited Edition, or Luxury Edition piece I'm offering, I let them know I'll be mailing the signed COA seperately with instructions to apply the serial number included on the reverse side of the piece.
I recently had this happen at one of the 2024 Lenox Art Walks... It was a 30x20" Chromaluxe dye-infused piece and the first time ever exhibited publically. I had NO idea it would garner so much attention as it did. I sold all {3} of the matted 18x12" prints {24x18"} of this one in the flip bins within the first 90 minutes.. Then on the last day of fair (Sunday) I had a client really wanting to procure a larger version - either a 36x24" or 45x30" which I was thrilled to do.... however they wanted the piece so badly they purchased the 30x20" on display after a brief meeting a few yards away. I had another show scheduled the following weekend - so I was all over having them order (the bigger size) from my website on the spot. This is one case where I rather they ordered the bigger piece, but just couldnt push back on them too hard and risk losing the sale.
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!