Do you sell your 2D art on notecards? I highly recommend it. I think that art show patrons like to support the art that they appreciate, even if it is a small way. Greeting card carousels are not expensive and card sales have made the difference from a miserable show and a decent one for me. I print my cards myself, but would love to find an economical volume printer.
I wrote in my blog about the evolution of custom pencil portrait cards. I cracked myself up writing it, I hope it makes you smile if you have time to read it!
http://www.pencilenvy.blogspot.com/2012/11/christmas-card-wars.html
That's probably the last time I'll write in my blog until the new year. Tis the season!
Love to all
Comments
Larry Berman
I make cards as thank you notes for my personal needs and as gift gards when a piece of my work is going to be given as a gift. Also, when a family comes in with a little kid that is impatient or touching things, I give a free card to the kid and tell him/her that they are now an art collector. My cards are always free, but I still go through a few of them. I have found the cheapest way to make these is at Staples or Office Depot. First I make a print on my home computer on good quality matte photo paper. When I take it to a copy center, I first buy a ream of good smooth card stock that is made for copy machines. I then use that paper on the store's self serve copy machines. The card stock has to be fed through the bypass. A store attendant can help you with that. Copies are 49¢ and if you print 2 cards on a sheet, your cost per card will be low. Lower than what you can make on your home printer. Remember, these are not giclees, they do not need to last for centuries, they just need to look good. I print mine on imitation parchment paper, I like the look.
If you want to buy cards in bulk (1000 or more of the same image). I have used PK Graphics for my printing. They are cheap and have done good work for me. They also have a weekly email advertisement with good deals.
I carried note cards for a year or so. Lots of shows I applied to disallowed spinners, so I put them in a nice basket on a small draped table. I printed them myself, and when I crunched the numbers at year's end there wasn't enough profit to justify them.
If you are interested in having someone else print them, I have a name for you. Message me privately and I'll tell you more.
I have three indoor shows back to back starting next this weekend. That's a good point, Larry, but I don't think that I am ready for the big time. I'm grateful to have the cards. As a primarily commissioned portrait artist, I don't have a ton of originals to sell, and those that I do have are all Chicago focused.
Are your shows done for the year Wendy? Enjoy the Holidays. They sure are busy.
Not to say that greeting cards don't work for you. But they do limit the kind of shows you can sell them at as well as limit the kinds of shows you can apply to, especially if you have a spinner rack in your booth picture.
And you run into the people who always gravitate to the least expensive thing in your booth. Remove the cards and they look at more expensive things or at least what you offer as the next price range up.
Larry Berman
http://BermanGraphics.com
412-401-8100