Reproducing Your Originals

With the expansion of our Fine Art Digital Print Service to all six of our stores, the place of reproductions in the marketing of one’s work has come up. As artists, this is worth examining and discussing as it directly relates to our art practices and the selling of art.

The mindset of some has been that reproductions of original pieces may have less value, or reduce the importance of the work somehow. This mentality is fading as producing edition copies with digital printing is becoming a standard practice, a fresh way to offer top quality multiples of original works. And creating original pieces of art digitally has become a popular choice for many artists, with digital imagery standing alone in the completed printed pieces or providing a base for further enhancements by hand.

The state of the economy also has a place in the conversation. The Canadian art market is ever changing and, with the economic challenges of recent years, discretionary funds once spent on art are now limited and buyers don’t seem to be as willing or able as they perhaps were in years past to invest in an original piece of art. This leaves the artist to reconsider how they can get their creations out into the marketplace in order to earn the money needed to continue with their art practice. Fine art reproductions allow artists to offer high quality, archival prints in limited quantities (guaranteeing a set number that will be printed within the edition will increase its inherent value) making them accessible to more people and easier to market, while retaining the original, possibly to sell.

Are reproductions of your originals right for your practice? Consider the following benefits of reproductions:

• generate income from your art whether the original is sold or not
• retain ownership of the original piece if you wish
• make your work available at an easier price-point for the average person
• give multiple people the opportunity to own and enjoy a specific piece
• create reproductions in various sizes in order to offer selection and multiple price points

And are there any drawbacks to reproduction? Possibly. You will need to spend money on reproductions before you can make money selling them, a disadvantage if your budget is limited. Non-archival methods of printing may cost less at the outset but may also cheapen your work in the eyes of potential buyers so you’ll want to choose archival printing materials to maintain your quality standards and to ensure the longevity of your reproductions.

Most importantly, you have worked hard on your creative endeavors and they should have the opportunity to be seen, enjoyed and, hopefully, bought! Digital printing with high quality substrates, pigment based inks, attention to detail of colour correctness, saturation, and contrast of your image, will all go towards a print that is true to the original and something you can be proud to share and sell.