I am so sorry, as I know this has been a topic of discussion before. However, when I searched about how much to sell prints for, I admit I was left scratching my head. I see a lot of people selling 20x24 prints for $20. I don't understand. It would cost me $20 to print the photos, and then shipping, etc. So I would basically be giving my photos away? If you sell, how much do you sell for, where do you sell, etc? Thank you for any input. I have had many friends asking for prints of my photos and I want to make sure I am giving them a fair price and would love to try my hand at selling to strangers, but not for free ;)
@nicolekos I tend to either give prints to friends or just charge them for my costs. However when selling to the public, it depends a lot upon the setting and what competing photographers are charging. If you're selling at a local art fair or farmers market, the prices are usually fairly reasonable (say $20 for a matted 8x10). If you're selling through a gallery and have established a local reputation you might charge considerably more. So a 20X24 matted and framed print might go for $200-$400 or so. It's best to see what other photographers in the area are charging to get a sense of the range. Generally I find that new photographers go to extremes in pricing. They're either giving their work away because they're eager to sell their photos (not a good long term strategy and unfair to fellow photographers) or overpricing (and not selling) so as to appear to be a "true artist." These suggestions are just my impressions from attempting to sell my work over the years in a variety of settings.
What any artist sells is their time. And their name, if they have made their name Materials, unless out of the norm, are not a large part of the equation, if at all.
That said, for most this is a tough question.
There is the perception issue. Too little your work has no value. Too much and you won't sell. Look around and see. Subject factors into the pricing as well.
@dmortega I was on mpix... that's why I was stating that it didn't make sense to sell a 20x24 for $20... it's $19.99 to print ;)
@saggio I give my friends for free ;) I suppose I should have said friends and friends of friends and acquaintances.. I am thinking icrease by $30 for what it costs me to print... fair price but not so much as I think I am entitled to $400 a print for my magnificent work ;) I think that sounds fair?
Yep! I'll be facing this very shortly myself. Mine will be matted and framed for an exhibition showing and potential sales. A simple print alone just doesn't cost much until you start adding all the other stuff but I totally agree selling a print for what they paid for it seems to be undercutting themselves. Price yours higher and see what happens. You can always run a sale, right? :-)
@nicolekos Adding $30 to your costs for a 20x24 print sounds very reasonable and generous on your part. You didn't mention if it was just the straight print or if you were including a mat and frame. Obviously the costs go up as well as your time if you're doing the matting and framing.
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Check out an online printing source like mpix.com.
http://mpix.com/PrintPricing.aspx
That said, for most this is a tough question.
There is the perception issue. Too little your work has no value. Too much and you won't sell. Look around and see. Subject factors into the pricing as well.
@saggio I give my friends for free ;) I suppose I should have said friends and friends of friends and acquaintances.. I am thinking icrease by $30 for what it costs me to print... fair price but not so much as I think I am entitled to $400 a print for my magnificent work ;) I think that sounds fair?