Print on demand for artists
Printing only what you have sold sounds like the safe way to run a print shop of your own. The sums work best when you batch a little.
Two things people mean by it.
Some artists mean an online platform that takes the order, prints it and posts it to the buyer while keeping a share. Others mean holding their own files, reordering from a print shop as sales come in, and sending the prints themselves. This page is about the second. If you want prints sent straight to a customer, ask us what can be arranged.
Where the numbers bite
Prints cost least per piece when ordered together. Our volume rates count prints of one size in a single order, whatever the image. That matters to an artist: five A3 prints of five different works still count as five.
| Size | 1 print | 5+ prints | 20+ prints |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12in x 12in | £5.50 | £4.50 | £3.50 |
| A3 | £7.99 | £5.50 | £3.99 |
| 18in x 12in | £8.99 | £5.99 | £4.50 |
| A2 | £13.99 | £9.99 | £6.99 |
There is a second thing to plan around. Our £35 minimum order applies to large format poster printing, so ask how it affects a single small print. Grouping work into one order deals with that as well. Ask us how the minimum applies to the sizes you sell.
Guide prices from our price list. They exclude VAT and delivery and assume print-ready artwork.
Pick a rhythm
| Approach | Suits | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Order per sale | Large, costly pieces such as stretched canvas | Highest cost per print, and the buyer waits |
| Batch weekly or monthly | Steady online sales across several designs | Tell buyers your dispatch rhythm up front |
| Small stock of best sellers | Fairs, open studios and pop-ups | Needs dry, flat storage, and money tied up |
Many artists end up with a mix: a few best sellers kept in a drawer, and everything else batched.
Make every reorder identical
A buyer who sees your work on a friend's wall expects the same thing. Keep one sheet listing each design, its final file name, size and material, and order from it every time. Do not re-export files between orders. If you change a file, give it a new version number. Getting a good master in the first place matters too, and digital photography of originals or a scan gives you one.
Cost in the post
Postage can quietly eat the margin on a small print. A rolled print needs a sturdy tube, and the tube adds weight. Read our notes on packing large prints before setting your shipping charge, and see ordering for delivery abroad if overseas buyers are likely. Students should ask about discounts, which are available with proof.
Small runs, real work.
Your questions.
Do I need to sell an edition to use this approach?
No. Open editions suit reordering very well, as there is no numbering to track. If you do number your prints, keep a careful record of every batch.
Can I mix sizes in one order to reach a volume price?
Volume prices are counted within one size, so five A3 and five A2 prints count as two groups of five. Different pictures at the same size do count together.
Will a reprint look the same as my first batch?
Using the same file and the same material gives you the best chance of a close match. If a material has changed, we will tell you what to expect.