Hi everyone,
Tomorrow I arranged to go to a gallery and show them some of my prints. I have never done this before, should I have a price in my head what I would like for my work or do I wait for them to tell me what they would like to price it at? I would have to get them framed first as they are prints. Any other advice on what I should talk about would be great. I had a exhibition before but as it was in a cafe/bar and not a proper gallery I feel a little nervous on dealing with the people there, my prints are on my home page...
cheers Becky http://www.artbyrebeccabrown.co.uk

The gallery should be able to sort out framing for you. They will discuss your work and arrive at a price range which is mutually agreeable. I would expect the prints to be offered at two prices, framed and un-framed. Best of luck...Joe.

best of luck with it becky.

- I'd check at what sort of price range they are currently selling prints for, and unless it differs widly from your usual price stick with that - you'll have to allow a % for the gallery too from your price but if you work out the cost and time of maintaining websites you'll find that often the % is about the same..so if you've a print for sale for - say £100 and the gallry wants 40% of that then you'll get 60 and you might think "but if it was on my website I'd get the full £100 " which of course is right but you need to deduct from that the costs of running the website - which is something many people ignore. and of course the gallery is anpther outlet.

Lots of people find gallery commissions too steep but they have high overheads too, rent rates advertising staffing etc so you can see where the costs come from. They'll say if your work won't sell at the price you want - they don't want stuff out of a price range or style their clients like because they get no income either from it, but still have all those overheads to pay.

This post may be too late if you've already seen the gallery but I think you need to price the prints at a comparable level to other prints the gallery are selling, otherwise the chances are they just won't sell. You then have to decide whether it's worthwhile after deducting the commission. If you can get away without framing (or let the gallery provide frames) I'd go for that option, if you provide the frame then the gallery takes commission on the full proceeds it can feel like you're out of pocket.

Good luck with it anyway.
Elise

Thanks for the replies everyone. I am going to the frame makers at one an then to the gallery at two. They said on the phone that they don't usually sell many prints but they would take a look at mine, so fingers crossed. I will have a price in mind when I get there having got a quote on the framing first. Well I will let you know how I get on,
Thanks again,
Becky
http://www.artbyrebeccabrown.co.uk

Following on from this thread, I have been asked to supply six paintings for a gallery down in the Gloucester area,thinking of postage costs I have requested a deal on sharing the costs one pay to and the other from, fingers crossed it doesn't put them off, but you can really be out of pocket otherwise, due to the change in how postage costs are now worked out.
It is worth considering adding this point.

Wendy, that's an interesting point - so far when I've dealt with galleries I've travelled to and from to drop off and collect paintings but I'm getting a bit fed up with that, particularly given the price of petrol just now. It's probably a lot cheaper just to use the post and not at all unreasonable to expect the gallery to contribute I think (but I guess you really need to get that agreed up front).

I've found recently that I've exhibited a lot and sold very little that way whereas I have sold over the web and direct. I suppose you just have to try everything and see what works, I bet it varies from year to year depending on the state of the economy.

I'm seriously considering getting a chip and pin terminal and throwing myself into the retail environment ie fairs/festivals etc. I was at Ingliston last weekend for the Royal Highland Show and although it was very hard work and long hours, I sold a few things and have seen some follow up (sold one today which I think came from someone I met at Ingliston) and I'm quite encouraged to pursue that path for a bit and see what happens.

cheers
Elise

Yes Elise, in my experience selling in galleries is a bit hit and miss, I sell more online, if you have to add in postage costs as well and you don't sell anything you have the added expense of paying to have them returned.That is why I am thinking of giving that guy a go of renting one day a week of retail space in various High streets.

Regards chip and pin, you could always take a lap top and use the paypal from your site or mobile phone, as an alternative.

Hi everyone,
Well I was told that they only sell prints if they are abstract! I wish they told me that on the phone before I went in it could have saved me time!
There doesn't seem to be a market for prints apart from the printmakers who turned down my work on a open submission a couple of weeks back.
I haven't sold any work on the website in nearly a year now! Even the prices low on my prints!
Its a bit gutting when so many people tell me my work is good and then no one wants to buy it,
Thanks for all the advice guys,
Becky
http://www.artbyrebeccabrown.co.uk

thats a bit of a bummer becky...wouldhave been nice to have been told that before you went..

I love your fantasy works and would have thought that they'd make excellent prints - and appeal to people who like abstract work - they are full of colour and shape.
I guess its just the usual stuff - trying to find the right market for your works - its not easy don't be put off though - I'm sure the right door will open for you at some point. Sometimes having to struggle for a bit makes us value sucess all the more. ( i'm still at the struggling stage you'll note...)

It's not a reflection on your work but what is commercial.
It is always best to try to do both and if you can combine the two even better,then you thoroughly enjoy the process.
Take a look around other artists website note what sells well pick up keywords and tit bits of information try to avoid the snobbery factor of having to produce something new and innovative that way you can build your reputation,You won't remember but I do even Lennon and Mccartney built their reputation on producing commercial work at first then once established went on to do their own thing,look at west life too they do cover songs and have done really well.I know it is a different area but it works the same way.

Don't give up just do a little ajusting and good luck.

I have had a bit of a result the gallery that wants to show my work has agreed to pay for return postage of work that doesn't sell