Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have my Giclée Print or Original artwork framed?
Yes. Originals are always shipped with a basic frame for temporary protection but aren't meant for permanent display due to non-archival quality (no UV protective glass, ect.), so I would suggest having someone who frames professionally re-frame it. Giclée prints are shipped without frames. If you would like a product professionally framed just contact me via e-mail as you would to purchase an original, and I will be happy to arrange your framing or shipping needs. If you are purchasing an original please indicate which framing option you want, the included standard frame, or professional framing, and we can discuss specifications from there. There will be additional cost for professional framing. I get my work framed through a local company in Portland, Maine called The Grapheteria. Learn more about them (and the process for framing) on my framing and printing page.
Do you offer insurance to ship Originals?
Yes. When you contact me to purchase an original or framed print I will ask if you desire insurance to cover what you have invested in the piece of art. ALL shipments come with $100 of included insurance but more coverage can be added. Although your product will be packaged as safely as possible, if it's damaged or lost I will not be able to refund your order, so I highly recommend it. I will make sure you are aware of this when you contact me with interest in buying an original. Insurance can be applied to cover the cost of framing if you have chosen to purchase professional framing. The cost of insurance will be calculated on an individual basis and added to your order total.
Shipping is insured by UPS, my chosen shipper at this time. You can read more about UPS's Declared Value insurance here.
Last estimated cost of insurance:
First $100 free. Further coverage $2.25 per additional $100 of claimed value.
Shipping is insured by UPS, my chosen shipper at this time. You can read more about UPS's Declared Value insurance here.
Last estimated cost of insurance:
First $100 free. Further coverage $2.25 per additional $100 of claimed value.
Do you offer payment plans for your Original Works?
I will consider doing payment plans for my original pieces. All of my transactions are made through Paypal so I always recommend using their Bill Me Later credit. Alternatively, we can agree upon a specified amount for periodic invoices. I will not ship an Original until it is paid for in full. Depending on how long I've been holding a piece aside, if a buyer decides to cancel their purchase before it ships I may charge a restocking fee.
Are your giclée prints limited edition?
Yes. I have two separate print collections: Signed Hot-press Limited Edition Giclèe and Economy Matte Giclèe. Only Hot-press prints are of archival quality, cotton fiber and acid and lignin-free. Matte prints still have a quality weight and opacity. Both collections share the same artwork (unless limited editions of hot-press sell out).
What are the differences between your giclèe print collections?
Hot-press editions are limited at 25 copies and no more are produced and signed once sold. Hot-press editions are printed on a heavier hot-press paper which has a luxurious frosted texture (not that I recommend much handling of your print) but it is very nice. I try to ship smaller hot-press prints flat to save the customer from unrolling them.
Economy prints, though printed on a lighter enhanced matte paper still have a quality weight and opacity. I'm offering this collection of prints for people who would really like a high quality copy of my work but can't extend as much financially. I really hope this economy option makes my artwork reachable to more people. Economy prints aren't numbered and I don't normally sign them. I roll these prints for shipping.
Economy prints, though printed on a lighter enhanced matte paper still have a quality weight and opacity. I'm offering this collection of prints for people who would really like a high quality copy of my work but can't extend as much financially. I really hope this economy option makes my artwork reachable to more people. Economy prints aren't numbered and I don't normally sign them. I roll these prints for shipping.
Pricing
How do you price your Giclée prints?
I price my prints to cover the cost to print them and make a sustainable profit that doesn't undervalue the worth of my product. More on this on my Printing page (under construction), and below.
Why do your Giclée prints cost MORE than what I've seen offered elsewhere?
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While first determining what to value my giclée prints I realized there were a lot of skilled artists selling their giclée prints online much cheaper than I could consider. I saw prices as low as $9 for a signed 11x14, and I wouldn't be surprised if you found cheaper. All I could conclude was that these artists were having their work printed through a giant online printing company that could offer cheap prices to the thousands of artists purchasing from them. I found some companies like that, and I don't know if the quality of the ink or paper is any less than mine or not. Regardless, I can't help but feel these artists are devaluing their work no matter how reasonably they acquire their prints.
When you purchase a giclée from me you are supporting small business, both me and my printer. I print through The Grapheteria, a local company based out of Portland, Maine. I prefer to have a relationship with my printer/framer where I can physically go to control the quality of my reproductions and the handling of my original art. To give an idea of what goes into printing before a sale: For the initial digital capture of my work (to make a piece of art available to print) costs $25. Each print costs $15 per square foot of paper. For the first printing of a single 11x14 image I will have spent $40 of my own money ($55+ for my larger prints), and $15-$30+ for every print after. Consider a 44 mile trip into Portland and back, the time and money spent creating the original, and the time it takes to sign, pack and ship. That said, the value of a giclée isn't solely based on the cost to print it. |
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Why do your Giclée prints cost LESS than what I've seen offered elsewhere?
I want my prints to be affordable so that more people can enjoy my artwork!
The core reason I started offering prints is because I wanted as many people as possible to be able to enjoy my work.
My giclée reproductions are of a high archival quality. If you're used to seeing giclée prints priced for thousands of dollars I'm going to assume one or all of the following factors:
1. The artist of the giclée is well established in the community.
I'm an emerging artist. As my work continues to sell it will grow in value.
2. The artist's giclée was being sold through a gallery.
When an artist's work is sold through a gallery, original or otherwise, the gallery sometimes profits as much as the artist they're representing.
3. The giclée is a limited edition, meaning there are only a certain number of that particular print that will ever be produced.
I make limited editions, but don't feel I'm established deeply enough in the community to demand more for my prints.
4. The print is enormous.
If nothing else applies perhaps this does. The bigger the print the bigger the price. I'm kinda being funny here, but it's true.
The core reason I started offering prints is because I wanted as many people as possible to be able to enjoy my work.
My giclée reproductions are of a high archival quality. If you're used to seeing giclée prints priced for thousands of dollars I'm going to assume one or all of the following factors:
1. The artist of the giclée is well established in the community.
I'm an emerging artist. As my work continues to sell it will grow in value.
2. The artist's giclée was being sold through a gallery.
When an artist's work is sold through a gallery, original or otherwise, the gallery sometimes profits as much as the artist they're representing.
3. The giclée is a limited edition, meaning there are only a certain number of that particular print that will ever be produced.
I make limited editions, but don't feel I'm established deeply enough in the community to demand more for my prints.
4. The print is enormous.
If nothing else applies perhaps this does. The bigger the print the bigger the price. I'm kinda being funny here, but it's true.
How do you price your Original artwork?
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I charge per square inch of the total paper or canvas size, plus cost of materials. I get this number by multiplying width by height and then multiply the product by a coefficient, and finally, add the cost of materials. The coefficient is a number that varies depending on the detail level, medium, difficulty, or even subject of the project, ranging from .5 up. The coefficient is the dollar value per square inch. Prices you see in the Gallery Store, plus shipping, are final cost unless you want professional framing.
Note: A 2.9% + 30 cents online transaction fee has been added to the prices seen in the shop. This is to cover the money I lose by making the transactions through Paypal. Examples of four different 11x14 graphite illustrations: |
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A simpler graphite illustration with a coefficient of 1.5
WidthxHeightxCoefficient 11x14x$1.50= $231 |
A finely detailed illustration without a background with a coefficient of 3
WidthxHeightxCoefficient 11x14x$3= $462 |
A finely detailed illustration with a background and complicated design. A coefficient of 7
WidthxHeightxCoefficient 11x14x$7= $1,078 |
A highly detailed illustration with advanced design and finest rendering with a coefficient of 8.5
WidthxHeightxCoefficient
11x14 x $8.50= $1,309 x 2 for pair = $2,618
WidthxHeightxCoefficient
11x14 x $8.50= $1,309 x 2 for pair = $2,618
