Why Would I Buy An Art Print?

Why Would I Buy An Art Print?

I get that question a lot. Perhaps the better question would be: “Why would I NOT buy an art print?”

An “art print”, as the name implies, is a “reproduction” of an “original” work of art. A work of art, when printed on an archival-quality medium using reproduction techniques that ensure the integrity of color and line, will be just as beautiful as the original. The difference is that the “print” is much more affordable than the “original” for the average consumer. Instead of paying $300 and up for an original, the art print may sell for $50 and up. This allows the consumer to purchase several quality works of art for the price of one original!

In my case, I create original hand-drawn digital art. Digital art is art created on a computer and then reproduced by a printing method. The “original” is the image on the computer. The “art print” is its reproduction.

You Only Need To Be Concerned With Four Things When Purchasing An Art Print

(1) What printing process was used?

When investing in an art print, you want to purchase prints that were printed by a company that uses archival-quality paper and archival-quality inks. This printing process is referred to as giclee (pronounced zhi-clay). This ensures that the print colors will not fade over time and the paper will not deteriorate over time. The prints that I offer are reproduced using this process.

(2) Should I purchase an artwork from an Unknown artist?

Remember even Picasso was “unknown” once. If the artwork catches your eye and you keep going back to it when you are searching for the perfect piece, then this is the work that is made for you!

The advantage of purchasing works by unknown artists is that you will not walk into another home with the same artwork. You will not walk into Walmart and see a rack of replicas of it in a cheap finish. Your artwork will be unique! Your home will be unique! You may have even discovered the next “Rembrandt”.

(3) Is this artwork something that I will love once I get it in my home?

Ever go into an art store or shop online, see something that looks like a possibility and then agonize over how the artwork would look in your home? With the advent of print-on-demand companies, it is so easy now to purchase, at a very reasonable price, countless art prints. And each artwork can now be reproduced in so many sizes, frames, and materials that it overwhelms most of us.

So, you may ask, How do you manage all of these choices without losing my mind? Well, several online companies, that specialize in print-on-demand art, now use the capability of augmented reality (AR) on their websites to show you exactly how the art will look in your home on your walls. And all you need is a SmartPhone to work this magic!

You select the artwork that you like on the website, click on the AR app provided by the company site, point your phone at the wall you want to hang the art and Walla! There is the art displayed on your wall! You can immediately tell if the art works with your home décor. If the size you originally selected seems too small for the space, you can select a larger sizes. If the original size is too large, you can decrease the size.

Once you find the appropriate size for your wall area, then start trying out different frames and matting options that the site provides – all with AR so that you can see exactly what you are buying. Some companies will even ship the artwork ready to hang!

But what if the artwork you have fallen in love with is not sold on a website with AR capability? After all, we all have budgets we have to live within. No one wants to pay good money for something and then be unhappy with the purchase. Well, what I would do in this case is find a site with AR. Select an artwork they offer that is similar to the one you want – a landscape, a cityscape, people, etc. close to the color scheme and style that you like. Then select the size of the print and the matting and framing close again to the one you wanted. Through the magic of AR you can see what the artwork will look like on your wall! Now you know what to order from the company where the artwork you like is being sold.

Unfortunately AR is not functioning on my Art website. However, one of the companies with AR for works of art is Saatchi. Just search for this app on your SmartPhone.

(4) Satisfaction Guaranteed or Buyer's Remorse!

Be sure you understand what your options are if you decide you are not happy with the artwork after it arrives. Check the exchange, refund and return policies. Most companies have a customer service person who will be happy to answer all of your questions. Art purchased through my website gives you 30 days from placement of the order for you to determine if the product meets your standards. If the product is defective, the product will be replaced at no cost. If the product is not defective; however, you can return or exchange it but you will have to pay the return shipping.