How to Turn Your Original Artwork Into Prints You Can Sell

You've put hours, days, or maybe even months into creating a piece of art. The colors, textures, details, and little imperfections are all part of what make it yours. So when it comes time to reproduce that artwork, you want the printed version to feel just as special as the original.

That's where professional fine art printing comes in.

Whether you're an established artist, a photographer, or just beginning to explore selling reproductions of your work, professional art printing can help you turn your original creations into something you can share, sell, and enjoy for years to come.

At Prints & Repeat, I work with artists and creative businesses to make that process easier, from photographing original artwork to choosing the right paper and producing finished prints.

What Is Fine Art Printing?

Fine art printing is a professional printing process used to reproduce artwork and photography with careful attention to color, detail, and the finished appearance.

Unlike everyday document or office printing, fine art printing uses specialized papers and pigment-based inks to create prints with beautiful color, crisp detail, and long-lasting results.

You may also hear the term Giclée printing (pronounced zhee-clay). Giclée is commonly used to describe high-quality inkjet printing for fine art reproductions. It's a popular choice among artists, photographers, galleries, and printmakers who want to offer reproductions of original work.

The difference is in the details. The paper, ink, image preparation, and color reproduction all play a role in how closely a print represents the original artwork.

Why Do Artists Choose Professional Fine Art Printing?

Creating reproductions of your artwork opens up opportunities beyond selling an original piece.

Instead of having just one original available, you can create a collection of art prints in different sizes and quantities. This gives customers more ways to bring your work home while creating another potential revenue stream for your art business.

Professional fine art prints are commonly used for:

• Art prints sold through online shops
• Prints for art fairs, markets, and exhibitions
• Limited or open edition artwork
• Gallery and gift shop inventory
• Wholesale and consignment orders
• Prints for collectors and interior designers
• Reproductions of paintings, illustrations, and photography

The right printing partner can also help you prepare your artwork for repeat orders, making it easier to restock your inventory when your prints start selling.

Choosing the Right Paper for Your Art Prints

One of the biggest decisions you'll make when ordering fine art prints is choosing the paper.

Paper isn't just something your artwork gets printed on. It becomes part of the finished piece. The texture, brightness, weight, and finish can all change how your artwork looks and feels.

At Prints & Repeat, I offer several options depending on the look you're trying to achieve.

Smooth Fine Art Paper

If you want crisp details, vibrant colors, and a clean matte finish, smooth fine art paper is a great place to start.

This bright white, acid-free paper is a popular choice for artwork reproductions, illustrations, and photography. Its smooth surface allows fine details and colors to stand out without the distraction of a noticeable paper texture.

Textured Fine Art Paper

For artwork that benefits from a more traditional fine art feel, textured paper is worth considering.

The cotton rag surface has a noticeable texture that adds character to the finished print. It's especially appealing for reproductions of paintings, watercolor artwork, and pieces where you want the paper itself to contribute to the overall experience.

Canvas Printing

Want something ready to hang?

Canvas printing gives your artwork a different presentation than a traditional paper print. At Prints & Repeat, canvas prints are professionally printed and stretched over a 1.25-inch-deep frame, with hanging hardware included.

Canvas is a great option for artwork, photography, portraits, and larger wall displays.

Not sure which paper is right for your artwork? That's part of the process I can help with. Sometimes the best way to decide is to compare actual print samples.

How Do You Get Your Original Artwork Ready for Printing?

This is one of the most common questions I hear from artists, especially those who are new to making art reproductions.

If your artwork already exists as a digital file, you're one step ahead. You can submit your file for printing, and we can review the size and quality before production.

But what if your artwork is an actual painting, drawing, or physical piece?

That's where artwork reproduction photography comes in.

Photographing Artwork for High-Quality Reproductions

Your original artwork needs to be captured digitally before it can be reproduced as a print.

At Prints & Repeat, I photograph original artwork using a macro lens to capture fine details. Digital files are saved at 600 DPI and kept on file for future printing.

This means you don't have to repeat the digitization process every time you need more prints.

Once your artwork has been photographed and prepared, you can order reproductions whenever you need to replenish inventory, prepare for an upcoming art show, or fulfill customer orders.

On-site digital capture is also available for larger or delicate artwork that may be difficult to transport.

How Many Art Prints Should You Order?

There isn't one right answer. It depends on how you sell your work and how quickly you expect your inventory to move.

If you're just getting started, ordering a smaller quantity can help you test the market and see which sizes or pieces customers respond to.

If you're preparing for an art fair, gallery placement, or a busy selling season, ordering multiple prints at once may make more sense.

Think about:

• Which artwork is most popular?
• What sizes do your customers typically purchase?
• Are you selling individual prints or offering collections?
• Do you need inventory for an upcoming event?
• Would ordering in bulk help reduce your per-print cost?

At Prints & Repeat, orders of 20 or more prints qualify for a bulk discount. It's one way to make stocking your art business a little easier.

Why Work With a Local Fine Art Printing Partner?

Ordering prints online can be convenient, but sometimes you want to talk through the details before committing to an order.

Maybe you're unsure about paper choices. Maybe the colors in your last print didn't look quite right. Or maybe you're preparing your first collection and don't know where to start.

Having someone you can work with directly makes a difference.

Prints & Repeat is a small, independently operated print shop in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. I work directly with artists, photographers, businesses, and organizations to help figure out what makes the most sense for each project.

You're not just submitting a file and hoping for the best. You have someone to ask questions, compare options, and help you make decisions about the finished product.

And if you're not local, online ordering and shipping make it possible to work together from wherever you are.

Ready to Turn Your Artwork Into Prints?

Your artwork deserves more than a quick print from the office printer. Whether you're creating your first art print or looking for a reliable printing partner for your growing art business, professional fine art printing can help you bring your work to a whole new audience.

From artwork reproduction photography to Giclée printing on smooth and textured fine art papers, Prints & Repeat can help you get from original artwork to finished prints.

Let's make something you can hold, share, and sell.

Explore Fine Art Printing at Prints & Repeat or learn more about Artwork Reproduction Photography.

Have questions about your artwork or a project you're considering? Get in touch and let's figure out the best way to bring it to print.