Prints and Framing
Published: May 2025 Updated:May 23, 2025
An often asked question in our art group is "where do you get Prints made?" along with HOW to package them. Many artists see that giving people the option to purchase their artwork as a print is their bread and butter that helps pay the bills - or keep them in art supplies! Someone may not be able to afford the original work, but a great quality print of that artwork is a less expensive way for fans that love your art to help support you. AND even though you may have sold the artwork, you can continue to make money on that work by selling prints of it.
Questions and Answers About Prints
I have asked the Prince William Art Society (PWAS) membership for their suggestions about prints and print making. Here are their answers along with my suggestions
Q1. What is a giclee print and by the way, how do you pronounce that?
AI: A giclée print is a high-quality reproduction of artwork created using specialized inkjet printers that produce detailed and vibrant images. The term comes from the French word meaning "to spray," referring to how the printer applies ink to the paper or canvas.
Giclée is pronounced as zhee-clay.
An art print can refer to any reproduction of artwork, often made of less expensive materials and techniques, and may not maintain the archival qualities of a giclée print.
Q2. Where do you suggest getting giclee prints made (what company do you use)?
Online options:
I have used Media Epson Premium paper and I was recommended to this online print shop by Mark Murphy. - Donna Ligura
"They are a family run, small business who has nice pricing. I’ve very happy with the quality and their custom service is unmatched." - Nicole Goble
"mpix.com is a very good quality print. You can print with extra features like a metallic finish that is really pretty." - Mandy Powell
"Prints made (on canvas only) at Canvas Discount" - Zee Berrios
Local in Woodbridge, VA - at Tackett's Mill https://polarispress.com/
Some artists print their own fine art prints using a good quality printer at home. Photo quality paper is highly recommended, but the very first thing to think about is that you must first and foremost, have the best quality photo of your artwork as possible in order to get a great print!
"I get Giclee prints and printed merchandise made here:https://www.amerepro.com/
Q3. Do you sell prints framed?
I do not. To me, selling the prints in a standard size gives the buyer the chance to use a frame in the color, style, and size they want for their own decor. Custom framing can get expensive very quickly, especially depending on where you have the work done, so those costs would go into the total price of the work to the buyer.
Q4. What size prints are the most common sized prints that sell?
Standard sized prints are the easiest for most people and I believe in having multiple price points. There is also the consideration of the standard print size to the standard frame size.
Typically the most often sold print sizes are 8x10, 10x14 and 12x12 (all in inches). Square prints are easier to frame and mat and those sizes are 8x8, 10x10,12x12, and 16x16. It all comes down to how much print inventory and print supplies do you want to store and carry? And do you want the additional costs of shipping them?
But the truth happens when watching what is actually selling while at an art show (PWAS or otherwise) - and considering the price it is selling at along with that artist's style.
My suggestion would be to select a couple of sizes and pretty much stick to those sizes. Otherwise you will be ordering, storing, and managing extra art supplies and inventory especially if space is at a premium.
Q5. Do I have to mat my prints?
You don't have to...but it is probably preferred... and the purpose of the mat is to:
- provide and acid-free barrier between your print (artwork) and the frame.
- add visual interest by adding dimension and color.
- provide protection from dust and dirt and to protect the art medium used by adding a buffer of space between the art surface and the glass or plastic.
- (less obviously) provide added stiffness to the print packaging for the buyer to get the purchase home and into the frame!
Q6. Do you number your prints?
How you manage your prints is up to you. Certainly you've heard of "signed and numbered" and perhaps with the addition of "Limited-edition" or "Open-edition" when referring to prints. There is some learning to be applied to the subject and here are some resources to browse before you begin the print department of your art business. I hope you didn't think that this couldn't be too complicated...
A Guide to Print Editions: Understanding the World of Limited Prints
A Guide to Properly Labeling Your Artist Prints: Artist's Editions Demystified
Hand signed and numbered giclee art prints can potentially add a degree of exclusivity and value that may increase over time because of the uniqueness of the print.
Q7. What do I need to package my prints?
You will need at least the following supplies in your packaging:
- Archival Photo Paper (what the print should be printed on)
- Archival clear plastic sleeve bags sized to the print to be packaged.
- Mat Board (can be optional) but it is the best display. Sized to the print to be packaged and it just plain looks better
- Backing Board (chipboard) sized to the print to be packaged
- Your Business Card
- Certificate of Authenticity - optional but very professional to have
- Optional personalized embellishments or a thank you note inside the packaging
Look for 'acid free' and 'archival safe' packaging supplies from art (craft) or shipping supply stores. The backing sheet, or cardboard will help to prevent the print from being bent and damaged - in transport from art show to home, in shipping, and in the framing process.
Basically, select the sizes that would best enhance what you do and you will need the supplies listed above for each size print you plan on creating:
Q8. What about custom sizes?
I say, have fun. But I would rather be painting. You do you.
At this point, I'll let that topic go.
Q. Where do you buy print supplies?
Amazon - mostly for me - Donna Liguria
"I like to purchase bulk packaging from the company Golden State Art." - Nicole Goble
"I buy plastic sleeves and matting from amazon. Do you buy in bulk? not really, most packages of plastic sleeves come in large amounts." - Mandy Powell
Q9. Where do you get business cards printed?
I have been using Vistaprint for quite awhile and I think a lot of my fellow artists have as well. True, the more customizing you do, typically the more expensive things get - but a unique card may be the cat's meow for you.
Q10. Where do you get printed merchandise made?
You can get your art printed on about anything - fabric, coffee mugs, tumblers, stickers, keychains, magnets for your refrigerator, phone cases, mouse pads, T-shirts, tote bags, and leggings (etc etc)
"Printed Art Books of my artwork, I have used Shutterfly (Mark Murphy's suggestion) and I've used Vistaprint for some items." - Donna Liguria
"Vista print is great for business cards, art tags,
fliers, brochures, and I've made my art into Christmas ornaments and
stickers." - Mandy Powell
Q11. How do you price your prints?
It is recommended to price the print at 2.5 x 4 times more than you paid for the print, plus ALL materials and shipping. Depending on if you are shipping a print, that is part of your costs as well.
Print + clear sleeve + mat + backing board + certificate + price sticker/label + any customization + commission fee + shipping packaging + shipping label + any entry fee + Do not Bend stickers + anything else? X 2.5 (or up to 4) = $what to charge for the print.
Q12. How do you ship your prints?
Here is a decent basic video demo to check out the process:
https://www.wikihow.com/Package-Art-Prints
Reminder to Remember, an art print or a giclee print will only be as great as the photo taken of your art. It is imperative to get an excellent photo of your art so that the prints made are as close to perfect as possible.
A Few Often Asked Questions About Framing
Q13. When answering an art call, when the dimensions of accepted art sizes are stated, does that include the frame?
A good question, and there is not a standard answer for that. Watch the wording of the requested size(s) to submit art and if it says "unframed" or "framed" dimensions. Also note if the image to upload should include a picture of the frame or not. Most often the frame should always be excluded from the photo.
Q14. Should I frame my prints?
Basically no. For my money, I would worry more about the framing of the original artwork itself - if that needs or must be framed than framing the print. The prints for the artist gives a less expensive option for buyers to purchase your art, and gives them the flexibility to customize their own personal preferences in style and color for their home decor.
Q15. Do I have to frame my artwork?
Well, that depends. As stated on the Prince William Art Society requirements for Display:
In almost all situations, sketches, pastels, watercolor, and some other artwork, a frame with glass or plastic is highly recommended to protect the artwork from dust, damage, smearing, etc. Note that pastels and oil pastels are typically buffered from the surface of the glass with some space between the artwork and the glass/plastic.
Oil paintings and acrylic paintings do not necessarily need to be framed depending on the depth of the canvas and the finish of the sides of the canvas. These paint mediums are not presented under glass. Most calls for art state that gallery wrapped canvas with a depth of 1.5 inches does not need to be framed, while canvases with a depth of .75 DO need to be framed. There are possible exceptions though, so do read your Calls for Art on their particular requirements for their shows. Let me rephrase that, ALWAYS READ the full instructions for the Call for Art you are considering to enter.
Q16. Where do you get your framing done?
Many of my art friends use Hobby Lobby here in Woodbridge - convenience, pricing, professionalism are all sited.
Q17. Any last tips I need to know about printing and framing my artwork?
Unfortunately for you dear reader, I do try to be thorough so of course there are additional points!
High quality prints, especially giclee prints, that are made with and packaged with archival quality materials are meant to last and resist fading. But it should be stated that any art or print should not be displayed in direct sunlight.
Storing and Displaying Giclee and Art Prints
- Keep out of direct sunlight.
- Keep out of the heat.
- Keep out of high humidity.
- Keep artwork elevated off the ground when storing prints.
- Avoid attics, basements, and while you are at an art show, watch your print stands! If the sun is hitting your prints wrapped in their plastic sleeves, that could be a disaster!
- Flat storage is ideal for storing prints.
- Avoid fingerprints and mishandling of prints.
From PWAS Members, suggested Printing / Printmaking Tips
Nicole Goble - "I’ve learned quite a bit from taking courses about scanner settings and playing around with merge features in Photoshop for larger pieces from Jenna Rainey and Windswept Design Studio’s YouTube channel."
Zee Berrios - "For packaging materials, I buy from Dick Blick, or use the same packing materials from Canvas Discount if what is being mailed are prints. No, I don't buy in bulk. For print tips - keep the packing that comes with the prints, you can reuse it when sending the prints to distant buyers. Make a limited amount of prints to keep a high value on the prints. (count them, for example: 1 of 12, 2 of 12 etc)"
Carol Noboa - "One piece of advice about sizes. What works for me is backing boards the same size as the print. I use the 51 pt thick. For the protective bags, I use something a bit larger than the print. For instance, if I have 8½" x 11" prints, then I use 8 15/16" x 11¼" bags, so the backing board and the print fit inside without problems."
Sonya Cromwell - "I also use a company in Atlanta to create Giclee prints.
I use to live there. He also photographs the artwork. Excellent work.
They also can frame the work on canvas etc. Now, I photograph my
artwork. https://www.digitalartsstudio.
PWAS Artistry Spin Blog Posts and Pages About Prints
Art Tips 10 Printing - from PWAS Member Mark Murphy*
Photographing Your Artwork to Make Prints - by PWAS Member Tom Payne
Display - PWAS Member required reading*
Other good links that may help:
Frame Destination - Proper Mat Size for Matting an Image
Artwork Archive - Everything You Need to Know About Giclee Prints
*Recommended Reading / Required Reading
Watch for updates to this very important topic for artists.
PWAS Members: continue to send me any of your art tips that would help answer or offer suggestions to any of the questions here (or drop a comment below).
If not a PWAS Member, we would still love to hear your suggestions and art tip on the topic of Print making in the Comments Below. (note that comments are monitored and must be approved before they are published.)
Author: Donna Liguria
An artist member of PWAS in Woodbridge, VA and Artistry Spin Blog Admin, specializing in acrylic
painting. She paints landscapes, seascapes, animals and many subjects.
Visit her Website at DonnaLiguriaArt.com, her Esty site and her Blog at Donna’s Cave Paintings.
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