Print Test Results

They are in!

I ordered prints of my work praying they would come out the way I have wanted them to.

Before I got to the point of my artwork I had spent months trying to figure out if I should use a local print shop or go online. My husband and I have revisited the idea of moving out of state so I chose to go the online route.

I found a really awesome website: www.finerworks.com
It was really refreshing to find a website for prints that give information to artists trying the printing route. I have already learned a lot. I appreciated that you can order a paper sample book before prints and they credit back the amount towards your prints at a future date. To be honest, all the paper samples were impressive and this decision was not easy for my test prints. I figured I would do one painting and one oil pastel for texture and color. They didn't take long at all to come in; I think maybe a week.

Whir Away (hummingbird) and The Kind King (lion) were my choices for this test.

I have had trouble scanning and printing The Kind King before due to the white and yellows. I did a 11x14 on UltraSmooth Fine Art Paper for the lion (the original size is 11x14).

I am so thrilled!

For prints we had deepened some of the brown hues in anticipation of a wash out. This was a good decision.

Next up is Whir Away which is an oil painting on canvas. I did a 11x14 print of that on Matte Canvas (not mounted). This is why there is such a wide border around the image-its meant to wrap. I probably won't order a loose canvas print again. I wanted as close as possible to the original texture of the work but I think on paper is fine too. This site offers prints on mounted canvas. For my distribution needs I wouldn't go that route.

Again, I am very happy!

The original work is on 16x20 canvas. Sorry about the glare off the gloss of the painting. The print and original work are dead on with each other in this case. The vivid green held well.

Now that I finally have a print source I'm moving on to how to master the online shop. Finerworks has an option to sell your work on their site the the print goes directly the the customer and that can cut down on shipping costs. (Can I say crazy?)

If only I could stock an inventory! I may have to go the print to order route in the beginning.

I have quite the learning curve ahead of me and I am so thankful for all the support I have gotten so far.