Are Art Prints A Good Investment?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Are art prints a good investment? Prints are often seen as mass-produced copies of famous artworks that are just not that valuable or worth investing in. But nothing can be further from the truth.

Prints can be just as valuable as any other artwork

and certain prints are known to reach seven or eight-figure prices at auctions.

Is selling art prints profitable?

Even though there is a lot of competition in the fine art marketplace,

selling prints can be profitable if you do it correctly

. The good news is that you don’t have to rely on original artwork sales alone for financial stability in your artistic career.

Are fine art prints a good investment?


Art is a long-term investment

, and while the art market can be stable or show large returns on investment during boom times, it is one asset that can easily plummet in value during seasons of recession.

Are artist prints more valuable?


Artist Proofs are generally valued higher than other prints in the edition

, due to the rarity and small quantity of them. Oftentimes the Artist Proof are altered from the final edition, creating a uniqueness to them that is very desirable.

Is artwork a good investment?


Art can be a risky investment

. Like fashion, artists and their work go in and out of style, affecting the resale value and return on investment. Art acquisition comes with considerable extra costs, such as commissions and insurance.

Is there a market for art prints?


Prints might be an entry point into the art market

, specialists say, but it’s increasingly clear that for many, the category has become a destination in itself over the last two years or so. “Off the top of my head, I’d say that 50 percent of every auction [is made up of] new bidders,” says Benrimon.

How much do people make selling art prints?

Sell Art Prints

In general prints can go anywhere from

$40 USD to around $300

.

Do prints devalue art?


The prints then begin to devalue the originals

, and compete too strongly with the original paintings in price. Why would you want to compete with yourself? Making prints of one’s work is a personal choice.

How do I find the value of art prints?

  1. www.artnet.com.
  2. www.artprice.com.
  3. www.fineartinfo.com.
  4. www.artfact.com.

What art goes up in value?

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Why are art prints expensive?

In the beginning of the 20th century, artists began producing their fine art prints in limited editions, so that each individual work would retain its value over time.

When editions are small, the individual artworks in the edition are more rare

—and, as a result, more expensive.

What is a good number for limited edition prints?

Most emerging artists tend to choose a number

between 200-500

. This way, your limited editions run is not too small to hamper sales and just big enough to interest and satisfy your buyers. Ideally, the number for a large limited edition run should not exceed 850.

Is art a waste of money?

While buying art may not be exactly described as a great investment,

it is not a waste of money

either. Art can appreciate, and people do make money by buying and selling art. While the chance of earning significantly from an art investment is small, it is not zero, and art does qualify as an asset.

Why do rich people buy art?


Tax Avoidance

Tax laws favor collectors who regularly buy high-value art. In some countries, rich people buy art to avoid tax. Consider the United States; for example, if you sell a painting and put the money in the bank, you must pay capital gains tax on it.

Is art a good investment in 2022?

According to DollarSprout,

art consistently delivers average returns of 7.6%

and, because it is unaffected by how the financial markets are performing, is a much more stable investment.

Is artwork an asset?


Art as an asset is attractive over the long run as it is a store of value that generates moderate positive real return

. Art has also a low correlation with stocks and bonds which offer diversification possibilities.

What kind of art sells best?

1.

Landscape Paintings

. Many people think that landscape painting is the most quintessential kind of art. After all, the landscape is universal: Everyone understands and appreciates a long view, so it’s an easy choice for a buyer.

Do art prints sell well on Etsy?

Art prints are effectively digital art.

These are high in demand on Etsy for customers who prefer to download the artwork and get them printed and framed in a manner that they prefer.

What demographic buys art prints?

While buyers aged

between 40 and 64

still represent the biggest segment for dealers (accounting for 62% of all buyers in 2019, according to The Art Market 2020), the biggest growth year-on-year was seen in collectors under 40, having increased by 6%, to 19%.

What is a good profit margin for art prints?

Understand your profit margin.

For most artists, this is

50% of the retail price

. Editioned bronze sculptures are at least triple the foundry price, with 1/3 going to the foundry, 1/3 to a gallery, and 1/3 to the artist.

What prints sell the most on Etsy?

  1. Gallery style wall art. Stunning, unique wall art pieces are a must-have for any would be Etsy seller. …
  2. Desk prints. …
  3. Journals. …
  4. Face masks. …
  5. Coffee mugs. …
  6. Handmade throw cushions. …
  7. Fleece blankets. …
  8. Canvas tote bags.

How do I start selling art prints?

  1. You can sell prints on your own website. This gives you the most control, but you have to do all the marketing; or.
  2. You can list your prints for sale on online marketplaces, like fineartamerica.com. You give up control for the benefit of getting your work in front of a built-in audience.

Should I sell art prints?

Selling original art is great if you are targeting art collectors, investors, museums, or galleries.

Art prints make sense if you plan to sell your art to a large audience, in mass

. Prints are well suited for online platforms like Etsy, or in person venues like farmer’s markets or craft fairs.

Should I sell my original paintings or prints?


Original paintings will normally give you the highest profit since you will be able to charge a higher price for them

. The downside to this is that they are not always easy to sell, and there’s only one to be sold. Selling an original painting will take longer, particularly if you are a new artist.

Can you sell prints of old art?


It is illegal to sell, publicize and publish a copy of an artwork unless you have prior permission from the copyright owner

. It is also illegal to publish and sell an artwork that’s substantially similar to another original work of art.

Do limited edition prints have value?

The Size of an Edition Never Changes

With limited editions, artists restrict the total amount of artworks produced in the edition, so that

each individual work will retain its value over time

.

Are Van Gogh prints worth anything?

For the record,

no Van Gogh print–regardless of age or background–has any substantial monetary value

. If you think you might have an original Van Gogh art work, then the best course of action would be to contact the Van Gogh Museum via this link that details their authentication procedures.

How do you tell the difference between a print and a lithograph?

A common way to tell if a print is a hand lithograph or an offset lithograph is to

look at the print under magnification

. Marks from a hand lithograph will show a random dot pattern created by the tooth of the surface drawn on. Inks may lay directly on top of others and it will have a very rich look.

Can art make you rich?


It is quite possible for an artist to become rich and successful

. Becoming wealthy as an artist will require equal parts artistic talent, marketing knowledge, and business savvy. Artists that treat their art like a business, and are always on the lookout for opportunities, are the one’s likely to succeed.

Is investing in art smart?


Art as an investment can also be a way for investors to preserve their wealth

, experts say. Art serves as a hedge against inflation. “Artworks are a physical asset, and physical assets tend to perform well in inflationary times,” Sachs says.

What makes an artwork less or more expensive?

Authenticity

The first element that sets a cheap painting apart from an expensive one is, of course,

its authenticity

. A real Van Gogh is always going to be worth more than a copy.

What do you do with art prints?

Once upon a time,

taking your art prints down to local craft markets or having them displayed in art galleries and shops

was the only way of being able to make money from them. While you can still do this, and it’s a good way to gain local fans and exposure for your art, you can also widen your reach by selling online.

Should I sell limited edition prints?


Limited edition prints tend to be more valuable than open editions

, but once you set the size you will not be able to change your mind and create more images, even if they sold more quickly than you thought.

How do I sell my art prints limited edition?


Contact a reputable gallery or art broker for information about new and established artists

. Some artists do not offer their work as limited edition prints. Make a list of potential artists and their agent contact information. Make notes about the medium used for the original piece, the style of work and the subjects.

What does a P mean on a print?

A/P stands for ‘

Artist’s proof

‘ and is a small number of prints that are the first ones printed deemed good enough by the artist. Usually the number of A/Ps is about 10% of the size of the main edition, and this mini-edition can be numbered or not.

Is it OK to make art?

1.

Making art may reduce stress and anxiety

. In one recent study in the journal Art Therapy, researchers found that after just 45 minutes of art-making, levels of the hormone cortisol — which is associated with stress — were reduced in participants’ saliva, regardless of their prior art skills.

Emily Lee
Author
Emily Lee
Emily Lee is a freelance writer and artist based in New York City. She’s an accomplished writer with a deep passion for the arts, and brings a unique perspective to the world of entertainment. Emily has written about art, entertainment, and pop culture.