What size of art sells best?

Artists and collectors alike often wonder what size of art sells best. As it turns out, size does matter when it comes to selling art prints. But how do you decide which size is right for your art? 

There are a few standard sizes that tend to sell well:

By choosing these sizes, you can offer your customers more framing options, as a 10" x 8" frame can fit three smaller sizes of art, a 10" x 12" frame can fit four different sizes, and a 16" x 20" frame can fit four varying art sizes. So, let's dive in and explore the best sizes for selling your art.

The physical size of an artwork holds a significant value in the eyes of buyers, regardless of the time and skill invested in creating it. Feedback from customers over the years has always revolved around the same IF ONLY factor — if only it was bigger or smaller, this or that. It's frustrating, but it's the reality of the art market. While larger sizes command a premium price, shrinking living spaces means buyers have limited space for big art pieces, and repeat trade opportunities are scarce. Therefore, it makes more sense for many artists to focus on smaller artwork and prints that are easier to sell and cheaper to frame. Additionally, selling fine art prints in multiples can help increase sales and reach a broader audience.

Which option is the most viable and which size prints are in high demand, large or small? Let's examine your alternatives and evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of each.

What qualifies as large art prints? Let's take A2 (42 x 59.4cm/16.53″ x 23.39″) and above as an example. Here are some advantages and disadvantages of selling large art prints:

➕ Greater impact on viewers

➕ Higher profit margin per sale

➕ Need to carry less stock

➕ Fewer images needed to fill a display or show

➖ Difficult to transport due to their size and weight

➖ Higher framing costs

➖ More expensive to print

➖ Difficult to store

➖ More expensive to ship

Although large art prints can have a significant impact, they come with their own set of challenges. Transporting, framing, storing, and shipping large prints can be challenging and expensive. However, the potential for higher profits per sale and the ability to showcase fewer images can make selling large art prints a worthwhile endeavor. So, how do a beginner artist make money? First, make good analytics about what art is popular. 

📌 BIGGER IS BETTER 

In the art world, the phrase BIGGER IS BETTER holds true for many artists. Large and attention-grabbing artwork has a certain allure that can attract customers, whether it's displayed in a physical gallery or online. When it comes to selling art, you need to catch the eye of potential buyers, and larger pieces can do just that.

 

While smaller art can pack a punch in a thumbnail, larger art creates a more impressive and eye-catching presence in a mockup. This is particularly useful for giving potential buyers an idea of how the art will look in their living spaces. Seeing the artwork in a room setting and to scale can make a huge difference in helping them envision it in their homes.

For smaller artwork and prints, there are standard frame sizes readily available on the market. These frames come with a cardboard mount/mat, and the aperture represents the window inside it:

However, creating large art comes with its own set of challenges. Transporting and storing large pieces can be difficult and expensive. The cost of printing and framing can also be higher, which can affect profit margins. Additionally, not all artists feel comfortable working on a larger scale, and it's important to create art that feels authentic to you.

 

Ultimately, the decision to create and sell large art prints comes down to personal preference and the type of art you create. Whether you choose to go big or stick to smaller sizes, what matters most is creating high-quality, unique pieces that speak to your artistic vision.

Enlarging your original artwork is one solution, but it's not as straightforward as it sounds. Enlarged prints tend to lose quality, resulting in a grainy image. To compensate for this, you'll need the right software, which will be discussed in the next section.

Additionally, the cost of producing large giclée prints can be high, so you'll need to consider whether this will be affordable for your customers. Will they be willing to pay the premium for a larger print?

 

A useful tip is to create art with a white background, leaving ample white space around the main image. This approach allows you to draw or paint a smaller image on a larger surface, using a larger frame to display the artwork and command a higher price.

Transporting large artwork can be a practical challenge, not just for the artist but also for the customer. A large canvas or picture frame is not something that can be casually bought without considering how it will be transported without getting damaged.

If you sell your artwork from a shop or gallery, it's relatively easy to keep your paintings and art prints in mint condition by padding the corners and using bubble wrap. But if you sell at markets, art shows, or exhibitions, you'll have to find a way to carry large pieces of art in transit and prevent them from getting damaged. This can be very difficult as glass can crack and frames can chip, causing frustration and additional costs.

 

A helpful tip to avoid this issue is to use plexiglass if you intend to transport or ship picture frames. Additionally, there are commercially available larger frame sizes with specific aperture measurements for larger art and art prints.

When I started selling paintings, I discovered a clever trick: to make small artwork appear larger, mount them with wide borders and thin frames. This stylish presentation makes the artwork appear bigger, enabling you to charge a higher price. It's an easy way to earn more with minimal effort.

Another strategy is to sell your artwork in sets or series. It's best to choose a cohesive theme for your prints, and keep them all the same size. Most buyers prefer images that match, either in portrait or landscape format. I suggest arranging them in a set of three or four, alternating portrait and landscape images. In face-to-face sales situations, it helps to point out the obvious and guide customers in their selections.

To catch the eye of potential customers, I display three large posters of my most popular prints. I enlarged and digitally printed these images on PVC vinyl, which is durable and weatherproof. However, enlargements tend to lose quality, so it's essential to use high-resolution scans or photos and the right software, such as ON1 Resize. Also, make sure to use lightfast inks to prevent fading. Choose smooth vinyl over faux canvas to ensure durability. However, be prepared for some customers to get confused and mistake the vinyl posters for your original artwork.

📌 Remember, using these tips can increase the perceived value of your small artwork and attract more customers.

When it comes to selling art prints, there are several options for packaging:

If you have a permanent selling space, offering frames can be an excellent way to maximize your sales. After all, who wouldn't want a picture that's ready to hang as soon as they bring it home? To ensure safe transit, all you need is some bubble wrap and packing tape.

Transporting frames without damaging them can be a nightmare, which is why many sellers prefer to sell art prints without frames. In such cases, the prints can be pre-packaged with a backing board and a self-sealing bag, or shrink-wrapped if they are not too big. However, backing boards can add bulk and weight to your stockpile, and pre-rolling prints in postal tubes may not be suitable for fine art prints.

To strike a balance between practicality and presentation, some sellers prefer to offer both options and package prints on request. For example, prints can be displayed pre-rolled in tubes for customers to view, but sold flat with a backing board upon request. It's crucial to consider how customers will transport the prints, especially if they are traveling from overseas. Rolling prints in tubes may be necessary to avoid damage, but this can also be limiting if storage space is an issue.

Selling art prints online comes with packaging challenges, as you have to rely on the postal service or a private courier to handle your packages with care. This lack of control can result in lost or damaged packages, which can be frustrating for both the seller and the buyer. To ensure safe transit, it's recommended that flat prints are over-packaged, which can be both costly and time-consuming.

One solution is to roll the prints and send them in a tube. This helps to protect the prints and reduce the risk of damage during transit. While this may not be suitable for larger prints, it can be a practical option for smaller ones. Ultimately, it's important to strike a balance between packaging costs, customer expectations, and the safety of the prints during shipping. By the way, except size, you have to think about color that sells best. 

So, what kind of art sells best? When it comes to art size, there is no one-size-fits-all answer. The choice between big or small art usually depends on the artist's personal preferences and abilities. Artists who prefer to work on larger pieces may also sell smaller prints, while those who specialize in smaller works can also sell larger prints, as long as they have the appropriate software.

However, where and how you sell your art can also play a critical role in your decision-making process. Galleries may prefer larger works, while craft shows may require smaller ones. For artists selling their works on the street, smaller and more transportable art may be a better fit, as impulse buys are key.

Selling original art online can be a challenging task, especially when it comes to packaging and insuring the artwork. In this case, selling art prints or using third-party drop shippers can be a more practical solution. While larger art pieces can yield a higher profit margin, smaller works are often easier to sell and can generate a higher turnover. Ultimately, the best art size for you will depend on your style and circumstances.

It's important to create images that can be adapted to different sizes to reach a wider audience and maximize your returns. We hope this guide has provided you with some useful insights to help you make the right decision for your art business.