Need Suggestions On Size...

Rhonda - I understand the question - I just don't know the circumstances where you are going to sell it. - a gallery, an art fair ? What size do you think it would be best - think of it as a painting on canvas that you did - what size canvas would you have painted it on?

To tell you the truth Roy..I would think 11x 14 would be a nice size but am not positive they would sell...it is not for a gallery or art fair..(though I am thinking of renting a "space" at a small local gallery) it is just to have on hand to sell myself whether if it is through craigslist or to just show potential customers.

I was in a group show last spring and had some 11x14s matted and framed. I wish I had gone much larger. My work got lost on the wall.

it depends on the piece and where your going to sell it. on here 30" or above sells well. but i would imagine at an artshow the small stuff would sell better because it's easier to carry. it's not a sail if the wind blows, and they won't be stared at as they haul a large thing home. i think if it fits into a standard sized bag, that's the way to go.

---Mike Savad
MikeSavad.com

I print on A3 sheets (420 x 327mm - 16.5 x 11.75in ) and mount inside 20 x 16in mats. These then fit into standard 20 x 16in frames in the UK.

See my web site for details. http://www.neil-mcbride.co.uk/art-prints.html

All the best.
Neil

I sell matted 5x7s, 8x12s (or 8x10s) and 11x14s (or 12x18s) at fairs.
I buy mats, backings and bags in bulk from http://www.bux1picturematting.com/

Heather, how has your experience been selling those sizes at art fairs? I am new to selling photography and was wondering.

Really good this year. I just started last year so still figuring out which shows work for me and which don't. There are a million in my area so no shortage to pick and choose from.
I just started offering the 5x7s and glad I did because people are buying them 2 and 3 at a time to make groupings on their walls. The 8x10s probably sell best, but I do sell the 11x14s well enough to keep offering them - people like that I offer them in all 3 sizes so they can fit whatever print where they want.

I also have several canvases in various sizes - and put a sign up that orders are taken for any print in any size on canvas with a price list. I printed examples in various sizes so they'd have a visual reference for the size they want.

Rhonda, I prefer 11x14s for my never-leave-home-without-it portfolio; it's an excellent 'show & tell' size. It's also a great size for art walks (where most people don't want to lug anything too huge around) and to hang in cafes and coffeshops -- usually matted to 16x20, but sometimes not.

Of course I sell much larger, and much smaller, and everything in-between. But, in the real world, I definitely consider 11x14 my go-to size. It's an especially popular size for series and sets (multiples).

I print everything at 14" on the long side, and mat them to 16x20." I do it for proofing and also have sold a few. I have given others as gifts. I also bag each one. Here's a shot of about 180 of them in a pair of bins that I made for them:

The picture frame industry used to categorized frames as photo or desktop frames and art or wall frames.

The best selling photo frame was an 8 x 10. The best selling wall frame was a 16 x 20. A very close second was the 24 x 36.

The terms photo fame and art frame did not actually mean you could not put a photo in a wall frame of course.

When selling at shows it is best to sell framed artwork, but it still best to sell stand sizes because you can remove the frame if the buyer does not like the frame. If you are selling stretched canvas, it is works well to have the canvas museum wrapped with either black sides or mirrored sides. That way they can hang it with or with out additional framing. I like giving options when ever possible.

When I do samples to check out the quality or just to have samples to show I do 18 x 24, museum wrapped canvas.

However money is not a consideration for me. If I was trying to be practical I would do 14 x 16 or 16 x 20. Probably 16 x 20.

Make sure you work with a wholesale printer to the trade.

Thank you everyone for the input.It is some food for thought..:)