I know there are many types of venues for art shows, festivals etc.  I am looking for opinions from those that have experience at festivals on what you think would sell best at a 3 day Shrimp and Grits Festival. Framed Art or Matted Prints. This is the type of event that people will come spend all day and will be doing taste testing, beer tastings, attend Southern Living events and chef demos, etc.

Do people really want to carry something heavy around all day?  It is not like they can walk to there car easily to put it away.  Many folks will park at beach and take a 5 minute shuttle ride to festival. 

They expect about 20,000 people to come through there.  

Do you hold art for people.  If so, what is your policy?  


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  • Congratulations on your successful show. WOOHOO!

    • Thanks Barrie.  Our first big show is now under our feet and we learned a lot.  You always offer such great information on here.  I am trying to find a thread that talks about printers.  I want to see what folks are saying about the Epson 3880. We are ready to bite the bullet and get a nice printer. If you you know of specific threads on printers on Art Fair Insiders, please tell me where to find them.  Thanks.

      • And thank you for your kind words. Yes, the printer info will be in Photographer's Forum, so join that group.

        I'm on the fence about printers now after having a reasonably bad experience earlier this summer. I've been an Epson user since 2003 and decided to purchase the 7890 24-inch model on May 30. It was a disaster from the moment I turned it on June 9 until the moment I watched it leave my driveway on the freight truck during mid-July. To make a long story short, Epson tries to provide good service, but the result for my situation was that they provided seriously poor service. The printer malfunctioned 30 seconds after I turned it on, and Epson customer service malfunctioned for the rest of the time I needed them. I decided that even if we did get this printer up and running without any glitches, when another glitch occurs, I'll be dealing with Epson service which quite probably would remain poor. So I talked with a few pros that know ALL printers, and decided to ditch Epson, get a full refund (it was all very difficult to achieve, actually), and in the future run with Canon. I'll most likely never get a 24-inch printer, either. I'll just be happy with the smaller 17-inch.

        If you want to read reviews about the printers, you'll find half-a-dozen for the 24-inch and hundreds for the 17-inch. That's the difference in how many of these things are in circulation. Everyone goes for the 17, and very few the 24. Same with Canon. Epsons have fewer cartridges in them than do Canons, and the printers cost less upfront than do Canons. But Epsons might have more technical problems than Canons, and Canon print heads can be replaced BY THE USER rather than by a tech rep.

        Whatever you decide to do, eventually pay for the extended warranty before warranty expires. The life expectancy of that 7890 is about 3 years. I don't know about the 17's.

        When I buy a new printer, it will be a Canon and most likely a 17-inch model.

        You might want to try your hand with a 13-inch model from either company first since you aren't printing photography or digital art or the shows. Inks are more expensive in the long run, but costs will be much lower. So many users of these printers are photogs, and they want bigger images so that they can sell them for higher prices. If you are printing smaller paintings, what's the point in getting a BIG 'OL printer? If you need a few bigger images, you can get someone to make them for you. It could mean less hassle. They'll cost more per unit, but you won't feel compelled to make them all the time just because you have the equipment to do so. Get my drift?

        Making your own prints is certainly a worth while endeavor. You might benefit from making the bigger prints yourself. You'll certainly benefit from making prints yourself, no matter the size.

        So now that you'll be getting a printer, how are you going to capture the image and edit it for printing? Have you a good camera for this? A digital SLR? I only have a 6 megapixel Fuji S2 Pro that I've outfitted with tack sharp manual focus Nikon lenses I used to use when I was a pro photog. I also have a really inexpensive Mustek tabloid size scanner that I bought for $159 total on Amazon. I do have the full PhotoShop program, but it isn't necessary to have that for everyone. There are comparable and much less expensive programs available that will work just fine. I also don't have very expensive computer equipment and a really small screen compared with what most people I've seen have or think they need. Get what you can afford. I'm the frugal type.

        I'm sorry we won't be able to be with you two during the upcoming show next weekend. We thought about doing Glynn Art in the Park since we have pretty good reason to do so. I just finished a frame based upon the architecture of John Portman (based in Atlanta) who also has a famous house on Sea Island that you might know about. His house is called Entelechy II, and it's Cottage 428 between McKay Rd and East 26th St. My frame is based mostly upon his buildings in San Francisco that are part of Embarcadero Plaza. But I don't know about the show since Glynn Arts seems to host a lot of events during the year and it seems they've also removed/lessened some of their awards for the big show next weekend. We're in Orlando this weekend and will be doing two shows: one this weekend and another in two weeks with next weekend actually free. C'est la vie.

        • Hi Barrie: My daughter is an artist in acrylics, oils and watercolors and I manage her art business because she is also a Wildlife Biologist and stays busy.  I manage her websites, ordering, shipping and social media, assist with art shows, and printing once she has the colors right.  She does not have time to research printers so I spend time reading all of this wonderful information.  I will check out the Canon printers as well.  I have only ever had a Epson and an HP.  We would like to be able to print 16 x 20 and under and send the rest of the work out if we decide to go larger.  Do you think the 3880 is good for her reproductions or is it better for photographers to use.  It does sound like a nightmare you had with your printer but I am glad you got your money back.

          My daughter also does photography on the side and has a Canon EOS 7D (mostly wildlife photography but also some small weddings, family photos.  Most of the prints we make are from her paintings.  We have not even tried to print her photos yet due to time constraints and it might confuse a buyer at her tent if we sold both.  I am not sure about that but just read that some place.   Maybe I read too much.  lol

          I do know John Portman's house.  I am sorry you won't be here next weekend.  I would definitely stop by your tent.  We will be at the Sea Island Market on Saturday.  We have done is a couple times - it is a very small 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM market.    We are doing the Mistletoe Market that Glynn Art is having in November. I don't know much about it yet.  Good luck at your upcoming shows.

          Thanks for all your advice - I will look at Canon now and research it as well.  lisa

          • The 3880 is fine for whatever printing needs to be done. Epson and Canon printers both make beautiful prints. You'll be amazed and delighted.

      • Hi Lisa, Here is a link to a discussion in the Photographers group here on AFI. While not a technical "how to" thread, it does give some views on what some photogs think about printing and their experiences. Just for reference, I use the Epson 3880 and love it for my needs.

        http://www.artfairinsiders.com/group/photographersdarkroom/forum/to...

        • Thank you David - I will take a look.  I am a little nervous about $55 for one ink cartridge.  I hope it lasts a while.  : )

          • I print a lot and probably use about one complete set a year.  They are pricey at first but cheaper in the long run.  Plus the 3880 comes with a complete set of ink cartridges so you'll have enough to last a while.

  • I had good luck with matted, cello-bagged prints all during the recession.  Somehow it doesn't seem as daunting for people to fork over $50 or $75, over an original or framed print.  All my reproductions are standard frame sizes and I tell people that; it lets them know they won't have to spend a fortune on custom framing.

    I've done a couple shows where people have asked me to hold work. I have a sales book and get as much info as possible (phone, address etc.), just in case they don't come back (I have their money, but still...) and give them a copy of the receipt.  Then I hold those bags, with my copy of their receipt attached.  That way, even a boothsitter can give them their purchase.  At OKC the festival is in charge of sales and people tend to shop the show and then come back with their receipts to all the artists when they are ready to leave.  

    At a festival like you are describing, I think it is a real plus for people if you can tell them you will hold their purchases (PURCHASES, not hold the item for them any other way), until they leave.  That way, you've got the sale, and not the dreaded "be back."

    • Thank you Carol - Great idea - we are taking notes -- we just got back from store but we can run back out and get some sort of receipt book.

      There is an 80% chance of rain this weekend. We are really worried about protecting the art and bought a bunch of tarps and thought about putting one down on the ground and staking it to keep from having mud under foot. Have you ever done anything like this before?

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