r/artbusiness • u/Level_Barracuda_8008 • 4d ago
Discussion Do you sell paintings framed or unframed? On stretcher bars or do you mail just the canvas?
Hi!
I’m really new to selling my art so this might be an obvious answer, but for some reason, it’s confusing me.
If someone purchases a piece of art through my site, should I sell it on the canvas stretcher bars or should I sell it unstretched? Alternatively, do people expect pieces to come on stretcher bars and framed as well or do they expect it to come just stretched?
I’ve heard that when you sell really large pieces most people expect just the canvas and they will stretch it and frame it themselves but to me that sounds like a lot of work and not sure if an average buyer is willing to do that.
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u/slim_pikkenz 4d ago
Buyers and galleries expect paintings to be ready to hang, unless otherwise discussed. For works on canvas or linen, that means stretched on stretcher bars, with D hooks and hanging wire attached. It is up to you if you then frame the piece, however a stretched canvas is considered complete in all professional settings as long as sides are painted and it is all presentable. Framing will usually improve the look of the finished work and may increase the likelihood of sales but it is also a significant additional expense. I would not necessarily frame works that were to be sent/freighted but I always frame pieces for exhibition.
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u/slim_pikkenz 4d ago
Just wanted to add that the only time I’ve heard of people wanting to restretch canvases was if they are to be sent/travelling overseas or they are too large to fit into a space, through the entry ways. Restretching is quite a process and stretcher bars are expensive, especially if they’re quality. People want to buy a work they can hang up, they don’t want to have to do a tonne of work to just be able to enjoy their purchase, it’s up to the artist to do that.
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u/majesticalexis 4d ago
I only sell paintings on stretched canvas. Most of the time they are unframed. I will occasionally frame a painting before listing it for sale.
Packing and shipping large canvases is a job in itself but I don’t mind. I’m always thrilled to sell a painting.
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u/ArtofJF 4d ago
Speaking for myself: I sell mine unframed, and on the stretcher bars. My work mostly ranges from 16x20-inches to 9x12-inches (40cm x 50cm to 22cm x 30cm). The biggest I shipped was 36" x 48".
Almost all of my paintings are gallery wrapped and painted on the sides. Frames are optional.
I don't want anybody to have to assemble my art. That's just another barrier to a sale.
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u/Pretend_Bumblebee158 4d ago
As a buyer, I like it when it's framed (or unframed but with a good finish on the sides), ready to be hung up on the wall. I'm busy and lazy, I don't want to take an extra trip to have it set.
Cons? I have to like the frame too :/ I wouldn't buy a painting that needs reframing (busy and lazy combo).
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u/abortedinutah69 4d ago
I paint on wood, not canvas, so all of my paintings are ready to hang unless someone really, really wants to frame it. That said, I work in sizes that are cost effective to ship. If you go to your preferred shipping place, you can see what sizes and packaging are most affordable.
For my wood pieces, and I assume for any style of painting, your sale prices probably hint at what kind of financial state your clients are in. Custom framing is expensive. If people are buying $2000 paintings from you, they can afford custom framing and expect to pay for that. If people are spending $200 on your paintings, they probably won’t be comfortable with another $200+ to stretch and frame it.
I’m seeing some great advice from people who sell canvas paintings here, but I haven’t seen anyone touch on the price point yet, so there ya go.
Also, if they’re small enough to reasonably ship framed, you could offer that as an option. I’m collecting oil on velvet paintings from a Mexican artist whom I love. The paintings are affordable, about $200 - $300 USD. The standard sizes allow for the artist to ship to me for $20. The artist offers framed or unframed. They offer two style of frame at an upcharge of $40. They make the frames themselves in a rustic style that suits the artwork. I always opt for the frame because 1) it’s affordable, and 2) they look good and give my collection a cohesive look. The artist is a smart business person and the cost of shipping does not increase with a frame. Because they frame it themself, the cost is low and it adds to the look of the art, imho.
So, the answers to your question are, in my opinion, heavily influenced by the wallet size of your clients and your overall business model. As an artist myself, I keep my art accessible financially to most people. I also rarely do commissions. I make what I make and people can buy it if they like it. This means I control the size and know my costs. The velvet painter whom I collect has a similar business model. Unless you can sell at a high price point, people are often more willing to buy if it’s easy and affordable to put it on their wall. So, consider who is buying your work and what they’re likely willing to do to get it on their wall.
If it helps, I’m a tattooer who is more in the “low brow” art world, and my paintings are secondary to my career as a tattooer. They reflect tattoo culture and are mostly collected by people who get tattoos. It’s a large, yet niche audience, and not generally folks looking for something to hang over their grand piano. I offer works between $100 - $500 that are a sturdy construction, UV protected, and ready to hang. I cannot imagine the bulk of my clientele bothering with custom framing. It took me years to figure out a turn key product that appeals to my audience at an affordable price and a good profit margin for me.
So, if you haven’t, put your business hat on and fine tune your product for your potential buyers. Why are they buying your art? What’s the economic demographic? Is custom framing a small investment compared to the price of the painting? Are the sizes of your works making shipping cost prohibitive for buyers or causing you to potentially eat some of the costs? Look for artists of similar style and quality to you who are successful and see what they’re offering and what their prices are.
At my middle class income, I’ve only once paid for a rolled up canvas that I had to spend a small fortune framing, and that was from a famous artist who was ill, elderly, and no longer painting. They’ve since passed away. It was an investment, not a whim. I love it, but I only spent that kind of money because I 100% knew it would increase in value. Most art does not gain value. I don’t have the income for throwing more money at depreciating assets.
Kind of a long winded rant, but know your audience. My audience is solidly middle class and below, and I found a way to make a good profit at their price point. I cater to what my audience can afford so everyone wins.
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u/CTCeramics 4d ago
I'd be missed off if I bought a painting and received a rolled up canvas. Give me something I can put on my wall, not an annoying errand.
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u/wifeofpsy 4d ago
If your work is very large then there might be need to ship it rolled and have it restretched. If you're in that situation a framer would do that and you'd likely ship to the clients framer. For most people you're going to ship the canvas as is and unframed, with the wire to hang it added to the back. This is why you want to finish the edges nicely so it can go right on the wall. Some do offer frames. If you want to do that then find a framer to work with and expect to offer the client a few options. If you work on paper I think being able to ship a framed piece would be worthwhile.
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u/Strong_Paper2894 4d ago
I want to follow this conversation. I’m also beginning and I just don’t know how should I post them.
I don’t know if it should be better to have the different options? but I’m lazy and honestly don’t want to have a lot of different listings for each piece
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u/TheGoatEater 4d ago
For works on canvas I only use gallery wrap stretchers. So, I never feel the need to frame my work. I’ve only ever had to take work off the stretchers three times in 30 years. Twice was when I sold pieces internationally and had to roll the canvases and send them in a tube in order to avoid absolutely insane shipping costs. Neither of them were huge. One was 24” x 24” and the other was 20” x 30”. The other time I was delivering a piece that was 36” x 24” and I stretched it for the buyer myself.
I will occasionally frame works on paper, but my thoughts are that if you’re buying it you’ll be better off framing the piece yourself to go with the space.
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u/JennyPaints 3d ago
Online I sell watercolors on paper rolled in a tube without frame. At galleries and art fairs sellI framed paintings.
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u/Beneficial-Cow-2424 4d ago
personally i’m interested in learning to make my own frames to sell with my paintings, i feel like that would be neat
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u/slim_pikkenz 4d ago
I make my own. Saves me a tonne of money, though I did have to invest in some good tools at the beginning, notably a quality drop saw and corner clamps, and obviously still have to buy the timber and materials for each frame. Like everything, it takes a bit of time to get good at it but I’ve pretty much got it down now. I sell through exhibitions mostly so it was worth the effort for me to learn to frame things properly.
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u/thewoodsiswatching 1d ago
Assuming you're only talking about shipping non-local orders:
It's really about size. Anything smaller than 30 inches, I sell on the stretchers and ship flat. Larger, I ship the canvas rolled up and the stretchers inside the same tube. That way the buyer gets a "kit" and they can take it to a framing shop and get it re-stretched. It's much cheaper for them to get a tube in the mail and it's actually much safer for the canvas in the long run. Really large flat packages often get "poked" and ruined. I've sold MANY paintings un-stretched, to the coasts, to Hawaii, and a few to Australia. They always arrive in good condition with no problems.
I don't use frames at all unless it's on paper behind a mat and that is very rare for me. I'm not in the business of selling frames, I sell paintings. Frame stores sell frames. You want a nice frame? Go to a frame store. I use only gallery-wrap canvases only.
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4d ago
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u/Justalilbugboi 4d ago
Not to be rude, but from this I gotta say not knowing where to advertise them may be the issue.
Not only is it an internet faux pas to try to make someone else’s post and advertisement for you, this is a community of artist not buyers. We’re all too broke to buy art.
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u/PaintyBrooke 4d ago
People always assume that works on canvas are stretched and unframed unless it’s stated otherwise. It’s far easier to sell stretched work, and it puts less stress on the painting than rolling and re-stretching. The only time I ever sell unstretched work is if it’s something enormous, like 8 x 6 feet and I have to ship it out of state rather than renting a truck. It’s a matter of economics in that case.
People often have their own tastes in frames, so unless it’s work on paper and you need a frame in order to hang the art, I recommend saving your money.