How price prints?

[Magus]

I am working on an opportunity to sell my prints in a trade show environment. Probably similar to Canton or Round Top and my plan is to keep it simple. I will offer 3 sizes of print that someone can buy and take home and frame themselves. All prints come in a plastic bag with a foam back to make it easy to carry around.

What I am looking for is guidance on pricing. So anyone who has sold prints from a booth and has some ideas I would greatly appreciate it. I know that the class of trade will dictate the price so advice is of any sort is welcome.

[fishcat]

A general rule of thumb is 3-5 times your cost, but that is usually for matted and/or framed prints. If you are talking about 3 different sizes of the same print, most experienced vendors would tell you not to do that. It is more effort for you and is too confusing for the buyer, i.e., too many choices. You are generally better off doing a large and a small. I have some experience at this having exibited at some of the major outdoor art shows. You are correct that the class of show will dictate the price. Another general rule of thumb is not to undervalue the print's worth. If the cost is too low, then there is no perceived value. Also, you will need to expend extra labor to replace inventory. Another way to look at it is you can sell one print for $25 or 10 for $2.50 each; gross profit is the same, but with the latter you have 10 times the labor cost.

[Magus]

Thanks for the thoughts. Sometimes one needs a little course correction and I think I was getting carried away and now that I think about, most similar exhibits I have seen in the past we limited to two sizes. Thanks again, Scott