Years ago, when I got into this business, I did so partially because I was enamored with the idea of making big prints. After several years, this came into fruition as I started a small garage-based business that eventually grew into a major online print lab and order fulfillment center for artists and photographers around the world. Obviously, we are no longer working out of a garage, and we never stop seeking to grow. But one area we are intentionally getting smaller at is in our fine art giclee paper printing. Not by scaling back, but I mean the ability to encourage smaller print sizes.
At one point at FinerWorks, the smallest size you could make your fine art giclee prints was 8×8. We set that as the minimum size because ultimately the net cost to get a 5×7 print into a customer’s hands once you add up everything from setup, material, labor and shipping was not much different than it would be for an 8×8 and we did not think people wanted to pay $6 for a 5×7 on one of the fine art papers even if they were going to turn around and sell it for $25. We just did not realize there was a need we were not filling, even if the price point was higher than we would like.
So, Why Make Small Fine Art Paper Prints (Giclee)?
For a while now, we have been getting requests and orders for smaller print sizes than 8×8. This was enough for us to know that we needed to make this easier for people. Once we started offering custom framing and matting at the same time, these numbers increased, especially with those interested in a big while mat but a small print. Or they simply want a nice, small framed print they can give as a gift. So now there are three ways you can order a small print on fine art paper. Below are a couple of examples:
Small 4×6 Print in a small, elaborate frame that could be placed on any end table, shelf, or desktop.
Small 5×5 print in wide matting and basic frame for a minimalist look.
3 Ways to Order Small Prints on Fine Art Papers
There are actually three ways you can go when ordering small prints.
1. Gang Up Images – The Most Economical Way
Gang up images in a single file and order prints of the image with the composite of images. This is the method I would likely continue to use and one that most people take advantage of. Rather than order a print of a single image, order a print of multiple images.
Four 5×4 images printed together as a 10×8 single print.
The downside is the need to be able to work with a program like Photoshop or other image editing program that allows you to precisely place multiple images side by side into a single file. The other downside is that you would need to cut them out yourself, which can be time-consuming.
2. Embed a Small Image in a Large Area
This was perhaps the easiest up until now. You simply set up an image that is smaller than 8×8 in minimum size and place it within an 8×8 are,a then save your file.
5×7 image print on 8×8 print
The downside is primarily the cost, the need to cut out the print afterwards if you don’t want that extra white margin space. Also, like the more economical option, you do have to use a program like Photoshop or another image editing program that allows you to do the layout work.
3. Just Order a Smaller Size
This is the newest option. Now you can simply select any whole inch size as low as 4×4 under the custom size option for any of the fine art paper prints.
As explained above, the downside is that the cost is the same as if the print were an 8×8, but at least you won’t need to do any Photoshop or other digital image setup if you choose not to or are not very adept at it.
Small Prints Go a Long Way with Matting and/or a Frame
Part of the justification of writing this post was not only to show you how to order small prints but to let those artists and photographers wonder if it even makes sense to order smaller prints. As I said earlier, with the addition of framing to our line of options, you can order, ordering smaller prints, which might make more sense since you are not just giving people a small print but turning that small print into a work of art.