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Online print galleries collate and/or curate the works of interesting artists and graphic designers. They fulfill the role of traditional galleries but can also bring new formats, new sensibilities and interesting new collaborations to the table.
Here are three of our favourites:
The Branded Collaboration:
Urban Outfitters x Society6
Retail clothing brand Urban Outfitters have partnered with international arts community Society6 to launch Print Shop.
Alongside some exclusive works, the majority of the designs are chosen from Society6′s archives and then delivered as prints, laptop skins or iPhone/iPod skins – with Society6 handling all the shipping.
By combining mass market reach with the authenticity / individuality of artist-designed products, both parties stand to do well from this collaboration.
[Note: Society6 are a great example in themselves - seeking out exciting collaborations for their community of artists. Look out for a followup post on this interesting model.]
Site: www.printshop.urbanoutfitters.com
The Growing Community Gallery:
Redbubble
Redbubble is less curated and more collated. Artists, designers and photographers can upload and exhibit their works, and sell framed prints, posters, canvas prints, t-shirts, greetings cards and calendars based on those works.
Think funky gallery with a print-on-demand gift shop attached.
Simply supply the digital files and set your pricing – and Redbubble handles the manufacturing, shipping and customer service issues for a flat rate per item. And it seems to be working as they’ve shipped over 350,000 items in three years.
For Redbubble, success comes note only from the neat business model, but also in attracting such a high-calibre community of artists.
Site: www.redbubble.com
The Artisan Collection:
Keep Calm Gallery
And where Redbubble is operating at scale, the Keep Calm Gallery actually started as an outlet for the founders’ own works.
Launched by Lucas Lepola and Hayley Thwaites from their university halls, the site focuses on typography-led screen printing with a nod towards an ‘English heritage’ aesthetic. Moving beyond their own designs, they now work with a select group of artists, designers and print makers – selling high-quality artistic prints and a small collection of homewares, often in limited runs.
By focusing on artisan-quality production and limited edition appeal, Lucas and Hayley have created an exciting niche business.
Site: www.keepcalmgallery.com
What floats your boat?
If you’re an artist, there are more avenues than ever for getting your work sold.
And if you’re an artistically minded entrepreneur, there are more artists than ever for you to work with to create an interesting business – whether that’s limited edition fine art prints or mass-market iPod skins.
Which of these three models most appeals to you?
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