Best Practices 2/3: Pricing Artwork, Quotes, & Commissions

Pricing artwork can be perplexing, to say the least. Where do artists begin when establishing the value of their artwork or their labor? What should pricing be based on? Time? Materials? Level of difficulty? Your resume? Your reputation? Competitor pricing? Context? Should pricing change based on context? What if you make multiples?

By bringing together two experts that specialize in different arenas, we’ll foster a rich conversation about these questions and more. Jason Teegarden-Downs, cofounder of Delicious Design League, shares his experience growing his studio from a gig poster side project to an established business working with large companies and advertising agencies. How was DDL able to transition to larger clients? How does pricing differ between design or branding projects, gig posters, and fine are prints?

Dan Devening established Devening Projects + Editions in 2005 and since then has exhibited an amazing array of artists, both from Chicago and Europe. He prolifically creates editions with the artists he represents, with the resulting artworks acting as a sort of archive for the gallery. Dan Devening will share his experiences with the fine art side of printmaking and publishing, shedding light on questions like: How can you identify and better know your market? When do artists versus galleries set prices? Why do galleries retain a portion of the sales? How does the price of your artwork affect how collectors will categorize your artwork? Is it okay to negotiate with a potential client?

The Best Practices Series is presented as a partnership between Spudnik Press Cooperative and Chicago Printers Guild. For members of either organization, the cost is reduced to $12. If you are a member of Spudnik or the CPG, but did not receive a coupon code through email, please contact angee@spudnikpress.org.