QA

Question: How To Make Your Own Fine Art Prints

How do I turn my artwork into prints?

The first thing you need to do is to digitise your artwork i.e. create a digital file from the original canvas/sheet of paper. You can either do this yourself with the help of a good scanner or you can employ a photographer/print shop with a large scale scanner to do this for you.

Is it illegal to make prints of art?

With photographs and other types of artwork, the US copyright law goes into effect immediately – with or without a registration mark. Even if an artist sells their artwork, they own the copyright to it. The buyer cannot make prints or sell copies of it without written permission.

Is my artwork automatically copyrighted?

Yes, your art is automatically copyrighted, but believing that no further action is necessary in terms of formally registering it with the United States Copyright Office can be a major mistake. Before getting into specifics here, be aware that only certain types of art are likely to be infringed upon.

Can you make money selling art prints?

Even though there is a lot of competition in the fine art marketplace, selling prints can be profitable if you do it correctly. Selling copies and digital art is one of the easiest ways artists, photographers, and illustrators can supplement their income.

Is it OK to copy art for personal use?

Yes, it’s legal to make a copy of a painting for personal use. If you want to copy it to help you develop your painting skills, that’s fine. If you want to copy it and try to sell it, that’s illegal. You can’t enter it in a competition, or try to get a gallery to display it as if it’s your own.

Can I copy and sell art?

It is legal to copy anything. It is illegal to sell, publicize and publish a copy of an artwork unless you have prior permission from the copyright owner. It is also illegal to publish and sell an artwork that’s substantially similar to another original work of art.

Can I print fanart?

Fan Art and Copyrighted Works Fan art that does include copyrighted and/or trademarked materials require formal written permission from the original copyright/trademark owner. You may see fan art available as prints that are clearly violations.

How much does it cost to copyright a drawing?

The standard filing fee for copyrighting art is $55, but if you’re registering only one work as the sole author and claimant, it will cost only $35. You must file individual claims for each artwork you wish to copyright.

How can I copyright my drawings for free?

Go to the Library of Congress website and click on the electronic Copyright Office (eCO). Fill out the registration form and pay the required fee. Once the registrar’s office examines your application, they will send you an official certificate of registration.

Are tattoos copyrighted?

Yes, tattoos can be protected by copyright. The court reasoned that because tattoo artists know that the tattoos of famous athletes are likely to be displayed in public, they necessarily granted the players a non-exclusive license to use the tattoo as part of their likeness.

Where can I sell fine art prints?

Yes, you can make money selling art online! Here are some of the best places to virtually sell your art. Fine Art America. Fine Art America is the world’s largest online art marketplace and print-on-demand technology company. ArtPal. Amazon. Etsy. Storenvy. eBay. Minted. Society6.

How do I become a freelance artist?

10 Tips for Becoming a Successful Freelance Artist Register a Creative Business. Come Up With a Business Plan. Create a Website or Online Portfolio. Form a Dedicated Creative Space at Home. Acquire a Few Recurring Clients. Sign Up for Job Boards and Directories. Market Your Services on Social Media. Sell Your Art Online.

How much can you make selling prints on Etsy?

You can make anywhere from $50 a week to $1000 a month by selling printables on Etsy but ultimately that all depends on your pricing and product.

Should you watermark your art?

There is no law to say you should or you should not add copyright notices or watermarks to your images. It is totally up to you. After all, you own the copyright to your images, whether you put a notice up or not.

Is it illegal to print someone else’s photos?

Unless you own the copyright to an image or have a license from the owner, printing a copy of an image or posting it online without permission is a violation of copyright. It’s up to the copyright holder to decide whether to sue you for infringement.

Is tracing art bad?

As long as you took the source image then tracing all or part of your work is ok. If you’re tracing from someone else’s source image or someone else’s art then you’re lying and possibly breaking copyright laws.

Can I sell paintings from tutorials?

Some artists allow you to make prints of the work you do from their tutorials, most do not. When you make tutorials it is expected that students will copy your work for their own learning purposes. It is not expected that they will turn around and sell it if it is a unique design (adding specific backgrounds etc).

Can I paint a picture of someone famous and sell it?

You can sell a fine art painting of a celebrity as long as it is a transformative work of art. This means it needs to be artistic in nature, not just a faithful likeness. The painting cannot copy an existing work of art (including a photo), and cannot interfere with a celebrity’s “right of publicity”.