I'm a designer - abstract art

7 replies
I design black and white abstract art ( handmade) and it would look good on merchandisin like mobile phone covers, I pad covers,....I virtually created it on zazzle, but it's expensive to buy in.

Ideally, I let it create once someone likes it. I could also use my designs for t-shirts, bags, mugs,....althought I think multimedia is a more lucrative option these days.

I would like to know where to start, how to buy in cheap and sell high(er), how to reach the right people,....

Young people generally like my designs, but of course there's also something like shipping costs, buying boxes,....

If anyone could help me. I'm always willing to show you my designs, so you could see the potential.
#abstract #art #designer
  • Profile picture of the author DABK
    So, right now, you sell/want to sell art? Designs?

    Sell the license to your designs to people who sell t-shirts/i-phone covers on Zazzle, Etsy?

    Put ads on craigslist?

    Originally Posted by Steffanovic View Post

    I design black and white abstract art ( handmade) and it would look good on merchandisin like mobile phone covers, I pad covers,....I virtually created it on zazzle, but it's expensive to buy in.

    Ideally, I let it create once someone likes it. I could also use my designs for t-shirts, bags, mugs,....althought I think multimedia is a more lucrative option these days.

    I would like to know where to start, how to buy in cheap and sell high(er), how to reach the right people,....

    Young people generally like my designs, but of course there's also something like shipping costs, buying boxes,....

    If anyone could help me. I'm always willing to show you my designs, so you could see the potential.
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  • Profile picture of the author savidge4
    Steff,

    There is huge huge potential in this stuff. first and for most Instagram is your friend. Facebook, twitter and Pinterest are real close seconds ( I am assuming your market is the 20 somethings? )

    It depends on How Black and White your designs are... as in straight black and white, or is there shading? If they are straight black and white I would consider a vinyl cutter and a few presses. When you start looking at the return on this stuff the startup expense is minimal. I'll go over that in a minute.

    I use US Cutter for all of my supplies including the cutters and presses. Here is the cutter I woud suggest to start with: MH Series Vinyl Cutter by USCutter

    Because heat transfer vinyl only comes in widths of 20" max you do not need a huge plotter, but one big enough to handle that size ( 20" ). ( I personally use the 34" model - I have 3 of them, but I cut vinyl letters and such make banners etc so the bigger size is nice ) you can actually look them up on Ebay once you have an idea of what you want and get a better deal on the cutter itself.

    Tshirts and such. unless you get into big volume the BEST place is Walmart or Target. just buy the 4 pack fruit of the loom or Hanes t-shirts.. they come in all kinds of colors and are like $12 for 4 or $3.00 each. ( My wife finds them on sale at Walmart all the time at $1.00 per pack in Medium and Large Sizes - yes your shirt cost is now .25 each )

    Now for the heat transfer vinyl I like the 20" inch because you can cut 3 across 20" x 5 yards is like $40. 5 yards is 15 feet. each design is a foot, and you can get them 3 wide that's 42 ish ( I know its 45 but there is some start up waste.. getting the vinyl started in the cutter ) So the Vinyl is basically $1.00 per shirt.. and the shirt is $3.00. so your expense at this point is a whopping $4.00 for finished product.

    You will need a heat press. something like this: 5-in-1 Heat Press allows you to do cups and shirts and hats and plates. The only problem with this one is the latten size ( the size of area that presses. ) I use a 16x20. I also have separate presses for caps and cups but knowing what I know now.. I would have bought the all in one to start and then just got the bigger platen size for the shirts later!

    Alright so we have figured out this stuff cost like nothing to make. so how to ship it. If you live in the states... the small flat rate USPS boxes will hold 1 shirt easy and 2 shirts and maybe 3 if they are folded or rolled right. it costs $3.50 to ship.. and that includes the box. get into one of those postage programs and it only cost like $3.15 for each box.

    So you build a pretty easy to build Wordpress with WooCommerce site. you get your traffic from Social Media. and you sell your $4.00 shirts with free shipping ( up to $7.15 now ) for $20.00. Life is good!

    Hope that Helps!

    Originally Posted by Steffanovic View Post

    I design black and white abstract art ( handmade) and it would look good on merchandisin like mobile phone covers, I pad covers,....I virtually created it on zazzle, but it's expensive to buy in.

    Ideally, I let it create once someone likes it. I could also use my designs for t-shirts, bags, mugs,....althought I think multimedia is a more lucrative option these days.

    I would like to know where to start, how to buy in cheap and sell high(er), how to reach the right people,....

    Young people generally like my designs, but of course there's also something like shipping costs, buying boxes,....

    If anyone could help me. I'm always willing to show you my designs, so you could see the potential.
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    • Profile picture of the author Steffanovic
      Thank you so much! I really appreciate it. Unfortunately, I don't live in the states. I'll send you some links of what I've put online already, so that makes it easier I suppose.
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      • Profile picture of the author savidge4
        Steff... then looking at sublimation may be an option for you. the startup is a bit more. the cost of ink gets to you after a while... but it is a good option as well.

        I think with Shirts some of your work would fit the bill for vinyl. you could possible do some in 2 color Grey and Black ( I would suggesting doing some of your easier single color ones first before tackling this. )

        Depending on where you are, I am sure you can find a delivery method that works for you.

        Its jus tan all in all decently cheap way to get into the business of not just being an artist, but producing the product.. and that is really where the money is.
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  • Profile picture of the author Oziboomer
    Originally Posted by Steffanovic View Post

    I would like to know where to start, how to buy in cheap and sell high(er), how to reach the right people,....

    Young people generally like my designs, but of course there's also something like shipping costs, buying boxes,....

    If anyone could help me. I'm always willing to show you my designs, so you could see the potential.
    Firstly...I sell art and have a design team and production...it s my business and I've been doing so for 25 years.

    There are many people who have great designs but fail through lack of persistence rather than lack of financial backing.

    I can't agree more wholeheartedly in the advice Savidge offers you in the previous posts.

    As an addition I would suggest if you are considering your designs for home decor to consider "scale" as an important factor....

    ..go LARGE...

    Big images imply confidence...higher cost....and they push out competitors.

    All the social stuff is huge with promotion of anything graphic....

    ....but there is a reason the bigger names survive and it is usually to do with positioning early on....

    If you want your stuff t get noticed...go big...or go viral...or go both.

    One artist we work with is Home - Kerrie Hess Illustration Kerrie Hess Illustration

    Maybe not your thing but note the positioning.

    Best of luck.

    If you want some more personal assessment let me know...
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    • Profile picture of the author savidge4
      GO LARGE!!!!!

      I just cant say that enough! lol I do large format printing and do some pretty cool art prints and have guys coming in wanting 8x10's ? I get them out the door with 16x20's at the very least most of the time. I am actually starting to see a trend in the "Art" world that artists are now shooting for 4'x6'. A lot of this has to do with the ability to get your art digital. and how big you can "stretch" it.

      One way or another.. if you have the time to start with you can produce the product. Its the shipping that gets in the most peoples way. Once you get that down... when it comes to art.. people dont care where it comes from. Its then just a matter of getting it out there...

      Like Ozi Ozi Ozi said... Go Big and Go Viral!


      Originally Posted by Oziboomer View Post

      Firstly...I sell art and have a design team and production...it s my business and I've been doing so for 25 years.

      There are many people who have great designs but fail through lack of persistence rather than lack of financial backing.

      I can't agree more wholeheartedly in the advice Savidge offers you in the previous posts.

      As an addition I would suggest if you are considering your designs for home decor to consider "scale" as an important factor....

      ..go LARGE...

      Big images imply confidence...higher cost....and they push out competitors.

      All the social stuff is huge with promotion of anything graphic....

      ....but there is a reason the bigger names survive and it is usually to do with positioning early on....

      If you want your stuff t get noticed...go big...or go viral...or go both.

      One artist we work with is Home - Kerrie Hess Illustration Kerrie Hess Illustration

      Maybe not your thing but note the positioning.

      Best of luck.

      If you want some more personal assessment let me know...
      Signature
      Success is an ACT not an idea
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9995276].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Steffanovic
    Thanks a lot
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