QA

Question: How To Print My Fine Art Painting

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 legal to print a painting?

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.

What kind of paper are art prints printed on?

As a rule, art print papers are matte, cotton rag, or canvas. Red River Paper offers you the best quality products available today. We source from the top paper mills on Earth – the same mills that make Epson, Canon, and other top big name brands.

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 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.

Is it OK to print personal art?

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.

Can you get in trouble for printing art?

Your printing it out without consent of the artist is a copyright violation. So, no, not legal. Contact the artist and ask for permission. If the artist sells copies, buy one.

Should art prints be glossy or matte?

If you’re investing in online wall art or printing your own work, both surfaces can produce stunning prints and reproductions. Typically, photographers tend to lean towards the satin and glossy finishes, while fine art prints are more likely to be provided on matte paper.

What is the difference between photo paper and fine art paper?

Normal photo paper meet the needs of some users when it comes to printing photos to be viewed on an occasional basis, whereas fine art paper will ensure that images are shown off in their best light and provides good performance when exhibiting prints.

How thick should art prints be?

Thickness of 16 mil or 325 GSM. Perfect for all kinds of art, photographs and paintings. Perfect for professional and personal use.

How do I get my artwork copyrighted?

The U.S. Copyright Office requires you to submit three things to register a copyright: Either an online application or a paper application. Online applications have a lower filing fee and a faster processing time. A separate filing fee for online applications and paper applications. A copy or copies of your work.

Does Etsy have copyright?

Etsy takes intellectual property rights very seriously. Under United States copyright law, only the legal or beneficial owner of an exclusive right under a copyright can take action against possible infringement. If you have an intellectual property related issue on Etsy, there are a few ways you can choose to respond.

Is the Mona Lisa copyrighted?

Mona Lisa is in the public domain and free to be exploited, explaining its reproduction on everything from postcards to coffee mugs, with no legal repercussions. While copyright laws do not protect Leonardo’s Mona Lisa, Duchamp’s L.H.O.O.Q. falls within parameters of copyright law constituting new works.

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.

Can I sell my paintings on Facebook?

If you’re an artist or art dealer, Facebook is the perfect place to start selling your art. Shopify’s Facebook store app helps you get your art online quickly. Showcase as many pieces as you want, organize them, and get them sold. Your customers can easily checkout once they find the art they are looking for.

Can I sell prints of famous paintings?

Yes, so long as they are no longer protected by copyright. So, for example, anything created by the artists you note would be in the public domain. More recent works may not be.

Can I use someone else’s art for personal use?

A: In general, you may not use someone else’s work without their consent no matter how much you change it. However, under the fair use defense, you may use small portions of a work for purposes such as commentary, criticism, news reporting, or scholarly reports.

What happens if you print a copyrighted image?

What will happen to me if I print a copyrighted image? If you knowingly violate copyright by printing copyrighted photos for personal use, you are liable to pay damages to the copyright owner. If the image is registered with the copyright office you may be required to pay statutory damages and all attorney fees.

How can artists avoid copyright?

The only way to avoid copyright infringement is to create original work or by getting permission to use it. Ultimately the only way to know that you have changed enough of the copyrighted image is to get sued. Once in court, the judge will decide if there was enough change between the original work and yours.