Buying an art print online: what to check before you order
Buying art online deserves a few minutes of thought. Unlike a t-shirt or a book, an art print will stay with you for years. Here's what to look at before confirming an order.
1. Paper and printing
This is the most important criterion, and the least advertised. Two prints that look identical in a photo can be radically different in real life.
A good art print is made with pigment inks on 100% cotton, acid-free paper designed for conservation. Cheap dye-based inks fade within a few years in daylight.
For my current prints I use Canson Arches 88, 310 to 330 gsm, printed in Brussels: a slightly velvety texture, deep blacks, colours faithful to the painting.
2. Limited edition and numbering
“Limited edition” without a number means nothing. What counts is the number written by hand (7/20, for instance) and the artist's signature.
The shorter the edition, the rarer the piece. My current prints are issued in runs of 10 or 20 per size. To choose the right size and edition, read our guide to choosing an art print.
3. Actual dimensions
Do the stated dimensions refer to the sheet or to the printed area? Is there a white border? These details matter when buying a standard or custom frame. In this shop, every page gives the exact sheet size, from 30 × 40 to 50 × 70 cm. All the practical advice is in our framing guide.
4. Shipping and packing
A badly packed print arrives creased or dented. Check that the seller explains how the work is protected in transit.
Here, every order is prepared by hand at the studio with Louis, then shipped on the 1st or the 15th of the month, packed to arrive flawless.
5. The return policy
In the European Union, a 14-day right of withdrawal applies to online purchases. Check that the seller states it clearly in their terms.
Why buy directly from the artist?
You know who painted the image, where and how it was printed, and you can ask your questions directly. No middleman: the purchase supports the painting itself.
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