If you\u2019re short on time, the top 6 print on demand mistakes you should avoid are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Make sure you have a strong vision to increase the chances of people buying your prints<\/li>
- Narrow down a niche to increase your chances of selling metal prints consistently<\/li>
- Maintain clear expectations for your metal prints to avoid customer confusion<\/li>
- Print a higher volume for more active periods like holiday season<\/li>
- Market the unique appeal of metal prints to differentiate them from other brands<\/li>
- Double-check you have the right templates and DPI for printing<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Source Image: Unsplash<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Source Image: Pixabay<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Have a Vision for Your Prints and Print on Demand Service\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Before you hunker down with a print service, it\u2019s essential to have a clear vision for your prints. What purpose will these prints serve your customer, project, or artistic vision?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to recent studies, metal (as well as metal alloys) are the fastest growing 3D printing segment<\/a>. Let\u2019s get into the mindset of why <\/em>someone may turn to these types of prints. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For example, one person may choose metal prints because they want to stand out from the competition at a trade show.\u00a0The glossy sheen and high-quality of metal prints will quickly communicate to passerbys that their business means <\/em>business.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Another person may prefer metal photo prints because they don\u2019t want their family photo to fade or wrinkle over the generations. Metal prints provide benefits such as being resistant to scratches, molding, and wrinkling. This smart decision weighs the benefits between metal and common (yet less reliable) materials like paper and canvas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
No matter your goals, having a clear vision in mind ensures your metal prints will always serve a purpose and please a buyer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Source Image: Pixabay<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Narrow Down a Niche to Increase Your Chances of Selling Metal Prints\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Do you plan on selling metal prints to customers? It\u2019s important to narrow down a niche to increase your chances of selling \u2013 the biggest doesn\u2019t catch the most fish, after all!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Choosing a niche for print on demand is easier when you start with an industry. Perhaps you want to help out small artists trying to feature their work in art galleries. Maybe you want to help customers create timeless portrait prints<\/a> of their beloved pets.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Once you have a clearer idea of the industry \u2013 and the people who purchase from that industry \u2013 it\u2019s time to address their problems with your metal prints.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For example, some of your customers may be worried about low-quality prints driving away possible customers at a trade show<\/a>, so choosing a print service dedicated to the highest-quality materials is essential. You may also have people who don\u2019t feel comfortable using a print service, making you a helpful go-between.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Communicating how well you solve the problems of your leads or customers can look like tailored blog posts or About Pages with a bullet list of their pain points. Whatever you need to ensure your metal prints are worth investing in.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Source Image: Pixabay<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Always Have Clear Expectations on Your Metal Prints<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Successfully print on demand means having clear expectations <\/em>around your prints. What should your customers expect when they open up their new purchase?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A seamless printing process for your customer should involve clear price ranges for sizes, print type, and finish. Collaborating with your favorite print service on these factors can even yield benefits for you such as contract pricing<\/a>. When everyone knows what they\u2019re getting out of the deal, everyone wins. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You should also make it clear what you will or won\u2019t <\/em>print. For example, you need to be careful not to print anyone else\u2019s intellectual property \u2013 Google Image Search is a useful tool<\/a> to double-check that you\u2019re not being asked to print another artist\u2019s work without permission. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You may also want to specify in a FAQ or service section about any sensitive subjects such as blood or nudity.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To save your business some trouble, make sure your website has a contact page where people can reach out with questions or concerns. You can also create a FAQ page to address their most common concerns upfront.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Source Image: Pixabay<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Prepare for a Higher Volume During the Holiday Season<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Once the holidays roll around, everything kicks into high gear. A common beginner mistake is treating the end of the year like any other time, resulting in stress for both business owners and <\/em>potential customers.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Expect a higher-than-average volume of print on demand requests for Christmas, New Years\u2019 and Black Friday. You can prepare by outlining clear expectations on your contact page or FAQ page on shipping costs and estimated delivery times. For example, if your printing service needs a few extra days to fulfill orders, let your customers know up front to avoid confusion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You can also craft marketing campaigns that specifically tap into the nostalgia of giving gifts during the holiday season. This proactive approach will help you snag a few more customers during a time when holiday discounts are at an all-time high.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We provide our production time and rush time at the top of our site\u2019s front page so you always know what to expect. <\/em>Contact us today<\/em><\/a> for your holiday rush questions or concerns.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Source Image: Pixabay<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Market the Unique Appeal of Metal Prints<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Metal prints are a high-end printing option, so go the extra mile to promote their unique appeal in your marketing. These prints sell even better<\/em> when people know the full range of benefits they\u2019ll enjoy upon purchasing.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Whether through a blog post or a Google Ad, inform your customers that you chose metal photo prints for their quality. We only print on high-quality ChromaLuxe panels to deliver the richest color and sharpest detail. Our variety of finishes \u2013 ranging from gloss to matte<\/a> \u2013 ensure you or your customers will find the right presentation to bring out the best in a photo, illustration, or logo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Metal prints stand out from wood, paper, and canvas for their unparalleled durability. They\u2019re waterproof, making them resistant to both rust and mold build-up \u2013 perfect for outdoor settings or indoor settings with high moisture. They\u2019re also resistant to scratches, a helpful feature if you or your customers need to display prints with a high volume of foot traffic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lastly, our metal prints come with several mounts and backings<\/a> for the ultimate presentation. You can make a work \u2018float\u2019 off the wall with a box mount or add a sleek frame with a premium frame mount, among others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Who doesn\u2019t love quality? When you share these benefits up front, your customers will have no problem bridging the gap between a metal print and the image they want printed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Source Image: Pixabay<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Make Sure Your Printing Templates and DPI are Suitable\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Last but not least, double-check your printing templates to make sure they\u2019re suitable. These templates give you a quick and easy reference point for any images submitted to your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Templates make it easy for you or customers to customize a design, but sometimes they don\u2019t translate well across all images. We recommend testing your templates<\/a> with a few practice images and\/or prints before using them. The last <\/em>thing you want is to provide a template for an abnormal printing size that cuts off part of an image or doesn\u2019t load certain file types. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Also: don\u2019t overpromise! If there are certain sizes your printing service can\u2019t accommodate \u2013 or certain resolutions you can\u2019t print \u2013 don\u2019t be dishonest. We personally recommend<\/a> a DPI of 180 for larger metal prints and 150 for smaller metal prints. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
FAQs <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Got a few more questions about metal prints to get you started? We\u2019ll answer a few below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Are Metal Art Prints Worth It? <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Absolutely. We use high-quality ChromaLuxe aluminum panels<\/a> matched with dye sublimation printers by Epson specifically designed for metal printing \u2013 the results are beautiful, high-quality prints that last for decades.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How Do You Get a Picture on Metal?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Printing a picture on metal starts with printing on a specialized paper substrate called sublimation paper. This paper is then placed into a dye sublimation printer alongside a heat press. You can find out more about the science here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How Long do Metal Prints Last?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Our ChromaLuxe aluminum metal prints last at least sixty-five years. They\u2019re waterproof, rust-proof, mold-proof, scratch-proof, and don\u2019t fade from exposure to dirt or sunlight. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Do Metal Prints Fade?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Provided you get the highest-quality metal, no. We only use ChromaLuxe aluminum metal panels that don\u2019t fade from sunlight, exposure, or physical contact (like rubbing or scratching).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What is the Best Surface for Metal Prints?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The best surface depends on what you\u2019re printing and where you plan on displaying it. Glossy is best for rich color and prints that aren\u2019t in a direct light source. Matte is ideal for softer colors and any work that needs to be by a window or under a lamp.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Source Image: Pixabay<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
We\u2019re Ready to Help You Create Polished and Long-Lasting Metal Prints <\/h2>\n\n\n\n