What Is A Giclee Print And How To Sell It On Shopify

Giclee prints are slowly making a comeback in the art world. Artists love this cost-effective method for reproducing prints that preserve a high level of detail. Using advanced printing technology, Giclee prints capture the style of the original piece, essentially creating identical copies that are challenging to tell apart. 

Demand for high-quality art reproductions is on the rise. More Shopify merchants are breaking new ground with Giclee prints. If you’re planning to hop on this trend, now is the best time. The global art reproduction market was valued at approximately $48.21 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach $77.57 billion by 2032. It means there’s an opportunity you don’t want to miss out on.

In this post, we’ll explore what Giclee prints are, why they’re significant in the art world, and how you, Shopify merchants how to effectively start selling them. Without further ado, let’s dive right in!

What Are Giclee Prints?

Giclee printing is a method of reproducing artwork using high-quality inkjet printers. Unlike conventional styles, Giclee printing uses specialized inks that produce colors far more vibrant and accurate. Pair this with archival paper, canvas, or other durable materials, you can create designs lasting for years without fading. 

Gicle prints offer an unparalleled level of detail compared to other printing methods. Source

The term "Giclee" comes from the French word "gicler," meaning "to spray." It refers to how the ink is sprayed onto the paper. The process originated in the 1990s and quickly became the preferred method for reproducing artworks in great detail.

Why Giclee Prints Are Popular Among Artists and Merchants

Here’s a brief explanation of why Giclee prints are slowly becoming a staple among artists and art vendors. 

For Artists

Though not new, Giclee prints offer a refreshing way for artists to mass-produce high-quality reproductions. They capture fine details, vibrant colors, and textures better than any conventional method. It takes a snapshot of the original piece in its prime, making the print nearly identical to the original. 

There are techniques artists can experiment with to create a unique style and feel for their work. Additionally, Giclee prints last forever. The combination of high-quality inks and archival materials means they won’t fade over time. Artists can ship their products worldwide without diminishing quality. 

For Merchants

Giclee prints are popular items for eCommerce vendors, especially on platforms like Shopify. The demand for high-quality art reproductions is rising. Giclee prints allow merchants to perfectly meet this demand by producing intricate prints that appeal to both the average consumer and collectors alike. 

Selling Giclee prints is also profitable. These prints can be sold at premium prices with higher profit margins. Customers are willing to invest in high-quality products that last a long time, and Giclee prints are the embodiment of that.

How to Start Selling Giclee Prints on Shopify

Follow the 5 steps below to set up a Giclee print business on Shopify:

Step 1: Set Up Your Shopify Store

If you don’t already have a Shopify store, getting one online is the first step. It takes only minutes to set up a professional storefront. Refer to our set-up guide for more detailed instructions. 

Choose whichever theme you want, just make sure it fits the aesthetics or vibes of your products. Another point to pay attention to is ensuring the store layout is easy to navigate. Add sections for your Giclee prints, artist bio, and any other related content to provide additional information and rank for relevant keywords.

Step 2: Source Your Giclee Prints

You have two main options when sourcing your Giclee prints:

• Print-on-Demand Services: For those who don’t want to handle inventory, print-on-demand is the way to go. Platforms like Printful integrate seamlessly with Shopify. Simply upload your artwork and let the platforms handle the printing and shipping. This model doesn’t require upfront costs or inventory management.

• Printing Partners: Another model is sourcing your Giclee prints directly from reputable printing companies. Look for printers that use high-quality materials and inks. If you choose to go this route, expect to invest more in inventory management. 

Choosing a sourcing model that best fits your budget and experience level. source

Step 3: Create Your Giclee Print Listings

Once you have your products, it’s time to build product pages that showcase them in the best light. The key here is to use high-resolution images. You want to highlight the details and colors of the artwork. 

Write descriptions of the prints, including the size, materials used (such as the type of archival paper or canvas), and available framing options. Be sure to include keywords for SEO to enjoy a boost in organic traffic. If you want to take things further, offer different sizes and framing options to cater to different customer preferences.

This step may take a while, depending on the number of products you plan to sell. Luckily, tools like GemPages offer the perfect solution. Create templates for the page layout and leverage generative AI to create product pages at scale. 

Step 4: Market Your Giclee Prints

If you just started selling on Shopify, it can be slow at first. Things will take time to ramp up, and that’s completely normal. However, there are marketing strategies you can use to kick-start sales faster. Here is our brief guide on the most popular tactics to consider. 

Social Media Marketing

Your Giclee prints belong to the arts category. Platforms like Instagram and Pinterest are ideal for visually showcasing their beauty. 

Instagram allows you to share high-quality images of your prints, including close-ups. Instagram Stories or Reels are great to engage followers with behind-the-scenes content, such as the process of creating the artwork or the printing process itself. 

Social media platforms are robust channels to market your Giclee prints.

Pinterest is a go-to for those seeking home décor inspiration. Pinning your prints with descriptive captions and links to your store can drive traffic and increase sales. 

The two platforms above are where your customers are most likely to be. If you’re not getting the level of organic traffic you need, consider running PPC campaigns. They can offer a valuable boost to get your business up and running. 

Content Marketing

Content marketing is a powerful tool for building a loyal customer base. Writing blog posts about the value of Giclee prints. You can explain the process of creating them or the artists behind the work to engage your audience and position yourself as an authority in the art world. 

Behind-the-scenes videos or interviews with artists can also help humanize your brand and connect with your audience on a deeper level. 

Also read: 11 Best Shopify Blog Examples You’ll Want to Copy

Email Campaigns

Email marketing is another essential way to keep your audience engaged. Send newsletters featuring new arrivals, promotions, artist spotlights, or exclusive discounts. You can also run targeted email campaigns with special offers for loyal customers. However, there’s a fine line between effective emails and spam. You don’t want your messages to end up in the customers’ spam boxes. 

Step 5: Shipping and Fulfillment

Shipping Giclee prints is much less of a hassle. Just make sure your products are in mint condition before shipping them out. Use sturdy packaging materials like cardboard boxes with protective layers to prevent any damage during transport. 

When packaging your prints, make sure to use sturdy materials to protect them from damage during transport.

If you’re working with a print-on-demand service like Printful, they handle the printing, packaging, and shipping for you. It’s less hassle, but you have to pay a fee for those services. 

If you source prints directly from a printing partner, consider partnering with a reliable fulfillment provider to streamline the shipping process. Always offer tracking information to customers and keep them updated on the status of their orders.

Pricing Your Giclee Prints for Maximum Profit 

Consider all related costs, including production, printing, and Shopify fees. Do your maths carefully to figure out a practical pricing that guarantees profits. By practical, we mean a price that won’t drive your target customers away. 

Below is a quick summary of the costs you should be mindful of:  

• Printing Costs: Print-on-demand services like Printful or Gooten typically charge between $20 to $50 for a standard 16x20 inch Giclee print, depending on the paper or canvas material used.

• Shopify Fees: Shopify charges a 2.9% + 30¢ per transaction for credit card processing, plus a monthly subscription fee (around $29/month for the Basic plan).

• Shipping Fees: Depending on your shipping partner and destination, shipping could cost between $5 to $15 per print.

Price your products in a way that balances profits and long-term sustainability.

To maximize profitability, use value-based pricing. Since Giclee prints are high-quality products, they can be priced a little higher than mass-produced items. You should sell your prints based on the perceived value, on top of the production costs. 

For example, limited edition prints or works by well-known artists can command higher prices. Additionally, research the prices of similar Giclee prints in the market to ensure your pricing is competitive while reflecting the quality of your work. Offering different sizes or framing options can also help cater to different customer budgets.

Tips for Growing Your Giclee Print Sales on Shopify

Here are 3 crucial tips that Giclee print vendors should know. 

#1 Building a Strong Brand Identity Pays Off

Always strive to make your brand recognizable. It’s a must if you want to stand out in the saturated eCommerce landscape. A familiar, friendly brand image will help you reduce friction and increase sales, especially when it comes to big-ticket items like Giclee prints.

Create custom templates for your product pages with GemPages.

A strong brand identity requires consistency. Everything about your brand should match. From the logo, color palette, and messaging, keep them all cohesive across channels for maximum impact. 

If you want to streamline this process, tools like GemPages are a great help. It allows the creation of custom templates that can be applied to all products on your store. On top of that, the onboard AI automatically writes detailed, SEO-optimized descriptions for you. Let GemPages work its magic and focus more on strategic vision for your business!

Build frictionless pages faster and convert more with GemPages. Try it out now today!  

#2 Leveraging Customer Reviews

Positive customer feedback can be a powerful tool in your arsenal. Try to ask satisfied customers to leave reviews. Ideally, have them share photos of your Giclee prints displayed in their homes. These are authentic testaments that cannot be replicated.

Reviews from actual users make potential buyers feel confident in their purchase decisions. The best places to showcase this feedback are on your product pages. Also, collaborating with influencers is another great strategy to promote your Shopify store. 

#3 Offering Limited Editions

Creating a sense of exclusivity can drive demand for your Giclee prints. These can come in as limited edition prints or numbered series, giving customers a sense of owning something rare and special. Many artists have leveraged this tactic in the past. 

You can market these exclusive prints as a collector’s item, which not only enhances their value but also creates urgency among potential buyers. However, do be mindful. Don’t overuse this strategy as it may damage your brand in the long run.

Wrapping Up!

In conclusion, Giclee prints offer a fantastic opportunity for artists and merchants to create and sell high-quality, long-lasting art reproductions. By setting up a Shopify store, sourcing your prints, and marketing effectively, you can tap into the growing demand for fine art online. 

Building a strong brand, leveraging customer reviews, and offering limited edition prints will help you attract and retain loyal customers. With the right strategies, Giclee prints can become a profitable and fulfilling addition to your product offerings. Start selling today, and let your art reach a wider audience while growing your business.