Episode 132 - What It Takes to Create, Print, and Ship Fine Art Prints

07/28/22 • 28 min

We discuss all of the research and decisions it took for Jessie to create fine art prints of her paper flowers. Learn what it takes to sell digital art.

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Branching out your paper flower business can bring more financial stability and keep you excited creatively. The world of fine art prints can open an entirely new world of possibilities.

In our latest episode of Paper Talk, we chatted about how Jessie has expanded her business from paper flower commissions, to writing a book, and now offering fine art prints. The amount of work that went into digitally creating the art, choosing a printer, and figuring out how to ship to customers is quite staggering. But that’s why we’re sharing what Jessie learned along the way so that you can more easily explore how to offer prints of your work.

Here’s what you’ll learn when you listen to our conversation:

► All about Jessie’s new limited edition print collection.

► How to work with and select printing and shipping companies for fine art.

► What to think about when expanding your product line.

► How Jessie created her digital artwork from photos of her paper flowers.

► Tips for the best frames for Jessie’s art if you purchase prints.

If you can’t listen right away, here are some tips that apply to expanding your paper flower business in any direction.

Research the Unknowns

As Jessie shared on the podcast, she did a lot of research for her new venture. Which size should she choose? Which paper? There are a million options and they all make the art look a little different. Which company meets the right quality standards for printing fine art? Do they ship directly to the customer?

If you’re looking into creating your own prints, this episode is the perfect place to start your own research! Jessie shared so much useful information about these questions.

We’ve also covered many other topics on this podcast about areas that many paper florists explore. Learn about building a YouTube channel in Episode 112, what it takes to run a brick and mortar shop in Episode 110, or creating digital magazines and writing books in Episode 102. Search our archives for a plethora of topics that can get you started.

Whatever new direction you’re contemplating, start researching now!

Learn New Skills

Paper flowers are a fairly new industry. That means you’re probably really good at experimenting and learning new skills as you grow as an artist and business owner. We wear many different hats, and as you expand your horizons, you’ll wear even more.

“That’s where your creativity grows, when you push yourself to those limits, when you challenge yourself with doing something more.” -Jessie Chui

Jessie shared in the episode about how she had to learn new things in Photoshop as she created her digital art. It took time. That’s okay! What’s fantastic about this new skill is that Jessie can definitely use that knowledge again.

This could be an important consideration when deciding which direction to push yourself. Which skills would you need to be successful? Will those skills be useful for other projects? If you’re not sure, it can still be worth it to pursue your idea. If your new knowledge will help you in other areas of your business, that’s even more incentive to put in the time and effort to learn.

Share Your Work

Putting yourself out there can be scary, especially if it’s art you’ve put your heart and soul into. Will anyone buy it? Will anyone even like it? Is it worth the time, energy, and money?

You should weigh the pros and cons of any decision. You should make sure that you’re not pouring so much into a new venture that it will make it impossible to recover if things fail.

All that said, go for it! If fear is holding you back, take a leap of faith. Maybe no one buys your work, but you’ve learned something new and put your art out into the world. As Jessie shared, even if no one buys her new work right now, they now know that she offers that product. It can open new doors later. You never know what will happen, so try!

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Learn more about Jessie's first art print collection, Paper Flower Art Collection, on her website.

Join our Facebook group where you can share, ...

We discuss all of the research and decisions it took for Jessie to create fine art prints of her paper flowers. Learn what it takes to sell digital art.

******

Branching out your paper flower business can bring more financial stability and keep you excited creatively. The world of fine art prints can open an entirely new world of possibilities.

Here’s what you’ll learn when you listen to our conversation:

► All about Jessie’s new limited edition print collection.

► How to work with and select printing and shipping companies for fine art.

► What to think about when expanding your product line.

► How Jessie created her digital artwork from photos of her paper flowers.

► Tips for the best frames for Jessie’s art if you purchase prints.

If you can’t listen right away, here are some tips that apply to expanding your paper flower business in any direction.

Research the Unknowns

If you’re looking into creating your own prints, this episode is the perfect place to start your own research! Jessie shared so much useful information about these questions.

Whatever new direction you’re contemplating, start researching now!

Learn New Skills

“That’s where your creativity grows, when you push yourself to those limits, when you challenge yourself with doing something more.” -Jessie Chui

Share Your Work

Putting yourself out there can be scary, especially if it’s art you’ve put your heart and soul into. Will anyone buy it? Will anyone even like it? Is it worth the time, energy, and money?

You should weigh the pros and cons of any decision. You should make sure that you’re not pouring so much into a new venture that it will make it impossible to recover if things fail.

******

Learn more about Jessie's first art print collection, Paper Flower Art Collection, on her website.

Join our Facebook group where you can share, ...

Previous Episode

Episode 131 - Season 6 Preview: Back to Basics

Season 6 will get back to the basics of our craft. We’ll debate the best tools, materials, and techniques to use when making paper flowers.

At the end of the day, we’re here because of paper flowers.

On this podcast, we’ve talked about a wide variety of subjects to support paper florists on their journeys. For Season 6, we’re getting back to the heart of the matter: the actual paper flowers!

In our latest episode of Paper Talk, we gave a sneak peek at what we’ll be discussing in Season 6. What we’re most excited about is getting more opinions from people like you! We want to know which tools and materials you prefer and why. We want guests who disagree with us. As Jessie explained:

“It’s going to be a really interesting season. We’re used to using what we like, using what we’ve always used. But there’s so many other ways of making paper flowers, and so many other situations as well.” -Jessie Chui

Be sure to join our Facebook group where we’ll be posting polls about which techniques and materials you prefer, and please email us at [email protected] if there is a topic you are super passionate about. We’d love to have you on the podcast as a guest!

Here’s what you’ll learn when you listen to our conversation:

► Some of the topics we’ll discuss in Season 6.

► Why the variety of opinions we include on the podcast is so valuable.

► How to build a creative business that’s manageable.

► Why it’s okay to make your own rules for marketing.

To get you started thinking about your opinions, here’s a peek at some of the topics we discussed on the episode.

Which Crepe Paper Is Best?

Back in the day when we got started in the paper flower world, crepe options were limited. Now crepe paper is more available and more varied than ever before.

Do you prefer Italian or German? Do you love Chinese crepe? Which weights do you go back to over and over again, and why?

We already know our answers to these questions, but we want to learn from you! There aren’t right or wrong answers.

Which Glue Should I Use?

Jessie shared in the episode about her experience using three different types of Aleene’s Tacky Glue at her recent workshop. One of the attendees had poor eyesight and couldn’t see where she was applying the clear glue.

This is the sort of situation that we hadn’t thought about before. This is why we want to have more guests on the podcast to share their experiences and preferences.

Again, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer here. We want to bring you as much information as possible so that you can make the right choice for you.

“One of things that we really love about our platform is that we’re very sharing. We want to share as many tips and advice as possible to grow you as an artist, to expand your tools and knowledge for how to make better paper flowers.” -Quynh NguyenWhich Camera Should I Buy?

When it comes to sharing images of your paper flowers, there are a ton of options. Many of us start out snapping pics with our phones, which is great. Some photos are better than no photos.

But if you’re looking to up your picture game, investing in a professional camera is something that many paper florists do. Your creations are beautiful; you want to showcase them in the best light possible.

For those of you who have taken that step, do you love your camera? Do you swear by Nikon? Are you Canon all the way? Email us if you’re passionate about your camera!

(For tips on photographing your products, check out our archives! Episode 60 with Caroline Tran is a great place to start.)

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We’ll cover all of this and more in Season 6 of Paper Talk, so stay tuned! Start chatting with us now on our Facebook group. Please also consider donating on our website to help us keep producing great content like Season 6. Thank you for your support!

Next Episode

Episode 133: An Exclusive Interview with German Crepe Paper Manufacturer Werola

Title: Episode 133: An Exclusive Interview with German Crepe Paper Manufacturer Werola

Welcome back to Paper Talk Podcast, Season 6! We’re so excited to be back with more of the best in the world of paper flowers and creative small businesses.

In this highly anticipated episode, we dove into the vibrant world of crepe paper with an exclusive interview featuring Bernd Firmbach, the Vice President of the German crepe paper division Werola at Seaman Paper. This was such an incredibly rare opportunity, and you won’t want to miss a moment of our conversation. Join us as we explore the production process, sustainability initiatives, and the future of German crepe paper. This episode is a must-listen for paper florists and enthusiasts seeking to discover new insights to unleash their creative potential.

Here’s a peek at what you’ll hear when you listen.

Why Is Each Sheet of German Crepe So Unique?

Bernd took us behind the scenes at Werola, where the art of transforming jumbo rolls of paper into exquisite crepe paper comes to life. Dyeing, dipping, cutting, and rolling are just a few of the intricate techniques employed by their skilled artisans. Bernd emphasized the importance of quality control and revealed how the manual nature of their production leads to the fascinating variations in color and texture that make each sheet of Werola's crepe paper unique.

If you’ve used German crepe paper before, you know firsthand how beautiful and unique it can be! You won’t want to miss the details of what goes on behind the scenes to create this favorite paper.

How Sustainable and Safe Is German Crepe Paper?

At Werola, environmental sustainability is a core value, making German crepe paper a wonderful choice for paper florists who want their art to have a positive impact on the world. In the episode, Bernd discussed Werola’s conscientious efforts to conserve water, recycle dyes, and prioritize the use of recycled paper whenever feasible. Listen to hear how these efforts are part of the reason why German crepe paper has those variations in color discussed above.

Bernd also addressed common concerns regarding the safety of crepe paper. You can get the full rundown by listening, but know that Werola conducts rigorous tests to ensure their crepe paper meets strict safety standards. Their products are free from harmful substances, further exemplifying Werola's commitment to consumer well-being.

Any Exciting Product Developments on the Horizon?

Bernd shared about exciting collaborations and emphasized the growing demand for certain colors from our paper flower community. With a keen eye for artistic styles and cultural preferences, Werola's team continuously explores new color options. Listeners will be thrilled to learn about the potential for expanded color ranges and even larger folds of crepe paper, allowing for endless possibilities in our creative endeavors. Be sure to listen for details about which colors and products they are planning to add.

Bernd also acknowledged that Werola is keen to improve market accessibility, responding to feedback from the artistic community. Listeners who yearn to find Werola's exceptional crepe paper in local stores will be delighted to learn that the company is actively working to expand sales distribution and forge new connections to better serve artists and crafters worldwide.

What You’ll Learn When You Listen to Episode 133

The intricate production process behind Werola's crepe paper
Werola's commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility
The safety of Werola's crepe paper for contact and ingestion
Exciting collaborations and expanding color options
Werola's plans for enhanced market accessibility

We collaborated with Werola to bring two lucky winners a packet of German crepe paper featuring ten beautiful colors. All you have to do is answer our poll questions by August 3 to enter.

To enter into the giveaway, click here to fill out the poll questions.

This exclusive interview with Bernd Firmbach of Werola unraveled the captivating world of German crepe paper. We would love to see what you have done with this incredible paper! Tag us on Instagram with @papertalkpodcast and let us know what you want to explore in future episodes.

You can also join our Facebook group where you can share, connect, and grow with us. Please also consider donating on our website to help us keep producing great content like this. Thank you for your support!