Artist FAQ

Special Note: We are not accepting new artists on Art for Conservation at this time.

Selling your work through Art for Conservation couldn’t be easier - and more rewarding. Even so, we suggest that you take a little time to look through our FAQ’s below. If your question isn't answered below, don’t hesitate to contact us here.

If you would like help in selecting, sizing and pricing your work, click here.

Questions

3.  If I have a Self-service account, how do I upload the images that will be seen on my site?
Once you've created your Art for Conservation account, you are ready to upload your low res jpeg files. These files will be the ones used to show your images in the Art for Conservation Gallery. While your images will show in three sizes on Art for Conservation, you need to upload only one file per image. After your low res files are received and Approved by Art for Conservation, you will be allowed to upload your hi res printing files and image information.

How to upload your low-res image files:
Before you begin the process of uploading your files, we suggest that you first create low res files for all of the images you wish to upload. To do this, you will need image editing software like Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Photoshop Elements or a free-ware image editing program like Picasa. * Resize your files by setting "Resolution" to 72ppi, and the largest dimension to 600 pixels. The resulting file should be no larger than 2 MB. See the sample below. Save the file as a jpeg, level 10. When you access your Artist account on Art for Conservation, you will find directions on how to actually upload these files.

When you submit your low res jpeg files, representatives of Art for Conservation review your images to determine:

1. Quality of the image.
2. Content. Any content we deem inappropriate will be rejected without explanation.
3. Fit for the Art for Conservation website. Once approved, you will be provided directions to upload the remaining image information (substrates, sizes, prices, keywords, etc) and your hi-res files.

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4.  How many images can I upload?
If you select our free Self-Service Account, you can upload as many as 27 images at no charge. If you select our Full Service Account (a fee is charged), you are allowed an unlimited number of images. All images are subject to review before posting on Art for Conservation. See “How do I upload my images?”

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5.  How do I choose the size of prints I will sell?
Art for Conservation offers you up to 11 sizes and and a number of sizes in between those shown below – a wide variety of sizes up to 40x60.  When you upload your file, the actual size of the print will show on the site. For example, if you upload a 16x16 file, it will show up as a 16x16 print, not a 16x20 print. If you upload square images, choose any of the short dimensions shown below. For panoramic images, choose any of the long dimensions.

• 8x10
• 9x12
• 11x14
• 12x18
• 16x20
• 16x24
• 20x24
• 20x30
• 24x36
• 30x50
• 40x60

When you upload your hi res file to us, the size of file will determine how large an image we can print for you. Just because you CAN  make the file bigger doesn't mean that the resulting file will look good when printed. To check your file for size appropriateness, size the file to the maximize size you want to print. Then view the file at 100%. If it looks soft or "jaggy", you likely should not print in a size that large.

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6.  What kind of substrates (paper and canvas) can I print on?
We offer 6 great substrate choices:

• Photo Paper, Gloss or Matte
  Highest quality, Fuji Crystal Archive museum quality photo paper. Gloss has a high sheen, bright look. Matte has a less reflective, natural look. Printed with a 1/2" white border added to the print size.

• Epson Presentation Watercolor Paper
  A smooth, bright white, coated paper yielding bright colors. This paper is not as heavy as our other watercolor papers and is therefore less expensive. Printed with a 1/2" white border added to the print size.

• Somerset Velvet Watercolor Paper
  100% acid free heavyweight cotton rag fine art paper with a textured radiant white velvety surface. Provides vivid color reproduction and rich black tones. Archival museum quality. Printed with a 1/2" white border added to the print size.

• Premier Art Smooth Watercolor Paper
  A smooth 100% acid free cotton rag, natural white, heavyweight fine art watercolor paper. Yields brilliant colors and rich B&W prints. Archival museum quality. Printed with a 1/2" white border added to the print size.

• Hahnemühle Bamboo Watercolor Paper
  Natural white acid free heavyweight fine art paper made from fibers from highly renewable bamboo. Its warm tone combines beautiful art prints with environmental considerations. Archival museum quality. Printed with a 1/2" white border added to the print size.

• Fine Art Canvas
  Our high quality canvas is a textured, heavyweight, bright white poly cotton blend matte canvas using an acid-free, neutral pH coating. Our canvas prints are coated after printing with an earth friendly protective, u-v inhibiting varnish. Archival museum quality.* Special note on canvas finishing... We offer three canvas finishing options to buyers: 1) Canvas only - these are un-mounted canvas giclées and are printed with a 1.5 inch white border on all four sides (used for stretching on stretcher bars); 2) Standard wrap; 3) Gallery wrap. Since we offer these finishing options to buyers at our cost, there is neither a charge to you nor any income derived for you.
  

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7.  How do I determine the prices I will charge for my prints?
There are two ways to set up your sizes and prices on Art for Conservation:

1. Set up your Master Price List through your artist management homepage. Once you fill out this form, you will never have to set your prices again! If you need advice on pricing, please talk to one of our customer service representatives.
2. You can choose what sizes, substrates, and prices to offer on an image by image basis. Simply check the box of the size you wish to offer and set the price you wish to sell the image for! If you need advice on pricing, simply talk to one of our customer service representatives.
3. If you would like more help with sizing, substrates and pricing, click here.

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8.  How do I make money on the sale of my images from Art for Conservation?
There is no charge to join Art for Conservation as a "Self-Service" member until you make a sale.  You get to set the price and profit you want for each image. Once you log in to the site as an artist/photographer, you will receive specific pricing information.  When you make a sale, will we deduct a transaction fee of 18% and the cost for printing the items ordered.  At the beginning of every month we will send you a check for all completed orders

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9. What is my "Donation to Conservation"?
As part of their agreement to sell images on Art for Conservation, our artists commit to donating a minimum of 1% of the total sales price of images sold to a conservation organization(s) of their choosing. “Conservation” refers to the protection, preservation and careful management of the environment and its reliant species. When you set up your account, you will be asked to provide the percentage of your donation per print sale and the cause you have selected to donate to.

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10. Do my images have to be Conservation related to be on Art for Conservation?
Nope! While our site is all about making a difference in conserving our planet’s resources, that doesn’t mean that our gallery images need to show devastation of the planet. The gallery images of our most avid conservation artists are those showing the beauty of nature, of indigenous cultures, of our ecosystem. All we require of our artists is that they commit to donating a minimum of 1% of the total sales price of images sold to a conservation organization(s) of their choosing. “Conservation” can refer to people, places, wildlife, water - all things that make our planet what it is today.

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11.  I want to use Self-Service Upload. How do I upload my full size files for making my prints?
To prepare your printing files, please carefully follow the information below.

1. It is assumed that you are using image editing software to prepare your images. We recommend either Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Photoshop Elements or a free-ware image editing program like Picasa.
2. Convert your files to adobe RGB 98 color space. Flatten layers.
3. Choose the largest size you wish to print from the chart below. Create your file using the specification from the chart for the largest size you wish to print and sell. Do not upload files larger than 9000 ppi in either dimension.
   
   

Print Size	Resolution in PPI	Width/Height	Height/Width	Pixel Dimensions
				W	H
8x10	200	8	10	1600	2000
9x12	200	9	12	1800	2400
11x14	200	11	14	2200	2800
12x18	200	12	18	2400	3600
16x20	200	16	20	3200	4000
16x24	200	16	24	3200	4800
20x24	200	20	24	4000	4800
20x30	200	20	30	4000	6000
24x36	200	24	36	4800	7200
30x50	150	30	50	4500	7500
40x60	150	40	60	6000	9000


(See the sample from Adobe Photoshop below for the correct settings for an 11x14.)





4. Save your file as a jpeg, quality at level 12.  
   *Very Important Info* When naming your hi-res file, you must follow a specific name/title/extension format. Start with your last name; enter an underline; enter your first initial; enter an underline; finally, enter the exact same title as you used when you "Added New Art". No spaces or underlines in the title.

   The example below shows how George Smith would name “Pacific Beach Sunset”.  

   smith_g_pacificbeachsunset.jpg

5. You can now upload your hi res file using our easy Hi Res Image Uploader found in your Artist Account Manager section. Click here to log in.

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12.  How long does it take for my site to become active?
Your site can be active within 24 hours of uploading the low res images. However, since each uploaded image goes through a review process to determine appropriateness of subject matter and printability, the initial process can take up to one week, depending on a number of factors.

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13.  Can I market my images in other venues?
We do not ask for exclusivity. We encourage our artists to actively explore other ways in which to sell their work. We are all in this art and conservation world together. Use Art for Conservation as one of the cogs in your overall marketing plan. Our most successful artists are those who aggressively promote their art and themselves. If you're not successful, we're not successful.

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14.  Can I send people directly to my "site" on www.artforconservation.org?
Yes. When you register, you will choose your user ID which will become a part of your “url” - the name that you will provide to your customers to access your site on Art for Conservation. For example, if you chose ScenicLakePhotos as your user ID, customers wishing to view your art will find you at www.artforconservation.org/artists/sceniclakephotos

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15.  How are my prints made?
Here's the great news! Fine Print Imaging, our parent company, has a 33 year history in printing for artists and photographers who make a living selling prints. Our professional artist and photographer customers expect nothing but the best from Fine Print, and that is what they get. We use the highest quality materials in all facets of the printing process. And, we deliver unsurpassed customer service.

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16.  How are my prints shipped?
We use custom designed boxes made especially for Art for Conservation. We use Fed Ex shipping. Customers may choose Ground, Saver, 2 Day or Overnight shipping.

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17.  What is a "giclée" ?
Giclée (pronounced Zhee-Clay) is derived from the French word “gicler” which means “to squirt, to spray”. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giclee. A giclée print is produced by a specialized large format inkjet printer using archival inks and high quality, archival canvas or watercolor paper. The process is relatively new having its beginnings in the1990s. Giclée prints are now considered to be some of the highest quality prints available and are accepted by galleries and museums throughout the world.

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18.  Can I order prints of my own work at a discount?
There are three ways you can do this:

1.  Simply order one of your prints through your Art for Conservation web site. This is the most convenient, but also the most expensive way since you will be paying an additional 18% transaction fee. You will also be paying your markup, but all of that money will be rebated to you.
2. Establish an account with our parent company, Fine Print Imaging (www.fineprintimaging.com)   and order directly through them.
3.  Upload your image and order through our online fulfillment service, Fine Print Express at www.fineprintexpress.com.

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19.  How long does it take to fulfill an order?
All orders are shipped within 10 days of receipt. We like to under-promise and over-deliver, so we attempt to beat our stated delivery time whenever possible.

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