Why Every Self-Employed Artist Needs a Product Catalogue
If you’re a self-employed artist, you know how much goes into creating your designs. But what about showing them off
As an artist, you’ve likely explored selling your work online or at markets, but have you considered wholesale? Selling your art-based products in bulk to retailers can be a game-changer for your business, allowing you to reach new audiences, secure steady income, and scale efficiently.
But is wholesale right for you? In this guide, we’ll break down what it means to sell art printing wholesale, the benefits and challenges, and how to start offering wholesale pricing on your art products.
Wholesale is when you sell your products in bulk at a discounted rate to retailers, who then sell them at a markup. Instead of selling one-off items to individual customers, wholesale allows you to move larger quantities at once.
For example, instead of selling one tote bag for £20, you might sell 50 tote bags at £10 each to a gift shop, which then retails them for £20 each.
Instead of waiting for individual buyers, wholesale allows you to sell dozens or even hundreds of products in a single order.
Retailers often reorder seasonally or throughout the year, giving your business reliable revenue streams.
Your products will be displayed in shops, boutiques, and galleries, putting your work in front of new audiences who may not have found you online.
Instead of handling hundreds of individual orders, you fulfil a few large orders, reducing admin, packaging, and shipping work.
Having your art-based products sold in reputable shops elevates your brand and can lead to more opportunities like collaborations and licensing deals.
Lower Profit Margins
▶ Because retailers need to mark up your products, you’ll be selling them at a lower price than direct-to-consumer sales.
✔ Solution: Make sure your wholesale pricing covers all costs and still provides profit (more on this later).
Higher Upfront Production Costs
▶ Larger orders may mean higher initial investment in materials and manufacturing.
✔ Solution: Work with a print on demand partner like Creative Forge, which allows you to produce items efficiently without holding large amounts of stock.
Managing Retailer Expectations
▶ Shops will expect consistency, quality, and on-time delivery.
✔ Solution: Start with smaller stockists and grow at a pace that ensures quality control.
How to Get Started with Wholesale for Your Art Business
Not all art-based products work well for wholesale. Focus on high-demand, giftable, and practical items. At Creative Forge, we see wholesale orders mainly being products such as:
Coasters & Mugs, Art Printing, Cushions, Totes, Greeting Cards and Tea Towels.
A standard wholesale pricing model follows the 50/50 rule:
▶ Retail Price = Wholesale Price x 2 (or more)
For example, if a retailer sells your tote bag for £20, they will expect a wholesale price of £10.
How to Calculate Your Wholesale Price:
(Ensure you cover costs & profit!)
▶ Pro Tip: Some retailers expect a 60%+ markup, so research what works best in your industry! Be aware a lot of larger retailers such as department stores prefer a 150% mark-up ie. buying for £10 and selling at £25. In order to make this financially viable for you, you could offer a lower price when the retailer buys in higher amounts. Often a larger buyer will order a lot more in order to get this price break.
Retailers expect clear, professional information before making a wholesale purchase. You’ll need:
✔ A wholesale price list (including bulk order discounts)
✔ Product images & descriptions
✔ Minimum order quantity (MOQ) (e.g., 10, 20, or 50 units per product)
✔ Turnaround time for orders
✔ Payment & shipping terms
Need assistance creating a price list and catalogue. We can help! Contact us at Creative Forge for information on our services.
Now it’s time to connect with shops that align with your art printing brand. Here’s how:
✔ Research Local & Online Retailers – Look for gift shops, art galleries, and lifestyle boutiques that sell similar products.
✔ Attend Trade Shows & Markets – A great way to network and meet potential buyers.
✔ Send Professional Emails & Samples – Reach out with a short email introducing your brand, attaching your wholesale catalogue, and offering to send samples.
✔ Offer an Introductory Deal – Give first-time retailers a small discount or free shipping on their first order.
We know that printing and fulfilling wholesale orders can be daunting, especially for first-time artists. That’s why Creative Forge is here to help you:
✔ Print high-quality art printing services
✔ Handle production efficiently (no need to stockpile inventory!)
✔ Offer guidance on pricing, wholesale logistics, and retailer outreach
Want to start selling wholesale? Explore our custom product printing services at Creative Forge.
▶ Final Thoughts: Is Wholesale Right for You?
Wholesale isn’t for every artist, but if you’re looking for a scalable, reliable income stream, it’s worth considering. Start small, choose the right products, and work with trusted production partners like Creative Forge to make the process smooth and profitable.
What do you think? Are you ready to sell your art products wholesale? Let us know in the comments!
If you’re a self-employed artist, you know how much goes into creating your designs. But what about showing them off
Why So Many People Are Switching Careers to Follow Their Creative Passions