Starting an art print collection can feel overwhelming, with countless art styles, print types, and framing options to explore. However, it doesn’t have to be complicated. With a few basics in mind, you can approach collecting with confidence and ease—which is exactly what this guide is for.
Here at DROOL, we believe that collecting art prints allows people to explore their artistic preferences while also bringing beauty into their living and working spaces. In fact, we’ve made it easy for new collectors to get started through our Art Finder Quiz, a tool that allows us to curate and recommend pieces based on your style preferences and budget. To help you along your collecting journey, we’ve outlined essential tips to consider as you select art pieces that genuinely resonate with you.
Define Your Art Preferences
Knowing what your art preferences are makes it easier to find art prints that reflect your personality and bring joy to your home or office. A great way to start is by browsing online art magazines, virtual galleries, or platforms like Pinterest and Instagram, taking note of styles or themes that capture your attention. Perhaps you prefer the clean lines that minimalist prints have, or maybe you prefer bold and expressive maximalist prints instead. Identify moods that you connect with as well, whether that be calming and soothing art or more vibrant and energetic ones. In addition, check out different mediums such as photography, painting, graphic design, or illustration to determine which ones you’d prefer to have in your space. You might find yourself particularly drawn to one medium over others, allowing you to focus your search on pieces within that style.
Set a Budget
Another main consideration as you start your art print collection is your budget. Art print prices can vary depending on the platform you’re buying from or the types of products you intend to buy in the first place, so it’s important to set a realistic budget beforehand so you can better plan your purchases. Consider prioritising high-quality pieces rather than collecting lower-quality prints as the former will last longer and retain their value over time. Platforms like DROOL are a great place to find affordable yet high-quality prints from up-and-coming artists, allowing you to support grassroots talent while building a meaningful collection.
By setting a budget and planning your purchases beforehand, you can steadily build your collection without causing strain on your finances.
Choose Quality Prints that Last
High-quality prints ensure that the art is reproduced faithfully, so you can count on getting the original colours, tones, and details as intended by the artist. The quality of an art print is largely determined by the printing technique used, so be sure to check as well what printing method was used by your prospective platform before purchasing from them.
DROOL, for one, employs giclée printing to produce art prints with vibrant colours and sharp details. Our giclée printing method also makes use of specialist archival-grade eco inks to create pieces that are not only sustainable but also last longer than standard prints, making each art print gallery-worthy in terms of quality and durability.
The choice of paper also contributes to the quality and longevity of art prints. Look for prints that are printed on archival-quality art papers and photo rags as these are usually resistant to fading, yellowing, and other forms of degradation, ensuring your prints will stay sharp and vivid for years. Also consider supporting art print shops that use sustainably sourced papers that allow you minimise your environmental impact as a collector. In addition, invest in top-quality framing solutions—preferably archival-grade ones with UV-protective glass—to ensure the longevity of your prints.
Support Emerging Artists from the Grassroots
Collecting prints is more than just acquiring one art after another. Rather, it’s also about immersing yourself in the art community and getting to know the emerging artists from the grassroots behind the works on your wall. When purchasing art prints, opt for platforms that directly support artists and ensure they get their fair pay for their hard work.
We’re proud to say that DROOL is run by creatives for creatives, meaning we help starting artists expand their reach on a global scale by taking care of printing, production, and distribution for them. By supporting artists, you too can help empower them to share more of their art with the world.
Explore Display and Arrangement Ideas
It’s also essential to plan ahead how you’ll display your collection. Not only does mindful presentation enhance the visual impact of your prints, but it also gives you the chance to personalise their arrangement to better suit the needs of your home or office. One way to display your prints effectively is to create a gallery wall where you can arrange multiple prints according to a theme. You may also consider changing up displays periodically to keep your space fresh and always visually stimulating.
At the end of the day, collecting art prints is about personal expression and appreciation, not a race with anyone to accumulate works of art. As such, learn to embrace the journey of art print collecting by taking your time to find pieces that truly resonate with you. This thoughtful approach will make each art print you add to your collection even more meaningful. With the help of this beginner’s guide and DROOL’s diverse art selection, may you feel inspired to start your very own art print collection today.
