Significant Factors for Keeping Your Canvas Prints Original
When purchasing a canvas print, it is important to ensure that the print has not been tampered with and that it was made by an authentic artist. The information below outlines some of the key factors in keeping your prints original.
-You should always buy from a reputable company or artist only. If you are uncertain about the quality of an image, ask them where they purchased their canvas and how long they have been in business before buying any canvas prints.
-The number one sign of fakes is if there was no mention of the gallery or site on which the image was originally displayed. If there is no link to this website or their social media accounts, then that is a red flag for stolen images.
-Do a search on Google or Bing Images and find any images similar to the one you are looking to buy. The reason for this is that if the photo you wish to buy has been sold by more than one artist, it may be a fake.
-Look for any photos that have been sold by other artists of the same subject with similar styles and formats. For example, if an image is sold by two different artists of the same scene or person, then it is unlikely they are both real.
-The concept of fakes cannot be overstated in artistic photography. It is very important to ensure the images you are purchasing are authentic and not tampered with.
-If an issue arises with a print, though unlikely, it is best to immediately contact the person who sold you it. This can become a sticky situation if they do not want refunds.
-Canvas prints should be stored properly and should not be left exposed to direct sunlight or extreme heat.
-If your canvas is ever damaged as a result of negligence, then it is best for you to let the artist know about this immediately and get a replacement.
-If possible, allow your canvas to be finished professionally as it will not fade as quickly as an unfinished one.
-Always keep an eye out for fakes and never purchase them.
-Do not purchase from an artist who uses photoshop or a similar program in order to alter their images. Not only are these types of artists ripping off the buyer, but they are also doing the image a disservice by altering it.
-Although this may seem obvious, make sure that the price of your print includes both the original price and any charges for shipping costs, some of which may be very high!
Original art is rarely found on websites like Amazon, eBay or even Etsy. The reason is that the price of original art is highly complex and difficult to value. Because of this, fakes are made and sold to unsuspecting buyers.
Original artists have little control over their images once they have been stolen. Information like the date the image was made, its size and its subject are not known. If it is no longer available on a website, then you can be reasonably sure it has been stolen and will be very hard to find a legitimate copy of it. If an artist does not believe their work has been stolen, there is little that can be done about it - short of contacting the company responsible for selling it in order to get them removed from all online platforms.
Original artists are also entering collaborations with other businesses to help promote their work, such as with the launch of the BonJour UK website, who are currently selling original prints. Be sure that your print is authentic before purchasing!
If you ever have a question about an image, it is best to ask the artist who made it. This will help ensure that your image is a legitimate one and it should be fairly obvious if it has been stolen. Many artists will often contact people who sell stolen images in order to get them removed from websites and online stores. If you are ever in doubt, ask your artist!
There are many ways in which artists are ripped off by unscrupulous websites and retailers. One of the most common methods is to use stolen images to sell art online. This can often be done by low-quality stock photographers who use stolen images as well as professional artists (sometimes being masqueraded as them!). A number of people are being ripped off this way, and it is important that you do not fall victim to this practice.
It is very important that you do not purchase from any website or retailer whose business model relies upon selling new images without any references. In other words, do not buy a print of an image you have never seen before which is being sold as if it is the original. Rather, buy from a website or retailer whose business model revolves around selling original art by well-known artists like Arthur Beechener, who only sell prints of their own images with accompanying links to the original site they were hosted on.
The best way to be sure you are buying an authentic image is to directly buy from the artist who made it. This will always ensure that your image has been produced by them and will be limited edition. A number of low-quality copies of original prints are being produced, so purchasing from an artist will ensure that you are getting the genuine article. Because these artists are often very busy, sometimes it can be difficult to communicate with them directly and they do not always promote their work as well as they might otherwise wish (this is a recent development due to competition from wholesalers and large printers).
If you buy from a website or retailer who is selling stolen images, you may notice them taking on their own images as well. However, some will advertise the image as "original" or "hand-drawn" despite the fact that it has been digitally resized for printing. Be very careful when buying from retailers such as these.
If you are unsure about an image, it is probably best to leave the purchase alone and ask the artist who made it if they can provide you with a digital file. The artist may be happy to provide this and you will be able to examine their work more closely in order to make a more informed decision regarding whether or not the image has been tampered with. It may also be helpful for the artist to provide you with a rough estimate of what their price for this particular piece of art would be. If they are selling it to you at a price that is significantly below their normal selling price, then it is likely the work has been tampered with. If they are selling it to you at a price above their usual rate, then the image may well be legitimate.
It is best to avoid being taken by 'stock images' as these can often be fake when they are very high in quality and you can get mistaken for being too harsh in your comments.
With so much money at stake, it is important that you do your research carefully and choose an artist responsibly. Remember that if something looks wrong, or if any suspicious activity occurs on an artist's website, email them immediately.
Conclusion
Blatant forgeries are easy to spot and can be avoided by researching the image you want to buy. With the exception of only buying original artwork, there is little else an artist can do to protect themselves from being ripped off. With so many unscrupulous websites and retailers on the Internet that sell stolen images, consumers should always do their best to research images before purchasing them.
If you are a buyer, remember to ask questions about the artist who made it and make sure that you purchase from trustworthy retailers only!
If you are a seller, be sure that your images are legitimate before selling them online (such as on Amazon or eBay) or in physical shops.