Sets or sold individually?

[gereeofmountainair]

I was reading in another blog about alphabet ATC's a discussion about how to sell the alphabet set. As a set of each letter separately. I am interested in knowing everyone's opinion on whether to sell each card that is part of a set separately or as a set. It seems to me that 4 card sets come naturally. But do they sell better sold individually? How do the prices vary? Thanks, I am soaking up all the info I can get! Geree

[twotimetravelers]

Depends on what the theme is... Personally if it was a alphabet theme I would first try and sell them separately... and then offer some kind of discount if all were brought together... Other themes ...some sell well as individual ACEOs You as the artist have to decide what feels right for you in the end. *smiles* good luck lee

[artistjillian]

Actually, because of trading card pages, it is better to sell in sets of 3 (vertically or horizontally), or 9 (full page). Tho some frames are doubles - but also triples. I would do alphabets as separate cards. Personal choice.

[gereeofmountainair]

Thanks! Can you tell me how to number them as sets and individually, please?

[artistjillian]

I would number them individually. Again, personal choice. But you can put them as a 'series'. Such as ACEO-033 (in regular numbering) But below it write 'Alphabet series I' You can put '#5 of Alphabet series I' That is not a hard-and-fast rule. But that might help you somewhat. ~Jillian

[gereeofmountainair]

It does help. Thanks! I was getting confused on names and numbers. Name the Series plus name each card? Series I card 15, for example, would be Cat Series, "Garden Cat"? I assume that series are open ended and artworks are added to the series as the artist decides? G.

[artistjillian]

Well you were talking of an alphabet, so I presumed it was our English alphabet so there would be automatically 26 to the 'series'. Series CAN be open ended. Editions should not be for ACEOs. You are right re the cats. 'Garden Cats, Series I' (might consist of 15 cards) 'Garden Cats, Series II' (might consist of 3 cards - if your muse dies, it dies 🙂 - could be 45 if your muse thrives! HA!) etc. ... is fine, without stating the number in the series. It can sometimes take an artist years to do a series, that is why it can't be estimated like with prints.

[gereeofmountainair]

Thanks. But, please explain what you said about Editions should not be for ACEO's. I am not clear what Art Cards Editions Original actually means, I guess.

[artistjillian]

Open ended editions should not be used for ACEOs. Sorry, I didn't explain that well. The 'editions' part of ACEO refers to Limited Editions. There is no limit to editions. This is prints. Each one the same, but limited to 'x' numbers. e.g. 9, 30, 100, 150. Usually ACEO editions don't run into the many hundreds or thousands like other art prints. Orginals are for 'one of a kind'. No other exists like it. If artwork, it is expected that is a totally handpainted or handdrawn work - that no print has been used underneath.

[gereeofmountainair]

So, ACEO refers to prints with limited editions? Limited to how many? Or, original hand painted or drawn work which would be an edition of one, right? What about repeated themes or images painted again? Sorry if these are dumb questions, but I love the whole concept and I really want to understand the technical side. Thanks!

[artistjillian]

ACEO = Art Cards, Editions and Originals. Editions is meant to be limited editions. There is no amount specified. I have seen as many as 500, and as few as one only, for prints of artwork. An original artwork is the 'Original' part of ACEO, and has nothing to do with Editions.

[gereeofmountainair]

Okay, I think I get it now. Thanks. Do many artists go with prints or paint originals?