An art print costs 15 cents to produce. Customers could throw it away. But they don’t.
They frame it. Hang it on their wall. Display it in their bedroom, their office, their studio.
Your brand becomes part of their living space. For years.
Supreme includes artist collaboration posters with special releases. Customers collect them. Frame them. Resell them for hundreds of dollars.
Sneaker brands include shoe artwork with limited edition releases. People hang them next to their sneaker collections.
Art prints are collectible brand assets that become permanent fixtures in customers’ homes.
This guide breaks down why art prints matter, what to include, how to design them, and how to make them work for your clothing brand.
Why Art Prints Matter
Most brand assets get thrown away or fade into the background. Art prints get displayed.
Where customers put art prints:
- Bedroom walls
- Office desks
- Studios and creative spaces
- Dorm rooms
- Living rooms
- Framed collections
Every time they see that print, they see your brand. Every time someone visits their space, they see your brand.
Art prints also:
- Add value without adding cost (printing is cheap)
- Create collectibility (especially for limited editions or collaborations)
- Encourage social sharing (people post their wall art on Instagram)
- Replace other decor (eco-friendly because it prevents them from buying something else)
- Make unboxing feel premium
Cost: €0.10-0.40 per print. Impact: Years of brand visibility in customers’ personal spaces.
What Makes a Good Art Print
Good art prints are visually strong, collectible, and aligned with your brand identity.
Essential qualities:
- High-quality printing (sharp, vibrant colors)
- Strong visual design (works as standalone art)
- Matches your brand aesthetic
- Standard frame sizes (A4, A3, 8×10, 11×14)
- Thick paper stock (at least 200gsm)
What works:
- The graphic from the product they bought (so they can display the design)
- Artist collaborations or limited edition artwork
- Brand manifesto or mission statement in beautiful typography
- Photography from your photoshoots
- Illustrated versions of your logo or brand symbols
What doesn’t work:
- Generic stock images
- Low-resolution printing
- Designs that don’t match your brand
- Weird sizes that don’t fit standard frames
Keep it visual, high-quality, and collectible.
Types of Art Prints
Product design prints:
- The design from the garment they bought
- Cost: €0.10-0.30 per print
- Best for: All brands, creates connection between product and print
Artist collaboration prints:
- Limited edition artwork from collaborations
- Cost: €0.20-0.50 per print
- Best for: Streetwear brands, artistic brands, limited releases
Photography prints:
- Images from your lookbook or campaigns
- Cost: €0.15-0.40 per print
- Best for: Lifestyle brands, photography-focused brands
Typography/manifesto prints:
- Your brand story, mission, or tagline in beautiful type
- Cost: €0.10-0.25 per print
- Best for: Minimalist brands, brands with strong messaging
Poster series:
- Multiple prints released over time (collectible sets)
- Cost: €0.15-0.40 per print
- Best for: Brands doing seasonal drops or collections
Choose the type that matches your brand and content.
Design Tips for Art Prints
Your art print should be visually strong enough to hang on a wall.
Use high-resolution files. 300 DPI minimum. Blurry prints look cheap.
Match your brand aesthetic. Your print should use your brand colors, typography, and imagery style.
Design for standard frame sizes. A4 (21×29.7cm), A3 (29.7x42cm), 8×10 inches, 11×14 inches. Make it easy for customers to frame.
Leave space for framing. Don’t put critical elements too close to the edges.
Test print quality. Order samples before bulk production. Make sure colors are accurate and printing is sharp.
Consider the context. Will this look good on a bedroom wall? An office desk? A studio? Design accordingly.
How Art Prints Match Different Brand Types
Luxury brands: Minimal, refined, beautiful typography or photography. Think elegant manifesto prints or campaign imagery.
Streetwear brands: Bold graphics, artist collaborations, limited edition designs. Think Supreme, skate deck art, graffiti-inspired prints.
Sustainable brands: Nature photography, environmental messaging, earthy aesthetics. Think Patagonia-style outdoor imagery.
Sports/athletic brands: Motivational quotes, action photography, performance imagery. Think Nike-style inspiration.
Artistic brands: Original artwork, illustrations, creative collaborations. Think gallery-quality prints.
Minimalist brands: Clean typography, simple graphics, monochrome designs. Think COS, UNIQLO aesthetic.
Vintage brands: Retro graphics, aged aesthetics, nostalgic imagery. Think vintage posters, Americana.
Making Art Prints Collectible
Some brands turn art prints into collectibles. Instead of one generic design, they create series or limited editions.
How to make prints collectible:
Limited editions. Number each print (1/100, 2/100, etc.). Scarcity creates value.
Seasonal series. New print for each collection or drop. People collect the full set.
Artist collaborations. Partner with artists for exclusive designs. Collaboration prints become rare and desirable.
Poster campaigns. Release prints tied to specific campaigns or moments in your brand history.
Signed editions. For special releases, sign each print. Makes them feel personal and valuable.
If your prints become collectible, they’re not just marketing. They’re art that appreciates in value.
The Product Design Print Strategy
This is the smartest use of art prints for most clothing brands.
How it works:
Customer buys a hoodie with a graphic design. You include an A4 art print of that same graphic.
Why it’s brilliant:
- Costs €0.15 to produce
- Customer can frame it and display it
- Creates a complete “product + art” experience
- Extends your brand into their living space
- Replaces other wall art they might buy (sustainable)
- Makes the purchase feel more valuable
Example:
Customer buys your “Tokyo Nights” graphic tee for €50. Package includes an A4 print of the Tokyo Nights artwork.
They frame it and hang it in their bedroom. Every day they see it. Every visitor sees it. Your brand is permanently part of their space.
This strategy works for any brand with graphic designs.
Sustainability Considerations
If you’re building a sustainable brand, your art prints should reflect your values.
Sustainable options:
- Recycled paper (FSC certified)
- Soy-based or eco-friendly inks
- Local printing to reduce shipping emissions
- Seed paper (can be planted after use, though less practical for framing)
The sustainability angle:
Art prints replace other decor. Instead of buying a mass-produced poster, customers display your print. You’re actually preventing additional consumption.
Frame it as: “Display your design. Save a tree.”
Patagonia would approve.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Low-quality printing. Blurry, washed-out colors. Use 300 DPI minimum and test samples.
Weird sizes. Non-standard dimensions that don’t fit common frames. Stick to A4, A3, 8×10, 11×14.
Generic designs. Stock images or designs that don’t match your brand. Make it authentic.
Cheap paper. Thin, flimsy paper feels like an afterthought. Use at least 200gsm cardstock.
Not including them. Art prints cost so little there’s almost no reason not to include them, especially for premium orders.
How to Order Art Prints
Step 1: Design your print. Use your product graphics, photography, typography, or artist collaborations.
Step 2: Choose your size. A4 is most common and affordable. A3 for larger, more premium prints.
Step 3: Find a printer. Search for “custom art prints” or “poster printing.” Local printers often give better quality and faster turnaround.
Step 4: Order samples. Test print quality, colors, paper thickness before bulk ordering.
Step 5: Order in bulk. Minimums usually 50-500 prints. The more you order, the cheaper per unit.
Step 6: Include in orders. Make it standard for all orders, or only for orders above a certain value (€50+).
What to Do Next
Design an art print that matches your brand identity. Use your product graphics, photography, or typography.
Choose A4 size for affordability and standard frame compatibility.
Use high-quality paper (200gsm+) and ensure 300 DPI resolution.
Order samples from a few printers. Test quality before committing to bulk.
Include a print in every order (or orders above €50). Make it a signature part of your unboxing experience.
Consider doing limited editions or seasonal series to create collectibility.
Your art print costs 15 cents. But it becomes a permanent fixture in customers’ homes. Free advertising that never stops. And it makes your brand feel more valuable and thoughtful.
Make it count.
