How to download and print art prints from Etsy

You look through an Etsy shop and find a perfectcollection of art prints, they look great, they're incredibly cheap, but when you go to buy them, they're digital downloads. What if you don't have a printer? What is the best way to print art prints from Etsy? I have explained everything in this post.

If you have an inkjet printer at home, you can print art prints from Etsy at your local print shop, major office supply stores, or online print-on-demand platforms. Each printing method has pros and cons, so it's important to choose the easiest one for you. Relax; it's easy to print art prints from digital downloads if this is your first time doing it. Here is a short guide to help you. 🙏🏼

Let's get started. 

The best way to print Etsy printables

You can purchase your instant download from Etsy. After the sale is complete, you have two options.

1. Log into your Etsy account and click 'view my files.'

2. You will receive an e-mail with a link to download the file. From there, you can download your digital art.

As the file downloads to your PC, a tab will appear at the bottom of the screen. Once the file is loaded, right-click the tab, click 'save as,' and select a location where it can be easily found.

Almost every digital file selling platform will use a similar approach. 

Additionally, our website 11printables.com uses the same method, sending you an email with a download link.

What is the best place to print printable wall art?

You can print your art prints at home, in a local print shop or office supply store, or via an online platform. Before deciding, you'll need to consider each option's pros and cons.

• Local printing can be more expensive, but you can see the print quality before you purchase.

• Online printing is cheaper, but you risk getting a lower-quality print.

• Print at home You can save money, but if you use the wrong printer or set the printer settings incorrectly, it could be more trouble than it is worth.

I will review each option to decide which suits you best.

Local Print Shops or Office Supply Stores

Local printing services produce the best quality art prints, in theory. Because print services vary from place to place, it's not guaranteed.

Print shops will use different printer brands with different maintenance regimes, quality standards, paper stocks, prices, and work cultures.

It would help if you researched your local printers beforehand. Only use reputable services. Keep backups of your files as well.

Types of art prints

There are two types of digital prints you can choose from, Giclee inkjet prints and dye-based inkjet prints.

* Dye-based inks 

It is not guaranteed that they will last a lifetime, nor will they be fully fadeproof. Most people will be fine using the inks indoors and away from direct sunlight because they are very stable.

 * Dye-based inkjet

 For a low price, printers provide excellent quality prints. Inks are relatively inexpensive.

 Inks used in Giclee printers are pigment-based and considered archival. You should be able to use them for the rest of your life. Everything is tested in lab environments, but anything that lasts 50+ years is very durable. It is claimed that the companies have longevity that is double that.

There is a cost associated with pigment inks, as well as the cost of paper. If you want high quality, you'll have to pay a premium.

Printing costs, plus the artist's profit margin, plus postage fees, are all included in Giclee prints purchased directly from the artist.

Printing a file yourself is still much cheaper.

Getting in touch with a local printer 😊

My experience has been that most printers are very welcoming and familiar with dealing with people who aren't sure what they're doing. Feel free to ask questions.

You will need the following files on your USB or memory card:

• JPG and PDF

• Resolution of 300dpi (dots per inch)

• Color format CMYK

You will likely receive your download as a JPG or PDF file. You will unlikely receive a TIFF file over the internet since they are so large and take so long to download.

The master copy of the artist in TIFF format. JPG files are condensed and can be sent digitally without any problems. The PDF file format was designed to be a document file, but it can also reproduce images in very high quality. The best way to buy printable art is to buy a PDF file, but you can also buy a high-res JPG file.

Ask these questions before handing over your USB stick:

• Can I get a proof copy? (May be free or low-cost)

• What kind of printer do you use? Inkjet or Giclee (dye-based)

• What kind of paper do you have? Choose one from the swatches.

• Is there a size limit for prints? (the printer will tell you what the maximum is)

• What is the cost? There is usually a quantity discount.

You shouldn't expect perfection. It rarely happens anymore, but it's much better than it used to be. You can expect the screen to match closely. It is important to remember you saw the original image online, and consumer screens vary from model to model.

You should view your image on the printer's screen. Why is that? It is because their screens are calibrated to match the colors in the file accurately. A closer match has been made.

A print shop will be able to match the colors and tones of your image to create a print that is as close to the original as possible. You must make sure your proof copy matches the printed version.

If you want to keep your print secure, you should bring something. Plastic sleeves and stiff cards are my favorites.

Before you leave, make sure to check your prints.

Here are some things to look for:

• Creasing on the thumb buckle
• Streaks of ink
• Spots of ink
• There are visible roller marks on the print
• Scratches visible on the surface

It is sometimes the case that things happen and the printers do not notice them. Keep a positive attitude. The majority of printers are very accommodating.

Last but not least, remember your USB. Many times have I done that.

Office Supply Store Printers

Office supply stores have competitive printing prices. Find out which ones offer the best deals by shopping around.

Can I Print Printables at Staples?

A lot of people use Staples to print minor documents. Print your digital printables as well - there's no reason not to.

There is no doubt that staples are available printers, but does it matter if you don't get the top-notch quality of a specialist printing house?

It depends on the cost and the reason you purchased the print. A fun picture can sometimes be all you need. Take a look at the pictures in a kid's nursery. What is the point of spending so much money?

Most customers at Staples want quick and easy service from a store they trust to a standard they are satisfied with.

Below is a screenshot of my drawing on Staples' order page. Just a few clicks were all it took. You don't even have to go in-store to pick it up.

Why should we stop there? Besides art prints, why not buy coasters, a puzzle for the kids, or even gift wrap? That's as long as you're using it for personal purposes only. You'll need to purchase a license from the artist for commercial use.

Check out these other stores:

• Office Depot You can also print using this method. By ordering online at Officedepot.com by 2 pm, you can get your prints the same day. If your print needs to be trimmed, ask them to do so.

• Walgreens  It is also a great choice if you are looking for same-day pickup. Find coupons and grab their discounts by printing in large format.

• FedEx Various sizes are available for Etsy printables. In addition to custom frames, they also offer same-day service.

Online Printing Services

You can get high-quality art prints online without the hassle or cost of going to a local print shop. Consider turnaround time, quality, and price when choosing an online printing service.

Print on Demand services include:

• Shutterfly (US)
• Printique (US)
• Mpix (US)
• Photobox (UK)
• Whitewall (US, UK)
• Snapfish (US, UK)
• PosterFactory (Oz)

Another option is to join Printful. Their quality is well known. With many centers around the world, they maintain standards by printing in-house.

Printful is what I use; check them out

The quality of an online printing service is one of the most important factors to consider. For high-quality prints, many services use state-of-the-art equipment and software. All promise to provide the best prints at competitive prices, but only one way will reveal the truth. It's time to place an order.

Most buyers consider price to be the most important factor. In addition to the image size, the paper type will determine the print cost. The average price of a printer will soon become clear as most printers offer comparable prices.

Low prices should raise alarm bells. It's hard to imagine how they can be much cheaper than their competitors. You can save money by using cheap ink and paper from third parties.

The company might sometimes have a problem, but it's best to do thorough research before placing an order. Both paper and ink brands should be mentioned on their websites.

There is a noticeable difference between cheap canvas prints and quality canvas prints.

Choosing an online printing service should also consider turnaround time. Some services can accommodate rush orders, but most have a set turnaround time.
Please request a sample from your chosen service before ordering, as many of them offer samples of their work.
Lastly, not all services are created equal, so it is important to consider the customer service provided by the company. Do they have a customer service department? A good company needs to respond quickly to any concerns or questions you may have about its services.

Art Prints and Smaller Art Sizes

Small frames in these sizes are commercially available. An aperture is a window within a mount or mat. Frame size refers to its overall size.

Matboard apertures (windows) are standard in smaller frame sizes.

Art and art prints framed in standard sizes

Large frames in these sizes are readily available. In this case, the aperture is the window inside the mount/mat, and the frame size is the overall size.

The following large frame sizes are available with standard matboard aperture sizes (windows):

The following are common aspect ratios for printing:

There might be a need for these ratios, so I included them.