How I Print My Artwork (Prints, Cards & Stickers)

Originally, I never set out to be a business—I just liked to draw. But here I am, running a creative business that started with nothing more than an iPad and a printer! When I started, I had no formal training and no clue what I was doing. I just took it one step at a time, learning through trial and error, watching Youtube tutorials and scouring Reddit for answers. Over time, I figured out the tools and tricks that work for me!

Procreate: My Go-To Drawing App

If you have an iPad and want to start drawing digitally, Procreate is amazing. It takes a bit of practice, but it’s super intuitive once you get the hang of it. I started with a tutorial from Bardot Brush on YouTube—highly recommend if you’re just starting out! Make sure your canvas is set to 300 DPI (Dots per image) to ensure good print quality. Like anything, digital drawing takes time to get comfortable with, so don’t be discouraged if it doesn’t feel natural right away. Just play around and have fun with it!

Epson Ecotank E-7750: My Workhorse Printer

This printer has been one of my best investments! After doing a lot of research on the options available, I ended up picking the Epson Ecotank E-7750. I picked it up at the end of 2020, and it's still going strong 12,000 prints and five years later! It uses refillable ink bottles instead of cartridges (which saves money and waste), and the print quality is fantastic! I was so impressed when I started using this printer that everything is instantly dry - no need to worry about any ink smudging!

At the time, I was worried that people would only want pigment ink prints (which are archival quality) instead of dye ink, but I've only ever had a handful of people ask about it. And when that happens, I just arrange for a local print shop to print it for me.

These printers are real workhorses and need to be run at least once a week to keep the nozzles from clogging. When I'm out of town, I'm lucky Dad will run a nozzle check for me weekly. I will admit that this printer will give me grief occasionally, and have found Youtube tutorials and this Facebook group to be a great resource. 

When you go to print, make sure the right paper profile is correctly selected on your printer screen.

• For art prints, I use the Epson Ultra Premium Presentation Paper Matte.
• For cards, I print onto Staples Ultra Premium Photo Paper - Matte.
• For stickers, I print onto Cricut Printable Vinyl (there's occasionally sales for these at Michaels), and then to make them waterproof, apply a sheet of Avery Self-Adhesive Laminating Sheets, using a mini squeegee to smooth out any air bubbles.

Printing Smarter with Print to Size App

Once I started printing my art, I quickly realized that always printing different sizes and making the layouts maximize the space to reduce paper waste was a huge pain—until I found the Print to Size app. It lets me drag and drop to fit multiple designs onto one page while ensuring the image maintains it's 300 DPI, which saves paper and time!

The Fiskars Paper Cutter: A Small but Mighty Tool

I do a lot of hand-trimming, and my Fiskars paper cutter has been a lifesaver. I use it for prints, bookmarks, greeting cards—you name it. It’s not the fastest option, but it’s reliable and precise. Whenever I'm in Michaels and don't find anything to buy, I'll pick up a pack of replacement blades to keep on hand. If you Google "Michaels Coupon", there's usually a 30% off one item coupon you can use.

Scoring Cards with the Scor-Buddy

If you’re making greeting cards, a Scor-Buddy is worth having. It helps create clean, crisp folds so your cards look polished. Check your local scrapbook/stamp supply shop to pick up one of these!

Signing Prints

It took me a long time to find the "perfect pen" to sign the backs of my prints. I was on the hunt for something that dries quickly and swear by the 0.5 Faber-Castell Ecco Pigment. 

Backing Board & Clear Sleeves

When I first started, I was lucky my Dad would cut down big sheets of backing board from the art store for me to put into sleeves behind my prints. As my business grew, this became unsustainable, so I ended up working with Artworld, who now cuts backing board for me. For clear sleeves, I have been able to find these in Victoria at Artworld, Michaels or on other online marketplaces. 

Final Notes for Anyone Thinking About Starting…

If you’re an artist wondering if you should start putting your work out there, my advice is: just go for it! You don’t need a fancy setup or expensive equipment. Start with what you have, where you are. Happy creating!