Topic: Would you pay a tenner for this?

[Red Beret]

Hi guys.

As I've mentioned before, I'm aspiring to become a commercial artist, based around my therapeutic doodling, and I've just received my first batch of printed mugs, which I'm intending to sell. 

Now this is just a limited first print run; an experiment to test the waters.  So far the response has been overwhelmingly positive, although of course that's from friends who will happily support my efforts. 

I realise that if you just want a mug you can go into Tesco or Asda and buy one for a couple of quid or less.  If you want something more fancy you can maybe shell out a fiver or more in Utility.  But they're still mass produced items that can be sold relatively cheaply.  As a private operator I can't afford to sell them cheaply, but I have to be realistic as well. 

This batch will be available at Red Brick Vintage.  It's a speciality boutique full of wonderfully odd knick knacks and people don't mind spending money in there.  My mugs are quirky and unique, printed on both sides with two different doodles - a piece I've been working on especially for commercial use.  I'm hoping that they're eye catching enough that people will be happy to pay a bit extra, but of course I'm not counting on it.

I'd appreciate some general feedback the mug itself and pricing suggestions.  It's really the art people will be buying, and it just happens to be on a mug.  But if they don't sell I can always find homes for them 

[Groundskeeper Willie]

Fuck no!








Just kidding, sure would.

[richiedouglas]

I think you should sell these quite easily. They’re nice.

My only small criticism is that the text distracts from the imagery.

[Red Beret]

I think you should sell these quite easily. They’re nice.

My only small criticism is that the text distracts from the imagery.

Yeah.  I wanted to put it on the base of the mug but it didn't give me the option. 

Next time I will see if I can make the text much smaller.  I need something if I can, otherwise I can't broaden my commercial base.

PS: I'm glad you like them.

[Kenny's Jacket]

I agree with a previous post about the text. The art work is good  however in all honesty I wouldn't pay a tenner for a any mug. 

Have you though about clothing?  Thats something that I think you can get away with charging a premium on.  Clothing is somethinbg that varies in price, where as mugs and plates cost what they cost.

Good luck with the venture.

[Red Beret]

I agree with a previous post about the text. The art work is good  however in all honesty I wouldn't pay a tenner for a any mug. 

Have you though about clothing?  That's something that I think you can get away with charging a premium on.  Clothing is something that varies in price, where as mugs and plates cost what they cost.

Good luck with the venture.

Well I personally would probably retail them at around £6-£7, but I know the people who run Red Brick Vintage would say they can fetch more.  This is basically a market research exercise for me - loads of my mates already want one, but I need to know if they will be bought by people who don't know me!! 

And yes, I'm looking at t-shirts, mousemats and cushions.  I already have some greeting cards based on this design in the pipeline.  Also, I have many other designs that are far more abstract than this, but as postcards they tend only to appeal to other artists, which is why I've been exploring other, more useful items.  I chose mugs because they're an everyday practical thing that people will see, and they were cheaper to produce than t-shirts. 

[Kenny's Jacket]

Well I personally would probably retail them at around £6-£7, but I know the people who run Red Brick Vintage would say they can fetch more.  This is basically a market research exercise for me - loads of my mates already want one, but I need to know if they will be bought by people who don't know me!! 

And yes, I'm looking at t-shirts, mousemats and cushions.  I already have some greeting cards based on this design in the pipeline.  Also, I have many other designs that are far more abstract than this, but as postcards they tend only to appeal to other artists, which is why I've been exploring other, more useful items.  I chose mugs because they're an everyday practical thing that people will see, and they were cheaper to produce than t-shirts.

Id be interested in the T-Shirts when they get done. I guess if you are going somewhere lik RBV then you already know you wont be buying cheaper mass produced.

A bit late now, but what about Christmas jumpers, not that Im a business expert.

[Red Beret]

Id be interested in the T-Shirts when they get done. I guess if you are going somewhere lik RBV then you already know you wont be buying cheaper mass produced.

A bit late now, but what about Christmas jumpers, not that Im a business expert.

Absolutely.  There's a lot of expensive stuff at RBV but they sell it, so people are prepared to spend the money it seems.

Mate of mine has been pushing me to get stock in for the run up to Christmas but she had to bully me just to get the mugs, and I only ordered 10.  I'm still a bit concerned of being saddled with them if I can't sell them! 

If you hunt up Popcorn's Art on Facebook you'll get an idea of just what kind of art I have available.  I might look into doing custom orders for people, as I know a place that does t-shirts.

[Big Red Richie]

Do we get RAWK mates rates?

And do we get a discount if we buy in bulk, like say, two at a time?

[AA1122]

I think they're great RB. Personally, I'd suggest putting the contact information on the base of the cup, out of sight like a hallmark, so that doesn't affect the aesthetic of the mug too much, but it is readily available.

I think they would sell in many places around town, the likes of Utility/News from Nowhere/Bluecoat etc. if you can get them to give you a trial run. Maybe try and get in touch with businesses on Independent Liverpool or Colu and see if you can get them in. Seems be be a lot of collaboration and willingness to get involved in many shops about town at the moment. For example, Mattas and Purple Carrot seem to have pies and cakes from independent home bakers

Being honest, it's rare I would ever spend £10.00 on a cup. Unless it was a gift to someone visiting Liverpool and I wanted them to have a nice take-home momento of the city. Think I would pay about £7 if in the market for one, but you never know in the Christmas rush.

[Islander]

I agree with the majority of the posters saying that the design is quality, although £6 - £7 would be better than £10 (obviously!).

Have you thought about selling on etsy.com? It is a place to sell individually designed items rather than mass sales like ebay. 

[Dim Glas]

I sell a lot of my designs on print on demand sites - and it's mad how much people will pay for mugs. As people say here, I too would not pay  more than a few quid, but online on sites like Zazzle and Redbubble, people pay $20 plus a mug. Mugs are a big seller on these sites.

So don't underestimate what people will pay for something they really want.

 

[RedSince86]

That Da Vinci painting that just got sold for $450 million this week.

Someone bought that painting in 1956 for £45 then sold it to an Oligarch got for $147 million.

I recall a painting by Van Gogh that was bought by early Jewish immigrants to America in the early 1900's buying a missing Van Gogh painting in a market in Brooklyn for about $5 and they ended up selling it in the late 1990's for over a $100 million that broke the existing record.

Art is  a rich people's game.

[Red Beret]

Thanks for the feedback guys.

Yeah, like I said, if it were up to me, I'd sell for £6-£7.  I only got ten, with a 5% discount so they cost me £38.  Red Brick are confident they can sell for £10, although if they do really well there I will be charged a commission.  Not that I mind that, as they give me support that goes far beyond merely financial.

I know of the likes of etsy but never looked into it in depth.  I'm a bit timid about doing this sort of thing and I usually need somebody to help me do it.  A print on demand site like Zazzle might be most convenient, as I can upload multiple pieces of art and see which sell best.  I think a lot of my random doodles would sell much better on mugs than it does on postcards though.

And yes I would much prefer to put my details on the bottom of the mug, but the site I used - tshirt studio - didn't give me that option, unfortunately.  There's a lot of trial and error going on here for me, but I've clearly underestimated the initial appeal because they've so far generated a lot of interest.  Yes, it's from people who know me and are happy to support my work, but it's a vital confidence builder.

I'd be happy to have a mates rate of, say, £7 for one and two for £10.  At this moment, at least when it comes to the Red Brick stock, it's finding out what strangers are prepared to pay.  I can always drop the price if they're not selling, and if they still don't sell - well Christmas 2018 will be sorted for a lot of people! 

[John C]

Do we get RAWK mates rates?

And do we get a discount if we buy in bulk, like say, two at a time?

So basically you're asking for 2 for a tenner 

[Rysoph76]

id echo the comments about the text. i like the image but wouldnt have the advertising at the bottom. good luck 

[JLStretton]

No I wouldn't but I'm skint and need to watch the pennies, but the art is nice so if I wasn't skint then yes   Best of luck with it.

[Red Beret]

No I wouldn't but I'm skint and need to watch the pennies, but the art is nice so if I wasn't skint then yes   Best of luck with it.

I have postcards

[QR350]

The mug itself is nice but I dislike the text at the bottom. That would put me off buying it.

[tubby]

The mug itself is nice but I dislike the text at the bottom. That would put me off buying it.

Yep, put the text on the base instead.

[Red Beret]

As I said, I wanted to put the text on the base but this particular printer didn't give me that option and the text had to go somewhere, if only as some form of copyright. 

They were a good price but I may need to look elsewhere if I want to look at mugs to sell.  I think this place is more about personalised gifts.

[CraigDS]

Stylise the font a little if the bottom isn't an option, and maybe think of just a (short) website which links to your FB, email, online store, etc. rather than the two.

Would it be possible to put it vertically between the two images so they are both full size?

[Red Beret]

Stylise the font a little if the bottom isn't an option, and maybe think of just a (short) website which links to your FB, email, online store, etc. rather than the two.

Would it be possible to put it vertically between the two images so they are both full size?

Oddly enough, that IS an option with Zazzle.  I've literally just been working on that, as the images below show.  I will see if the first site I used has that option, as there is plenty of room left on the mug.  If that's the case then this first print run can be exclusive to family and friends and I'll order a new batch for retail sale.

Text fonts seem to be an issue.  Some sites offer it, others don't.  I would rather have the text smaller and all caps, but I will need to experiment.

I don't actually have a website.  I tried to set one up via wix but I couldn't quite get my head around it.  I think I'd need help.  I only really have my facebook page and my business email.

[CraigDS]

I'd maybe go slightly smaller on the font. It's a bit in your face at the moment.

[Red Beret]

I'd maybe go slightly smaller on the font. It's a bit in your face at the moment.

Yeah, I tweaked it to below.

I've set it up as a saleable item on Zazzle.  The problem is that you get next to nothing for a sale.  I set the royalty at 12% - but even then the mug is selling at £11.50 and I'll only get a quid per sale. 

Ah well, it's a start and it's an easy way to gauge popularity.  It's all a learning curve at the moment.