Artists Alley Information Thread

Selling at Cons is best during the...

Spring	11.6%	[ 83 ]
Summer	30.3%	[ 217 ]
Fall	7.0%	[ 50 ]
Winter	5.3%	[ 38 ]
Any time!	45.7%	[ 327 ]
Total Votes:			[ 715 ]

[Kitsune_rei]

Do many people do ACEOs/ATCs in AA or is it not that big in the anime community? I like doing small art but I was debating if it was worth it. My regular originals don't sell so I don't see why these would. I see some people selling them on Etsy too but I don't know if people actually buy them.

I already got a letter from Megacon about next year eek I don't want to think about it yet sweatdrop

I'm not familiar with NYAF, but GEEZ that's expensive! Though they do sound like more now since most cons are including registration cost with table rather than making you register for the con separately. Which in a way kinda sucks since you can't go for early reg discounts neutral

[Vicemage]

I'm not really sure about ACEOs, I've considered offering them on commission, though... if I ever remember to take the cut paper with me, and get some little sleeves to drop them into.

I've got a question for people here... I'm going to be selling on preorder (I'll have some sample pages available) an original comic, 214 pages, roughly 25% of those pages in color, 5" x 7" physical size. Would you pay $12? $13? $15? What?

[AEAcomics]

I don't know how well preorders will work without a fanbase present at the con. =/ I'd be more likely to make a purchase if the item in question was right there in front of me. But I dunno how con-goers in general will react.

[Nyawyn]

if it were me, id pay between 12 - 15 for a comic, however if it were pre-order, i likely would wait till the book were printed and then pay for it, but then again i don't preorder things much.

[Vicemage]

Ideally, in a perfect would I would actually be selling the books themselves instead of preorders, but I only just finally got the price quote yesterday (it's been a pain and a half trying to get the pricing and color printing options sorted), and due to moving and work being busier than normal, the art for the book isn't done yet (much less the art that now needs to be replaced due to adjustments on the color pages). But the last thing I want to do is reorder more of my old books that I'm phasing out, and get stuck with leftovers; I'm sold out and I want to keep it that way. So I'll do some preorders and see who takes them (they include goodies!), and I'll sell my other items, and see if I can manage to break even on this con.

At least most of my money is in commissions. If I can get my hand working effectively again by Acen, and remember to take my various splints, I'll probably be okay. Always remember to take care of your hands, guys. sweatdrop

[AEAcomics]

Yeah, no way that will be ready by next weekend xp

I have more problems with my back, but since I quit my high school job it has been better. Usually squishy pencil grips and trimmed fingernails are all I need for my hand to be all right.

Hah. I totally know what I'm going to do for an original print series now. I think I'll make a set of 5 and do 8.5x11 and postcard sized prints.

[AEAcomics]

Sweet. Got 4 people in the room. That will drive down the cost.

I went to a party supply store and got letters to spell my "studio" name. I just need 2 A's, They're gonna call me when the next shipment comes in. I figure I can tape it to my table, or the wall behind me, if I get one.

[AEAcomics]

A bump from the 4th page >.<

I got my green 'A's and made some print stands out of a cereal box and green construction paper.
And, yeah. Just need to make art.

[Sakura Alchemist]

?A?; i have a question? which size button is more popular

1 1/4 in or 1 1/2in

[InstantOatmeal]

Okay, FINALLY finished reading through this whole darn thing (AMAZING thread! Found so many good printing sites!)

I have one question for now because I've got an AP Psych exam tomorrow and need to get to bed, but I will likely be bombarding this thread with questions later (I will try my best to make them intelligent questions.)

For now, though, I am wondering if non-anime cartoony style work will do decently at anime cons. Granted, there's slight anime influence, but I will not do fanart and there aren't many non-anime conventions in the Indy area with the exception of Gencon (and it's $250 for a table there. Ha-yel no. Especially for a first time seller.)

[Kaxen]

I know of people who sell at anime cons but don't draw super animu, but I have no idea how well they do. But if they go repeatedly, it can't be that disastrous I assume.

[Sabey]

I too havenot-so-anime style. Although you don't get as many impulse buys as say...$3 chibi-dodge-tool-desu. You do attract those who want an alternative to barf inducing cute. A lot of people actually enjoy seeing fan art of a common anime characters in a different style. All in all, you don't get a lot of small buyers but you'll probably get more large commissions that you can take home with you to complete so the profit evens out. Might not feel amazing about your art in comparison to those who get five dollars and throw together some big-eyed thing but once you land that $30 commission it's definitely worth it.

Not to hate on chibi artists and such, just personally not a fan of it. D:

[Hi no Neko]

I'd say a not-so-animu style can do okay - after all, many anime fans are also fond of things like Invader Zim, and that looks pretty different from a lot of anime. x3

I would say that, whatever your style, humor is certain to grab attention. Silly transcends style. smile

[InstantOatmeal]

Haha, thank you guys so much. Once again, I've read through this whole thing (took me a LONG time, but I did) and I'm constantly amazed at how ridiculously helpful it is and how ridiculously *willing* to help the people are.

I'm sure I remember a question similar to this (if not the exact same question) has been asked earlier in the thread, but I don't wanna go back and find it...

How many different images should get printed? I mean, like, five different pics? Ten? How much visual variety should be up there?

Once again, I'm gradually remembering questions as they come up to me. Thank you guys, for being so awesome. I sincerely hope that soon enough, I'll be able to contribute to the advice on this magnificent thread!

[pearberrie]

hey guys otakon artist alley just opened xD just fyi for those waiting