Where to Buy Affordable Artwork
Are you starin’ down the blank walls in your dreary apartment wondering where the heck you can find inexpensive art? Are you borderline desperate to fill that wall space without compromising your monthly beer and poutine rent and utilities budget?? Well, you’re in luck! Digital art prints have opened up a whole new world of affordable decor, making wall art more versatile and accessible than ever.
When I first heard of digital art prints I was pretty skeptical. I just didn’t think they could be that nice, but I’m VERY pleased to report I was wrong! If you purchase a high-resolution scan and have it printed on high-quality paper, you can expect beautiful results at a FRACTION of the price you’d otherwise pay. Seriously, digital printable art is a TOTAL game changer!
But first, a quick shout out to HomeSense and art rental programs
This wildflower print with vintage frame was a HomeSense find for my parents’ guest bedroom. Once we *properly* centre the art over the bed, get some larger lamps, and add a long lumbar pillow, this room will look great!
You guys know I love HomeSense. It’s equal parts horror show and treasure trove for affordable home decor, and while their art selection definitely leans more into the former, you can still OFTEN find some perfectly nice (and occasionally beautiful) artwork! It’s worth taking a look.
Another cool option is renting your art. Many local galleries and art spaces have art rental programs which allow you to borrow a piece for around $15 - $40 a month, depending on the artist, size, etc. This allows you to A) enjoy a piece you could never otherwise afford, B) “try before you buy” (since many programs are rent-to-own), or C) regularly switch up your art while supporting local artists!
Now back to our scheduled programming…
What exactly is digital printable art?
This lovely Vintage Abstract Watercolor Landscape is available from Olive & Oak. Find their prints on Etsy, or visit their website.
You’ve heard of canvas prints, which are high-quality reproductions of an artist’s original paintings. Though much less expensive than original pieces, canvas prints can still cost hundreds of dollars; so some artists now offer digital prints, which are high-quality scans of their original works.
Some artists sell their scans directly, like Nuuillustrations via Etsy. Online curators like Olive & Oak, Juniper Print Shop, and Collection Prints license works from artists and museums, and also make available their personal collections of unique vintage finds.
Sites like Etsy have huge collections of printable art, from paintings to posters to photos and beyond! Use the filters to help narrow your search, and “heart” items as you go so you can keep track of all your favourites.
This evocative vintage print is from Juniper Print Shop’s personal collection.
How much does printable art cost?
Because you’re only purchasing a PDF scan of the artwork in the form of an instant digital download, the artwork itself is deeply affordable. You can literally find hundreds of thousands of pieces for under $20 on Etsy, and the file you purchase includes many different sizes.
Once you’ve chosen the size(s) you want to print, send the file(s) to a printing service like SolutionShop by Staples. The printing cost will vary based on the size and number of your pieces, but for a point of reference, I recently printed a large 36” x 24” piece for about $30 CAD.
RELATED: How to Decorate Bare Walls
You’ll also need to buy a frame (or several), which vary in price depending on size and material. Check Amazon, IKEA, and your local thrift stores for the most affordable options!
In the end, you’re paying for the art file(s) + printing + frame(s). While this can add up, it’s still BY FAR the least expensive option I’ve found for filling out a gallery wall (YES, you can snag ENTIRE gallery wall sets for under $15!!!), swapping out seasonal pieces, and/or finallyyy getting your hands on a large piece of art you really love.
NOTES: I would print both botanicals from the gallery set onto darker substrates so their backgrounds aren’t paper white amidst all the other muted pieces. Also, the lovely coastal print on the right should have been hung several inches lower and centred over the desk. Click here for more art tips!
RELATED: All About Artwork (Size, Spacing, Height, Framing, Colours, and More!)
Digital Art Printing Tips
Before we get to the printing, I have a tip about the choosing…
Avoid artwork with white/empty backgrounds (common in botanical pieces), unless you’re able to print on some sort of off-white substrate. Standard paper is VERY bright white - much brighter than even the whitest paints and furnishings typically found in interiors. Your minimal print will simply look too crisp, becoming an eyesore rather than a focal point! 🙈
Our apartment is painted BM Chantilly Lace, one of the whitest white paints available, but you can still easily see the unpleasant contrast between the standard printer paper and the softer interior whites.
As for the actual printing…
I’ve only ever used Staples to print my art and have been happy with the results, but there are a few things to keep in mind:
Choose the correct paper size and orientation. If you’re going for a larger size, make sure your digital download can support it. For instance, if your download comes with a max dimension of 16” x 20” and you try print it out at 24” x 36”, it will look blurry.
Select a full-page print e.g. “Stretch to Fit” or “Full Bleed”. If the preview still shows white margins, you may have to call or go into the store and talk to an employee.
Make sure you select a colour print. ;)
IMPORTANT: Choose matte paper! Gloss is SUPER glossy — not a good look for artwork.
Some Lovely Pieces of Printable Art
Check out some of my favourite shops and pieces below! (Check out even more of my favs here.) Not your style? Not to worry — there’s something for everyone on Etsy!