How to make prints of your art in Canada

Art isn't just about creating; it's about sharing your vision with the world. For professional and hobbyist artists across Canada, learning how to make prints of your art in Canada is a great way to connect with a wider audience, preserve your original pieces, and build a thriving business.​​

Ready to turn your passion into profit? This guide walks you through six simple steps to transform your original artwork into stunning, high-quality prints that Canadians will love to hang on their walls.​​

Art prints vs originals: Why prints are a smart move for Canadian artists​

The choice between selling original art and offering prints comes down to two key things: accessibility and scalability. An original piece is a one-of-a-kind treasure, but its unique nature often means a higher price and a single buyer.​

Art prints, on the other hand, build a bridge between your creative work and a much larger community of art lovers. They make your art accessible to people with different budgets, from a student in Montreal to a family in Calgary, proving that great art should be for everyone.​

Accessibility​

By creating reproductions, you can offer your work at a much more affordable price point. This means more people can own a piece of your art, fostering a broader appreciation for your talent and sparking new conversations about your work.​

Scalability​

Prints give you the power to grow your art business beyond local markets. You can sell an unlimited number of prints, reaching customers from coast to coast and beyond without the geographical limits of a single original piece. This also lets you get creative with your offerings, like selling limited-edition runs to create buzz while still reaching more people than you could with one original.​​

Here’s how to get started.​​

1. Digitize your artwork​

The first step in creating beautiful custom art prints is to create a high-quality digital version of your physical artwork. Your goal is to create a digital file that faithfully represents the original piece’s colours, details, and textures.​

You have two main options for digitizing your work.​

Scanning​

Source: Canva

For detailed or flat pieces, a high-quality scanner is your best friend. Set the resolution to at least 300 DPI (Dots Per Inch) to capture every fine detail. Save the final file as a PNG to preserve the quality without compression. You might need some basic photo editing software to crop the edges or make minor adjustments to the colour balance, ensuring the digital version is a perfect match. For very large or delicate art, consider using a professional scanning service.​​

Taking a photo​

Source: Canva

If a scanner isn't an option, or your art has a lot of texture (like an oil painting), a high-resolution photograph is a great alternative. You’ll need a good camera – even a modern smartphone will work – with manual settings to control the focus and exposure.​

For the best results, use soft, even, natural light to avoid glare. Place your artwork flat against a wall and position your camera directly in front of it, using a tripod to keep it stable. This prevents any distortion. Once you've taken the shot, review it on a computer and use a photo editing program to fine-tune it until it perfectly matches the original.​

2. Get your files print-ready​

Preparing your digital file for printing is a crucial step for achieving professional results. If you’re getting ready to design your own products with Printful, you can always find the specific requirements in the File guidelines tab on each product page.​

Source: Printful’s file guidelines

​Here’s a quick summary of what you need to know:​

• Print file resolution (DPI). To ensure your prints are crisp and clear, always aim for a resolution of at least 300 DPI. This guarantees the printed version will have the same sharpness as your original art.​

• File size. Check the specific size requirements under the File guidelines tab for your chosen product.​

• Colour profiles (RGB and CMYK). Understanding colour profiles is essential for accurate printing. Screens use the RGB (Red, Green, Blue) profile, while printers use CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black). To get the most accurate colours, edit your artwork in a CMYK colour profile.​

• Final conversion. Our printers are programmed to print files in an sRGB colour profile. So, once your design is perfect, you’ll need to convert and save the final file in the sRGB IEC61966-2.1 profile for the best possible colour match.​

• File format. Printful accepts both JPEG and PNG files. We recommend using PNG, as it’s a lossless format that prevents quality reduction.​
  
  

Before you finalize everything, double-check your design using Printful’s free Design Maker. This tool lets you see exactly how your art will look on the final product and adjust each size individually.​​

3. Choose the right material for your prints​

​The material you print on is just as important as the art itself. It brings your creation to life and affects the final look and feel. Whether you envision the classic, textured elegance of a canvas or the modern, vibrant look of a poster, your choice will shape how people experience your art.​

Let’s explore a few popular options.​

Canvas prints​

Canvas gives your art a textured, three-dimensional quality that adds depth and feels authentic, making it a fantastic choice for reproductions of paintings.​​

• Pros: Timeless gallery look, durable and fade-resistant, adds texture and depth.​

• Cons: Can be more expensive than paper prints, the texture might obscure very fine details.​
  
  

Posters​

​Posters are a versatile and affordable staple for artists. At Printful, we offer two distinct paper types – matte and lustre – so you can find the perfect finish for your work.​​

Matte poster (left) and luster poster (right) 

• Matte posters. With a non-reflective, smooth finish, matte paper is perfect for fine art prints where you want to avoid glare.​

• Lustre posters. This semi-gloss finish makes colours pop with a subtle sheen, making it a showstopper for photography and vibrant digital art.​
  
  

• Pros: Highly affordable, great for detailed work, multiple finishes available.​

• Cons: Less durable than canvas or metal, can be prone to glare (lustre).​
  ​

Metal prints​

​For a sleek, modern look, metal prints are an incredible option. The high-definition clarity makes colours incredibly vibrant, giving your artwork a luminous quality that commands attention.​

• Pros: Extremely durable, waterproof, and scratch-resistant; vibrant, high-contrast look; frameless design is modern and lightweight.​

• Cons: Higher price point, reflective surface may not suit all art styles.​
  
  

A quick comparison​

Don't forget framing options​

Source: JovianPrintsMockups

A frame does more than just protect your print – it elevates it. A well-chosen frame can transform a simple poster into a high-value statement piece. At Printful, you can offer your customers ready-to-hang framed posters in elegant oak, bold black, or crisp white wood. Giving your customers framing choices makes it easier for them to imagine your art in their home, which can be a deciding factor in their purchase.​

4. Partner with a Canadian-friendly printing company​​

When you're figuring out how to make prints of your art to sell, choosing the right partner is everything. To build a great reputation, you need to deliver high-quality products and fast, reliable shipping.​

The easiest way to do this is with a Print on Demand (POD) dropshipping partner. With POD, you simply upload your designs to products in your online store. When a customer in Canada buys something, your partner prints, packs, and ships it directly to them. You don't have to invest in inventory or handle the shipping yourself.​

Partnering with Printful is a game-changer for Canadian artists. Our print-on-demand Canada service is powered by our fulfilment centre in Ontario. This means:​

• Faster shipping: Your orders reach your Canadian customers in days, not weeks.​

• No customs fees: Because orders are produced and shipped within Canada, your customers won't face surprise duties or import taxes.​

• Lower shipping costs: Domestic shipping is more affordable, a benefit you can pass on to your buyers.​
  
  

This approach lets you start or scale your art business with minimal risk. You only pay for what you sell, making it an ideal model for artists focused on creativity.​

5. Order samples to guarantee quality​

Source: Printful

Before you start selling, you need to see what your customers will receive. Ordering samples is a vital quality control step. It’s your chance to check the colour accuracy, the print clarity, and the overall feel of the product in your hands.​

Printful sellers get a 20% discount on up to three sample orders each month. This is your chance to make sure everything is perfect.​

Plus, physical samples are marketing gold! You can take beautiful, professional photos of your prints in a real home setting. Use these images on your website, share them on social media, and build a story around your art that truly connects with your audience.​​

6. Start selling your art online​

Once you're happy with your products, it's time to launch your online store. Selling online has opened up a world of opportunity for artists to connect with buyers and build a sustainable career.​​

Platforms like Shopify (a proud Canadian company), Etsy, or Wix make it easy to set up a beautiful online shop that integrates directly with Printful. We handle the production and fulfilment, so you can focus on what you do best: creating.​​

As you grow, remember to look into the business side of things. In Canada, you may need to register for and collect GST/HST with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) once your small business earns over C$30,000 in a year. Starting as a sole proprietorship is often the simplest way to begin.​

Your journey as a Canadian artist starts now​

​You have the talent and the technical know-how. Now is the time to share your art with the world. This is your path to building a creative and financially rewarding business.​

Here are the four key takeaways to guide you:​

• High resolution is key. A sharp, clear digital file is the foundation of a stunning print.​

• Prepare your print file correctly. Pay close attention to DPI, file size, and colour profiles to do your original work justice.​

• The right material makes a difference. The material and frame you choose can dramatically increase the perceived value and appeal of your art.​

• Always order samples. This non-negotiable step ensures your vision is perfectly executed.​
  
  

Every print you create is more than a reproduction – it's an invitation for someone to experience your art. Embrace this opportunity, share your work proudly, and start your Printful journey today.​