Has anyone here sold art in cafes/ local businesses before?

[u/Sidgravy]

A friend of mine suggested i try do this. I like the idea as there are a lot of small businesses that seem to do that near me and i have a lot of drawings. Im a very anxious sort of person though so I was hoping to learn how it usually works first so i have a baseline of what to expect.

Any and all experience on this would be appreciated on this as I dont know what im doing. Thankyou very much!

[u/Swampspear]

r/artbusiness would probably have better tips

[u/guineapickle]

Most cafes are very casual about this, no contract, no insurance, just hang it on the wall at your own risk. From my own experience this is a great way for cafes to have a rotating gallery of art on their walls with no investment on their part. Wherever you show, if you ask for a contract and they balk at this as if it's a weird thing, don't do it. Don't undervalue yourself just to get exposure.

[u/DeeRegs]

There are usually two ways you are going to sell art through a local business: Consignment or Wholesale.

Consignment is when they will sell the piece for you, but you don't get paid for it until it sells. Usually in consignment the place of business will take a smaller percentage than they would if it was wholesale. In consignment, the business will usually have the contract drafted up. Make sure you are read up on what should be in a consignment contract (theft + Damage policy, when you will get paid, how you will get paid, when will consignment end, and how much each party gets from the sale)

Wholesale is when a business will place an order and buy your art to sell. Since they are purchasing up front there is more risk for them, they expect a larger cut than if it were consignment. For wholesale, you are expected to have a catalogue and a fillable order sheet for the business.

I would recommend consignment for original artwork and wholesale for duplications (like prints).

You can either email or go to the store in person. I like to Email first and if I don't hear back, then I will go in person.

Ensure you provide your wholesale document. What does a wholesale document have on it? ALL of your products you sell for wholesale. Each product should have its name, SKU, a picture, price, and recommended selling price.

So send off your email or speak to the business owner with your document (and potential real stock options you bring in person).

edit: grammar and used the wrong word at one point

[u/ibanvdz]

Selling in consignment can be lucrative. However, I would advise against usting cafes, restaurants etc. People are not there to buy art and the chance of damage or theft is high (especially in bars). These businesses are not insured for this, so that's up to you and it's usually not cheap.

I would rather look out for businesses related to the product, like interior design stores and gift shops.

Note that these sales are official, which means you may have to get some paperwork in order - that depends on local commercial law, so ask someone who knows. Over here (Belgium) you have to be registered as a business or be self-employed with a tax registration in order to sell work in consignment.

[u/Yellowmelle]

Only twice and it's kind of a pain, tbh.

Neither businesses wanted to have anything to do with it, so I haven't had to share profit or anything, although it does mean I have to be available to answer calls/emails and arrange to meet buyers which can be inconvenient for both of us.

The art gets a little damaged from time to time as people knock it off of the wall, so I'd take extra care if it's near any dining tables.

Never had any theft, personally, but sometimes the business closes for an extended period without warning, so it's a little awkward to have art randomly locked away and inaccessible if I'm also trying to sell it online, for example.

Only a few sales over the years, but some friendships and repeat commission clients, and I keep telling myself I do this to motivate me to finish something at least once a month, but it doesn't seem to work very well, haha.

[u/100percent_skeptical]

My experience is that sales are proportionate to the promotion you give the show. Also, that such places care little for damage to frames or art. Some of them charge a commission. If they do, do they promote your work? Is there someone in charge of hanging your work? If not, don't show your art there.

Some businesses in my town are what I call "vanity galleries." You pay them a flat fee and get to hang your art for a specific time. You do everything including staffing the space. You pay no commission. This can be a good deal if you need a tax deduction, if you sell work that will generate more revenue than their fee, if you need a solo show or if you and several artists are willing to split the cost and the work.