Pictorem.....Worthwhile?

[Uncle Pete]

Just looked around, first portfolio I saw sells stockphotos from other authors:

https://www.pictorem.com/profile/Shamudy (did a tineye search on some photos, all other authors)

I don�t know how bad this is at FAA, but this doesn�t give me a good feeling about uploading artwork.

You're right to question that artist. The usual world traveler, which we know is unlikely. Same happens on FAA and stock sites.

What we can see on FAA is recent sales "activity" and I don't follow like I did years ago, but I don't see the Public Domain images getting any sales. And for myself, the sales have dropped off this year and I get the usual postcard, small print or a T-Shirt now and then.

Still Pictorem is one more outlet and uploading is easy. I'll make that a Winter project. I can't see just giving up without at least trying?

[Luuk]

Just looked around, first portfolio I saw sells stockphotos from other authors:

https://www.pictorem.com/profile/Shamudy (did a tineye search on some photos, all other authors)

I don�t know how bad this is at FAA, but this doesn�t give me a good feeling about uploading artwork.

You're right to question that artist. The usual world traveler, which we know is unlikely. Same happens on FAA and stock sites.

What we can see on FAA is recent sales "activity" and I don't follow like I did years ago, but I don't see the Public Domain images getting any sales. And for myself, the sales have dropped off this year and I get the usual postcard, small print or a T-Shirt now and then.

Still Pictorem is one more outlet and uploading is easy. I'll make that a Winter project. I can't see just giving up without at least trying?

I wish I could have �photographed� all the places he has been to, he must have been all over the world...

I think I will try pictorem as well, just being demotivated lately of all copied artwork I see around.

I had 3 sales on FAA early this year for a total of $450, other than that nothing over $5 for 3 years now.

[stockastic]

First came the plague of stolen work - then the plague of public  domain images.  Next will be the plague of "art" generated by so-called "AI" in response to text entered by the "artist".  Watch for that stuff to be uploaded by the ton, to these POD sites that run on autopilot. 

"Moody black and white photo of Brooklyn bridge with lonely person walking away"

"Beautiful painting of canal in Venice at sunset, gondola in foreground"

[PaulieWalnuts]

Pictorem is one of the labs I evaluated for Shopify integration. They have a Shopify app that offers one of the best integrations I've seen because it creates one Shopify listing with multiple product and size variations in one listing. Most of the other apps all create a different listing each for canvas, paper, metal, etc. So unless you manually combine them you end up with a mess of what appear to be duplicate product listings. FAA's Shopify app creates multiple listings.

Beyond that, I wasn't impressed. I ordered canvas and photo paper sample prints. I think their production time when I ordered was 4 days and it's now 6 days. I finally got the prints a month later. Left a voicemail with support and never got a call back. Emailed support and finally got a response about issues with suppliers. Paper print arrived in a generic brown semi-rigid mailer and no other protection. No cellophane, wrapping tissue or anything else. And prices are about double the average cost I've seen. If that order had actually been for one of my customers they probably would have either been angry or cancelled the order.

High cost, slow production, low quality presentation, and poor support is a pretty bad combination.

[stockastic]

Pictorem is one of the labs I evaluated for Shopify integration. They have a Shopify app that offers one of the best integrations I've seen because it creates one Shopify listing with multiple product and size variations in one listing. Most of the other apps all create a different listing each for canvas, paper, metal, etc. So unless you manually combine them you end up with a mess of what appear to be duplicate product listings. FAA's Shopify app creates multiple listings.

Beyond that, I wasn't impressed. I ordered canvas and photo paper sample prints. I think their production time when I ordered was 4 days and it's now 6 days. I finally got the prints a month later. Left a voicemail with support and never got a call back. Emailed support and finally got a response about issues with suppliers. Paper print arrived in a generic brown semi-rigid mailer and no other protection. No cellophane, wrapping tissue or anything else. And prices are about double the average cost I've seen. If that order had actually been for one of my customers they probably would have either been angry or cancelled the order.

High cost, slow production, low quality presentation, and poor support is a pretty bad combination.

Sounds like they're not much different than FAA - I wouldn't be surprised if they're using the same print vendors.   

After following FAA's forum for a few years, I see the pattern.  Usually, they do ok but since the pandemic, shipping costs have skyrocketed and (as many forum posters have pointed out) become wildly inconsistent.  Usually the order is filled on a timely basis, but sometimes things go off the rails and I've seen forum posts from angry customers who got nowhere with customer service.    Quality is usually ok, but sometimes it's a disaster, probably because FAA just found a lower-cost supplier.

Looks like Pictorem is a mixed bag.   I'd just like to know if it has a future - will it get better, or just go away?       

[PaulieWalnuts]

Pictorem is one of the labs I evaluated for Shopify integration. They have a Shopify app that offers one of the best integrations I've seen because it creates one Shopify listing with multiple product and size variations in one listing. Most of the other apps all create a different listing each for canvas, paper, metal, etc. So unless you manually combine them you end up with a mess of what appear to be duplicate product listings. FAA's Shopify app creates multiple listings.

Beyond that, I wasn't impressed. I ordered canvas and photo paper sample prints. I think their production time when I ordered was 4 days and it's now 6 days. I finally got the prints a month later. Left a voicemail with support and never got a call back. Emailed support and finally got a response about issues with suppliers. Paper print arrived in a generic brown semi-rigid mailer and no other protection. No cellophane, wrapping tissue or anything else. And prices are about double the average cost I've seen. If that order had actually been for one of my customers they probably would have either been angry or cancelled the order.

High cost, slow production, low quality presentation, and poor support is a pretty bad combination.

Sounds like they're not much different than FAA - I wouldn't be surprised if they're using the same print vendors.   

After following FAA's forum for a few years, I see the pattern.  Usually, they do ok but since the pandemic, shipping costs have skyrocketed and (as many forum posters have pointed out) become wildly inconsistent.  Usually the order is filled on a timely basis, but sometimes things go off the rails and I've seen forum posts from angry customers who got nowhere with customer service.    Quality is usually ok, but sometimes it's a disaster, probably because FAA just found a lower-cost supplier.

Looks like Pictorem is a mixed bag.   I'd just like to know if it has a future - will it get better, or just go away?     

Pictorem's website makes them look like a high-end print lab but what I received was nowhere close to high-end. Seems they only have locations in New York and Canada but I'm not sure if they actually do the printing. The return address is labeled with the company Xitrade. They operate as both a print lab and a POD. Haven't tried the POD. But yes I'm also concerned about their longevity. It takes a ton of time to load products and/or integrate to something like Shopify and if they're unreliable or go out of business it's a waste of time.

With FAA, I've found the overall quality of products to be good, production times are mostly good, and customer service is a bit hit or miss. One guy owns and built the entire platform. I think he's done an amazing job with it but at some point he'll probably decide it's time to sell it. Whoever buys it will likely do the usual cost cutting and wringing artists dry. FAA has a partnership with Getty so I'm guessing they'd be one of the top potential buyers.

[mike123]

Reviving old topic - has anyone had any recent experiences with Pictorem? If yes, would you recommend them now? The feedback in this thread from 2022 wasn't so great.

Why I'm asking: I'm looking for a print lab to fulfill print orders for US customers (currently only selling in Europe and shipping from Europe to US is a nightmare). Thus I'm looking into Pictorem. Also if you guys have any suggestions for US (or Canada) based print labs with great print quality and also what other labs to avoid, I would be very grateful for the information 

[Mantis]

I joined them with the free uploads and have had three sales in about two years. Which is way more than I can say about FAA where I have several thousand images. I think I am capped at 200 on Pictorem. I may go with their pro account to test what more images might net me. But sales are not regular for me, just one offs.

Forgot to mention. Two sales netted me 170 each and one sale was around 80 bucks.

[wordplanet]

Reviving old topic - has anyone had any recent experiences with Pictorem? If yes, would you recommend them now? The feedback in this thread from 2022 wasn't so great.

Why I'm asking: I'm looking for a print lab to fulfill print orders for US customers (currently only selling in Europe and shipping from Europe to US is a nightmare). Thus I'm looking into Pictorem. Also if you guys have any suggestions for US (or Canada) based print labs with great print quality and also what other labs to avoid, I would be very grateful for the information 

I never ended up trying Pictorum but for clients here in the US I use Miller�s Lab. The print quality is excellent. I generally purchase the photo prints. They use a silver halide digital process for black & white & in portfolio reviews in NYC gallerists thought I was using film. Great quality.

I�ve also gotten metal prints and framed prints. Color prints are excellent too  Again I use the photo prints   They have matte glossy other surfaces. They also have giclee but I prefer true photos For US based photographers their press prints (business cards, postcards, etc) are gorgeous. And creative

I haven�t ordered in a while but last time they shipped FedEx free to you (in the US I assume) and $6 flat fee to clients. Even for framed prints.  I think most things take two working days then they ship overnight. And you can get rush shipping but it�s pricey though 3 days is fast enough and better than most places.

The minimum order is only $15 and for things like cards you need to order a box I believe.  I think you can set up a storefront through zenfolio but I just order for one offs for clients who want to buy from me, so I upload the file(s) myself on an as needed basis. It�s not POD. But I guess with zenfolio it could be.

Based in Kansas. Very nice people to deal with.

They are the professional branch of MPix.

For metal prints I�ve also used Bay Photo in California. They have many different types of metal prints. Eg some directly on metal without the white layer. But their shipping is higher so I only use them for special types of prints

Both labs do the dye sublimation for metal so it�s fused into the metal and will never chip off. FAA uses the same process. I shoot a lot of water so I�ve often used metal in gallery shows and clients love it.

Millers canvas is nice but it�s not my style.

[mike123]

Reviving old topic - has anyone had any recent experiences with Pictorem? If yes, would you recommend them now? The feedback in this thread from 2022 wasn't so great.

Why I'm asking: I'm looking for a print lab to fulfill print orders for US customers (currently only selling in Europe and shipping from Europe to US is a nightmare). Thus I'm looking into Pictorem. Also if you guys have any suggestions for US (or Canada) based print labs with great print quality and also what other labs to avoid, I would be very grateful for the information 

I never ended up trying Pictorum but for clients here in the US I use Miller�s Lab. The print quality is excellent. I generally purchase the photo prints. They use a silver halide digital process for black & white & in portfolio reviews in NYC gallerists thought I was using film. Great quality.

I�ve also gotten metal prints and framed prints. Color prints are excellent too  Again I use the photo prints   They have matte glossy other surfaces. They also have giclee but I prefer true photos For US based photographers their press prints (business cards, postcards, etc) are gorgeous. And creative

I haven�t ordered in a while but last time they shipped FedEx free to you (in the US I assume) and $6 flat fee to clients. Even for framed prints.  I think most things take two working days then they ship overnight. And you can get rush shipping but it�s pricey though 3 days is fast enough and better than most places.

The minimum order is only $15 and for things like cards you need to order a box I believe.  I think you can set up a storefront through zenfolio but I just order for one offs for clients who want to buy from me, so I upload the file(s) myself on an as needed basis. It�s not POD. But I guess with zenfolio it could be.

Based in Kansas. Very nice people to deal with.

They are the professional branch of MPix.

For metal prints I�ve also used Bay Photo in California. They have many different types of metal prints. Eg some directly on metal without the white layer. But their shipping is higher so I only use them for special types of prints

Both labs do the dye sublimation for metal so it�s fused into the metal and will never chip off. FAA uses the same process. I shoot a lot of water so I�ve often used metal in gallery shows and clients love it.

Millers canvas is nice but it�s not my style.

That is hugely helpful info, thanks so much!!! I have a storefront for paper prints, canvas, metal and acrylic glass already on my website, built with Wordpress and Woocommerce - so it should be rather extendable to US & Canada customers (currently selling to Europe only).

By any chance, can you also recommend a US/Canada based lab with great acrylic glass print quality?

Thanks in advance!

[LizC]

I started to upload to Pictorem around a year ago, I now have around 112 images there and so far no sales.

[f8]

The bigger question.... Buying your prints.... Worthwhile?

[mike123]

The bigger question.... Buying your prints.... Worthwhile?

You probably mean selling your prints.
The answer is "it depends". Mostly on what you shoot/sell.
Personally, my income from prints is comparable to my microstock income. And I expect to have no microstock income within 2-3 years, because I expect the prices and royalties to drop further and would then simply leave. Prints should be available longer as income source.
But it's your decision whether to try it.

[Faustvasea]

The bigger question.... Buying your prints.... Worthwhile?

You probably mean selling your prints.
The answer is "it depends". Mostly on what you shoot/sell.
Personally, my income from prints is comparable to my microstock income. And I expect to have no microstock income within 2-3 years, because I expect the prices and royalties to drop further and would then simply leave. Prints should be available longer as income source.
But it's your decision whether to try it.

May I ask where are you selling your prints?

[mike123]

The bigger question.... Buying your prints.... Worthwhile?

You probably mean selling your prints.
The answer is "it depends". Mostly on what you shoot/sell.
Personally, my income from prints is comparable to my microstock income. And I expect to have no microstock income within 2-3 years, because I expect the prices and royalties to drop further and would then simply leave. Prints should be available longer as income source.
But it's your decision whether to try it.

May I ask where are you selling your prints?

Mostly through my own website.

[Faustvasea]

The bigger question.... Buying your prints.... Worthwhile?

You probably mean selling your prints.
The answer is "it depends". Mostly on what you shoot/sell.
Personally, my income from prints is comparable to my microstock income. And I expect to have no microstock income within 2-3 years, because I expect the prices and royalties to drop further and would then simply leave. Prints should be available longer as income source.
But it's your decision whether to try it.

May I ask where are you selling your prints?

Mostly through my own website.

I believe you advertise yourself on Facebook?

[erik trikowich]

I have studied this site in detail, but I still have not found any information on how to withdraw my earned money from it. If anyone knows, please tell me.

[wordplanet]

�

That is hugely helpful info, thanks so much!!! I have a storefront for paper prints, canvas, metal and acrylic glass already on my website, built with Wordpress and Woocommerce - so it should be rather extendable to US & Canada customers (currently selling to Europe only).

By any chance, can you also recommend a US/Canada based lab with great acrylic glass print quality?

Thanks in advance!
[/quote]

Sorry. I haven�t printed on acrylic.

I�m selling prints through Fine Art America & one agent and these days it earns me more than stock. I sure hope print sales don�t disappear.  I haven�t added them to my website though I�m thinking about it.  I sell some directly but it�s easier to have someone else do the printing and shipping. I use Millers for those images. Generally framed or on metal. 

[mike123]

Sorry. I haven�t printed on acrylic.

I�m selling prints through Fine Art America & one agent and these days it earns me more than stock. I sure hope print sales don�t disappear.  I haven�t added them to my website though I�m thinking about it.  I sell some directly but it�s easier to have someone else do the printing and shipping. I use Millers for those images. Generally framed or on metal.

Thanks again for your help. I got some nice expensive sales on acrylic here in Germany, so having them on offer might make sense . I hope prints will continue selling in the years to come - high-resolution real world imagery for prints is much more difficult to replace by AI than stock images.

[Faustvasea]

Sorry. I haven�t printed on acrylic.

I�m selling prints through Fine Art America & one agent and these days it earns me more than stock. I sure hope print sales don�t disappear.  I haven�t added them to my website though I�m thinking about it.  I sell some directly but it�s easier to have someone else do the printing and shipping. I use Millers for those images. Generally framed or on metal.

Thanks again for your help. I got some nice expensive sales on acrylic here in Germany, so having them on offer might make sense . I hope prints will continue selling in the years to come - high-resolution real world imagery for prints is much more difficult to replace by AI than stock images.

are you using WordPress to sell Prints ?

[mike123]

Sorry. I haven�t printed on acrylic.

I�m selling prints through Fine Art America & one agent and these days it earns me more than stock. I sure hope print sales don�t disappear.  I haven�t added them to my website though I�m thinking about it.  I sell some directly but it�s easier to have someone else do the printing and shipping. I use Millers for those images. Generally framed or on metal.

Thanks again for your help. I got some nice expensive sales on acrylic here in Germany, so having them on offer might make sense . I hope prints will continue selling in the years to come - high-resolution real world imagery for prints is much more difficult to replace by AI than stock images.

are you using WordPress to sell Prints ?

Yes. Actually I only need WooCommerce for the shop functionality, but it is a Wordpress plugin, so Wordpress is required as well. But if you're thinking about selling through your website - the technology doesn't matter, Shopify is a very popular choice for example.

[Faustvasea]

Sorry. I haven�t printed on acrylic.

I�m selling prints through Fine Art America & one agent and these days it earns me more than stock. I sure hope print sales don�t disappear.  I haven�t added them to my website though I�m thinking about it.  I sell some directly but it�s easier to have someone else do the printing and shipping. I use Millers for those images. Generally framed or on metal.

Thanks again for your help. I got some nice expensive sales on acrylic here in Germany, so having them on offer might make sense . I hope prints will continue selling in the years to come - high-resolution real world imagery for prints is much more difficult to replace by AI than stock images.

are you using WordPress to sell Prints ?

Yes. Actually I only need WooCommerce for the shop functionality, but it is a Wordpress plugin, so Wordpress is required as well. But if you're thinking about selling through your website - the technology doesn't matter, Shopify is a very popular choice for example.

I don�t want to pay a subscription to be honest. I own a website where prints are available, but never made any sales. Haven�t shown the interest on advertising. But now I�m thinking again , maybe I should try sell prints on my site. Not sure if these will sell or where to advertise to be honest

[mike123]

I don�t want to pay a subscription to be honest. I own a website where prints are available, but never made any sales. Haven�t shown the interest on advertising. But now I�m thinking again , maybe I should try sell prints on my site. Not sure if these will sell or where to advertise to be honest

WooCommerce and Wordpress are free. There are additional paid plugins for more specialized functions, but for prints the free version should be enough.

[Faustvasea]

I don�t want to pay a subscription to be honest. I own a website where prints are available, but never made any sales. Haven�t shown the interest on advertising. But now I�m thinking again , maybe I should try sell prints on my site. Not sure if these will sell or where to advertise to be honest

WooCommerce and Wordpress are free. There are additional paid plugins for more specialized functions, but for prints the free version should be enough.

And what company are you using to print your images? I know you could do it manually as well, but I was wondering if you do it automatically .

[mike123]

And what company are you using to print your images? I know you could do it manually as well, but I was wondering if you do it automatically .

A local workshop in my town, they do the printing and shipping for me. For US/Canada market still looking around - there are some great suggestions here in the thread.