Paintings: Presentation & Pricing

Whether you’re preparing for your first show or refining your process for a seasoned gallery relationship, how you present your art matters. Thoughtful presentation not only helps your work stand out, it affects how it’s priced, perceived, and ultimately collected. We see it all the time: beautifully executed art that falls short on the wall because of poor finishing. Don’t let that be you.

Here’s a practical guide to get your work gallery-ready without overspending or overthinking.

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✦ Gallery-Wrapped Canvas: Clean & Versatile

Canvas with a depth of 1″ to 1.5″ is a smart investment upfront. This thicker profile creates a clean, modern look that doesn’t necessarily require a frame (unless your gallery specifies otherwise). No frame = lower overall price point for your customer and less expense for you.

To make the presentation intentional:

• Paint the edges a solid color or extend your painting all the way to the edges.
• Avoid messy drips, fingerprints or unpainted sides—these small details can make your piece feel unfinished.
• Use plastic-coated wire and D-rings, installed about 1/3 of the way down from the top, for safe and secure hanging.

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✦ Thin Canvases Need Framing

Canvas with less than 1″ depth often looks flimsy or less finished when left unframed. If you’re using a thinner canvas, we recommend budgeting for a frame. A floating frame or simple solid colored frame can do the trick and make your work feel polished and ready for a collector’s wall. If you opt for a narrow frame, we suggest that it be deeper to add more presence off the wall.

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✦ Works on Paper: Plan for Simplicity

Framing paper-based work can get expensive quickly. If you’re working on paper, consider standard sizes so that you or your buyers have more affordable ready-made frame options. Ready made frames now come in many sizes. Do your research on sizes available.

When framing yourself:

• Use a neutral single mat and a simple black or wood tone frame for a classic look that lets the art shine.
• Always use glass over flimsy acrylic. We like Sprayway Glass Cleaner to get rid of streaks, fingerprints, and haze.
• Make sure no dust, hair, or smudges are trapped under the glass (it happens more than you’d think).
• Attach your work to the mat using acid free art tape with a hinge mount so the framing remains reversible and damage-free. No masking tape, painters tape or duct tape.

If you’re not using a mat consider spacers to keep the artwork from sticking to the glass. This air gap is essential—it helps prevent moisture buildup and protects your work. Most frame shops will sell you spacers.

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✦ Pricing Works with a Frame

Here’s a good rule of thumb:

At a minimum, double your framing cost to make back your framing investment, especially when working with a gallery on a 50/50 split.

Keep in mind: many collectors have strong preferences about framing and often reframe pieces to match their decor. If you’re selling at a higher price point (think over $1,000), that’s when it might make sense to invest in more customized framing. But for lower price points, simplicity, quality, and a clean presentation go a long way.

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✦ Labels & Finishing Touches

Always label the back of your work with:

• Your name
• Title of the piece
• Medium
• Year (optional, but nice to include)

Never write the price on the back. That’s not helpful in a gallery setting and can create confusion later if you change your pricing.

For added professionalism:

• Use bumpers on the back of your frame to protect walls.
• Make sure everything is securely wired and clean.
• Avoid DIY hacks that feel unstable or rushed. Your presentation should reflect your artistry.

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✦ Gallery & Juried Show Expectations

Every gallery or juried show has its own guidelines, so read them carefully. We can’t stress this enough, if the submission requires a frame or specific hanging hardware and your piece doesn’t meet the specs, it may be rejected and keep you from being accepted in the future, no matter how strong the art is.

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✦ Final Presentation Thoughts

Think of framing and presentation like shoes on a well-tailored outfit. They don’t need to be flashy or expensive but they should fit, be clean, and finish the look.

A thoughtful presentation shows collectors that you value your work and makes it easier for them to do the same.

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✦ Tiered Pricing That Works

If you’re new to gallery representation in Colorado Springs or just starting to get serious about selling your work, pricing can feel overwhelming. (It still stresses me out and I’ve been in this business over 20 years.) Many artists approach it with emotion, self-doubt, or inconsistent methods. This can lead to confusion, both for you and your collectors.

“But I want to charge by the hour.”
I get it—but keeping track of hours is inconsistent and doesn’t reflect how buyers make decisions. Collectors are size-driven. A tiered pricing system is simpler, scalable, and allows you to adjust the price per square inch based on your time, expertise, place in the market, and body of work. When a piece comes together quickly, it feels great. When it doesn’t, the pricing still holds—and over time, it all balances out. As your skills and recognition grow—or you develop a body of work that’s more time-consuming to create—you can raise your price per square inch, making the system both flexible and sustainable as your career evolves.

We recommend using a tiered pricing formula based on square inches, paired with united inches (length + width) to determine the appropriate price per square inch.

Here’s why this system works:

1. It removes emotion from the process. You’re not guessing what something feels worth, you’re applying logic.
2. It protects your small works from being underpriced (a common mistake).
3. It keeps large works from becoming unaffordable, even as they increase in size and materials.
4. It aligns with how buyers think. Price-sensitive collectors will compare size and price quickly. Consistency builds trust.

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✦ Example Pricing Guide

This tiered guide is a great entry point for artists who have:

• A refined technique
• A consistent body of work
• Professional presentation

Step-by-step example:

You have an 11×14 piece:

• United inches = 11 + 14 = 25 → falls into the middle tier ($1.60/sq inch)

• Square inches = 11 x 14 = 154

• 154 sq in x $1.60 = $246.40

Round it up to $250and that’s your unframed retail price.

Then add your framing cost (remember: at least double your investment on the frame to account for commission splits and expenses).

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✦ Final Word: Pricing Is Part of the Presentation

Smart, transparent pricing sets you apart. It shows collectors you’re a professional, helps galleries trust your consistency, and—most importantly—frees you to keep creating without second-guessing your worth.

Try this method. Price out the sizes you typically create. It might just become your new favorite way to price your work.

I hope this helps you approach your next collection with confidence.

Emily