What physical samples should every artist have, and why?

Every artist should have small samples (4x6, 5x7, or 8x4 inches) of their work on every medium they sell: fine art paper in a frame, canvas, acrylic, metal, and wood. Keep them tiny so they’re easy to show on video, easy to carry, and can stay in your car everywhere you go. Normal consumers don’t know the difference between glossy or matte fine art paper, don’t understand how acrylic differs from metal, or even know you can print on wood. Having samples lets you articulate what you sell and show these physical products in your hands during client visits, sales conversations, or any opportunity that arises. Remember: if you were selling knives door-to-door, you’d bring the knives—not just pictures of them.

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Asked by synthesized from teaching · Answered by Patrick (inferred from context) · art-marketing-podcast · 2026-05-08