17 Things to Know About Art Festivals

— by Jon Lybrook, Lead Printmaker & Owner, Intaglio Editions LLC

FolksFest2024

Summer Art Fairs are a great way to expand your list of collectors and supporters!

I used to do alot of summer and holiday art fairs about 10 years ago, but stopped due to the amount of work I was doing with other artists, photographers, and printmakers. That plus internet marketing and consulting work meant there just wasn’t time. We continue to produce custom, high-quality intaglio plates and prints for photographers, printmakers and other small businesses world-wide, but not like we were in the early 2000s.

The current state of the economy here in the United States has me considering showing my own work, and that of the artists I contract with, at summer art shows again. If you are a traditional intaglio printmaker like me, perhaps you’ve been considering the same. If you are participating in art fairs already, you know summer is a busy and back-breaking time for many artists who registered for art shows back in April, when most submissions deadlines end. The good news is, you have plenty of time to start preparing for the summer art shows happening in 2026!
Researching, preparing, and showing at quality outdoor art festivals can take alot of time, planning, hard work, and money, but if they are effective for you, and you are committed to doing them every year, they are an excellent way to gain a new, growing audience of fans, supporters, and repeat buyers.
  1. Visit the festivals in your area before registering to show your work – Walk the grounds, talk to vendors, and get a feel for the crowd, layout, and location to determine if it’s a good fit for your artwork and price-point.
  2. Start Small and Stay Local – Begin with nearby shows to minimize stress and travel costs while learning the ropes of outdoor selling. Do a dry-run setting up your tent, your walls, hanging work, and breaking it all down again. Time yourself with the goal of improving efficiency. Do this well before the show, and you’ll know what to expect.
  3. Talk to fellow artists already showing there – Other artists can offer priceless insight into their experiences – especially if they’ve done a particular show more than once. Ask about the reliability of the promoter, visitor and sales numbers, and whether the show would be worth doing again to them, or if it was a big mistake! What is their highest priced original work, and what are they charging for inkjet prints of it? Learn from your peers.
  4. Give yourself plenty of time to prepare – Weeks or even months of prep may be required to build inventory, create signs and post cards, package artwork and prints, design your layout and display, notify your social media followers, and email list of collectors — and test your payment system!
  5. Provide a wide price range – Offer everything from $5 stickers to $500+ originals, large, handmade prints or 1/1 monotypes. If you’re an intaglio printmaker specializing in photogravure, offer smaller matted inkjet prints of your most popular prints. These will cater to a broader range of supporters and art collectors, and bring in extra cash.
  6. Bring business cards and/or promotional postcards – Even if someone doesn’t make a purchase, give them a tangible reminder of you and your work to take home and possibly follow up later. This simple promotion technique works!
  7. Offer high-quality prints in multiple sizes – Affordable inkjet prints are a great entry point for new collectors and make your work more accessible. Handmade prints such as photogravure, etchings, or monoprints painted with watercolors show your range of classic art interests and abilities. Provide both options and a price range between $25 (for 8×10″ inkjets) and $500+ for your biggest and best traditional fine art prints or original drawings / paintings.
  8. Be sure you bring the “Cadillac” – Feature one or two striking, large, and high-end pieces that show off your best work. Hang them on the outer walls of your tent, if possible, as well as inside. Even if they don’t sell, they show commitment to your abilities and elevate your booth’s atmosphere.
  9. Have promotional “loss leaders” for your supporters – Offer inexpensive or free items (like mini prints or stickers) to build goodwill, especially for returning or loyal fans.
  10. Avoid shows that focus on jewelry or low-dollar craft items – These events often attract bargain-hunters rather than serious art collectors, and your work may not get the appreciation it deserves.
  11. Ignore the loud, drive-by critics – Not everyone will “get” your work—don’t let quick or dismissive comments shake your confidence.
  12. Stay hydrated – Outdoor summer shows can be brutally hot; bring water, low-sodium snacks, and perhaps a cooling towel or portable fan if electricity is provided.
  13. Engage prospects – Don’t hide in the back — but also avoid hard selling —instead, have relaxed, open conversations. Ask them about themselves, their interests, and let your passion and confidence naturally draw buyers in. Read “The Art of Seduction” by Robert Greene: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_LEQHQNsWOc
  14. Track sales and inventory – What sold? What didn’t? Adjust future show plans accordingly – Use a spreadsheet or inventory app to track what moves at each show, helping you refine your offerings and avoid spending good time and money after bad.
  15. Accept credit cards – Square, Paypal, and other providers offer free phone apps and inexpensive credit card readers you can use wherever you have wifi or cellular service. Most buyers expect the convenience of cards—if you don’t have the ability to process them on site, you could be missing out on sales.
  16. Bring a cash box with change – People still use cash, especially for lower-priced items. Keep small bills and coins handy—some buyers will appreciate a fast, no-hassle cash transaction. Have a pad of receipts handy in case the buyer wants a record of the sale – write the name of the piece on the receipt, and staple your business card to it!
  17. Differentiate your work from the competition – Use unique themes, color combinations, quality framing, signage, demo materials, or storytelling to stand out from the sea of artists and create a lasting impression. If you are a photographer or illustrator, instead of only providing low-cost inkjet prints of your best work, offer traditional prints on heavy-weight, etching paper.

Need high-quality, professional art prints to help promote your fine art drawing, painting or photography?

Let Intaglio Editions Help Your Art Business Thrive!

Artist Interview with Paul Richards – April 2025

Paul Richards, guitarist and co-founder of California Guitar Trio, is also a fine art landscape photographer. In this April, 2025 interview Paul talks with his printmaker, Jon Lybrook, about his new print releases, the upcoming CGT Tour, the trials and challenges of being a working musician while making landscape photographs from around the world.

Important Links:

https://PaulRichardsPrints.com 

https://TonyLevinPrints.com 

https://Timeless-Prints.com

Donating Gently Used, Fine Art Supplies to Schools

We used to wonder what to do with by-products of expensive editioning projects, like used backing sheets of fine art paper, and unused inks and paints… 

The solution of what to do with them was easier than we thought. Through the help of a friend, we were able to reach out to teachers and donate them to our local schools!

Over the past 5 years Intaglio Editions LLC has donated thousands of dollars worth of gently used Stonehenge 250 gsm, 100% cotton rag paper to classrooms around Colorado. This paper is a something we use as backing sheets when printing photogravure prints. After they have gone through the press a few times, the paper fibers have been pressed down to the point where the paper starts to crack under pressure, so they are no longer usable to us.

Our annual donation of quality art paper gives students the opportunity to work with professional art materials, often for the first time. Colorado schools benefiting include: Mapleton Expeditionary School of the Arts (MESA) (public high school grades 9-12), Mapleton Public Schools #1. Thanks to art teacher Erica Wernsmann-Loppnow (Mapleton/MESA), and Silverthorn Elementary teacher Katie Irvin for sharing their stories and student’s exceptional artwork, below.

Do you have surplus paper or fine art materials to donate to art students in Colorado?  Please contact them directly using the links above, or let us know!

Student art made on paper donated by Intaglio Editions!

“[We teach] a mix of student work, ink, gelli print, paper weaving, watercolor, pencil. We really try it all and encourage experimentation and complexity and pushing the capabilities of materials.” – Erica Wensmann-Loppnow

The paper you have given us is so lovely. I really does elevate their work it’s a great opportunity to talk to kids about reusing as well as quality of paper and what we use it for”

Katy Irvin, Art Teacher, Silverthorne Elementary School, Summit, CO.


“[From the paper donations] we use every piece, nothing is wasted. And kids definitely feel the difference using high quality paper.” – Erica Wensmann-Loppnow

Have quality art supplies to donate as well?  Contact your local elementary school or contact the school board to ask about what donations are needed in your area.  New or gently used art paper, canvas, and non-toxic paints are usually welcomed.

What is an Open Edition vs. Limited Edition in Fine Art Prints?

Here’s a good teaching opportunity to our readers who are currently, or want to be, more knowledgeable art collectors.  For those who either already are, or are interested in becoming art collectors of Tony Levin’s work, we just officially released an authorized collection of five open edition inkjet prints.  These vintage photographs of Peter Gabriel are mostly from tours which took place during the 1980s. They are, without question, among some of the most iconic photos taken of Peter, and of that era in rock music.
This historic print project started in 2016 when Jon Lybrook, Lead Printmaker at Intaglio Editions, approached Tony about doing a fine art photogravure collection of his and his fans’ favorite prints from his illustrious, 50-plus year career on stage. The project evolved into two collections so far, Tony’s King Crimson Limited Edition Photogravure Collection, and his newest open edition inkjet Collection of Peter Gabriel vintage photos.
We will be producing and selling these signed, open edition, fine art prints until the end of the Peter Gabriel I/O tour in the fall of 2023, at least. After that, who knows if we’ll continue to edition them? We will likely move on to publishing newer work of Tony’s, which would be party funded by these print sales.
For new art collectors who may be interested: Open Edition prints, such as this special Peter Gabriel Vintage Photo collection, aren’t tied to a commitment to a certain number of prints. How many signed prints go out into the world may be hundreds, or thousands, or more! We’ll continue to make them as they sell, until we decide to stop. This is unlike Limited Edition runs, in which the artist and publisher commit to a specific maximum number of prints that can be made.
Have you decided on your favorite Peter Gabriel prints? Be sure to post a photo of you with your Tony Levin print and hashtag #tonylevin and #tonylevinprints ! Peter Gabriel’s I/O World Tour will run through October 2023 with a break in July and August, so Tony can sign more prints with us!  
Get all the up-to-date photos and news from Tony’s Road Diary — one of the the longest-maintained blogs on the internet!

Artist Tony Levin on his music and photography

Excellent interview with Tony Levin, hot off the road from his recent Stick Men tour, and getting ready to embark on a month of touring Europe and England with Peter Gabriel. At 1:07 he discusses his vintage photographs of Peter Gabriel, which are now available as heavy-weight inkjet prints at https://TonyLevinPrints.com


Modern Musicology’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCk-MlcGy5u3fK1j4bVty1Kw

Find more about Modern Musicology team members:
Rob Levy: 
https://kdhx.org/shows/show/juxtaposition
Stephanie Seymour: www.therearebirds.com
R. Alan Siler: www.kozmiccreative.com
Anthony Williams: https://watchers4d.podbean.com/

King Crimson Photogravure prints by Tony Levin featured at Haggin Museum exhibition

The legendary Tony Levin shows his limited edition King Crimson intaglio print collection at the Haggin Museum on Feb. 16, 2023. Learn More about this high-quality print collection here:
https://timeless-prints.com/tony-levin-king-crimson-fine-art-prints/

How all Photogravure Prints are made up of Stardust (and inkjet prints too)

While musical icon Joni Mitchell declared over 50 years ago that we were all  stardust, traditional, photogravure prints had been employing the same star-like patterns we can see in the sky today to render photographs on paper for about 100 years. Halftone dots were introduced around the same time and were easier to make photographic prints from, but random dots were and are more artful – containing a superior richness with more subtle tonal gradations.
Andromeda Galaxy by Hubble Space Telescope

Detail of the Andromeda Galaxy taken by Hubble. Credit: NASA, ESA, J. Dalcanton, B.F. Williams, and L.C. Johnson (University of Washington), the PHAT team, and R. Gendler

Thanks to the trusty Hubble Space Telescope (now with support from the amazing new Webb telescope) we can now see so much more about what makes up our universe.
These star patterns of the Andromeda Galaxy (below left), have patterns very similar to that of aquatint screens (below right), or dust patterns used in traditional photogravure prints on copper plate. These are called stochastic patterns.
Star Pattern
Aquatint Screen

Left: Detail of the Andromeda Galaxy taken by Hubble. Credit: NASA, ESA, J. Dalcanton, B.F. Williams, and L.C. Johnson (University of Washington), the PHAT team, and R. Gendler

Right: Early prototype of Intaglio Editions’ custom aquatint screen scanned from an 1800 dpi stochastic pattern printed on film by an imagesetter.

Essentially any kind of repeating dot pattern will hold ink, but there is something satisfying about these random dots, which are so fine, that under close inspection, you can’t see dots, so much as tones.

Stochastic patterns can be found in nature, and as a byproduct of man-made technology, such as analog reception static in a TV monitor, or even in computer encryption.

Sign up for our Printmaker’s Email List to get printmaking tips, ideas, and special offers: https://intaglioeditions.com/printmakers.html