page one of two
My no-nonsense banker, Mr. Potter.
Procuring the Art of DRAGONOPOLIS
T H E O F F I C I A L G U I D E
Described from within Del's Lair where the first salable images are displayed, the basic methods and procedures for purchasing prints are repeated here in case my potential customers missed them. Heaven forbid. Also repeated are the vital statistics that detail the physical characteristics of all my art prints.
All images are POD (printed-on-demand) on quality photo stock and suitable for framing. I supervise and approve the production of every order, then hand sign each of them. All prints are open editions. The number that accompanies each print reflects approximately how many of that particular image have been printed as of the current date. Except in rare circumstances, this number will indicate quantities much smaller than most limited editions. Please note that all prints contain individual catalog letters and numbers and each is indelibly identified as the exclusive product of the DRAGONOPOLIS website. All prices currently reflect zero demand as of December, 2013. If or when this changes, pricing will be affected accordingly and may increase without prior notification. I threw that last part in because it makes everything sound official (or like it matters).
Please note that while all editions are essentially open, no individual piece will ever exceed one-hundred in number. Upon sale of the one-hundredth print of a particular image, that edition will become closed. Promise. I might be a lot of things, but a slimy prevaricator I'm not. Seriously. No, really.
As you browse among the images on display, I want people to know they're not strictly intended as simple purchase items sitting on a virtual store shelf hoping some buyer will come along and order one -- or a bundle. That's never been the primary purpose for any of the artworks found on this website. Second, third, fourth and fifth purpose maybe, but never the first. Many of the images are more similar to written works than they are pieces of art. They each tell a story of how an artist (me) attempted -- and often struggled -- to complement words with art -- and vice versa. In some cases only a slight or subtle difference exists between one picture and the next, and many are presented here more as a historical document than as a sale item. Although I've captioned all of the editions with their own reference letters and numbers, and whether bunches of prints sell or none do, the point was always to amuse and entertain and only afterwards to sell something -- should anyone be interested. At least that's my official position on the matter. Unofficially, however . . . .
As is the same for all images in all departments, the letters and numbers printed directly beneath a given picture mean the following:
1) That the artwork is probably for sale. Whoopee-doo!
2) The letter and number combination identifies a specific image for cataloging and accounting purposes. A pencil and one sheet of paper should be enough.
3) The last number(s) separated by a dash represents the total number of (authorized) prints produced and in circulation. Is zero a number?
In the following example, D1 stands for Del-One, and -001 stands for Del-One with one print sold.
The final serial identification looks like this: D1-001.
Available Print Sizes:
As of January, 2014, two sizes of prints can be ordered. Small and Large. How simple is that? So what are the actual sizes?
1) Small constitutes a basic 8"x10" (plus or minus) image printed on a standard 8 1/2"x11" sheet of heavy, photo-quality paper. Signed, numbered, and dated.
2) Large constitutes a basic 10"x16" (plus or minus) image printed on a standard 11"x17" sheet of heavy, photo-quality paper. Signed, numbered, and dated.
All prints are matt or glossy (your choice) rolled in cardboard tubes and accompanied by certificates of authenticity that are also signed and numbered.
Important note: All COAs (certificates of authenticity) are ascribed to a specific print and cannot be transferred. All certificates are also POD, meaning they are specifically printed for a particular image. This is a cool feature whereby each certificate references the exact print for which it was issued. Matching prints and COAs, via numbers and signatures, is relatively rare in the art world and further ensures that your purchase is the genuine article. It also enhances resale value for when these prints become priceless treasures worth their weight in gold. Then again they don't weigh very much. Maybe that's not the best comparison. Anyway, you know what I mean. Thanks.
On the next page (Samples of Finished Prints) are examples of both finalized prints and the two kinds of certificates available. Click here to see them now.
Yet to be determined is the printing technique itself which will be utilized. Since all prints are POD (print-on-demand) the choices are either via a laser or inkjet (giclee) process, both of which have their advantages and disadvantages. My method of choice is inkjet and until further notice, it will be the one process employed for producing all prints. Price may be a determining factor because I want maximum quality for the lowest possible cost, which I will pass on to my customers. As for initial starting figures, small prints will likely be in the $5.00 range with large pieces about double, or $10.00. Shipping will add another couple of bucks. No handling fees; I'm tired of paying for handling, whatever that is, and probably you are too. So about $7.00 for the one, $12.00 for the other. Which includes matching certificates as well. That's either really cheap or starts to add up fast in the case of buying more than one print. And like potato chips (who can eat just one?) who could possibly be satisfied with ordering and owning just one print?
At least at first, it's my intention to sell excellent quality prints at these ridiculously cheap prices. Especially for signed and numbered collectibles. I do this because, while it's true that not everyone is in the market for dragon prints or other fanciful fare, most folks are almost always looking for a bargain, particularly if it's likely to be temporary. My prints are ideal as gifts for the young (and old) at heart. They're great for peeps who collect animals but don't have the dragon hybrid version of their favorite.
Sure, maybe you've got several pieces of your fave rhinoceroses, but do you have a dragonoceros? Here's your chance to complete your collection!
The prints are also nice as complementary adjuncts for fans of the DRAGONIA trilogy (or the DRAGONS AMONG US series) as keepsakes and mementos. Lastly, for the true collector, this is a golden opportunity to acquire a large number of prints, even complete sets of all the characters while they last -- especially at prices further reduced when "bundles" are involved. While a full set (small) of nearly seventy separate (and certificated) images might run around $250.00 or so, I'm also willing to sell specially selected "suites" of three or more characters, chosen either by me or by you, and priced accordingly. When bought in numbers of three or more, the price for an individual small print would be around $4.00 each, plus postage. I don't charge no stinkin' handling fees. A suite of twelve would further lower the price to $3.50 each. Anyway, this is all still preliminary, but does represent the basic ideas involved.
Still to come is the actual shopping cart itself, which will then formalize the process that is only generally touched upon via this introductory information. Once implemented, the buying of my art prints (or other items) should be a fairly simplified procedure with which most people (who have shopped online) are already familiar. By the end of the year, every artwork that boasts a serial identification should be obtainable at the click(s) of a mouse. Or a keyboard stroke if you prefer. The purchase of any of my wares will likely be so simple a process that virtually no excuse will suffice for one not doing so. Unless the reason is because you don't want to. Which is a pretty sneaky way, I think, to avoid plunking down a modest bank roll on a bunch of my art prints.
That said, come one, come all; this is the DRAGONOPOLIS Emporium and Mall. (note how I changed the word order so it would rhyme)
Post Script: Since the decision was recently made not to include a shopping cart at this time, all sales and marketing information is for hypothetical future use only. No prints or other merchandise are currently available except by special arrangement with the artist (me). Please drop me a quick note for additional details. Thanks.
All images are POD (printed-on-demand) on quality photo stock and suitable for framing. I supervise and approve the production of every order, then hand sign each of them. All prints are open editions. The number that accompanies each print reflects approximately how many of that particular image have been printed as of the current date. Except in rare circumstances, this number will indicate quantities much smaller than most limited editions. Please note that all prints contain individual catalog letters and numbers and each is indelibly identified as the exclusive product of the DRAGONOPOLIS website. All prices currently reflect zero demand as of December, 2013. If or when this changes, pricing will be affected accordingly and may increase without prior notification. I threw that last part in because it makes everything sound official (or like it matters).
Please note that while all editions are essentially open, no individual piece will ever exceed one-hundred in number. Upon sale of the one-hundredth print of a particular image, that edition will become closed. Promise. I might be a lot of things, but a slimy prevaricator I'm not. Seriously. No, really.
As you browse among the images on display, I want people to know they're not strictly intended as simple purchase items sitting on a virtual store shelf hoping some buyer will come along and order one -- or a bundle. That's never been the primary purpose for any of the artworks found on this website. Second, third, fourth and fifth purpose maybe, but never the first. Many of the images are more similar to written works than they are pieces of art. They each tell a story of how an artist (me) attempted -- and often struggled -- to complement words with art -- and vice versa. In some cases only a slight or subtle difference exists between one picture and the next, and many are presented here more as a historical document than as a sale item. Although I've captioned all of the editions with their own reference letters and numbers, and whether bunches of prints sell or none do, the point was always to amuse and entertain and only afterwards to sell something -- should anyone be interested. At least that's my official position on the matter. Unofficially, however . . . .
As is the same for all images in all departments, the letters and numbers printed directly beneath a given picture mean the following:
1) That the artwork is probably for sale. Whoopee-doo!
2) The letter and number combination identifies a specific image for cataloging and accounting purposes. A pencil and one sheet of paper should be enough.
3) The last number(s) separated by a dash represents the total number of (authorized) prints produced and in circulation. Is zero a number?
In the following example, D1 stands for Del-One, and -001 stands for Del-One with one print sold.
The final serial identification looks like this: D1-001.
Available Print Sizes:
As of January, 2014, two sizes of prints can be ordered. Small and Large. How simple is that? So what are the actual sizes?
1) Small constitutes a basic 8"x10" (plus or minus) image printed on a standard 8 1/2"x11" sheet of heavy, photo-quality paper. Signed, numbered, and dated.
2) Large constitutes a basic 10"x16" (plus or minus) image printed on a standard 11"x17" sheet of heavy, photo-quality paper. Signed, numbered, and dated.
All prints are matt or glossy (your choice) rolled in cardboard tubes and accompanied by certificates of authenticity that are also signed and numbered.
Important note: All COAs (certificates of authenticity) are ascribed to a specific print and cannot be transferred. All certificates are also POD, meaning they are specifically printed for a particular image. This is a cool feature whereby each certificate references the exact print for which it was issued. Matching prints and COAs, via numbers and signatures, is relatively rare in the art world and further ensures that your purchase is the genuine article. It also enhances resale value for when these prints become priceless treasures worth their weight in gold. Then again they don't weigh very much. Maybe that's not the best comparison. Anyway, you know what I mean. Thanks.
On the next page (Samples of Finished Prints) are examples of both finalized prints and the two kinds of certificates available. Click here to see them now.
Yet to be determined is the printing technique itself which will be utilized. Since all prints are POD (print-on-demand) the choices are either via a laser or inkjet (giclee) process, both of which have their advantages and disadvantages. My method of choice is inkjet and until further notice, it will be the one process employed for producing all prints. Price may be a determining factor because I want maximum quality for the lowest possible cost, which I will pass on to my customers. As for initial starting figures, small prints will likely be in the $5.00 range with large pieces about double, or $10.00. Shipping will add another couple of bucks. No handling fees; I'm tired of paying for handling, whatever that is, and probably you are too. So about $7.00 for the one, $12.00 for the other. Which includes matching certificates as well. That's either really cheap or starts to add up fast in the case of buying more than one print. And like potato chips (who can eat just one?) who could possibly be satisfied with ordering and owning just one print?
At least at first, it's my intention to sell excellent quality prints at these ridiculously cheap prices. Especially for signed and numbered collectibles. I do this because, while it's true that not everyone is in the market for dragon prints or other fanciful fare, most folks are almost always looking for a bargain, particularly if it's likely to be temporary. My prints are ideal as gifts for the young (and old) at heart. They're great for peeps who collect animals but don't have the dragon hybrid version of their favorite.
Sure, maybe you've got several pieces of your fave rhinoceroses, but do you have a dragonoceros? Here's your chance to complete your collection!
The prints are also nice as complementary adjuncts for fans of the DRAGONIA trilogy (or the DRAGONS AMONG US series) as keepsakes and mementos. Lastly, for the true collector, this is a golden opportunity to acquire a large number of prints, even complete sets of all the characters while they last -- especially at prices further reduced when "bundles" are involved. While a full set (small) of nearly seventy separate (and certificated) images might run around $250.00 or so, I'm also willing to sell specially selected "suites" of three or more characters, chosen either by me or by you, and priced accordingly. When bought in numbers of three or more, the price for an individual small print would be around $4.00 each, plus postage. I don't charge no stinkin' handling fees. A suite of twelve would further lower the price to $3.50 each. Anyway, this is all still preliminary, but does represent the basic ideas involved.
Still to come is the actual shopping cart itself, which will then formalize the process that is only generally touched upon via this introductory information. Once implemented, the buying of my art prints (or other items) should be a fairly simplified procedure with which most people (who have shopped online) are already familiar. By the end of the year, every artwork that boasts a serial identification should be obtainable at the click(s) of a mouse. Or a keyboard stroke if you prefer. The purchase of any of my wares will likely be so simple a process that virtually no excuse will suffice for one not doing so. Unless the reason is because you don't want to. Which is a pretty sneaky way, I think, to avoid plunking down a modest bank roll on a bunch of my art prints.
That said, come one, come all; this is the DRAGONOPOLIS Emporium and Mall. (note how I changed the word order so it would rhyme)
Post Script: Since the decision was recently made not to include a shopping cart at this time, all sales and marketing information is for hypothetical future use only. No prints or other merchandise are currently available except by special arrangement with the artist (me). Please drop me a quick note for additional details. Thanks.
Buy priceless artworks with loose change from your piggy bank.
You're currently on page one of the
Buying Guide listed under Directory:
Click on the link below (page two) to inspect
examples of how finished prints will appear, including
COAs (certificates of authenticity) that accompany all of them.
