What Makes a Great 'First Art Print'? A Simple Buyer's Checklist

Buying your first art print is exciting—and a little nerve-wracking. You want to get it right. You want something you'll love, that fits your space, and that represents good value. Here's a simple checklist to guide your first purchase.

The First Print Checklist

Space Requirements ✅

Measure your space:

• [ ] Wall width measured
• [ ] Height available noted
• [ ] Furniture width (if above furniture) measured
• [ ] Art size calculated (60-75% of furniture width)
• [ ] Placement location decided

Result: Know exactly what size you need.

Style Match ✅

Assess your room:

• [ ] Room style identified (modern, traditional, etc.)
• [ ] Color palette noted
• [ ] Existing decor considered
• [ ] Art style chosen (matches room)
• [ ] Frame style decided (if needed)

Result: Art that fits your space aesthetically.

Feeling and Mood ✅

Decide desired atmosphere:

• [ ] Feeling identified (calm, energizing, etc.)
• [ ] Subject chosen (matches feeling)
• [ ] Color approach decided (match, complement, neutral)
• [ ] Mood confirmed (works for room's purpose)
• [ ] Personal preference clear

Result: Art that creates the atmosphere you want.

Quality Indicators ✅

Check for quality:

• [ ] Archival materials mentioned
• [ ] Professional printing specified
• [ ] High resolution (300+ DPI)
• [ ] Good presentation (well-finished)
• [ ] Durable materials (will last)

Result: Quality art that will last.

Budget Alignment ✅

Set and check budget:

• [ ] Budget set (comfortable amount)
• [ ] Price within budget
• [ ] Value assessment (worth the price?)
• [ ] Payment method confirmed
• [ ] No financial stress

Result: Purchase you can afford comfortably.

Personal Connection ✅

Trust your instincts:

• [ ] You're drawn to it (positive reaction)
• [ ] You can visualize it in your space
• [ ] You'd enjoy seeing it daily
• [ ] It reflects your taste
• [ ] You're excited about it

Result: Art you'll love living with.

Detailed Checklist Items

Space Requirements (Detailed)

Measurements:

• [ ] Wall width: _____ inches
• [ ] Height available: _____ inches
• [ ] Furniture width (if applicable): _____ inches
• [ ] Calculated art width: _____ inches (60-75% of furniture)
• [ ] Viewing distance considered

Placement:

• [ ] Location chosen (room, wall, above what?)
• [ ] Height decided (eye level, above furniture)
• [ ] Spacing planned (from edges, from furniture)
• [ ] Lighting considered (natural, artificial)

Style Match (Detailed)

Room assessment:

• [ ] Style: Modern / Traditional / Eclectic / Minimalist
• [ ] Colors: Primary _____ Secondary _____ Accent _____
• [ ] Furniture style: _____
• [ ] Overall mood: _____

Art matching:

• [ ] Art style matches room: Yes / No
• [ ] Colors work with room: Match / Complement / Neutral
• [ ] Frame style chosen: _____
• [ ] Presentation matches: Yes / No

Feeling and Mood (Detailed)

Desired atmosphere:

• [ ] Feeling: Calm / Energizing / Sophisticated / Inspiring
• [ ] Subject type: Water / Mountains / Desert / Forest / Horizon
• [ ] Color approach: Match room / Complement / Neutral
• [ ] Intensity: Soft / Medium / Bold
• [ ] Personal preference: Clear / Uncertain

Quality Indicators (Detailed)

Materials:

• [ ] Paper: Archival / Acid-free / Museum-grade
• [ ] Inks: Pigment-based / Fade-resistant / Archival
• [ ] Substrate: Paper / Metal / Canvas / Other
• [ ] Printing: Professional / High-resolution (300+ DPI)
• [ ] Finish: Protective / UV-resistant

Presentation:

• [ ] Framing: Included / Needed / Not needed
• [ ] Finish quality: Professional / Well-done
• [ ] Packaging: Protective / Professional
• [ ] Ready to display: Yes / Needs work

Budget Alignment (Detailed)

Financial planning:

• [ ] Budget set: $_____
• [ ] Art price: $_____
• [ ] Framing cost (if needed): $_____
• [ ] Shipping cost: $_____
• [ ] Total cost: $_____
• [ ] Within budget: Yes / No
• [ ] Comfortable with cost: Yes / No

Value assessment:

• [ ] Quality matches price: Yes / No
• [ ] Worth the amount: Yes / No
• [ ] Good value: Yes / No

Personal Connection (Detailed)

Gut check:

• [ ] First reaction: Positive / Neutral / Negative
• [ ] Want to look longer: Yes / No
• [ ] Makes you feel something: Yes / No
• [ ] Can visualize in space: Yes / No
• [ ] Excited about it: Yes / No

Long-term:

• [ ] Would enjoy seeing daily: Yes / No
• [ ] Reflects your taste: Yes / No
• [ ] Personal meaning: Yes / No
• [ ] Confident choice: Yes / No

Quick Decision Guide

If All Items Checked ✅

You're ready to buy:

• Space requirements met
• Style matches
• Feeling right
• Quality good
• Budget works
• Personal connection strong

Action: Purchase with confidence.

If Some Items Unchecked ⚠️

Review and adjust:

• Identify what's missing
• Address concerns
• Adjust criteria if needed
• Re-evaluate options
• Don't rush

Action: Fix issues before buying.

If Many Items Unchecked ❌

Not the right piece:

• Keep looking
• Refine your criteria
• Consider different options
• Don't force it
• Trust the process

Action: Continue searching.

Common First-Print Scenarios

Scenario 1: "I Found Something I Love"

Checklist focus:

• ✅ Personal connection (strong)
• ⚠️ Verify: Space, quality, budget
• ✅ If all check: Buy it

Scenario 2: "I'm Not Sure About Anything"

Checklist focus:

• Start with space requirements
• Then style and feeling
• Then look for options
• Use checklist to evaluate

Scenario 3: "I Like Several Options"

Checklist focus:

• Use checklist on each option
• Compare results
• Choose highest-scoring
• Or choose strongest personal connection

The Bottom Line

A great first art print:

• ✅ Fits your space (right size, right placement)
• ✅ Matches your style (works with room)
• ✅ Creates desired feeling (right mood)
• ✅ Shows quality (good materials, professional)
• ✅ Fits your budget (affordable, good value)
• ✅ Creates personal connection (you love it)

Use the checklist:

• Before you buy
• To evaluate options
• To compare choices
• To build confidence
• To ensure you're ready

Remember: Your first print doesn't have to be perfect. It just needs to meet your criteria and make you happy. Use the checklist to guide you, but trust your instincts. If it checks the boxes and you love it, it's the right choice.

Your first print, your checklist, your confidence.