How to Set Up a Pre-Order System for Canvas Art Prints

 How to Set Up a Pre-Order System for Canvas Art Prints

Setting up a pre-order system for your canvas art prints could be an excellent strategy to gauge interest, manage production, and build some anticipation around your art. In fact, by allowing orders for your art prints prior to their actual release, you can secure funding and optimize operations. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to set up a great pre-order system for your canvas art prints in no time.

1. Determine Your Goals

Before you go about the process of setting up the technical foundation of the pre-order system, define what you are trying to achieve. Are you testing demand, raising funds, or generating buzz? All these will be determined by your goals and consequently inform setup decisions, as well as those over pricing, marketing, and fulfillment.

 2. Select a Platform

Pick a site that supports pre-orders. If you're building or already running an e-commerce site, check to see if the site natively supports pre-orders. Many of the big e-commerce platforms, like Shopify, WooCommerce, and BigCommerce, have their own plugins or options to enable pre-ordering. If those don't work, you can choose one of the original campaign sites like Kickstarter or Indiegogo for pre-orders.

 3. Product Listings That Create Desire

Make sure that your product listing grabs attention. Make sure you add on good images of your canvas art prints, detailed descriptions, and all the special features or benefits. Customers pay money to buy a thing before seeing the final product, so make clear expectations as transparently as possible. You will also want to provide a clear estimate date for delivery as well as the possibility for delays to happen.

 4. Payment Settings

A secure payment gateway should be implemented for this transaction. Your system must accommodate pre-authorisations or deposits, as some platforms would require the full payment before shipping, while the other would allow partial payments. By allowing customers to choose flexible options with regards to their method of payment, it may boost the odds of them committing to pre-orders.

 5. Set production and shipping deadlines

The timelines regarding production and shipment should be realistic. You and your printer or manufacturer should agree on realistic times for production, and then make contingency plans for possible delays. Ensure the timelines are conveyed to the customers accurately. A buffer period will help you control unexpected issues and maintain customer trust.

 6. Market Your Pre-Order Campaign

As part of a savvy marketing effort, utilize social media, email newsletters, and your website in building up your buzz. Offer the customer special access to preorder the book, early-bird discounts, or incentive items for being one of the first to commit. Engage partners-influencers or art bloggers-to cast out to a larger audience.

 7. Customer Communication Management

Keep in constant contact and communicate with pre-order customers. Be available for updates on the production status, shipping status, and changes of timelines. In time, address complaints. More positive experiences equal happy and loyal customers for the long haul.

 8. Prepare for Fulfillment

Preorder logistics. Prepare your inventory, packing materials, and shipping in advance. Efficient handling and shipping with a timely manner will really make a great impression and avoid frustrations to the customers.

9. Analysis and Adjustment


After the pre-order, review all campaign results. Analyze your sales data, customer feedback, and problems that you encountered. This may give you very valuable information on how to perfect your campaign for the next attempt and enhance your business strategy.

Setting up a pre-order system in canvas art prints is pretty rewarding both financially and strategically. If done carefully, step by step, the whole process proves to be well set up and followed through by launching the art, managing the production process, and finding a suitable audience for an easy run-through into further success.

Blog: How to Set Up a Pre-Order System for Canvas Art Prints