Illustrator as Author
In this project you will consider the potential of the illustrator as author. You will explore the practicalities of this pathway and you will demonstrate examples of your own work within these contexts.
In this short project you will create a collection of work for direct sale whilst considering a number of industry factors.
1. Research the world of 'illustrator as author' or illustrators who sell 'personal' work online. What sort of work are they selling? What formats are they selling the work in? Is the process as simple as making some images and slapping them on 'stuff' or is it more considered?
2.Explore ideas for a subject that satisfies both your own personality and which may realistically find a home amongst an existing community.
3. Develop a collection of illustrator authored work, part of your development is to focus on the outcome, not just the illustrations. e.g. my initial plan might be to produce a hardback book - thus I will have to consider page size and type content. In other words, in this example illustrations are only a part of what I'm doing, I'm also designing a book and all its content.
4. Your outcomes should be presented in such a way as to make your intentions clear and believable.
Examples of Illustrators as Authors
As a starting point for this project, I looked to who I was following on Instagram, with a majority of the artists I follow having their own stores/tables at conventions. Looking at the different artists, they all had their individual style of art, and of creating their own work. Bigger artists like TeaFoxIllustrations are able to sell a majority of their own work, while smaller artists rely on a mix of fanart and original art.
In this project you will consider the potential of the illustrator as author. You will explore the practicalities of this pathway and you will demonstrate examples of your own work within these contexts.
In this short project you will create a collection of work for direct sale whilst considering a number of industry factors.
1. Research the world of 'illustrator as author' or illustrators who sell 'personal' work online. What sort of work are they selling? What formats are they selling the work in? Is the process as simple as making some images and slapping them on 'stuff' or is it more considered?
2.Explore ideas for a subject that satisfies both your own personality and which may realistically find a home amongst an existing community.
3. Develop a collection of illustrator authored work, part of your development is to focus on the outcome, not just the illustrations. e.g. my initial plan might be to produce a hardback book - thus I will have to consider page size and type content. In other words, in this example illustrations are only a part of what I'm doing, I'm also designing a book and all its content.
4. Your outcomes should be presented in such a way as to make your intentions clear and believable.
Examples of Illustrators as Authors
As a starting point for this project, I looked to who I was following on Instagram, with a majority of the artists I follow having their own stores/tables at conventions. Looking at the different artists, they all had their individual style of art, and of creating their own work. Bigger artists like TeaFoxIllustrations are able to sell a majority of their own work, while smaller artists rely on a mix of fanart and original art.
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Of all the artists I follow or have known of over the years, although some have more unique selling points, the majority of them all sell the basics.
This includes:
- Prints
- Stickers
- Acrylic charms
- Pin badges/button badges
Prints and stickers are easy and cheap to produce - with artwork being reused for different pieces. Acrylic charms and badges are more expensive to produce but well loved. The artwork from charms and badges can also be reused to produce stickers giving multiple uses.
More expensive pieces of merch can include shirts, plushes, carpets, figures/models. For the sake of this project I've limited options down to prints, stickers, acrylic charms, and pins/badges.
This includes:
- Prints
- Stickers
- Acrylic charms
- Pin badges/button badges
Prints and stickers are easy and cheap to produce - with artwork being reused for different pieces. Acrylic charms and badges are more expensive to produce but well loved. The artwork from charms and badges can also be reused to produce stickers giving multiple uses.
More expensive pieces of merch can include shirts, plushes, carpets, figures/models. For the sake of this project I've limited options down to prints, stickers, acrylic charms, and pins/badges.
Prints
Looking into different companies, there were a few UK based online print stores I came across. Of the ones that were best rated, and affordable, I narrowed it down to a couple different stores to see how prices compared. Additionally, being able to print more than one design is valuable, as it ensures I wouldn't end up with 100 of one print vs 10 of 10 different prints for the same price.
I also ruled out places that would only give cuts of sales to focus on physically owning the prints to take to sell in the real world as well as send out myself.
Looking into different companies, there were a few UK based online print stores I came across. Of the ones that were best rated, and affordable, I narrowed it down to a couple different stores to see how prices compared. Additionally, being able to print more than one design is valuable, as it ensures I wouldn't end up with 100 of one print vs 10 of 10 different prints for the same price.
I also ruled out places that would only give cuts of sales to focus on physically owning the prints to take to sell in the real world as well as send out myself.
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Print-work
Print.work offer a wide range of different type of printing. From prints to stickers to zines and calendars. 
For 20 prints, of one design, the total was ~£20
20 prints, of two designs, the total was ~£20 |
Looking at their different art prints, they offer four different types of paper for the type of prints I am looking to make - the other types of paper catering to more fine art prints (and are far more expensive!)
Being fortunate enough to look at the various samples, it became clear that the Unicorn White was the closest match to what I imagine for my work. And, there were options to split print sizes into various designs. 
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Mixam
Mixam is another UK based print store that also offer a wide range of different printed pieces.
Inputting the same style of prints into Mixam, they do work out cheaper - however, you are unable to print different designs. Instead the way around it would be to print a larger number of one design then another number of the second design.
20 prints of one design ~£13
20 prints of two designs ~£24
Mixam's print price for A5 prints is the same for 20 prints or 300 prints. While Mixams price is cheaper, getting a couple of different designs would get expensive quickly.
Mixam is another UK based print store that also offer a wide range of different printed pieces.
Inputting the same style of prints into Mixam, they do work out cheaper - however, you are unable to print different designs. Instead the way around it would be to print a larger number of one design then another number of the second design.
20 prints of one design ~£13
20 prints of two designs ~£24
Mixam's print price for A5 prints is the same for 20 prints or 300 prints. While Mixams price is cheaper, getting a couple of different designs would get expensive quickly.
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Print.Work
A5 Prints - White, uncoated, 250mg (not including delivery) 20 prints of the same artwork: ~£20 20 prints of two different artwork: ~£20 40 prints of two different artwork: ~£24 300 prints of the same artwork: £70 300 prints of ten different artwork: £116 - Cheaper for smaller amount of prints - Better option for smaller artists not wanting too much stock - Able to print different designs for the same price - More expensive for mass printing |
Mixam
A5 Prints - White, uncoated, 250mg (not including delivery) 20 prints of the same artwork: ~£13 20 prints of two different artwork: ~£24 40 Prints of two different artwork: ~£48 300 prints of the same artwork: £13 300 prints of various artwork: N/A - Cheaper for larger amount of prints - Better option for mass producing prints - More expensive for smaller amount of prints - Unable to print different designs for the same price |
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Stickers
Stickers are something else that can be printed fairly cheaply and are part of every artist store. They're cheap to produce, and easy to use. There are different ways of producing stickers, and when having a look around narrowed it down to three stores and an alternate route of making them yourself. 
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Print.work
Print.work also offer producing stickers, similarly to the prints you are able to have multiple designs printed for the same price. They offer a wide range of different sizes and options, but will be looking at die cut stickers at the smallest size (7cm x 7xm) for comparison.
Print.work also offer producing stickers, similarly to the prints you are able to have multiple designs printed for the same price. They offer a wide range of different sizes and options, but will be looking at die cut stickers at the smallest size (7cm x 7xm) for comparison.
Zap!Creatives
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Zap!Creatives is a UK based manufacturer who specialise in catering to small creatives. They offer a wide range of services from acrylic charms, to stickers to pins.
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Looking on their website Zap! allows you to chose the various sizes, number and sticker material.
- Unlike Print.Work their closest size to a 7cm x 7cm sticker is 8cm x 8cm.
- They also do not sell stickers in specific number.
- Zap! does have a service where you can get your artwork formatted for free instead of doing the process yourself unlike Print.Work.
- Unlike Print.Work their closest size to a 7cm x 7cm sticker is 8cm x 8cm.
- They also do not sell stickers in specific number.
- Zap! does have a service where you can get your artwork formatted for free instead of doing the process yourself unlike Print.Work.
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StickerPrint.UK
StickerPrint.UK is a small business that specialises in printing stickers, banners, business cards and clothing. Their stickers can be bought on sheets or die cut, however die cut always come on sheets. |
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On their website you are able to choose the quantity of stickers, as well as the amount of designs and custom sizing. You email the designs off to the company and receive proofs within 24 hours.
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Print.Work
Die cut stickers, 7cm x 7cm : 20 of the same design: ~£22 20 made up of two designs: ~£22 50 of one design: ~£33 50 of two designs: ~£33 100 of one design: ~£42 100 made up of two designs: ~£42 100 made up of ten designs: ~£72 - Able to chose a smaller number of stickers - Able to have multiple designs - No choice over paper material - Have to set up the artwork yourself - learn formatting |
Zap!Creatives
Die cut stickers, 8cm x 8cm : 20 of the same design: N/A 20 made up of two designs: N/A 50 of two designs: ~£21 50 of two designs: ~£26 100 of one design: ~£38 100 made up of two designs: ~£42 100 made up of ten designs: ~£76 - Able to have multiple designs - Able to chose the paper material - Wide range of size options - FREE formatting of artwork - Smaller choice of sticker numbers |
StickerPrint.UK
Die cut stickers, 8cm x 8cm : 20 of the same design: ~£12 20 made up of two designs: ~£14 50 of two designs: ~£24 50 of two designs: ~£26 100 of one design: ~£44 100 made up of two designs: ~£46 100 made up of ten designs: ~£62 - Cheapest of all the options - Able to choose finish on paper material - Wide range of size options - FREE proofs within 24 hours - Die cut stickers on sheets; would have to cut yourself |
Acrylic Charms
Acrylic charms are one of the more expensive things to produce. They come in a wide range of different styles - single sided, double sided, 3D, shakers etc. They're popular at conventions and easy to collect and display. For certain pieces of media there is a whole culture behind the collecting and displaying of pins, charms and badges - official and fan made.
Acrylic charms are one of the more expensive things to produce. They come in a wide range of different styles - single sided, double sided, 3D, shakers etc. They're popular at conventions and easy to collect and display. For certain pieces of media there is a whole culture behind the collecting and displaying of pins, charms and badges - official and fan made.
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Sticker Mule - UK
Sticker Mule also produce acrylic charms as well as stickers, however the materials are very limited as well as quantities.
Sticker Mule also produce acrylic charms as well as stickers, however the materials are very limited as well as quantities.
Zap!Creatives - UK
Zap! also produces acrylic charms, but, similarly to their stickers, the choice for different sizes and quantities is very limited.
Zap! also produces acrylic charms, but, similarly to their stickers, the choice for different sizes and quantities is very limited.
VOGRACE - US
Vograce is a US website that ships to the UK. They specialise in all different types of acrylic charms. Although this is not a UK based website, if taking into account the shipping time and shipping prices, it may work out cheaper to produce charms this way. Vograce works out cheaper in the long run by almost 50% - but would have to plan ahead given delays in shipping.
Vograce also offer enamel pins so I will be looking at their process for them as well.
Vograce is a US website that ships to the UK. They specialise in all different types of acrylic charms. Although this is not a UK based website, if taking into account the shipping time and shipping prices, it may work out cheaper to produce charms this way. Vograce works out cheaper in the long run by almost 50% - but would have to plan ahead given delays in shipping.
Vograce also offer enamel pins so I will be looking at their process for them as well.
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Sticker Mule - UK
5 cm x 5 cm 10 single sided acrylic charms: ~£19 20 single sided acrylic charms: ~£31 25 double sided acrylic charms: N/A 10 double sided acrylic charms: N/A 20 double sided acrylic charms: N/A 25 double sided acrylic charms: N/A - Cheaper smaller qualities - UK Based - FREE proofs - No choice on materials - No choice on styles |
Zap!Creatives - UK
5 cm x 5 cm 10 single sided acrylic charms: N/A 20 single sided acrylic charms: N/A 25 single sided acrylic charms: ~£67 10 double sided acrylic charms: N/A 20 double sided acrylic charms: N/A 25 double sided acrylic charms: £73 - Able to select style - UK based - FREE proofs - Can split designs - Not able to select smaller quantities - Not inc VAT |
VOGRACE - US
5 cm x 5 cm 10 single sided acrylic charms: ~£23 20 single sided acrylic charms: ~£47 25 double sided acrylic charms: £58 10 double sided acrylic charms: ~£23 20 double sided acrylic charms:~£47 25 double sided acrylic charms: £58 - Can purchase as little as 3 - Wide range of styles - FREE proofs - Various sales - Not UK based - SHIPPING + £9 at least - Wait time 2 weeks+ |
Best outcomes
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Prints
Print.Work
A5 Prints - White, uncoated, 250mg (not including delivery) 20 prints of the same artwork: ~£20 20 prints of two different artwork: ~£20 40 prints of two different artwork: ~£24 300 prints of the same artwork: £70 300 prints of ten different artwork: £116 - Cheaper for smaller amount of prints - Better option for smaller artists not wanting too much stock - Able to print different designs for the same price - More expensive for mass printing |
Stickers
StickerPrint.UK Die cut stickers, 8cm x 8cm : 20 of the same design: ~£12 20 made up of two designs: ~£14 50 of two designs: ~£24 50 of two designs: ~£26 100 of one design: ~£44 100 made up of two designs: ~£46 100 made up of ten designs: ~£62 - Cheapest of all the options - Able to choose finish on paper material - Wide range of size options - FREE proofs within 24 hours - Die cut stickers on sheets; would have to cut yourself |
Acrylic Charms
VOGRACE - US 5 cm x 5 cm 10 single sided acrylic charms: ~£23 20 single sided acrylic charms: ~£47 25 double sided acrylic charms: £58 10 double sided acrylic charms: ~£23 20 double sided acrylic charms:~£47 25 double sided acrylic charms: £58 - Can purchase as little as 3 - Wide range of styles - FREE proofs - Various sales - Not UK based - SHIPPING + £9 at least - Wait time 2 weeks+ |
Covering numerous bases
For a lot of the illustrators I looked at, very few chose one thing/piece of media to focus on. This is a wise move as it allows various audiences to be interested in the illustrators work instead of pandering to one specific audience.
Some use the same basic central idea to create cohesion through their artwork while others cover different media in their own style. Given the time scale I decided to with the former as a starting point.
For a lot of the illustrators I looked at, very few chose one thing/piece of media to focus on. This is a wise move as it allows various audiences to be interested in the illustrators work instead of pandering to one specific audience.
Some use the same basic central idea to create cohesion through their artwork while others cover different media in their own style. Given the time scale I decided to with the former as a starting point.
Idea Generation
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Only having two weeks for this project, we were told to chose a topic quickly and of things that overlap different areas if we could. I decided to do this project on iconic female character from Japanese media - all recognised by their twin tail hair styles. For the project I intend to make 3 x stickers, 3 x charms and 3 x pins - of the same design but in their different formats, as well as an individual prints |
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Vector Layers
If I were to produce enamel pins, I'd have to learn how to use Vector Layers. I followed a tutorial to help with the process of turning my sketch into vector lines, and can be found here. These lines would remain the same scale and size when scaled down, making it easier for production.
If I were to produce enamel pins, I'd have to learn how to use Vector Layers. I followed a tutorial to help with the process of turning my sketch into vector lines, and can be found here. These lines would remain the same scale and size when scaled down, making it easier for production.
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Designs
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Stickers
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Stickers can be produced in all shapes and sizes and are fairly cheap to make. Die cut shaped stickers are a popular choice.
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Borders can be coloured, white or clear.
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Sticker sheets are another popular choice when covering things of the same topic/group. Appeal to a particular group
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When looking into the different types of materials, I liked the look of the usual white bordered stickers, as well as the holographic type. The holographic stickers apply a rainbow overlay that shifts with the light to the image.
A border would have to be considered to ensure the design isn't cut off in places. I also made a mock up of the designs using the coloured outline, but when compared to the other two outcomes felt it was the weaker of the three.
A border would have to be considered to ensure the design isn't cut off in places. I also made a mock up of the designs using the coloured outline, but when compared to the other two outcomes felt it was the weaker of the three.
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Acrylic Charms
File Requirements
We accept: PSD, PNG, PDF, and AI files.
We request CMYK color. (Japan Color 2001 Coated CMYK is the default one)
For best results 300dpi - 1000x1000 resolution minimum is advised.
We highly prefer PNGs with transparent backgrounds or PSD formatted files.
File Requirements
We accept: PSD, PNG, PDF, and AI files.
We request CMYK color. (Japan Color 2001 Coated CMYK is the default one)
For best results 300dpi - 1000x1000 resolution minimum is advised.
We highly prefer PNGs with transparent backgrounds or PSD formatted files.
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Acrylic charms are light weight key chains that encase artwork in-between two pieces of acrylic to keep them secure and waterproof. Similarly to the stickers, there were points that I needed to follow to ensure the designs would work at a small scale. A border of 2mm was required, as well as a hole for the keychain to be threaded through. I tested out two variants of the design, one with the coloured background and one without. When at a smaller scale, I preferred the design without the outline, especially when considering the area surrounding the design would be transparent. |
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Enamel Pins
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File Requirements
We accept: PSD, PNG, PDF, and AI files. We request CMYK color. (Japan Color 2001 Coated CMYK is the default one) For best results 300dpi - 1000x1000 resolution minimum is advised. We highly prefer PNGs with transparent backgrounds or PSD formatted files. Enamel pins are one of the more expensive things to make. But when done well they can communicate a lot at a small scale. The colours and shapes are limited to keep production costs down as the larger the scale and the more colours on the pin = the more expensive cost per unit will be. |
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3.8 cm x 3.8 cm box
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Although the designs were made with enamel pins in mind, when lining up the pins, the first cat, the sailor cat, would have ended up being smaller than the other two due to the bow sticking out too much.
After adjusting the bow detail, the three lined up a little better and would be closer in size. I then moved onto setting pantones to my designs to closer match universal colours. |
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I then began to make backing cards that could suit all three designs. For this reason there was no point in putting the characters names on the cards as they would only suit the one design instead of the three. I created a little window for each of the pins to sit in comfortably, and went with the first design keeping things simple as to not take away from the actual pin. |
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Looking back at the backing cards, I was unhappy with how they turned out and decided to rework the name and design of the purple as I thought it looked too empty.
I kept the idea simple, and added a pattern to the background made up of simple shapes to draw the eye into the pin as opposed to away.
I kept the idea simple, and added a pattern to the background made up of simple shapes to draw the eye into the pin as opposed to away.
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Experimental Prints
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I decided to try a completely different process for the prints I made and learned a lot in the process. Instead of working on multiple layers I limited myself to a handful, and instead tried building up the layers to try and sculpt something out of it instead of using lines.
I could have taken this further but didn't want to overwork it. With the time scale, I ended up putting more work into the pins and other pieces. Focusing more on the cat element, I jotted down another possible idea for a print. With that said, I learnt a lot from this process, and enjoyed it more than using lines. |
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Finals
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After Feedback
Following my feedback session, it was suggested that I make another print that was more similar to the pins. This would look more coherent and set up an identifiable brand. Contrasting the pins, I decided to not use vector layers to make this print as I wanted to keep the rounder and softer feel of the sketches. I started by a sketching thumbnail out digitally to get the basic idea of how I wanted the cats to interact, then drew out rough cat shapes traditionally to scan in. I decided to keep the colours of the cats to orange, black and blue as too many colours made the designs more difficult to read and looked to messy when I was putting colours down. |
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Over all I was happy with the addition of this little print and the way the cats interacted with one another. It's simple design would benefit from being on a smaller A5 scale, as well as smaller things like notebooks, etc.