How PapillonValuePrints got started
Introduce your Etsy shop and tell us your story. How did you begin and decide on what to sell on Etsy, and how do you create your products?
"Art has been my passion for as long as I can remember. This passion has led to an extensive collection containing a wide variety of artists and styles. As my collection has become way too big to cover my walls, it is time to share a piece so it can be displayed as it was meant to be.
" This is how I introduced Papillon Value Prints six years ago when I started selling on Etsy, and to this day, this introduction still forms the foundation of my shop. I am Sam, founder and owner of Papillon Value Prints, located in Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Favorite items
What are your favorite items? What makes these so special? Why do you think these items might be selling well?
I have too many favorites to show here, but I will highlight a few to give an idea of what I am offering right now.
Superb original lithograph poster from Alexander Calder (1998–1976, USA), published in 1975, still in fabulous condition. The brightness of the colors Calder chose is still the same as when it was published 48 years ago.
Three great signed screen prints were published by the renowned Pandermo in Basel, Switzerland.
This hand-signed silkscreen from Ronnie Jakamarra Lawson (1928–2012, Australia) is a wonderful example of authentic Aboriginal art that has been an inspiration for many modern artists such as Pablo Picasso, Keith Haring, and many others.
Original hand-signed lithograph from Alexander Baerwald (1877–1930, Germany/Israel), which was part of a sketchbook diary he kept on his journey through Italy in the 1920s. The piece shows the sharp eye and excellent drawing capacities of Baerwald, and it brings you back a hundred years.
Two impressive signed screen prints from François Morellet (1926–2015, France), published in 1971 by Denise René, Paris. Morellet composed the screen prints in such a way that the colors start to vibrate when you stand in front of the pieces.
Getting sales on Etsy
How long did it take for you to earn your first sale and how do you currently attract customers to your Etsy shop?
When I was publishing my first 50 pieces on Etsy back in April 2016, a notification popped up that I did not recognize yet. It turned out to be alert for my first sale. In the week that followed, I had five more orders, so actually, from day one, art lovers found my shop. Etsy turned out to be the right place to offer my collection. Several times a year, I use Etsy's internal marketing tool to attract more people to my store. In addition, my shop and website are automatically advertised through Google Ads.
Managing PapillonValuePrints
How do you manage your shop? Are you running solo or do you have any team members? What tools or services do you use to run your shop and how do you handle fulfillment?
My shop is fully managed by me. A large portion of my time goes into the presentation. This means an accurate description and, above all, good photographs that reflect the artwork as it is. A potential buyer has to see the beauty, and the artwork has to meet the buyer's expectations once received. Most of my orders are shipped long distances, and I put a lot of time and effort into good and secure packing.
The future of PapillonValuePrints
What goals do you have for your shop in the future?
Find, buy, collect, and sell more good artworks.
Advice for new sellers
What’s your advice for a new seller starting an Etsy shop?
Invest in communication, present the beauty of your products with good photographs and accurate descriptions, and serve the best customer service possible.
PapillonValuePrints
WIDE VARIETY OF VALUABLE AND AFFORDABLE ART
