Fine Art America Review | The Pros and Cons of Affordable Wall Art
What Is Fine Art America, the World's Largest Art Marketplace?
Fine Art America is a POD (Print On Demand) company and online marketplace that sells the work of more than 500,000 artists around the world. Fine Art America provides artists with a comprehensive platform to sell their artwork globally, including printing, framing, packaging, shipping, and marketing support. Fine Art America offers various forms of art including wall art, prints, posters, tapestries and apparel. Have you been looking for a shower curtain with a boat powered by butterfly wings for your newly renovated bathroom? You got it! A rainbow zebra coffee mug? Of course you can, go treat yourself!
If rainbow zebras don’t tickle your fancy, there’s no need to worry – Fine Art America has 10,702,506 coffee mugs, over twelve million shower curtains and close to nineteen million art prints for sale, making it one of the world's largest art marketplaces. Photographers currently offer ten million images for sale, and Fine Art America currently offers another ten million images, showcasing the breadth of their marketplace. Clear your schedule for the next six months, disconnect your phone and get to decorating!! What is the problem with such an amazing selection you ask? The problem is the lack of “fine” in the “art”.
A legendary Japanese maple at the height of its autumn spendor sits on a hillside inside the Japanese garden in Portland, Oregon. Fine Art Limited Edition of 100.
Is Fine Art America A Legitimate Website?
Fine Art America is a legitimate online business, founded in September of 2006, where you can buy artwork of all kinds shipped directly to your door including art prints, shower curtains, coffee mugs, posters, framed & canvas prints. You can most likely purchase anything else you want cheap art printed on including magnets, socks, underwear, puffy stickers and wind chimes. Will you be satisfied with your purchase? Well, let's continue.
What Is Fine Art?
Fine Art has a wide range of definitions and is many things to many people. Art in general is subjective. By definition, according to Oxford's dictionary, fine art is creative art, especially visual art whose products are to be appreciated primarily or solely for their imaginative, aesthetic, or intellectual content. Fine Art is also defined as an activity requiring great skill or accomplishment. Not just anyone can create a butterfly sailboat shower curtain you know! In my opinion, at the very least, I have an expectation that fine art is of a quality greater than mass produced trinkets and cheap photo prints. This is my personal definition of Fine Art America. In fact, Art America would be a far more fitting name.
The last rays of the setting sun transform the striated spire of Iceland’s Kirkjufell into a golden pavilion. A rushing stream of glacial melt flows past the emerald meadows on its way to the sea. Fine Art Limited Edition of 50.
What Is Fine Art Photography?
Photography is one of the youngest art forms, having emerged as late as the 1830s in France. Early photographers used the new medium for a variety of applications from hired portraiture to documenting wars. Those who wanted to utilize photography in a more creative way, however, came up against the established art world who looked down upon the quickness and skill-like qualities of the process. Many photographers were pressured to emulate painting through motion blur, lens filters, and artificial color to convince the art world of their work’s value.
It was not until people like Alfred Stieglitz and Ansel Adams’ f64 group that photography began to come into its own. Advanced compositional and darkroom techniques were developed, building up a unique set of tools and methods which set photography apart as an artform in and of itself.
Through the middle of the 20th century, others like Man Ray, Eliot Porter, and Robert Eggleston pushed the stylistic boundaries of the medium, finally developing it into a full-fledged member of the artistic community.
Today, everyone has access to a camera in their pocket, and finding the line between art photography and everyday snapshots can be difficult. Broadly speaking, we can say that the fine art photographs of people like Adams, Stieglitz, Porter, and others stand apart for three major reasons: conception, composition, and presentation.
There are some places where time melts away and all your troubles vanish and the Hawaiian island of Maui is one of those places. Fine Art Limited Edition of 50.
Do ANY Photographers and Artists Sell on Fine Art America?
This is one of the top questions people ask online and the top answer is provided by Fine Art America themselves, saying that hundreds of thousands of artists and iconic brands from all over the world trust them to fulfill their order and power their sales both online and offline.
The problem with this statement being the answer to the question is that the question itself is being posed by artists who have joined the platform, but aren't selling anything due to the endless sea of artists fighting for position on the platform.
Often times, it's the ease of setup and lack of effort that draws artists to Fine Art America. You can setup an account, upload some photographs and be "selling" your art by lunch....but don't hold your breath. You just swam into a relatively small pond with over 500,000 other fish splashing and thrashing about, fighting for the limited amount of food floating on the surface.
Featured Artists and Iconic Brands on Fine Art America
One of the standout features of Art America is its impressive roster of thousands of independent artists, graphic designers, photographers, and illustrators from across the globe. This online marketplace isn’t just about individual creators—it’s also home to some of the world’s most iconic brands. Whether you’re a fan of fine art, editorial photography, or pop culture, you’ll find a diverse selection to shop from.
Fine Art America partners with legendary names like National Geographic, Major League Baseball, Vogue, GQ, and Sports Illustrated. These collaborations bring a unique edge to the platform, offering everything from magazine covers and editorial photos to exclusive apparel and tech accessories. If you’ve ever wanted to hang a National Geographic cover or a Sports Illustrated classic on your wall, this is the place to do it.
With such a wide array of artists and iconic brands, Art America makes it easy for collectors and casual shoppers alike to discover new favorites and bring a piece of the world’s visual culture into their homes. Whether you’re searching for a one-of-a-kind print from an up-and-coming artist or a piece of history from a major league brand, Fine Art America’s online marketplace has you covered.
Can You Make Money Selling On Fine Art America?
Again, the answer to this question online is answered by Fine Art America itself controlling the narrative and claiming that their top artists earn ten thousand dollars a month on the platform. I don't know about you but if I was earning ten thousand dollars a month through a 5% commission, white Fine Art America earned ninety five percent of those profits I would be furious and be looking to take my obviously well received art on the road to sell myself. Fine Art America says that 5% commissions are the future of Print-On-Demand.
In contrast, by focusing on creating beautiful wall art using the worlds highest quality materials and master printers and pairing that art with the highest level of customer service and hard work, I have been able to build a worldwide brand that has sold over 5 million dollars worth of limited edition photography prints over the past ten years.
I believe the buyer of fine art photography should be receiving photography that is printed using only the very best papers and processes in the industry. It’s not just about the image itself, but also about the longevity and visual impact that high-quality materials provide. When I started, I had no idea who was printing my images on third-party platforms, and I was not able to communicate directly with the printer.
While looking into Fine Art America, I quickly realized the limitations in product diversification, image quality, and quality control, which made it difficult to maintain the standards I expect for my work. This lack of control over the printing process meant I couldn't ensure my standards were being met. By taking charge of the entire production, I've been able to deliver artwork that meets the highest standards of excellence, ensuring every piece is a true masterpiece.
Striking white aspen bark, backlit by the glow of the morning sun, reflects across the surface of a pond in Telluride Colorado. Fine Art Limited Edition of 50.
How Do You Get Found On Fine Art America?
This might be the best answer from Fine Art America yet as they are quick to point out that they don't market your work for you because that is your job. They suggests sharing your Fine Art America page on all your favorite social media channels so you can get exposure. What they are telling you to do is to publish your work on their website, then market their website for them to bring them more customers, that are then going to get lost in the sea of other artists. In the end, some "lucky" artist is going to get their little commission, while Fine Art America gets the lions share of profits for every single one of those Social Media blasts they are encouraging you to do. You might even be marketing for your competition!
The remaining marketing ideas they provide include email campaigns, pdf sales sheets, discount codes and limited time promotions and press releases. Fine Art America also offers artists marketing tools such as the ability to create e-newsletters and sell prints on Facebook by creating dedicated web stores or integration options. None of these efforts on Fine Art America will help you build your brand and will barely move the needle if at all.
How Do Photography Art Buyers Feel About FAA?
Fine Art America is not accredited by the Better Business Bureau and it's average customer review on the BBB website is 1 star. They have had 21 complaints filed against their company in the last twelve months alone. Searching TrustPilot, here is the first review that I found:
"If you want to wait over a month for your order, only to be sent the incorrect items, be offered a refund for this error on the companies part and then have the company refuse to give you a refund and send out replacement items that you did not ask for, Then I’d recommend using Fine Art America."
Yikes. That doesn't speak well of a company that claims to be the premier online marketplace for buying fine art originals, fine art prints and framed prints. With reviews like that, I wouldn't spend five dollars there. Would you?
Understanding the Limitations of Photographic Files on Fine Art America
Uploading photographic files to Fine Art America involves certain restrictions that impact the quality of your prints. One significant limitation is the file size cap of 25 megabytes for JPEG files. When preparing large prints, such as a 40-inch x 80-inch panoramic image, the compression can noticeably degrade the final output.
Fine Art America supports JPEG uploads, but this format is inherently lossy, meaning it sacrifices image quality to reduce file size. Unlike some other printing services that allow TIFF files—often 400 megabytes or more—Fine Art America's limitation to JPEG means missing out on the uncompressed quality that TIFF files offer.
The constraints placed on file size and format can significantly impact the quality of large prints. With a limited file size, achieving the necessary resolution for a sharp, detailed large print becomes challenging.
A long tree lined driveway boasting fiery reds of autumn welcomes visitors in the town of North Bend, Washington. Fine Art Limited Edition of 50.
Can You Find Quality Photography On Fine Art America?
While I am sure you can find thousands of examples of visually beautiful artwork from the tens of millions of options provided, the quality of the art produced is far from fine art. The products offered are not produced under artist direction or by the artists themselves. Fine Art America creates mass production poor quality artwork from one of its sixteen manufacturing centers around the world. You can buy a print for as little as $20. Once you receive it you will immediately know why you scored such a bargain!
Transform your space with Aaron Reed's luxury fine art photography print, Out To Sea, from his Panoramic Wall Art collection. Order yours today! Fine Art Limited Edition of 100.
So Where DO I Find High Quality Art?
The worlds most successful photographers market their work directly through their own personal websites. Not only do you have the opportunity to purchase work produced directly under the guidance of the artist themselves, you often have a chance to get to know the artist on a personal level as well. This attention to detail offers both greater security and added value to you as a consumer.
These photographers take pride in communicating and working with clients via emails and phone calls. They enjoy answering all of your questions, ensuring you are well-informed and satisfied with your purchase. This direct interaction guarantees that you are getting exactly what you want, along with the highest level of personal service.
Knowing that the artist is involved in every step of the process provides assurance that you will receive the very best product. This personalized relationship not only enhances the quality of the artwork but also strengthens the trust and connection between you and the artist.
In a business where the materials used to produce the products we sell are widely available to our competitors as well, our experience, expertise, customer service and our overall value as a brand are what truly sets us apart. As one of the most widely collected landscape and nature photographers in the world today, Aaron Reed Luxury Fine Art is the last place you will need to look for dynamic, limited edition photography prints with both material and real world value.
The amazing colors of autumn reflected in a still pond inside the Japanese garden in Seattle, Washington. Fine Art Limited Edition of 100.
Is Fine Art America Good For Photographers?
As an artist, trying to sell your work on Fine Art America is going to be very disappointing for you. With over 11 million photographs for sale, artists sell wall art, home decor, and apparel through the platform, including wall art featuring paintings and photography. Fine Art America enables artists to sell wall art for home decor and related products, but the vast selection makes it difficult for individual artists to stand out. In addition, Fine Art America charges higher than normal prices for cheap products and then allows the artist to decide what to charge on top of their prices.
While this may sound like a viable business model for some, you will soon find that with no way to stand out from the crowd and no unique products to differentiate yourself from the thousands of other photographers, you’ll be lucky to pay your electricity bill with your monthly profits.
Transform your space with Aaron Reed's limited edition photography print, Diamonds In The Sky, from his Iceland Nature Photography collection. Order yours today! Fine Art Limited Edition of 100.
As An Artist Where Should I Sell My Photography?
As mentioned previously, there is no greater value than selling your work directly through your own personal website. There is an art to selling fine art without selling your soul in the process. If you are unsure how to sell your photographic art, working with an experienced mentor may be just what you need to inspire and provide direction based on their personal success & experience.
If you simply do not have the time, energy or dedication needed to set up and maintain your own business selling your work, there are more reputable companies out there that I would suggest looking into instead of Fine Art America, including YellowKorner, Lumas Photo Art and Saatchi Art. While I do not personally work directly with any of these companies, my limited experience researching each of them has shown that all three are better options for both consumers and artists looking to sell their work.
The quality of the work you will find on these websites does not compare directly to the the worlds best nature photography prints that I offer, but may provide lower cost options for the budget friendly, as well as higher royalty rates for fellow artists.
Thank You
Whether you are a fellow artist who enjoys the inspirational and educational content that I provide through my blog, are a past student of mine, or one of the worlds greatest art collectors, I appreciate each and every one of you and thank you for taking the time to follow my work!
The desert sun shines down through an iridescent portal in one of Antelope Canyon’s famous slot canyons. Over the eons, the solid rock has begun to take on the shape of the wild rivers which have carved their way through it. Fine Art Limited Edition of 50.
A rush of clear water races down from the forbidden peaks of a range of misty mountains. Along the rocky banks, flashes of gold announce the arrival of autumn to the high places. Fine Art Limited Edition of 50.
A wildfire sunset climbs up the forgotten walkways of the emerald temple of Kirkjufellsfoss in Iceland. Shrouds of whitewater trickle past jeweled gardens of moss on their way to the frigid plain of the open ocean. Fine Art Limited Edition of 50.
A tangled web of skeletal branches lace together the ashen trunks of a grove of aspen near Leavenworth, Washington. Unfazed as yet by the chill of winter, the fiery hues of the autumn undergrowth bleed through a hush of fog. Fine Art Limited Edition of 100.
