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Variants & Pricing

Variants allow you to offer the same product in different options—sizes, formats, colors, or materials. This guide covers creating variants and developing your pricing strategy.

Understanding Variants​

A variant is a specific version of a product with its own:

  • Price
  • SKU (stock keeping unit)
  • Inventory level
  • Options (size, format, etc.)

Example: Print with Size Variants​

Product: "Ocean Waves" Print
├── Variant: 5x7" → $20, SKU: OW-5x7, Stock: 50
├── Variant: 8x10" → $35, SKU: OW-8x10, Stock: 30
├── Variant: 11x14" → $55, SKU: OW-11x14, Stock: 20
└── Variant: 16x20" → $85, SKU: OW-16x20, Stock: 10

Creating Variants​

Step 1: Open Product Editor​

  1. Navigate to Products
  2. Select an existing product or create new
  3. Scroll to the Variants section

Step 2: Add Variants​

  1. Click Add Variant
  2. Enter variant details:
FieldDescriptionExample
NameDisplay name"8x10 Print"
PriceSelling price$35.00
SKUYour tracking code"OW-8x10"
InventoryStock quantity30
  1. Click Save Variant
  2. Repeat for additional variants

Step 3: Set Default Variant​

The default variant is pre-selected on the product page:

  1. Find the variant you want as default
  2. Toggle Default Variant on
  3. This variant's price shows in listings

Variant Strategies​

Size Variants (Prints)​

Standard print size tiers:

SizeCategoryTypical Price Range
4x6", 5x7"Small$15-30
8x10", 8x12"Medium$30-50
11x14", 12x16"Large$50-80
16x20", 18x24"Extra Large$80-150
24x36"+Poster$150+

Format Variants (Digital)​

Offer different file types as separate variants:

FormatUse CasePrice Modifier
Web JPGSocial media, web useBase price
High-Res PNGPrint-at-home+20-30%
Source PSDProfessional use+100-200%

Setting Up Digital Variants​

Each digital variant can have its own downloadable file:

  1. Navigate to Products → Select product → Manage Variants
  2. Click Add Variant
  3. Enter the variant name (e.g., "High-Res PNG")
  4. Set the price
  5. Check "Digital product (downloadable)"
  6. A file upload area appears—upload the specific file for this variant
  7. Click Add Variant
Multiple File Formats

Create a variant for each file format you offer. This lets customers purchase exactly what they need, and each gets the correct file:

  • "Web Resolution" → artwork-web.jpg (1200px)
  • "Print Resolution" → artwork-print.png (4800px)
  • "Source File" → artwork-source.psd (layered)

Each variant tracks its own digital file, so customers receive the specific file for the variant they purchased.

Material Variants (Physical)​

Different materials at different price points:

MaterialQualityPrice Modifier
Matte paperStandardBase price
Glossy paperPhoto quality+10-15%
CanvasPremium+50-100%
Metal printLuxury+100-150%

Pricing Strategies​

Cost-Plus Pricing​

Calculate your base cost and add markup:

Cost Breakdown:
- Materials: $5
- Printing: $8
- Packaging: $3
- Shipping supplies: $2
- Total cost: $18

Markup: 2.5x
Selling price: $18 × 2.5 = $45

Market-Based Pricing​

Research comparable artists:

  1. Find artists with similar style/quality
  2. Note their pricing by size/format
  3. Position yourself competitively
  4. Adjust based on your experience level

Value-Based Pricing​

Price based on perceived value:

  • Limited editions command premium
  • Original work priced significantly higher
  • Collector appeal increases value
  • Artist reputation affects pricing

Compare at Price​

Show a "sale" price by setting the original price:

  1. Edit the variant
  2. Set Price to sale price (e.g., $35)
  3. Set Compare at Price to original (e.g., $50)
  4. Product shows: $50 $35
Use Sparingly

Constant "sales" can devalue your work. Use for genuine promotions or seasonal sales.

Inventory Per Variant​

Each variant tracks inventory separately:

"Mountain Vista" Print Inventory:
├── 5x7": 100 in stock
├── 8x10": 75 in stock
├── 11x14": 50 in stock (Low Stock Alert at 10)
└── 16x20": 25 in stock

Setting Stock Alerts​

Configure low stock alerts per variant:

  1. Edit the variant
  2. Set Low Stock Threshold
  3. Receive notification when stock drops below threshold

Bulk Pricing Updates​

Update multiple variants efficiently:

  1. Go to Products → Inventory
  2. Filter to specific product
  3. Use bulk actions to:
    • Adjust prices by percentage
    • Update all stock levels
    • Toggle availability

Channel Pricing​

When connected to external channels (Etsy, Gumroad):

  • Prices are managed in each platform
  • Artbase shows prices from each channel
  • You can map channel products to variants
  • Inventory syncs across channels

See Syncing Inventory for details.

Pricing Best Practices​

Don't Undervalue​

  • Factor in your time and expertise
  • Include hidden costs (software, studio, etc.)
  • Your art has value—price accordingly

Be Consistent​

  • Maintain logical price relationships
  • Size increases = price increases
  • Premium materials = premium prices

Review Regularly​

  • Reassess pricing quarterly
  • Adjust for cost increases
  • Raise prices as reputation grows

Test and Learn​

  • A/B test different price points
  • Monitor conversion rates
  • Find your optimal price

Next Steps​