Variant structure
| Option | Values |
|---|---|
| Print size | 5×7 / 8×10 / 11×14 / 16×20 / 20×30 / 24×36 / 30×40 |
| Paper stock | Glossy / Matte / Metallic / Fine art rag / Canvas / Acrylic |
| Framing | Unframed / Framed (with frame color sub-option) |
3 options × ~7 × 6 × 2 = 84 variants per photo. Well under Shopify's 2,048 cap.
Paper stock options + when to use each
| Paper stock | Best for | Cost premium |
|---|---|---|
| Glossy | Vibrant colors, high contrast, most photos | Base price |
| Matte | Portraits, black + white, gallery display | Same as glossy |
| Metallic | Landscapes, luxury feel, HDR photos | +15-30% |
| Fine art rag (Hahnemühle, Canson) | Fine art collectors, museum-grade | +40-80% |
| Canvas gallery wrap | Wall art, home decor | +20-40% |
| Acrylic face mount | Modern gallery display, premium | +60-120% |
Framing options
- Unframed: Print only, customer frames themselves. Base price.
- Framed: Includes frame (add $30-80 to base) + mat option (adds $10-25).
- Frame color: Black / White / Natural wood / Espresso / Gold
- Frame style: Modern / Classic / Rustic / Barn wood
- Mat: With mat / No mat (mat color options)
Signed edition (limited run)
Premium positioning — photographer signs + numbers each print:
- Variant: "Standard print" vs "Signed limited edition"
- Edition size (25, 50, 100 typical) as inventory quantity
- Signed edition +$50-200 premium
- Certificate of authenticity included
- Track edition number per sale ("1 of 50, 2 of 50, ...")
Shopify tracks inventory automatically. When edition sells out (inventory = 0), variant marks sold out.
Watermark handling
Photographers protect work with watermarks on preview but not on print file:
- Customer sees watermarked preview on product page (protects design theft)
- Order placed → payment succeeds
- System generates un-watermarked print file → sent to POD partner
- Customer receives clean print (no watermark)
Print It My Way Pro supports separate preview vs print file. Watermark applied to preview automatically.
Photo licensing (for digital sales)
If you sell digital downloads:
- Personal use license (default, low price)
- Commercial use license (higher price)
- Editorial use license (specific media use)
- Extended license (unlimited commercial use)
Each as variant with different pricing. SendOwl or Shopify Digital Downloads app for file delivery.
Package pricing bundles
- "3 prints for $150" (vs $75 each × 3)
- "Buy 8×10 + 11×14 + 16×20 as gallery collection"
- Family portrait package: 1 large (24×36) + 4 small (5×7) + 20 wallet size
Shopify Bundles native or personalizer bundle builder.
POD partner for photography
| POD partner | Notes |
|---|---|
| Gooten | Wall art + canvas focus, US warehouses, good print quality |
| Gelato | Global shipping (130+ hubs), fine art paper options |
| Printful | Canvas + framed prints, US + EU + AU warehouses |
| Bay Photo | Professional photographer standard, premium papers, acrylic |
| WHCC (White House Custom Colour) | Fine art paper, museum-grade, higher cost |
| Local pro lab | Best quality + margin; requires manual workflow |
Copyright + IP protection
- Register copyright with US Copyright Office ($65 filing fee) for enforceable protection
- DMCA policy page + registered agent
- Watermark on all previews
- Terms explicitly reserve reproduction rights (customer buys print, not license to reproduce)
Frequently asked questions
Best Shopify options for photography prints?
Print size + Paper stock as variants. Framing as separate variant. Signature/edition as premium variant.
How to handle framing options?
Framed vs unframed as separate variants (different weight, price, SKU). Frame color + style as sub-options.
Signed limited edition setup?
Variant "Signed edition" with inventory = edition size (25, 50, 100). Shopify tracks numbers sold. Certificate of authenticity included.
Watermark preview vs print file?
Customer sees watermarked preview until purchase. Print It My Way Pro generates un-watermarked print file on order.
Best POD for photography?
Bay Photo (pro standard), Gooten (wall art focus), Gelato (global). Local pro lab for best margin + quality.
Digital download vs physical print?
Separate variants or separate products. Digital via SendOwl or Shopify Digital Downloads.
Photography package bundle pricing?
Shopify Bundles native. "3 prints for $150" vs "$75 each × 3." Increases AOV.
Fine art paper premium pricing?
Fine art rag (Hahnemühle) +40-80%. Metallic +15-30%. Acrylic face mount +60-120%. Sets paper stock as variant with per-variant pricing.
Copyright protection for photography?
US Copyright Office registration ($65 filing fee) for enforceable protection. DMCA agent + policy page. Watermark previews.
Return policy for photography prints?
Final sale on print orders (photographic reproduction). Damage in transit = replacement.
Related setup guides
Photography store on Shopify
Print It My Way for watermark handling + signed edition setup. Bay Photo or Gelato for premium print fulfillment.
Install Print It My Way