Searching for My Prints
The universe, as life itself, is in a constant state of flux.
The past few months have seen some massive upheavals around here. Some good, some icky. Some are still ongoing.
This seems to de doubly true for the shipping situation around the world. It’s less than a year since the last time I was ambushed by the fluid nature of the world, and lo! It’s happened again.
The happy changes will have to wait for another day.
Summary:
EMS Priority shipping prices have increased. Again. Sorry!- Sets of 3 + 5 Prints (giclée and laser cut) will go up $10.00 / order
- Sadly, it just doesn't make sense to offer individual prints at the moment. I've left them up in the shop so you can get a good look at the images, but only sets are available.
- Postcards (pack of 25) and Ram t-shirts will increase by at least $5 / order. (But the method of shipping is different...for awhile.
- Original Artwork shipping continues to be free
Here’s what happened
Last week, I was fulfilling an order of postcards to the US.
These days, all shipments to the US have to be registered online before I step through the Post Office’s front door. To my surprise, the registration website (which also helps me make labels) wasn’t offering the same shipping options as usual. So, I hopped up and ran down the 5 flights of stairs and across the street (my local 郵便局 is seriously local) to quiz the poor postal workers as to my dilemma.
As usual (usual=since the start of the pandemic) the lack of flights had vanished some of my postal options. Namely, no “small packet” shipping to the US. Only regular airmail.
Okay, I can live with that.
Then, they handed me a flyer, along with a bucketload of apologies.
EMS priority prices were going up. Again.
It seems that the rising price of fuel, the changing world conditions, the lack of flights, the strength of the US dollar versus the yen and the position of the moon had all come together in an unfortunate maelstrom.
You may remember that, a year ago, there had been a “temporary” increase in EMS shipping of ¥500. Well, it’s still there and still temporary. Unfortunately, there’s now an additional increase of ¥1500+ per package. And, as the package gets heavier, the increase increases.
Oh yeah, and EMS availability to various nations keeps changing, so be sure to check here or write me before ordering.
Impact Ahead
Six years ago, when EMS priority prices first jumped, I absorbed the increase. Such is life. Last year, I was able to split that with you. This time, unfortunately, there’s no cushion left. Shipping a single print to the US would cost about ¥4000 (that’s roughly $35 at the time of writing)
So, I have a choice to make. I can either:
offer individual prints at $25 with shipping being more expensive than the print, or
remove individual prints from sale and hope everyone wants sets.
Sets of prints are, by quite a bit, more popular than individual prints. So, I chose option No.2. Did I make the right choice? I have no idea. If you disagree with me, let me know.
Sets and LaserCut Prints still have a little leeway to absorb shipping increases, so while I have had to bump the prices on them (+$10), I think it’s still reasonable to offer them.
Original Art
Shipping on Original Art will still be via EMS, and will still be free to collectors. I may have to jiggle prices around a bit. That’ll be on a case-by-case basis.
Postcards and Apparel
The cost of postage on these items seems stable for the moment. The method of shipping has changed (from small packet to regular airmail). And will likely change again. Hopefully for the better. In the meantime, I’m still offering them in the shop, and hopefully these packages will reach customers in the same amount of time as before.
The Nebulous Future
About a year ago, I mentioned looking into Print-on-Demand and Drop-Shipping websites. Well, I’m thorough to a fault, and still weighing options for my admittedly niche situation.
At that time, I felt that I could be leisurely in my decision-making. Well, not anymore. I’m digging deep into dozens of companies to find the best quality at decent prices for an international audience. I hope to find a good answer soon. Although, it may turn out to be answers. I suspect shipping to myself in Japan will be pricey. So, I’m starting to look into domestic printers too.
This is not without opportunities. If everything works out, I hope to be able to offer prints in various sizes. Maybe matted or framed. Maybe on canvas or wood or metal? Maybe there are possibilities yet undreamed?
