Sometimes You Just Need to Outsource
I’ve tried to keep most of my art business in-house. It saves a tremendous amount of money and lets me stay hands-on with every part of the process. But over time, I’ve learned that there are a few things worth outsourcing. I hope this post helps other artists save some time (and maybe some sanity).
Running a business is still new for me. I usually try to do everything myself—I genuinely love learning new things. But there are certain areas that require skills, equipment, or space that I simply don’t have (yet).
Here are a few things I’ve learned to let go of:
1. Painting Captures
For months, I tried to photograph my own paintings for prints. But no matter what I did, the maps in my mixed-media pieces kept turning out blurry. I just couldn’t get a high enough resolution. Eventually, I started taking my work to a professional print shop where they create perfect captures. You can read every word on the map, and they even do a little Photoshop work if needed. The quality difference is night and day—and it’s been worth every penny.
2. Website Design
I don’t even want to admit how much time I spent trying to build a website on WordPress. Let’s just say… it was a time sink. I’ve always been pretty tech-savvy—back when I taught elementary school, I was known as “the techy teacher” who could figure anything out—but WordPress humbled me.
As my business has grown, I’ve needed more customized options for clients, like multiple product variations and a smoother shopping experience. Hiring a professional designer has made all the difference. Sometimes letting go means moving forward faster.
3. Printing
This one’s still up for debate. I’ve considered buying my own professional printer, but I don’t want to make that investment until I’ve earned that amount back in print profits. For a while, I used the high-end printer at the co-op I was part of, The Denver Art Society, but I found that the time commitment just wasn’t worth it. For now, outsourcing prints lets me focus more on creating art—where my time really counts.
4. Learning New Skills (Like Videography)
I’ve watched countless YouTube tutorials about shooting and editing videos, but sometimes there’s no substitute for learning directly from an expert. Recently, I reached out to a local videographer whose work I admired and asked if I could pay him to teach me. He said yes—and spent time walking me through equipment, lighting, and techniques right in my own space. That kind of in-person learning was invaluable.
I’m still learning how to grow my business, and I’m sure there will be more things I’ll choose to outsource in the future. For now, I’m being cautious and thoughtful about where I spend money and time. Because at the end of the day, the goal is simple: spend more time making art—and less time doing everything else.
