How to Make an Informed Art Purchase: A Thoughtful Approach to Buying Art Online

Buying art should be a meaningful and conscious decision, not just an impulse buy. At MyRetroposter, we operate on a print-on-demand model, which means every poster is custom-made for the buyer—no excess inventory, no overproduction, and minimal waste.

However, in an era of fast shopping habits driven by mass production and easy returns, we believe it’s important to highlight why responsible buying matters. While we currently accept returns, we are actively reconsidering this policy, as it doesn’t align with our values or the way our production process is structured.

Let’s break down why this is important—both for our brand, the poster industry, and the larger retail world.

1️⃣ MyRetroposter: Our Philosophy & Approach to Sustainable Art Buying

At MyRetroposter, we do things differently from most online poster shops.

✅ We print on demand – Every piece is produced only when ordered, ensuring no unnecessary stock or waste.
✅ We print close to the buyer – We work with trusted printing partners around the world to minimize carbon emissions from shipping.
✅ We prioritize FineArt quality – Unlike mass-market posters, our prints are made using EMA 200gsm archival paper and professional FineArt printers.
✅ We work with partners who don’t accept returns – Our printing labs do not stock products, so a return often means shipping back to Europe, creating unnecessary waste.

📌 Right now, we still accept returns, but this is something we are reconsidering for the future, as it simply doesn’t align with our values.

💡 Would you commission an artist for a custom piece, only to return it because you changed your mind?

2️⃣ The Poster Industry: Mass Production vs. FineArt Printing

Unlike MyRetroposter, the wider poster industry often operates on a mass-production model, where large quantities of posters are printed and stocked in warehouses. This leads to:

❌ Overproduction – Thousands of posters printed without knowing if they’ll sell.
❌ Cheap materials – Mass-market posters use thin, low-quality paper and basic inkjet printing.
❌ Disposal of unsold stock – If a design doesn’t sell, it often ends up discarded, increasing waste.

We have deliberately chosen not to follow this model because we believe posters should be treated as art, not disposable decor.

💡 Buying from a FineArt printer means you get a higher-quality, longer-lasting piece—not just another mass-produced poster.

📌 Read more about sustainable printing on our partner’s page.

3️⃣ Wasteful Shopping Habits in Other Industries: A Bigger Issue

While the poster industry has its own waste issues, this problem is even bigger in other industries, where return culture and mass production create extreme waste.

🚫 The Fashion Industry: A Waste Crisis

Many shoppers buy multiple sizes of clothing with the intent to return what doesn’t fit. While this may seem harmless, it has major environmental consequences:

❌ Massive return volumes – Billions of garments are shipped back and forth yearly.
❌ High landfill rates – Many returned clothes aren’t resold—they’re discarded.
❌ Excessive CO₂ emissions – Returns double the carbon footprint of a single purchase.

💡 Over 85% of returned clothes in fast fashion end up in landfills!

🚫 Electronics: The Disposable Tech Problem

The tech industry has pushed frequent upgrades and throwaway culture, leading to:

❌ Massive e-waste – Millions of electronic items discarded yearly.
❌ Toxic environmental damage – Many returned or unsold electronics end up polluting soil and water.
❌ Overconsumption – Brands encourage upgrading even when devices still work.

💡 By 2030, e-waste will reach 74 million metric tons!

📌 If we want a more sustainable future, we need to rethink how we shop—across all industries, including art.

4️⃣ How to Make a Thoughtful Art Purchase (and Reduce Waste)

Since our model is built on sustainability, we encourage buyers to make informed choices before purchasing.

1️⃣ Read the Description Carefully

✔️ Size & format – Ensure it fits your space.
✔️ Paper & print quality – We use FineArt EMA 200gsm archival paper.
✔️ Printing method – 300 dpi professional printing, not basic inkjet.

💡 If you need more details, just ask!

2️⃣ Look at High-Resolution Images

✔️ Texture and print clarity
✔️ Color accuracy previews

3️⃣ Ask Questions Before You Buy

If you have any doubts, contact us! We can provide:
📩 Additional photos or mockups
📏 Guidance on size selection
🖼️ Framing recommendations

4️⃣ Understand That Art Is a Personal Investment

Unlike mass-produced items, art should be chosen carefully.

✔️ Pick something you truly love.
✔️ Take your time—don’t rush into a purchase.
✔️ Respect the craftsmanship behind each print.

📌 Want to learn more about sustainability in art production? Read Prodigi’s Sustainability Commitment.

5️⃣ Why We Are Rethinking Returns at MyRetroposter

🔹 Right now, we still accept returns, but because of the way we produce art, we are considering:
❌ Phasing out returns altogether
✅ Encouraging informed purchases upfront
✅ Maintaining our commitment to quality & sustainability

This isn’t about making things harder for buyers—it’s about aligning with our values. We want to attract customers who genuinely appreciate art, not those who treat it like a temporary decoration.

💡 We are not a mass retailer—we are an independent art gallery.

Final Thoughts: Be a Conscious Art Buyer

Every time you shop, you have a choice:

🌍 Support sustainable production by choosing on-demand printing.
🎨 Value art as a long-term investment, not a short-term impulse buy.
📦 Reduce waste by choosing thoughtfully rather than returning later.

At MyRetroposter, we are proud to stand by our philosophy—and we appreciate every buyer who shares our commitment to responsibility, quality, and sustainability.