Sell Photo or Canvas Prints using a WordPress Website

Stock photography websites offer paid downloads of images. Downloaded images are great for web applications. But the usability of such websites can be extended by offering paid printing of images on sale. An image purchase website, would offer the following:

• Allow visitors to select an image for purchase, or upload their own images

• Basic tools are provided to edit the image

• Cost of printing is calculated based on the canvas size

• Printed Canvas is shipped to the desired address/ Can be available at the store for pick-up

Creating a Photo or Canvas Printing Application on WordPress

Assuming that you will develop the entire application from scratch, the main aspect to consider here, is a smart e-commerce plugin. With an e-Commerce plugin like WooCommerce which efficiently handles orders, you would not need any additional modification in terms of price calculation and shipping.

What you would need, is an extension plugin, which can allow users to upload and modify the images, they wish to print. How would you go about developing this extension plugin then? Well, since we already know what is needed, let’s take a step-by-step look at each requirement.

• Allow Visitors to Purchase Store Images: With WooCommerce, store uploaded images can be made available as virtual or downloadable products. Using Product Variations, various image sizes can be offered.

• Allow Visitors to Upload Images for Print: To allow users to upload images, you can use AJAX to upload images with a single click. Upon uploading images, the resolution of the image should be automatically inferred. The cost of printing will depend on the canvas size, the user picks.

• Provide Basic Image Editing Tools: Upon selecting or uploading an image, image editing tools can be offered for simple editing, like cropping, rotating, application of a filter (sepia, blur, glow, etc), addition of a border, etc. The basic image editing interface can be created using HTML5 Canvas element and using Pixastic, a Javascript Image Processing Library.

• Create an Order: An add to cart option, will add the selected image to the cart, with details, such as filters applied, image size, etc.

• Delete Unwanted Data: Once order is complete, (upon shipment) any user uploaded images should be removed. If user is logged in, he has the option to save or delete the image.

The idea of offering paid canvas printing can be extended, to create a complete platform or forum for Photographers, to showcase their images, which can be purchased. Additionally, you could also offer frames using Linked Products options in WooCommerce, to allow users to purchase  framed images.

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