Primer 2026: Benefits, Features & Pricing

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On this page

Overview
Pricing and Plans
Features
Integrations
User Reviews

Overview

Primer

5.0

(33)

Pricing

Starting at $45.00 per month

About Primer

Primer is a cloud-based solution that helps art galleries, artists, collectors, and non-profit organizations streamline processes related to sales, inventory tracking, transaction monitoring, and more on a centralized platform. It enables staff members to create product profiles with details, such as images, names, dimensions, authentication certifications, and other relevant notes.

Primer allows team members to maintain a client database with information, such as phone, email, past offers, sales history, and other interactions. It lets supervisors manage and track transactions with billing addresses, shipping addresses, payment currency, tax, fees, and commissions, among other information. Additionally, it lets employees sort inventory data, delete logs, create new records, and track sales processes across multiple exhibitions from within a unified platform.

Primer allows administrators to import data, store documents, convert file sizes, and schedule data back-ups. It is available on monthly subscriptions and support is extended via email, documentation, and other online measures.

Primer Screenshots

Primer Pricing and Plans

Starting price: $45.00 per month

Free Trial

Free Version

Basic

$45.00

flat rate, per month

No plan information available

Primer Features

Popular features found in Art Gallery
Billing & Invoicing
Consignment Management
Contact Management
Inventory Management
Online Viewing Rooms
More features of Primer
Catalog Creation
Catalog Management
Commission Management
Contact Database
Customizable Branding
Customizable Fields
Customizable Reports
Data Import/Export
Data Storage Management
Document Management
Document Storage
Document Templates
Drag & Drop
Filtering
For Art Galleries
Image Library
Interaction Tracking
Inventory Tracking
Invoice Management
Location Tracking
Marketing Automation
Multi-Currency
Online Catalog
Price/Margin Management
Product Catalog
Records Management
Reporting & Statistics
Sales Reports
Search/Filter
Secure Data Storage
Stock Management
Summary Reports

Primer Integrations

Stripe

Primer User Reviews

Overall Rating

5.0

Ratings Breakdown

97%

Secondary Ratings

Ease of Use

4.9

Value for money

5.0

Customer support

5.0

Functionality

5.0

Gabrielle P.

Verified reviewer

Fine Art

2-10 employees

Used daily for less than 6 months

Review source

Reviewed April 2023

Great for Galleries!

Primer is the most used program on my computer. It literally allows me to do my whole job! The team behind Primer is also SO great and always helps with any problems or issues that arise. They even go as far to have video calls when I have questions or concerns!

Ratings Breakdown

Ease of use

Value for money

Customer support

Functionality

Pros:

It only took a few days for me to learn Primer! It is very easy to learn and use. I use Primer every single day for inventory, invoices, artist payments, etc. What I love most about Primer, is that everything is all in the same program. I can do all financials, make checklists to offer artwork to clients, and keep a contact log. I rarely need to go to another program to do my daily tasks in this job role. I also love that Primer makes it easy to search everything from contacts to artworks with key words, for we have a ton of work in inventory.

Cons:

The only feature I would say could be improved would be making it easier to edit documents without losing previous edits. I wish there was an option to "refresh artworks" without refreshing totals for example. I also wish that the edits I made in the final stage before saving a document could be "remembered" essentially if I have to go back and edit a document inside the program.

Vendor Response

Thanks for the fantastic review, Gabrielle! Primer does automatically save the last version of a document you worked on and allows for continued revisions without needing to open the pdf in Adobe. We will be in touch to offer a follow up tutorial on our document editing features to make sure that Primer keeps making your daily admin both quick and comprehensive.

Replied October 2023

Deb K.

Verified reviewer

Arts and Crafts

2-10 employees

Used daily for more than 2 years

Review source

Reviewed January 2023

Exceptional value and labor of love

Primer has made it so much easier for me to effectively manage contacts and inventory in a way that rewards the time I put into it tenfold. Anytime I have had an issue--usually just with a feature I don't yet quite know how to use--they have been incredibly responsive and patient. Communication is clear, and updates are regular and always useful. The effectiveness of the software has also been essential for me as I have shifted my business in and out of brick and mortar, and allowed me to accommodate different forms of working--they have even worked with me on modifications I needed help with for the parts of my business that is outside the art world. This software has been a constant asset to my business over the last several years, and I feel very lucky to have found them.

Ratings Breakdown

Ease of use

Value for money

Customer support

Functionality

Pros:

Primer is a system that could only have been built by art world veterans who truly know and love the ins and outs of the business, from top to bottom and back again. Everything is designed for maximum efficiency and functionality in a way that allows me to feel like I am great at my job and provides my clients an exceptional level of service. It's very clear that the improvements are made continually in a way that works so well because they are using their own software and know exactly what the constantly shifting art landscape looks like because they are in it themselves.

Cons:

Honestly, I don't have any cons. They consistently make updates and tweaks so that at this point anything I had hoped to be improved when I first signed on has been taken care of beautifully, and many elements of the software I didn't feel needed changing have been made even more intuitive and functional.

Courtney C.

Verified reviewer

Arts and Crafts

2-10 employees

Used daily for less than 12 months

Review source

Reviewed March 2022

The most valuable investment an artist can make

Primer was created by people that truly understand the needs of artists and galleries. This translates into a database that is functional, modifiable, and with a great use value. I recommend this to every artist I know.

Ratings Breakdown

Ease of use

Value for money

Customer support

Functionality

Pros:

I've been using Primer for close to a year now, it has completely changed how I function as an artist and administrator. I no longer dread when someone asks me to send them a pdf of my work. In a matter of moments I can put together an online viewing room. Primer makes sales, inventory management, and contact management super easy. It can really be used by artists at every level. I have lots of experience with other inventory management systems and Primer is one of the only ones that makes keeping track of production costs, exhibitions, press and sales very simple.

Cons:

There are really no cons in my eyes. The software is so valuable to me. I could see how someone would be intimidated by the complexity of the database. But that's really not an issue because of their AMAZING support team.

Claire C.

Verified reviewer

Arts and Crafts

Self-Employed

Used daily for less than 2 years

Review source

Reviewed October 2020

Amazing Software Has Revolutionized the Way I Run My Business

The customer service has been exceptional. While I don’t have to get in touch too often given how straight forward their software is, whenever I have a question pop up, someone is always available to answer my question thoughtfully and thoroughly.

Ratings Breakdown

Ease of use

Value for money

Customer support

Functionality

Pros:

The ease and functionality of Primer is by far the most valuable asset to me. I am not particularly savvy in complicated database software and I find Primer to be efficient, detailed and intuitive. Additionally, given the circumstances we are facing today and that much of my work is now being done remotely, I am given great peace of mind knowing any and all information about my business, clients and inventory is a click away.

Cons:

I have absolutely nothing negative to say about this software- it has revolutionized my business and how I run it. It has enabled me to work smarter, not harder.

Reasons for choosing Primer

Initially, it was the team behind Primer that gave me considerable confidence in the software. Once I signed on and started using Primer, I was blown away by the detail and consideration that was put in to its development. It was only after I started using Primer that I realized my previous database software was missing major functions that I now am using everyday as a result of the switch.

Blair C.

Verified reviewer

Fine Art

2-10 employees

Used daily for more than 2 years

Review source

Reviewed April 2023

Blair Clarke at Voltz Clarke Gallery

Ratings Breakdown

Ease of use

Value for money

Customer support

Functionality

Pros:

[sensitive content hidden] is the most personable business owner. Always answers the phone or gets back immediately to help with a question. Our gallery has tried many databases over the years and never has enjoyed customer service until Primer. Primer is constantly updating their systems and improving ways to sell artwork efficiently. Couldn't recommend enough!

Cons:

I don't have a problem with anything regarding the ease of use and the Database of Primer.

Serena P.

Verified reviewer

Fine Art

2-10 employees

Used daily for less than 2 years

Review source

Reviewed January 2024

Strongly recommend Primer

Ratings Breakdown

Ease of use

Value for money

Customer support

Functionality

Pros:

Primer is excellent for maintaining inventory and document formation. It definitely saves us a ton of time when creating checklists, consignment agreements, invoices, artist statements, etc.

Cons:

It was a bit tricky to learn the interface at first but the customer support team is incredibly hands on and responsive.

Lisa S.

Verified reviewer

Arts and Crafts

2-10 employees

Used weekly for more than 2 years

Review source

Reviewed November 2021

Exceptional Software Saves Me Time, Money & Stress

Primer has delivered more than I could have expected and more than I realized I needed. It's clear that the developers have thought of everything I might need and then some. When you add the thoughtfulness of the development to the exceptional service and functionality of the software, I could not be happier. I just wish I could have implemented Primer even sooner because it pays for itself tenfold each time I use it. This software has been a game changer for me and how I conduct business.

Ratings Breakdown

Ease of use

Value for money

Customer support

Functionality

Pros:

I was blown away by the ease of use of Primer. In a gallery or art fair setting, I'm often in need of information quickly and seamlessly. I have all of the information from multiple locations in one clear and easy to use database with Primer. Having all of the information I might need to access wherever I may be has been critical during the last year or two. I've never wanted to spend a lot of time learning difficult software and with Primer it has been very intuitive and simple to use. The customer service is always helpful and efficient if/when I have questions.

Cons:

Honestly, I love everything about this software. It has saved me so much time and energy that I can now put towards my clients.

Vadis T.

Verified reviewer

Arts and Crafts

Self-Employed

Used weekly for less than 2 years

Review source

Reviewed January 2023

Primer for the WIN

I have never used anything like this before. It took me a while to get my entire inventory uploaded. But now I know where everything is and have the info and history for each piece at the ready. Ultimately, it saves me a lot of time searching my computer when I want to deliver something well and on the quick.

Ratings Breakdown

Ease of use

Value for money

Customer support

Functionality

Pros:

Frankly, it makes me look good and it keeps me organized. Lots of galleries use it and its always a plus, and super easy for everyone, when I have the same program as they do.

Cons:

That it can't read my mind and I have to make time to update my content.

Scott O.

Verified reviewer

Arts and Crafts

2-10 employees

Used daily for more than 2 years

Review source

Reviewed March 2022

Primer Archives software review

We use Primer everyday, all day. It manages our inventory, billing, contacts, vendor payments and everything else. We could not have grown as a business without it.

Ratings Breakdown

Ease of use

Value for money

Customer support

Functionality

Pros:

I love that every aspect of my business, which is an art gallery, can be handled and managed on this single platform. It feels like a gallery-owner made the software so it is engineered to be of the most use to me.

Cons:

There is a slight learning curve in the beginning, but there are a lot of online tutorials to get you started as well as the Primer team is always eager to help with direct tutorials and help.

Elsa D.

Verified reviewer

Arts and Crafts

2-10 employees

Used daily for more than 2 years

Review source

Reviewed September 2020

Perfectly designed for a gallery

Ratings Breakdown

Ease of use

Value for money

Customer support

Functionality

Pros:

Primer is a fantastic tool to manage our inventory and our contacts. It provides all the functions a gallery can need. We can create all types of transactions and presentations including online viewing rooms and payments to artists. It's complete and easy to use. What I like the most with Primer is that each new version of it is better than the previous one. It keeps improving based on our feedbacks. It suits our gallery needs perfectly and the customer service is amazing!

Cons:

Primer is so complete, that there are several functions that I haven't explored yet. The only thing that bothers me sometimes is the word processing when creating the PDF of a transaction. There is not so much flexibility around that but I'm sure it will improve soon!

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