Vending

Liverpool artist reinvents print sales with vending twist

Adobe Stock

April 28, 2026

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An English designer has turned to an unconventional idea to stand out in a crowded online art market.

Becci Stephens, founder of Palm House Studio in Liverpool, said she struggled to gain traction selling traditional prints and began looking for a more creative, physical way to engage customers. Inspired by vintage vending machines repurposed for art, she purchased a retro unit for less than $275 and began converting it to dispense mini prints, according to a People.com report.

Stephens refurbished the machine herself, sourcing replacement parts and redesigning it to fit her needs. She shifted her creative approach as well, producing smaller, more playful designs to stock the machine. After placing it in an independent gift shop at Liverpool's Albert Dock, she saw immediate customer interest, validating the concept despite initially treating it as a passion project rather than a revenue driver.

The project gained wider attention after a social media video of the machine went viral, attracting thousands of new followers and opening additional opportunities. Stephens told the news outlet the overwhelmingly positive response reinforced the appeal of a tangible, interactive experience in a digital-first market. While she may expand to additional locations, she said the project's primary goal remains creative fulfillment and encouraging other artists to experiment without a fixed outcome.

Vending