1. Use online art marketplaces

Selling on online art marketplaces is the easiest way for new artists to reach a global audience. 

Choose from the following platforms, with an existing audience of art buyers and built-in tools for marketing, payment processing, and shipping.

• Saatchi Art
  One of the largest and most reputable online art galleries, Saatchi Art, focuses on physical art and provides excellent exposure for emerging and established artists. Register and create an artist account.
  
• Artsy
  A leading online marketplace that connects collectors with galleries, offering a vast marketplace for contemporary and modern art. To sell on Artsy, artists must partner with a gallery.
  
• Etsy
  This eCommerce platform is one of the most popular online art marketplaces. Register for an Etsy account to create a shop and sell anything from digital to traditional art forms.

2. Create a website on an eCommerce platform

Selling original artwork online is an excellent option for self-representing artists. eCommerce platforms enable you to build a website with integrated shopping features, serving as your primary sales channel.

To succeed, choose from the online platforms below with strong website building, sales, blogging, SEO (Search Engine Optimization), and content management tools.

• Shopify
  As a leading platform, Shopify allows selling art online through customizable stores, supporting physical and digital art sales. Sign up for a free Shopify trial.
  
• Wix
  Wix is an excellent option for artists who want to create a visually striking online store and sell physical and digital art pieces. Sign up to create a Wix store and try its easy-to-use website builder.
   
• Squarespace
  Known for its visually appealing templates, Squarespace is an excellent choice for physical and digital creators. Set up an art store on Squarespace with intuitive eCommerce features.

3. Create art prints with POD

Print on Demand helps you scale your art business while generating passive income. Platforms like Printify empower artists to reproduce their original art on canvases or other physical products, such as classic t-shirts and customizable mugs. 

As an artist, explore various categories, including print-on-demand consumer products. Use all of these items to showcase your art at events and art shows or sell it online.

No upfront investment, inventory, or storage is needed, as your art prints are only produced and shipped after a customer orders from your online store.

Printify offers integrations with eCommerce and art marketplaces, allowing you to sell directly through the most popular platforms, like Shopify and Etsy.

Once you create your online store, easily connect it with Printify.

• Sign up

Create a free Printify account and click Add a new store to connect Printify. 

• Pick items for your art reproduction

Browse through Printify’s Product Catalog to choose the items you’d like to feature your art on.

• Prepare your art for printing

Customize selected items with high-quality images of your art. Upload them to our intuitive Product Creator and check the mock-up of your final print before sending it to production.

• Sell on your store or order for yourself

Once you’ve created the final product, publish it in your online store and start selling prints. You can also order a sample for yourself.

4. Turn social media into your sales channel

Next, let’s explore how to make money as an artist on Meta and TikTok. Make sure the eCommerce platforms you choose to build your store support the necessary plugins or extensions for social media sales channels.

• Meta

Create a Facebook page and post content, alternating between sales and informative posts. If you want to reach a younger audience, create an Instagram business account and post high-quality images. 

To turn your social media into a sales channel, use Meta’s eCommerce features for Facebook and Instagram business shops. These features let you connect your store and allow followers to browse products and purchase art without leaving the app.

• TikTok

TikTok has the youngest audience among social networks, focusing on entertainment through short videos. 

To get started, sign up for a TikTok business account, list your products, and connect your store. Then, set up a TikTok shop, an in-app feature that allows users to buy products directly from your videos.

5. Start an art blog

If you have a website or online store with built-in tools for content creation and visibility, consider adding an art blog to showcase your expertise, highlight the creative process, attract buyers, and generate income.

• SEO

Optimizing your blog posts with relevant keywords can increase your site’s ranking in Google results and attract potential customers. Use tools like Google Trends or extend your research on Semrush.

• Selling art

Blogs are excellent for promoting and selling original pieces, art prints, digital downloads, music, or courses. Your blog posts can link directly to products in your online store, creating a seamless connection between content and eCommerce.

• Advertisement and affiliate links

Ad platforms like Google AdSense allow you to display ads tailored to your audience, earning money each time a visitor clicks on or views an ad.

Partner with relevant companies, such as those offering art supplies or creative software, and earn commissions on sales through your affiliate links.

6. Create a YouTube channel

Grow your following, showcase your art, and monetize your expertise by starting an art YouTube channel.

Share your music creations or even start a podcast on YouTube, which allows you to reach different audiences through various formats.

Combine time-lapse videos, step-by-step tutorials, and in-depth guides to create educational content and monetize your YouTube channel.

• Join the YouTube Partner Program

You’ll need at least 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours.

• Turn on ads 

Once you qualify, turn ads on and earn from views and clicks.

• Use affiliate marketing 

Promote products in your videos and earn commissions.

• Sell your art

Include links to your online store, art marketplace, or portfolio in video descriptions.

• Offer memberships

Provide exclusive content to paying subscribers.

7. Teach art by creating online courses

Creating an online course is one of the best examples of how to make money as an artist. Teaching art classes online generates revenue, helps refine your skills, and builds a wider audience.  

Teach by hosting live video sessions, recording educational videos, and creating written content. Start with what you do best, teach the fundamentals, and develop how-tos to monetize your online art courses.

• Use online course platforms

Leverage platforms like Skillshare or Udemy to host and sell your art course. These platforms handle the technical aspects, allowing you to focus on creating valuable content.

• Offer subscriptions

Provide ongoing lessons through a subscription model, where students pay a recurring fee for access to exclusive content and regular updates.

• Sell exclusive downloadable content

Offer premium downloadable materials of your course content, such as worksheets, templates, or additional project guides.

8. Work as a freelancer

Freelance artists have the flexibility to take on diverse projects, from graphic design to music production, while working independently. With the right strategy, it can become a profitable career path.

• Define your niche

Narrow your focus to a specific type of work and establish yourself as an expert in that area.

• Show your portfolio

A well-designed website or online store showcasing your portfolio is essential for any freelance artist. Highlight your best work, client testimonials, and services offered. 

• Leverage social media

Visual artists can use platforms like Dribbble and LinkedIn, while musicians can consider Bandcamp. Social media is crucial for networking, sharing your work, and attracting potential clients.

• List yourself on freelancing platforms

Sign up for platforms like Fiverr to gain visibility and explore opportunities.

9. Become a streamer

Streaming art is similar to recording courses. Stream online art tutorials, creative processes, or studio tours. 

Although YouTube Live is the most popular choice for live streaming, you can also use social media channels and other specialized platforms.

• Behance

Behance is Adobe’s social network that empowers creatives to live stream from Photoshop or Illustrator on iPad or via third-party solutions.

• Picarto

Picarto is a leading live-streaming platform for creators, including artists, musicians, and professionals from the gaming industry.

• Spotify 

Spotify is a music and podcast streaming platform where artists can upload their work and earn money based on streams. 

• Restream

Restream is a browser-based live streaming tool that allows creators to stream video content to multiple platforms simultaneously without needing external software.

10. Sell at art fairs, festivals, and galleries

Participating in art festivals and exhibiting at local art galleries offers exposure, in-person selling, and networking opportunities with gallery owners and fellow artists. 

While participating in an art fair or festival can be costly due to fees and logistics, the benefits extend beyond sales. Networking at these events can open doors for collaborations and future gallery representation.

• Prepare your portfolio 

Have a professional portfolio, including business cards, to show to gallery owners or collectors. Invest in display materials that effectively showcase your work.

• Find an art gallery

As most art fairs accept galleries rather than individual artists, consider finding a gallery to represent you and your work. Explore gallery networks like Ocula or Sotheby’s.

• Find the right event

Art fairs often have distinct themes or focuses, so choose the one that matches your style and goals. Select from top international art fairs like Art Basel and The Armory Show.

• Submit applications early

Check the submission guidelines for galleries and apply well in advance. For fairs, apply as soon as the registration opens.

11. Apply for art competitions and grants

Grants and contests cover various art forms worldwide, including visual arts, music, and writing. Institutions offer art grants to students, young or mid-career artists, art educators, and minorities. 

Art contests are competitions where artists submit their work to be judged, with the chance to win prizes, gain recognition, or secure exhibition opportunities.

• Grants

Some art grants are available for artists using technology and innovation, while others support artists addressing social issues. Consider applying to programs like the Pollock-Krasner Foundation.

• Art contests

Select the art contest that aligns with your artistic portfolio. Consider participating in contests like the Sony World Photography Awards and the Lumen Prize for Digital Art.

12. Commission artwork

Commissioned artwork involves an artist creating a custom piece based on a client’s request. This traditional income method lets artists directly connect with patrons interested in their specific style or expertise.

• Sign up on online platforms

Register on sites like Artwork Archive or Art Please to offer commission services and connect with potential clients.

• Prepare clear terms

When accepting commissions, create a detailed contract covering price, deadlines, payment terms, rights, and expectations.

• Communicate effectively

Maintain open communication with your clients, ensuring all project details are discussed and agreed upon to avoid misunderstandings.

With Printify, easily reproduce your art on various products. Explore our Product Catalog to print your artwork on postcards and canvases using fine-art quality Giclée printing, or apply it to home decor items.

Aluminum Composite Panels

By Generic brand

From $25.78 From $19.55 with Printify Premium

14 sizes Posterflow

Fine Art Postcards

By Generic brand

From $0.89 From $0.67 with Printify Premium

2 sizes Prodigi

Wall Decals

By Generic brand

From $17.89 From $13.57 with Printify Premium

6 sizes Printed Simply

Light Cube Lamp

By Generic brand

From $90.88 From $66.85 with Printify Premium

2 sizes Uniqcube

Wall Clock

By Generic brand

From $25.34 From $19.22 with Printify Premium

1 sizes 3 colors SPOKE Custom Products

Know how to market yourself

Many artists miss out on profits due to limited visibility. Marketing your art should be a top priority if you want to make art your full-time job.

• Follow other artists

Learn from other artists who have found success online. Use their work as inspiration to refine your style by adding your own touch.

• Brand yourself

Pick a name reflecting your brand and work on your public image. Purchase a brandable name with an available domain. Use the same name on your website, social media, and YouTube channel.

• Engage with your audience

Building a strong connection with your audience is key to marketing yourself. Be ready to show your face and voice, respond to comments, host live streams, and share behind the scenes.

Maintain a constant presence on social media

Although social media plays a crucial role in how to make money with art, simply posting pictures won’t automatically generate sales.

• Manage your time wisely

Strike a balance between creating art and networking by tracking the time you dedicate to each, ensuring both skill development and the growth of your online presence.

• Stay true to your artistic vision

Create art that mirrors your passion, not for likes. Use social media to showcase, not shape, your work.

• Offer valuable content

Share more than just images of your art. Provide value with educational content, tutorials, or blog posts that engage and teach your audience.

Build a unique online presence strategy

To develop a strong online presence as an artist, maintain a well-rounded digital profile across multiple platforms, extending beyond just social media.

Expand your online presence to include a professional website, YouTube channel, and platforms like Etsy. Additionally, establish an email list to keep fans updated on new releases and special offers.

Combining these platforms into a multilayered strategy allows you to grow your audience, engage more effectively, and increase your art sales.

Invest in equipment

Digital artists should invest in a powerful computer and drawing tablet, while video creators or photographers should focus on good lighting, cameras, and editing software like Adobe. Musicians need quality sound equipment and software like Ableton Live Lite to produce professional audio.

For painters and traditional artists, high-quality art supplies like brushes, paints, and canvases are key, along with proper lighting for an ideal workspace.

Focus on exposure

Use every available resource to showcase your artwork. Without proper exposure, it’s difficult to understand how to make money as an artist or grow your career.

Think outside the box and explore non-traditional spaces like galleries and exhibitions.

Consider displaying your artwork in local businesses, such as cafes or shops, which often support local artists and benefit from enhancing their environments. These unconventional spaces can help you reach new audiences and expand your visibility.

1. Check if your artwork meets Etsy standards

Learning how to sell artwork on Etsy starts with knowing what you can and can’t sell. As the go-to place for unique finds, Etsy makes sure that everything you sell aligns with its Terms of Use and Seller Policy.

So, what can you actually sell on Etsy? Aside from vintage or handmade items, sell anything that you design, handpick, or source yourself.

That means it’s possible to sell custom art with a production partner like Printify.

However, the Etsy marketplace does have restrictions or prohibitions. To avoid getting banned on the platform, make sure your art does not:

• Promote, support, or glorify hatred or violence.
• Promote illegal activity.
• Display explicit nudity and sexual content.

Check the full list of prohibited items on Etsy for additional information.

2. Define your target audience

Understanding your potential buyers is important for creating and selling artwork that resonates and gaining success in this crowded marketplace.

Here are a few ways to find customers on Etsy:

• Conduct market research
  Look at current trends and identify what type of art is popular, who is buying it, and whether there are gaps in the market that you can fill.
  
• Find relevant Etsy keywords
  Use tools like eRank,  Semrush or Google Trends to find popular search terms related to your art. Look for specific phrases that potential buyers might use.
  
• Tap into niche markets
  Consider specializing in a specific type of art, like pet portraits, botanical prints, or abstract designs. Niche markets often attract dedicated buyers and face less competition, making them ideal for selling art online.
  
• Perform competitor analysis
  Examine other Etsy sellers in your niche to understand their strategies, pricing, and products. Read customer reviews to learn how to make your art stand out.

3. Decide what products to sell

With a solid understanding of your target market, it’s time to determine the best products to offer in your Etsy store.

Focus on selling art online that plays to your creative strengths. Here are a few popular options:

• Canvas prints: Offer high-quality canvases of your original artwork. They’re popular for home decor and make your art feel more exclusive.

Matte Canvas, Stretched, 1.25"

By Generic brand

From $10.55 From $8.10 with Printify Premium

60 sizes Jondo

Matte Canvas, Stretched, 0.75" (Multi-Size)

By Generic brand

From $13.91 From $10.23 with Printify Premium

58 sizes Jondo

• Posters: Sell framed and unframed posters as a more affordable and versatile option for displaying your art.

Matte Vertical Posters

By Generic brand

From $4.66 From $3.59 with Printify Premium

46 sizes 2 print providers

Framed Vertical Poster

By Generic brand

From $34.64 From $26.68 with Printify Premium

7 sizes 3 colors 2 print providers

Satin Posters (210gsm)

By Generic brand

From $4.17 From $3.07 with Printify Premium

26 sizes 2 print providers

Framed Horizontal Poster

By Generic brand

From $36.27 From $26.68 with Printify Premium

7 sizes 3 colors Sensaria

• Digital downloads: Provide digital versions of your artwork that customers can instantly download and print themselves. It’s a cost-effective way for buyers to enjoy your art.
  
• Tapestries: Create and sell custom tapestries as decor to add a unique touch to any room. It’s a bold way for customers to showcase your designs in their homes.

Indoor Wall Tapestries

By Generic brand

From $15.28 From $11.24 with Printify Premium

8 sizes MWW On Demand

Wood Topped Wall Tapestry

By Generic brand

From $26.07 From $20.08 with Printify Premium

2 sizes MWW On Demand

Woven Wall Tapestry

By Generic brand

From $34.10 From $26.26 with Printify Premium

2 sizes MWW On Demand

• T-shirts: Design and sell t-shirts with your original art. Give customers a way to express their style through your wearable creations.

Unisex Heavy Cotton Tee

By Gildan · 5000

From $8.61 From $5.89 with Printify Premium

8 sizes 70 colors 22 print providers

Unisex Jersey Short Sleeve Tee

By Bella+Canvas · 3001

From $10.87 From $8.69 with Printify Premium

9 sizes 126 colors 21 print providers

Unisex Garment-Dyed T-shirt

By Comfort Colors® · 1717

From $12.18 From $10.67 with Printify Premium

7 sizes 61 colors 10 print providers

Unisex Cut & Sew Tee (AOP)

By Generic brand

From $21.78 From $16.02 with Printify Premium

6 sizes 2 colors MWW On Demand

• Hoodies: Sell these cozy apparel items that are perfect for buyers who want to stay warm while making a fashion statement.

Unisex Heavy Blend Hooded Sweatshirt

By Gildan · 18500

From $21.24 From $15.51 with Printify Premium

8 sizes 39 colors 17 print providers

Unisex Heavy Blend Full Zip Hooded Sweatshirt

By Gildan · 18600

From $26.31 From $19.95 with Printify Premium

8 sizes 18 colors 7 print providers

Unisex College Hoodie

By AWDIS · JH001

From $20.82 From $16.53 with Printify Premium

9 sizes 78 colors 9 print providers

adidas Unisex Fleece Hoodie

By adidas® · A432

From $44.05 From $33.43 with Printify Premium

8 sizes 8 colors 2 print providers

• Personalized artwork: Offer custom art like portraits, pet illustrations, or personalized quotes to give your customers unique, one-of-a-kind pieces.

4. Prepare your art for printing

Create color-accurate digital files in high resolution (300 DPI) using JPEG or PNG file formats to prepare your artwork for printing.

Then, sign up for a free Printify account to apply your artwork to various products and sell online seamlessly. Here’s how to do it:

Step 1: Select products

Browse our Product Catalog and pick the perfect canvas for your art. From posters and stickers to canvases and more. Click Start designing to create your next bestseller.

Step 2: Customize your designs

Use our intuitive Product Creator to upload your art or make new designs with our free graphics, fonts, and professional image editing tools.

Once you finalize your designs, our tool will generate realistic product mockups – perfect for listing on your Etsy store.

Step 3: Start selling

Connect your store through our Etsy integration in just a few clicks. Quickly create new Etsy listings, set prices, and start selling your custom products seamlessly.

5. Optimize your Etsy shop

After registering an Etsy account and opening an Etsy shop, it’s time to create a visually appealing storefront that captures the essence of your business.

Here are a few tips to prepare your online store and get Etsy shoppers to notice your art prints:

• Use high-quality images
  Capture your products with sharp, detailed photos. Shoot in natural light, use a plain background, and show multiple angles to give customers a comprehensive view of your artwork.
  
• Write detailed product descriptions
  Clearly explain each item, how it was made, and what makes it special. Answer questions buyers may have regarding dimensions, care instructions, and how to use or display the product.
  
• Design an attractive shop banner
  Create professional and eye-catching designs to represent your brand and set the tone for your shop. An appealing banner attracts target customers and makes your store look more inviting.
  
• Complete your shop profile
  Fill your shop’s About section with your story, creative process, and the meaning behind your artwork. This helps build customer trust by giving them insight into who you are and what drives your creativity.
  
• Set up shop policies
  Clearly outline your Etsy shop policies on shipping, returns, and custom orders. Being transparent helps manage customer expectations and avoid potential issues.

Pay as much attention to your storefront as you do to your artwork.

Creating a welcoming storefront with all the information customers need shows that you’re a reliable merchant, encouraging more sales.

6. Market your store

No matter how beautiful your art, selling won’t be easy if nobody knows about it. Apply tried and tested marketing strategies to drive traffic to your store and make money on Etsy.

Here are a few Etsy marketing tips to help your art store succeed:

• Optimize for search engines
  Etsy SEO is the process of increasing your shop’s visibility on popular search engines like Google.
  
  To appear in more results, use relevant keywords in your product titles, descriptions, alt-texts, and all available tags.
  
  
• Use social media pages
  Promote your Etsy store on popular social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. This lets you generate interest in your brand, build a loyal customer base, and increase Etsy sales.
  
  Use your Instagram account to share behind-the-scenes content, Facebook for targeted ads, and Pinterest for visually appealing Pins that link directly to your listings.
  
  
• Use Etsy Ads
  Run paid ads directly within the marketplace. Your promoted listings will feature within search results, market pages, and product categories for better visibility.

7. Adjust for success

Use Etsy Stats to see how your store is performing, where the traffic comes from, and how Etsy shoppers engage with your products.

To access this data, click Stats in your Etsy Shop Manager. You’ll see the following information:

• Store metrics
  Dive into your shop’s visits, orders, conversion rates, and revenue.
  
  These insights will help you understand what’s working and where to make adjustments to improve your store’s success.
  
  
• Shopper stats
  Get insights into how buyers interact with your shop, including item favorites, shop follows, and reviews.
  
  Use this information to encourage more engagement, like offering discounts to shoppers who favorited an item or sending thank-you vouchers to repeat customers.
  
  
• Abandoned baskets
  Keep an eye on abandoned carts and consider sending an offer to nudge visitors to complete their purchases.
  
  
• Traffic sources
  Discover how shoppers found your store, whether traffic from Etsy search, Etsy Ads, social media, or direct links.
  
  This helps you identify which channels drive the most visits and where to focus your marketing efforts.

Try to look for patterns, modify your product offerings to your customer’s liking, and focus on marketing that works.

1. Sell multiple products

If you want your shop to appear trustworthy and active, listing multiple items is vital.

Create different variations of your art, such as prints, apparel, digital downloads, and custom commissions, to drive conversions from a broader range of customers.

The more listings you have in a specific category, the higher your chances of showing up in Etsy search results – leading to more visits to your shop.

2. Set the right price

Pricing your artwork correctly is crucial for profitability. To strike a balance, consider the cost of materials, time spent creating the piece, and any fees associated with selling on Etsy.

Here are some other factors to consider when setting a price:

• Prices of competitors. See what other artists selling art on Etsy are charging and set your price competitively. Don’t fall into a price war – value your art for what it’s worth.
  
• Use various pricing strategies. For example, keep numbers before the decimal point low for psychological pricing, like $9.99 instead of $10.15.

3. Ensure great customer service

If you keep your customers happy, they’re more likely to buy from you again and suggest your Etsy store to their friends.

Try to answer your customers’ inquiries quickly and politely, providing them with all the information they need.

It may seem small, but great customer service can make a huge difference when running a small business and pay off in the long run.

Selling artwork as digital products

Selling digital downloads is the easiest way to start your online art business. Customers purchase the art files and can turn them into prints or keep them digital.

Sell digital art files as NFTs

NFTs (non-fungible tokens) are unique digital assets stored on a blockchain, ensuring ownership and authenticity. For artists, NFTs provide a way to sell exclusive digital art, often appealing to high-paying collectors who value scarcity and originality.

While creating and selling NFTs can be profitable, the market caters to a niche audience, and success often depends on effective branding and timing. Popular beginner marketplaces and online galleries like Rarible, Foundation, and Nifty Gateway focus on showcasing the art itself.

Tip

Start by learning how to create NFT art on our blog. Keep in mind that listing your work may require initial costs, such as gas fees. However, the potential for high-value sales makes NFTs an exciting option for artists.

Make it happen today

Start designing

Selling digital art as physical products

Turning your digital art into physical products is a fantastic way to expand your revenue streams. By partnering with a printing company to add your designs to items like t-shirts, posters, mugs, or notebooks, you’ll reach a broader audience and create products with a higher perceived value. 

Turning your files into physical art also offers an excellent opportunity for repeat sales, especially when paired with trending designs or niche themes. 

Print on Demand (POD) makes this process simple and stress-free. With POD, you don’t need to worry about inventory or shipping. Just upload your artwork to your chosen items, create your product listings, and let the Print Providers handle production and logistics. It’s an easy and profitable way to bring your digital art to life and grow your business with minimal effort or upfront costs.

Sell canvas prints, wall art, posters, and cards

Selling posters, wall decor, and custom canvas prints is a great option if you want copies of your artwork for decorative purposes. 

Choose an item from the Printify Catalog that fits your artwork, then upload your design to the Product Creator and make any necessary adjustments. Once ready, set your pricing and shipping details, then integrate your Printify account with platforms like Etsy or Shopify for seamless listing and order management.

Posters – A good budget item for physical art prints, posters are the best college lifestyle decor or loyal fan go-to and come in multiple sizes. Try the current best-selling Premium Matte Posters, water-resistant Silk Posters, or the Framed Horizontal Posters with a durable acrylic finish.

Canvas – While not painted directly, the Classic Canvas, made with polycotton or the Gallery Canvas Wraps, provide high-quality art prints with a professional framed finish. If you want to go all out with a more premium aesthetic, go for the eco-friendly canvas made from sustainable pinewood.

Cards – Greeting cards and postcards are excellent for seasonal designs and are often the most sought-after items in any customer demographic. They’re also easy on the wallet and quick to produce.

Payment best practices

Always require payment upfront before sending any digital files or physical products to customers. Choose a safe, reliable payment method. Don’t accept promises of cash payment, and be careful about paper checks or transfers from foreign accounts – these transactions can be unreliable and have a chance of bouncing. 

Here are a few reliable payment methods:

• Online payment gateway
• A third-party online marketplace 
• Email invoicing
• Mobile payment apps
• Electronic bank transfers
• Cryptocurrency payments

Using these payment gateways will significantly reduce the likelihood of getting scammed by buyers.

Another potential risk is having your digital files passed around and sold by a third party. This often happens when the thief takes screenshots of your digital products and sells them as their own.

To prevent this, add watermarks or signatures to your digital assets before posting them on social media or your online stores.  Use low-quality preview images when doing art commissions or advertising your business online. Only send the finished artwork after payment.

Commercial licensing 

A commercial license protects your work by defining how it can be legally used, ensuring you retain control over reproduction and resale. To create one, draft your own terms of use or use platform-specific tools provided by marketplaces. 

For example:

• On Etsy, include a custom license agreement in your product description or as an attachment with your digital download, specifying whether the artwork is for personal or commercial use.
• Contributing your art to Adobe Stock automatically comes with licensing terms that protect your work and allow buyers to use it under specific conditions.
• Shutterstock handles commercial licensing for contributors, ensuring buyers adhere to clear usage rights.
• If selling on your own website, write a simple license that outlines allowed uses (e.g., personal projects only) and prohibited uses (e.g., reselling or redistribution). Ensure the license is easily accessible to buyers, such as through a downloadable file or a visible disclaimer on the product page.

1. Create a Printify account

Sign up for free to access over 1,000 customizable products.

2. Choose a product

Browse our Product Catalog and select an item that fits your design and target audience. Use filters to explore options based on pricing, production location, branding features, and product type.

3. Upload your art

Click Start designing to go to the Product Creator. Upload your artwork using the recommended resolution and digital file type. 

Adjust your design and preview it on our mockups to ensure it looks just right. Once done, click Save product. Add a title and description to your listing and save it as a draft.

4. Integrate an eCommerce platform

Connect Printify with popular eCommerce platforms and marketplaces like Etsy, Shopify, or WooCommerce to start selling your products seamlessly. Sync your designs directly to your online store, manage listings, and automate order fulfillment – all from one place.

Next to your profile icon on the home page, click Add new store and choose your sales channel from our integrations list.

5. Start selling your digital artwork online

Set your prices in each listing, hit Publish, and you’re ready to go! Share your products with your audience and start spreading the word about your amazing designs.

Can you make money selling printables on Etsy?

Yes! Many merchants have successfully created a source of passive income by offering printables on the marketplace. Simply create your digital products, and Etsy handles the rest.

Selling digital printables is straightforward and doesn’t require managing supply logistics or setting up different shipping profiles, making it a reliable niche for an Etsy business.

Besides saving on zero shipping costs and inventory, you’ll have to consider Etsy fees that will determine how you should price your printable products and margins for profitability:

• $0.20 for listing any unique item on your storefront.
• 6.5% transaction fee per sale of a product.
• 3% + $0.25 (US) payment processing fee per transaction.

1. Start with creating printables

Sell printables on Etsy from pre-made assets or design them from scratch, depending on your skills and time. Consider hiring an expert to help with specific parts of the project.

Pre-made options:

Platforms with stock graphic elements can provide pre-made images for you to use commercially with some alterations. Pay close attention to subscription costs and licensing.

Commercial licenses allow you to sell printables on Etsy containing existing images. Still, some platforms may apply additional restrictions or conditions and might be best used for inspiration.

Here are the most relevant platforms for obtaining pre-made graphic elements: 

• Canva – A favorite graphic design tool for many. It’s user-friendly and provides freemium features, offering lots of templates and options in both the paid and free versions. Additionally, Canva is also a photo editing software for graphic designers.

Price: Pro plan or an individual license of $1. Plans start from $12 a month. You can’t sell graphic elements on a standalone basis – Canva mandates alteration.

• Unsplash – The top source for high-quality, free photos provided by contributors worldwide. Commercial use is allowed without mandatory attribution. While the images can’t be sold without modification, they can be freely used for creating printables.

Price: Most content is freely accessible, but for $16 a month or $84 yearly, Unsplash Plus offers membership-only content, unlimited downloads, and enhanced legal protections.

• Pexels – Similarly to Unsplash, Pexels offers thousands of high-quality stock photo images that can be used without attribution but need to be altered before being sold.

Price: Free.

• Envato Elements – Provides fonts, 3D images, photos, graphics, presentation, and video templates. A lifetime commercial license covers all assets in the platform’s paid plans.

Price: A free account gets you up to 12 free monthly downloads. Unlimited downloads start from $14.50 monthly, and more advanced plans introduce custom licensing options.

• Shutterstock – One of the most popular platforms for stock images. While it can be expensive for individual photos, it offers integrations with many platforms, including Printify. 

Price: Shutterstock offers a free trial with access to ten images and thousands of artistic elements. Plans start from $29 a month, providing increased monthly download limits.

• Creative Market – Offers a limited number of free graphic assets and monthly drops. Platform credits offer visual elements – fonts, templates, photos, themes, and 3D designs.

Price: Membership plans start at $9.95 a month, with monthly design assets worth up to a thousand dollars. Each next pricing plan offers a higher percentage asset discount.

• Freepik – Offers thousands of images and vector graphics. Assets from Freepik can be used commercially as secondary graphics elements, with the requirement of crediting the author. 

Price: Free access allows you to download up to ten images daily, with a full commercial license and unlimited downloads for $24 a month or $144 yearly.

• Adobe Stock – Provides photos, vectors, videos, fonts, and plugins. The free plan gives access to ten images. It’s one of the pricier options, ideally suited if you’re already a subscriber to an Adobe service.

Price: Stock-only subscription starts from $29.99 a month, with only up to ten assets per month. Additional credit packs start at $49.95. Any standard image costs one credit with the standard license (not for commercial use). Commercial images cost 12 credits with an enhanced license.

Printables from scratch:

Create printables from scratch and start selling them on Etsy using various paid and free tools, from advanced graphic design and digital art software to simpler image editing tools.

• Adobe Creative Cloud – Adobe products have been the industry standard in graphic design for decades. The Creative Cloud is a subscription service offering different combinations of products, including packages containing all apps bundled together.

Price: $59.99 a month for all Adobe software. Subscription to only Photoshop and Lightroom for $19.99 a month. Access to any single app on the Creative Cloud for $9.99 a month.

If you plan to start selling printables on Etsy as a side hustle, or even if you’re a professional, it’s possible to save money using more affordable or free alternatives with professional quality. 

• GIMP – The free, open-source alternative to Adobe Photoshop, offering powerful, full-featured software compatible with all operating systems and provides professional editing capabilities. However, similar to Adobe products, expect quite a steep learning curve.

Price: Free.

• Photopea – Photopea is a free online option for editing vector images. The platform is compatible with all digital file formats, including Adobe files, Sketchup, and GIMP XCF. The free option displays ads ($5 for ad removal) but offers access to all the features.

Price: Free assets and tools (minor premium quality-of-life features).

• Affinity – Affinity offers professional graphic design software integrated across Mac, Windows, and iPads. Its focus is on defining new standards in the graphic design industry.
  • Affinity Designer combines vector and raster tools for concept art, icons, logos, mockups, and print projects.
  • Affinity Photo offers tons of editing, retouching, and filtering tools.
  • Affinity Publisher provides tools for designing books or journals.

Price: Each software license is sold for a one-time payment of $69.99 for desktop and $18.49 for iPad. You can get all three apps across all platforms in a discounted bundle for $164.99.

Check out our article about the best tools for graphic design for additional options.

Hire an expert:

Hire a graphic designer or specialist to create printable designs or other digital products on your behalf. Explore several programs to help you find the right professional for your needs: 

• Printify Experts Program – Get in touch with graphic designers, illustrators, visual identity experts, or content creation specialists when designing custom-print merchandise on our platform.
• Fiverr – Huge database of professionals for logos, artwork, videos, graphics, and design. 
• Upwork – Allows you to post a job and hire from hundreds of creative design talents.
• PeoplePerHour – Offers logo design, illustration, graphic design, and videography services, plus 24/7 customer support.

3. Market your store

There are several strategies and techniques to make your Etsy business truly stand out in the marketplace. Follow our checklist:

• Before you start selling printables on Etsy, determine your target audience.
• Conduct keyword research to refine SEO for product descriptions, titles, tags, and images.
• Optimize image sizes and follow Etsy guidelines for banner sizes.
• Market your Etsy shop on social media, especially Pinterest.
• Use email marketing to connect with and inform customers about your products.
• Offer promotions such as free printables or a printables course to get new customers. 
• After gaining some organic traffic, set up Etsy Ads. Find an in-depth explanation in our Etsy marketing guide.

Planners, fillable to-do lists, and chore chart checklists

Selling digital planners appeals to many people on Etsy. They can be printed repeatedly and are useful for organizing chores, activities, or meals. Variations can include to-do lists and chore chart checklists, which will help your customers fulfill their day-to-day routines.

Logos and business cards

Logos are increasingly popular printables for those looking for side hustles and financial independence. Similarly, custom business card templates are always in demand, especially for newcomers starting their own businesses. 

Wedding printables

Wedding invitations and lists; menus, tasks, and games for bachelorette parties; guestbooks, wedding invitations, and wedding signs – there are so many wedding-related printables to sell. 

Wedding printables can be sold all year round, with some seasonal spikes depending on your target audience’s location.

Event printables

There are many possibilities for event-related printables – planners, to-do lists, timeline templates, invites, custom stickers, flyers, programs, venue selections, and logistics.

Baby and children printables

• Baby-related printables – This is a broad niche to sell printables. Games for baby showers, invites, and lists are always in demand, as are birth plans and pregnancy journals. Make printables that’ll be cute, memorable, helpful, and profitable. 
• Children’s learning materials – Babies grow quickly, but the demand for printables grows with them. Learning materials like flash cards with letters and numbers are a must-have for parents.
• Homeschooling materials – Homeschooling has grown in popularity worldwide, and quality worksheets are more in demand than ever. Take your time, consult with teachers, check out government sites with free resources and guidelines, and offer educational printables that will add value for your customers.

Printable cards

Birthdays, invitations, thank-you letters, and greeting cards are necessary all year round, but they can be expensive compared to printable cards.

Calendars

Physical calendars remain super handy. They allow us to track daily routines, remember special days, and share important information with family members or roommates in visible places. Millions of calendars are sold annually, and beautiful printable calendars are definitely marketable.

Photography

Selling digital photos can be a good option if you have camera skills or know how to make art prints for Etsy. However, avoid selling stock images; you shouldn’t commercialize even the free options without alterations.

Coloring pages – for kids or adults

Coloring pages are a classic activity for children and are increasingly appealing to adults, mainly as a way to relieve stress.

Depending on your graphic skills, create your coloring pages and sell them for reasonable prices.

Crossword puzzles

As Wordle’s recent success shows, crossword puzzles are a classic and remain the favorite of many. Create printable crosswords that resonate with your niche and audience.

Hand embroidery, crochet, and knitting patterns

Patterns or recipes for hand embroidery, knitting, and crochet are always in demand in several niches. They harmonize well with Etsy’s customer base and rank high on Pinterest. If you have the required skills to produce them, you’ll have a guaranteed passive revenue source.

Honorable mentions

Jar labels, gift tags, candy bar wrappers, seasonal printables, woodworking plans, religious worksheets, and other printables are other excellent options for starting an Etsy printables business.

Decide what you’re going to sell online

Sell art strategically by considering your ideal buyers, artistic voice, online brand, and where you’ll sell. Other artists, like graphic designers, might find success and complement their income by selling visual assets instead of traditional fine art on other platforms.

Original artwork

While selling original artwork is the most common approach to making money online as an artist, it can also be the most challenging. This applies to a wide range of art forms, from paintings and sculptures to photography, drawings, and digital creations.

Even for established artists, success often hinges on strong online skills, effective networking, and high visibility.

Nowadays, many platforms make it easier to sell art products. Online galleries, art platforms, social media, and website builders provide resources for creating effective marketing strategies and reaching potential customers.

Art prints (reproductions)

Conveniently sell art prints or reproductions of original art in an online gallery or independently using a print-on-demand service. 

Artists who sell art prints on different platforms have increased visibility to an existing audience. However, these platforms can come with subscription fees and commissions that may be steep, especially for new artists.

Merchandise

In addition to custom canvas prints, posters, and reproductions, independent artists can earn money selling customized merchandise like t-shirts, mugs, phone cases, or other items that fit their niche. This merchandise can also be distributed as branding in live events, art fairs, and gallery exhibitions as souvenirs.

Digital art

Both professional and hobbyist artists can create a good source of passive income by selling digital files, downloadables, or printables. 

These digital prints range from fine art reproductions for online sales and galleries to printables that meet everyday needs, like graphic elements.

You can also sell your art as NFTs on specialized platforms like OpenSea or Binance, and market it on social networks.

Tip

Our blog has more information about NFT merch and how to sell prints online, as well as more on selling digital art.

Custom art

For centuries, commissions have been a way for artists to earn a living. Today, online platforms like Saatchi Art connect artists with potential clients. Graphic design and illustration commissions often flow through business-focused services.

• Be cautious with commissions. Platforms offer contract resources, and reputable institutions can provide samples. Clearly define prices, payment terms, and artist rights through a written contract.
• Open communication is key. While clients have a say, detailed contracts set boundaries. Include timelines with checkpoints, approval dates, and deadlines.

Start selling artwork online with Print on Demand

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Decide where to sell artwork online

Where to sell art online? Deciding where to showcase your work depends heavily on the type of art you create. 

Here’s a breakdown of popular art-selling websites, along with their pros, cons, and what you can sell there:

Platforms for digital art and visual assets:

• Best options: Gumroad (includes NFTs), Society6, Redbubble, ArtStation, AdobeStock, Creative Market.
• Who is it for? Ideal for digital artists and any graphic designer selling downloadable files, prints, or assets.
• What to consider: Each platform caters to a specific audience (e.g., gamers on ArtStation).
• Pros: Easy to upload and sell digital files. Some platforms offer print-on-demand services.
• Cons: Limited control over branding and pricing on some platforms.
• What can you sell? Digital downloads like illustrations, brushes, textures, or stock photos. Some platforms offer print-on-demand merchandise.

2. Specialized art marketplaces:

• Best options: Saatchi Art, Artfinder, Fine Art America.
• Who is it for? Great for artists with fine art, photography, or established artistic styles.
• What to consider: Often caters to a curated audience of art buyers and might require application or jury review. Commissions are around 40% on Saatchi Art and Artfinder, depending on the plans.  
• Pros: Potential exposure to serious art collectors and a higher price point for artwork.
• Cons: Can be competitive and have application fees and commissions. Less control over marketing compared to your own standalone website.
• What can you sell? Originals, high-quality prints, and potentially limited edition pieces. Some platforms offer framing and fulfillment services.

3. Art merch marketplaces and platforms

• Best options: Fine Art America, Society6.
• Who is it for? Excellent for artists wanting to sell merchandise featuring their artwork.
• What to consider: Often cater to a broad audience interested in art-related products.
• Pros: Easy to upload designs and leverage print-on-demand services for various products.
• Cons: Less control over profit margins and fulfillment compared to selling directly.
• What can you sell? A wide variety of merchandise, like t-shirts, mugs, phone cases, and home decor featuring your artwork.

Tip

Explore how to sell merch and make money on Spotify on our blog.

Price and market your artwork and art business

Thriving as an independent artist requires a shift from solely creative expression to becoming an “artpreneur” – a business owner managing a company. This involves mastering how to price your art products, market them, and gain visibility on search engines.

Let’s take a look at some essential points to help you become a successful business owner without losing your artistic focus.  

Marketing

Use all the marketing tools provided by your sales channels that you can manage consistently and adequately to market your artwork, brand yourself, and, ultimately, sell your art. 

That includes social accounts that resonate with your customer base, a personal website, a blog, and a YouTube channel. Consider other strategies, such as email and influencer marketing. 

• Learn from other artists with an online presence, regardless of age and artistic experience. Adapt when necessary, but keep your own voice and originality. 
• Network and develop relationships within the artistic community. Participate in physical art events and stay in the loop, online and in person.

1. Digitize your artwork

Canvases, posters, and other print-on-demand products have specific design prerequisites such as available colors, print techniques, and measurements. Check Printify’s Design Guide for key requirements and get acquainted with our free merch maker to get the most out of your creations.

Also, check out our video tutorials for more actionable information.

2. Connect your own online store

You can create up to five free stores with Printify, add products, and integrate them with your preferred sales channel.

3. Pick and create your products

After you’ve created an online art store, choose your first product in our Catalog and check the Print Providers and the product characteristics. When you decide which to pick, click Start Designing to customize the merch with our Product Creator.

• Upload custom designs, create slogans, or use the Shutterstock integration to customize the merch. Preview it, make any adjustments, and hit Save. 
• Edit the profit margins, prices, and descriptions, and review if everything is alright before publishing the final product.

4. Publish your products

Click Publish to synchronize the product with your online store. Depending on the sales channel, additional tweaking may be required directly on the platform. 

Pay attention to any customizations possible on the platforms, as they’ll impact the SEO and your product visibility.

1. Photographing in the digital age

Consider using these details when shooting. They all add up to a significant difference in the final product’s outcome. Please remember, these are recommendations, not necessities.

• Use a timer rather than pressing the button. Sometimes, a small shake can occur in the camera — resulting in a slight blurring effect.
• Use clear, even lighting. If there is shadowing or shading, things could render improperly.
• Avoid using flash. This can cause a reflection to shine unevenly from various colors or angles.
• Shoot your photo albums (or individuals) at the highest resolution possible for your camera. This way, you’ll be able to work with more sizes on products.
• Line up the camera’s lens with the middle of the artwork being shot. With this in place, the framing of the artwork will come out better.
  • ISO + Aperture: These camera settings adjust how sensitive the camera is to light by adjusting the dimensions of their diaphragm. To digitize the image crisp and clear, consider using a lower ISO. Studios often shoot at ISO 100 or so.
  • DSLR Tip: For these devices, it may be a good idea to use an f-stop (light allowed into the lens) of f-8 to f-10.

2. Scanning to digitize an image:

Unlike some conventional printers, scanners are usually pretty easy to use. Unfortunately, they’re traditionally limited to an A4-size (piece of writing paper) scanning area. So, you’re more limited than a photo in scope when walking down memory lane.

How computer screens read: Red green blue (RGB)

This is how a computer screen projects various colors. Every device is powered by a light source within that shines those rays through various segments of color. It’s called the additive color model. 

First, only a dark light is shown. But, by adding controlled tones of red, green, and blue, a wide range of colors can be created. However, even with the current reaches of technology, we cannot recreate the diversity and wonder of the human eye within a screen. Nature still manages to amaze.

How printing computers create merchandise

This is how printing machines create colors on a garment or product. Unlike merely projecting a color, physically creating a colored ink and causing that ink to bond with various fabrics is a bit more complicated. As such, the large-scale printers that create print-on-demand products rely on combinations of cyan, magenta, yellow, and key (black). 

While screen-based processes use the additive concept, physically creating an image relies on subtractive mixing. This begins with a pure white, with colors subtracted as layers of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black are removed until the proper color is uncovered.

Troubleshooting early problems

When you upload, scan, or transfer a printed photo or image to be digitized, you’ll usually be looking at an RGB (human vision) picture. Remember, this will usually be transferred to CMYK once it’s in digital files.

So, one of the best ways to ensure your artwork looks the same on both sides is to use CMYK from the beginning. This provides the most accurate final products.

Uploading images to the Product Creator

Uploading a printing file as either a JPEG or PNG is possible. Please be aware that both files have differing capabilities. 

• JPEG: Supports RGB, sRGB, and CMYK for all Printify products. Transparent backgrounds are not supported. 
• PNG: Supports RGB and sRGB for all Printify products. Transparent backgrounds are supported.

Shutterstock

This is a digital library containing millions of high-quality images. If you find a photo you’d like to work with, their pay-as-you-sell system means you won’t have to pay to use anything until it sells. 

Furthermore, several cutting-edge editing tools allow you to crop, isolate, and even manipulate image backgrounds. Even if you don’t end up using one of their digitized documents, it can be worth looking through for some inspiration.

Text editor

Using digital technology to make cool printed photos or digitizing images can be tempting, but it can be difficult. Fortunately, products that have simple, text-based messages or branding often sell very well.

Free designs

Everyone has to start somewhere. And, while these designs may be far from ideal for your store’s final destination, they’re perfect for trial, mockups, and even making a few sales. While it may say that they’re just for t-shirts, these designs are perfect for any Printify product.

Digitizing services

This may be the best bet for those who believe you get what you pay for. If cash isn’t a problem, getting an expert opinion (and work) is a wonderful option.

Fortunately, this choice can be difficult to scale over time. If a brand wants to develop and spread over time, these professionals are always ready to lend a helping hand.