What kind of art sells the most?

The success of any artwork depends on various factors. Some buyers prioritize certain styles and mediums, while others are drawn to specific colors or sizes that fit their space and aesthetic.

By understanding which combination works best and aligning these factors with market demand, you significantly increase your chances of selling art.

Medium types

• Paintings
  Original paintings represent more than 80% of high-end contemporary art auction sales, proving that traditional art mediums like acrylic paintings continue to dominate the upper-tier market.
  
  The increasing popularity of online art platforms helps expand the global market for paintings, making it easier for both established and emerging artists to reach collectors worldwide.

• Limited edition prints
  Art prints are a fantastic choice for buyers and creators like painters and photographers. They are more affordable and accessible to a wider audience than one-of-a-kind pieces, making prints easier to market and sell.
  
  Print sales also help you generate passive income, especially when using Print on Demand. Leveraging Printify, you can repurpose your work on canvas or postcards with exceptional color accuracy and detail using fine-art quality Giclee digital printing.

Giclée Art Print

By Generic brand

From $8.89 From $6.54 with Printify Premium

14 sizes Print Pigeons

Fine Art Prints (Passepartout Paper Frame)

By Generic brand

From $10.11 From $7.44 with Printify Premium

4 sizes 1 colors Prodigi

Fine Art Postcards

By Generic brand

From $0.89 From $0.67 with Printify Premium

2 sizes Prodigi

Fine Art Posters

By Generic brand

From $7.42 From $5.46 with Printify Premium

35 sizes Print Clever

• Sculptures and mixed-media pieces

While these cater to a niche audience, mixed-media art is consistently in demand, especially in the high-end market. Just look at Damien Hirst’s renowned paintings made of real butterflies.

Sculptures, whether abstract or figurative, tend to attract buyers looking for something unique and tactile for their art collections.

• Wall art
  Attract buyers looking to enhance their homes or offices with statement pieces. Art printed on large wall decals can become the focal point of any room – perfect for showing off your striking creations.
  
  Wall decals are trending due to their accessibility and ability to transform any space. Print your art on large, easy-to-apply wall decals from Printify’s catalog.

Wall Decals

By Generic brand

From $17.89 From $13.57 with Printify Premium

6 sizes Printed Simply

Wall Decals

By Generic brand

From $17.78 From $13.48 with Printify Premium

6 sizes Sensaria

• Digital art and NFTs
  Digital drawings, paintings, animations, 3D models, and interactive media have surged in popularity with the rise of Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) – blockchain-based assets that verify ownership and authenticity of digital art pieces.
  
  With sales of NFT collectibles totaling around $6.3 billion in 2023, it offers a new frontier for selling art.

Styles and subjects

• Contemporary art
  An impactful style in the art world today, many successful artists produce work that responds to global and social issues, politics, and identity.
  
  Between 2018 and 2022, roughly 3,000 contemporary artworks sold for over $1 million, reflecting its popularity among high-end collectors.

• Modern art
  Modern art includes movements such as Cubism, Futurism, and Surrealism, which paved the way for contemporary art as we know it today.
  
  While it remains valuable in the collectors market, today’s artists frequently create art inspired by modernism. They build on its themes and techniques while adapting to current social, political, and technological contexts.

• Art Deco
  One of the most iconic art styles from the early 20th century, Art Deco visualizes the transition into modernism. With sleek, geometric patterns, this type of artwork taps into the nostalgia of a glamorous past.
  
  Original Art Deco is considered collectible vintage art, but it continues to inspire contemporary artists today – evoking a sense of luxury and elegance in both fine art and home decor.

• Abstract art
  Abstract paintings are a favorite due to their versatility. This type of art easily adapts to various interior settings, making it appealing for diverse design projects.
  
  The lack of specific imagery allows abstract art to become focal points without overwhelming a room, making them highly sought after by collectors, interior designers, and homeowners.

• Street art
  While it began as a form of counterculture, street art has become a significant player in the fine art world. Artists like Banksy have popularized the style, blending political activism with artistic expression.
  
  Making art that taps into urban culture and social commentary has gained significant traction among younger, socially conscious audiences.

• Pop art
  Rising to prominence in the 1960s with iconic artists like Andy Warhol, this style challenges traditional art by transforming imagery from commercial culture and mass media into bold, eye-catching pieces.
  
  Today, artwork inspired by the pop art movement remains popular due to its colorful and playful style.

• Portraits and figurative art
  These timeless favorites capture human expression, identity, and storytelling in ways that deeply resonate with buyers.
  
  Blending tradition with modern techniques, portraits and figurative works evoke strong emotions and appeal to art enthusiasts, collectors, and interior designers.

• Landscapes and nature art
  From stunning beach scenes to impressionistic landscapes, art capturing the beauty of nature holds timeless appeal, particularly among collectors who prefer more traditional approaches.
  
  Contemporary interpretations of nature and landscapes are also popular with younger audiences, making this style flexible and continuously in demand.

Colors and sizes

Color trends play a significant role in determining what kind of art sells best.

• Vibrant, energetic hues like electric blues, neon pinks, and bold oranges are sought after among audiences looking for bold centerpieces.

• Muted pastels, monochromatic palettes, and earthy tones are popular for their versatility in various interior settings. 

The size of the artwork is also crucial, as it affects how the piece fits into different spaces and influences its perceived value.

• Small pieces like prints and postcards are easier to sell at a competitive price.

• Mid-size pieces like paintings and posters are popular due to their adaptability to various interior settings.
• Large pieces like wall decals attract buyers looking to make a statement.

Want to go beyond traditional canvases? Explore Printify’s Catalog and discover other types of artwork that sells.

Matte Canvas, Stretched, 1.25"

By Generic brand

From $10.55 From $8.10 with Printify Premium

60 sizes Jondo

Matte Vertical Posters

By Generic brand

From $4.66 From $3.59 with Printify Premium

46 sizes 2 print providers

Indoor Wall Tapestries

By Generic brand

From $15.28 From $11.24 with Printify Premium

8 sizes MWW On Demand

Tough Cases

By Generic brand

From $14.77 From $11.20 with Printify Premium

73 sizes WOYC

How do you sell contemporary art online?

The market has gone digital, with total global online sales in art and antiques totaling $11.8 billion in 2023.

Learn how to make art that sells by following these tips to start your art business.

Establish your unique style

Creating original art and developing a signature aesthetic will help you stand out in the competitive art world.

• Find inspiration
  Study the artists, movements, and experiences that inspire you, and analyze how they influence your work.

• Experiment with different techniques and mediums
  See what resonates with your creative vision. While studying other artists is important, always stay true to your authentic voice to avoid simply replicating what’s popular.

• Seek constructive feedback
  Advice from mentors and your audience helps evolve your style. This process of refinement is key to developing a personal signature that sets you apart from the vast majority.

Study trends

Tuning in to what’s popular is essential for knowing what kind of artwork sells. By understanding what appeals to art buyers, you can create pieces that align with contemporary tastes while maintaining your unique style.

• Research keywords
  Utilize tools like Google Trends to identify popular art-related search terms and understand what themes or styles people are currently looking for.
• Research social media
  Platforms like Instagram and Pinterest are great for tracking visual trends. Follow art influencers, galleries, and popular hashtags to discover trending colors, techniques, or subjects.
• Research online art platforms
  Visit sites like Saatchi Art or Artfinder to spot emerging trends in mediums, or artistic styles. These platforms often showcase what’s popular among collectors and curators.
• Research eCommerce marketplaces
  See what art products are popular on platforms like Etsy and Shopify. Analyzing top sellers and customer reviews can give you insights into the demand for specific art styles and mediums.

Target your market

Successfully selling your art requires a deep understanding of your target audience. Identify your potential buyers’ demographics to determine what type of art sells best.

Younger buyers (Millennials and Gen Z) are interested in more affordable pieces, such as prints and digital downloads like fan art. They tend to favor contemporary styles that are vibrant and culturally relevant, and often rely on social media trends to drive their preferences.

Older collectors generally seek traditional art like oil paintings and sculptures. They typically invest in established names or pieces that evoke a sense of timelessness, making them more likely to purchase original artworks.

Meanwhile, the US remains the largest online art market accounting for 42% of global sales, with China and the UK taking second and third place. This makes them prime markets for artists to target, particularly those selling contemporary or high-value works.

Pick the best business model and sales channels

Your business model and selling platform impact how you create, distribute, sell, and scale your art.

• Print-on-demand (POD) model
  Sell custom-designed prints and products showcasing your art without holding inventory. Your POD partner, like Printify, will handle production and shipping. Utilize Printify integrations to sell your products on various online platforms and marketplaces.
  
  Best for: Artists, designers, or entrepreneurs wanting to put their art on products like canvases, home decor, and accessories.
  Why it’s popular: Low-risk and scalable, Printify handles all order fulfillment for you.

• Direct-to-consumer (D2C) via your own website
  Selling directly through your website means having complete autonomy over the sales process, from payment gateways to customer experience. It’s great for publishing a virtual art gallery and establishing a strong brand. 
  
  Best for: Artists or brands who want control over their online presence.
  Why it’s popular: Build a loyal audience and retain full profits from your art sales.

• Subscription-based model (membership/Patreon)
  Provide exclusive content or perks to paying subscribers, establishing a consistent and reliable revenue stream. Most artists may use this to supplement their income from selling artwork.
  
  Best for: Artists with a dedicated following.
  Why it’s popular: It provides recurring revenue.

• Selling digital art as NFTs
  Many artists create and sell digital artwork as NFTs, using blockchain technology to verify ownership and authenticity.
  
  Best for: Digital artists and creators.
  Why it’s popular: NFTs create investment opportunities, attracting digital art collectors.

• Commission-based model
  Accept personalized requests to create one-of-a-kind pieces for individual clients, like pet portraits or custom landscapes.
  
  Best for: Artists creating bespoke artwork.
  Why it’s popular: Work with clients while charging a premium.

• Online marketplaces
  Sell your work on platforms such as Etsy, eBay, or Saatchi Art, leveraging the platform’s existing audience to drive sales.
  
  Best for: Artists or entrepreneurs wanting to sell art quickly.
  Why it’s popular: It provides exposure without the hassle of building an entire platform from scratch.

Set prices

Consider factors such as your experience level, the market demand, and the piece’s medium, size, and uniqueness to price your art effectively. Here’s a general guideline to get started.

• Prints and photographs
  
  New or emerging artists: $20 to $200 for small to mid-sized prints.
  
  Established artists: $200 to $1,000 for high-quality limited edition prints.

• Small originals
  
  New or emerging artists: $100 to $500, depending on the medium.
  
  Established artists: $500 to $2,000 or higher, depending on the artist’s reputation and uniqueness of the work.

• Large originals
  
  New or emerging artists: $500 to $2,000, depending on the size and complexity.
  
  Established artists: $2,000 to $10,000 or more, especially if the piece is highly detailed and the artist has a strong market presence.

Market your art

If there’s one thing all best-selling artists today have in common, it’s knowing how to build an online presence and reach potential buyers. Here are some key strategies to help you promote your art.

• Participating in exhibitions and fairs
  Marketing through art fairs, exhibitions, and contests can increase social engagement and drive traffic to your store. It also enhances your credibility as an artist.

• Social media
  Publish your work, connect with your audience, and build a following. Use targeted hashtags, post regularly, and engage with other creators to increase visibility.

• Blogging
  Share your creative process, inspiration, and behind-the-scenes stories through blog posts. This engages potential buyers and gives them insight into your work, fostering stronger connections.

• SEO (search engine optimization)
  Optimize your listings with relevant keywords to improve search rankings. Use tools like Semrush to research popular terms and incorporate them into your titles, descriptions, and blog posts.

• Email marketing
  Build an email list of interested buyers and collectors to send updates on new releases, exhibitions, and promotions. Newsletters keep your audience engaged and encourage repeat purchases.

Sell your art with Printify

Printify simplifies printing your artwork onto physical products like canvases, posters, decals, and various interior design items. Focus on scaling your online art business while we take care of the rest.

• Cost-effective
  Start selling your art without upfront costs. We’ll print your product only after a customer orders.

• Global reach
  Leverage our global network of fulfillment centers to reach customers worldwide with fast and reliable shipping.

• Passive income
  Create artwork once and earn passive income from ongoing art sales while we handle inventory and logistics.

1. Sign up

Sign up for a free Printify account.

2. Pick a medium

Browse through Printify’s Catalog and select products you want to reproduce your art on, like canvases or phone cases.

3. Get your art ready for printing

Upload high-resolution images of your art using our Product Creator. See the mockup of your final print and adjust the design’s positioning and size before sending it to production.

4. Order or sell

Purchase art for yourself by placing a sample order or start selling art online on eCommerce platforms like Shopify and Etsy.

Wrapping up – Start selling art today

Succeeding in the art world isn’t just about crafting stunning pieces – it’s about knowing how to align your vision and expertise with the demand of art lovers everywhere.

By following the right strategies, like choosing the best mediums, understanding market trends, and using platforms like Printify, you can turn your passion into a profitable art business. 

Once you’ve set up an online store, it’s time to price your t-shirts to attract customers while making a high enough profit. This article will help you plan a t-shirt pricing strategy, factoring in your brand, competitors, and target customer base.

We’ll cover how to determine product expenses with the print-on-demand fulfillment model and how Printify can give you an advantage when setting up your custom t-shirt price list.

Evaluate your expenses

To start pricing t-shirts for profit, you must first consider your expenses. A retail business has two types of costs: fixed and variable.

Fixed costs remain mostly stable, regardless of your production volume. These are your overhead expenses and may include:

• Monthly utilities
• Internet access
• Office space
• Employee salaries
• Platform subscriptions
• Product listing fees
• Web domain hosting

Variable costs are the expenses you pay to create products. The more you produce, the higher the costs. Variable costs will help you calculate the final retail price and total profit margin of your t-shirts. 

They’re not a regular thing, and they usually happen during specific times, like when you’re developing a new product and need to hire a freelance designer. Fulfillment costs also fall under this category, as they cover shipping and other logistics – but only when something actually sells. 

Here are the common variables when it comes to selling t-shirts online:

• Design costs – These are the costs of hiring a talented designer to bring your t-shirt vision to life.
• Production costs – This covers printing your design onto each t-shirt, including materials and labor.
• Platform fees – These are the fees charged by your selling platform, like Shopify or Etsy, for listing and selling your products.
• Shipping costs – The price of getting those awesome t-shirts safely to your customers’ doorsteps.
• Marketing costs – This includes any expenses you incur promoting your apparel business, like social media ads or influencer partnerships.
• Taxes – Don’t forget about those pesky taxes! These will vary depending on your location and business structure.

What are the costs of Print on Demand?

With a print-on-demand service, you don’t have to worry about stocking inventory or buying expensive printing equipment. Products are only made when customers order, so you only pay for what you sell.

Printify makes POD even easier, with no upfront costs, automatic order fulfillment, and a transparent pricing structure.

Printify offers dozens of bestselling blank shirts for printing, all with a set production cost and shipping price in our Product Catalog. Our pricing calculator makes setting prices and profit margins easy.

How to price custom shirts for retail

Before we get into pricing estimates, let’s look at a few factors successful sellers use to gauge how high they’re willing to set their prices.

• Target audience – What is the customer willing to pay you?
• Competitors – What selling prices do other merchants set?
• Fixed costs – What are the monthly expenses of running your business?
• Variable costs – How much does each t-shirt cost to produce, promote, and sell?
• Customer experience – Does the quality of the product have the potential to make sales?

We can divide these factors into two opposing categories: existing market estimates and your own t-shirt business expenses. To price t-shirts successfully, you must find a balance – a competitive pricing sweet spot.

T-shirt profit margins

In retail, the markup you add to compensate for expenses and earnings is called a profit margin percentage. The higher the percentage, the more you get. However, you’re less likely to attract customers if you charge higher prices.

Cost of manufacturing + profit margin = final retail price

What is a good profit margin for custom t-shirts? We recommend retailers shoot for a minimum profit margin of 40% for their t-shirt business. 

This is usually enough to pay for fixed and variable costs, keep prices competitive, and make enough profit to continue growing your store.

As an example, the following formula shows a retail price calculation for Gildan’s Unisex Heavy Cotton T-Shirt with a combined manufacturing and shipping cost of $14.06:

$14.06 (base cost) x 40% (profit margin percentage) = $5.62 (final profit)

$14.06 (base cost) + $5.62 (final profit) = $19.68 (final retail price)

You can round up your shirt’s retail price to $19.99, resulting in a profit margin of $5.93. Use this formula to create a basic profit estimate for any t-shirt.

How to update your custom t-shirt pricing on Printify

If you’ve decided to sell t-shirts with Printify, updating your shirt pricing is simple. Log in to your existing Printify account, or sign up for free. Once you’ve created a custom shirt, follow these steps to update pricing:

1. Go to the My Products page on your Printify account dashboard.
2. Choose one of your t-shirts on the list and scroll down to Pricing.
3. Apply your new retail price for an individual variant, or use the bulk pricing feature. For the latter, select multiple products or click Select all, update new costs through Edit Price, and check any relevant details from the pop-up menu to sync with your online store.
4. Click Publish at the bottom of your product page.
5. Go to your store to see the updated price.

Our best-selling custom t-shirt price list

To compete in the ever-growing t-shirt market, you have to know what sells best. Let’s look at some of the bestselling t-shirts offered in our Catalog for an optimal retail price breakdown. Keep in mind that with Printify, the shipping cost isn’t calculated into the final retail price since customers will pay that separately.

Interested in more bestselling picks? Go to the Printify Catalog and select t-shirts from our Bestsellers category.

Then, scroll down to see our Print Provider options with detailed production and shipping costs. It’s best to select a Print Provider that fulfills products in your target audience’s region.

Some t-shirt pricing strategies

Before you sell, ensure that your rates can compete with existing markets, grow your business, and reflect the quality of your t-shirts. Here are a few popular t-shirt pricing tips and strategies to implement depending on your specific goals.

Value-based pricing

A value-based strategy sets your average price based on how much money customers think your shirt is worth. This framework is often used by specialty stores or luxury brands and requires a lot of research, customer service, and continuous improvement to be successful.

Communicate with your audience and research competitors to create a buyer persona. Learn about customer wants and needs and add those designs and features to your t-shirts for a competitive advantage.

Competitor-based pricing

Set a t-shirt price that’s similar to your competitors’ prices. This will ensure you have as much potential to make sales as other stores in your selected product niche and category.

Research other marketplaces and find retailers with similar product catalogs. Gather the average t-shirt price and use that as a benchmark for your products. Once you’ve gathered the data, you can match, increase, or lower your price depending on your growth.

Dynamic pricing

With dynamic pricing, you aim to change your t-shirt costs for different customer demographics and sales channels. This strategy establishes a baseline to reach more customers, changing prices depending on what works best at any time. Basically, you price your t-shirts not based on a fixed value but on a fluid scale that responds to real-time market conditions and customer behavior.

Sell on different marketplaces and see what works in the long run based on market trends and customer demands. Offer occasional sales, holiday season promotions, or increased costs at different times to keep prices dynamic and evaluate your sales throughout the year.

Psychological pricing

Use psychological trends to set a shirt price that customers are more willing to buy. First, while customers know that $0.99 is only one cent short of a dollar, it will still appeal more to them subconsciously.

Add limited-time offers and discount percentages or manufacture limited deals that give off a sense of urgency. Use math to make prices more appealing. For instance, instead of creating a 50% discount, use bundle pricing – offer a buy one, get one free deal.

Threshold pricing

This is one of the more effective pricing techniques for eCommerce stores. With the threshold pricing formula, you add a price break off the original cost to customers willing to spend a bit more than they normally would.

Offering free shipping, bulk deals, coupons, or other discount pricing features if a customer adds a certain number of items to their cart or has reached a specific upper price limit can significantly increase your sales.

Penetration pricing

In highly saturated markets, penetration pricing is a method where you sell at a price cheaper than the market average to get more traffic from new customers.

While this method can often lower your profit margins, it will develop a customer base for future growth as you slowly increase costs for a sustainable income.

Other things to consider with t-shirt pricing

Our recommended profit margins are not one-size-fits-all. Test various margins and see what sells best and gives you a nice profit. Start selling online the smart way by tracking your expenses, conducting market research in your niche, and adding more value to your products.

Respond to new fixed and variable costs of your business model

As your store grows, change your t-shirt prices based on new estimates. If you’ve added advertising fees, designer fees, a new hourly wage, and other fixed expenses, they should be covered by the profit margin while still having decent profits.

Variable costs can change based on market conditions. For instance, supply chain issues can affect production costs and shipping expenses, which you will have to either absorb or increase your total costs at buyers’ expense.

Consider your sales goals

Always consider what is more important for you at any point in your custom apparel journey.

You can have one or multiple objectives at a time:

• Increase overall profits
• Sell as many t-shirts as possible
• Grow your store traffic and site clicks
• Create seasonal campaigns for events
• Focus on product quality and brand image
• Increase your social media followers or viewers

Set a goal for the future. Decide on the monthly revenue you want to achieve and plan your pricing strategy accordingly. You don’t always need to strive for the maximum – consider increasing traffic before raising your desired profit margin.

Do market research

Keep track of competitors on your eCommerce platform and other sales channels. Reseach new trends in pricing, product tags, descriptions, and promotions to update your costs accordingly.

Choose whether to sell on a marketplace or an eCommerce platform. Marketplaces will always have more competitive prices, while your own store domain will rely more on a quality brand image.

Develop a niche target audience

Find an audience that will value your t-shirts the most. Very rare and niche products can be more expensive than average, so research how much your audience is willing to pay and find an undervalued niche with limited merchandise available to them.

Create a quality brand

Want to increase your t-shirt prices? Win over a loyal following that will buy anything associated with you. Think of how you can add more value by creating your own content and displaying more real-world use cases for your t-shirts.

FAQ

Conclusion

By following these pricing tips and experimenting on your own, you’ll find your business’s pricing sweet spot. 

To make things as easy as possible, set your t-shirt prices following these pricing tips from Printify. We offer a transparent production and shipping cost list, not to mention a Catalog full of products waiting for your incredible designs. 

With Printify’s print-on-demand service, you can save money since there are no overhead costs. Plus, we offer t-shirts and other products at a lower cost than anywhere else on the market. Price your products right, and you’ll be well on your way towards your dream lifestyle.