How to Sell Art Online and Make Money in 2024: 16 Top Tips

Reading Time: 18 minutes

In today’s digital age, the internet presents a huge opportunity for aspiring artists to pursue their passions and take their art to a whole new level.

With the right strategy, a beginner who wants to make money online can learn how to sell art online and make money.

Whether you’re an emerging artist just starting out, or an experienced professional wanting to grow their online presence and financial potential, this article will provide the essential guidelines that will help you unlock the key to selling your artwork online and achieving the financial rewards of putting your talent to work.

If you want to find out how to get in on the action and make money from selling your art, then read on to learn how to create the perfect online portfolio and start getting paid for your artwork in 2023!

Quick Takeaways:

  • Print-on-Demand Marketplaces: “Leverage print-on-demand platforms like Threadless and Zazzle to easily sell your art on a variety of products without the need to manage inventory.”
  • Shopify Store for Greater Product Range: “Build your own Shopify store, integrating with apps like Printify, to offer a wider range of products featuring your artwork.”
  • Stock Photography Websites: “Utilize stock photography websites to sell your images and illustrations, creating a potential for recurring revenue streams.”
  • Custom Artwork and Commissioned Projects: “Explore creating unique, bespoke artwork or tailor-made designs for clients, offering a more personalized and potentially lucrative avenue.”
  • Freelancing Opportunities: “Capitalize on your artistic skills by offering freelance services for diverse design needs, from logos to website layouts.”

saatchi art website

1. Sell Art Prints on Print on Demand Marketplaces

Print-on-demand marketplaces are a fantastic way to showcase your artwork and make some money.

These platforms offer the means to list your artwork and make it available for sale as prints, cards, t-shirts, and other merchandise. From here, you can earn a commission when people purchase prints of your art.

Popular print-on-demand marketplaces include sites such as Threadless, Zazzle, Spring, Bonfire and lots more!

Simply create an account, select the products you want to list and start uploading your artwork.

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Discover;

  • How to discover your niche and validate your product idea
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  • How to build your Shopify store from scratch
  • How to generate traffic and sales with Facebook marketing and email marketing

Overview;

Print-on-Demand is one of the fastest growing business models for ecommerce entrepreneurs.

With Print-on-Demand, you have the opportunity to print your own brand and designs on products like t-shirts, phone cases, pillows, hats and even shower curtains. You don’t have to hold any inventory, you simply need to focus on marketing and design, and choose a fulfillment company that will send your customer their product when you receive an order.

In this FREE course you’re learn from serial ecommerce entrepreneur Adrian Morrison, who will teach you the step-by-step process to create your print on demand store from start to scale (the level of success is up to you).

When a customer purchases one of your products, the print-on-demand service will take care of printing, packaging and delivering the product directly. All that’s left for you to do is collect the commission.

By selling your artwork on a print-on-demand marketplaces, your art can be accessed by a broad customer base and you’ll make money with less effort than trying to set up and maintain your own website.

Sites like Bonfire also give you the option to create your own branded online store with just a few clicks of a button, so you can have the best of both worlds!

Screenshot of bonfire example tshirt design for sale

2. Create Your Own Print on Demand Shopify Store

Another route to sell via print on demand, but with a greater choice of products, is to build your own store using an ecommerce platform like Shopify and integrating with a print-on-demand app that allows you to easily add customizable products to your store.

Apps like Printify, Printful, Teelaunch, etc, all integrate easily with Shopify and offer a wide range of different products for you to sell displaying your fantastic artwork.

First sign up for a 3 month $1 trial of Shopify, select a theme and customize it to match the look and feel of your brand.

Then choose which print on demand app you’d like to work with and add as an app to the backend of your Shopify store. From here you can add your artwork and start building out your product collections.

When adding products, be sure to research the quality of the production and make sure that your artwork displays well on the products you choose.

Using quality images and compelling product descriptions will go a long way to making sales. Take good high-res photos that show off your artwork and include the dimensions and materials used when creating the product. Don’t forget to list all available sizes, colors, and materials.

Finally, connect your social media accounts so you can showcase your products and sell directly from your posts and videos. Be sure to create a contacts page for customers with questions or concerns about their order.

Once you have these basics set up, you can use other marketing tools such as SEO, email campaigns, and advertising to target potential customers and increase online sales!

Screenshot of printify art products

3. Sell Your Art to Stock Photography Websites

One increasingly popular way to make money from your art is to post it on stock photography websites.

Stock photography websites offer a platform for artists to both showcase their work, and get paid for it. This is particularly profitable for photographers.

Artists can submit various images, illustrations, videos, and other content online for customers to purchase from the stock site. Additionally, photographers can build portfolios and become exclusive contributors to the platform, creating recurring revenue streams.

It’s important to research the stock photography website you’re applying to and make sure you agree with the terms they are offering. Every site is different, so read the fine print to understand any potential fees, guidelines or restrictions. Additionally, some stock photography sites may have minimum image size requirements, or specific types of content they accept.

Selling your art on stock photography websites provides a great outlet for monetizing and marketing your work. Make sure to review the guidelines for each site you sign up for and tailor your artwork to meet their specifications. With the right preparation, you can be on your way to making money from your art in 2023.

art examples on unsplash

4. Sell Custom Artwork and Do Commissioned Projects

If you want to stay ahead of the curve and make serious money selling art online in 2023, you need to start thinking outside of the box. Consider exploring opportunities to sell custom artwork and take on commissioned projects.

You can offer your art as a one of a kind, bespoke item or provide a tailored service that meets your customers’ specifications.

Creating custom artwork allows you to have more control over pricing and increase the value of each sale by offering something that’s unique and tailored to your customer. It also allows you to encourage creative experimentation, something which customers are likely to be particularly interested in.

Custom artwork can be a great way to cater to a variety of clientele. Whether you want to paint one-off landscapes for art connoisseurs or design tailor-made logos for small businesses, this approach allows you to offer something unique to suit a range of customers. Or you could even offer a consulting service and help them design their own artwork.

When it comes to commissioned projects, it’s important to establish guidelines so that clients understand how the process works.

Make sure that both parties are aware of their responsibility in the commission, the costs and the timeline for delivery. Be sure to keep communication open so that you can address any issues quickly and efficiently.

Finally, use social media to reach a larger audience and promote your custom art. Highlight the different services you offer and showcase any existing artwork you have available.

People love to share photos of their custom art so don’t forget to ask them to tag you when they do. Selling art online can be a great opportunity, but you have to be creative and proactive to make it work.

Custompany profile on instagram

5. Become a Freelancer and Sell Design Services

If you have the creative skills and talent, why not use them to make money by becoming a freelancer?

Becoming a freelancer isn’t just a great way to sell art online and make money, it can also be a rewarding way to flex your creative muscles.

There are a variety of freelance design services available, such as creating logos, developing digital artwork, designing website layouts, creating brand graphics, designing book covers and loads more. You’re only limited by your imagination.

Setting up as a freelancer is straightforward and websites such as Upwork and Fiverr, are the best places to get started.

Make sure you display a portfolio of your past work, include popular design keywords in your profile description and answer each request for work personally (not just copy and paste as I see so many freelancers do).

Start with a lower project or hourly fee until you’ve built up a reputation and lots of reviews, then you can start to charge a lot more and make enough money to work from anywhere in the world!

screenshot of different freelance artists in fiverr

6. Teach Art Online via Coaching or Online Courses

Online courses and teaching art online via coaching can be a great way to make money from your artistic skills.

Teaching art online allows you to leverage your creative skills and reach a larger audience. Plus, it gives you the flexibility of setting your own hours, schedule and price.

If teaching art online sounds like your jam, you first need to decide if you want to offer one-on-one art coaching sessions or create a digital course (or both!)

For one-on-one art coaching, you’ll need to create an online platform, such as a website or booking site, so that potential students can find you and purchase a session. You may also want to use social media marketing to promote your coaching sessions and reach your audience.

Creating a digital course, on the other hand, is more of an upfront time investment. You’ll need to create an effective course curriculum and choose a digital platform where you’ll provide the course, such as Udemy or Skillshare.

You’ll then need to record the course, create course materials and upload to your platform of choice. If you decide to use an online course platform such as Podia or Thinkific, you’ll also need to set up your payment platform.

Selling an online course or coaching is a fantastic way to monetize your skills. You will need to grow your audience via social media, a blog or paid ads, but once you’ve started attracting the right students, have a raft of reviews and let word of mouth do its thing you’ll be off to the races!

Sample art courses on udemy

7. Start an Art Blog

Starting an art blog is a great way to sell your art online. It’s also a gateway to monetizing your art via many of the other options in this article.

Your own website is a great way to promote your artwork, showcase your portfolio, share your progress, launch new projects and connect and network with other artists, collectors, and galleries. Or you could look at selling on websites like Singulart who provide their artist with international visibility.

Getting started with a blog is relatively easy. After you’ve purchased your domain name and web hosting package, simply install WordPress, pick a theme and start uploading content.

Your content should be well-written, meaningful, and captivating. Think about what topics your readers would be interested in and incorporate keywords into the content to get more eyes on the blog and your artwork.

Make sure to post regularly to keep readers returning. And, finding guest bloggers can also help keep content fresh and new. Also, consider creating video and audio art content to supplement your written content and images.

Use your blog to promote art events or galleries you’re involved in and share information on upcoming artwork releases. Add your own store, your print on demand shopfront or Etsy shop to your blog to monetize further.

If you offer coaching or a digital course, this is also a great place to promote it.

Blogging is an effective way to spread the word about your artistry, increase your visibility, and make money from your art.

Hi Fructose an art blog

8. Start an Etsy Shop

One of the most effective routes for how to sell art online and make money this year, is to set up a shop on Etsy.

Not only is Etsy a great platform for showcasing your work, but it’s also incredibly easy to set up your shop.

Start by signing up for an account and adding a profile picture to your shop. Then, craft your store page including a unique shop title, story, bio, policies, and clear photos.

Get creative in your descriptions and think about what makes your particular artwork special; don’t forget to feature your products in the most engaging and professional way possible!

If you’re not sure how to sell art on Etsy, think wall prints, printable arts, framed pictures etc. You can even integrate with a print on demand service such as Printify and sell cushions, candles, journals, art books.

Ensure you’re setting a reasonable rate for your artwork by comparing prices with other established artists and shops and make sure you understand Etsy’s fee structure to calculate your profitability.

Then, promote on as many platforms as possible. Network on your social media accounts, create a website, join online art communities, and collaborate with other artists. With a bit of dedication and hard work, you’ll be selling your artwork on Etsy in no time at all!

screenshot of an art work merch on etsy

9. Create Your Own NFT Collection

NFTs, or Non-Fungible Tokens, are a great way to create, market, and monetize art online.

They are digital items that exist on the blockchain and provide unique ownership rights to the artist.

What sets NFTs apart from traditional art is that it gives the artist the power to create an entire collection of works with varying levels of rarity and value.

By creating your own NFT collection, you can give your art a recognizable style, create a crowd of dedicated collectors, and monetize your work.

Creating an NFT collection is a simple process. Start by deciding on the theme and style of your collection. Consider choosing a specific genre, character, or color palette to create cohesion among the pieces.

After you’ve created your art pieces, upload to an online NFT marketplace such as Opensea, Rarible or SuperRare. You could also consider commissioning another artist to create limited edition prints or digital pieces of your artwork.

When your collection is ready to go, utilize social media platforms, email campaigns, and press releases to promote the launch of your NFT collection.

Make sure to include unique and interesting descriptions of the pieces and reasons for people to invest. Monitor market performance and share updates on your collection’s progress and successes to keep the momentum going.

By creating your own NFT collection, you can give your art a recognizable style, build a loyal fan base and ultimately make money from your art.

art based NFT collection

10. Create and Sell Digital AI Art

AI art is the perfect way to stand out in the art market and captivate customers in the coming years.

As the tools evolve, there will be more and more demand for art created using algorithms and AI software, and even though it’s less work than creating original artwork, business owners or creators still won’t want to do this themselves!

You don’t have to be a tech genius to start making and selling digital art, as tools such as Canva, Jasper.ai and Dalle.E 2 have done all the tech parts for us.

The key to creating unique and cutting-edge AI artwork is in the prompts and commands you give the software.

As an artist your brain is already wired to see things differently from non creatives and the likelihood is, you’ve already envisioned the art creation in your mind.

You can either work as a contracted designer and create pieces of art specifically for clients with their needs in mind, or you can create unique artwork based on your own ideas and sell on as NFT’s or unique art pieces.

You have limitless possibilities with AI art, so keep experimenting until you find your corner of the market!

Screenshot of OpenAI dalle.2 ai

11. Collaborate with Other Artists, Influencers, or Brands

Collaborations with other artists, influencers, or brands is a great way to increase your reach and make more money selling art online.

Having established peers vouch for you and your artwork is a great way to build credibility and fans. Not only will they be willing to shout out your artwork over their own channels, they might even be willing to be part of the creative process and do cross-promotion with you.

You could even collaborate with a large brand if you think it makes sense and could help you get more visibility and sales. You could create special pieces for the brand, commission original works for them, or simply give them a shoutout.

This will not only generate more money, but also could be a stepping stone to other gigs, new collaborations, and more opportunities.

A friend of mine runs a website selling artists paint brushes and regularly collaborates with popular artists to produce specialized paint brush sets specifically for their audience.

screenshot of craftamo videos

All the artist has to do is design the packaging and then sell to their audience once it’s produced. My buddy has the production and supply chain all sewn up, meaning he takes all the financial risk and you, as the artist, get to keep an agreed commission by simply promoting a bespoke product that your audience will love!

Collaborating with other artists, influencers or brands can be exciting and rewarding if done properly. Use your imagination and don’t be afraid to stretch boundaries. These collaborations can open up an array of possibilities that could launch your art business to new heights.

12. Create and Sell Art Books, Calendars and Diaries etc

Creating and selling art books, calendars, diaries and more could be a great way to make an additional income stream from your art.

Art books provide an opportunity for you to showcase your art in greater detail, and for customers to have physical copies that they can keep.

Calendars and diaries are also a great addition to your store as they make something unique out of ordinary products, plus they’re a special way to interact with your art.

To create art books and calendars, you’ll need to organize your pieces into collections, or create a series or story with your art in order to give the pieces some cohesion.

Using an app like Bookbolt or Lulu Press you can quickly and easily create your low content books for sale on Amazon or Etsy.

A successful art book or calendar needs to consider its audience. Who would be most interested in your art? Consider the colors, text and other elements that should be created to match the style of art and target market. You can also include elements such as quotes and insights into your creative process in order to give a greater insight into your work.

Creating and selling art books, calendars and diaries is a unique way to make money from selling your art online. If you have the time and resources you can make a lot of money and reach a whole new audience.

Screenshot of art style books, calendars  etc for sale on Etsy

13. Become a Social Media Influencer

Nowadays, social media is more than just an online chatroom – it’s a platform for creative professionals to showcase their talents, reach out to potential buyers, and become online influencers, in your case for the art world.

With the right strategy, you can use your social media accounts to reach out to a wider audience and make a living as a social media influencer for art.

Firstly, you should create a presence for yourself on one or two of the main social media channels. If you enjoy creating videos of your artwork or processes consider YouTube or TikTok. If you prefer to post images, you’re probably better off on Instagram or Facebook.

Then you’ll need to start posting interesting content related to art. By posting consistently, over time you’ll start to establish an online presence and gather followers.

You can collaborate with other artists or influencers to reach even more potential viewers, by creating content where you both feature each other’s work.

When it comes to selling art, social media can be highly effective. You can post pictures of your artwork and draw your followers into conversations around your pieces. You can engage your audience with cleverly made videos showing how you create your artwork. You can run contests or giveaways for people to win your works of art.

You’re only limited by your imagination on social media. Follow fellow artists with large followings to get some inspiration on how they’re growing their accounts. Then get started!

Proko Profile in youtube an art based youtube channel

14. Enter Online Art Contests

When you’re looking to make money selling art online, entering online art contests can be a great way of building up your profile, boosting your confidence, and creating original content.

Competitions not only give you the chance to showcase your art to a wider audience, but also the potential to win cash prizes, and get feedback from art critics and peers. You may even make contacts and establish relationships that open up further opportunities.

Before you enter, it’s good practice to make sure you’ve read the contest rules and criteria, pick the theme or style that you are most comfortable with, and plan out how you’ll approach required steps such as submitting a portfolio, or showcasing the artwork.

When artwork is submitted, entries are usually judged on a variety of criteria including technical skill, creativity, and originality. Keep this in mind as you’re preparing your artwork, and make sure it stands out from anything else already uploaded.

Remember to also check the fulfillment and delivery requirements, including the format and resolution the artwork is submitted in, as most art contests require artwork to be delivered in digital formats.

Taking part in online art contests is a great way of getting your work seen in the online sphere, and of potentially winning some cash. So search out the best upcoming competitions, and give it a go!

Screenshot of artshow website online art competition

15. Start a Redbubble Store

I mentioned print on demand marketplaces above. But Redbubble is probably the biggest and best of them all!

Offering an array of products like t-shirts, hoodies, bags, stickers, and more, Redbubble makes it easier than ever to showcase your artwork with a variety of price points for potential buyers.

Creating a Redbubble store of your own is relatively straightforward. All you need to do is sign up for a free account, upload your artwork, assign it to the products your shop offers, and open your store for business.

The key to success on Redbubble is to create new products daily, so if you have lots of artwork laying around, now’s the time to blow off the virtual dust and upload it to Redbubble!

Redbubble makes it easy to monetize your artwork with campaigns, customizable marketing tools, and a global marketplace. If you’re looking for how to sell art online and make money in 2023 and beyond, Redbubble could be a great way to get started!

Screenshot of art based Redbubble store

16. Sell Your Art on a Specialized Art Website

Selling art online is only getting more popular with each passing year, so it pays to check out the many specialized art websites where you can upload and list your work for sale.

Fine Art America, Creative Market, Society 6, and Saatchi Art are some of the most popular sites for artists looking to make money from their art.

  • Fine Art America offers a variety of services, from the ability to upload and list your work for free to hosting your own print-on-demand gallery with merchandise like canvas prints, framed prints, posters, greeting cards, phone cases and more.
  • Creative Market’s aim is to help creative entrepreneurs grow their businesses, offering them the chance to sell digital goods like fonts, graphics, photos, and more.
  • Society 6 makes it easy to pocket some money from your creations, giving you the opportunity to upload and list your art, designs, and photography to become prints, phone cases, t-shirts, and more.
  • Saatchi Art is an online art gallery showcasing original artworks from well known and emerging artists from across the globe. Sign up to Saatchi Art and sell your art to a community of art lovers!

Each of these specialized art websites offers a unique range of services and focuses on different parts of the market.

So when looking at options to make money from your art, make sure to check out these platforms and see which is best for you.

Screenshot of society 6 landing page

How to Sell Art Online & Make Money – Summary

Selling art online is a great way to make sales of over $1000 a day in our modern digital world.

Gone are the days of being ‘discovered’. Nowadays you can promote your works to a global marketplace and achieve the financial freedom and creative success you have been waiting for.

Taking the time to learn the basics of how to sell art online and creating a solid online presence for your work are key steps to start monetizing your artistic skills.

Ultimately, what matters most is the quality of your artwork and the dedication and perseverance you show in your business. With these tools at your disposal, you and your art will be ready to succeed in the online world of art sales for years to come.

How to Sell Art Online & Make Money – FAQs

What is the most profitable way to sell art?

The most profitable way to sell art varies depending on the artist’s style and audience. However, a popular and lucrative option is to start selling art online through online galleries or an own online store. Successful artists often combine selling original art and reproductions, such as digital prints or wall art, to maximize earnings. Additionally, leveraging print on demand services can generate passive income by selling art products like t-shirts or phone cases without the need for a large inventory.

How do I start selling my art online?

To start selling art online, first establish a strong online presence. Create an art shop on popular platforms like Etsy or Facebook Marketplace, or build your own ecommerce store. Showcase your art brand effectively by including digital files of your artwork and detailed descriptions. Social media marketing, particularly through Facebook groups, can also be pivotal in attracting art collectors and driving online art sales.

How do I monetize my art?

Monetizing your art involves several strategies. Besides selling physical art, you can sell digital art, like digital prints, through your own online store or online marketplace. Print on demand companies offer a business model where you can earn money by selling products with your art without upfront costs. Additionally, participating in art fairs and online galleries can help in reaching a broader audience and thereby increasing sales.

Can I sell my art online for free?

Yes, you can sell your art online for free or with minimal upfront costs. Online platforms like Facebook Marketplace or certain online galleries allow artists to list and sell art without a listing fee. However, developing a comprehensive business model, including a blend of free and paid platforms, is often more effective for sustained online art sales.

What are the best online platforms for selling art?

The best online platforms for selling art include dedicated online art stores like Etsy, Saatchi Art, and Redbubble. These popular platforms cater specifically to art collectors and offer various tools for artists to sell original artwork and reproductions. Ecommerce platforms like Shopify allow artists to create their own ecommerce store, offering more control over branding and customer experience.

How can I use social media to sell my art?

Social media marketing is crucial for artists looking to sell online. Platforms like Instagram and Pinterest are ideal for showcasing art visually, while Facebook groups can connect artists with potential buyers. Engaging content, consistent posting, and interaction with followers can help in building a fanbase and driving traffic to your online art store.

What should I consider when pricing my art?

When pricing your art, consider the cost of materials, time spent, the uniqueness of the piece, and your reputation in the market. Research prices of similar art products and consider offering a range from more affordable digital prints to higher-priced original art. Remember, your pricing strategy can evolve as your art brand grows.

How can print on demand services enhance my art business?

Print on demand services can significantly enhance your art business by allowing you to offer a variety of art products without inventory. Print on demand apps integrate with ecommerce platforms, enabling you to sell products like t-shirts, mugs, and posters featuring your art. This can be a source of passive income as the printing company handles production and shipping.

Is it better to focus on digital art or physical art for online sales?

Both digital and physical art have their advantages in online sales. Digital art, such as graphic designs, can be sold repeatedly as digital files, offering a way to earn money online with lower overhead. Physical art, like original paintings or handcrafted items, often attracts collectors willing to pay more. Successful artists often combine both to cater to a wider audience.

How important is building a brand for selling art online?

Building a brand is crucial for selling art online. A recognizable art brand helps in establishing trust and recognition among art collectors and enthusiasts. It involves consistently presenting your art style, engaging with your audience, and maintaining a professional image across all platforms. A strong brand can set you apart in the competitive online marketplace.

About the author

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