In recent years, selling art online has become a trendy way for artists to make money. With the rise of online art marketplaces and print-on-demand services, independent artists have more opportunities than ever to sell their artwork directly to a global audience of art collectors and enthusiasts.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore artists’ various options for monetizing their creative talents online and provide tips for successfully selling art online and turning your artistic passion into a lucrative side business or full-time career.
Why Should Artists Consider Selling Art Online?
For creatives looking to make money from their artwork, selling online has many clear advantages over traditional brick-and-mortar galleries:
- Wider audience – Online marketplaces and social media give you access to art buyers worldwide. This makes it easier to find customers who appreciate your specific style.
- Lower barriers to entry – You don’t need an art degree or gallery representation to start selling online. The startup costs are minimal compared to a physical store.
- Higher profit margins – Selling directly to customers online allows you to keep more profit instead of sharing a commission with a gallery or retailer.
- Passive income potential – With print-on-demand dropshipping, your designs can continue earning you money while you focus on creating new artwork.
- More independence & control – You can choose which works to sell, at what price points, and how to market your art business.
The expansive reach, higher income potential, and creative control make selling art online desirable for many artists.
8 Great Places for Artists to Sell Art Online
If you’re ready to start selling your artwork online, selecting the right marketplaces and platforms for your needs is the first step. Here are some of the best places for artists to sell art online:
1. Etsy
As the largest handmade goods marketplace online, Etsy is on most artists’ lists of sites to sell on. With over 60 million active buyers looking for unique items, it’s a great place to find an audience that appreciates original artwork and art prints.
Best for: Illustrators, painters, photographers, craft artists
2. Amazon Handmade
Amazon’s Handmade storefront allows artisans to market their creations alongside Amazon’s massive collection of retail products. Listings here also gain extra visibility in Amazon search results.
Best for: Craft artists, jewelry makers, painters, photographers
3. Fine Art America
Specializing in limited edition prints of original art, Fine Art America makes it easy to get your work on high-quality products like wall art, phone cases, and apparel. They handle the printing, shipping, and customer service.
Best for: Photographers, digital artists, painters
4. Saatchi Art
Saatchi Art partners with a global community of over 110,000 artists, selling original works across multiple art styles and mediums. Their selection process helps collectors discover investment-grade emerging talent.
Best for: Painters, sculptors, mixed media, prints
5. Redbubble
Redbubble is a popular print-on-demand marketplace where independent artists can upload designs printed on t-shirts, stickers, device cases, wall art, and more when customers order.
Best for: Graphic designers, illustrators, photographers
6. Society6
Society6 works similarly to Redbubble, allowing artists to upload unique designs to be printed on apparel, home decor, office supplies, and lifestyle products. They have an easy upload process.
Best for: Illustrators, graphic designers, photographers
7. Zazzle
Zazzle allows artists to apply their visuals across many customizable products, including clothing, posters, mugs, stamps, and skateboards.
Best for: Graphic designers, photographers, mixed media
8. Artfinder
Artfinder connects shoppers with emerging and independent artists selling paintings, illustrations, prints, sculptures, and photography. Artists can set up a free profile to get discovered.
Best for: Painters, photographers, mixed media
This list covers some top options, but many more sites are out there for selling art online. We recommend reading up on each marketplace’s fees, limits, and features to decide which ones to focus your selling efforts.
Tips for Successfully Selling Your Art Online
Simply signing up on one of the many online art marketplaces is insufficient to guarantee your works will start flying off the digital shelves. Selling art online takes some savvy marketing and presentation skills to attract buyers and make sales.
Here are some essential tips to boost your success in selling art online:
- Optimize your artist profile – Fill out your bio thoroughly and include details collectors want to know, like your artistic background, influences, vision, and accolades.
- Photograph your work professionally – Invest in quality photography equipment and lighting to capture the colors and details of your art in a high-resolution digital format.
- Price according to your level – Research prices for comparable work by artists at your experience level. Price too high and your art may not sell; too low leaves money on the table.
- Add keywords to listings – Include relevant terms art buyers would search for, like the medium, style, subject matter, colors, etc.
- Share your story and process – Collectors want a connection to the artist. Share your inspiration, techniques, and work-in-progress sneak peeks to engage followers.
- Post consistently on social media – Promote your art business and new works on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, etc. Post several times per week to stay top of mind.
- Run occasional sales – Offer sitewide discounts or free shipping during holidays or events to motivate buyers and sell more art.
- Build an email list – Collect email subscribers to send announcements about new works, upcoming shows, special offers, and more.
- Collaborate with others – Team up on projects with other creatives and cross-promote to each other’s audiences.
- Provide excellent customer service – Quickly respond to questions and accommodate requests to encourage repeat purchases and positive reviews.
By presenting yourself professionally, engaging your audience, and actively promoting your art business online, you can attract more buyers and maximize your income selling art online.
Common Questions Artists Have About Selling Art Online
If you’re feeling uncertain about how to get started selling your artwork through online stores and marketplaces, here are answers to some frequently asked questions from artists:
1. How much does it cost to sell art online?
Most online platforms allow you to open an artist shop and list works for free. You pay a commission of 15-30% when your art sells. Some sites charge for optional upgrades like customized storefronts.
2. Do I need a business license to sell art online?
You usually only need a standard business license if you plan to sell over $10k annually. Below that threshold, you can operate as a sole proprietor using your Social Security Number.
3. What types of art sell best online?
Printable media like photographs, digital illustrations, and graphic design sell well online. Paintings and other original fine art can still attract buyers but may be a slower sell.
4. How should I price my art for online sales?
Aim for 2-3x the cost of materials as a minimum. Compare your prices to other artists with similar styles and experience levels. Consider charging more for originals and rare designs.
5. How do I photograph my art to show it online?
Use a quality DSLR camera on a tripod, indirect natural lighting, and edit for brightness, contrast, and white balance. Photograph prints and canvases before stretching.
6. How do I market my art online?
Leverage social media, blogging, email newsletters, collaborations with influencers in your niche, SEO keywords, and outreach to art websites to get the word out about your art.
7. Do I have to sell prints of my original paintings?
No, you can offer to sell just the originals. But making giclee prints or archival reproduction prints available dramatically expands the number of potential buyers for your work.
8. Is it easy to make money selling art online?
It takes consistency, patience, and smart marketing to build an audience and see big sales. Stick with it, keep creating new art, and promote strategically to maximize your income over time.
Selling your artwork online certainly takes effort but can be extremely rewarding, personally and financially. By leveraging the right online platforms and implementing promotional strategies, independent artists are finding more success than ever, monetizing their passion.
Key Takeaways on Selling Art Online
To recap, some of the key points from this guide on how to effectively sell art online include:
- Online art marketplaces give independent artists expanded reach and higher profit margins than traditional galleries.
- Popular online stores for selling art include Etsy, Amazon Handmade, Fine Art America, Saatchi Art, Redbubble, and Artfinder.
- Optimize your online artist profiles photographs work professionally, price competitively, and promote actively on social media.
- Engage collectors by sharing your artistic journey and process, running promotions, collaborating with others, and providing excellent customer service.
- Selling art online does take consistent time investment to build an audience and see sales, but it can ultimately be very lucrative.
We hope this overview gives artists more confidence to sell their unique creations directly to buyers online. The possibilities to profit from your passion for doing what you love are endless!