How to Make Money Online as an Artist: The Complete Guide
For artists and illustrators, turning creativity into cash has often been a struggle. Waiting for gallery exhibitions or licensing deals may not pay the bills each month. Fortunately, the internet offers new possibilities for artists to make money doing what they love.
Online art marketplaces, print-on-demand services, freelance platforms and even social media now empower artists to directly sell their works as prints, apparel, phone cases and more to buyers across the globe. As these web-based services handle the printing, shipping and distribution, artists can focus on creating.
Read on to learn how to start legally making money from artwork through these websites and your own online shop.
Top Online Marketplaces for Selling Artwork
Shutterstock
Shutterstock is the top dog when it comes to stock photo and illustration licensing. The site has over 400,000 active customers, from ad agencies to publishers to YouTube creators. Artists can upload vector designs, illustrations, patterns and textures to be licensed on a non-exclusive basis. Shutterstock handles all the licensing transactions, printing and payments, sending artists earnings monthly. It’s possible to make over $100 per image.
Pros: Massive customer base, global distribution, easy uploading process, monthly payouts
Cons: Very competitive, have to rely on others licensing your work
Etsy
While known for handmade crafts and vintage items, Etsy also welcomes digital artwork. Artists can create their own online shop to sell original art, prints and merchandise with designs. Etsy provides an integrated platform for artists to open their online art gallery complete with shopping cart capabilities, inventory management, policies, pricing tools and marketing analytics. Promoted listings help extend item visibility in search.
Pros: Built-in audience of buyers, strong branding, full e-commerce features, ability to buildmailing list
Cons: Fees per listing and transaction
Redbubble
Redbubble has one of the most diverse product ranges for artists to sell their designs on. Upload unique works to be printed on over 70 products including apparel, phone cases, stickers, masks, wall art and more. Redbubble handles production, shipping and delivery in partnership with third parties. You determine base prices then products are marked up accordingly. There’s even an iOS app to track sales.
Pros: Huge product variety, manufacturing/shipping covered, potential for passive income
Cons: Does take large percentage of profits from each sale
Society6
Very similar to Redbubble, Society6 offers artists another way to earn ongoing royalties from designs printed on products. Once approved, add portfolio pieces then choose which products like art prints, pillows, duvet covers or leggings to assign them to. All fulfillment is covered by Society6 global production partners. Payouts are made monthly when account exceeds $100.
Pros: Large product selection, strong brand reaches broad audience
Cons: Very competitive, may take time to build sufficient catalog of work to earn regular income
Additional Ways for Artists to Profit Online
Sell digital downloads such as PNG files, art panels for comic books, book illustrations, poster designs. Set up own web store or use platforms like Gumroad, Patreon
Offer commissioned artwork or custom portraits via Fiverr and social media
Design logos or tattoo sketches on freelance sites like Upwork which provide access to small business clients from across the world. Build portfolio then can move to higher paying commissions
Enter online art contests and challenges judged by renowned artists. Winners earn prestige plus cash prizes.
License artwork for merchandising on sites like Mindzeye
Teach classes online on Skillshare and Domestika reaching students globally. Could offer drawing/painting tutorials, Adobe Photoshop for artists guides etc
Tips for Effectively Selling Artwork Online
Follow these essential tips to succeed in converting artwork into sales online:
Show off best work but offer range from quick sketches to complex multi-layered images to appeal to array of buyers
Optimize titles and tags for SEO so that drawings show up in relevant Google Image and product searches
Provide free artwork to popular bloggers in your niche to gain publicity in posts and social media
Engage actively on platforms like DeviantArt, ArtStation and Instagram to directly interact with those most interested in your style. Makes selling originals and prints much easier down the line
Offer limited edition signed prints which tend to demand higher prices from serious art patrons
Advertise availability for commissions, logo design, tattoo sketches and custom projects
Setting Prices for Drawings, Illustrations and Digital Art
Determining what to actually charge for artwork is certainly tricky. While wanting fair compensation, artists still need to align with perceived market value and what buyers are ultimately willing to pay.
Pricing original physical or digital drawings starts by calculating actual time spent then applying a hourly rate. However artwork can eventually earn passive royalties online so should factor that future earning potential as well.
Be sure to check competitor prices on the platform where aim to sell similar style works to find price benchmarks.
Those with existing fanbase of collectors can certainly push pricing higher much sooner compared to emerging artists still building an audience.
Copyrighting Artwork While Distributing Online
Just because artwork like drawings and digital illustrations are placed on merchandise doesn’t necessarily mean artists have surrendered copyrights. Look to use sites like LegalZoom which help formally copyright pieces registered under name for like $50 which lasts creator’s lifetime plus 70 years.
Then can apply watermarks and sign all artwork. Include written licensing terms when transmitting digital files to production partners. Specify permitted use cases and mandatory credits. That all ensures retain rights to reproduce, modify and license works in future while still benefiting from print-on-demand platform distribution.
Building a Customer Base as an Artist
While leveraging third party marketplaces does provide access to vast built-in audiences to get artwork seen, nothing beats nourishing direct relationships with fans and followers.
Cultivate email list via newsletters, MRI kt forms on own portfolio site. Offer subscribers exclusive behind the scenes content, previews of new pieces, special deals on merchandise and prints
Self-host online art galleries on Squarespace or Wix portfolio sites to establish central hub showcasing entire collection to date for visitors to browse then buy
Bond with patrons on Patreon who fund creative career in exchange for inside looks, personalized gifts etc
Conclusion – Turn Artistic Passion into Profits
In the past, monetizing artwork often required courting gallery representation or publishers. Now via online print-on-demand platforms, digital downloads and e-commerce integration, artists can self-publish then sell works directly to fans and collectors worldwide.
By uploading diverse portfolios to the key marketplaces covered here, illustrators and graphic designers can generate multiple passive income streams as drawings and images continue earning royalties on merchandise long after initially getting created and uploaded.
Remember to establish direct relationships with buyers via email lists and social media while leveraging site capabilities. Maintain copyright control for future licensing opportunities as well.
Welcome to the new age of lucrative self-sufficient artistic independence fueled by internet empowerment!
