From Creation to Cash: Your Guide to Selling Art in the Digital Age

Most artists dream of selling their artworks and making a living out of it, however, nowadays it appears to be harder than ever. Over time it became much more difficult to find potential customers, and people who follow you for what you do, and not because they are your friends or family.

In this post, you'll learn everything you need to know about selling your art, exploring different methods, and key points to consider before you start! Remember, it's important to spend time researching the topic, reading multiple articles, and watching some YouTube videos. Always get your information from more than one source!

3 Most Important Things To Know BEFORE Selling Your Art

Whether you have an online store or are trying to monetize your creations on Social Media, in any case, it is worth taking these things into account before you start selling your art :

1. How to set your goals wisely, but most importantly: realistically

 Sit down and write down all the expectations that you have, starting from the number of the artworks that you plan to sell, until the money you truly feel that can make out of it, and break them down into periods (in the first month, six months, one year, etc.). Even if you are super excited about selling what you created, and feel that you have put so much effort into it, don't order too many supplies, 'cause probably you are going to be less visible to the algorithm at the beginning. Having extra on stock is always important, but being too confident can lead sometimes to bad financial decisions.

2. Ways to sell your art

Theoretically, there are several ways to sell your art: through a platform like Etsy, on your website, on social media platforms, etc. Do proper research on this, because each is very different, and could work well for some people, but not in any situation. There are many aspects to think of, such as the number of followers you have/can have access to, the money you can invest in it and the time you can allocate for this purpose. As an example, if you sell on your own, it might take some time to reach at least a few sales, however, you keep almost all the profit, while on Esty the process is faster because it's a well-maintained system and trusted by many people, but you lose a big percent of the money.

3. Know your worth and price accordingly :

Even if you're a beginner, your art has value. Never undervalue your work, just because of the fear that it won't sell. Stay humble, try to find a middle way, to always make a little bit more than you have invested. Remember, undervaluing your art can make it harder to raise prices later and can undervalue your brand as a whole.

How to choose on which platform to sell my art? This used to be the first question people ask when they decide to sell their products through a platform on the internet. Don't forget to check :

-Who takes care of the return? It's a crucial question, taking care of the complaints, returns, and technical issues (in the description, on the website, etc.) can be a lot, and if you do not want to deal with all of that, you have to find a platform on which the other party manages it. (But this obviously narrows down the options)

-How much percentage does charge you? Super variable, it can depend on many things and other decisions, but it's somewhere between 10-60%.

Navigating the world of online art sales can be overwhelming with so many platforms available. Here are some of my favorite platforms for selling art online, along with a quick rundown of their pros and cons to help you make the right choice:

1. Etsy

Pros:

• Large Audience: Etsy has a massive, dedicated user base looking specifically for handmade and unique items, so it could be a convinient choice.

• Easy Setup: User-friendly interface makes it easy to set up your shop and start selling quickly. While on other platforms it may take more time to personalize the appearance and personal preferences, on Etsy it can be done in a few hours,depending on the wishes.

• Community Support: Active forums and support groups for artists and sellers. There are many Facebook groups and subreddits specifically for the Etsy users.

Cons:

• High Competition: Etsy is very popular because of its pros, but it also means that the large number of sellers can make it hard to sand out.

• Fees: Listing fees and transaction fees can add up, effecting your

• Limited Customization: Shop customization options are somewhat limited compared to a personal website.

2. Saatchi Art

Pros:

• Art-Focused: Specifically designed for artists, providing a professional and art-focused marketplace.

• Global Reach: International audience means potential buyers from around the world.

• Curated Collections: Featured collections and exhibitions can increase visibility for your work.

Cons:

• Commission Fees: Saatchi Art takes a significant commission on sales, which can reduce your earnings.

• Approval Process: Artwork submissions go through an approval process, which can be time-consuming.

3. Redbubble

Pros:

• Print-On-Demand: Allows you to sell your art on a variety of products without handling inventory.

• Passive Income: Once your designs are uploaded, they can generate income with minimal ongoing effort.

• Wide Range of Products: Your art can be printed on everything from apparel to home decor.

Cons:

• Lower Margins: Print-on-demand services often have lower profit margins.

• Less Control: Limited control over product quality and customer experience.

• High Competition: Large number of designers means standing out can be challenging.

4. Society6

Pros:

• Diverse Product Range: Like Redbubble, offers a wide array of products to feature your art.

• Artist-Friendly: Society6 promotes and supports its artists through various initiatives.

• No Upfront Costs: No need to invest in inventory or shipping.

Cons:

• Profit Margins: Similar to other print-on-demand platforms, profit margins can be low.

• Brand Control: Limited control over how your brand is presented on the platform.

• Quality Control: Variability in product quality and customer satisfaction.

5. Shopify

Pros:

• Full Control: Complete control over your online store's design and functionality.

• Scalability: Great for artists looking to grow their business with advanced e-commerce tools.

• Integration: Integrates with various apps and services to enhance your store’s capabilities.

Cons:

• Monthly Fees: Costs can add up, especially with additional apps and premium themes.

• Complexity: Requires more time and effort to set up and manage compared to ready-made platforms.

• Marketing Effort: You’ll need to invest in marketing to drive traffic to your site.

Choosing the right platform depends on your specific needs and goals as an artist. Weigh these pros and cons carefully to find the best fit for your art business, ensuring you can reach your audience effectively and grow your creative career.

What is the DRM (Digital Rights Management) and why do you need to know this as an artist, who wants to sell their art online?

Well, if you have never heard of this before, Digital Rights Management refers to a set of technologies and policies used to control how the content is used, accessed, and distributed. For artists who plan to share their artwork, DRM is essential in protecting their digital artworks from unauthorized copying, use, and distribution.

So for many of us, it means that we have to keep save our work online, because other people might use it as their own, without our contest.

4 DRM strategies that you can do as a beginner if you want to sell your art online :

1. Understand your rights: Befor you start trying out technical solutions, it's essential to understand your legal rights. Familiarize yourself with copywrite laws and the protections they offer.

2. Evaluate Your Needs: Assess the level of protection required based on your art distribution and sales plans.

3. Choose the right tools for you: It's important to consider your specific needs and technical capabilities for managing digital rights. Begin with simpler solutions like watermarking and metadata, which are easy to implement and can provide basic protection for your content. As your needs evolve, you can explore more advanced options such as blockchain technology, which offers a higher level of security and flexibility.

4. Inform your audience: The easiest yet very simple way to protect your content, is sometimes to tell you're audience what you'd like them to and to not do. It might not be that obvious for some people.

Watermarking: It means that you add a visible or invisible watermark to your digital artwork/the photo/video of your art. Basically, it makes clear who the rightful owner is.

Invisible watermarks are specially designed digital markers that are inserted within the image data without altering its appearance. These watermarks are undetectable to the naked eye but can be used to track the origins of an image and monitor its usage across various platforms. Software like Adobe Photoshop for visible watermarks and services like Digimarc for invisible watermarks can be a great choice because both are user-friendly and easy to learn!

Embarking on the journey to sell your art online can be both exciting and challenging. By setting realistic goals, choosing the right platform, and protecting your work with effective DRM strategies, you can navigate this complex landscape with confidence. Remember, your art has value, and with the right approach, you can reach a global audience and build a sustainable business. As always, I'd like to learn about your opinion and experience with the topic, please leave a message! Keep experimenting, stay informed, and never underestimate the power of your creativity. Happy selling!