How to Sell Art Online in 2023

Start sharing & profiting from your art by following simple steps to showcase & sell online. Unleash your creative passion to the world. With a little bit of elbow grease and Know-How, you can sell art online in no time.

If you’re not quite familiar with the e-commerce world, or if you’re simply looking for a few tips on how to get started, we’ve got you covered. In this article, we’ll go over a few key points on how to sell art online.

Why Sell Art Online

Alright, but aside from following your passions and flexing your creative muscles, why should you sell art online?

It’s a Good Side-Hustle

If you’re looking for a way to make extra cash on the side, selling art online is a great option. Starting up a side hustle is a great way to bring in some extra money. It can even become a full-time gig down the line if you play your cards right.

It’s a Cost-Effective Way to Start a Business

You can operate your business from the comfort of your own home with the help of a print on demand partner. You won’t have to worry about the overhead costs of maintaining a physical space, like inventory, staffing, and utilities.

It Lets You Build a Following

When you sell art online, you have the opportunity to reach a global audience with ease. If you build up a strong following, you’ll be able to sell your artwork at a higher price point. Not to mention, you’ll have the satisfaction of knowing that your art is being enjoyed by people from all over the world.

Where You Can Sell Your Art

Now, where exactly can you sell your art online? Let’s take a look at a few popular platforms:

Sell Print on Demand Art on Shopify

Used by over 5 million online stores across the globe, Shopify is one of the most popular e-commerce platforms. It’s known for its user-friendly interface and wide range of features, making it a great option for those who are just getting started with selling art online.

Another great thing about Shopify is that it integrates with print on demand companies like Awkward Styles. This means you can fulfill your orders without having to deal with any inventory. All you need to do is upload your designs to products on the platform, and we’ll take care of the rest.

Sell Print on Demand Art on Etsy

A popular marketplace where you can sell your art is Etsy. It’s especially known among those who sell handmade goods, vintage items, and craft supplies.

Unlike Shopify, Etsy is more of a marketplace than it is an e-commerce platform. This means that you won’t be able to create a standalone website for your business, but you will be able to list your products on Etsy’s site.

Etsy is a great option for those who are looking for a more hands-off approach to selling their art. It’s important to remember that you’ll be competing with millions of other sellers, so make sure that you stand out.

Read our guide on How to Sell on Etsy Like a Pro to do just that.

Sell Print on Demand Art on WooCommerce

Similar to Shopify, WooCommerce is an e-commerce platform that you can use to create a standalone store for your business.

WooCommerce is a great choice for those who want more control over the design and functionality of their store. However, it’s important to note that WooCommerce is a bit more complex than Shopify. It might not be the best option for those who are just getting started. Nonetheless, if you’re used to operating WordPress-powered sites, WooCommerce will be a breeze to use.

What Products You Can Sell Your Art On

Found the perfect platform for your art business? Great! Now, let’s take a look at some of the most popular products that you can print and sell your art on:

Custom Metal Art Prints

If you make paintings, sketches, or digital artworks, one of the best ways to sell them is by printing them on metal. Metal prints are extremely popular among art collectors, as they’re known for their durability and vibrant colors.

What’s more, metal prints are a great way to make a statement. They’re often hung on walls as standalone pieces, which means they’ll be sure to catch the eye of anyone who enters the room. Plus, if you really want to make some serious profits, metal prints can give you higher margins because of their perceived value.

Awkward Styles’ metal art prints are printed using sublimation and come ready-to-hang.

Custom Print on Demand Canvases

Similar to metal prints, canvases are another popular product that you can sell your art on. Canvases are great for those who want to give their artwork a more traditional look and feel.

Not to mention, canvases are extremely versatile. They can be hung on walls, displayed on shelves, or even placed on the floor. Plus, depending on the size of the canvas, they can be quite affordable to produce and also allow for decent profit margins.

Print on Demand Posters

If you’re looking for more affordable items to sell your art on, posters are a great option. With less than five dollars, you can get a matte poster sheet where you can print out your artwork.

Posters are a great way to sell smaller prints of your work, or even to promote an upcoming exhibition. You can also get creative with them and use them as gift wraps, wall tapestries, or even framed art.

Print on Demand Hanging Dowel Posters

Great for home décor, hanging posters are made with canvas or fabric and come with pine or teak dowels that give them a nice, clean look. They’re perfect for designs that incorporate texts such as quotes and song lyrics. They also make great gifts, especially for couples and families who want a piece of art that’s personal and meaningful in their homes.

Custom Print-on-Demand Framed Posters

Classic or limited-edition prints can get a nice upgrade with a frame. It adds an extra layer of protection, and it makes the art look more polished and expensive. By offering your artwork in framed posters, you can increase the price point and get more profit for each sale.

Apparel

Of course, apparel such as shirts, hoodies, and even bottoms are always popular items to sell. After all, who doesn’t love wearing their favorite artwork?

Not to mention, selling apparel gives you a lot of room to be creative. You can experiment with different cuts, materials, and even embellishments. Plus, there’s always the option to sell limited-edition items, which can help you boost your profits.

Selling Art Online Using Print on Demand

Now, you may be wondering how you can actually sell your art online. After all, it’s one thing to create a beautiful piece of art, but it’s another to actually get it out there and in front of potential customers.

Luckily, there are plenty of ways to do so, but one of the most popular methods is through print on demand services. Print on demand is a model that allows you to sell your art without having to worry about inventory or fulfillment.

In other words, you can create and upload your designs, and the print on demand company will take care of everything else, from printing to shipping. All you have to do is sit back and watch the sales roll in. To help you get started, this guide has all the information you need to know about selling your art online and building a business using print on demand.

How To Set Your Prices

Now, onto the tricky aspect of selling your art online. Here are a few things you have to factor in when setting your precious pieces’ prices.

Product/Production Costs

If you’re working with a POD partner, what you’ll have to consider when it comes to the cost of goods is the base price of the product, along with any additional fees, such as setup and design fees. You can also take into account the price of your monthly subscription or plan if you have one.

Shipping Costs

Of course, when you offer and promote your products, consider including the shipping costs in your final prices. Offering lowered or free shipping has proven to drive higher conversion rates.

And if possible, try to offer free shipping on certain products or orders. Free shipping is always a great marketing tool as it entices customers to buy more items, knowing that they won’t have to pay anything extra for having their orders delivered to their doorsteps.

However, whether packed into your product’s prices or charged separately, don’t forget about this expense.

Platform Fees

Using platforms like Shopify, Etsy, and WooCommerce may be the easiest way to get your products out there, but they do charge fees for using their platforms and services.

For example, Etsy has a listing fee of $0.20 per item, and Shopify has a 2.9% + $0.30 transaction fee for every sale. So, if you’re selling items that are priced low, these platform fees can really eat into your profits. Thus, make sure you factor these in when you set your product prices.

Your Originality

Your art is a reflection of your creative talent and hard work, so don’t sell yourself short. When it comes to pricing your art, always remember to consider the time, effort, and materials you put into each piece. It’s what makes your products unique after all.

Now, this doesn’t mean that you should price your artwork sky-high just because you can. But do make sure that your prices reflect the value of your art. Doing so will not only help you attract serious buyers, but it’ll also boost your confidence as an artist and entrepreneur.

Other Things To Take Into Account

Some other things you can take into account when pricing your art include your competitors, the current market trends, and your target audience. Doing your research will give you a better idea of how to price your products so that you can stay competitive and make a profit.

Let Your Art Shine and Start Making Money Today!

We hope this guide has given you a better understanding of how to sell your art online using print on demand. These days, it’s easier than ever to get started, and there’s no reason why you shouldn’t be making money from your passion. All you need is a little creativity, some elbow grease, and the willingness to learn and grow. You’ll be on your way to success in no time!

Ready to start selling your art online? Sign up for your free Awkward Styles account and start selling print on demand wall art, apparel, jewelry and more!