How to Sell Digital Art Online (12 Different Ways)

Digital art is one of the greatest forms of artistic expression, encompassing a broad range of styles, techniques, and mediums under the concept of using technology as part of the creative process. This offers many possibilities that rival and surpass traditional art. A digital artist is a creative professional who uses physical and technological tools along with their ability and creativity to bring to life illustrations, animations, designs, and more.

With the evolution of technology, anyone can become a digital artist with practice, patience, and a lot of work. However, not everyone can successfully make a living from it, as more than artistic skills are needed to market, sell, and manage digital art pieces.

One of the most asked questions among artists is, “How to make money with digital art?” Although it might seem like a simple question, there are multiple answers, each tied to various considerations like artistic talent, marketing skills, and business management. Platforms like Etsy, Amazon, and Upwork make selling art slightly easier for digital artists by connecting them to millions of potential clients, but these platforms also present their own challenges that artists need to overcome.

In this guide, we’re going to introduce you to the best ways to sell digital art online and earn money from your art. We’ll explore various platforms and strategies that can help you reach a wider audience, effectively market your creations, and start making your first sales.

Let’s get started!

1. Etsy

Etsy is one of the largest online marketplaces that specializes in unique, handmade, creative items and that connects millions of global buyers with artists and creatives. While it has become a bit saturated with the years, it’s still a great place for digital artists. It’s quite simple and straightforward to set up, it doesn’t cost a lot to list, sell and maintain, and offers marketing tools like built-in SEO, advertising options, and campaigns.

To sell digital art on Etsy you have to follow these steps:

Find your niche and research marketing strategies for your possible listings
Make your art! Create and prepare your digital products beforehand, planning how many and how often you’re going to list.
Set up your Etsy shop: Choose a shop name, set preferences (language, country, currency), and define your shop policies (returns, customer service)
Create a Listing using a keyword-rich title, tags and high quality images.
Promote your art on social media, and use Etsy ads if you want.
Enable automatic file delivery
Wait for your first order and offer amazing customer service.

2. Amazon

Amazon is one of the world’s largest and most popular e-commerce platforms, it sells pretty much everything, from books, clothing, electronics, and more. Amazon ships globally, which provides sellers with access to millions of potential customers. Since it’s one of the oldest marketplaces on the internet, it’s a trusted name in e-commerce, providing a safe transactional environment for buyers and sellers. While it might not be the best place for digital downloads, it’s amazing for products that have your digital art on, like clothes, blankets, mugs, etc. The Kindle Direct Publishing Program (KDP) allows artists to sell print-on-demand products like art books, calendars, and prints without holding inventory.

To start selling your art on Amazon you must follow these steps:

Sign up on Amazon Seller Central and create your account.
Choose a selling plan, you can select between Individual or Professional selling plans. If you’re just starting and plan on selling less than 40 items, the individual plan might suit your best, if not, the professional plan would be the wiser choice.
Prepare your art, make sure to have ready high-resolution digital files (JPEG, PNG, PDF).
Create your first listing, write a descriptive, keyword-rich title followed by a detailed product description. Make sure to also upload high-quality images of your art.
Research and set competitive prices for your art, evaluating earning margins, platform fees, and other possible expenses you might have to pay for.
Promote your store! You can use Amazon Advertising, or promote your products on social media to increase visibility.
Fulfill your orders: Use Amazon FBA for storage and shipping, or use KDP to handle printing and shipping.

3. Instagram

Instagram is a social media platform with over a billion monthly active users that became the first platform where digital artists shared their work and built their audience. Although the platform is primarily focused on photo and video sharing, it recently added several shopping features to enhance the experience of its users, allowing businesses to create a customizable storefront on their profile, plus other features like shoppable posts and instagram checkout.

This gives digital artists the opportunity to tag their artworks in their posts, linking directly to product pages where customers can buy the art, and even make it possible to complete the transaction on instagram reducing costs on shop and website fees and other sales conversions.

To start selling your art on instagram you’d have to follow these steps:

Create a business account or switch up your profile to a business account if you’ve already built a following and want to start selling from your page.
Optimize your profile including relevant keywords, information about yourself, and links to your store or portfolio.
Prepare your art in case you don’t have any already posted. Make sure you upload high-quality images and videos only.
Share your art with engaging captions and relevant hashtags and use Stories and Reels to showcase other aspects of your work and process.
Set up Instagram Shopping by connecting your account to a Facebook Catalog.
Tag products in your posts to enable direct purchases.
Always interact with your audience, respond to comments and messages promptly and engage with other creators to increase your visibility.
You can use Instagram Ads to promote your art and reach a broader audience or you can also collaborate with influencers or other artists.

4. Redbubble

Redbubble is an online marketplace that allows artists to create stores where they can sell products like t-shirts, mugs, blankets, caps, tumblers, etc with their art on it. Originally created for artists to have a place to sell their merch, Redbubble has grown to be a popular platform for creators to easily sell their work and make a profit on the side without worrying about storage, shipping and handling.

Redbubble offers artists a wide range of products, with over 60 options including phone cases, wall art, stickers, t-shirts and more. They also offer high quality printing, ensuring designs look great on each product. Since they are a print on demand company, artists earn a commission (royalty) on each sale, with the ability to set their own profit margins.

First, prepare your designs. Plan the art you’re going to make or sell and what items you’ll want to have in your store.
Then, create an account, start by signing up on Redbuble.com
Set up your profile with a bio and profile picture.
Upload your designs, make sure to use high-quality digital files of your art.
Customize your shop with a unique banner and shop description.
Optimize your listings using descriptive titles and tags to increase your reach and discoverability.
Promote your art. Use social media, Youtube, Reddit, Facebook, etc. This is the most important part, since Redbubble marketing relies more on the artist’s ability to share and market their own stores.
Use analytics to track your sales and see which designs are popular.
Make adjustments to your listings and marketing strategies as needed.

5. ArtStation

Artstation is an online platform that is made specifically for artists to showcase their art and portfolios, and is mainly used by the ones involved in digital and concept art fields. This platform is widely used by professionals in the gaming, film, entertainment, and media industry and connects artists with potential employers, other artists, and fans.

Artstation has a dedicated section of its platform called Artstation Marketplace, which is an online marketplace where artists can buy and sell digital art assets, ressources, and educational content. While this is a great place for selling digital products, it’s not made for selling solely “art”, however Artstation also gives you the option to sell prints of your art directly from your profile, where they handle the printing, shipping and handling and you get the profits minus the production costs.

If you’re a digital art professional and you’re thinking of selling a course or digital resources like brushes or assets on Artstation, then you should follow these steps to start selling digital products on the platform:

Sign up on ArtStation.com and create an account.
Upload your best artwork to showcase your skills and focus on the ones that are similar to the products you offer.
Set up your marketplace store profile with a banner, logo, and bio.
Plan and prepare high-quality digital files (3D models, textures, brushes, tutorials) that you plan on selling and upload them to your store.
Create detailed listings with descriptions, images, and preview files.
Share your listings on social media and within the ArtStation community.
Don’t forget to engage with potential customers and answer messages and comments.
Use analytics to track sales and customer behavior.
Be patient.

6. DeviantArt

DeviantArt is one of the largest and oldest platforms made for artists and art enthusiasts. Launched in the early 2000s, it has served as a community, social network, and online gallery where artists share their work, connect with other artists, grow a fanbase and explore diverse art styles and genres.

This platform also offers gallery customization features, journal entries, subscriptions, and a special system that allows artists to sell their art via digital downloads or physical prints. While it’s been flooded with AI art nowadays, it is still a good platform for artists to find commissions, engage with others and find resources and tutorials. Their points program is also great to purchase and participate in events without spending a lot of money.

You have to follow these steps to start selling your art on DeviantArt.

Sign up on DeviantArt.com and create an account.
Set Up your profile with a bio, profile picture, and custom widgets.
Upload your art, making sure to use high quality digital files.
Organize it in galleries according to the theme, type and style.
Enable Print Sales by joining the DeviantArt Print program.
Select artwork for print sales and set your prices.
Set up commission options in your profile, this is what will make you the most money, so make sure to define your rates and terms for custom work.
Share your DeviantArt profile on social media.
Engage with the community through comments, groups, and forums.

7. Patreon

Patreon is a membership-based platform that allows creators with an already existing fanbase to earn a steady income from subscribers willing to pay to support the artists or to get access to exclusive content.

This platform is great for digital artists as it gives them the opportunity to interact with their followers and supporters, get to know them and have full control of the content they share and the rewards they offer while building a loyal community.

While it’s necessary to have a fanbase or a public audience to be able to gain patrons, anyone can start a patreon page, as it is completely free, and then start growing their fanbase slowly. Patreon also has a merch program, allowing you to include physical rewards like stickers, prints and mugs every three months for an additional 3% fee, however you can also choose to handle your rewards with your own supplier.

To start selling digital art on Patreon you have to follow these steps:

Sign up on Patreon.com and create an account.
Set up your creator page, complete your bio, add a profile picture and banner.
Write about yourself, what you do and why your patrons should support you.
Prepare high quality art and plan for exclusive content you want to post behind a paywall.
Create membership tiers with different prices and varying rewards.
Share exclusive artwork, tutorials, and behind-the-scenes content with your patrons.
Share your Patreon link on social media, your website, and other platforms where you have a following.
Engage with potential patrons by explaining the benefits of supporting you.
Communicate regularly with your patrons through messages and updates.
Provide consistent and exclusive content to retain their support.

8. Fiverr

Fiverr is an online work marketplace that connects freelancers with potential clients all around the world, it operates on the concepts of microservices, where anybody could hire a freelancer for a “gig” starting at $5, although prices usually go much higher depending on the project’s complexity and scope, freelancer’s experience and type of service offered.

Fiverr is a great place for digital artists to start making money, gain experience and build a solid base of clients, while growing in different disciplines like digital art, graphic design, animation, 3D modeling, character design, etc. While you can’t sell digital art you’ve made before or sell products with your art on them, you can make art for clients, sell them for personal or commercial use on your time and terms.

To start working on Fiverr you have to follow these steps:

Sign up on Fiverr.com and create your seller account.
Set up your profile, write your bio, upload a profile picture, and some portfolio samples.
Create your first gig, make sure to use a clear title and description.
Set your pricing for different packages and add any extras you might think of, then upload high-quality images or videos of your work that showcase your abilities for that gig the best.
Publish your gig on the platform.
Share your gig on social media and other platforms, you can also use Fiverr’s promotional tools to increase visibility.
Wait for your first order and make sure to communicate promptly with clients and always deliver high-quality work on time.

9. Upwork

Upwork is an online platform similar to Fiverr that also connects freelancers with clients all around the world, however focused more on projects instead of gigs. This platform features job postings from various industries, from graphic design, animation, concept art, and illustrations and more. Artists can find short-term projects, long-term contracts, and one-time gigs, allowing for flexibility in both workload and scheduling.

Upwork allows artists to build their profiles showcasing their experience, formation, skills, portfolio, and including not only samples of their work but case studies of them and full projects to show their process.

While artists can’t sell art per-se on the platform, they can earn significantly by joining projects and getting paid by clients, making Upwork a great platform for digital artists to work.

To start working on Upwork you’ll need to follow these steps:

Sign up on Upwork.com and create your freelancer account.
Make sure to set up your profile with a professional bio, profile picture, and portfolio samples.
Highlight your skills, experience, and expertise in your digital art field.
Search for jobs using Upwork’s search and filter tools to find projects that match your skills.
Write customized proposals for each job, making sure your skills and experience meet the client’s needs.
When a client contacts you, make sure to answer promptly to any messages and queries.
Clarify project details, terms, and expectations before starting work.
Make sure to always deliver your work on time.
Get paid using Upwork milestones and escrow systems.
End the contract and receive feedback to build your reputation on the platform.

10. Print-On-Demand Services

Another way of selling digital art products is through Print-On-Demand or POD services. These services are platforms that allow artists to upload their designs and sell them on various products without needing to handle inventory, production, or shipping. When a customer places an order, the POD service prints the design on the selected product and ships it directly to the customer.

Some POD services like Society6 and Redbubble give the artist the option to have a storefront on their site, while others can be linked to marketplaces like Etsy, Shopify, Amazon, etc.

These services offer a risk-free opportunity for artists to sell products without any initial investment in inventory or production costs, and the large variety of products like home decor, accessories, stationary, prints, etc. allow artists to sell their designs on multiple products. SInce POD services handle all the production and logistics, artists earn a commission or royalty on each sale, and are able to set their own profit margins on many of these platforms.

To start selling your art on these platforms follow these steps:

Choose a POD service like Society6, Printful, Zazzle, or TeeSpring.
Create an account on your chosen platform.
Set up your profile, payment information, bio and profile picture.
Prepare high-resolution digital files of your art and upload them to the platform.
Use the platform’s tools to place your designs on various products.
Determine your profit margins and set your prices.
If the platform allows it, personalize your shop with collections or categories to organize your products.
Share your store link on social media and your website.
Integrate your store to your website or marketplace of your preference and wait for your first sale.

11. NFTs

NFTs or Non Fungible Tokens are unique digital assets that represent ownership and authenticity of a piece of art, in this case, digital art. They are like a digital certificate of authenticity that makes a piece a one-of-a-kind. This is great as it makes every piece of art that is minted and made into an NFT a valuable collectible that cannot be altered nor exchanged for others.

There are numerous NFT marketplaces, such as OpenSea, Rarible, Foundation, and SuperRare, each with its own features and community. These platforms offer a revolutionary way for digital artists to monetize their work, with potential for direct sales, royalties for ongoing projects and creative freedom.

To sell your art as NFT follow the next steps:

Choose an NFT platform like OpenSea, Rarible, Foundation, or SuperRare.
Set up a digital wallet (e.g., MetaMask) to manage your cryptocurrency (typically Ethereum).
Make sure to prepare high-quality digital files of your artwork.
Upload your digital art to your chosen platform and mint it as an NFT.
Define the price, royalties, and other terms for your NFT.
List your NFT on the marketplace for sale.
Wait for offers but also make sure to share your NFT on social media and within the NFT community to attract buyers.
Start selling!

12. Your Own Website

As you grow as an artist you’ll come to the realization that you need your own website, and while it might seem too much or a big step, there is nothing like having control over your own space, aesthetics, functionalities and analytic tools. This website can be built using various website builders such as WordPress, Wix, Squarespace, or specialized platforms like Shopify for e-commerce.

Your website can serve as a professional portfolio where you can display your work in high resolution, organize it in galleries according to the type of work you do, the different projects you’ve worked on, and even add a section dedicated to your own shop where you can sell your art, products with your art on them, one-on-one sessions with fans or coaching sessions with other artists, accept commissions, etc.

Follow these steps to start selling art on your website:

Choose a website builder like WordPress, Wix, Squarespace, or Shopify.
Purchase a custom domain name that reflects you and your brand.
Design your website, choose a theme and customize it.
Create essential pages like Home, About, Portfolio, Shop, Contact.
Upload and organize your art providing detailed descriptions and the process behind each piece for your portfolio.
Integrate E-Commerce and set up an online store with payment gateways like PayPal or Stripe.
Link a POD service or list any digital download you plan on selling on your website, set your prices and profit margins.
Optimize for SEO using relevant keywords and meta descriptions.
Share your site on social media and through email marketing if possible.

Frequently Asked Questions about Selling Digital Art

Is it Profitable to Sell Digital Art Online?

Yes, it is very profitable to sell digital art, however most of it depends on how you market yourself and your art, the type of art you make and whether you already have a following to support you. Don’t expect to get rich quick as it takes time, work, and a lot of learning to start seeing true profits, however don’t give up and keep on trying as being constant is one of the key factors to succeed.

What is the Best Platform to Sell Digital Art?

The best platform to sell digital art depends on the type of art you do and the type of product you want to sell, for physical products with your art on it, Etsy is one of the best platforms, while for finding clients, Upwork and Fiverr are the best.

Can Artchive Help Me Sell My Artwork?

At Artchive we always want to see you grow and succeed, that’s why we provide you with an extensive art database, multiple art tutorials, and resources to help you improve your art. You can check our full guide Digital Art: History, Types, Artists, Artwork to learn more about the medium and look forward to more in-depth guides on how to market, sell and grow your art business online.