How to sell art prints online | the best way to do it
If you’re an artist looking for information on how to sell art prints online, this blog post will help you out! In today’s digital era, you have various opportunities to monetize your creativity. Print-on-demand (POD) services have revolutionized the way you can turn your digital or physical artwork into profitable products without the need for inventory management or shipping. In this guide, I will show you how to sell art prints online using popular POD platforms like Printify, Printful, Gelato, and the power of Shopify.
Table of Contents
Understanding how to sell art prints online with Print On Demand
Before diving into the specifics of how to sell art prints online, it’s crucial to understand the POD model. Print-on-demand services allow you to create custom products, such as art prints, without the need to hold inventory or to send the products by yourself. Here’s how it works:
- You provide your artwork or designs to a POD provider.
- The provider handles everything from printing to shipping.
- You earn a profit margin on each sale without worrying about production or fulfillment.
With this model, you can focus on what you do best – creating art – while leaving the technicalities to the POD platforms.
In my opinion one of the biggest advantages is that you are not forced to stay at one place, to be always available to send your products. You can travel the world and work from everywhere and you don’t need to take care of all the processes.
Now, let’s move on to setting up your online store to find the best way to sell art online.
Finding the right Print on Demand Service | How to sell art prints online
There are so many Print On Demand Websites out there, so that it is almost impossible to try every site and to decide for one platform. That is why I created a list for you with the best and most popular POD sites.
Navigating Printify: Creating Art Prints to sell Online
Printify offers a vast selection of products, including art prints on various materials, such as canvas, paper, and metal. Choose products that align with your artistic vision and target audience.
After selecting your products, it’s time to upload your artwork. Make sure your artwork meets the platform’s resolution and size requirements. High-quality images will lead to better print results.
Consider factors like production costs, platform fees, and your desired profit margin when setting prices. Research competitors to ensure your prices are competitive while still allowing you to make a profit.
Exploring Printful | How to sell art prints online
Integrating Printful with your Shopify store is straightforward. Sync your products, and Printful will handle the printing, packing, and shipping automatically whenever an order is placed.
Printful provides design mockups that allow you to visualize how your art prints will look on different products. Ensure your designs are properly positioned and high-quality to guarantee customer satisfaction.
Similar to Printify, consider all costs involved when pricing your art prints on Printful. Competitive pricing can attract more buyers, but be sure to maintain a healthy profit margin.
Embracing Gelato: Global Reach and Sustainability for your art prints.
Gelato offers a wide range of customization options, including paper types, sizes, and more. Upload your artwork, choose your preferences, and let Gelato handle the rest.
Gelato’s global network of printing partners ensures that your art prints can reach customers worldwide quickly. This expanded reach can boost your sales and visibility.
Gelato places a strong emphasis on sustainability. By choosing environmentally friendly printing options, you can appeal to eco-conscious customers and contribute to a greener planet.
This is the Print On Demand Service that I am currently using, by the way. I like the sustainability part and after I did some paper testing I came to the conclusion that they have the best paper, colors and the best way to sell art online.
Choosing the right platform to find the best way to sell art online
To dive deeper into the topic of how to sell art prints online, you also need to know something about reliable ecommerce platforms. Shopify is a popular choice due to its user-friendly interface, scalability, and integration with various POD services.
Platforms like Society6 and Redbubble give you the opportunity to sell your art directly through their marketplace without creating an Online Shop. I tried these sites too but I wasn’t so happy with it. You have very limited options and you cannot design your Online Shop regarding your brand colors, and this was a huge disadvantage for me. This is why I created an Online Shop with Shopify, where it is super easy to sell your artworks with a Print On Demand System.
Learn more about how to create an Online Shop and how to sell on Shopify.
To get started with Shopify:
- Sign up for a Shopify account.
- Choose a domain name that reflects your brand and art style.
- Customize your store's theme and layout to create a visually appealing storefront.
Customising your store
One part in the topic of how to sell art prints online is the design of your Online Shop. With Shopify you have so many functions to create an awesome Shop in your brand colors. For me it is always important to have a lot of freedom to let my creativity free and this is what Shopify can give you. Make sure your Shopify store is visually appealing and user-friendly to attract and retain customers. Ensure that your store reflects your unique style and brand identity.
Marketing your art prints online effectively
Now that you know more about how to sell art prints online and created a nice Online Shop with a Print On Demand Setup, you need good marketing to get your first sales.
One way is to regularly publish relevant blog posts related to your art and the creative process. Use SEO (Search Engine Optimization) to get better ranked on Google, and generate new customers with that.
Use social media to promote your art and engage with your audience. Platforms like Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook can showcase your art to new customers. Consistent social media presence will drive traffic to your Shopify Store.
Build a big email list of interested customers and art fans and send out interesting newsletters to them. You can send them nice updates of your Shop and promotions. This way you can generate more sales.
Managing Orders and Providing Excellent Customer Service
Keep an eye on your Shopify dashboard to monitor incoming orders. Ensure a seamless order fulfillment process by regularly syncing your store with your chosen POD platforms.
Promptly address customer inquiries and issues. Excellent customer service can lead to positive reviews and repeat business.
Collect feedback from customers to improve your products and services continually. Positive reviews can boost your credibility and attract more buyers.
Scaling your art print business online
Use analytics tools to track your sales, customer behavior, and popular products. Use this data to make informed decisions about your business strategy.
Consider expanding your product range beyond art prints. Offer related items like art-themed apparel, phone cases, or home decor to cater to a broader audience.
Explore collaborations with other artists or licensing your artwork for different purposes, such as merchandise or book covers, to diversify your income streams.
If you want to learn about earning money as an illustrator, click here.
Conclusion: Your Journey to sell art prints online
How to sell art prints online is a wide topic with a lot of different ways and features and everybody needs to find the right way for themselves. With POD platforms and Shopify I found a lucrative opportunity and the best way to sell art online. By understanding how to sell my art online I was able to turn my passion for art into a fulfilling online business.
Now it is your turn to start with your own online business! I wish you all the best with your journey to find your best way to sell art online!