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How To Sell Digital Art Online for Free Guide to Selling Art by 2023[Guide to Selling Art in 2023]

Mar 2, 2023

 Updated: 1st March, 2023

A lot of artists are finding out the art of selling their work online has opened massive opportunities to share and monetize their artwork with like-minded art enthusiasts. Many creative professionals are overwhelmed with the steps to take and how they can create a solid online presence.

If that sounds familiar and you're among the numerous artists who are wondering whether it's possible to sell their digital art online , then this guide is for you. This article will guide you through all the steps you need to know in order to sell digital art online at no cost.

Here's a quick overview of the topics we'll discuss:

The benefits of selling Digital Art Online

There are several benefits to selling digital art online as opposed to physical art:

1. Affect a wider range of people

Digital art sold online lets you to reach a global public and show your creative artwork to a larger marketplace than through traditional outlets.

Digital art can also be more affordable to create when compared with creating original art using traditional mediums such as oil painting. Selling digital art online makes your work more easily accessible to a greater number of people, including people who do not have access to galleries that offer traditional art.

2. Lower cost - No more price of items

Digital art sold online can eliminate the requirement to have physical storage space and cost of shipping, which is the most cost-effective choice for artists.

3. Unlimited passive income potential

The sale of digital artwork can provide passive income for artists since you are able to offer your artwork over and over again without incurring the additional cost of production and/or shipping. There is no need to be involved in the order fulfillment process because most online platforms provide your digital artwork to customers once they have completed their purchase.

4. It's so easy to make it happen with no budget

Digital artwork can be sold and distributed through various websites, making the procedure easy and efficient both for buyers and artists. For artists, this means you'll have the ability to sell your digital artwork at any time, from anyplace, offering you more flexibility and greater control over your revenue and sales.

How to Create Digital Art for Sale

If you're a seasoned artist, then you're likely familiar how to create your digital art with Adobe Illustrator, Procreate, Rebelle and numerous other software specifically designed for artists.

Digital art does not have to be exclusively created in a digital space. Investing in a good quality scanner can allow the artist to transform their work including watercolors to printable digital files like PDFs or JPEGs.

The most important thing to think about here is the size of the scanner bed. The majority of budget scanners are set up for typical paper sizes, like A4. If you typically create artwork that is larger than this, you'll either need a larger scanner, or be able to create individual pieces of paper and stitch them together in an application such as Photoshop. You'll also most likely use Photoshop to enhance the quality of your digital photos so that they are ready for sale.

You should be aware that customers are able to increase the size of the image after printing it (so that you print at a sufficient resolution). A majority of printers print at 300 dots per inch (dpi), and scanning at 300 dpi will offer plenty of resolution - even with larger sizes.

The most important thing to keep to keep in mind that higher resolution results in larger files. Numerous artists prefer to post different sizes of their files on their online store in order to let customers choose the one that is most suitable for them. It is possible to upload several files within a single product catalog, each file having a maximum size which can exceed 5GB (this is generally adequate for the majority of artists).

What else do I need to have? Equipment?

A reasonably well-equipped PC or iMac will certainly aid in the process. It will require plenty of memory to manipulate those large files and an excellent quality display that accurately displays colors.

We talked about Photoshop earlier. It's a fantastic tool for cleaning your digital files and removing backgrounds. It's fairly simple to use and there are online tutorials available to assist. The process of cleaning digital files is especially important if your customers want to enlarge their prints.

Where to Sell Digital Art Online

There are 2 main channels for selling your digital artwork on the internet:

By way of Online Marketplaces

There are many online marketplaces that let the sale of your digital art , including Etsy, SketchFab, CreativeFabrica, ArtStation, DeviantArt, and many more.

Here are some benefits and drawbacks of selling your digital artwork through online marketplaces:

 Pros

  • You can access the marketplace's customer base It is possible to tap into the market's established traffic and customer base to ensure that you don't need to conduct as many marketing as you would have when you wanted to direct customers to your site (there are some caveats to this, see the cons section below)

 Cons

  • A low profit margin is common in online marketplaces tend to charge relatively high fees in comparison to selling from your own website. In addition, some online marketplaces will also cost listing fees, regardless of whether you've successfully sold your work online.
  • Delay in payouts: Many online marketplaces will pay your earnings after you have reached the income threshold for a specific amount or at certain period of pay (e.g. monthly).
  • Very little or no customization to your online store and product listing A benefit of being an artist is that you should be able to express your artistic style in your online store design however this isn't always feasible with an online marketplace. The store (e.g. Etsy Shop) will look like every other seller's store but with a minimal amount of customization.
  • Your customers don't have access to your information: It isn't easy to collect your customers' emails and stay in contact with them in order to build ongoing connections and to promote future offerings.
  • There are online markets that may be very saturated: You'll have to fight constantly to be seen. In the meantime in the event that the marketplace changes its search algorithm (which was certainly the case several times in a variety of online marketplaces) the listing you have on it could fall in the results of a search ranking along with your potential sales.
  • Hard to build trust with your customers: They basically shop in an online store where they can view your artwork digitally and many other artists' creations too. Oftentimes this results in price wars or customers buying the most affordable items, which doesn't work for artists looking to build a name or the best price for their art work.
  • A limited marketing tool: Your marketing efforts on marketplaces online are typically only limited to discounts or coupons. However, selling on your personal website using platforms like allows you to run various creative marketing campaigns from short-term discount to a fully-fledged affiliate program.

Via Your Own Website

Selling digital art on your website requires signing up on an eCommerce platform such as this one, where you are able to upload your artwork and create a fully customizable online store or website.

These are the advantages and disadvantages of selling digital art from your personal website.

 Pros

  • Fully customizable online store or website to sell your artwork
  • Ability to establish additional income streams by selling other things from your website (e.g. merch, online courses, art commission, coaching services, memberships, etc)
  • Full control over your customer experience
  • Full ownership over your customers' data allows you to run email marketing to regularly promote your digital art products to your customers
  • Get paid faster as most eCommerce platforms payout instantly through payment processors such as Stripe and Paypal

 Cons

  • You'll have to bring your own traffic to your site which may take some time based on the efforts you make to market your business.

Needless to say, we recommend selling your digital art on your own site. The best thing of this is that you don't need to decide. It is possible to sell your digital art on BOTH your website as well as on online marketplaces simultaneously. Expand your wings as far as possible to increase the likelihood of selling!

If you plan to offer your products on multiple platforms, be sure to select platforms with a free forever option, so you do not have to spend a dime before earning your first dollar. We'll go over ways to begin with selling your digital artwork on the web in the next article.

How to sell Digital Art Online Free

1. Create an Online Store with no cost

It has a comprehensive set of features, which includes:

  • The plan is free for life. Ideal for those who wish to have a stunning site without having to spend a cent
  • Intuitive website builder with Drag and Drop editor (no need for technical expertise)
  • The eCommerce toolkit is built-in so that you are able to sell a variety of products including Digital downloads (e.g. digital art, design assets) Online classes, art tutorials, coaching services or custom art commission sessions, memberships, and physical items
  • Security features like the ability to limit downloads, as well as PDF stamping, which help prevent the spread of piracy
  • Unlimited storage space - perfect for artists who need to upload large image files on your websites
  • Free website domain and hosting (you are also able to connect to custom domains if you'd like to)
  • Integration with payment gateway Paypal and Stripe so you are paid immediately as orders are received
  • Powerful marketing tools like referral systems, affiliate marketing Cross-selling, upselling coupons, as well as the marketing through email
  • If you have an existing website, you can also use to embed an "Buy" button to the existing site
  • And so much more!

In addition, has maintained the same generous forever free plan for over 10 years now, so you'll be able to rest easy knowing that this plan won't be going anywhere soon!

Sign up for a free account (no information about your payment needed) and go through the remaining steps of our instructional here.

SELL DIGITAL ART ONLINE

Join over 130,000 sellers that have created their online business using

2. Upload your Digital Files as Product Listings

Once your digital art is ready to sell digital file, you can transfer them onto listing of products. It is possible to upload any type of type of file, meaning that you don't need to think about the process of converting your images.

has a comprehensive guide for uploading your product's digital image Here.

Beyond that Here are a couple of other important things to keep in mind:

  • Create a captivating cover photo to promote your products. If needed, generate an illustration of your artwork using free graphic design tools like Canva
  • Powerful product descriptions will not just entice your clients to make a purchase as well as help you get ranked for organic visitors.
  • Other things you can do to boost your customer's purchase conversion such as review reviews from customers and "Related products"

3. Set pricing

If you're just beginning to learn about online selling, deciding how much to charge can be one of the most difficult aspects. It's a question of finding the sweet spot that allows you to earn a living and build a following while not selling yourself short.

Research how much similar products by similar artists are being sold online. And remember, you can raise prices whenever you grow your reputation and profile.

Additionally, you may set an price-based on what you want for your clients to pay an extra "tip" over your price minimum.

4. Make your site attractive

Source: https://shop.alainajensen.com/ (Example of a Design Assets Online Store on )

Choose one of 's free website themes to create a cohesive website aesthetic and you could also create a brand new one using 's no-code drag-and-drop store builder. also has an easy-to-follow video tutorial on how to make a web-based site for free with the store builder. So get creative and build an incredible website that showcases your unique aesthetic as an artist!

An online presence that is strong is critical in selling digital art or showcase your portfolio. Your website should be user-friendly. Have distinct website pages for your portfolio, biography, contact form, and then your online store section. Use only high quality photos and proofread all of your writing to ensure it appears professional.

5. Promote your website or online store

After you've had all the pieces set and is ready to go now is the time to advertise and direct people to your website so they can view your artwork and buy items.

Here are some low budget marketing concepts to begin with:

  • Create a following on social media. Social media platforms provide excellent opportunities for connecting with potential clients and showing off new ideas.
  • Meet other artists and professionals in the field. You might be able cross-promote your online stores or recruit them as your affiliates
  • Participate in virtual art shows or join galleries for more chances of selling
  • Develop content that will engage your readers. This could be blogs, newsletters or even Q&As

What other digital products can I Make Money with as an artist?

As artists, you are able to sell many digital products beyond just digital paintings or other traditional art. Some examples include:

Here are some hyperlinks to videos where you will be able to see what it's like to sell those product types as artists. It will assist you in getting your creativity flowing with ideas of the ways you can create these income streams for yourself.

 Final Thoughts - Making Money Selling Your Digital Art Online

Making money selling digital artwork online could be an exciting and lucrative possibility for artists. Thanks to the growth of e-commerce and online platforms It's never been simpler to connect with a worldwide public. With the help of the suggestions and strategies that are provided in this article, you can improve your odds of success and start earning money from your passion.

Whether you're a seasoned artist or just starting out it's easy to sell your digital art and get your work seen by a wide public. has a generous forever-free plan so you can establish your online business without spending any money. With , you'll have everything you need to turn your art work into a profitable company. Begin selling your digital work online for free with today!

FAQ

What is digital art?

The term "digital art" is an umbrella term that covers any type of work created with digital technologies, regardless of the point in the procedure. For instance, you might capture a photograph and make use of digital tools to alter this image to create a piece of artwork. Digital art could include art and drawing, 3D modeling, photo manipulation, pixel art, animation and many more.

What price should I set my digital work?

Digital artwork can sell for nearly anything, ranging from just a few cents, to possibly millions of dollars, depending on the work and its artist, as well as whether it is offered as a singular NFT or as several copies. If you're creating unique pieces that are digitally created it is possible to sell your work for at least $100. If selling digital work which can be purchased over time, such as generic graphics, it's likely to fall within the $1-$50 area.

Is my art good enough for it to be offered to buyers?

The only way to be sure that your work is worth selling is to sell it. It's hard to judge whether artwork truly "good" and not since it's a matter of opinion. Artwork that someone likes could be seen as uninteresting or poorly executed by someone else.

Are the benefits of being a digital artist worthwhile?

If you love the process to create artwork with digital technology, then being a digital artist could be hugely rewarding for you. It can be a long time to make significant sums of money, a lot of digital artists make a steady living from their work. Make sure you are prepared to do the hardwork to grow your client base before you see significant returns on time invested.

Are art prints selling profitable?

Printables could be seen as an art form that can be considered digital since you've probably created these using a computer, or similar device. Alternatively, they're being sold online. They could be a profitable way to sell your artwork, particularly in the event that you're a lover of creating designs which is suitable for printables. For instance, you might be a fan of designing borders or calendars, checklists or other elements that suit printing.

Is the digital version of my art still considered real artwork?

The digital representation of your art is definitely not considered to be real art. It's not gambling: even fine art painting and digital illustrations, as well as digital images, or sketches take a lot of talent, time, and effort. Even though digital artwork is able to be duplicated many times, without losing any value, it has merit as an art. It is possible to use NFTs to create digital artworks with an exclusive, unique impression of artworks made of paper.

It is better to create an Etsy digital listing of your product or to have a listing of your product on your website?

Can I sell art prints?

Selling the digital versions of your work is simple and enjoyable alternative is to give your customers a choice to buy art prints from your. Certain customers might be equipped with the printers needed that can print out the digital artwork that will display your work in the most professional light. Art prints can be offered for sale by using print-on demand services that print your art upon demand, and then ship artwork directly to your clients. It is possible to earn a good return on investment by selling your art prints.