7 Best Platforms for Selling Digital Art: Side Hustle for Creative Minds
Digital art has become a popular way to express creativity and make money on the side.
With the rise of online platforms, artists can now reach a global audience and sell their work from anywhere.
You don’t need a fancy gallery or expensive equipment to get started.
You can turn your digital art hobby into a profitable side hustle by choosing the right platform to showcase and sell your creations. There are many options out there, each with its own features and benefits.
Some cater to specific types of digital art, while others offer a wider range of products.
By picking the best fit for your style and goals, you can start earning from your art in no time.
1) Etsy
Want to turn your digital art into a fun side hustle? Etsy might be just the ticket.
This popular platform is a great place to sell digital artwork and reach art lovers worldwide.
Setting up shop on Etsy is pretty easy.
You just need to create an account and follow a few simple steps to get your store up and running.
It’s a breeze to list your digital creations, from printable wall art to custom graphics.
One cool thing about Etsy is that it’s not just for physical items. Digital downloads are super popular there.
You can sell things like digital prints, patterns, or even graphic design elements.
Etsy’s huge user base means lots of potential customers for your art.
Plus, you don’t have to worry about shipping or inventory.
Once you upload your digital files, you can sell them over and over.
Keep in mind that Etsy does charge some fees.
But many artists find these worth it for the exposure and ease of use.
You’ll want to price your work to cover these costs and still make a profit.
Editing your digital art for Etsy is important too.
Make sure your files are the right size and quality for printing.
Offering different sizes can make your art more appealing to buyers.
Remember to use great photos and descriptions for your listings.
This helps your art stand out in Etsy searches.
With some effort and creativity, you could turn your digital art hobby into a nice little side income on Etsy.
2) Redbubble
Redbubble is a cool place to sell your digital art and make some extra cash on the side.
It’s super easy to use, which is great if you’re just starting out.
You can upload your designs to all sorts of products like t-shirts, stickers, and phone cases.
This means you don’t have to worry about making or shipping anything yourself.
The best part? You set your own prices.
Redbubble takes care of production and shipping, and you get a cut of each sale.
It’s a pretty sweet deal for a side hustle.
One thing to keep in mind is that there’s a lot of competition on Redbubble.
To stand out, try to create unique designs that catch people’s eye.
You’ll want to use good tags and descriptions for your art.
This helps customers find your stuff when they’re searching the site.
Remember, patience is key.
It might take a while to start seeing sales, but don’t give up.
Keep uploading new designs and improving your portfolio.
Redbubble is a great way to dip your toes into selling digital art.
You can learn a lot about what sells well and what doesn’t. Plus, it’s fun to see your art on real products!
3) DeviantArt
DeviantArt is a cool place to start your digital art side hustle.
It’s a big community where artists hang out and show off their work.
You can upload different file types for your art on DeviantArt, like JPEG, PNG, and TIFF.
Just make sure your files aren’t too big for the site.
To make money on DeviantArt, you’ve got a few options.
You can sell exclusive pictures if you want to make personal connections with buyers.
This works great for unique, high-value art.
Another way is through Premium Galleries.
If you’ve got lots of different art styles, this could be perfect for you.
It’s a good way to earn money regularly.
DeviantArt isn’t just for digital art.
You can also sell traditional art and photography there.
This means you can show off all kinds of creative work.
Remember, the quality of your art matters a lot.
Make sure you’re posting your best work.
It’s also a good idea to take high-quality photos of your art.
This helps your art look its best online.
DeviantArt is great for connecting with other artists too.
You can get inspiration, feedback, and maybe even team up on projects.
It’s a fun way to grow your art business on the side.
4) Society6
Society6 is a cool place to sell your digital art as a side gig.
You can upload your designs and see them on tons of different products.
Think phone cases, t-shirts, and even furniture!
Setting up shop is super easy.
Just make an account, upload your art, and choose which items you want to sell.
Society6 handles the rest, from printing to shipping.
The best part? You don’t need to worry about inventory or customer service.
Society6 takes care of all that for you.
This means you can focus on creating awesome art.
Pricing is flexible on Society6.
You set your own markup for art prints and framed prints.
For other products, you get a fixed percentage of each sale.
One great thing about Society6 is the variety of products.
Your art can end up on wall art, apparel, home goods, and more.
This gives your customers lots of options to choose from.
Society6 also has a big audience.
Lots of people browse the site looking for unique art.
This means your work could get seen by tons of potential buyers.
Remember, success on Society6 takes time and effort.
Keep creating new designs and promoting your shop to make the most of this platform.
5) ArtStation
ArtStation is a great place to sell your digital art as a side gig.
It’s a popular platform that attracts lots of artists and art lovers.
You can sell digital products like models, brushes, tutorials, and reference packs on ArtStation.
They let you keep 70% of each sale, which is pretty sweet for your wallet.
Setting up shop is easy.
You just need to upload your digital goodies and you’re ready to go.
No need to worry about printing or shipping physical items.
ArtStation also has a cool feature called ArtStation Prints.
This lets you offer high-quality prints of your digital art without any hassle on your end.
The platform gets millions of visitors every week.
That means lots of eyeballs on your work and more chances to make sales.
You can list your products for free on ArtStation.
This makes it a low-risk way to start selling your digital art on the side.
ArtStation is especially good if you’re into game art or concept art.
Many pros in these fields hang out here, so you’ll be in good company.
Remember, success on ArtStation takes time and effort.
Keep creating awesome art, engage with the community, and be patient.
Your side hustle could grow into something bigger!
6) Teachable
Looking to sell your digital art and make some extra cash? Teachable might be just what you need.
This platform lets you create and sell online courses, digital downloads, and more.
Teachable is super user-friendly.
You don’t need to be a tech whiz to set up your own digital storefront.
It’s perfect for artists who want to share their skills and sell their creations.
With Teachable, you can create online courses, sell digital downloads, or even offer coaching sessions.
It’s a great way to turn your art into a side hustle.
The platform takes care of payments, hosting, and customer service.
This means you can focus on what you do best – creating amazing digital art.
You can customize your storefront to match your brand.
Add your logo, choose your colors, and make it look just the way you want.
Teachable also offers marketing tools to help you promote your digital products.
You can send emails, create coupons, and even set up affiliate programs.
Pricing is flexible.
You can start with a free plan to test the waters.
As your side gig grows, you can upgrade to get more features.
Remember, Teachable isn’t just for courses.
You can use it to sell any type of digital art.
From illustrations to 3D models, the possibilities are endless.
7) Big Cartel
Want to turn your digital art into a cool side hustle? Big Cartel might be just what you’re looking for.
It’s a platform made especially for artists and creators like you.
Setting up shop is super easy.
You can build your own online store and customize it to match your style.
This way, your digital art gets the spotlight it deserves.
Pricing is pretty sweet too.
Big Cartel offers a free plan that lets you list up to five products.
Perfect if you’re just starting out and want to test the waters.
As your side gig grows, you can upgrade to paid plans.
These give you more features and let you sell more items.
It’s a great way to scale up your digital art business.
Big Cartel keeps things simple.
You don’t need to be tech-savvy to use it.
Just upload your digital art, set your prices, and you’re good to go.
One cool thing about Big Cartel is that it doesn’t take a cut of your sales.
You keep all the money you make from your art.
That’s pretty rare in the online selling world.
You can also connect your store to your social media.
This makes it easy to show off your digital art and drive traffic to your shop.
Remember, Big Cartel is all about helping artists.
So if you’re looking for a platform that gets you and your digital art, this could be the one.
Understanding Digital Art
Digital art is a creative field that’s booming in the online world.
It offers exciting opportunities for artists to express themselves and make money.
What Is Digital Art?
Digital art is artwork created using computer technology.
It’s made with digital tools like drawing tablets, graphic design software, and 3D modeling programs.
Unlike traditional art, digital pieces exist as files on computers or other devices.
You can easily edit, copy, and share digital art online.
This makes it perfect for selling to a wide audience.
Many people buy digital art for websites, social media, or to print at home.
Digital art isn’t just for pros.
Anyone with a computer and some creativity can give it a try.
It’s a great way to start a side gig or even a full-time career.
Types of Digital Art
Digital art comes in many forms.
Here are some popular types you might create and sell:
- Digital paintings
- Vector illustrations
- 3D models and renders
- Pixel art
- Digital photography
- Animated GIFs
- Logo designs
Each type has its own market and uses.
For example, businesses often buy logos and illustrations.
Gamers love pixel art and 3D models.
You can specialize in one area or try different styles.
The key is finding what you enjoy and what sells well.
With practice, you can turn your digital art hobby into a fun way to earn extra cash.
Benefits of Selling Digital Art Online
Selling digital art online can be a great way to turn your creative skills into cash.
It offers some big perks that make it an appealing side gig for artists.
Global Reach
You can reach art lovers all over the world when you sell digital art online.
No need to limit yourself to local galleries or craft fairs.
Your potential customer base is huge!
Creative Market and other online platforms let you showcase your work to millions of people.
Buyers from different countries and cultures can discover your unique style.
This global audience means more chances to make sales and grow your fan base.
You’re not stuck waiting for foot traffic at a physical store.
Your art is available 24/7 for anyone to browse and buy.
This constant visibility helps you build a following and make sales while you sleep.
Low Overhead Costs
Selling digital art is way cheaper than dealing with physical art.
You don’t need to buy canvases, paints, or framing materials.
No shipping costs either!
Your main expenses are just your computer and software.
Once you create a piece, you can sell it over and over without extra production costs.
This means more profit in your pocket.
You also save on gallery fees and commissions.
Many online platforms take smaller cuts than traditional art dealers.
Some even let you keep 100% of your earnings.
Passive Income
Digital art sales can bring in money long after you finish a piece.
Create it once, list it online, and it can keep selling for years.
This passive income stream is perfect for a side hustle.
You can work on art when you have time, then earn from it even when you’re busy with other things.
Popular items like templates, fonts, and brushes are great for steady sales.
Buyers often come back for more or share your work with others.
This word-of-mouth marketing can boost your income over time.
You can also bundle your art or offer subscriptions for regular income.
The possibilities for earning passively are endless with digital art!
Tips for Maximizing Sales
Boosting your digital art sales takes effort and strategy.
These tips will help you increase your visibility and attract more buyers.
Create High-Quality Artwork
Focus on making your best work.
Use top-notch tools and software to create crisp, clear images.
Pay attention to details and polish your pieces before posting them for sale.
Try different styles and subjects to see what resonates with buyers.
Keep learning new techniques to improve your skills.
Quality matters more than quantity.
It’s better to have a few outstanding pieces than many mediocre ones.
Consider the current trends in digital art.
While you shouldn’t copy others, staying aware of what’s popular can inspire new ideas.
Build a Strong Portfolio
Your portfolio is your digital storefront.
Make it shine! Choose your best work to showcase.
Organize your pieces by theme or style.
This makes it easy for buyers to find what they like.
Write clear descriptions for each artwork.
Include details about the inspiration, techniques used, and size.
Update your portfolio regularly.
Add new pieces and remove older ones that no longer represent your best work.
Consider creating a personal website to host your portfolio.
This gives you more control over how your art is presented.
Leverage Social Media
Social media is a powerful tool for selling digital art.
Use platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest to share your work.
Post regularly to keep your followers engaged.
Share works-in-progress to give fans a behind-the-scenes look at your process.
Use relevant hashtags to help new people discover your art.
Research popular art-related tags in your niche.
Interact with other artists and potential buyers.
Comment on their posts and respond to comments on yours.
Consider running occasional promotions or giveaways to attract new followers and potential customers.