Want to sell your art online in the UK? Now’s the perfect time.
The online art market is growing fast, and UK artists are in a great spot to take advantage of it. You can even sell your art online to the UK from anywhere in the world.
With plenty of platforms, easy shipping, and a supportive art community, you can reach buyers both near and far.
This guide will show you exactly how to sell your art online in the UK—no jargon, just the simple steps you need to get started or grow your online business.
Why Should You Sell Your Art Online in the UK?
Of late, art is one of the industries that has the most rapid growth online.
It’s either people are styling fashion, house interiors, or even offices, and everyone wants something unique and in their mood or theme of style.
So you can never go wrong with great art.
Here are some reasons selling art online in the UK is advantageous:
1. You Can Market Your Art With No Restrictions
UK artists can now promote their work to potential art buyers from other European countries, thanks to the internet.
2. Customers Have Access to Your Work 24/7
Potential buyers and art enthusiasts can view your franchise around the clock.
3. Alteration of Shipping Policies
After Brexit, there were restrictions placed on shipping, which some believed would slow down work. However, other artists chose to focus on digital artwork created for UK customers while also choosing to market it to UK citizens.
4. Digital Artwork Depicted Made For UK Citizens
The UK has a strong creative community with plenty of platforms and tools to help you succeed.
Plus, more buyers want to support artists who care about sustainability and social impact.
Getting Ready: Preparing Your Art to Sell Online in the UK
This can be seen as a preparatory step. It is the stage that aids someone in transitioning from browsing to buying.
These are the areas to focus on:
1. What Kind of Art Do You Want to Sell?
Before attending to anything else, what exactly do you plan on offering?
Different types of buyers in the UK are into all sorts of products, meaning you have options:
Original artwork – Your one-of-a-kind pieces, like a painting or sculpture. If your goal is to sell something with sentimental value now, original creations would work best.
Custom commissions – Love making personal pieces? Offering made-to-order art means you create something just for the buyer.
Prints (limited or open edition) – Do you want to sell the same design multiple times? Prints are a great choice. Common and affordable, prints can be sold in open editions while feeling exclusive in limited editions.
Digital downloads – Simple and diabolically easy! Consumers can purchase your work in digital format, allowing them to print it out wherever they choose.
Art-on-merch – Take your creative skill one step further add a splash of fun – why not plaster your work on t-shirts, mugs, or notebooks? These items sell quickly, creating great profit for lesser-used work.
Collaboration and Licensing – Give brands permission for use of a particular piece on the brand’s products, alternatively collaborate to reach new audience targets.
Choose what fits into your business best and remember what you add to the mix is entirely up to you!
2. Pricing Pertaining to Your Artwork
Understanding how to price your art can be tricky, especially if you haven’t done it before. But don’t worry, it doesn’t have to be complicated.
Like all things, this begins with a basic step.
Look at the other market players in the UK and consider the price range they have for comparable art pieces.
Now consider the resources that will go into achieving this product. Your ideas, workmanship, and effort are important.
Also remember to budget for shipping as well as packaging, various platform charges, tax, and even VAT.
You’re not just marketing a simple commodity. You’re selling a piece of art that encapsulates your being. Make sure you set a reasonable price, not too low or high.
3. Display Your Art With Professional Photographs
Since people can’t touch your art online, your photos need to do the heavy lifting.
Use these pointers to showcase your artwork effectively:
Set the camera against a window for natural light or in a softly lit room indoors with no harsh shadows.
The background should be uncluttered, best with just a blank wall or surface.
Stabilize your camera; steady images can be achieved with a tripod or even a pile of books.
Place the object neatly in the middle of the screen without cropping any details out, and ensure there’s some blank space visible in your photo.
All alterations should be minimal, like brightening up the image without changing any colors or details associated with your art.
4. Give Your Art a Voice with Titles and Descriptions
When someone clicks on your art, what you write really matters. It’s not just about facts—it’s about connection.
Keep titles simple but meaningful. Let them reflect the mood or message.
Describe what’s in the piece—the colours, the theme, what inspired it.
Share a bit of the story—why did you create it? What does it mean to you?
Use natural language—like you’re talking to a friend, not writing a catalogue.
Add keywords people might search for (like “abstract London skyline” or “botanical watercolour print”).
People connect with people—so don’t be afraid to let your personality come through.
You don’t have to do all of this perfectly right away. The key is to start with what you have, keep improving as you go, and enjoy the process.
Where Should You Sell Your Art Online in the UK?
To sell your art online, you need to understand how and where to set things up.
This is a crucial step of the process that facilitates connecting with potential customers as well as making sales.
There are lots of platforms out there. Some are perfect for UK artists who want to stay local, while others help you go global.
Let’s break down the top ones and see who they’re best for.
UK-Based Platforms
1. Artfinder
Think of this as an online art gallery for original works. It’s UK-based, but people all over the world shop here.
Why it’s great: It looks professional, your art can get featured, and it supports pricing in pounds.
What to watch for: They take a pretty big cut (up to 42%) and you’ll need a monthly plan to unlock more features.
Great if: You’re looking for a gallery-style space online and you’re okay with some upfront costs.
2. Not On The High Street
A big name in the UK, mostly known for handmade gifts—but art has a place here too!
Why it’s great: Huge UK audience, strong brand, and they help with marketing.
What to watch for: It’s harder to get accepted, and the fees are on the higher side.
Good if: Your art has a handmade or quirky gift feel and you want to reach UK shoppers.
3. Folksy
This is like the UK’s own version of Etsy. It’s all about handmade, all from UK sellers.
Why it’s great: Friendly community, low fees, and you’re only competing with other UK makers.
What to watch for: It’s smaller than Etsy, and not great for international reach.
Good if: You’re focusing on local buyers and like the idea of a small, supportive space.
Global Platforms (That Still Work Great in the UK)
1. Etsy
You’ve probably heard of Etsy—it’s huge. It’s not UK-specific, but lots of UK artists do really well here.
Why it’s great: Massive audience, great tools, and lots of flexibility with what you sell.
What to watch for: You’re up against a lot of other sellers, and you’ll need to market your shop to stand out.
Good if: You want to reach buyers all over the world and are happy to promote your art.
2. Saatchi Art
More of a serious, high-end platform for collectors and fine artists.
Why it’s great: They take care of shipping, and collectors trust the platform.
What to watch for: They take 30% of each sale, and you won’t have much control over some parts of the process.
Good if: You create contemporary or collectible art and want access to high-end buyers.
3. Shopify or Your Own Website
Want to run your own online shop? You can build a site using platforms like Shopify or WordPress.
Why it’s great: You’re in charge of everything—branding, pricing, customer experience.
What to watch for: You’ll need to handle tech stuff, marketing, and updates yourself.
Good if: You’re ready to build a full art brand and take control of your online presence.
Once you make a choice, you can always test and adjust. The key is just to start. Get your art out there, learn what works for you, and grow from there.
Legal Requirements and Tax Considerations in the UK
If you’re planning to sell art online in the UK, it’s important to know your legal and tax responsibilities.
Here’s a simple breakdown to help you get started without any stress.
Do You Need to Register as Self-Employed?
Yes, if you’re selling art regularly, you’ll need to register as self-employed with HMRC.
You must do this by 5 October after your first year of selling. It’s quick and easy to do online.
HMRC Basics for Online Sellers
Once self-employed, you’ll need to file a tax return every year. Keep all receipts and invoices for at least five years.
This helps when reporting your income and expenses to HMRC.
VAT and Digital Sales Rules
If you earn over £85,000 a year, you’ll need to register for VAT. Also, if you’re selling digital art (like downloads or NFTs), be aware of VAT rules, especially if selling to the EU.
Copyright Protection for Your Artwork
Your artwork is automatically protected by copyright when created. When selling, make it clear how your work can be used.
For digital art, watermarks can help prevent unauthorized copying.
Setting Up Payments and Delivery Options
To sell art online in the UK, it’s essential to set up secure payment and delivery systems that make the process easy for buyers.
Payment Gateways
Quick to set up, widely trusted, and lets buyers pay using cards or PayPal balance. It also offers buyer protection, which is great for higher-value art.
Great for those running their own site, Stripe accepts cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and bank transfers. It’s easy to use with low fees.
Direct Bank Transfer (Bacs):
Some buyers prefer paying via bank transfer, especially for bigger purchases. Just make sure to confirm the payment before shipping.
Tip: Offering multiple payment options builds trust and can reduce cart abandonment.
Shipping Rates
Use Royal Mail’s tools to figure out shipping fees based on size, weight, and destination.
Offering free or flat-rate shipping simplifies buying and can attract more customers.
Many artists include shipping in the price to offer “free shipping” at checkout.
Provide clear delivery time estimates and tracked services.
Royal Mail vs Couriers
Royal Mail:
Best for smaller pieces, it’s reliable and affordable but slower than couriers.
Couriers (e.g., DPD, UPS):
For larger or valuable pieces, couriers offer faster delivery and better tracking.
Specialist Art Shipping:
For fragile or large artworks, specialist couriers are ideal but more expensive.
Returns and Damaged Goods
UK buyers can return goods within 14 days, but custom art may be excluded. Clearly state your return policy.
If art arrives damaged, ask for photos and quickly offer a refund or replacement. Insurance and careful packaging help.
Stay polite and quick with responses to maintain a good relationship with customers.
How to Market Your Art Online in the UK
Selling art online in the UK can be tough, but with the right marketing, you can stand out and grow your audience.
To help you promote your artwork, use:
1. Social Media Platforms
Instagram: Post high-quality images of your art and behind-the-scenes content. Use UK-specific hashtags like #UKArtist and #BritishArt to reach local buyers. Engage with followers through comments and Instagram Stories.
Pinterest: Create boards showcasing your art, inspiration, and UK art events. Use keywords in your pins to increase visibility and attract potential buyers.
Facebook: Create a professional page, join UK art groups, and list your art on Facebook Marketplace. Use Facebook Ads to target buyers in specific UK regions.
2. Building an Email List
Collect Emails: Offer discounts or exclusive previews to get people to sign up for your mailing list.
Segment Your Audience: Group your email list by interests to send personalized content.
Send Newsletters: Keep subscribers updated on new collections and offers to build trust and drive sales.
3. Leveraging Blogs, Galleries, and PR
Reach Out to UK Art Blogs: Get featured in UK art blogs to drive traffic to your site.
Partner with Online Galleries: Join UK galleries offering virtual exhibitions to connect with collectors.
Use PR: Send press releases to UK media to announce new collections or events.
4. Paid Advertising
Google Ads: Target UK regions with keywords like “sell art online UK” to bring in buyers.
Facebook Ads: Use Facebook’s targeting tools to reach UK art lovers. Experiment with carousel or video ads.
Conclusion
Right now there is an undeniably fantastic opportunity to sell art online in the UK.
With this, you can reach a larger audience and turn your passion into a thriving business.
Avoid mistakes like underpricing, poor photos, and neglecting the legal side of things.
With a bit of dedication and the right strategies, you can confidently navigate the online art world and see your business grow.