Want to start making money from your art? Well, you could offer art commissions through your own website and make some real cash.
It lets people come straight to you when they want something personal, like a custom portrait, illustration, or any unique piece that fits your style.
Instead of waiting around on busy marketplaces, having your own space online means you get to set the rules, show off your work, and take on the projects you actually enjoy.
In this article, I’ll walk you through how to set up your website for commissions, step by step, from putting your portfolio together to managing client requests without getting overwhelmed.
It’s all beginner-friendly, and by the end, you’ll be ready to start turning your creativity into income, your way.
Why Offer Art Commissions Through Your Website?
If you’re an artist looking to make money from your work, offering art commissions through your own website is one of the smartest moves you can make.
Sure, sites like Etsy, ArtStation, or DeviantArt are popular, but your own website gives you more freedom, control, and a professional edge.
1. You’re in Control
With your own site, you’re the boss.
You decide your prices, how your work is shown, and how you communicate with clients.
No middlemen. No limits.
You can:
Set your own pricing and offer discounts
Show off your portfolio the way you want
Handle communication directly, making it more personal
Offer other services or products too—like prints or merch
2. Build Your Own Brand
Your website is your creative home online.
It reflects your style and personality, which helps people remember you and come back for more.
You can use your own domain name when promoting your commissioned art.
3. You Look More Professional
Having your own website shows that you take your art business seriously.
Clients will trust you more and feel confident investing in your custom work.
Share reviews from happy clients, outline your process clearly and show past commissions to build trust.
4. Make Life Easier for Your Clients
Instead of sending people to different platforms, everything is in one place.
Your portfolio, commission details, FAQ, contact form, and payment options—all under one roof.
5. Your Website vs. Marketplaces
| Feature | Your Website | Marketplaces (Etsy, etc.) |
| Control | Full control over pricing & design | Limited by platform rules |
| Branding | 100% yours | Mixed with platform branding |
| Professional Image | High—looks serious & reliable | Can feel casual or crowded |
| Fees | Low (just hosting/domain) | Extra fees & commissions |
| Client Experience | Seamless and simple | Can be confusing or distracting |
| Discoverability | You build it with SEO & marketing | Built-in audience, but crowded |
| Flexibility | Offer anything you want | Limited to platform’s options |
Many successful artists use both: they start on marketplaces, build an audience, and then guide people to their own website where they can keep more profits and have full creative freedom.
Getting Ready to Offer Art Commissions
Before people start lining up to pay you for custom art, you’ll want to set yourself up for success.
That means getting a few key things sorted—like your portfolio, what kind of art you want to offer, and how much you’ll charge.
Let’s break it down nice and easy.
1. Build Your Portfolio
Think of your portfolio as your online shop window.
It’s where people go to see what you can do and decide if they want to work with you.
Pick your best pieces. Choose 10 to 15 artworks that really show off your skills. They don’t all have to be your favorites, just the ones that say, “Yep, this is what I can do.”
Make it relevant. If you want to do pet portraits, show pet portraits. If you love fantasy characters, include those. Show the kind of art you want to get paid for.
Toss in a few sketches or step-by-step progress shots. It helps clients understand how you work and shows that you’re the real deal.
Got reviews? Use Them! If someone’s loved a piece you made for them, ask if you can use their feedback on your site. A few kind words go a long way.
2. Be Clear About What You Do and What You Don’t
You don’t have to be a jack-of-all-trades.
In fact, clients prefer when you’re upfront about what you specialize in.
Describe your style clearly. Let people know what makes your art you. Whether it’s dreamy watercolors, bold digital portraits, or stylized cartoon art—own it.
It’s okay to say no to things you’re not comfortable with. Make it clear if you don’t do commercial logos, NSFW, or super-detailed backgrounds, for example.
Make it easy for people to choose your offers. You could say, “I offer digital portraits, original canvas paintings, and pet illustrations,” for example. Keep it simple.
3. Let’s Talk About Pricing
Ah yes, the big question—how much should you charge?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but here are a few ways artists handle it:
Flat Rate: One set price for each type of piece. (e.g., “Headshot = $50” or “Full body with background = $120”)
Hourly Rate: You charge for the time spent on a piece. Just make sure you’re tracking your hours accurately.
By Detail or Size: More complex or larger pieces? Charge more. You can base it on time, detail, or size.
Packages or Deals: Bundle offers are great too. For example, “Buy 2 portraits, get a sketch free” or “Mini versions for $30 when you order a full one.”
Don’t forget to include what’s covered in your pricing. Will they get a digital file? How many revisions are allowed? Is shipping included if it’s physical? Be clear, so there are no surprises later.
If you’re starting out, peek at artists with a similar style to yours. It’ll give you a ballpark idea.
Setting Up Your Website for Commissions
With the right setup, you can show off your art, take commission requests, and get paid — all in one place.
Here’s how to get your site up and running for commissions.
Step 1: Build Your Website
You need a website first before you set up to offer art commission, so go ahead and create one if you don’t already own one.
There are a bunch of platforms out there, but here are a few that artists like us really vibe with:
WordPress – Super flexible.
Squarespace – Great for visual people (like you!).
Olitt – Very affordable if you’re tight on budget.
Wix – Drag and drop. No tech skills needed.
VGen – These are made just for art commissions. You list your services, people order, you chat, deliver files — all in one spot.
Quick advice:
Go with the platform that makes you feel comfortable. Want creative control? WordPress or Wix. Want simple and done-for-you? Try Olitt or VGen.
Step 2: Add the Must-Have Pages
Okay, now let’s talk about what you actually need on your site. Here are the basics:
Home – Say hi, share what you do, and invite people to check out the art you offer and remember to mention commissions.
Portfolio – This is where your art shines. Show your best pieces, especially ones similar to the commissions you’re offering.
Commission Info – This is the important one! Break down what people can commission, your pricing, how long it takes, and how to order.
Contact – Make it easy for someone to reach you with questions. Include a contact form or your email and social handles.
Terms of Service – It might sound boring, but it’s important. Be clear about payments, what’s refundable, how many edits you allow, etc. It helps avoid drama later.
Step 3: Make It Easy for People to Order
Nobody likes a confusing process — especially when money’s involved. Make ordering smooth with tools like:
WooCommerce – (For WordPress users) It lets people choose a commission, pay, and keeps everything organized.
Squarespace/Wix/Olitt – These come with built-in tools to list your services and accept payments.
Typeform or Google Forms – Super simple way to collect info like what the client wants, reference images, and preferences.
VGen – Seriously helpful if you want everything in one place. They’ve already thought of the whole commission flow for you.
PayPal, Stripe, or Square – Use one of these to accept payments securely.
Writing a Commission Guide or FAQ
Now, before you put the pen down, having a commission guide or FAQ page for the art commissions you offer is a total game-changer.
It helps your clients understand how everything works, sets the right expectations, and saves you from answering the same questions over and over.
How to Explain Your Commission Process
You don’t need to sound super formal.
Just walk people through what happens when they order from you—like a friendly conversation.
Here’s a simple example you can follow:
1. Send Me Your Idea
Ask your client to fill out a form or send a message with what they want—like the style, pose, colors, or references they have in mind.
2. I’ll Give You a Quote
Once you’ve seen what they’re looking for, send them the price, timeline, and payment info. If you take a deposit, mention that too.
3. You’ll See a Sketch First
Before jumping into the final piece, you’ll share a rough sketch. This is their chance to request any small changes before you move on.
4. I’ll Create the Final Artwork
After the sketch is approved, you finish the piece. Let them know how long it usually takes—whether it’s a few days or a couple of weeks.
5. Revisions (If Needed)
Let them know how many small changes are included. If they want big edits or more than what’s included, there might be an extra fee.
6. Final Delivery and Payment
Once it’s done, you send the final piece (maybe as a JPEG or PNG, or ship it if it’s physical). If there’s a balance left, they’ll pay it now.
7. Stay in Touch
Invite them to share feedback, leave a review, or come back for another commission. Maybe you even offer prints or extras—let them know!
What Clients Need to Know
Your FAQ doesn’t need to be fancy. Just think about or search for the stuff people usually ask and answer it upfront:
How long does it take?
Be honest. Let them know your usual turnaround time, and if you’ve got a waitlist.
Can I ask for changes?
Say how many revisions are included and what kind. Tiny tweaks? Cool. Full redraw? That might cost extra.
How much does it cost, and how do I pay?
Lay out your prices, whether you ask for a deposit, and what payment methods you accept (PayPal, Stripe, etc.). Don’t forget to include your refund or cancellation policy.
Do I own the art?
Explain that while they get to use the artwork (for personal use), you still own the copyright unless otherwise agreed. If they want to use it commercially, mention if there’s an extra fee.
How will I get the final piece?
Let them know how you deliver your work—email, Google Drive, Dropbox, or through the mail. Mention file types or sizes too, if it’s digital.
How can I reach you?
Make it easy. Tell them the best way to contact you and how long you usually take to reply.
Promoting Your Commission Services
So, how do you let people know you’re open to offer art commissions!
Here are a few easy ways to get the word out:
1. Share on Social Media
Post your art, sketches, and behind-the-scenes on Instagram, Twitter, or Reddit. Use hashtags like #commissionsopen, and talk to other artists and fans. The more you show up, the more people will notice.
2. Write Simple Blog Posts
Write a few short posts about your process or tips for first-time clients. This helps people find you on Google when they search for custom art.
3. Send Email Updates
Build an email list and send quick updates when you open commissions or launch something new. It keeps your fans in the loop.
4. Show Proof and Team Up
Share kind words from past clients and finished pieces (with their permission). You can also do fun collabs or giveaways with other artists to reach new people.
Handling Payments and Delivery for the Art Commissions you Offer
Once someone orders a commission from your website, it’s super important to make sure the payment and delivery process feels smooth, safe, and professional.
Here’s how to do that:
1. Use Trusted Tools
Stick with trusted payment platforms like PayPal or Stripe.
PayPal is easy to use and widely trusted.
Stripe is great too—especially for credit card payments—though it’s not available everywhere.
You can also try platforms like Payhip, which lets you accept payments from PayPal, Stripe, or credit cards, and even handles different currencies for you.
2. Send Invoices and Ask for Deposits
Before you start drawing, always send an invoice—it looks professional and keeps things clear.
Both PayPal and Stripe let you create and send invoices easily.
A good rule of thumb is to ask for 50% upfront and the rest when the art is done. This protects your time and confirms that your client is serious.
3. Set Clear Boundaries and Timelines
Let your clients know:
How long it’ll take you to finish the piece
How many revisions you’ll allow
What counts as a revision
Your working hours and when you usually reply to messages
Your policies on things like cancellations, refunds, or late payments
Putting this info in your commission page or FAQ saves you from awkward misunderstandings later on.
4. Delivering the Art
For digital commissions, you can send finished artwork using:
a. Google Drive
b. Dropbox
c. Or even email (for smaller files)
If you’re using Payhip, it can automatically send the download link to your client after payment—nice and easy!
Before wrapping up, double-check that your client got the file and it works fine.
5. Ask for Feedback and Referrals
After the commission is done, follow up and ask if they liked the piece.
If they’re happy, kindly ask for a review or testimonial—this helps build trust with future clients.
You could even offer a small discount on their next order if they refer a friend!
Conclusion
So, to offer art commissions through your own website is that easy!
It’s honestly one of the best ways to turn your art into real income.
You’re in control—your prices, your style, your process. No crowded marketplaces, no chasing trends. Just your art, your way.
And hey—don’t forget the basics: talk openly with clients, set clear boundaries, and always do your best work.
That’s how you keep people coming back and bringing their friends with them.
You’ve got this. Your art deserves to be seen—and paid for. Let your website help you make it happen.