When you sell your art on Amazon, it can provide you with more recognition for your work and even give you another stream of income.
You can sell your artwork, whether it’s a painting, digital work, or craft, on Amazon Handmade, Merch by Amazon, or simply on its marketplace.
Selling on Amazon is not as simple as putting art up for sale.
You have to create good listings, use the correct keywords, and determine the best method to sell your item to succeed.
Also, you will need to think about whether you will ship the product yourself or utilize Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA).
This walkthrough will explain how to set up your account, how to properly market your art, optimize listings, and steer clear of common mistakes.
So, are you ready to begin? Let’s go!
Different Ways to Sell Art on Amazon
Depending on the style of the artwork, Amazon provides different alternatives to sell your art and choosing the proper one can be rather difficult.
Allow me to simplify it for you so that you know what works best for you!
1. Amazon Handmade – Perfect for Traditional Artists and Crafters
If you enjoy painting, sculpting, jewelry making, or any other sort of handmade craft, Amazon Handmade will fit your needs perfectly.
How it works: You submit an application to get approved (They would like to confirm that every item is genuinely handmade). After approval, you can upload and sell your craft products like you would on Etsy.
Cost: Amazon takes a 15% cut per sale, but the usual $39.99 monthly fee is waived—so no upfront cost!
Why artists love it:
Makes buyers feel comfortable purchasing since Amazon guarantees that everything is handmade.
After obtaining approval, there is no need to pay any monthly maintenance fees.
Makes shipping support available through Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA).
2. Merch by Amazon – Great for Digital Designers
Do you create digital designs for T-shirts, mugs, or phone cases?
Merch by Amazon lets you upload your artwork, and Amazon takes care of printing and shipping!
How it works: The process is simple. Just sign up for an account and once you get approved, begin uploading your custom designs. There is no need to stock anything because Amazon handles all the printing and shipping.
Costs: Totally free to sign up. Amazon does, however, take a commision of each sale.
Why artists find value in it:
Not having to deal with any stock inventory or shipping of products allows creators to simply create designs and earn from it.
Your products are Prime-eligible, meaning faster shipping and better visibility.
The more you sell, the more designs you can upload!
3. Professional Seller Plan – Best for Selling at Scale
If you want to sell framed prints, posters, or even digital downloads at a larger scale, this is your best bet.
How it works: Sign up for a Professional Amazon Seller account ($39.99/month) and list your artwork like any other product.
Fees: You pay 8–15% commission per sale, depending on the category.
Why artists love it:
More control over pricing and branding.
SEO tools help you show up in search results.
Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) can handle storage and shipping for you.
No matter which path you choose, Amazon is a huge marketplace where your art can reach millions of buyers. So pick the one that fits your style and start selling!
A Guide on How to Sell Art on Amazon
Let’s now get to the real selling of your artwork on Amazon. We’ll look at how to do it for each of the options mentioned above.
Option 1: Sell Handmade Art on Amazon Handmade
Amazon Handmade is only for handcrafted items—no mass production! Here’s what you need:
a. Your products must be made by you (or a small team of up to 20 people).
b. You’ll submit an application explaining your process, materials, and techniques.
c. Amazon will review your application (usually in 2 weeks).
d. Include clear photos of your work and workspace to speed up approval!
Setting Up Your Store
Once approved, it’s time to make your shop stand out!
Your storefront: Upload eye-catching images and tell your artistic story.
Shipping: You can ship yourself or let Amazon handle it through FBA (Fulfilled by Amazon).
Pricing: Factor in Amazon’s 15% commission per sale (but no monthly fees!).
Option 2: Sell Your Designs with Merch by Amazon
If you create digital art, this is a fantastic way to sell without dealing with inventory!
Amazon prints your designs on T-shirts, mugs, phone cases, and more.
As mentioned earlier, you’ll need to apply for an invite (Amazon wants high-quality designs).
Once approved, you can start uploading your artwork!
What works best?
a. High-resolution images (300 DPI for sharp prints).
b. Simple, trendy designs that look great on clothing and accessories.
c. You start with 10 designs, but as you sell more, Amazon unlocks more slots!
How do you make money?
Instead of a sale price, Amazon pays you royalties per item (usually $5–$10 per sale).
They handle printing and shipping—you just focus on the art!
Option 3: Sell Art as a Professional Seller
This option is best for selling prints, framed art, or collectibles.
Choosing a Seller Plan
Professional Seller ($39.99/month): Best for high-volume sellers.
Individual Seller ($0.99 per item): Great if you’re just testing the waters.
Listing Your Artwork
To attract buyers, make sure your listing is optimized!
Use keywords like “limited edition print” or “hand-painted canvas.”
Include details about materials, size, and style.
Use high-quality images that show off your work.
Shipping Options
FBA (Fulfilled by Amazon): Amazon ships your orders (great for Prime buyers).
FBM (Fulfilled by Merchant): You handle shipping yourself (lower costs but more work).
Amazon has millions of customers, so whatever path you choose—make your listings stand out!
Optimizing Your Art Listings for Maximum Sales
It takes more than simply listing the work to sell art on Amazon—it’s about making it easy to find and irresistible to buy! Here’s how to make your art listings shine so they attract the right buyers.
1. Write a Description That Sells Your Art
Your description should do more than just explain what your art is—it should make people feel something and convince them to buy.
Naturally include keywords like “hand-painted canvas”, or “limited-edition print” to help your listing show up in searches.
What inspired your piece?
What materials did you use?
(e.g., “This bold abstract painting is inspired by the colors of autumn and created with high-quality acrylic on canvas.”)
Use bullet points to highlight key details, like:
→ UV-resistant ink that won’t fade
→ Arrives ready to hang. No extra framing needed
→ Each piece is signed by the artist for authenticity
2. Price It Smartly
Pricing your art can be tricky, but here’s how to make sure you’re not selling yourself short:
a. Check Out Similar Listings: What do other artists charge for similar styles and sizes? Price accordingly.
b. Cover Your Costs: Factor in materials, time, shipping, and Amazon’s 8–15% selling fee so you actually make a profit.
c. Offer Options: Some buyers want affordable prints, while others want premium, framed versions. Give them choices!
3. Use Stunning Images
People buy with their eyes, so your photos need to showcase your art at its best.
High-Quality Photos: Amazon requires images to be at least 1000 pixels on the longest side—clear, bright, and professional-looking.
Multiple Angles: Show close-ups of textures, lifestyle shots (like your art hanging in a cozy living room), and different framing options.
Use Mock-Ups: Tools like Placeit can help you display your art in realistic settings.
4. Go the Extra Mile
If you want to really stand out, here are some extra tricks:
A+ Content (for Brand-Registered Sellers): Add videos, artist stories, or comparison charts to make your listing more engaging.
Learn from Competitors: Check their reviews—if buyers say “Wish it came with hanging instructions,” then add that to your listing!
Use SEO Wisely: Don’t overstuff keywords, but sprinkle them naturally throughout your title, description, and even image alt text.
5. Quick Checklist for a Winning Listing
Title: Include keywords + size (e.g., “Original Abstract Art Print – 24×36”).
Images: At least 7+ high-quality photos, including lifestyle shots.
Pricing: Competitive and profitable—consider offering different versions.
SEO: Use keywords naturally to help buyers find your art.
Marketing and Promoting Your Art on Amazon
Listing your art on Amazon is just the first step.
To actually sell, you need to get your work in front of the right people.
Here’s how to market your art like a pro—without feeling like a salesperson!
1. Use Amazon Ads to Get Noticed
Amazon’s pay-per-click (PPC) ads help your art pop up when shoppers search for things like “original paintings” or “abstract wall decor.”
Best ad types for artists:
Sponsored Products – Promote your individual pieces so they rank higher.
Sponsored Brands – Show off your unique style with a banner ad featuring multiple artworks.
Tip: Start with a small budget ($5–$15 per day), test different keywords, and see what works best!
2. Get Social and Show Off Your Work
Social media is your best friend when it comes to getting your art in front of the right audience.
Instagram and Pinterest – Post high-quality photos of your art in real-life settings. Use hashtags like #artonline and #artoftheday.
TikTok and YouTube Shorts – Show behind-the-scenes videos of your creative process. People love seeing how art is made!
Work with influencers – Find small influencers (10K–100K followers) who love art and have them showcase your work in exchange for a small commission or free piece.
3. Get More Customer Reviews (They Matter!)
Reviews can make or break your sales on Amazon. Here’s how to get more:
a. Send a quick thank-you message after purchase, kindly asking for feedback.
b. Offer a small discount on their next order (within Amazon’s policies).
c. Respond to negative reviews professionally—show you care and offer solutions.
4. What’s Next?
Follow up with buyers and encourage feedback.
Start an email list and send updates about new art, special offers, or behind-the-scenes stories.
Keep your fans engaged!
Challenges and How to Overcome Them
Selling art on Amazon is exciting, but it comes with a few hurdles. Here’s how to tackle them and keep your business thriving.
1. Standing Out from the Competition
The challenge: Tons of sellers, including big brands and copycats.
How to fix it:
Find your niche – Unique styles like eco-friendly or minimalist designs can set you apart.
Study competitors – Check their pricing, keywords, and ads to improve your strategy.
Tell your story – Share what makes your art special (e.g., “Hand-painted with eco-friendly inks”).
2. Managing Amazon’s Fees and Commissions
The challenge: Amazon takes a cut (8–15%), which can eat into profits.
How to fix it:
Price smart – If your artwork costs $20 to make, price it at $30+ to cover fees.
Use FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon) – Lets Amazon handle shipping and helps you qualify for Prime.
Offer different options – Sell framed/unframed or limited editions to increase value.
3. Handling Inventory and Shipping
The challenge: Keeping stock and shipping costs under control.
How to fix it:
Go print-on-demand (POD) – Services like Gelato print and ship for you, no upfront costs.
Store with Amazon (FBA) – They handle storage and fast delivery.
Ship smartly – Use Amazon’s shipping tools to stay organized.
4. Dealing with Returns and Customer Service
The challenge: Unhappy customers, refunds, and bad reviews.
How to fix it:
Set clear policies – Explain return rules upfront to avoid confusion.
Communicate well – Reply to customers quickly, even when they leave bad reviews.
Improve quality control – Add care instructions (e.g., “Keep away from direct sunlight”).
5. Protecting Your Brand from Copycats
The challenge: Others copying and reselling your work.
How to fix it:
Join Amazon Brand Registry – Helps trademark and protect your brand.
Add hidden details – Subtle watermarks or signatures help prove authenticity.
Be transparent – Describe your creative process to show originality.
6. Keeping Up with Amazon’s Search Algorithm
The challenge: Amazon changes how products rank in search results.
How to fix it:
Use strong keywords – Naturally include phrases in listings.
Track performance – Check your sales data in Seller Central to see what’s working.
Stay informed – Join Amazon seller forums to keep up with trends.
Conclusion
To sell your art on Amazon is an amazing way to make money doing what you love.
To really stand out, you need great photos, the right keywords, smart pricing, and a little marketing magic.
Sure, there will be challenges—competition, Amazon’s rules, and learning the ropes—but with a little patience and strategy, you can turn your passion into a thriving business.
So why wait? Take the first step, put your art out there, and start selling on Amazon today!