Access to the internet has made it incredibly easy for artists to sell their digital art online as well as reach audiences globally.
Whether you are a rookie or a seasoned artist, selling your digital art can help you generate revenue doing what you love the most.
The ultimate perk?
There’s no printing or shipping – you create and sell!
You can profit through instant downloads, print on demand, commission work, or even NFTs.
Best of all, you retain complete control of your art and pricing.
With reaching worldwide buyers, earning passive income, and having full control over your work, there is so much more you can do.
So, come along with me as I guide you through how to begin!
Understanding the Digital Art Market
Selling digital art has become increasingly popular.
But what accounts for this rise?
To put it simply, people enjoy easy access to creative designs and unique pieces that match their aesthetic.
All of this can be availed without the hassle of shipping or overpriced galleries.
Why Is Digital Art So Popular?
It’s Easy to Buy and Sell – Digital artwork can be bought with no hassle of printing or shipping, just instant downloads. In turn, art can be sold anywhere and to anyone.
Tech is Changing Art – Changes brought by AI, AR, and NFTs are making digital art more appealing and valuable.
More Affordable – Compared to traditional paintings, many buyers tend to enjoy digital art owing to its relative lower price value.
Online Communities Drive Sales – Artists can display and sell their work with ease through Instagram and Etsy.
What Kind of Digital Art Sells Best?
Illustrations – Think custom portraits, minimalistic designs, and trendy art prints.
NFTs – Unique, blockchain-backed art pieces that collectors are crazy about.
Printables – Instant-download wall art, quotes, and abstract designs—perfect for DIY decorators.
Stock Graphics – Logos, icons, and templates that businesses and content creators need.
AI-Generated Art – A mix of human creativity and technology, ideal for futuristic art lovers.
Who’s Buying Digital Art?
Collectors – With digital art being a new investment vehicle, some people are keen on possessing exclusive art pieces.
Businesses – All types of social media graphics along with logos and branding materials require art.
Everyday People – Home decorators and gift buyers can take advantage of digital art.
Truth is there’s room for everyone in this market.
You can sell digital art online as an exciting way to share your creativity and make money doing what you love.
Where to Sell Digital Art Online
Now that you’ve made stunning digital art masterpieces and are ready to start selling, the big question is, where do you sell it?
Digital art can be sold online in a multitude of ways; the choice of platform will strongly depend on the genre of art you specialize in and the degree of autonomy you wish to have in managing your sales.
So, let’s take a closer look and identify the most suitable options for your art.
Marketplaces vs. Your Own Website: What’s Better?
There are two primary alternatives when selling digital art:
Using an existing marketplace – You will use platforms that have lots of buyers already (like Etsy or Redbubble) so that you can get customers with less effort.
Your sales are, however, split since they take a portion of your income.
Setting up your own website – All of the design, and branding is completely under your control, including pricing and customer satisfaction.
You will, however, need to market and set everything on your own.
For beginners, marketplaces are a great place to get started. However, a personal website can serve as an avenue for building a long-lasting business.
Let us now discuss the best platforms for selling your digital art.
Best Marketplaces for Selling Digital Art
1. Etsy – Best for Digital Downloads
Etsy is a platform that simplifies the sales process for digital artists thanks to its direct download feature.
Everything from stickers to wall art to planners can be sold there.
It’s great for printable wall art, invitations, and templates.
Charges: $0.20 per listing + has a 6.5% transaction fee
Best Selling Course Features:There are millions of buyers searching for art to purchase daily, meaning that it will be easy to get sales.
2. Redbubble – Sell Your Art on Merch
With Redbubble, you can upload your designs, and they will be printed on a wide range of people’s favorite belongings such as t-shirts, mugs, stickers, along with many others.
You do not have to be worried about printing or shipping – they do all of that!
It’s great for encasing phone covers, posters, stickers, and t-shirts.
Fees: There is no upfront cost and you get a percent from all sales
Why choose Redbubble: Earning passive income with little to no effort required for maintenance is a big plus.
3. Society6 – Best for Home Decor and Prints
Society6 is similar to Redbubble but focuses on high-quality home decor like framed prints, furniture, and rugs.
If you want your art on pillows, shower curtains, or even furniture, this is the place!
It’s great for art prints, home decor, and accessories.
Fees: No upfront costs; artists earn royalties
Why choose Society6? If your art has a stylish, home-friendly aesthetic, this could be a great fit.
4. Printful – Print-on-Demand for Your Own Store
Printful is different from Redbubble because it lets you sell on your own website or a marketplace if you prefer.
It’s perfect if you want to launch a brand instead of relying on existing platforms.
It’s great for running your own merch store.
Fees: No listing fees, but you pay for products and shipping
Why choose Printful? You set your own prices and keep more profit per sale!
5. Adobe Stock and Shutterstock – Sell Stock Images and Graphics
If you create vectors, stock illustrations, or commercial graphics, Adobe Stock and Shutterstock let businesses license your work for ads, websites, and more.
It’s great for stock photos, illustrations, and design assets.
Fees: Commission-based earnings per download
Why choose stock sites? They offer recurring income—one file can be sold hundreds of times!
6. OpenSea and Rarible – Sell Digital Art as NFTs
If you’re into crypto and blockchain, you can sell your art as NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens) on OpenSea or Rarible.
This is a whole different world, but it can be lucrative if you have a unique style!
It’s great for crypto art and NFT collectibles.
Fees: OpenSea receives 2.5% of the sale price of your NFT and sellers pay gas fees when accepting offers in an auction.
On Rarible, you may incur gas fees for blockchain transactions.
Why choose NFTs? You can earn royalties every time your artwork is resold!
Creating Your Own Website to Sell Digital Art
If you want full control over your brand and sales, setting up your own store is the way to go.
Here are some easy ways to do it:
1. Shopify – Best for Building an Online Store
Shopify makes it super easy to create your own online store. It has built-in tools for selling digital products and automates file delivery.
2. WordPress + WooCommerce – Best for Full Customization
If you want total control, WordPress + WooCommerce is the most powerful option. It takes more work to set up but gives you endless customization.
3. Olitt – The Simple and Affordable Option
Olitt is a drag-and-drop website builder that makes it super easy to set up an online store—no coding needed! If you want to start selling fast without spending much, this is a great option.
4. Gumroad – Easiest Way to Sell Digital Downloads
Gumroad is built for digital products, making it perfect for selling illustrations, eBooks, templates, and more. It handles payments, file delivery, and customer management.
Which Platform Should You Choose?
Still not sure where to start?
Here’s a quick guide:
✅ Want quick sales and built-in traffic? → Etsy, Redbubble, Society6
✅ Want full control and branding? → Shopify, Olitt, WordPress
✅ Want to sell stock images? → Adobe Stock, Shutterstock
✅ Want to explore NFTs? → OpenSea, Rarible
You can also use multiple platforms—for example, sell prints on Redbubble while running your own website for high-end digital downloads.
The key is experimenting and seeing what works best for you!
Creating and Preparing Your Digital Art for Sale
Before you start selling, you want to make sure your digital art looks professional, loads fast, and is easy for buyers to use.
Let’s break it down into three simple steps:
1. Pick the Right Tool to Create Your Art
You don’t need the most expensive software to make amazing digital art.
Here are some great options, for both a beginner and a pro:
Adobe Photoshop – A powerhouse for detailed editing, layering, and high-end digital art.
Procreate – Super intuitive and perfect for iPad users who love to draw on the go.
Canva – Easy to use, great for beginners, and ideal for creating social media graphics.
GIMP – A free alternative to Photoshop with many of the same features.
Clip Studio Paint – A favorite among comic and manga artists.
Affinity Designer and Affinity Photo – Powerful tools without the Adobe subscription fees.
2. Choose the Right File Format (So Your Art Looks Its Best!)
Different formats serve different purposes, so pick the right one based on where and how you’re selling:
PNG – Best for graphics that need a transparent background.
JPEG – Good for high-quality images with smaller file sizes.
SVG – Ideal for logos and vector art that need to be resized without losing quality.
PSD – Photoshop’s layered format, great for editable files.
TIFF – Best for high-quality prints, keeping every detail crisp.
3. Optimize Your Art for Selling
Before you upload your work, take a few extra steps to make sure it’s buyer-friendly:
Go High-Resolution – At least 300 DPI ensures your artwork looks sharp, especially for prints.
Keep File Sizes Manageable – Use tools like TinyPNG to compress images without losing quality.
Choose the Right Colors – Use RGB for digital artwork and CMYK for print to keep colors accurate.
Use Clear Titles and Tags – Buyers find your art through keywords, so name your files wisely!
How to Price Your Digital Art Without Selling Yourself Short
Figuring out how much to charge for your digital art can be tricky.
You don’t want to price it too low and undervalue your work, but you also don’t want to scare away potential buyers.
What Affects Your Pricing?
Time and Effort: The more detailed and complex your art, the more you should charge. Simple pieces take less time, so they can be priced lower.
Exclusivity: If you’re selling a one-of-a-kind piece or a limited edition, you can charge more because it’s rare.
Licensing: Art for personal use is usually cheaper than art for commercial use (like for business logos or merchandise). Businesses get more value, so they should pay more.
Your Reputation: If you have a strong online presence or a loyal fanbase, you can confidently charge higher prices.
Demand: If your style is trending or in high demand, you can set a higher price—people will pay for what they love!
Ways to Price Your Art
1. Flat vs. Tiered Pricing
Flat Pricing: One set price for everyone. Simple and easy.
Tiered Pricing: Offer different versions at different prices. (Example: a low-res version for $10, a high-res printable for $30, and an exclusive commercial license for $100).
2. One-Time Sale vs. Subscription
One-Time Sale: Buyers pay once and own the artwork forever (great for unique pieces or NFTs).
Subscription Model: Platforms like Patreon let fans pay monthly for exclusive art, sneak peeks, or behind-the-scenes content—steady income for you!
How to Pick the Right Price
Cover Your Time and Costs: Don’t work for peanuts! Make sure your price reflects the effort you put in.
See What Others Charge: Look at artists with similar styles and skill levels. Don’t go too low—people associate higher prices with higher quality.
Know Your Worth: If you’ve built a following, charge what you deserve! Fans are willing to support artists they love.
Test Different Prices: Try different price points and see what sells best. You can always adjust later!
Increase Prices Over Time: As you grow, raise your prices. Your skills and reputation will increase, and so should your income!
How to Sell Your Digital Art Online Like a Pro
For you to sell your digital art online, you need to do more than just uploading your work and hoping for the best.
To attract buyers and make consistent sales, you need to optimize your listings, market your art effectively, and manage customer expectations.
Create a Listing That Sells
Your product listing is the first impression potential buyers get—make it count!
Write a Standout Title
Keep it clear and descriptive, so buyers instantly know what they’re getting.
Use keywords people are actually searching for (Google Keyword Planner or EtsyHunt can help!).
Add a creative touch to make it unique.
Example: “Vibrant Abstract Digital Print – Instant Download for Home Decor”
Craft a Compelling Description
Tell buyers why they need your art. Does it brighten up a space? Inspire creativity?
Share a little backstory or what makes your piece special.
Include simple download and usage instructions.
Example: “Instantly add energy to any room with this colorful abstract digital print. Perfect for printing at home or using as wallpaper!”
Use High-Quality Images
Upload high-resolution previews so buyers can see every detail.
Show different angles or how it looks in a real setting (e.g., framed on a wall).
Add the Right Keywords and Tags
Think about what your audience would type into a search bar.
Stay updated on trends and tweak your tags as needed.
Market Your Art and Get More Sales
Even the best listings need a push and to sell your digital art online you need to market it well! Here’s how to get your work in front of more eyes:
Social Media is Your Friend
Instagram: Share behind-the-scenes content, work-in-progress shots, and finished pieces.
Pinterest: Pin your art to themed boards—this platform is a goldmine for visual inspiration!
Twitter/X: Engage with the art community and share updates.
Email Marketing for the Win
Build an email list and send occasional updates, discounts, or exclusive offers.
Make it personal—talk like a human, not a robot.
Consider Paid Ads
If you have a budget, Facebook and Instagram ads can target people who love art like yours.
Start small, track results, and tweak your strategy.
Engage in Online Communities
Join Reddit groups, DeviantArt, or Discord communities where digital artists and buyers hang out.
Share your work, offer tips, and subtly promote your shop.
Keep Customers Happy and Coming Back
Managing your shop professionally builds trust and leads to repeat buyers.
Smooth Order Process
Make downloads instant and include clear instructions.
Send a follow-up message to thank buyers and check if they need help.
Set Clear Licensing Terms
Let customers know if your art is for personal or commercial use.
Be upfront about whether they can resell or modify your work.
Handle Refunds and Complaints Gracefully
Not every sale will be perfect. Respond quickly and professionally to any issues.
A fair refund policy can actually build trust rather than hurt sales.
Ready to Start?
The only thing left is for you to decide to sell digital art online and make money doing what you love.
Start by setting up your shop, optimizing your listings, and promoting your work.
With the right strategy, your art can find its audience—and you can turn your passion into a thriving business!