Start your online business · Side hustles · 2 min read
How to Start Selling Your Art: A Concise Guide
Short answer
Start selling art by deciding what you'll offer (originals, prints, commissions, merchandise), pricing consistently, photographing work well, and choosing one or two sales channels such as Etsy, your own website, local markets or social media. Build an email list of people who like your work, share your process regularly and treat early sales as feedback.
Many artists hesitate to sell because it feels like a different skill from making art. It is, but it's learnable. Here's a straightforward path from "I make things" to "people buy what I make."
1. Decide what to sell
| Product | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Originals | Highest price per piece | One sale per piece, slower |
| Prints | Repeatable, affordable | Need reproduction setup |
| Commissions | Personal, often well paid | Time-intensive, client management |
| Merchandise (stickers, mugs, apparel) | Low price, impulse buys | Lower margins, POD quality varies |
| Digital downloads | No shipping | Lower prices, easier to copy |
Offering a range, like a few originals plus prints and stickers, lets fans buy at different price points. See how to make art prints to sell.
2. Photograph your work well
Good photos sell art online. Use natural, even light, shoot straight on, show the piece in a room setting for scale and include detail close-ups of texture.
3. Price consistently
Common approaches for originals:
- Size-based: A rate per square inch times the area, plus materials
- Time-based: Hourly rate times hours plus materials
- Comparable-based: What similar artists at your stage charge
Pick a method and apply it consistently. Raising prices as demand grows is normal; dropping them suddenly can upset past buyers.
4. Choose your channels
Etsy
Buyers search Etsy specifically for handmade and unique items. Good for discovery when you're starting.
Your own website
Shopify, Wix, Squarespace or Big Cartel give brand control and customer relationships. You need to bring the traffic.
Local art fairs and markets
Meeting buyers in person builds loyal collectors and gives instant feedback.
Galleries and cafés
Some galleries and local businesses display and sell work, usually taking a commission.
Social media
Instagram, TikTok and Pinterest work well for visual art. Process videos and time-lapses perform especially well.
Start with one or two channels and learn them before spreading out.
5. Build an email list
Social platforms change; email stays. Offer a free wallpaper, early access to new work or a studio newsletter. Announce new collections and print drops to your list first.
6. Share your process and story
Collectors buy into the artist as much as the piece. Show sketches, studio days, materials, failed attempts and finished work. Explain what inspires each series.
7. Offer commissions carefully
Set clear terms: price, deposit, timeline, number of revisions and usage rights. Collect a deposit upfront.
8. Handle the business side
- Track income and expenses
- Understand sales tax and any business registration requirements
- Package carefully and use tracked shipping for valuable pieces
- Keep records of editions and buyers
9. Protect your work
Watermark low-resolution images online if copying worries you, keep high-resolution files private and include your name on listings. In most countries you own copyright automatically as the creator.
10. Be patient and consistent
Most artists build sales gradually. Regular posting, steady new work and genuine engagement with followers compound over time.
Selling at markets
Bring a range of price points, card payment options, clear price labels and a sign-up sheet or QR code for your email list. Watch which pieces people stop for; that's free market research.
Seasonal opportunities
The holiday season is a peak time for gift-friendly art like prints and small originals. Plan collections and shipping deadlines early. For craft-focused ideas, see handmade Christmas craft ideas to sell, and for a broader look at side income, how to start a side hustle.
Frequently asked questions
How should beginners price original art?
Many artists use a consistent formula, such as a rate per square inch or materials plus hourly time, then adjust based on demand. Consistent pricing builds trust with buyers.
Is Etsy good for selling art?
Etsy brings buyers actively searching for art and gifts, which helps beginners. Fees and competition are trade-offs, so many artists also build their own site.
Do I need a business license to sell art?
It depends on where you live and how much you sell. Many places require registration and sales tax collection. Check local rules.
Sources and further reading
Platform features, prices and policies change. Check the official help pages linked above before you act on a detail that matters to your store.