Whether it’s watercolor paintings, animal portraits, contemporary art, or original sketches, learn how to sell art on Etsy and monetize your designs for a profit.
Known as a marketplace for one-of-a-kind products, the Etsy platform is the perfect place to attract art buyers worldwide.
From selling prints to fine art, we’ll cover everything you need to know to find potential customers and market your Etsy store.
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Key takeaways
- Make sure your artwork complies with Etsy’s Terms of Use and Seller Policy, focusing on handmade, custom designs or responsibly sourced products.
- Identifying market trends, using the right keywords, and finding your niche helps your online business stand out in a competitive environment.
- A diverse product selection, including canvas prints, digital downloads, and custom commissions, attracts a broader audience and improves visibility in Etsy search results.
- High-quality photos, detailed descriptions, an attractive shop banner, and clear shop policies build trust and encourage repeat purchases.
- Promotional tools like Etsy SEO, social media marketing, and Etsy Ads help improve your store’s visibility and attract more buyers.
How to sell art on Etsy in 7 easy steps
With more than 96 million active buyers, selling on Etsy can turn your hobby into a rewarding and profitable venture.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you navigate the process of selling your original artwork on this popular sales channel.
1. Check if your artwork meets Etsy standards
Learning how to sell artwork on Etsy starts with knowing what you can and can’t sell. As the go-to place for unique finds, Etsy makes sure that everything you sell aligns with its Terms of Use and Seller Policy.
So, what can you actually sell on Etsy? Aside from vintage or handmade items, sell anything that you design, handpick, or source yourself.
That means it’s possible to sell custom art with a production partner like Printify.
However, the Etsy marketplace does have restrictions or prohibitions. To avoid getting banned on the platform, make sure your art does not:
- Promote, support, or glorify hatred or violence.
- Promote illegal activity.
- Display explicit nudity and sexual content.
Check the full list of prohibited items on Etsy for additional information.
2. Define your target audience
Understanding your potential buyers is important for creating and selling artwork that resonates and gaining success in this crowded marketplace.
Here are a few ways to find customers on Etsy:
- Conduct market research
Look at current trends and identify what type of art is popular, who is buying it, and whether there are gaps in the market that you can fill. - Find relevant Etsy keywords
Use tools like eRank, Semrush or Google Trends to find popular search terms related to your art. Look for specific phrases that potential buyers might use. - Tap into niche markets
Consider specializing in a specific type of art, like pet portraits, botanical prints, or abstract designs. Niche markets often attract dedicated buyers and face less competition, making them ideal for selling art online. - Perform competitor analysis
Examine other Etsy sellers in your niche to understand their strategies, pricing, and products. Read customer reviews to learn how to make your art stand out.
3. Decide what products to sell
With a solid understanding of your target market, it’s time to determine the best products to offer in your Etsy store.
Focus on selling art online that plays to your creative strengths. Here are a few popular options:
- Canvas prints: Offer high-quality canvases of your original artwork. They’re popular for home decor and make your art feel more exclusive.
- Posters: Sell framed and unframed posters as a more affordable and versatile option for displaying your art.
- Digital downloads: Provide digital versions of your artwork that customers can instantly download and print themselves. It’s a cost-effective way for buyers to enjoy your art.
- Tapestries: Create and sell custom tapestries as decor to add a unique touch to any room. It’s a bold way for customers to showcase your designs in their homes.
- T-shirts: Design and sell t-shirts with your original art. Give customers a way to express their style through your wearable creations.
- Hoodies: Sell these cozy apparel items that are perfect for buyers who want to stay warm while making a fashion statement.
- Personalized artwork: Offer custom art like portraits, pet illustrations, or personalized quotes to give your customers unique, one-of-a-kind pieces.
Explore various drinkware options and put your art on custom pint glasses or design your own mug.
4. Prepare your art for printing
Create color-accurate digital files in high resolution (300 DPI) using JPEG or PNG file formats to prepare your artwork for printing.
Then, sign up for a free Printify account to apply your artwork to various products and sell online seamlessly. Here’s how to do it:
Step 1: Select products
Browse our Product Catalog and pick the perfect canvas for your art. From posters and stickers to canvases and more. Click Start designing to create your next bestseller.
Step 2: Customize your designs
Use our intuitive Product Creator to upload your art or make new designs with our free graphics, fonts, and professional image editing tools.
Once you finalize your designs, our tool will generate realistic product mockups – perfect for listing on your Etsy store.
Step 3: Start selling
Connect your store through our Etsy integration in just a few clicks. Quickly create new Etsy listings, set prices, and start selling your custom products seamlessly.
Start your successful Etsy shop today!
5. Optimize your Etsy shop
After registering an Etsy account and opening an Etsy shop, it’s time to create a visually appealing storefront that captures the essence of your business.
Here are a few tips to prepare your online store and get Etsy shoppers to notice your art prints:
- Use high-quality images
Capture your products with sharp, detailed photos. Shoot in natural light, use a plain background, and show multiple angles to give customers a comprehensive view of your artwork. - Write detailed product descriptions
Clearly explain each item, how it was made, and what makes it special. Answer questions buyers may have regarding dimensions, care instructions, and how to use or display the product. - Design an attractive shop banner
Create professional and eye-catching designs to represent your brand and set the tone for your shop. An appealing banner attracts target customers and makes your store look more inviting. - Complete your shop profile
Fill your shop’s About section with your story, creative process, and the meaning behind your artwork. This helps build customer trust by giving them insight into who you are and what drives your creativity. - Set up shop policies
Clearly outline your Etsy shop policies on shipping, returns, and custom orders. Being transparent helps manage customer expectations and avoid potential issues.
Pay as much attention to your storefront as you do to your artwork.
Creating a welcoming storefront with all the information customers need shows that you’re a reliable merchant, encouraging more sales.
6. Market your store
No matter how beautiful your art, selling won’t be easy if nobody knows about it. Apply tried and tested marketing strategies to drive traffic to your store and make money on Etsy.
Here are a few Etsy marketing tips to help your art store succeed:
- Optimize for search engines
Etsy SEO is the process of increasing your shop’s visibility on popular search engines like Google.
To appear in more results, use relevant keywords in your product titles, descriptions, alt-texts, and all available tags. - Use social media pages
Promote your Etsy store on popular social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. This lets you generate interest in your brand, build a loyal customer base, and increase Etsy sales.
Use your Instagram account to share behind-the-scenes content, Facebook for targeted ads, and Pinterest for visually appealing Pins that link directly to your listings. - Use Etsy Ads
Run paid ads directly within the marketplace. Your promoted listings will feature within search results, market pages, and product categories for better visibility.
7. Adjust for success
Use Etsy Stats to see how your store is performing, where the traffic comes from, and how Etsy shoppers engage with your products.
To access this data, click Stats in your Etsy Shop Manager. You’ll see the following information:
- Store metrics
Dive into your shop’s visits, orders, conversion rates, and revenue.
These insights will help you understand what’s working and where to make adjustments to improve your store’s success. - Shopper stats
Get insights into how buyers interact with your shop, including item favorites, shop follows, and reviews.
Use this information to encourage more engagement, like offering discounts to shoppers who favorited an item or sending thank-you vouchers to repeat customers. - Abandoned baskets
Keep an eye on abandoned carts and consider sending an offer to nudge visitors to complete their purchases. - Traffic sources
Discover how shoppers found your store, whether traffic from Etsy search, Etsy Ads, social media, or direct links.
This helps you identify which channels drive the most visits and where to focus your marketing efforts.
Try to look for patterns, modify your product offerings to your customer’s liking, and focus on marketing that works.
Why sell your artwork with Printify?
Printify’s print-on-demand (POD) service has everything you need to sell art prints on Etsy and start making sales quickly.
With our Product Creator and Catalog boasting over 1,000 high-quality items, you get complete control over a diverse range of customizable items.
Plus, our Etsy integration lets you start selling original artwork seamlessly with no upfront costs, inventory, or logistical worries.
What type of art sells best on Etsy?
The most sought-after styles depend on trends, your niche, and buyer preferences.
Some of the most popular categories include:
- Digital art
Downloadable files offer customers the convenience of purchasing and printing art at home. It’s a fast and affordable alternative for mastering how to sell wall art on Etsy. - Abstract and modern art
Many people love abstract and modern designs for their versatility in various interior styles. These pieces appeal to those looking to add a contemporary touch to their living spaces. - Pop culture and fan art
Art prints inspired by popular movies, TV shows, books, and video games have an established following. Fans of these works often seek unique interpretations of their favorite characters or scenes. - Watercolor art
The soft and delicate allure of watercolor paintings continues to be a favorite for home decor. It’s perfect for those seeking an elegant look with sweeping landscapes or detailed portraits. - Minimalist art
Simple and clean designs are popular among buyers who appreciate an understated aesthetic. Minimalist art is versatile and can easily suit various spaces, from homes to offices. - Children’s art
Playful and whimsical themes are fantastic for decorating nurseries and playrooms. From cute animal illustrations to educational prints, they’re perfect for creating a fun and nurturing environment for kids.
How much does it cost to sell art on Etsy?
If you want to learn how to make money selling art on Etsy, it’s crucial to understand Etsy fees.
Here’s a breakdown of some of the most common expenses:
- Set-up fee. You may be required to pay a one-time set-up fee when opening your Etsy store.
- Listing fee. Etsy charges $0.20 for each item you list on your shop, regardless of price or category.
- Transaction fee. Etsy takes a 6.5% commission on the sale price of each item, including shipping costs.
- Payment processing fee. This varies by country, but it’s 3% plus $0.25 of the total transaction amount for the US.
Start selling art prints on Etsy today
Selling art on Etsy: 3 Tips for a successful Etsy shop
Etsy is a great platform for beginners and is home to many artists monetizing their work. To stand out from the competition, consider these tips and tricks.
1. Sell multiple products
If you want your shop to appear trustworthy and active, listing multiple items is vital.
Create different variations of your art, such as prints, apparel, digital downloads, and custom commissions, to drive conversions from a broader range of customers.
The more listings you have in a specific category, the higher your chances of showing up in Etsy search results – leading to more visits to your shop.
Start making money on Etsy today
2. Set the right price
Pricing your artwork correctly is crucial for profitability. To strike a balance, consider the cost of materials, time spent creating the piece, and any fees associated with selling on Etsy.
Use our Etsy Calculator to weigh your profit and expenses.
Here are some other factors to consider when setting a price:
- Prices of competitors. See what other artists selling art on Etsy are charging and set your price competitively. Don’t fall into a price war – value your art for what it’s worth.
- Use various pricing strategies. For example, keep numbers before the decimal point low for psychological pricing, like $9.99 instead of $10.15.
3. Ensure great customer service
If you keep your customers happy, they’re more likely to buy from you again and suggest your Etsy store to their friends.
Try to answer your customers’ inquiries quickly and politely, providing them with all the information they need.
It may seem small, but great customer service can make a huge difference when running a small business and pay off in the long run.
Selling artwork on Etsy: Closing thoughts
Is it worth selling art on Etsy? Absolutely. While it’s easy for most artists to sell art online, success comes with careful planning and implementing the right strategies.
With quality artwork, products, and Printify’s POD services, anyone can turn their creativity into a fruitful business without any upfront investment, costly inventory, or logistical issues.
