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How To Sell Digital Art Online for Free (Guide for Selling Art in 2023The Art of Selling

Mar 2, 2023

 The last update was March 1, 2023

Many artists have discovered how to sell their creative works online has created huge possibilities to showcase and earn money from their artwork with like-minded people who are also art lovers. But many creativepreneurs are also overwhelmed with the steps to take and how to create a solid online presence.

If that sounds familiar and you're among thousands of artists trying to figure out what to do about selling digital artwork on the internet, this article is written for those of you. We'll guide you through the entire process that you must know in order to make money selling digital artwork without cost.

Here's a quick overview of the topics will be covered:

Benefits of Selling Digital Art Online

There are several benefits to selling digital art online as opposed to physical art:

1. Reach a wider audience

The selling of digital artwork online allows the artist to connect with a worldwide audience and showcase your artistic work to a much larger audience than traditional channels.

Digital art can also cost less to make when compared with creating original art using traditional mediums such as oil painting. The selling of digital artwork online makes the artwork easily accessible to a greater number of customers, which includes people who do not have access to galleries that offer traditional art.

2. Lower cost - No more cost of goods

The sale of digital artwork online removes the requirement to have physical storage space and shipping costs, making it the most cost-effective choice for artists.

3. Unlimited passive income potential

Digital art sales can provide passive income for artists, as you can continue to market your work repeatedly and over again , without having to pay the additional cost of production and/or shipping. There is no need to take part in order fulfillment since most platforms for eCommerce will automatically deliver your digital artwork to your customers as soon as they have completed their purchase.

4. It's so simple to accomplish with a small budget

Digital artwork can be traded and sold on a variety of online platforms, making the procedure easy and efficient for both buyers and artists. Artists will be able to sell your digital art anytime, anyplace, offering you greater flexibility and control over your sales and income.

How to Create Digital Art for Sale

If you're an established artist, you're probably acquainted working out the digital artwork you want to create by using Adobe Illustrator, Procreate, Rebelle as well as many more software that is specifically designed for artists.

But, art that is digital doesn't require exclusive creation within a digital setting. Investing in a good quality scanner allows the artist to transform their work like watercolors into downloadable digital files , such as JPEGs and PDFs.

One thing to consider here is the size of the scanner bed. A majority of scanners for budgets have been designed for standard paper sizes such as A4. If your work is that is larger than this, you'll either need a larger scanner, or be able to scan individual sections and then stitch them in the software program like Photoshop. It is also likely that you will use Photoshop to enhance the quality of your digital photos so that they are ready to be sold.

You should be aware that customers are able to increase the size of the image after printing the image (so that you print using a resolution that is sufficient). A majority of printers print at 300 dots per inch (dpi) which means that scanning at 300 dpi will give plenty of resolution even larger pints.

One thing to keep in mind is that a higher resolution results in larger files. Numerous artists prefer to post different sizes of their files on their online store so that customers can select the one that is most suitable for them. It is possible to upload several files within a single product catalog, each file having a maximum size of up to 5GB (this is generally sufficient for the majority of artists).

What else do I need to have? Equipment?

A reasonably well-equipped PC or iMac is sure to aid in the process. It will require plenty of memory to manipulate those large files and a good quality screen which accurately represents color.

We mentioned Photoshop in the past. It's a fantastic tool for cleaning up your digital files as well as removing backgrounds. It's quite simple to use, and you can find online tutorials available to assist. The process of cleaning digital files is especially crucial if customers wish to enlarge their prints.

How to Sell Digital Art Online

There are two main avenues that allow you to sell digital artwork on the internet:

Through Online Marketplaces

There are many online marketplaces which allow sellers to market their digital art , including Etsy, SketchFab, CreativeFabrica, ArtStation, DeviantArt, and many more.

Here are some pros and cons selling digital artwork via online marketplaces.

 Pros

  • You can access the marketplace's customer base Access to the marketplaces' existing customer base and traffic to ensure that you don't need to spend as much time marketing as in the event of driving visitors to your website (there are certain caveats with this; see the pros section further down)

 Cons

  • Profit margins are low: Online marketplaces usually charge large fees when compared with selling on your own site. Additionally, certain marketplaces charge listing fees regardless of whether you've successfully sold your work online.
  • Payouts delayed: The majority of online marketplaces will only payout the amount you earn after reaching a certain income threshold or on specific pay periods (e.g. monthly).
  • There isn't much customization for your online store and product listing A benefit of being an artist is the fact that you must have the ability to show your creative aesthetic in the layout of your store however this isn't always possible with an online marketplace. The store (e.g. Etsy Shop) will look exactly like the other sellers' stores with minimal customization.
  • You don't own your customer information: It isn't easy to collect your customers' emails and stay in contact with them to establish continuous relationships and promote your future product.
  • Certain online marketplaces could be very saturated: You'll be fighting for visibility. At the same time when the market changes its algorithm for searching (which is certainly happened several times across many online marketplaces), your listing might fall in the results of a search and your prospective sales.
  • The challenge is to create customer loyalty. Your clients have to shop on an online shopping mall, which allows them to view your digital art along with many other artists' creations as well. This often leads to pricing wars, or consumers choosing the cheapest merchandise, which can be detrimental for artists looking to make a name for themselves or a value their distinctive artistic creations.
  • A limited marketing tool The marketing tools you use on marketplaces online are typically limited to providing coupons or discounts. However, selling on your personal websites using platforms like Amazon permits you to create a range of creative marketing campaigns from short-term discount to a fully-fledged affiliate program.

Through Your Own Website

Selling digital artwork on your own website involves joining an eCommerce platform, such as one where you could add your art work and design a completely custom online store or website.

These are the advantages and disadvantages of selling digital art on your own website.

 Pros

  • An online store that is fully customizable or website to sell your digital art
  • The ability to create additional revenue streams by selling other things from your website (e.g. merch, online courses and art commissions or coaching, memberships for example)
  • Full control over your customer experience
  • Full ownership over your customer data so you can run email marketing to regularly advertise your digital art products to your clients.
  • You will be paid more quickly as the majority of eCommerce sites pay you instantly using payment gateways , such as Stripe and Paypal

 Cons

  • You'll have to bring the traffic you generate to your website which might take some time depending the marketing strategies you employ.

It's no surprise that we would recommend selling your work on your own site. But the great thing of this is that you do not have to make a choice. You are able to market your digital art on BOTH your own website and also in online marketplaces. Spread your wings as wide as you can in order to maximize the likelihood of selling!

If you plan to sell on multiple platforms, be sure to pick platforms that offer an perpetually-free service so that you don't need to pay a cent until you earn your first cent. Now, let's go over how you can get started in selling your work on the web in the next article.

How to sell Digital Art Online Free

1. Start an online Store with no cost

The site has an impressive list of features which include:

  • A generous forever-free plan. It is ideal for creatives who wish to create a gorgeous website for free.
  • Intuitive website builder with the drag-and-drop editor (no technical skills needed)
  • With built-in eCommerce tools, you are able to sell a variety of products including electronic downloads (e.g. digital art, design assets) Online classes, artwork tutorials, art coaching, and custom art commissions or memberships as well as physical goods
  • Security features like the ability to limit downloads, and PDF stamping to aid in stopping pirates.
  • Unlimited storage space is perfect for artists who need to upload huge image files to your website
  • Domain and hosting for your website is free (you are also able to connect to custom domains if you'd like to)
  • Integration with payment gateway Paypal and Stripe so you will be paid instantaneously when orders come in
  • Effective marketing tools for referral systems, affiliate marketing upselling, cross-selling coupon codes, and email marketing
  • If you already have a website, you can also use to embed the "Buy" button to your existing website
  • Plus much plus!

As a side note, is has been offering the same great forever-free plan for more than 10 years, and you'll be able to rest easy knowing that the pricing isn't going anywhere soon!

Register for a free account on (no details about payment required) and follow along with the rest of our tutorial in the following.

SELL DIGITAL ART ONLINE

Join the more than 130,000 sellers who have started their businesses online using

2. Upload your Digital Files as Product Listings

Once your digital art is ready to sell digital file, you can upload them to as the product listing. Upload any formats of your choice, so you won't have to worry about changing your files.

provides a thorough tutorial on how to upload your product's digital image here.

More than that Here are a couple of additional important points to keep in mind:

  • Use a compelling cover image for your product listing. If you're required, create a mockup of your digital artwork with free graphic design tools like Canva
  • The power of powerful product descriptions will not only compel your customers to buy your product and help your business rank for organic visitors.
  • Add additional things that might increase your customers' purchase conversion such as customers' reviews as well as "Related Products"

3. Set pricing

If you're new to selling online, choosing what price to set can be one of the most difficult aspects. The trick is to find the perfect price that allows you to earn a living and gain a following, and not be a sham.

Check out the prices similar to similar goods of similar artists sell online. Keep in mind that you can raise prices whenever you increase your fame and profile.

Additionally, you may set a price-based on what you want that allows your customers to contribute an extra "tip" in addition to the minimum cost.

4. Create your own website

Source: https://shop.alainajensen.com/ (Example of a Design Assets Online Store on )

You can choose one of 's free website themes to create an attractive and consistent website design and you could also construct a new website with's drag and drop store builder. also has the easy to follow video tutorial on how to make a web-based site for free by using their store builders, so get creative and build an amazing website that reflects your unique aesthetic as an artist!

An online presence that is strong is critical when selling digital art and showcase your portfolio. Make sure your website is easy to navigate. Create separate pages on your website to showcase your work, your biography as well as a contact form as well as your online shop section. Make sure to use high-quality images and proofread all of your copywriting to make sure it appears professional.

5. Make sure you promote your website's or your online store

Once you've got everything set up and is ready to go, it's time to promote and drive people to your website to browse your work and buy items.

Here are some budget-friendly marketing ideas to start with:

  • Develop a social media presence. Social media platforms provide excellent possibilities for connecting with potential customers and exhibiting new work.
  • Connect with professional artists and other professionals in the field. You might be able to cross promote your store online, or hire these individuals to become affiliates
  • Take part in online art exhibitions or join galleries for more chances of selling
  • Make content that is engaging for the readers, such as blogs, newsletters, or Q&As

What other digital products can I earn money from as an artist?

Artists have the option of selling a range of digital items that go beyond digital artwork or traditional art pieces. Some examples include:

Below are links to video tutorials where you can see the process of selling those product types as artists. That will help you get your creativity flowing with ideas of the ways you can create these income streams for yourself.

 Final Thoughts on Sell the Artwork of Your Digital Art Online

Selling digital art online can be a lucrative and exciting opportunity for artists. Due to the popularity of online shopping and online platforms It's never been simpler to reach a global market. By utilizing the tips and strategies outlined in this guide will increase your chances of success and earn cash from the passion you have.

If you're an experienced artist or are only beginning to get started it's easy to promote your digital work and connect with a worldwide public. has a generous forever-free plan that lets you start an online business without spending even a dime. With , you'll have everything you require to transform your art work into a successful business. Start selling your digital work on the internet for free today!

FAQ

What exactly is digital art?

Digital art can be described as a general concept which covers all types of work created with digital technologies, regardless of the point in the procedure. As an example, you could snap a picture and use digital tools to manipulate this image to create a piece of artwork. Digital art can include digital painting and drawing, 3D modeling, vector art, photo manipulation, pixel art, animation and more.

What should I charge my digital work?

Digital artwork is sold for nearly anything, ranging from just a few cents, to possibly million dollars, based on the artwork and the creatorand whether the artwork is sold as a single NFT or as several copies. If you're creating custom pieces made of digital art, you might be selling them for $100 or more. If you're selling digital work that is able to be purchased repeatedly time, such as graphic designs, you can expect it to be somewhere within the $1-$50 area.

Is my art good enough to be sold?

The only way you can determine if your work is good enough to sell is to sell it. It is difficult to determine if artwork can be described as "good" and not since it's a matter of opinion. A piece of artwork that one person loves might be deemed unimportant or badly done by another.

Are the benefits of being a digital artist worthwhile?

If you love making artwork with digital technology, then being a digital artist can make you extremely happy. While it may take some time to earn large amount of money, lots of digital artists earn a regular income from their art. Make sure you are prepared to do effort to increase your client base before you begin to see a an impressive return on the effort.

Is selling art printables profitable?

Prints can be considered a form of digital artwork since you've probably created these using a computer, or similar device. Alternatively, you're selling them online. They could be a successful way to market your artwork, particularly in the event that you're a lover of creating art that is appropriate for printing. In particular, you could enjoy designing borders, calendars, checklists, and other components that work well with printables.

Do you think that the digital representation of my art not considered art?

The digital representation of your artwork is still considered real artwork. It's not a form of gambling: even fine art painting, digital illustrations, digital graphics, or digital sketches require a great deal of skill, time, and effort. Even though digital artwork can be reproduced several times with no loss of value, it has merit as an art. The use of NFTs can also give digital artworks an exclusive, unique appearance of tangible artworks.

Do you prefer to use an Etsy digital product listing or have a product page on your own site?

Do I have to sell prints of art?

Although selling the digital copy of your artwork is straightforward and wonderful it is also possible to offer your clients the option to buy prints of their art from your. Some customers may now be equipped with the printers needed that can print your digital art which can showcase your creations in the best possible light. Prints of art can be sold by using print-on demand services that print your artwork upon demand, and then ship the art prints directly to the customers. You can earn a decent return on investment by selling your art prints.