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

Mar 2, 2023

 Last updated: 1st March, 2023

A lot of artists are finding out how to sell their creative artwork online has provided huge opportunities to market and share the work of other art enthusiasts. But many creativepreneurs are also confused about how to get started and how to successfully create a solid online presence.

If that sounds familiar and you're among the thousands of artists trying to figure out how to sell digital art online - this article is the perfect guide for those of you. We'll walk you through everything you need to know how to sell digital art online for free.

This is a short overview of the topics will be covered:

Advantages of Selling Digital Art Online

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

1. Reach a wider audience

The selling of digital artwork online allows artists to be seen by a large audience and showcase your artistic work to a much larger audience than traditional avenues.

Digital art also tends to be more affordable to create in comparison to making original art using traditional mediums such as oil painting. Making digital art available online can make your work more available to a larger number of buyers, even those with no access to galleries that offer traditional art.

2. Cost reduction - There is no more costs for items

Digital art sold online can eliminate the requirement for physical storage and shipping costs, making it an economical option for artists.

3. Unlimited passive income potential

Selling digital art can potentially provide passive income for artists since you are able to market your work repeatedly and over again , without having to pay extra costs of production and/or shipping. There is no need to take part in the order fulfillment process as most eCommerce platforms like can automatically send your digital artwork to customers as soon as they've completed their purchases.

4. It's so simple to do with little-to-no budget

Digital artwork can be offered for sale and distribution through various online platforms, making the process simple and convenient for artists and buyers. For artists, this means you'll 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 a seasoned artist, then you're likely familiar with the process of creating your digital art by using Adobe Illustrator, Procreate, Rebelle as well as numerous other software specifically made for artists.

But, art that is digital doesn't require exclusive creation in a digital space. Investing in a good quality scanner can allow artists to turn their artwork like watercolors into downloadable digital files such as JPEGs or PDFs.

Another thing to take into consideration is the dimensions of the scanner bed. The majority of budget scanners have been designed for regular paper sizes like A4. If you usually create art larger than this you will have to either get a more powerful scanner or you will need to learn to take individual scans and then stitch them in the software program like Photoshop. Additionally, you'll likely utilize Photoshop to enhance the quality of your digital scans so that they are ready to be sold.

It's worth remembering that your customers can enlarge the images when printing the image (so long as you scan with a high enough resolution). Most printers work in 300 dots (dpi) so the 300 dpi resolution will give plenty of resolution even for larger pints.

The most important thing to keep at heart is the fact that higher resolution means bigger files. Numerous artists prefer to add different sizes of files to their online store in order to let customers choose which one is the most appropriate. At you can upload multiple files within a single product list, with each item having a maximum file size of up to 5GB (this usually is more than enough for most artists).

Do I require any other Equipment?

A fairly highly specced PC or iMac is sure to make the job easier. You'll need ample memory for manipulating those large files and a good quality screen that accurately displays colors.

We talked about Photoshop previously. This is a great tool for cleaning your digital files as well as removing backgrounds. It's pretty easy to use and comes with online tutorials to help. Cleansing digital files is essential if you want your clients to increase the size of their prints.

How to Sell Digital Art Online

There are two major channels that allow you to sell digital artwork on the internet:

By way of Online Marketplaces

There are a myriad of online marketplaces that allow you to sell your digital artwork, such as Etsy, SketchFab, CreativeFabrica, ArtStation, DeviantArt, and much more.

Here are the benefits and drawbacks of selling your digital art via online marketplaces.

 Pros

  • Access to online marketplace's audience Access to the online marketplaces' already established traffic and customer base so that you won't have to spend as much time marketing as in the event of driving customers to your site (there are some limitations to this; see the pros section below)

 Cons

  • Low profit margin: Online marketplaces typically charge expensive fees compared to selling from your own website. In addition, some online marketplaces also charge fees for listing, regardless of whether or not you've successfully sold your work online.
  • Payouts delayed: The majority of online marketplaces will pay your earnings after you have reached a certain income threshold or only on certain period of pay (e.g. monthly).
  • There isn't much customization for your store's online design and listing A benefit that comes with being an artist the fact that you must be able to showcase your creative aesthetic in the layout of your store however this isn't always feasible with an online marketplace. Your shop (e.g. Etsy Shop) will look exactly like the other sellers' stores with minimal personalization.
  • You don't own your customer data: You can't easily collect your customers' emails and stay in contact with them in order to build ongoing relations and advertise your new products.
  • Some online marketplaces may have a high level of competition. You'll need to constantly fight to be seen. In the meantime, if the online marketplace changes its search algorithm (which is certainly happened several times across many online marketplaces) Your listing could be snubbed in search results and your prospective sales.
  • It is difficult to establish customer loyalty. Your clients basically shop in an online shopping mall, where they can view your digital art along with the work of other artists and more. Oftentimes this results in prices being a factor or people opting for the lowest-cost merchandise, which can be detrimental for artists looking to build a name or premium on their unique artistic creations.
  • Limited marketing tools Marketing efforts using online marketplaces tend to be restricted to offering coupons or discounts. Selling on your own website using platforms like lets you run a variety of innovative marketing campaigns, ranging from temporary discounts , to an entire affiliate program.

On Your Own Website

Selling digital art on your own website involves signing up on an eCommerce platform like where you can add your art work and build a completely customizable online store or website.

Here are some pros and cons to selling digital art from your website.

 Pros

  • An online store that is fully customizable or website for selling your work of digital art
  • Potential to generate additional income streams through the sale of other items through your website (e.g. merchandise, online classes or art commissions and coaching services, memberships and more)
  • Full control over your customer experience
  • You own all the customers' data allows you to run email marketing to regularly promote your digital art products to your customers
  • Pay faster since the majority of eCommerce platforms payout instantly through payment processors such as Stripe and Paypal

 Cons

  • You'll have to bring your own traffic to your website which might take some time based on the efforts you make to market your business.

Needless to say, we would recommend selling your work via your own website. However, the best part with this option is that you don't need to decide. You are able to market your work on your website as well as in online marketplaces. Expand your wings as far as you can to boost the chances of making a sale!

If you are planning to market your work on several platforms, make sure to select platforms with a perpetually-free service so that you don't need to pay a cent prior to earning your first penny. We'll go over the steps to get started in selling your work on the internet in the next section.

How to sell Digital Art Online Free

1. Start an online Store for Free

The site has an impressive list of features which include:

  • The plan is free for life. Perfect for artists who want to have a stunning website for free.
  • Easy to use website builder, with Drag and Drop editor (no technical skills needed)
  • The eCommerce toolkit is built-in so that you can sell various products like Digital downloads (e.g. digital art, design assets) Online classes, art tutorials, coaching services or custom art-related commissions, memberships, and physical items
  • Security options like limit downloads as well as PDF stamping, which aid in stopping pirates.
  • Unlimited storage space is ideal for artists who need to upload large images to your website
  • Domain and hosting for your website is free (you may also join to custom domains if you'd like to)
  • Integration with the payment gateways Paypal and Stripe so you can get paid instantly once orders arrive
  • Powerful marketing tools like referral systems, affiliate marketing Cross-selling, upselling coupon codes and marketing via email
  • If you already have a site, you could use to embed the "Buy" button onto your existing website
  • There's more!

A side note: has maintained the same generous forever free plan for over 10 years. So you'll be able to rest easy knowing that the pricing isn't ever going to change!

Register for a free account on (no details about payment required) so you can go through the remainder of our guide here.

SELL DIGITAL ART ONLINE

Join over 130,000 sellers who have started their online businesses with

2. Upload your digital files as Product Listings

When your artwork is in a ready-to-sell digital file, you can add them to the product listing. You can upload any type of file, meaning there is no need to fret about the process of converting your images.

has a comprehensive instruction on how to upload your product's digital image Here.

In addition there are a few of additional important points to be aware of:

  • Use a compelling cover image to promote your products. If needed, generate a mockup of your digital artwork using free graphic design software like Canva
  • Powerful product descriptions will not simply entice customers to purchase your products, but also help you achieve a higher rank in organic web traffic
  • Add additional things that might increase your customers' purchase conversion like customers' reviews as well as "Related items"

3. Set pricing

If you're just beginning to learn about selling on the internet, determining the amount you'll charge will be one of the most difficult aspects. It's a question of finding the perfect price that allows the seller to make a profit and build a following without compromising your integrity.

Check out the prices similar to similar goods from similar artists are selling online. Keep in mind that you can always increase prices as you increase your fame and popularity.

You can also establish an price-based on what you want for your customers to pay an extra "tip" on top of your minimum price.

4. Create your own website

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

It is possible to select one of the free themes to help you create a cohesive website aesthetic and you could also build one from scratch by using the no-code drag and drop store builders. Also, they have an easy-to-follow video tutorial to create a site at no cost with their store builder, so let your imagination run wild and design an incredible website that showcases your individual style as an artist!

A strong online presence is essential for selling digital artwork and showcase your portfolio. Your website should be simple to use. Create separate pages on your website for your resume, biographical information, contact form, and then your online store section. Only use top quality images and proofread your copywriting to make sure that it looks professional.

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

Now that you've gotten everything set up and is ready to go, it's time to promote and direct people to your website so they can look at your art and even purchase items.

Here are some budget-friendly marketing concepts to begin with:

  • Create a following on social media. Social media platforms offer excellent possibilities for connecting with potential clients and showing off new ideas.
  • Meet others artists and professionals within the business. There is a possibility cross-promote your stores online or even recruit associates to join your network.
  • Participate in virtual art shows or join galleries to expand chances of selling
  • Develop content that will engage your readers. This could be newsletters, blog posts, 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 goods that aren't just work or art works that are traditional. Some examples include:

Here are some hyperlinks to video tutorials where you can see what it's like to sell these types of products as an artist. That will help you get your creativity flowing with ideas of the ways you can create this income stream yourself.

 Final Thoughts on Sell your Digital Art Online

The selling of digital artwork online can be a lucrative and exciting possibility for artists. Thanks to the growth of e-commerce and digital platforms making it easier than ever to reach a global market. With the help of the suggestions and strategies described in this book to boost your chances of success, and begin earning income from your passion.

Whether you're a seasoned artist or are only beginning to get started, makes it easy to market your digital artwork and connect with a worldwide audience. It offers a long-term, free plan that lets you start an online enterprise without paying even a dime. With  it, you'll have everything you need to make your artwork into a profitable business. Begin selling your digital artwork online for free with today!

FAQ

What exactly is digital art?

The term "digital art" is an umbrella concept that covers any type of art created by digital technologies, regardless of the phase of the process. In the example above, one could snap a picture and make use of digital tools to alter the image into a work of artwork. Digital art could include art and drawing, 3D modeling, vector art as well as photo manipulation. Pixel art, animation and many more.

How much should I price my digital art work?

Digital artwork is sold for nearly anything, ranging from just a few cents up to potentially millions of dollars, depending on the work and its creatorand whether the art is being sold as a single NFT or as several copies. If you're creating custom pieces of digital artwork and you're selling them for $100 or more. If selling digital work that can be bought over and over again , like generic graphics, it's likely to be somewhere within the $1-$50 range.

Is my art good enough to sell?

The only way you can be sure that your work is worth selling is to sell it. It's hard to judge whether artwork truly "good" and not since it's a matter of opinion. Artwork that someone likes could be deemed unimportant or poorly created by someone else.

Do you think being a digital artist is worthwhile?

If you love making digital works of art Then becoming an artist in the digital realm could be hugely rewarding for you. It can be a long some time to earn large amounts of money, many digital artists can earn a stable income from their art. Make sure you are prepared to do the work to build the number of customers you have before you see strong return on your investment in time.

Is selling art printables profitable?

Prints can be considered an artwork created digitally, as you've likely created them using a computer or other device, and you're selling them on the internet. They can be a really successful way to market your art, especially in the event that you're a lover of creating designs that suits printables. For instance, you might like designing border designs or calendars, checklists or other elements that suit printing.

Is the digital version of my artwork not considered art?

Yes, the digital version of your art is definitely an original piece of art. It's not cheating: even digital fine art painting or digital illustrations, graphics, or digital sketches take a lot of talent as well as time and energy. Although digital art can be reproduced several times without losing value, it has significance as artwork. The use of NFTs can create digital artworks with that unique, exclusive appearance of tangible artworks.

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

Should I sell art prints?

Although selling the digital copy of your artwork is straightforward and wonderful alternative is to give your clients the chance to buy prints of their art from your. Some customers may now have the right printers which allow them to print out the digital artwork to display your artwork in the best possible light. Art prints can be offered for sale by using print-on demand services that print your artwork upon demand, and then ship the prints directly to the customers. You can earn a decent profit margin by selling art prints.