Sell Digital Art On Etsy For Beginners

Are you wondering how to sell digital art on Etsy to monetize your creative passion? Etsy provides an excellent platform for showcasing and selling your digital art to a massive audience.

In this guide, we will walk you through the process of selling digital art on Etsy, from creating and uploading your artwork to promoting your shop and generating sales, we’ve got you covered.

Get ready to turn your digital art into a profitable venture on Etsy!

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Table of Contents

SELL DIGITAL ART ON ETSY

It all started when I am trying to decorate my office with some art prints, that’s when I realized that people are actually making money creating digital art.

Why don’t I do this myself?

To be honest, I thought it was easy. Like simply combining a few elements from Canva, and considering it done.

But it’s a little bit more complex than I expected it to be. Maybe because I never have any sort of experience doing it.

But the good news is, with proper steps, it is doable and who knows you’ll make heaps lots of money doing it.

What is digital wall Art?

Digital wall art refers to artwork that is created digitally and designed specifically for display on walls. It encompasses a wide range of artistic styles, themes, and mediums that are created using digital tools such as graphic design software, illustration software, or even specialized digital art programs.

Digital wall art can include various forms such as digital paintings, digital illustrations, digital photographs, digital collages, or any other artistic composition created through digital means.

The artwork is typically saved in a digital file format, such as JPEG or PNG, and can be printed on various materials like canvas, fine art paper, metal, or acrylic.

One of the advantages of digital wall art is its versatility and accessibility. You can create high-quality reproductions of your artwork, allowing for multiple prints to be made and sold.

It also enables customization options, where customers can choose different sizes or even request personalized elements within the artwork. Digital wall art can be easily shared and distributed online, making it accessible to a mass audience.

Digital art on Etsy

If you search on Etsy for digital wall art, you will get the PRINTABLE art design that you can use for decoration.

As a customer, you can print any design that you like and print it at ANY size you want to decorate your space

People are loving this wall art as they are relatively CHEAP, and can PRINT as much as they want using their own printer or any large chain store available locally.

How cool is that?

Digital wall art also offers a diverse range of styles, from realistic and traditional-looking pieces to abstract and contemporary designs. You can experiment with different techniques, colours, textures, and effects, creating visually stunning and unique artworks that can enhance any space, whether it’s homes, offices, or public settings.

Cheap, Practical, and Pretty Design.

Overall, digital wall art combines the creativity of traditional art with the possibilities offered by digital technology. It allows you to express your artistic vision digitally while providing customers with a wide selection of artwork that can be easily reproduced and enjoyed in various settings.

How to sell digital art on Etsy?

To sell the art printables on Etsy required a few steps. Follow exactly these step to get your first sale! To sell digital art on Etsy, there are 2 main parts:

Part 1: Creating the digital art
Part 2: Sell the digital art on Etsy

Part 1: Creating and Preparing Your Digital Artwork : Steps to Bring Your Vision to Life

Choosing your niche and developing a unique style
Selecting the right digital tools and software for your art
Optimizing your artwork for digital download and print quality

1. Define Your Concept and Style

Start by brainstorming and conceptualizing your artwork. Consider themes, subjects, and styles that resonate with your artistic vision.
This is the most important step: Defining your niche. Find something you are genuinely like and love to create
This can be digital arts for kid room decoration, office decoration, etc
Determine the mood, atmosphere, and emotions you want to convey through your digital artwork.
Explore different art styles and techniques that align with your concept and personal aesthetic.

2. Choose the Right Digital Tools and Software

Select digital art software or tools that suit your needs and preferences. Popular options include Adobe Photoshop, Procreate, Corel Painter, or vector-based software like Adobe Illustrator. This is the same software you can use to create sticker!
Familiarize yourself with the features and capabilities of your chosen software to optimize your workflow and achieve desired results.

3. Set Up Your Workspace

Ensure a comfortable and well-lit workspace conducive to your digital art creation.
Set up your digital drawing tablet or graphics tablet and calibrate it for precise and natural pen input.

4. Sketch and Refine Your Composition

Begin with rough sketches to explore different compositions and arrangements.
Refine your chosen composition, paying attention to proportions, perspective, and balance.
Experiment with different layers and layer blending modes to organize and refine your artwork.

5. Select Colors and Create a Palette

Choose a color scheme that complements your concept and evokes the desired mood.
Create a color palette using color theory principles or reference images to ensure harmony and visual coherence.

6. Start Adding Details and Textures

Begin adding details and textures to your artwork, focusing on elements such as lighting, shadows, textures, and fine lines.
Utilize various brushes, patterns, and blending modes to add depth and realism to your digital art.

7. Experiment with Effects and Filters

Explore artistic filters, special effects, and digital brushes to enhance the visual impact of your artwork.
Experiment with different settings to create unique effects that enhance the overall composition.

8. Refine and Polish Your Artwork

Step back and assess your artwork. Make adjustments to colors, values, or compositions as needed.
Pay attention to small details, ensuring clean lines, smooth gradients, and well-executed elements.

9. Export and Save Your Digital Artwork

Save your digital artwork in a high-resolution file format suitable for printing, such as JPEG or PNG.
Create additional versions of your artwork, if needed, for different purposes or platforms.

10. Document and Organize Your Artwork

Keep track of your digital artwork files by organizing them in a well-structured folder system.
Create a digital portfolio or catalog of your artwork for easy reference and showcasing.

By following these steps, you’ll be on your way to creating and preparing your digital artwork with full passion

Remember to embrace experimentation and allow your creative instincts to guide you throughout the process. With practice and dedication, your digital artwork will evolve and ready to make the bucks from Etsy

Part 2: Sell the digital art on Etsy

If you are new and want to open brand new Etsy shop, let me welcome you by giving 40 FREE ETSY LISTINGS, Yes, you hear me right, 40!. Just make sure you use this link to get the free access. Already had a store and wondering how you can get free listing? Head on to this post.

After creating your one of a kind arts design, it is time to sell the digital art on Etsy. The steps taken to sell digital art on Etsy are the same with other digital product. Learn in great detail of the process of selling any digital prodcuts in Etsy, But, in brief, this step is as follows:

1. Setting Up Your Etsy Shop for Digital Art Sales

Creating a compelling shop name and branding
Writing captivating product descriptions and titles
Pricing your digital art competitively
You can look at what other Etsy Profile looks like to get a hang of what to fill in your About Page

2. Uploading and Selling Your Digital Art on Etsy

Understanding Etsy’s policies for selling digital downloads
Preparing your files for instant download
Utilizing mockups to showcase your artwork to potential buyers
Create your listing: Etsy not only will charge you when you sell the item but for your listing as well. So keep this in mind when you want to produce your digital products. So each listing will cost 0.5 cents and the selling fees are 5% of sales fees per transaction.
Make sure you write a proper title and description for your digital product and filled it in with the correct keywords because it is essential for SEO
Provide very nice looking photos of your digital product with a complete guide on how to use your product (use video if necessary)

3. Promoting Your Etsy Shop and Driving Sales

Leveraging social media platforms to reach a wider audience
Engaging with the online art community and participating in collaborations
Running promotions, discounts, and limited-time offers to attract customers
Use your existing social media to promote it first to your close family and friends. They might want to support you and will be your first potential customer
Do remind them to leave a good review as reviews are essential to make other people purchase from your store

4. Providing Excellent Customer Service

Delivering exceptional customer support for digital downloads
Handling inquiries and addressing customer concerns promptly
Encouraging customer reviews and testimonials to build credibility

5. Protecting Your Intellectual Property

Understanding copyright laws and protecting your digital art
Watermarking your artwork to prevent unauthorized use
Registering your artwork for additional legal protection

6. Analyzing and Adapting Your Strategy

Utilizing Etsy’s analytics tools to track your shop’s performance
Monitoring customer feedback and adjusting your offerings
Continuously improving your art and adapting to market trends

Selling digital art on Etsy offers an exciting opportunity to share your creativity with the world and earn income doing what you love. By following the steps outlined in this guide and staying committed to quality, promotion, and customer satisfaction, you can establish a successful digital art business on Etsy.

Remember, it takes time, dedication, and a focus on continuous improvement to thrive in the competitive online art market. (HIGHLY COMPETITIVE!) Start implementing these strategies today and watch your Etsy shop flourish with digital art sales!

Why sell digital art on Etsy?

1. High demand

Well, number one is because there is such a HIGH demand for it. Everyone needs a PRETTY space.

Teachers need it to decorate the classroom, parents need it for the nursery, and students need it for their vision boards.. The possible potential customer list is endless.

Find the niches you are passionate about and do market research on them.

Despite high demand, I will be frank, on Etsy competition is quite high. I will not sugarcoat and tell you that it is easy. It’s tough if you create a common design, targeting the same group of people.

Tips: Create a one-to-one product.

To do this, you can use the 5W1H framework of solving the question

Where? Focus on location to match the local interest

Who? Find customer: Is it for minimalist his/hers, college students, teachers?

What? What is your intention in creating digital art print? For inspiration purposes? purely decoration? is it infographic wall art

Why? why are you creating digital art print for them?

2. It’s a low-cost business

If you want to join the Etsy business and do not have any budget, this might be for you. Or any digital product, in that case.

You just need a laptop, or iPad and can start your business right away.

Perfect for those just about to start

Disclaimer: Etsy has listing fees for each item you list in your store. If you want to learn more about this, click on this link

3. Hassle-free business

Another thing I love about selling digital downloads on Etsy is, it can be completely hands-free, automated business

Since the customer will do the printing, you don’t have to worry about the packaging, shipping fee, yada, yada.

You just create the BEST design, put it on the listing, and promote your product.

That’s it.

Perfect for those who are busy but interested in LEVEL UP their life by starting a business

4. It makes you a lot of money (if done right)

As this digital wall art creation basically costs nothing (if you already have the laptop/iPad), selling 10 product digital arts prints costing USD 10 can already help you make USD100, PASSIVELY.

And you just need to create it ONE time.

It’s crazy if you think about it.

Brandon Timothy, Youtuber reveals he makes $ 70,000+ from digital art print in 2021. 70K!!

But as a beginner, you don’t have to compare with him. Just start selling 1 print, and let the ball rolling

Digital Art Software to Create Digital Wall Art

This all depends on what is the type of digital art are you creating and your skills

Here are a few design programs you can use to create your digital wall art

Try and find which one fits the best for you and the design you are creating.

Canva

This is the perfect tool for the beginner. With the drags and drop strategy and endless possibilities of design, Canva is a great tool for you

The good thing about Canva that is has a pre-existing design template that you can choose from and get some inspiration. However, to make your design outstanding, learn how to create the design from scratch.

Sign up Canva here and start creating your design now.

Pros:

User-Friendly Interface: Canva offers a user-friendly interface with drag-and-drop functionality, making it accessible even for beginners with limited design experience.
Templates and Customization: Canva provides a wide range of templates, layouts, and design elements that can be customized to suit your preferences. This allows you to create unique and visually appealing digital wall art.
Diverse Design Options: Canva offers a vast library of stock photos, graphics, fonts, and illustrations that you can incorporate into your designs. This allows for greater creativity and flexibility in creating your digital wall art.
Collaboration and Sharing: Canva allows for easy collaboration with others, making it convenient for team projects or seeking feedback from others. You can also easily share your designs with clients, friends, or on social media platforms.
Web-Based and Mobile App: Canva is accessible both through its web-based platform and mobile app, allowing you to create and edit designs on various devices.

Cons:

Limited Advanced Features: While Canva provides a range of design options, it may lack some advanced features found in professional design software. This can limit the complexity and customization options for more intricate digital wall art.
Subscription-Based Pricing: Canva offers a free plan with limited features, but to access the full range of design elements and functionality, you may need to subscribe to their Canva Pro plan, which incurs a monthly or annual fee.

Fees: Canva offers various pricing options, including:

Canva Free: This plan provides access to a limited set of design elements and features at no cost.
Canva Pro: The Canva Pro plan offers additional features such as access to a larger library of design elements, the ability to create a brand kit, and the option to resize designs for different formats. The pricing for Canva Pro starts at $12.99 per month when billed annually or $16.99 per month when billed monthly.
Canva Enterprise: Canva also offers an Enterprise plan tailored for teams and organizations with additional collaboration and branding features. The pricing for this plan is available upon request.

It’s important to review the latest pricing and features on Canva’s official website, as they may be subject to change. Consider your specific design needs, budget, and the level of customization required when deciding on the most suitable plan for creating digital wall art on Canva.

Procreate

Pros: Designed specifically for digital drawing and painting on iPad devices. Offers a user-friendly interface, responsive brushes, and a vast selection of artistic tools. Supports layers, blending modes, and custom brushes.
Cons: Limited to iPad devices and not available for desktop platforms. Lacks some advanced features found in professional software like Photoshop.
Fees: One-time purchase cost of $9.99 on the App Store.

With various brush types to use, you can start creating right away.

In procreate, the brush is quite important in determining the outcome of your art.

If you are not familiar with Procreate, but always want to learn bout it, you can check out Procreate School.

Sign up Procreate School here and start learning how to create artwork on Ipad like professionals.

Adobe Photoshop

Pros: Industry-standard software with a wide range of powerful tools and features. Excellent for photo editing, digital painting, and graphic design. Offers extensive customization options and supports various file formats.
Cons: Can have a steep learning curve for beginners. Subscription-based pricing model can be expensive for long-term use.
Fees: Subscription plans available with monthly or annual payments, starting from $20.99/month for single app access.

Corel Painter

Pros: Known for its realistic digital painting capabilities and wide range of brushes and textures. Offers extensive customization options and supports both traditional and digital art techniques. Provides advanced color management and layer controls.
Cons: Can be resource-intensive and may require a powerful computer for optimal performance. User interface can be overwhelming for beginners.
Fees: Subscription plans available with monthly or annual payments, starting from $19.99/month or one-time purchase options starting from $429.

Krita

Pros: Open-source software with a focus on digital painting. Offers a vast array of brushes and customizable features. Suitable for both beginners and advanced users. Works on Windows, Mac, and Linux.
Cons: Some features may be less polished compared to commercial software. Limited availability of support and tutorials.
Fees: Free to download and use.

Affinity Designer

Pros: Powerful vector-based design software suitable for creating illustrations and graphics. Offers a smooth and intuitive interface. Supports advanced features like non-destructive editing and live effects. Available for both desktop and iPad platforms.
Cons: Not specifically focused on digital painting. Limited brush options compared to dedicated painting software.
Fees: One-time purchase cost of $49.99 for desktop version or $19.99 for iPad version.

Remember to consider your specific needs, preferred art style, and budget when choosing the right digital art software for creating digital wall art. Each software has its own strengths and weaknesses, so it’s important to find the one that aligns best with your artistic goals and workflow.

If you are beginner, starts with the free version first.

Fonts & Clipart for digital wall art

One of the elements needed when creating the digital wall art is the type of FONTs

You can use the free version available, but you can also purchase a font that is unique and match the theme of your digital wall art

You can purchase different fonts designs here:

Creative Fabrica
Creative Market
Font Bundle

Make sure you purchase those for commercial use so you can resell and repurpose them.

How to size the digital wall arts?

Size does matter when it comes to digital wall art

Consider sizing the wall art based on pixels

And provide a few size selections so the customer can pick the right sizes for their room

Example of how sizing the file of digital wall arts

– 3x high resolution (300 dpi) JPG file – size 8×10 inches;11×14 inches; 16X20 inches
– 3x high resolution (300 dpi) JPG file – size A4/ A3 international paper; Square files

Digital Art Prints Idea To sell on Etsy

1. Abstract Geometric Prints

Create visually striking abstract geometric designs using vibrant colors and intricate patterns. These prints can add a modern and contemporary touch to any space.

2. Botanical Illustrations

Capture the beauty of nature with detailed botanical illustrations. Create digital prints featuring flowers, plants, leaves, or botanical arrangements that bring a touch of nature indoors.

3. Inspirational Quotes

Design digital art prints with motivational quotes or affirmations. Combine beautiful typography with visually appealing backgrounds to create inspiring wall art that resonates with customers.

4. Watercolor Landscapes

Use digital watercolor techniques to create serene and captivating landscapes. Focus on landscapes such as mountains, forests, beaches, or scenic countryside views that evoke a sense of calm and tranquility.

5. Minimalist Art

Explore minimalism by creating simple and elegant digital art prints. Minimalist designs often feature clean lines, limited color palettes, and a focus on essential elements, creating a sense of balance and simplicity.

6. Animal Portraits

Create digital art prints featuring captivating portraits of animals. Whether it’s majestic wildlife, beloved pets, or adorable creatures, animal portraits can be a popular choice among animal lovers and art enthusiasts.

7. Celestial Art

Design digital prints inspired by the beauty of the night sky, stars, galaxies, and celestial elements. These prints can add a touch of wonder and mystique to any space.

8. Retro/Vintage Art

Tap into nostalgia by creating digital prints with a retro or vintage aesthetic. Experiment with vintage color schemes, retro patterns, or iconic vintage imagery to appeal to those who appreciate a nostalgic vibe.

9. Pop Culture Fan Art

Create digital art prints inspired by popular movies, TV shows, or iconic characters. Target specific fandoms and create artwork that resonates with fans, bringing their favorite characters or scenes to life.

10. Abstract Fluid Art

Experiment with digital fluid art techniques to create mesmerizing and unique prints. Play with vibrant colors, fluid movements, and organic shapes to produce captivating abstract compositions.

Remember to showcase your unique style, focus on quality, and ensure your digital art prints are high-resolution and suitable for printing. Pair your art prints with compelling descriptions and appealing visuals to attract potential customers on Etsy.

FAQ on Selling Digital Art on Etsy

Q: What is considered digital art on Etsy?

A: Digital art on Etsy refers to artwork that is created using digital tools such as graphic design software, illustration software, or specialized digital art programs. It includes various forms such as digital paintings, illustrations, photographs, collages, or any other artistic composition that is created and distributed in a digital format.

Q: How can I sell digital art on Etsy?

A: To sell digital art on Etsy, you’ll need to follow these steps:

Create an Etsy seller account.
Set up your shop and create appealing branding and shop policies.
Create digital art files in a high-resolution format suitable for printing or digital download.
Prepare attractive product listings with clear descriptions and engaging visuals.
Determine your pricing strategy and set competitive prices for your digital art.
Choose the appropriate delivery method, either instant digital download or email delivery.
Promote your digital art listings through social media, blogs, or other marketing channels.
Provide excellent customer service and respond promptly to inquiries or support requests.

Q: Do I retain the copyright of my digital art when selling on Etsy?

A: Yes, as the artist and creator of the digital art, you retain the copyright unless you explicitly transfer it to someone else. Etsy’s Terms of Use state that sellers must have the rights or permission to sell the items they list on the platform. It’s essential to protect your intellectual property rights and clearly communicate any usage restrictions or licenses associated with your digital art.

Q: How should I format and deliver my digital art files to buyers?

A: It’s crucial to provide high-quality digital art files to your buyers. Save your files in a common file format such as JPEG, PNG, or PDF. Consider offering different file sizes or resolutions to accommodate various printing or digital use preferences. You can deliver the files through instant digital download directly from Etsy or via email if the file size is too large for the platform.

Q: Are there any restrictions on the type of digital art I can sell on Etsy?

A: Etsy has specific guidelines regarding the types of digital art that can be sold on the platform. Ensure that your digital art complies with their policies, which include not infringing on intellectual property rights, respecting privacy and data protection, and following Etsy’s prohibited items guidelines. Avoid using copyrighted or trademarked elements without proper authorization.

Q: How can I increase the visibility and sales of my digital art on Etsy?

A: To increase visibility and sales of your digital art on Etsy, consider the following strategies:

Optimize your product listings with relevant keywords, clear descriptions, and engaging visuals.
Promote your digital art through social media platforms, blogs, or newsletters.
Participate in relevant Etsy teams or groups to connect with potential buyers and fellow artists.
Offer special promotions or discounts to attract new customers.
Seek collaborations or cross-promotion opportunities with other artists or influencers.
Encourage customer reviews and feedback to build trust and credibility.

Remember that success on Etsy takes time and effort. Continuously refine your listings, engage with your target audience, and adapt your strategies based on market trends and customer feedback.