Did you know that the global online art market amounted to approximately $12 billion in 2023? With a 7.3% increase in sales from the previous year, this tells you that selling digital art is a good business idea. 

However, learning how to sell digital art online can be overwhelming, especially as a newbie — you need to know where to sell your art and how to promote it. 

That’s why we’ve put together this guide to teach you how to sell digital art effectively. Here, we’ll walk you through the entire process, from creating high-quality digital art to finding the right platform to sell them. 

We’ll help you overcome your doubts so you can finally start your journey of opening up a digital art store.

However, before we get into how to sell digital art, let’s first analyze how lucrative this business idea is. 

Is Selling Digital Art Worth It?

Digital art is any piece of art that you make through or transfer to a digital medium. 

It comes in different forms, including: 

• NFTs or crypto art
• Digital paintings
• Computer graphics
• Mixed media art
• Digital photography
• 3D print models
• Fonts and typography
• VR and AR art

Here’s an NFT sample to show you what digital art looks like. It’s a masterpiece called “Everydays: The First 5000 Days” created by the digital artist Beeple. 

Image via Christie’s

The question now is, “Is selling digital art worth it in the first place?”

The simple answer is yes. In 2023, digital arts made up 3% of the spending of high-net-worth collectors. They also make up 8% of these individuals’ collections. 

What’s more, the NFTs’ aggregate monthly sales value reached approximately $19.2 million as of March 2024. 

As you can see, digital art has become popular among art enthusiasts and collectors. The more popular they get, the more profitable they become. So, if you want to sell digital art online, now is a good time to start. 

Preparation for Selling Digital Art

The first step to knowing how to sell digital art is proper preparation. Like anything else, this step helps ensure that the process will be seamless and efficient. 

Let’s highlight some tips in preparation for selling digital prints. 

Digitize Your Art

If you’re transitioning from traditional to digital art, you can digitize your art using a high-quality scanner or camera.

To create accurate digital copies of your art, look out for shadows and lighting. Also, consider the type and size of the art piece you’re trying to digitize. 

After digitization, refine and adjust your artwork using digital editing software. 

Pay close attention to resolution, detail, and color accuracy. Invest in quality tools to create stunning, professional-grade pieces.

Consider Quality and Resolution Requirements

Different platforms may have specific requirements for file formats, resolutions, and dimensions that you need to consider. 

Additionally, think about the versatility and compatibility of your chosen formats, including JPEG, PNG, TIFF, or PSD. 

For instance, PNG and TIFF formats are often preferred because they come with lossless compression and maintain image quality. 

JPGs are also suitable. However, you must be careful since some compression tools can degrade image quality.

Protect Your Digital Art

The last thing you want as a digital artist is to see your work get stolen. Here are some ways you can protect your online art from theft or plagiarism: 

• Watermarks: Use a semi-transparent signature or logo wherever you sell digital art downloads to avoid unauthorized use. A watermarked image looks like this:

Image via Etsy

Then, when customers buy your work, they’ll get a copy of your artwork without the watermark.

• Copyrights: Familiarize yourself with copyright laws and how to register your artwork. This provides legal protection in case of infringement.
• Passwords: You can password-protect your art and only send it to customers. You can even use a different password for each buyer to avoid illegal downloads or sharing of passwords. 
• Restricted Downloads: You can limit the number of downloads. This way, even if a customer shares the download link, the other person will be restricted from downloading. 

Package Your Digital Art Files

Once your artwork is ready, the next step in mastering how to sell digital art is to package it for sale. 

Consider offering different product options. You can offer high-resolution digital downloads of your photographs, print-on-demand services, or even physical prints. However, clearly outline the terms of use, licenses, and any restrictions on using your digital work.

If you’re offering digital downloads as a photographer, you can create compressed RAR or ZIP files containing your files. This should come with any necessary documentation or readme files. 

More so, create clear and descriptive file names so your buyers can identify and organize their purchases easily.

When it comes to print-on-demand services, you should provide the highest quality source files for the best print quality. 

How to Sell Digital Art Using Print-on-Demand Services

Aside from selling digital downloads of your artwork, you can also sell digital prints using print-on-demand services.

These services allow you to upload your artwork and print it on a variety of products, including clothes, home decor, canvas posters and prints, and more. You can do this without any upfront manufacturing or inventory costs.

With print-on-demand, the platform is in charge of producing, printing, and shipping the products with your designs. 

Here’s how it works:

• Simply upload your high-resolution images, keeping in mind the platform’s requirements.
• Customers can then buy products with your designs. 
• The POD platform receives the order, prints your design on the product, and ships it directly to the customer. 

POD platforms offer numerous benefits for digital artists, including: 

• Flexibility: You can use your designs on different types of products, from traditional art prints to phone cases, mugs, and even bedding. This versatility allows you to serve a broader audience and potentially discover new revenue streams. 
• Global Reach: You have access to suppliers around the world, so your artwork can be printed and shipped to customers virtually anywhere. 

Additionally, there are many popular print-on-demand services to choose from, and one of the best apps to sell digital art is Podbase. 

It offers a user-friendly interface, high-quality printing, and a wide variety of product types. This POD platform also provides mockup tools that allow you to preview how your designs will look on different products.

Even more, Podbase provides you with comprehensive integration with different ecommerce platforms. This makes it easy to set up your online store and start selling your digital artwork.

Other note-worthy print-on-demand services include Printful, Printify, Gooten, Apliiq, and Gelato. 

Selling your digital art through these print-on-demand services is straightforward. You simply upload your artwork and decide where you want to sell. You can use the platform’s built-in marketplace or integrate with popular e-commerce platforms like Etsy, Shopify, or your website.

Where to Sell Digital Art

You can choose where to sell digital art depending on the type of artwork you’re offering. Some options to choose from include:

• Print-on-Demand Websites: Upload your digitized photographs on platforms like Podbase. Get them printed on a variety of products, such as canvas prints, phone accessories, and shirts. These platforms help print and ship your products, as well as handle customer service. There’s no need to invest in expensive equipment and inventory management costs. 
• Online Art Galleries and Marketplaces: Sites like Saatchi Art, Pixels, and Artfinder provide curated online galleries where you can showcase and sell your digital art. These platforms often already come with an existing audience of art enthusiasts and collectors. 

Here’s what an online art gallery looks like. 

Image via Saatchi Art

• Stock Photo Websites: If your digital art does well as a stock photograph, you can submit it to sites like iStock, Adobe Stock, and Shutterstock. These sites allow you to earn royalties when someone downloads or uses your photos.
• Online Store or Personal Website: You can build an online store or website to have full control over how your art is shown and sold. Leverage ecommerce platforms like Squarespace, WooCommerce, or Shopify to create a professional-looking online store that’s easy to manage. 
• Social Media Platforms: Social media isn’t just for connecting with friends and loved ones. You can use it for selling digital art as well. Sites like Facebook and Instagram have marketplaces where you can sell stuff. You can run ads to extend your reach or use these platforms to build your brand, engage with your audience, and drive traffic to your online store.
• Digital Art and NFT Marketplaces: The rise of NFTs has led to the creation of platforms like OpenSea, Rarible, and SuperRare. You can use these marketplaces to sell your digital art as a unique, verified asset on the blockchain. 

Here’s what an NFT website looks like. 

Image via OpenSea

How to Market Online Art

Knowing how to create and sell digital prints is one thing; learning how to market them is another. 

If you want to learn how to sell digital art, you also need to know basic marketing. Marketing your online art helps you build a following as an artist. It provides an outlet for you to showcase your work and ultimately boost sales. 

Let’s look at ways you can promote your online art.

• Build an Online Presence: Design an online portfolio or professional website to display your artwork. You can also actively engage with potential buyers and art enthusiasts on social media platforms. Use SEO strategies and participate in online art communities. You can even share your artistic process to help build transparency and customer loyalty. 
• Opt for Competitive Pricing: Consider factors like the cost of materials, invested time, and the perceived value of your work when pricing your art. Research pricing strategies other artists use in your niche. Also, experiment with different pricing models, such as tiered pricing or limited editions.
• Protect Your Art: Understand the legal considerations surrounding the sale of your art. Familiarize yourself with copyright laws and consider registering your work with the appropriate authorities. Even more, protect your work from unauthorized use by watermarking digital files or using print-on-demand services that handle copyright protection.
• Collaborate and Cross-Promote: Look for opportunities to collaborate with other artists, influencers, or brands that align with your artistic style. This cross-promotion can help introduce your work to new audiences and create mutually beneficial partnerships. 

Here’s a fine example of a digital artist collaborating with a brand. Jeff Koons, a well-known artist, partnered with Snapchat to create a filter. This allowed Snapchat users to virtually see his three-story-high digital art pieces in realistic surroundings and enjoy an immersive experience.

Image via YouTube

Summary

Knowing how to sell digital art online can be lucrative. You can maximize your earnings with the right preparation, pricing strategies, and marketing. Plus, you can reach a global audience of art collectors and enthusiasts.

Don’t forget to leverage print-on-demand services like Podbase. This platform helps you effortlessly transform and print your digital artwork on a variety of products without any inventory risks or upfront costs.

Discover the potential of Podbase and establish a successful business selling your digital art. Create your free account today!