Introduction
Selling art can be a great way to make some extra money. Not only is it rewarding to create artwork, but it also can offer an easy way to monetize your side hustle or supplement your current income.
While doing anything to make money involves some effort, selling art is relatively easy with just a few pieces of required equipment and some marketing savvy. In this article, we will explore thirteen different ways to turn your artwork into a profitable enterprise.
Creating Commissions
One way to make money with your art is to accept commissions. If you’re able to provide custom pieces of artwork, clients can pay you a flat fee – usually depending on the size and composition of the piece, as well as the medium – to create a piece upon request. Commissions are a great way to make money using your art since you’ll be able to make pieces tailored to the client’s needs.
When dealing with clients, it is important to establish a working boundary between yourself and the customer. Make sure they are aware of any rules and terms you have already established, and that you both understand from the start the entire timeline of the project.
Selling Art on Etsy
One of the most popular marketplace for selling visual art is Etsy. Setting up an Etsy shop is free and easy, and it gives you access to millions of potential buyers. You can list prints, originals, and other merchandise featuring your artwork.
Etsy also provides helpful analytics to give you insights into which pieces are bringing in the most money and from where. Other than the slight commission taken from sales, Etsy is a great platform to sell your art work due to its immense popularity and user base.
Booths at Art Festivals
Art Festivals are another great way to sell your artwork. Not only can you make money by selling your art, but you also get to make connections with other local artists and engage with potential customers. You can easily reserve a booth for a fair or market, and once you’re at the event you have complete control over the price of your piece.
Some things to keep in mind when setting up a booth at an art festival are the cost of renting the booth, the cost of transport and setup, and the cost of materials to create displays for customers to view your work.
Participating in Local Art Shows
Another option to make money using your artwork is to take part in local art shows. Art shows provide a great opportunity to make contacts and reach a larger audience than you normally would. Not only can you sell pieces at these shows, but you also might be able to get commissions due to the extra exposure.
Pay attention to the details of the event; some shows may require that all work sold is original and not a reprint, while others may prefer to showcase more established artists.
Creating Greeting Cards
Creating greeting cards is a great way to make money with your art. Greeting cards can be mass-produced and sold both in physical stores and online. You have the choice of making blank cards or to customize the inside and outside of the card.
You can also find a printing service if you don’t want to print out the cards yourself. When creating greeting cards for sale, pick your topics wisely and it is best to focus on universal themes.
Selling Framed Artwork
Framing artwork is a great way to make your pieces worth more money. Framing your art requires extra money and time, but you can double or even triple the price without any extra work when selling a framed piece. You can find frame shops online that offer custom framing orders at reasonable prices, or you can frame the art yourself.
Before ordering a frame, make sure to choose a style that complements the artwork and showcase its best features.
Creating Jewelry Pieces
Creating jewelry pieces is another easy, yet often overlooked way to make a profit with your art. They’re easy to make and require very little tools and materials.
Jewelry pieces can range from simple earrings to necklaces and bracelets. Since jewelry pieces are small, you can charge more per piece, giving you a higher return on investment. To get the most out of your jewelry business, be sure to invest in good quality materials and tools.
Selling Your Art in Galleries
If you’re able to create enough pieces of quality artwork, you can try selling your art in galleries. Galleries are a great way to get additional exposure, and increase the legitimacy of your artwork.
You will have to pay a commission to the gallery when selling, but this is usually much lower than what you would be expected to pay when selling online. Before selling your art in a gallery, review the contract they offer and make the necessary changes to ensure that your interests are protected.
Creating Limited-Edition Prints
Creating limited-edition prints is a great way to bring in extra money with your art. Limited-edition prints are prints that are limited in number and/or size, thus making them more desirable and valuable. When creating limited-edition prints, it is very important that you clearly label, number and package each piece correctly.
This not only establishes the authenticity of the pieces but it also creates credibility in the eyes of potential buyers.
Selling Your Art on Social Media
Social media is an excellent way to make money with your artwork. Platforms such as Instagram, Twitter and Facebook are free to use and have powerful advertising tools to boost sales. You can make an emphasis on quality photography, great customer service and useful hashtags to make sure potential customers can find your artwork.
When setting up your profile, make sure to provide links to your Etsy shop or other online outlets.
Printing on Merchandise
Printing your artwork on merchandise can be another great way to increase profit. Merchandise such as t-shirts, mugs, and phone cases make great additions to any art portfolio. You can also find services online that will print and ship your designs for a small fee, so you don’t much need to worry about the production process.
Creating Candles, Pottery and Wood Carvings
These are some unique ways to monetize your artwork. Candles and pottery can make great gifts, while wood carvings can be used to decorate a space.
These pieces require a bit more time and effort to produce, but it’s worth it for the profit. If you’re new to these crafts, there are plenty of tutorials online that can walk you through the process.
Conclusion
Making money with your art can be a rewarding and fulfilling experience. There are a variety of options available to artists who are looking to make a profit. From commissions to selling online and even creating unique items from unique materials, the possibilities are endless when it comes to making money with your art.
With a bit of patience and creativity, you can turn your artwork into a profitable enterprise.