I’m a 52-year-old artist who one could say is “midcareer.” I started making enough to live off of as an artist and so I retired from a full-time day job as a professor teaching art and art history.
Recently I’ve had a 75% jump in sales due to some practices that I’ve started doing. One of them is that I’ve chosen to leave brick-and-mortar gallery sites even though I had representation in them and move into online sales. I still get offers for shows and there is a gallery that still hold some of my work, especially the large expensive ones and occasionally makes a sale for me. So I’d like to share with you some things that an artist today should know as a type of overview or plan for an artist to starting out to think about in terms of marketing and selling artwork.
Traditional Venues
First I want to start with the traditional approach to selling art which is through art galleries. Basically a first step that most artist should make in terms of trying to find brick and mortar gallery representation is to look at hundreds of galleries online and compile lists of artists and galleries that are sort of cross referenced and cross-linked that will help you to understand what each gallery does. A couple of things to think about would be making sure that the gallery shows work that has the same subject matter that you show, and also, has similar quality work. I’ve discussed this in depth in another blog post about finding venues and the differences between museums and galleries and you might want to take a look at that blog post.
http://www.kenneymencher.com/201...
The second thing that you have to think about when you’re approaching these galleries is that you have to have giveaway materials to send them and this means you also have to learn how to do some things with digital imaging and photography. So I suggest that you buy a secondhand single lens reflex camera on Craig’s list or on eBay to start. You can get away with using a cell phone camera like a galaxy Samsung five but sometimes the quality is a little sketchy and you have to make sure the lenses really clear and clean. Right now I’m still on the fence and I use my digital camera is much as I use my cell phone camera to market my work. However, you probably still need a smart phone to be able to do some online marketing so it might be best to have both.
Becoming Tech Savvy: Software, Cameras, And Digital Imaging
Next you need the software to be able to do the things with your camera that you need to do. One of the things that’s available for free are older versions of Adobe Photoshop. Just Google it and see what you can download and use. If you have enough money I suggest you go for the latest version. You also need to learn how to use Photoshop and their couple of different ways of doing this. One way, which may take quite a bit of time to get out of it what you need, but I’ve done this, is to do the tutorials that Photoshop comes with. Also going to the library and getting a book out on Photoshop for dummies is a big help believe it or not.
Another resource that is excellent for teaching you Photoshop is to go to YouTube and search for basic lessons on how to use it. Another video venue for you to look at to find lessons for Photoshop is actually on Amazon. If you have an Amazon prime account you can actually look at free to view Photoshop lessons. I’ve done this to it’s a little long and boring at times but it’s well worth putting in the 20 to 30 hours to do it. Nothing worth doing doesn’t take time. I also offer in my online class a complete tutorial that consists of five or six videos that show you exactly what you need to do to generate catalogs, images for use online, and even make greeting cards. Any of the sources above will do.
Some of the things that you should think about being able to do as you learn Photoshop are, learning how to clean up and enhance images, learning how to save different size and resolution images, learning how to organize your documents and save them, and learning how to make documents, such as catalogs, regular 8.5 x 11 paper sheets with 4 to 5 images on them and even greeting cards.
If you’re not tech savvy and this really freaks you out one of the things that you can do is use Microsoft Word to create catalogs and cards as well and they also have plenty of templates that you can download and use for that kind of stuff including templates to teach you how to design your resume.
Once you’ve gotten a handle on these skills, and you do want to learn how to do this on your own because hiring someone to do it for you is super expensive and if you’re like me you don’t want to throw away $500 to get work photographed and edited and sent to you on a desk so I really suggest you learn these skills.
Another thing that you need to learn how to do is approach galleries. I have an extensive video and article on my blog for you to look at to learn how to do this but the bare bone basics are you have to visit the gallery at least online and look at what their requirements are for submitting work. Many galleries are very specific about how they want you to present the work whether they want you to send it as a digital file or as a paper package. They even include things like how to name the files that you’re emailing to them. By the way, it’s never good idea to visit a gallery and act like you’re going to buy something and then spring on the person who spent some time with you that you’re actually an artist and you’d like to apply to the gallery. It’s just bad form so if someone comes up to you and introduces themselves to you the first thing that you should make clear to them is that you’re not going to buy that you’re just looking. If you can engage with them in a pleasant conversation that isn’t too self-promotional that’s a great idea too.
Your Online Presence: Using Social Media
The next thing that an artist should probably learn how to do is to set up some sort of online site that showcases their work. I think probably the easiest of these to do is to either use Word press and or Google blogs which actually comes with a lot of storage space and comes with your Google account. This is the quickest and easiest way to create some sort of web presence is to use Google. Lately I’ve also been experimenting with deviant
Art.com - Posters, Art Prints, Framed Art, and Wall Art Collections, but I haven’t seen much action from it so I’m a little suspicious about it.
One of the things that you have to do with your blog and your online presence is make sure that you’re not just blogging about your own work and constantly posting your own stuff. You have to do features on things that you’re interested in, such as other artists, political stuff, anything sincere and in fact probably eight out of 10 of your post to your blog need to be about something that’s art related but not about your art. Again I have some complete lessons to teach you all about how to do that.
Another good bet is to set up a website for yourself but this is a bit complicated in my PB on some people skill level but again if you don’t know how to do something a really great place to learn how to do it is to go to YouTube and look it up there and watch at least 3 to 5 videos before you even try to do anything. If you invest time in the beginning doing some research then you might have an easier time trying to set something up.
Couple of things that you might also want to think about are setting up a site on a for sale websites such as eBay or Etsy. I sell a lot of work through
Shop for anything from creative people everywhere. In fact in the last five years I’ve sold about five or 600 drawings and paintings on Etsy.
You’ll also have to, or want to learn, how to market yourself and create some sort of buzz about yourself using various social media on the Internet. There are lots of ways to do this but I have a sort of tried-and-true set of sites and things that I do that have had a really positive affect on my sales. Again in my course I have some great videos that really outline this and you can check those out if you’re so inclined.
The first thing you have to think about is probably getting yourself and Instagram account so that when you are making art and you have several pieces you’re able to photograph it as you’re working and also photograph it when it’s done and posted to Instagram. You should also photograph tons of other fun things with your Instagram account so that it’s not just about your art. Instagram will really get you a good web presence.
Tumblr is also an excellent way to share images of your artwork and to create a following. Another rule of thumb is to make sure that only two out of 10 posts are about your own artwork. You need to re-share other people’s images and other artwork that you admire and share other people’s Tumblr posts in order to get a following. Again if you want to learn more about this you should either go to YouTube or check out some of my courses on how to do this on our marketing.
Tumblr also is a neat tool because it allows you to schedule posts further out or queue posts so that you can just keep working in your studio without having to keep going back and doing promotion every day.
Another two good sites to create accounts on are Twitter and Pinterest. Those two sites are very easy to use and are often integrated in with sites like Etsy and Tumblr.
By far the most important tool you can use besides Instagram is Facebook. Some of the things about Facebook are very complicated and you should really look at some of the videos on YouTube and the ones that I have offered on my channel but here’s an overview of some of the things that you should do and should know how to do.
Facebook you should have a personal page that you communicate more social friendly stuff with your friends and family on. You should have a fan page or a community page that is basically a sort of professional page that’s about mostly your art. You should also join many artists groups, as well as groups that talk about art, and groups that are related to the subject matter of your art, for example if you’re painting dogs and cats make sure you join a bunch of dog and cat groups and post pictures of your dog and cat but also drawings and paintings that you’ve done of cats and dogs. Another example, especially with me is I make gay art and so I am in a bunch of gay or homoerotic art groups as well as groups that feature semi pornographic images of men. These groups also provide me with reference material to work from.
The cool thing about Facebook is it’s got so many options in the groups and in the community pages that you can schedule posts, schedule advertisements, and create an incredible following by being super friendly and sharing lots of stuff and commenting on people’s things. Again a rule of thumb is to make sure that you share more than you advertise yourself or promote yourself. Another really important rule is never get into an argument in any of the social media platforms if someone is nasty to you unfriend them or just ignore the comment. Nasty exchanges in any social media platform escalate and can only hurt you and you will never win. So always be polite always be friendly and never post anything that you would want your mom to see.
Now let’s say, that you have either created the site to sell your work or you’ve gotten a gallery to represent you they’re going to be a couple of things that you have to know how to do that you would not expect how to do. The first thing is probably setting a price for your work.
Pricing Artwork
Pricing artwork is really super complicated but the bottom line is don’t be greedy and don’t overvalue yourself. It’s hard to back off of high prices once you’ve established a taste for it and also sold some work. I have actually done this and cut the cost of my work literally 75 to 80% when I started selling online and I’ve been selling like hot cakes. A lot of people will advise you against this and it’s up to your own discretion. The thing that I think you have to do is do comparison shopping on websites where you’re selling your work for similar work and price your work accordingly so that it matches or is lower than the prices of your competitors. I don’t mean that there really competitors because I share a lot of work that people who do similar subject matter to me do but what I’m saying is it’s better to have a lower price than they have so that they can afford to collect your work. Again, I would Google pricing artwork and look at the various articles online and I would also look on YouTube for videos about it and I also have some ideas about it as well.
What to Do after You’ve Gotten a Gallery or Selling Online
The next thing that you have to be able to do is write about your work and develop advertising materials and mailing lists to promote your work. I’m talking about email mailing lists because it’s really costly to send out postcards even though everybody wants to do that the return on your investment is so nominal that I suggest you do not do postcards for show let the gallery do postcards for you. So I’m advocating that you develop an email list and also shout it out on all the social media that you can for promotion. Also learn how to write cogent clear essays that are short about what your work means. Don’t make it to intellectual unless you’re a real hot shot is people will look at you like you’re crazy.
Also, you need to learn how to package and ship your own work inexpensively and safely I actually have a video on YouTube for this and it is basically how to order shipping supplies and how to use the post office to ship work. Other organizations like UPS are very expensive and if you bring your work into ship it with them and you haven’t prepackaged it it will eat up literally all of your profit. There also people called art shippers and they make regular routinely scheduled trips across the United States and basically they ask you to wrap your paintings in plastic and they come and pick them up. The average cost to ship a painting across the country within our chipper is somewhere along the lines of $200-$700. So collect lists of art shippers and comparison shop online. Especially if you have a show coming up. Something that you might want to consider that you might not think about doing because it’s a little scary is hiring a mover to move your paintings to and from the art gallery. I did this with a bunch of shows that I had in museums and I was so satisfied that now for local stuff I actually hire movers to do it so that I don’t have to do it myself and I don’t have to worry about parking and a set of extra hands. You may also want to look on Craig’s list to see if there are people who have carpeted vans who advertise themselves as art shippers in your local town.
So basically outlined a lot of things that you should think about if you’re starting an art career of course this is a little bit of a promotion for my art marketing course but my art marketing course that’s available online which is all videos is very inexpensive. The class is in video format and includes about 30, 20 minute videos that talk about each of the topics that I’ve discussed in this blog post.
http://art-and-art-history-academy.usefedora.com/
Where to Sell Your Art or Craft Online
1.
http://20×200.com – (SITE CLOSED) Jen Bekman’s site focuses on art, prints and photos, priced affordably. Juried (not currently accepting submissions, but sign up for their newsletter to get updated when submissions reopen.)
2.
500px.com – Photography site – store your photos, share them and sell them. Features work of beginners to experts. Sell your work by opening a “store” account, which is available to free as well as paid memberships.
3.
AbsoluteArts – Claiming to be “the most trafficked contemporary arts site” it offers levels from free to premier. Artist bio/statement and portfolio displayed with shopping cart. (Looks really creepy bad art when I opened the link.)
4.
AffordableBritishArt (UK Site) – Artists sell their work with no middleman, commission free, but there is a charge to have an account (4 tiered levels). You must have a PayPal account to receive payment for your work.
5.
Amazon – Upload your images to sell on one of the biggest marketplaces on the web. Jewelry is a huge category here, but you are competing with manufactured items.
6.
Art.com – This highly ranked e-commerce site has a division called
Artist Rising, where emerging artists can upload images. They provide a print-on-demand service to sell your work. Two levels of membership – free and paid.
7.
ArtBreak – Describing themselves as “a global community of artists sharing and selling their work on the web,” this site is a commission-free way to upload images and sell with a shopping cart. Curiously, their blog and social media sites are inactive.
8.
Art-Exchange – B2B site where artists can get connected to interior designers, architects and others in the trade. Work is sold wholesale here; they take 10% commission.
BAD REVIEW ON LINE Want your money. Hard to get out of contract.
9.
ArtFire – Huge marketplace of crafts, art, supplies, vintage and more. Customize your own shop on this site. $12.95 monthly fee.
10.
ArtFortune – Create your own online art gallery here. Site visitors can see the images that you have uploaded, and click through to your website, where you make the sale. They charge a monthly fee, and have several different plans. There is also a forum and community on this site.
11.
Artful Home – Gorgeous online catalog for handmade home décor, wall art, apparel and accessories. They have a paper catalog as well as online gallery. This is a juried site, with a jury fee and $300 membership fee if accepted.
12.
ArtGallery – (UK site) They claim to be a “leading destination for customers wishing to buy art online.” Two membership levels (one is free), with shopping cart function. They even text you when your art sells, which is pretty cool.
13.
Art-GalleryWordwide – Offers three monthly account options to artists plus setup fee. Each artist gets a home page to upload images. Shopping cart provided.
14.
ArtHog – Online gallery sells prints of your work. They market your art, you keep 60% on sales. They will also work with you on licensing. Submissions are juried. Free membership, submission and listing.
15.
Artid – Online exhibition space where you can sell your art. Three membership levels, including one which is free. Each artist gets their own gallery and blog. Artid offers an ebay selling option for premium members.
16.
Artmajeur – (European site) Claims to be the world’s largest fine art gallery. Upload your art to this site, and handle any sales directly with the buyers. Monthly fees apply, no commission is taken.
17.
ArtofWhere – Print-on-Demand site featuring beanies, pillows, pencil cases and phone covers. Open a store here and sell your work with offer a 3-tiered commission system.
18.
Artolo – (UK site) Now in Beta, this online gallery features artist/buyer profiles, portfolios, the ability to list art in real world locations … plus coming soon, facilities to sell your work both offline and online. They take 10% commission. Sign up now open.
19.
Artomat – With this unique concept, old cigarette vending machines are converted into Art Vending Machines which dispense small works of 2D and 3D art. They are searching for new artists – link leads to the guidelines.
20.
Artplatform (UK Site) – This site sells art while supporting charities. Depending on your chosen level of gifting, you may or may not receive payment. Fine art only. They encourage you to list your website and galleries than show your work.
21.
Artquid – Calling itself “The Art World Marketplace,” this international website sells fine art, antiques and fine craft in different mediums. Works on a set annual fee.
22.
ArtSlant – This popular art website allows artists to sell their work using different arrangements, from listing your work yourself, to having ArtSlant get involved with making the sale. Marketing tools offered. Fees vary.
23.
ArtSpan – Artists in any medium can build their own websites on ArtSpan, which boasts 4,000 member sites. Shopping carts and Print-on-Demand also available. Fees range from $14-$20 per month.
24.
Art Specifier – Specializing in selling to architects, designers, art consultants and galleries, art specifier is a juried site. Annual membership for artists is $100, with no other fees or commissions involved.
25.
Artsy Home – Offering “Original Décor for Home Work and Life,” This website targets interior designers, commercial decorators, upscale homeowners & others with print catalogs as well as online sales. Pay either 25% commission or $14.95 monthly fee.
26.
Artulis – (UK site) Sell art, craft or vintage on this site which gives you a free shop, gallery and blog. 5% fee on all sales.
27.
ArtWanted – This site allows artists to upload images and price their own work. The artist can then fulfill orders for original art or reproductions on their own, or use ArtWanted’s Print-on-Demand services, where artwork can be printed on a selection of products. They take 15% commission.
28.
ArtWeb – (UK site) – Has plans ranging from free to pro, no commission is taken on sales. Artists can upload images on to their own profile pages. Shopping cart is provided.
29.
ArtWire - (Indian site) This is a startup looking to “market emerging, contemporary and lesser known artists,” and is in pre-launch status right now. You can sign up for email alerts to find out when they are going live.
30.
ArtyBuzz – (UK Site) Print-on-Demand site where artists can upload their images and set prices above the base price listed on the site to determine their percentage. Sell prints, giclees, and many other products featuring your art. Not for original art sales.
31.
AxisWeb – (UK site) Create your own web shop here, and join museums, galleries and other artists selling their work. Even has a bridal registry. Commission based.
32.
b-uncut – Billing themselves as “The Art Exchange,” this site serves creative directors, curators, art consultants and others matching their projects with artists who place bids. 20% commission rate when sales are made.
33.
Behance – This popular online platform for creatives allows you to upload your art to a gallery with a personalized URL. “Work for Sale” is a category where artists can use shopping cart function to sell.
34.
Big Cartel – “Bringing the Art to the Cart” is the mission here, where over 250,000 online stores have been opened by creatives. Pricing runs from free to about $30 per month with no long-term commitment. Brand and customize your own online shop.
35.
Bonanza – This site sells everything, not just art – and claims to have 4 million items for sale. You can import items from Etsy to Bonanza free of charge. Listing is free – a percentage is taken from the cost of items that sell.
36.
Café Press – Print-on-Demand site has two options – start your own online store, or upload designs only without the hassle of managing a shopfront. They set base prices for each item, which you mark up for your “royalty”. Fees are 10% of royalties.
37.
Cargoh – Calling themselves a “social marketplace for independent art, design + culture,” Cargoh is a juried and curated site. Upon acceptance, there is an 8% commission on sales, with no other fees.
38.
Centerpoint Art Project : When you store your art inventory data with Centerpoint, they include several creative e-commerce features designed to help Fine Artists sell art. You can personalize your sales approach for originals and limited editions and it will instantly sync your inventory with your website.
39.
CollegeArtOnline – Sellers must be attending art school, or be a recent grad or professor (with an .edu email address unless otherwise approved) to list their work on this site. 25% commission is taken when your art sells – no other fees apply.
40.
Consignd – An open marketplace which is curated. You pitch your work to a curator, and if accepted, it is included in the collection. They take 15% commission.
41.
ContemporaryArtGalleryOnline – Juried site, which helps artists market and sell their work, and has a shopping cart. 2D work only. Markets to trade professionals; also features competitions.
42.
CraftIsArt – Focusing on handcrafted and vintage goods and supplies, this site offers pay-as-you-go and premium packages to sell your work online.
43.
CraftGawker – Curated craft photo gallery linking through to craft blogger sites from around the world. Submissions are moderated. Lure visitors to your own site where you can make the sale.
44.
CraftJuice – Though not strictly for sellers, this curatorial site will link through images to any site. Submit a photo of your craft from any other site and promote through CraftJuice, then sell through your other shopping cart. Votes get your work on the front page of this site.
45.
Craftori – Art, craft, vintage and more can be submitted to this curated site. Links through to your sales venue, where you sell direct to the customer. Pay to feature your work on their front page or in Supplies category or Gift Guide.
46.
CraftShowcase - Charges no fees to sellers. The management of this site adds 15% to your prices in order to make money. Photos are uploaded, and must be approved before going live. Artists can sell retail or wholesale here, and even post videos.
47.
CraftStack – Create your own online storefront here and list your items. Memberships are approximately $7-$11 per month to be a vendor, with no commissions taken.
48.
Craigslist – Believe it or not, you can sell art on Craigslist, which contains about everything else in the world. Artists can advertise free to solicit commissions, or sell their work. Beware of scam buyers on this site.
49.
CreativeStores – (UK site) Based in England but doing business worldwide, this site proclaims, “You may sell handmade goods, crafts, creations, gifts (that are inline with other items on the website), craft supplies, digital downloads e.g. pdf files for patterns.” Monthly fee with three package options.
50.
CustomMade – This website seeks artists and craftspeople to match with buyers who would like custom work created for them. Consumers post requests, and bids are taken from makers. Once a custom piece of work is made and shipped, CustomMade takes a 10% commission.
51.
DailyPainters – Large gallery of art is searchable, and links buyers through to your own website where you can make the sale. This site is juried, and they are seeking prolific artists with a unique style who are also bloggers.
52.
DaWanda – This site promotes that it sells “Products with Love” and specializes in unique or limited edition, handmade, customizable and tailor-made work from small creative businesses. Create your own shop – no fees, 5% commission.
53.
DENYDesign – This home furnishings company creates Print-on-Demand pillows, bed linens, shower curtains, wall art and more. Does your work need to be in this collection? Artists are juried in.
54.
Deviant Art – With 80 million pieces of art onsite, this behemoth is the largest social network for artists. It’s a platform that allows emerging and established artists to exhibit, promote, and share their works, including selling prints. Prints are base price; set your selling price to include a royalty for your payment.
55.
Dipperly – This crafts marketplace is still in a pre-launch phase. So we’ll just have to wait and see what they offer, won’t we?
56.
DPCPrints – Register for the
DPChallenge, and you will have an online profile where you can upload your scanned photographs, scanned paintings and drawings, and digital artwork. This is a Print-on-Demand site. Artists pay $25.00 per year membership plus the base price of all prints. Set your own prices, and split profits with them.
57.
D’Art Fine Art – Large online gallery of work, with memberships available ranging from approximately $15-$30 per month. Offers marketing tools. Connects buyers with artists, and allows bids; also has shopping cart function.
58.
Ebay – The big kahuna of marketplaces, Ebay is a place to sell art as well as anything else on the planet. Although it may not be the first choice of most artists, others may find a niche where they can do well here. Listing and transaction fees apply.
59.
EBSQArt – This site for “self-representing artists” allows you to create an online presence that links through to other websites where you have a shopping cart. EBSQ focuses on its built-in social networking tools to spread the word about your work. Membership based, $8.95 per month.
60.
Epilogue – a volunteer-driven Sci-Fi and fantasy art site, Epilogue allows artists to create galleries, and link to their own websites – so it works as a marketing tool to reach out to buyers who like this genre. This is a juried site, with apparently no charge to artists.
61.
Etsy – This is the well-known 800 lb. gorilla, where artists and craftspeople can open their own online shop. Vintage goods and supplies also allowed. Etsy offers support communities and lots of help selling. Listing and transaction fees apply.
62.
Fab – Fab sells many things besides art (they call it a “compelling marketplace for everyday design”), but they are willing to look at a submission of your work should you want to be considered. Apply
right here.
63.
Facebook – yes, one of your favorite social networks can also be your online store. Use
Wix or
Heyo to create a really cool customized Facebook page, with a shopping cart too.
64.
FineArtStudioOnline – A favorite place for artists to create their own professional art website (with your own URL), get marketing help, integrate a blog and social media. Monthly fee $8-$40.
65.
FineArtAmerica – Build an art profile page, then promote and sell your work on paper or stretched canvas from this Print on Demand provider. Provides marketing help and an embedded shopping cart on your own website.
66.
FolioTwist – Their platform provides artists a website and blog, marketing help and more. Monthly fees $25-$40 for the package.
67.
Folksy – (UK site) Featuring modern British craft, this site has online stores for artists to list and sell their work. Pay-as-you-go and monthly plans available.
68.
FotoMoto – A Print-on-demand e-commerce widget that integrates seamlessly into your existing website. They take care of printing, packing, and shipping orders to your customers. Pay per transaction and monthly fee programs.
69.
FoundMyself – Free for artists to upload images; no commission taken. Sales are handled between the buyer and seller only, not the site. “Honor system” asks artists to contribute what they feel is fair when sales are made.
70.
FromtheWilde – (UK site) Featuring art and handmade craft from Europe, Australia, Canada and the US, this site has a good search function and promotes artists. If interested in submitting your work, click on “Contact” and send an enquiry.
71.
Gallerish – Free to artists, this site allows you to upload images, bio, etc. Visitors are directed to artists by email, or can use PayPal to purchase.
72.
GalleryToday – Connects artists with buyers to sell original signed paintings internationally. They offer a guarantee that every painting will arrive in perfect condition. Juried. To apply, check their website for submission email and instructions.
73.
Goodsmiths – Calling themselves “The Marketplace for Makers” this site has no setup or listing fees, and takes only 2% of each sale.
74.
GotArtWork – Artists can sell originals or reproductions here. This is a Print-on-Demand site, with monthly plans ranging from free to several hundred dollars.
75.
Gumroad – Originally created to sell digital products, Gumroad now allows sellers to list physical products. You provide a link to the item, and they receive payment. No store needed, this site does allow you to communicate directly with customers.
76.
HandmadeArtists – A very active community as well as a venue to sell art or craft. No commissions are taken – $5.00 monthly subscription, they provide a shopping cart.
77.
Handmadeology – This site is a place to get exposure for your art or craft, but does not actually have its own shopping cart. Uploading your images is free. Your item description has links to your website, social media, and other places to buy (such as your Etsy shop). Feature your work on Handmadeology’s front page for $5.00.
78.
Houzz – Is your work just right for interiors? Houzz has the largest residential design database in the world. Create your profile under “Artists and Artisans” in the Pro section
here and upload images of your work. It’s free.
79.
iCraft – (Canadian Site) Sells the handmade work of artists globally. $25 registration fee, and monthly fees of $5.00 to $15.00 depending on how many images your upload.
80.
ImageKind – Print-on-Demand. Join free, customize your own storefront. Fees range from free to $95 per year. Set your own retail prices; they charge base price and pay you the rest.
81.
ImageRevolver – This Print-on-Demand site is juried. Artists cannot choose the price; they are standardized. Flat rate is paid to artist according to size of print sold.
82.
Ingallery – This juried site solicits submissions from “established and up and coming artists.” They are Print-on-Demand, selling work as digital canvases, and have themed galleries on their site. No info given about charges or commissions.
83.
Keep – A curated site where you can “keep” images from the web (like Pinterest), including your work from third part sites like Etsy. This site has a “Buy” button which guides visitors to your own online shopping cart.
84.
MadeByHandOnline – (UK Site) British and Irish craftspeople are welcome to apply. This site is juried, and has an active community and directory, and actively markets their makers. They take 22% commission on sales.
85.
MadeItMyself – Upload your images, and either set a price or negotiate with buyers. They provide a shopping cart. Listing fee and commission applies.
86.
Meylah – Open a store for your artwork or handmade goods, or even create a curated marketplace. They offer support and marketing help. No upfront fees, only a 2.75% commission on sales.
87.
MadeInAmericaShoppingNetwork – Sell any Made in America or Assembled in America products, including tools and supplies; they charge listing fees, but take no commission.
88.
MISI – (UK Site) MISI, or “Make It, Sell It” is an online platform to sell handmade crafts, vintage items and supplies. Listing fee plus 3% commission on sales.
89.
MyBestCanvas – Sells original paintings, to an international audience. Customer gets directly in touch with the artist; no commission is taken. $50 annual fee to upload your images and become a seller.
90.
MySoti – Print-on-Demand site specializing in t-shirts, lampshades, and art reproductions. Upload your designs for free, and choose your markup. They pay you the amount of basic cost for items they print.
91.
NewBloodArt – (UK Site) Representing early and mid-career artists, this juried site focuses on selling originals. You determine the selling price, and they take a commission.
92.
Nuzart – (European Site) This is a Print-on-Demand site, so originals and limited editions don’t sell here. Upload your images and set your price. You collect the percentage over the base price of the reproductions.
93.
OriginalArtOnline – As the name implies, original art is sold here. Membership fee about $6-$8 per month, no commissions are taken. Set your asking price and take offers from buyers. They provide marketing help.
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Pinterest – This super-popular website allows you to create collections by “pinning” images around the web which click through to the original site. Have an item to sell, on Etsy, or anywhere else? List the price when you pin your item – a click on the photo will take the shopper through to your own site where you can make the sale. Priced items show up in the “Gifts” section of
Pinterest.
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Pixpa – Created for photographers, artists and designers, Pixpa gives you a portfolio site with a built-in shopping cart provided by FotoMoto. If you have a blog and need a place to show large, gorgeous photos of your work, this might be it. Monthly plans start at $10.
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PoppyArts – Based out of a brick and mortar, this site sells jewelry, fine craft and art, this site features about 200 artists and is juried. They buy wholesale from the artist.
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PoppyTalkHandmade – (Canadian site) Dubbing itself “the original curated online marketplace for emerging design talent,” this site accepts artist submissions, and is juried. $60 monthly fee for sellers. They feature “themed markets” which change monthly.
98.
Portraity – Are you a portrait artist or photographer? This site aims to connect artists and clients who want commissioned portraits made. Artists upload their portfolio onto the site and a “contact” button puts potential clients in touch with you. Currently in Beta and offering free memberships.
99.
PrintPop – This Print-on-Demand site claims to be for aspiring/emerging, “struggling,” part-time, hobbyist, or student artists” to sell poster-sized print reproductions of their work. Artist earns 15% royalty from each item.
100.
RebelsMarket – This site claims to be the “No. 1 alternative community for buying & selling anti-mainstream items for subcultural lifestyles such as goth, steampunk, rockabilly, pinup, tattoos & more.” Fit your work? Open a free store – they take 15% commission. Juried to make sure your designs are rebellious enough.
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RedBubble – Print-on-Demand site featuring posters, prints, t-shirts, cards and more. They have set base prices, and you collect the markup that you choose.
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RetailParade – This is a wholesale site geared for the gift industry. Juried vendors pay a monthly fee. No submission process indicated, use contact form for more info.
103.
SaatchiOnline – Upload your images, sell originals and prints. Artist retains 70% of purchase price.
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SculptSite – Sculpture-only site, buyers purchase directly from the artist. This site is juried. No commissions, you pay a fee ranging from $0 – $99 per year. They give marketing assistance.
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SeekingDesigners – This site has a marketplace which is mostly oriented to fashion, accessories and home. Not strictly handmade. They jury submissions to be part of their group of designers. Monthly fees range from about $11-$30 per month.
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Sellpin – Their tagline is “If you can pin it on Pinterest, You can sell it on SellPin” and they offer a place to list your work to sell when referred through Pinterest. Easy to log in with Facebook. Free to list, they take 7% fee on sales.
107.
Shopinterest – turn your Pinterest boards into a store! All Pinterest items with a price get added to your Shopinterest store. They provide a shopping cart, but customers pay you directly. They are in Beta now, but have a free trial period and will offer pay-per-item or monthly fees going forward.
108.
Skreened – Print-on-Demand t-shirt site. Any site visitor can make a custom-made shirt, or can purchase available designs. That’s where you come in – upload your artwork and create your own shop. Choose your own price, you make everything above base prices charged by the site.
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Society6 – Print-on-Demand site, featuring prints, canvases, iPhone cases, hoodies and more. Upload your artwork, and set your price. You receive payment for everything over the base price of their products.
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Spoonflower – Known for printing custom fabric for designers, this site is Print-on-Demand and prints your work on textiles, wallpaper and decals. They claim to offer the largest collection of independent fabric designers in the world. Artists receive 10% of sale price.
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Spreadshirt – Open your own t-shirt shop online, featuring your designs. No cost to set up. This Print-on-Demand vendor pays you an agreed upon royalty on each sale.
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SuperMarket – This website offers a curated collection of work, which is juried. They ask for submissions via email. Create a store and upload your images. You get paid for your work directly through PayPal, and pay them a commission monthly.
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TheUntappedSource – Print-on-Demand site which sells reproductions and prints; they offer memberships ranging from free to about $8 per month. You price your work and collect any amount over their base prices.
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Threadless – Create a design, and submit it to this site. The Threadless community votes to choose the very best, which will become t-shirts for sale in their marketplace. What do the design winners get? A $2,000.00 prize.
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Trunkt – Online wholesale site for handmade items, bought recently by Etsy. They will be revamping this site with new guidance and management in the next few months.
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Twitter – Promote your work on Twitter, using Twitpic to show photos, and list an auction, or simply a sale price. You can coordinate this with a Facebook auction of your work, or link to an auction on your website, and take bids. Twitter is also a great place to cross-promote your work for sale on any other site.
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UGallery – Billed as “a curated online art gallery for the nation’s top mid-career and emerging artists,” this site is juried. They split the selling price 50/50 with the artist, and do extensive marketing.
118.
Uncommon Goods – This site sells “unique gifts and creative design.” Submit your images to them in an online application, and their buyers and community will evaluate to see if you are accepted. This site is not exclusively art or craft related, but offers clothing, accessories and home items as well.
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UnderTheRainbow – An online craft mall, where you can sell your work retail. They claim to screen for authenticity. No monthly fees, pay per listing. They provide a shopping cart.
120.
Wanelo – Short for Want-Need-Love, this site is a curated collection of items (not all are handcrafted or art), but if you have a price on your work, they provide a “Buy” button which clicks through to your website (or third-party site) to sell your work. Other community members can “save” your images, and being popular drives them to the front page of the site. Free to use.
121.
WholesaleCrafts – This site has been around for quite a few years. Fine crafts in many mediums are listed at wholesale prices, and sell to the trade. Juried. They charge a startup fee and monthly fee of $39, or $395 annually with no setup fee for a one-year minimum commitment. $15 per month fee helps promote your work on their front page.
122.
Yessy – Create your online art gallery, no limit on number of images. $59 annual fee. They do not take commissions, but have a transaction fee.
123.
Zatista – This site is for selling original 2D art only. They target interior designers and architects as well as consumers. All work is juried. They do not have a monthly or listing fee, but take 45% commission.
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Zazzle – Print-0n-Demand site, claiming to have 25 million monthly shoppers. No montly or listing fees. Upload your images, and set your own prices – you are paid the royalties between their base price and amount of the sale. They put images on a large variety of items.
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Zibbet – Upload images of your art or craft into your own online shop. Fees range from free to $79 annually. They have a shopping cart and marketing help.
NEW ADDITIONS!
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3BStreet - A fun and quirky site with great visuals where you get your own animated storefront. Artist participation is juried, with a monthly fee as low at $9.95 per month + 3% of all transactions.
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American Handmade Crafts – Free trial (with $35 setup). Monthly fees starting at $12, and each artist can list hundreds of items for sale. They provide a shopping cart.
128.
Bucketfeet – Would your artwork look just perfect on a pair of shoes? This site offers cool sneakers with a variety of designs. Jury by sending an email to info(at)
Bucketfeet with your portfolio.
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UpcycledAroundTown - As it’s name implies, this site is all about merchandise that has been upcycled and created into new products. If that’s your schtick, contact them on the “vendor” page of their website. Contact them for terms; not listed on site.
130.
Poppito - (UK Site) Describing themselves as “an online market place providing greater opportunities for makers of quality handmade goods and growers of homegrown produce,” Poppito sells credits which are exchanged for listing your items.
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Articents – Handmade and vintage items are sold here. This site is very inexpensive, with no listing fees or commissions, and only a $5.00 monthly fee. Make your own storefront, where you can even include videos.
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Artinvesta (Australian site) This site promotes itself as selling original art on a global scale. They offer artists unlimited space to upload a portfolio, and take 10% plus Paypal fees from your sales. You can register as a seller for free.
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Luulla – Calling itself “The Marketplace for Unique Products” Luulla offers artists a monthly plan for $9.90 plus 3% selling fee, or a pay-as-you-go option with listing fees and the selling fee. They promote your work to social media as well.
134.
TheWeddingMile – If your work fits into the wedding market, you can become a seller here for a monthly subscription of $9.95. They offer support and training, and a bridal registry, of course!
135.
Pinbeads – Are you a jewelry designer? This Pinterest-style site is all about jewelry. Pin your jewelry, jewelry supplies or DIY tutorials on their boards. Images click through to your website where you can close the sale.
136.
Crevado - A website to upload your art portfolio and your bio, Crevado does not offer a shopping cart, but enhances your web presence. Fees range from free to $9.00 per month.
137.
ArtistSites – Called “A Virtual Community of Artist Portfolios” this site is totally free to use. Artists can upload up to 25 portfolio images, and create a bio. Site visitors can comment or contact the artist. You can include a link to your own website as well.
138.
OriginalArtUnder100 - (UK Site) A simple, no-nonsense original art website where all the featured work is priced under £100. Artists sell direct and commission free to buyers with free 4 month trial. If they decide to stay beyond their trial period, they pay £20 per year, or £12 for 6 months. Artists also get a free link to their website and their own URL gallery page.
139.
RiseArt - (UK Site) Artists can create a profile here and submit their work, which is ranked by votes from the Rise Art community. Chosen artists are promoted, and work may be commissioned by Rise Art, or sold on the site. Totally free to use.
140.
ArtPreferred – Create your own art store here for $9.95 per month, with no commissions taken. Audience is global. They also have a feature where you can promote your art events as well.
141.
TeeFury – Submit your design for a T-shirt, and if accepted, your design becomes a very limited edition, available for 24 hours, and selling for $10.00. The artist gets $1.00 per shirt sold, and keeps the rights to the design.
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TheCraftersBarn - (UK Site) Handcrafted goods are sold on this website, which dubs itself a “co-op” and has a very low monthly fee with no commissions taken. Includes shopping cart.
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DegreeArt – (UK Site) Students and recent graduates can submit their work for consideration to this site, which has an online venue as well as a London gallery where they may put your work in a solo or group show, and promote you to the press. They require an initial fee of £75.
144.
Artaissance - This juried site is looking for sophisticated art that is suitable for art publishing, and is run by well-known frame manufacturer Larson-Juhl. If your work fits the bill, you can go through a submission process to become one of their featured artists.
145.
ModernArt-Design – (UK Site) Submit your work to be juried into the “Artist Program” on this Print-on-Demand site, which sells artwork, but also prints images for consumers. They do not list artist terms on their site, so you will need to inquire.
146.
Artist-Listing - A “free showcase for visual artists,” this site has a free plan, or you can upgrade your page for $25 or $149 annual packages (custom built templates). This site does not include a shopping cart, but allows a portfolio and bio where you can list your own website to make sales.
147.
WowThankYou – (UK Site) Proudly supporting UK artisans, this site offers everything from clothing and pet items to household and wedding gifts. Monthly competitions. Fill out a form to become a seller; no terms listed on the site.
148.
Artsicle – Have you ever considered renting your art? This site specializes in residential and corporate art rentals, and renting art for staging apartments and homes for sale. If you are a New York City artist, find out more by contacting Dan(at)
Home | Artsicle who runs this website.
149.
ArtPistol – (UK Site) This website advertises that they sell “original art and limited edition prints from both budding and recognized UK artists.” They sell online as well as in pop up events, and sell to corporate clients. Artists list prices on the site, but shoppers are also allowed to make offers. Features a wedding registry. No upfront fees, but they take 25% commission.
150.
The FunkyArtGallery - (UK Site) Featuring contemporary, funky, urban and pop art, this online venue sells originals and limited editions only. Juried for “originality, quality and funkiness.” Artists paying joining fee of £50 plus 33% commission.