Online art shop for prints and originals
Sell prints, originals and digital downloads of your art through your own online shop.
- $150-1.2k
- Side hustle
- Online
Estimates for a small start in the US, not guarantees.
Official data
38,677 US businesses with employees in this field, +1.6% in a year
NAICS 711510 “Independent artists, writers, and performers”. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2023.
What it is
You photograph or scan your artwork and sell it online as prints, originals and downloads. You build an audience through social media and email, and ship orders yourself or through a print-on-demand partner.
Your first three steps
- Photograph or scan your best 10 to 20 pieces and order sample prints to check quality
- Open a shop on an online marketplace or your own site and write clear listings with sizes and shipping costs
- Post your process and finished work a few times a week and collect email sign-ups for new releases
Who pays
Online shoppers, gift buyers, and people looking for decor in a particular style or theme.
How it makes money
Sales of prints, originals and digital files, with extra income from custom orders. Print-on-demand lowers upfront stock costs but leaves a smaller margin per item.
Skills that help
- Photographing or scanning artwork well
- Basic online shop setup and social media posting
- Packing and shipping, or managing a print partner
Watch out for
- Check your state's rules on sales tax for online sales and whether a marketplace collects it for you
- Check if your city or county requires a business license even for an online business run from home
- Protect your work, as images posted online can be copied, so consider watermarks and a clear copyright notice
- Shipping damage and returns can hurt margins, so use sturdy packaging
Deep research report · US
Everything you need to start: online art shop for prints and originals
Researched with live web search for United States: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start an online art shop?
Startup costs are typically around $150 to $1,200, depending on how you photograph or scan your work, how you set up your shop, and whether you ship orders yourself or use a print-on-demand partner.
How much can you earn selling art prints online?
Monthly revenue is typically around $100 to $2,000, depending on your audience, pricing and the mix of prints, originals and downloads you sell. Estimates assume at least about 6 hours a week.
Do I need a license or sales tax registration to sell art online?
Check your state's rules on sales tax for online sales and whether a marketplace collects it for you. Also check whether your city or county requires a business license, even for an online business run from home.
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Photo: pieonane on Pixabay