Are you ready to start selling your art? Sales of our art is a goal many of us have when we dip our toes into the entrepreneurial waters. While there are many aspects to consider, and many different ways you can sell your art, let's focus on designing greeting cards as a great starting point. One of the first products I ever created for sale was a greeting card line. A few years later, it was also the very first thing I licensed. But one of the easiest ways I have found, and many of my students will concur, is selling cards online. Trust me, it's an attainable and fun way to enjoy your creativity and make some money! I have built up my income with greeting card sales being a big part of my art licensing business. And now my students are doing the same.
Now, before diving in, I want to share a couple of fascinating facts to get you even more excited. Brace yourself for these numbers: in 2024, the greeting card industry raked in a whopping 24,672.3 million USD, with around 6.5 billion greeting cards purchased by enthusiastic shoppers across the United States. Isn't that mind-blowing?
Watch my video here about the industry
But here's the best part—thanks to online marketplaces and print-on-demand (POD) sites, independent artists like you can sell their art. Yes, that's right! You have the power to make more money while avoiding the in-person sales, if you want to, creating a portfolio, pitching your work, etc etc.. And if I—an everyday artist—can do it, so can you. I'm here to guide you through my approach to this exciting prospect for you.
Let's kick things off by honing your unique artistic style. This is key to establishing an emotional connection between buyers and your work. Trust me, finding your signature style is your first step towards success. Pour your heart into your art and make it the best it can be.
While perfecting your craft, it's crucial to establish and maintain an online presence. Think of it as your digital gallery, where people can admire and purchase your beautiful creations. Embrace the wonders of social media to connect with art enthusiasts, gain credibility, and showcase your awe-inspiring work.
I strongly suggest to students who are just breaking into online sales of their cards to choose one or two sites only and strive to post on a steady basis. The students who see the most success are those that post new cards several times a week. In fact, it is better to do so than to power through dozens of uploads a day. The more art you create and upload, the sooner you will begin to have data from which to expand upon your offerings and the better your art will become.
But don't stop there. It's essential to seek feedback from the art community. Collaborating with others on a similar artistic journey or finding a mentor can elevate your skills and create highly sellable art. Trust me, you can grow exponentially when you have a network!
Now, let's talk strategy. What kind of art sells best? Well, the art market can be a bit of a puzzle, especially at first. But don’ t worry! You can start by creating art for the masses. Your first grouping can be “an every day” cards, like thanks and thinking of you sentiments. Do a quick search on POD sites, set the filters to display "popular" or "best-selling" greeting cards, and take notes.
While it's great to explore these popular categories, don't worry if your art doesn't fit neatly into any of them. There's still a significant opportunity for you to sell your unique and captivating creations. Make lists and collect imagery ideas on sites like Pinterest or Tumblr, take a field trip to a brick and mortar card shop, do research on the sites you plan to list with, and even consider integrating suppliers like Printify or Art of Where into your Etsy or Shopify sites.
p.s. I have classes on how to do all that! 😉
Look no further, my friend! Here are some of my expert pointers:
1. Know your target market inside out. Find out what they love, what they're shopping for, and the styles they connect with. Creating art that resonates with your niche is the key to success. So, dive deep into your passions and create top-selling paintings or digital art that they'll simply adore. Check all the art you have and see if any of it can be adapted for greeting cards. Sometime a larger piece of art can be divided to make a number of greeting cards.
2. Embrace the power of print on demand for greeting cards. If you're a digital artist, this is your ultimate golden ticket. Print on demand allows you to sell your high-quality digital art to a broad audience without the hassles of inventory management or shipping. This is a great way to test the market and learn about the industry. My sales were slow at first, but eventually I was able to use the data and understand what was working for me.
(This super easy card design is an example from one of my classes in my Procreate Foundations Learning Series):
3. Develop your very own signature art style. Be bold, be you! Your unique artistic voice is what sets you apart from the crowd. Experiment and create a lot of art to narrow down your focus. In the words of art masters, "practice makes perfect." Compare your work to professional pieces, analyze what makes it different, and strive to make it even better—perhaps even industry standard! Standard doesn’t have to be boring. Examine what is out there and ask yourself; “If my card was in amongst these, would it look like it belongs?"
4. Dive into the online world headfirst. Building an online presence is an absolute must in today's digital age. Start by showcasing your best work on a website or landing page tailored to present your art portfolio. Engage with your followers on social media platforms, share behind-the-scenes glimpses of your creative process, and build strong connections with your audience. Remember, people want to feel connected to you as an artist as they invest in your journey. It makes a world of difference if you do this!
5. Quality and consistency are your best friends. When it comes to selling art, these two superheroes will never let you down. Craft visually appealing, top-notch art that captivates buyers and leaves them craving more. Spend the time it takes! Make sure your pieces perfectly reflect your unique style and maintain consistent quality throughout. Don't forget to order test prints or visit local print shops to ensure your art looks phenomenal in physical form. I would suggest Staples or Kinkos for quick test prints. This can tell you so much about scale, colors, quality and more. Compare different suppliers and always order samples from your POD stores to check.
6. Embrace feedback like a pro. Other artists are your greatest allies in this creative adventure. Seek feedback from online communities, participate in art exhibitions, or attend in-person events where you can showcase your work and gather valuable insights. Remember, art that inspires viewers sells best, and constructive criticism is a powerful tool for growth. Craft sales taught me what sells and what doesn’t. Some cards we could never have enough of on-hand while others never sold at all, or very little. Focus on the demand.
So, ready to skyrocket your art business? Cast a wide net with the help of a
reliable print on demand partner to get started. Test the waters with a site like Cardisle. They'll handle the nitty-gritty details of production, allowing you to focus on your passion and bring your art to life. Trust me, you'll be amazed at how far your skills can take you. I enjoy a steady quarterly income from sales of my greeting cards and I have learned so much from the process. The "doing" is what helps you wrap your head around it all.
Now go ahead, create your masterpiece, and watch your art slowly start to create some additional income for you. It won't be overnight, but with a steady amount of attention, you will see progress! Happy selling, my artistic friends!
Download the thumbnail sketches handout here.
