Over the past couple of weeks I've been heavily researching the different sites where artists can display their work. Not only do you need exposure but the need for individuals to want to buy the art. Meaning, they are visiting the site with intentions to buy. I've found 4 sites that I will be posting my work to in hope of generating some revenue to cover the cost of my supplies and software I use to create my digital pieces.
1. DeviantArt - Claims to be the largest online gallery and community and I believe it. It seems like the website is full of amateur artists and advanced artists alike. Sign up and posting to the site is relatively easy although the desktop/laptop user interface and navigating around the site is a little sketchy.
- Upon uploading a file it will be made available as a photo, canvas print, or poster print, or as a digital download.
- Once a sale is made the seller retains 80% of the sale price and does not need to take any other action.
2. Saatchi Art - You've probably seen this on Pinterest if you browse the artwork pins regularly. Saatchi allows you to upload your artwork in a jpeg format and their mobile app even won a Webby award this year. The site traffic is pretty good and the art available for purchase must be reviewed before releasing to sell in addition to person verification. (You must provide some kind of scanned government issued ID to become a seller.) The jpeg upload must be at least 1200px by 1500px and less than 50MB.
- Upon uploading the file you must provide a price for the piece. Unfortunately, the lowest you can go is $100, so hopefully your painting is worth it!
- Depending on the scale of the image that is uploaded, Saatchi will recommend different types of printing you can offer. These will be available as you create the listing.
- Once a sale is made the seller retains 70% of the sale price and must package and send the art, if it was the art that sold. If it was another item, Saatchi takes care of the printing and shipment and the seller will retain 70% of the PROFIT (after the cost of the item has been subtracted from the sale price).
- Another caveat: The seller must include a certificate of authenticity for the completed artwork when shipping original artwork
3. Vango Art - Vango is quickly becoming my favorite platform to sell on. It's easy to upload. They require you to submit a hefty description of the item (so it cuts out a lot of the fluff from other similar sites where people just copy and paste descriptions.) And, the art must be approved before selling. The jpeg upload must be at like 2048px wide. Currently, Vango does not support selling prints of artwork, only the originals. Also nice, Vango provides a prepaid shipping label so all you have to pay for is the packaging to send your print!
- Unfortunately, this one also has VERY limited price points. As sellers join the site you are restricted to $100 and $250 price points. As you make more sales you unlock higher price point levels. Cool if you consider your artwork worth within the starting price points!
- The artwork must be approved after upload for sale. This includes choosing three out of four talking point for your piece that Vango provides.
- Also, with Vango the seller retains 70% of the sale price.
- You can only have 5 pieces of art uploaded to sell at a point in time. Once one sells you upload another.
4. Etsy - I find most people are familiar with Etsy when speaking of handmade and original items. Etsy has it all, knitting, woodwork, leather items, paper goods, everything! Etsy is the only site that charges you to create the listing (currently at $.20) and then charges again when you actually sell something. For the last couple of years I have sold various mediums on Etsy and as the years go buy it seems like it is harder and harder to not get lost in the crowd. They also have the option to promote individual listings which is nice, but you pay per click, which can add up quick!
- You can put any price on your items! (Though, I think there may be a minimum price of $1).
- The seller retains 96.5% (!!!!!) of the sale price when the item sells.
Currently, those are the 4 platforms I am using to get my artwork noticed and interest individuals in purchasing. Happy selling!
*all information in the above article has been updated as of June 19th, 2015. Please investigate current pricing and policies at the respective websites before continuing deciding to sell with them.