Sell Art Online – A list of the best sites to sell or promote your art
Where are the best places to sell art online? {or just showcase and promote creative work?}
There are literally hundreds and hundreds of places that you can sell art or showcase your work online. However, as you may have already noticed, there is also a vast difference in the quality of the offering of many art related sites. There are some great ones and some that downright suck. The sucky ones may not get a lot of traffic through them, so placing your work on them may be like having an exhibition in the shed at the bottom of your dad’s garden [although that may actually be quite cool}, but I digress...
Therefore, this list does not attempt to list every single online possibility for artists but rather the best sites that have the highest standards and offer the most help and opportunity to creative folk. I have to say, as a disclaimer that I haven't tried all of them personally so can't vouch for them. Check them out and make your own mind up as to which ones will be best for you.
This is an organic post which I will add to whenever I stumble across new sites. Please post information on sites that you think should be included in the comments and I will add them in.
If you find this page useful, please Tweet it or link to it to spread the word. Thanks
Key
- $ = There is a charge to use the site
- Sell = Sales can be completed through the site
- NDS = No Direct Sales. Use the site for promotion only
- POD = Print-On-Demand sales available through the site
Showcase Sites { Some may not offer online sales }
Showcase sites allow you to place your work into a page online. Although initially a way to showcase your work, many showcase sites are now starting to offer the ability to sell your work directly on a print-on-demand basis so there is a crossover with that category. Some also have a networking element within the creative community, with the emphasis on getting your work seen in order to secure commissions or freelance work.
www.epilogue.net Sci-Fi/Fantasy Art | FREE | NDS
www.axisweb.org Well respected fine art showcase | $ | NDS
www.deviantart.com Contemporary, urban artists | FREE | SELL | POD
www.behance.net All creatives | FREE | SELL | POD
www.Illustrationmundo.comIllustrators, Designers | Free | NDS
www.society6.com All creatives, contemporary | Free | SELL | POD
www.coroflot.com Good free portfolio site, all creatives | Free | NDS
www.artst.com All creatives, contemporary | Free | NDS
www.folioplanet.com Illustrators resource & portfolio | $ | NDS
Portfolio site from the Association of illustrators | $ | NDS
www.jacketflap.com For book illustrators & writers | Free | NDS
everycreative.comAll creatives/designers portfolio, contemporary | Free | NDS
inkygoodness.comUrban/contemporary/illustrators& artists showcase | Free |
All creatives, contemporary, urban, | Free | NDS
www.designrelated.com Design related creativity | Free | NDS
www.altpick.com All creatives, contemporary, urban, | Free | NDS
www.designtaxi.com All creatives, contemporary, urban, | $ | POD
http://www.humblevoice.com/ All creatives, contemporary, urban, | Free | NDS
www.500px.com Photography | Cost unknown | POD
Print-On-Demand
Print on demand websites allow you to upload a high resolution image of your work. Reproductions can then be sold in a variety of formats {on canvas, as cards or prints etc} Print-on-demand is brilliant for giving you an extra income stream from your original work. It is also great for photographers, allowing you to sell a wide range of imagery without having to print individually.
www.redbubble.com Excellent art focussed print on demand site. Also T-shirts & framed prints | FREE | SELL
www.imagekind.com POD site focussed on framing art | FREE | SELL
www.fineartamerica.com POD site with ability to offer framed art | FREE | SELL
www.theuntappedsource.com/ FREE | SELL
skreened.com Ethical T-shirt printing | Markup | SELL
www.zazzle.com Print on demand site. Also T-shirts & framed prints | FREE | SELL
www.cafepress.com Focus on T-shirts and merchandise | FREE | SELL
www.Fibers.com T-shirt printing | Markup | SELL
www.brightonpod.com shopping portal dedicated to promoting the work of UK independent designers and craftspeople | FREE {20% Commission} | SELL
www.artofwhere.com Print your art on gorgeous cushions and handmade items | Commission at a good rate | SELL
www.Bakso.co.uk Upload your design to sell it as a quslity T-Shirt | Markup | SELL
Online Galleries
Online galleries generally work as a middleman between you and the purchaser. You are generally responsible for sending the artwork and the gallery charges a commission on the sale.
www.newbloodart.com Contemporary gallery | Free + commission | SELL
www.discoveredartists.comSells original work | $ + commission | SELL
www.gallerytoday.com Sells original work | Unknown fee/commission | SELL
Focussed on crafts and handmade items | $ | SELL
www.folksy.com Crafts and handmade items, UK based | $ | SELL
www.artulis.com Crafts and handmade items, UK based | $ | SELL
www.artfire.com Art, crafts and handmade items | $ 12.95 monthly shop fee | SELL
www.saatchionline.com Sells original work | POD | Commission 30% | SELL
www.artsyhome.com Sells unique home decor items by artists and artisans | SELL | Free to submit
www.5piecesgallery.com Young contemporary art in the media of painting, drawing, print and photography | SELL
www.portraity.com Specialising in portraits | Free to submit - different membership packages available | SELL
www.rebelsmarket.com Specialising in alternative art and crafts - especially goth/rock/punk/tattoo style work | SELL | free listing + commission fee for sold items only
www.phoenixartgallery.co.uk Contemporary Online Art Gallery | SELL | Free Registration, no fees. Just 20% commission on sold items
Rippingham Art Online Gallery Contemporary Online Art Gallery UK based | SELL | Free Registration, no fees. Commission on sold items
{ 72 comments… read them below or add one }
Thanks for listing.
But, how many of these sites REALLY sell art…with hundreds and thousands of images and artists!
JP
Reply
I also wanted to contribute by sharing this website http://www.pictorem.com/collection.html
It’s an online gallery where artist can sell their prints online, ( canvas and photo prints ) they ship worldwide and don’t take any commission on the rights …
Reply
This is a great list. Could i suggest http://www.artenet.es
The site is in Spain, but is open to artists from all around the world.
Miguel recently posted..Bienvenido
Reply
hello i have been an artist for the past 35 years, and i am glad to have my art work in private collections world wide and in good hands,but all is done now thru the big wide web, being new to networking can any one give me some learned advice on a great art site that sells your original art work and prints alike and promote please reply Thank You
Reply
Thanks for the article! Another great site is boomboomprints.com. It is completely free for artists and takes care of all shipping, customer service, advertising, etc. Similar to Society 6 platform.
Reply
We have a new site http://www.apartial.com that combines all elements of the creative world showcasing many different talents and enabling users to sell directly to individuals with a keen interest in art.
Apartial
Stephen Leonard recently posted..Tech: Is Apple’s Smart Watch Ugly?
Reply
Hey everybody,
I’d like to aks something, some time ago i found a site that illustrators put their work, and you could write your own story using the illustrations. It’s like you can do your own fairytale choosing and mixing any illustrations you liked. I can’t remember it.Does anyone know something about it? thank you
Reply
Pleas consider http://thereart.ro/ also. A web site that showcase artists from different fields, artists that re:fresh minds sets.
Have a nice day!
Reply
Great list and so many new ones. A tip for the print people a lot of the printers will send them on to the customers,
Jill
Reply
Great place! Pleased we decided to visit. Please consider looking at us, Trillium Gallery. While we a by-invitation-only gallery online, and are very selective regarding member inclusions, we are always excited to see new prospective members’ work. Please do contact us! We are not only salves driven, but we focus on the support and community aspect of art and photography. We have just published out forth edition magazine, offer many outlets and means to promote and share art. Please take a look! We are free to become to a member with no catches. We look forward to seeing you all. http://www.trilliumgallery.com
Reply
I trye to sell my art on Etsy, I don’t know if it’s the best site for my paintings: https://www.etsy.com/shop/PaintingsGalceava?ref=si_shop
Reply
I think online competition is so fierce, that unless you already have a following and promote your own art outside of the web site you have, you will not sell much. I do like POD, but the downside to those sites are the commission rates, high membership rates and in most cases dealing with PayPal, rather then other payments.
Also one major draw back is the POD sites, that let you pay extra for your own domain name, have a logo link on your private domain page that allows you to loose sales to other artists, by clicking on that link. I know its promotional and keeps our membership price lower, but I still feel its unfair. Then their is the security of protecting art on the internet, which also falls way short. Not being able to right click, using water marks and re-sizing limitations help, but do not protect you, if someone is good at hacking. You heard of the old saying ” Locks are only for honest people “, I think holds true for online art.
I think when the POD sites finally tweak some of the art security, payment, management issues, then I think selling art online will be a much better place. But until then I believe it will be frustrating to say the least.
Reply
As far as Selling prints of your work, there is etsy, cafepress, zazzle, and deviantart. Etsy for me is too much of a hassle b/c I need to actually handle the shipping and printing and everything.
Also, you want to get all of your social media networks on par with one another, make it easy for people to be connected with you. on my homepage http://Obilex.com you can see that I have links to all of my different outlets (twitter, facebook, instagram ebay etc.)
Personally I use SMugmug.com as a printer and shipper of my work. they give you a whole gallery option and pricing plans. They have their bare minimum prices, and you keep anything over that amount. Say it costs them $2.30 to print out and ship an 8×10 print. if you price it for $12, you get 10 bucks.
Here is an example of my smugmug gallery.
http://obilex.smugmug.com/Art/Obilex-The-Artwork-o
Hope this helps, and keep up the hard work!
Sam
Reply
Can I suggest to add http://www.siottgallery.com to your list.
It is a curated UK online art gallery, also showing at Art Fairs and Events.
Thanks
Reply
I do creative art works in clay, fiber,oil paint, wood designs, mural on cement and other materials. looking for a site or club where these can be submitted and earn profit.
Reply
Hmm it appears like your website ate my first comment (it was super long)
so I guess I’ll just sum it up what I had written and
say, I’m thoroughly enjoying your blog. I as well am
an aspiring blog blogger but I’m still new to the whole thing.
Do you have any suggestions for rookie blog writers?
I’d certainly appreciate it.
find a college recently posted..find a college
Reply
Great information, thanks for the contacts. Can anyone point me to research on which POD sites have highest sales please?
Thanks
Reply
Great post!
theuntappedsource.com also offers custom framed prints now and canvas wrapped prints for artists looking for those options.
Reply
You might also want to list, http://www.original-art-under100.com.
It’s a UK site that specialises in original art from emerging artists for UNDER £100. It’s free for 4 months and thereafter £20 pa. There is no commission to pay from artists. Instead buyers deal direct with the artists.
Well worth a look – there’s some amazing stuff on there for under £100!
Reply
Hi,
Thanks for this awesome list.
Many are well-known, while others may prove to be a good new opportunity.
Best regards,
José
Reply
If you are an artist and would like to submit your work to a website. http://www.customcanv.as is excepting submissions. They already do photos on canvas and are interested in starting an art gallery featuring different artists based on customer demand.
Reply
There is also smitsy.com which lets artists manage their own account.
Reply
Super list and I’ll be checking out a lot of them!
I’m a designer on quite a few ‘sell your art’ sites including Zazzle, CafePress, Skreened, Wordans, Printfection, Etsy and RedBubble, but would like to add to your list:
Greeting Card Universe
http://www.greetingcarduniverse.com/Cheries_Art
Send A Smile
http://cheriesartcards.sendasmile.com/
I know that there are more too!
Thanks!
Just Google me: Cherie’s Art
Cherie
Cherie recently posted..Wedding Time!
Reply
Great Site!
Hi Helen,
You have a great list of places where Artists can sell there art on like thank you for the list.
I am a Full member of Fine-art America and with membership they provide you with your own artist Website Gallery & do POD sales for you. my FAA Gallery (http://9-john-williams.artistwebsites.com)
I still have yet to make a sale on FAA?
So a list of other sites is useful to me thank you!
I am also a member of the SAA or Society for all Artists (http://www.saa.co.uk/) They also provide members with a Gallery.
My SAA Gallery:( http://www.saa.co.uk/art/artist/293635.html )
With membership they provide Free insurance cover in the UK on your art when you enter them in ain the UK Gallery for show.
They are also an Art shop and members Save money buying art materials through them.
Also they provide members with a bi monthly magazine & many Art competitions.
SAA might be a site to add to you list
Thanks again for your Helpful list.
Regards John
John Williams recently posted..Prayer For Christ by John Williams
Reply
Another print on demand site for you list is my website Hollajack.com. We offer artists the ability to upload full color designs. What sets us apart is our direct to garment prints that provide a superior, full color product for the end user. We are hoping to attract artists to display their art and earn from commissions.
Reply
We run “This is Art” and are very pleased with the growth of artworks, artists and visitors (currently receiving more than 1200 visitors a day). We’re still only small but feel that it won’t be long before This is Art really kicks off.
Out main features are selling art & photography, a social network backbone, free artist profile pages, videos and education.
Reply
A friend of mine started selling her art as iPhone Skins at http://www.ottoskins.com
She just contacted the website and they were happy to let her add her art!
Ya’ll should check it out
Reply
If you art is location specific you, can also post it on Webtomap and share it on all social media networks with a backlink to your art blog.
Reply
That looks like it could be really useful. Thanks Neils
Reply
HI, just stumble upon this site. I have tried most of what you showed and out of all those I sold only ONE thing and that was on Zazzle. I think you need to add ArtWanted.com. Even though I haven’t sold anything since I’ve been on there. (5 years?) lol they offer lots of products, but also a great community to meet other artists. Easy to navigate too! These days I am weary of online artsites because I haven’t sold much and it grows tiresome. There is so much competition today that you yourself has to be smart with promoting. Thanks again. I will look around your site.
Heidi
Heidi recently posted..Now Offering Custom iPhone 5 Cases!
Reply
Hello Helen,
Thank you for this great resource. I have compiled a similar resource and put accolades to you in the blog post for your work here.
Reply
Thank you for your helpful list. Any info on theartgallerist.com? They jury the artists they accept and charge a 25-35% commission. It appears they only sell original art (no prints or POD).
Reply
Dont forget to include http://www.phoenixartgallery.co.uk in your ‘Online Galleries’ list. We have 32 artists so far with a total of 270 pieces of art for sale.
Free registration, free to upload artwork, no annual subscription fees, only a 20% commission for work that is sold through us.
We welcome all enquiries form artists, art collectors and art fanatics alike.
Reply
Not sure what artwork to buy for that perfect present, gift vouchers are now available to buy on the gallery! @
http://www.phoenixartgallery.co.uk/voucher
Reply
We started a new website for artists http://gotartwork.com
You can list originals as well as sell POD giclee prints, greeting cards, t-shirts and other products and earn your desired markup. Check GotArtwork.com and help us build a vibrant artist community.
Reply
Thanks for the great list of useful sites. Would like to mention LocalArtScenes.com as a new service available for artists. It is an online gallery with a POD option. There is no commission charged on sales. There is a Free option as well as an upgraded option for only $14.95/year. It is an “Art Community promoting Community Art” and specializes only in artwork that depicts Cities, Towns and Communities.
Reply
Who can print a tshirt design the biggest? I’m looking for a POD who can print at least 18X24 and bigger.
Thank you.
Reply
Im not sure about that Jamie, perhaps other visitors may be able to share their experiences re size.
Reply
Hi Helen,
Thank you for sharing. That helps me. My friend is an artist and I try to promote his colored pencil drawings via Internet.
Reply
Thanks Gene. Really glad it’s helpful for you.
Reply
Hi Helen,
great list, thanks for sharing. May I suggest Glossom:
http://www.glossom.com/darknessbox
You can’t sell art there, but it’s great portfolio site, with lots of good work for inspiration and fast growing community.
Cheers
Reply
Thats a very interesting site. Looks good. Thanks for flagging it up
Reply
I sell with http://www.artulis.com which has free listings — perhaps you could add them to the list?
Reply
Hi Helen – our curated online gallery represents artists from South Africa. Please take a look at http://www.StateoftheArt.co.za – we deliver worldwide!
Reply
I would suggest adding Art Fire to your amazing list.
http://www.artfire.com/ext/shop/studio/artofkylewillis
Reply
Nice work Kyle. Thanks
Reply
We just launched a new art marketplace where you can buy and sell art online:
http://www.unisquare.com/buy/695/art/
There are no listing fees and only a low, flat 2% final value fee, only if an item sells. You can also build free webstores, similar to ebay. Meaning you can create your own categories and names, upload store logo, change colors a little and have a store search feature. Also, you can accept PayPal and Google Checkout. Both auctions and fixed price listings can be made.
We have the same categories as eBay, so if you are into crafts and scrapbook, we have a marketplace for this as well!
Please check out UniSquare. We are brand new, but we have a leading-edge, targeted marketing system that has already brought in visitors and sales for the items!
Kind regards
UniSquare.com
Reply
You have a great list of showcase websites. May I suggest our own website dedicated to portraiture and portrait artists? You can find us on http://www.portraity.com/.
Reply
Nice site Eugene. Thanks
Reply
I might suggest http://www.5piecesgallery.com one of the finest contemporary online art galleries at date!
Reply
Thanks Robert. Great gallery. I have added it to the list.
Reply
Greetings from Poland
http://printfolio.pl
Reply
Some beautiful work on your site Pawel.
Reply
Fantastic list guys; you should add our website to that list for Australia print on demand! The Print Bar
Reply
Reply
What a useful list for all artists looking to sell their art.
Thanks
SimplyMe recently posted..
Reply
What a wonderful list of current and trendy sites! Some of them I didn’t know about
– Thanks for the great post! Alex
alex recently posted.."Put a Little Zip in Your Life" – Artist Sue Zipkin’s Licensing Story
Reply
Great list of resources! Very helpful to have one place where artists can go to view their options. We’d love you to include ArtsyHome.com in your list. Our focus is unique home decor art by artists. We promote our artists online as well as in our 2,000,000+ print catalogs. It’s Free for artists to register & submit their work. Thanks!
Reply
These are great lists to check out- both for design ideas/products and to see if it’s a good fit for what I do.
Another one that I am on (they jury in artists) is Zatista.com
You get your own page (store), it’s easy to customize the look, uploading is easy, and you can add lots of information about the pieces, and your background if you want.
They take a 30% commission now, and payment is through Paypal.
They also try and educate/help buyers with searches so the features are very consumer friendly and well designed.
I’m hoping it will ultimately yield some sales-
Nanci recently posted..teaching myself new tricks- woof!
Reply
A great list, very handy to have
Reply
Thanks Conor
Reply
I also have a blog Artist Marketing Resources http://ArtistMarketingResources.com
and I have put together a list of over 300 places to sell art
Pop in a check it
Reply
Great list Helen, some here I wasn’t aware of. Question – when you sell at several different POD sites, what are your thoughts on listing them all as purchase points on your own site?
I sell through FineArtAmerica, Imagekind, Redbubble, and Zazzle. The prices are similar but I’m wondering if it would be better to just list one gallery on my own site. All image links and prices are to FAA, as I’m trying to keep it as clean as possible. Appreciate your thoughts on this.
thanks
Nan
Reply
Hi Nan. Good question. Think it probably depends if the sites offer anything radically different from each other. For example if one offered better shipping rates for overseas buyers [some shipping rates to the UK/outside USA are exorbitant from some sites but not others - good to check] or if they offered a radically different format {ie laptop skins/badges} that was suitable for your work then it may be worth including more than one. Some buyers just get on better with one shop than another.
That said I like your wish to keep it clean and avoid confusion.
I think the key is definitely in the differentiation each different shop format can bring and is it enough advantage to be worth adding.
Hope that helps
Reply
Hi Helen
What about http://www.saatchionline.com? It’s a gallery but they’ve recently started offering to do POD and you can sell originals too.
Tara
Reply
Thanks Tara. Great suggestion. Is now added.
Reply
Might I suggest my own site! At POD (Promoting Original Design) http://www.brightonpod.com/ we feature some great illustration from Oliver Lake (Iota illustration), Sean Sims, Jamie Sneddon’s 8-bitscape series and Graham Carter amongst others. Sign up is free. We take 20% from sales. Check it out.
Reply
Lovely site with great stuff Robin. Is duly added. Thanks
Reply
Maybe another one for your list, I’ve had a bit of success with fineartamerica.com ~ POD similar to imagekind. thanks for being a great resource!
Reply
Thanks Brandi
Have added that in. Thank you
Reply
Hi Alison. Thanks. I cant believe I didn’t add those on. Doh
Thanks for pointing that out.
Reply
Great post! Here’s a couple of VERY popular POD sites to add to your list.
zazzle.com Page Rank of 7
cafepress.com Page Rank of 7
Ali
Reply
{ 4 trackbacks }