How to Start Selling Art Online in 2025: A Guide for Aspiring Creatives
If you’d told me at the start of 2024 that I’d go viral on TikTok and officially launch my art business ahead of Father’s Day, I would’ve laughed nervously and asked if I should prepare a Plan B. But that’s exactly what happened. In June 2024, I posted a TikTok featuring one of my designs with a clever twist: I shared a Walgreens promo code, saying, "Buy this from me digitally and get a free print from Walgreens ahead of Father’s Day."
The video exploded. People loved the design and the accessibility of grabbing a digital file from me and instantly printing a high-quality gift for their dad, grandpa, or partner. That moment became a launchpad for my journey as an artist.
The Beauty of Digital Art Sales
Selling digital downloads wasn’t just convenient for customers—it aligned perfectly with my values as an anti-capitalist artist. Art should be accessible. I’ve been broke, and I know the feeling of wanting to own beautiful things but not being able to justify the cost. Digital art solves that:
It’s affordable for buyers.
It becomes passive income for me.
Once it’s listed online, the only real work left is marketing and answering the occasional customer question.
As someone who’s both Autistic and ADHD, digital art has been a lifesaver for my executive function. Once a piece is done and uploaded, I don’t have to worry about keeping track of inventory, restocking materials, or navigating shipping logistics. The hardest part—creating the art—is done, and the rest runs like a low-maintenance system, which is ideal for my brain.
That viral moment in June wasn’t just a fluke. It was a lightbulb moment where I realized how combining creativity, marketing, and accessibility could empower me to take up space as an artist while staying true to my values.
Adding Physical Prints to My Offerings
As much as I love the simplicity of digital, I started offering physical prints in response to a surge of requests from my followers who wanted tangible versions of my work. By fall 2024, I added 5x7 and 8x10 prints to my shop, using paper I like to call "delicious" because I wanted buyers to have a richer, more elevated experience than they’d get from a standard Walgreens print. Each print is hand-signed on the front and numbered on the back, making it clear that this is a piece straight from the artist, not a mass-produced copy.
Here’s what I use:
Watercolor printer paper for the rich finish
Backing boards to keep prints sturdy and professional
Protective plastic sleeves for safe shipping
For efficiency, I use the same watercolor paper and backing boards for both sizes, cutting them down as needed. The only difference is the plastic sleeves, which I size appropriately for each print.
How Much Should I Charge?
This is one of the most common questions I get, and the answer depends on a mix of factors: materials, time, effort, and market research.
For digital art, I like to keep my prices affordable and accessible. Most of my downloads are priced at $6.66 or $7.77 because I liked the idea of using angel numbers in my pricing. I’ve seen people charge as low as $0.99 for a digital download or as much as $15 for something more complex. Keep in mind, once a digital piece is posted, it becomes passive income—so while the upfront time investment matters, each sale adds to its long-term value.
For physical prints, I factor in the cost of materials (watercolor paper, ink, backing boards, sleeves, mailers, tissue paper) and time spent preparing and shipping each order. My prints range from $15 to $25, depending on the size and intricacy of the artwork. I aim to price them fairly while still respecting my time and effort.
If you’re unsure how to price your work, here’s what helped me:
Start with your materials cost. Add up what it takes to create each piece (down to the tissue paper).
Add your labor. Your time is valuable, so account for it.
Research the market. Check what similar artists charge and find a price range that feels competitive but reflective of your style and values.
Domestic Shipping, for Now
I currently only ship physical prints within the U.S. Shipping domestically has been manageable, but international shipping? That’s still a bit intimidating. Customs forms and regulations feel like a steep learning curve, but making my art accessible worldwide is one of my top goals for 2025.
For now, my process looks like this:
I use sturdy mailer envelopes to ensure my prints arrive safely.
Each print is wrapped in tissue paper for a personal, thoughtful touch because buying from an artist should feel special.
I print my shipping labels on printable sticker paper, which makes the process efficient and adds an extra level of professionalism.
Oh, and those printable stickers? I also use them to create decorative designs for the backs of my envelopes. It’s the little things that make a big difference.
Financial Independence and Teaching Others
Starting this business has been about more than just selling art—it’s been a step toward financial independence. That’s my overarching goal for 2025, and selling my art has given me a foundation to build on.
I’m passionate about helping other creatives do the same. Gatekeeping information necessary for survival is classist, and I firmly believe that if you’ve got talent, you deserve to turn it into something sustainable. Whether it’s sharing tips on shipping, sourcing materials, or marketing on TikTok, I want to help others thrive.
Looking back, that viral TikTok in June 2024 wasn’t just a fleeting moment of internet fame. It was the start of something bigger—a journey that’s teaching me to trust my creativity, grow as an artist, and make my mark in a way that feels authentic.
Here’s to more art, more learning, and breaking down barriers for all the dreamers out there.
Love you, bye.
