How to Make Money Selling Print on Demand Art Prints Online

The rise of e-commerce and creative entrepreneurship has opened up exciting opportunities for artists and designers to monetize their talent. One of the most accessible and profitable methods is selling print on demand art prints online. This business model allows you to create and sell high-quality art prints without the hassle of managing inventory, packaging, or shipping. With the right approach, you can turn your creativity into a sustainable source of income.

In this blog, we’ll explore how to start, where to sell, how to market your work, and tips to increase your sales in the competitive world of print-on-demand art.

What Is Print on Demand (POD)?

Print on demand (POD) is a business model that allows you to sell custom-designed products without maintaining inventory. When a customer places an order, the product is printed, packed, and shipped by a third-party provider. This means zero upfront costs and less risk for artists who want to sell their work as art prints.

With POD, artists can upload digital versions of their work to a platform or website, and customers can order prints in various sizes and formats. This makes it easy to scale your business and reach global audiences.

Step-by-Step Guide to Making Money with Print on Demand Art Prints

1. Create or Curate Your Art

Before you start selling, you need to have a collection of artwork ready. This can be:

• Original digital art
• Scanned illustrations or paintings
• Graphic designs or typography
• Photography

Ensure your artwork is high resolution (at least 300 DPI) for quality printing. Think about your target audience and what styles or themes they are interested in—modern, abstract, vintage, nature, or motivational pieces.

2. Choose the Right Print on Demand Platform

There are several platforms that allow you to upload your art and sell it as prints. Popular POD platforms include:

• Etsy (paired with POD providers like Printful or Printify)
• Redbubble
• Society6
• Fine Art America
• Your own website using Shopify or WooCommerce

Alternatively, you can partner with a professional printing service like Custom Canvas Online, which specializes in fine art print on demand services with exceptional quality and worldwide shipping options.

Each platform has pros and cons. Marketplaces like Etsy and Redbubble come with built-in traffic but higher competition. Your own website gives you control over branding but requires more marketing effort.

3. Set Competitive Prices and Profit Margins

Pricing is key to making money. Consider your production costs, marketplace fees, and desired profit margin. For example:

• Base cost of print (set by POD provider): $10
• Your retail price: $25
• Profit margin: $15

Be transparent with pricing while ensuring your value reflects the quality and uniqueness of your artwork. As your brand grows, you can adjust pricing to match your perceived value and market demand.

4. Write Compelling Product Descriptions and Titles

SEO-friendly product descriptions help you get found in search engines and marketplaces. Use relevant keywords like:

• “Modern botanical art print”
• “Black and white photography wall art”
• “Minimalist quote art print”

Make sure to:

• Highlight the inspiration behind your work
• Specify print quality, materials, and available sizes
• Include emotional appeal—how your art adds meaning or beauty to a space

5. Use High-Quality Mockups and Images

Customers can’t touch or see your product in person, so your photos must do the talking. Use realistic mockups to show your art in different settings (living room walls, office desks, gallery walls).

There are many free and paid mockup tools (e.g., Placeit, Canva, Smartmockups) that let you display your prints in beautifully styled rooms. The better your mockups, the more likely customers will visualize your print in their space—and buy.

6. Promote Your Art Online

You can’t rely on organic traffic alone. To grow your print-on-demand art business, use a combination of marketing strategies:

• Social Media Marketing: Build a presence on Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok. Share behind-the-scenes content, work-in-progress images, and customer reviews.
• Email Marketing: Grow an email list and send newsletters with new releases, promotions, and stories behind your art.
• Content Marketing: Start a blog on your website to drive organic traffic. Topics could include art tips, decorating ideas, or artist interviews.
• Paid Advertising: Use Facebook or Google Ads to drive targeted traffic to your product pages.

7. Leverage SEO to Boost Visibility

Search engine optimization (SEO) is essential for long-term success. Optimize your product titles, descriptions, and blog content with keywords like:

• “Affordable art prints online”
• “Print on demand wall art”
• “Contemporary abstract art prints”

Add alt text to your images, use meta descriptions for your pages, and regularly update your content to stay relevant.

8. Offer Excellent Customer Service

Customer experience is everything in online selling. Ensure your POD provider delivers quality prints on time. Respond to inquiries quickly and politely. Offer hassle-free returns or replacements if issues arise.

Happy customers are more likely to leave positive reviews and become repeat buyers. Consider adding a personal thank-you note or digital bonus to each order for added charm.

9. Analyze and Improve

Track your performance using tools like Google Analytics or Etsy Stats. Pay attention to:

• Which products are selling best
• Where your traffic is coming from
• What marketing efforts are most effective

Use this data to fine-tune your strategy, test new designs, and improve your offerings. The more you learn, the better you can serve your customers and grow your income.

Final Thoughts

Selling print on demand art prints online is a rewarding way to turn your passion for art into a profitable business. With low startup costs, no inventory, and endless creative freedom, POD offers the flexibility modern creators crave. By building a strong portfolio, choosing the right platform, and marketing your work effectively, you can generate consistent income and share your art with the world.

If you’re ready to get started, explore the services offered by Custom Canvas Online’s print on demand art prints. They provide high-quality production, reliable fulfillment, and global shipping—so you can focus on what you do best: creating.