Etsy is a vibrant marketplace known for its support of independent artists, designers, and makers. For artists looking to sell art prints, Etsy offers a great platform to reach a global audience, build a brand, and scale a business. Because FinerWorks supports many artists using Etsy as a platform to sell their artwork as prints, we have created this guide as a means to help you walk through the steps of selling art prints successfully. Once you have read or browsed through all this remember you won't have to spend a dime in advance and can still offer all kinds of prints and options FinerWorks can produce and ship for you.
1. Setting Up Your Etsy Store
While on the surface, Etsy appears like a huge listing of individual products, it is also a site that is composed of individual shops or stores. When you list a product for sale on Etsy, you are also listing those products in your Etsy store. Many artists will even use their Etsy store in place of having an actual website, although having both is a good idea. But, before you can start selling, you'll need to set up a professional Etsy storefront.
Create an Etsy Account
- Go to Etsy and create a seller account. Ensure your store name reflects your brand and is easy to remember.
- Using your favorite graphics software, create a strong logo and banner graphic that matches your artistic style. This will be used to brand your page.
- Upload a profile photo. Remember, Etsy is a place for artists and other crafty people to sell their work, so there is great emphasis on placing a face behind the seller to show it is a live person and corporate entity selling the product.
Optimize Your Store for Success
- Profile Bio: Write a compelling bio that tells the story behind you and your art. This includes your background, the inspiration behind your art, and unique value.
- Policies: Set clear policies regarding shipping, returns, and cancellations.
- Social Media Links: Add links to your Instagram or other social profiles to build trust and grow your audience outside Etsy.
2. Choosing the Right Prints to Sell
The art prints you sell should reflect your unique style while appealing to your target market.
What Sells
- Personalized Art: This could include signs, plaques, and other types of creative typography prints.
- Commissioned Works: Think pet portraits to actual people portraits.
- Art Reproductions: Prints of your paintings or other traditional types of art.
- Photography: Landscape, abstract, or conceptual photography can be a big hit.
- Illustrations and Digital Art: Hand-drawn or digitally created artwork appeals to a wide audience.
Formats to Sell
- Digital: Digital copies are a good way to boost your Etsy cred by generating Etsy sales, hence giving you the opportunity to boost your reputation. Just beware that you will likely need to price these low since many people might be reluctant to pay much for an intangible item.
- Cards: A single card too can be a lower-priced item that is easy to turn however consider offering them in bulk as well. Personalization options might also be a good approach.
- Giclee Paper Prints: At FinerWorks, these are one of the top-selling items. As long as you have good print-worthy files, these are easy to offer in various sizes and formats. It's essential to emphasize the quality of these prints, the paper, and any other characteristics since the non-informed might not be aware of the difference in print types and how these are so exclusive.
- Framed Prints: Many FinerWorks users also offer framed versions of their giclee paper prints which help you to sell the same prints at a higher price. FinerWorks uses the same picture moldings that can be found at custom frame shops but at a much lower price.
- Giclee Canvas Prints: Canvas prints are also one of the top sellers for many and can generally fetch a higher price. Of course, you can offer options such as an unmounted version, which is quick and easy but many people like the idea of not having to frame a print that is ready to hang. And if a frame is required, FinerWorks also offers canvas floater frames as an option you can offer.
- Other Wall Decor Options: FinerWorks offers a number of other ways to print and display your artwork. Explore our products and test different ones to see what might work for you and what does not. For instance, if you are an artist who does custom typography, you may find wood prints work better for you than framed prints. At the same time, an illustrator of children's art might get more traction in a simple but colorful picture frame.
Research Market Demand
- Search for Relevant Keywords: Start by searching for terms related to your art style (e.g., "abstract art prints," "watercolor art prints," "photography prints") in Etsy’s search bar. Look for listings labeled as "Bestseller" or those with many sales and reviews.
- Examine the Top Listings: Study the top listings for patterns in style, size, price, and how the products are framed or presented. Note how they position their product titles, descriptions, and tags.
- Be Mindful of Paid Ads vs Regular Listings: If you see "Ad by Seller", then you know that listing is where it is at with the assistance of Etsy's paid advertising feature. This is not a bad thing but just be aware that Etsy does prioritize those listings so they usually show up first.
3. Create High-Quality Art Prints
Quality is crucial for selling art prints online. Here are a few options to ensure your prints look professional:
Giclee Printing
This method produces high-quality fine art prints using archival inks and papers, ensuring the colors are vivid and last a long time. Many successful Etsy sellers opt for giclee printing to offer premium products to their buyers.
Choose the Right Paper
The choice of paper plays a key role in the final presentation of your prints. Some popular paper options with artists that use FinerWorks to fulfill their orders include:
- Smooth Fine Art Paper: for a more basic, sophisticated look.
- Textured Fine Art Papers: for prints you want to set apart as higher quality.
- Canvas Prints: for a museum-quality feel.
Avoid Cheaper Low-Grade Prints
It might be tempting to save some money and offer lower-quality laser prints but this can ultimately backfire when customers complain about your shop and products via bad reviews on Etsy. With perhaps the exception of lesser-priced products like digital downloads and cards, try to emphasize and focus on high quality.
4. Mockups & Product Photography
Your product shots are the first thing buyers see. One of the beauties of selling art prints is it is not too hard to simulate a print without having to do much photography. There are paid resources and services that allow you to create mockups for your prints. Usually, it just involves a nice background with your artwork strategically overlaying the background. Photoshop or other image editing programs are helpful with this.
Mockup Resources
- Shutterstock: Search wall art mockup, canvas print, paper print, framed prints, etc, and purchase these as backgrounds to overlay your print.
- Etsy Mockup Listings: Some sellers offer digital downloads of mockups they created you can use as a template.
- Canva: Offers a wide range of templates you can use to create graphics without the need for Photoshop.
Photography
If you are going to be photographing your prints, they need to reflect the true quality of your art prints. Follow these tips for effective product photography:
- Natural Lighting: Shoot your prints in natural daylight to capture true colors.
- Multiple Angles: Show the print from different angles, and include close-up shots to showcase detail.
- Styled Photos: Show the print in a frame or displayed on a wall to give buyers an idea of how it will look in their space.
5. Writing Effective Product Listings
Your product descriptions need to be both descriptive and keyword-rich to rank well in Etsy's search results.
Title and Tags
- Use descriptive, keyword-focused titles that match what buyers are searching for. Example: "Abstract Landscape Print, Blue Wall Art, Modern Art for Home Decor."
- Add relevant tags like "modern wall art," "abstract art prints," "giclée print," or "gallery wall."
Product Description
Write a compelling product description that includes:
- The inspiration behind the artwork.
- Detailed information about the size, materials, and print quality.
- How the print will be packaged and shipped.
- Frame options if available.
Pricing
Research the pricing of similar art prints on Etsy. Make sure to account for material costs, printing, and Etsy's fees while leaving room for profit. Pricing higher for limited edition or large-format prints can also add perceived value. If offering paper prints and canvas, look closely at the descriptions. Sometimes sellers will offer different options for a listing from multiple sizes, framed and unframed. This can be beneficial since the listing may show the lowest-priced option, attracting more clicks.
6. Packaging and Shipping
Shipping art prints safely and efficiently is crucial to ensure customer satisfaction.
Packaging
Invest in sturdy shipping materials such as rigid mailers or tubes to prevent damage in transit. Consider adding a personal touch, like a thank-you note, to enhance the unboxing experience.
Shipping Costs
Decide whether you’ll offer free shipping or charge a shipping fee. Many buyers prefer free shipping but make sure you factor the cost into your product pricing.
7. Marketing Your Etsy Store
Driving traffic to your Etsy shop is vital for sales. Here are some strategies to get your art in front of more buyers:
Etsy SEO
Etsy is a search-based platform, and using the right keywords can boost your shop’s visibility. Regularly review and update your titles, tags, and product descriptions to stay competitive. We have an entire article dedicated to this that you can read titled 12 Essential Etsy SEO Tips for Selling Art Prints.
Social Media
Promote your Etsy shop on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook. These platforms are highly visual, making them ideal for showcasing your art. Engage with potential customers by sharing behind-the-scenes content, your creative process, and new product launches.
Etsy Ads
You can use Etsy's internal ad platform to promote your listings to a larger audience. Start with a small daily budget and track which listings are generating the most clicks and sales.
Collaborate with Influencers
Reach out to influencers or bloggers in the art and home decor niche. They can showcase your prints to their followers, helping you reach a broader audience.
8. Handling Customer Service
Providing excellent customer service is essential for success on Etsy.
Communication
Respond to customer inquiries promptly. Buyers appreciate clear and friendly communication about shipping times, product details, or custom requests.
Handle Feedback Professionally
Positive reviews help build your reputation on Etsy. Address any negative feedback calmly and work to resolve issues. Offering a replacement or refund for damaged goods can help keep your customers happy and encourage repeat business.
9. Scaling Your Etsy Art Business
Once you’ve established your Etsy store, you can focus on scaling and expanding.
Expand Your Product Line
Consider offering a variety of sizes, framed options, or related products like greeting cards or calendars featuring your artwork.
Offer Custom Orders
Offering custom commissions or personalized art prints can appeal to a broader range of customers.
Automate Your Business
Outsource printing, packaging, and shipping to a print-on-demand service or hire help as your business grows. This frees you up to focus on creating new art.
Final Thoughts
Selling art prints on Etsy is a rewarding way to showcase your creativity while building a business. By following the steps above creating high-quality prints, optimizing your store, using effective marketing, and providing excellent customer service you can attract customers and grow your sales. You get what you put into it but you can count on FinerWorks to be there as your fulfillment partner.