Art business ideas are everywhere—from the logo on your coffee mug to the pattern on your rug or the print on your favorite band tee. Behind every piece is an artist who turned creativity into a business enterprise.
Art businesses are only getting bigger. Experts valued the global arts market at $524 billion in 2024 and expect it to reach nearly $700 billion by 2029, expanding at a 5.9% annual growth rate. That means there’s room for artists and creatives of all kinds to build sustainable income streams, from digital prints to handmade ceramics.
If you’ve got art or design skills and an entrepreneurial spark, you can turn your creativity into a thriving business. Below, you’ll find more than 30 art business ideas for 2026 and practical tips on how to start and grow your own profitable art business.
What is an art business?
An art business is any venture that earns income from creating, selling, or distributing art. This can include physical products like:
- Paintings
- Prints
- Ceramics
Or you might sell digital creations such as:
- Illustrations
- Design templates
- NFTs
For merchants, an art business combines creativity with an eye for sales into a creative entrepreneurship. You can turn artistic skills into sellable products and build a brand around your unique style.
How much can you make with an art business?
If you build an art business, you’ll enter a broad market with significant opportunity, but also a wide range of outcomes.
Here’s a breakdown of current market statistics and realistic earning potential by business type.
Art business market context
- The narrower “global art market” (sales of fine art and antiques) reached estimates of $57.5 billion in 2024, down about 12% year on year.
- For individual visual artists in the US, a survey found a median self-employed income of between $20,000 and $30,000; nearly 60% reported earning less than $30,000.
- For fine artists and illustrators in the US, salaries range from $19,570 to $122,900 depending on experience and specialization.
These numbers show that while the industry size is large and growing, the income distribution among artists and small‐business owners is very uneven. Outcomes depend heavily on business model, scale, and market fit.
What does this mean for merchants?
You’ll boost your chances of higher income by:
- Choosing a niche with lower competition and clear customer need
- Packaging your art into repeatable products (prints, editions, licensing) rather than one-off pieces alone
- Using Shopify’s tools for direct-to-consumer sales and retention (email list, social commerce, upsells)
- Keeping costs/manage overheads down (materials, shipping, time) and optimizing pricing for margin
Tip: Recognize that six-figure incomes are possible. But they typically come from scale, premium pricing, recurring revenue (licensing/print on demand), or mixed business models (e.g., store + commissions + digital products).
30+ art business ideas
- Calligraphy
- Furniture and décor restoration
- Greeting cards
- Embroidery
- Knitting and crocheting
- Specialty frames
- Art handling
- Wedding photography
- Tote bags
- Curated shop
- Art consulting
- Book illustration
- Pet portraits
- Digital illustration
- Jewelry
- Art lessons
- Pottery
- Candlemaking
- Caricature artist
- Wreath making
- Art supply store
- Rug making
- Handmade paper
- Custom books, dust jackets, and sleeves
- Mural painting
- Holiday decorations
- Screen printing
- Lampshades
- VR and art experiences
- AI art prompt packs
- Art subscription boxes
As you consider different art business ideas, lean into your artistic skills and art industry knowledge. For example, if you’re a seasoned illustrator, it might be easier to launch a book illustration business than an embroidery business. But if embroidery is your passion, look for ways to tie your portfolio and skills into this venture.
Keep in mind that running a business goes beyond creating art. You’ll also need to create a brand identity, develop a marketing strategy, keep track of inventory, process payments, and more.
When it’s time to sell your first products, consider creating a social media profile and building a website. To help drive discovery of your products, you might also list your goods on platforms like Etsy and/or Amazon.
As you start to build an audience, consider encouraging purchases directly from your site to forego third-party fees.
Here are 31 art business ideas for inspiration:
1. Calligraphy
If you love language and design, calligraphy is a beautiful way to turn your creativity into income. Modern calligraphers create everything from custom wedding invitations and greeting cards to personalized wall art and event signage.
Start by learning the basics through local workshops or online courses—no formal experience required. All you need are quality pens, nibs, and ink to begin practicing your lettering style.
Once you’ve built your portfolio, offer custom work through your own website or platforms like Etsy.
Income potential: Professional calligraphers typically charge $50 to $200 per project, depending on complexity and materials, while wedding and event calligraphy can bring in $300 to $1,000 or more per event. Professional calligraphers earn an average of $60,500 each year.
2. Furniture and décor restoration
If you enjoy hands-on work and believe in giving old items new life, furniture and décor restoration can be a rewarding business. You can find pieces at thrift stores, flea markets, or estate sales, then refinish, reupholster, or repaint them for resale. Many restorers also take on client projects, repairing or refinishing sentimental items like antique chairs, lamps, or picture frames. Until you build your own clientele, consider partnering with interior designers and agencies.
While fine art restoration requires specialized training, you can teach yourself general furniture and décor restoration with the right tools, online videos, and practice.
Income potential: Earning potential varies based on the type and condition of the item. On average, restoration projects range from $400 to $1,200 per piece, with antique or custom work often commanding higher rates. Refinishing a single piece of furniture typically brings in around $600, making it a viable business for creative artisans with an eye for detail and some elbow grease.
3. Greeting cards
If you have a knack for illustration, try applying your skills to handmade greeting cards. You could handpaint your cards or use printing methods like wood block and linocut to create sets and collections.
If you opt for printing, consider starting with linocuts. Carve your designs into linoleum, which is softer and easier to carve than wood. Then roll your linoleum block in paint and transfer your image to your card. You can buy a linocut set online for around $30, then purchase additional linoleum blocks as you create more designs.
Income potential: Handmade or artisanal cards often sell for $5 to $10 a piece on marketplaces like Etsy and in boutique stores. Independent card makers could earn $500 to $5,000 per month depending on volume, quality, and sales channels.
Read: The Business of DIY: 23 Things To Make and Sell in 2025
4. Embroidery
Embroidery might conjure memories of your grandmother’s house, but it can be a very modern business. If you have a high attention to detail and strong fine motor skills, consider embroidering designs on textiles like pillow cases, tea towels, or sweatshirts.
You could also accept commissions for personalized products—think embroidered pet portraits or even branded merchandise for small companies.
Income potential: Custom embroidery pillows sell for between $8 to $100 on Etsy. Monthly income depends on the scale and output of your embroidery business.
5. Knitting and crocheting
If you have a penchant for fashion, consider taking up knitting or crocheting. Follow knitting and crocheting patterns to create scarves, gloves, hats, sweaters, vests, and more.
Experiment with different colors and yarn types to create unique pieces. You can even dye your own yarn for truly one-of-a-kind pieces. As you become more advanced, you might develop and sell your own patterns.
Income potential: Handmade knitted and crocheted items usually sell for $25 to $150 or more, depending on size and materials. Scarves and hats often go for around $30 to $60, while sweaters can reach $100 to $300. Many sellers also earn extra income by selling their own digital patterns online. Digital products like these have potential to help you make money in your sleep!
6. Specialty frames
Frames can do more than house art—they can be art themselves! Make unique frames for photos and larger artwork using decoupage, fabric, even seashells, or by using any specialist skills you may have, e.g., woodworking or metalwork. Sell your products to consumers looking for special frames for everything from small family photographs to large oil paintings.
Income potential: Handmade picture frames typically sell for $30 to $200 or more, depending on size, material, and craftsmanship. Smaller decorative frames often list around $40 to $60, while large or custom designs can reach several hundred dollars. Makers who take commissions or offer custom framing services can earn even more per piece.
7. Art handling
Fine art is fragile and expensive, so artists, galleries, and museums hire professional art handlers to hang, store, and pack artworks. You can learn the trade from art handlers in your area, then work as an art-handling contractor.
Income potential: Art handlers typically earn $20 to $35 per hour, or about $45,000 per year, depending on experience and the type of clients. Those working with high-value art for galleries or museums can earn more, especially for specialized installation or transport projects.
8. Wedding photography
The average American wedding cost a whopping $36,000 in 2025. With that kind of money on the table, brides and grooms want to make sure their wedding day photos are as perfect as the day itself.
If you’ve got photography skills and want to put them to work capturing people’s nuptials, try launching a wedding photography business to capture weddings, engagements, and even marriage proposals. Keep in mind that wedding photography requires a lot of time on your feet, and you’ll need to have a reliable mode of transport to travel to different venues.
Help people discover your business by optimizing your website for local SEO, encouraging clients to write reviews on platforms like Yelp, and build a social media presence to show off your style to potential clients (who might follow you for inspiration as they plan their special day).
Income potential: Wedding photographers typically charge $2,000 to $4,500 per event, with established professionals earning $53,000 to $100,000 or more per year depending on location, experience, and package offerings. Luxury or destination wedding photographers can command even higher rates.
9. Tote bags
Try starting your own creative business selling tote bags. Buy ready-made bags of canvas or recycled materials, then decorating them with stencils, embroidery, or handpainting. You can even take commissions from customers looking for specific designs.
If you’ve built a following for your design work, create customized tote bags for individuals or brands. And if you know how to sew, create your bags from scratch, which gives you more control over fabrics and design.
Income potential: Handmade and custom tote bags typically sell for a wide range, with an average of $20 to $80 each on platforms like Etsy, depending on materials and design complexity. Artists producing unique or personalized designs can earn $500 to $3,000 or more per month once they build a steady stream of orders or collaborations with brands.
10. Curated shop
If you love perusing antique stores, estate sales, galleries, craft markets, or online marketplaces like eBay, consider building a webshop with curated goods. You could build your shop around anything from vintage concert posters to antique paintings to a specific style of glassware.
To effectively position your offering in the market and differentiate from similar businesses, you’ll need a strong brand story that emphasizes your eye for design and knack for finding hidden treasures.
Income potential: Curated online shops can earn anywhere from a few hundred to several thousand dollars per month, depending on niche, sourcing costs, and pricing strategy. Well-branded stores with a loyal following can generate $20,000 or more in annual revenue.
11. Art consulting
Art consultants sell their expertise to interior designers, homeowners, business owners, and investors who want to decorate their spaces or start collections. If you have an expertise in art world trends, consider setting up an art consulting business advising clients on which pieces to buy from galleries and auctions.
You might also set up a consulting business in which you connect artists directly with collectors and interior designers. This model has the added benefit of helping lesser known artists gain visibility.
Income potential: Art consultants typically earn $50 to $250 per hour or 10% to 20% commission on artwork sales, depending on the project scope and client budget. Experienced consultants working with corporate clients, galleries, or collectors can make $72,000 to $100,000 or more per year.
12. Book illustration
Illustrations can make or break a book, whether it’s the cover art of a novel or the interior drawings of a children’s bedtime story. If you’re an artist with a knack conveying stories in your work, you can collaborate with authors—especially those who are self-publishing books—as an illustrator. Start by creating a portfolio that demonstrates your signature style.
Income potential: Book illustrators often charge approximately $50 to $500 or more per illustration, or $1,000 to $15,000 or more per book project, depending on complexity, usage rights, and skill level. Professional illustrators average around $53,000 per year, with higher earnings for those working with major publishers or on recurring contracts.
13. Pet portraits
Dog and cat people might have their differences, but you can sell your services to both as a pet portrait artist. Offer formats such as photography, drawing, or painting. You could make your work realistic or stylized, depending on your artistic style.
Consider creating both realistic and fantastical interpretations of your subjects and their surroundings—for example, you might paint a dog into an outdoor scene, even if you’re working with an indoor photo. Some people love to see their pets integrated into their fandoms or in a historical setting.
Income potential: Custom pet portraits typically sell for $50 to $500 or more, depending on size, medium, and level of detail. Established artists with a steady stream of commissions can earn $2,000 to $5,000 or more per month.
Learn more: How To Make Money as an Artist in 2024
14. Digital illustration
As a digital illustrator, your customers could be everyone from ecommerce brands to local restaurants. Businesses use digital art for website landing pages, branded merchandise, menu illustrations, and more. Consider selling your digital art services as a freelancer, and look for clients on platforms like Fiverr or Upwork.
Income potential: Digital illustrators typically earn $320 to $830 per day, depending on complexity, usage rights, and client type. Freelancers on platforms like Fiverr and Upwork often charge $30 to $100 per hour, while experienced illustrators working with brands can earn $53,000 to $60,000 or more per year.
15. Jewelry
Consumers with a laid-back, more DIY personal style are the perfect audience for handmade jewelry. You can start a jewelry business that appeals to them, offering wire-wrapped, beaded, 3D printed, or clay pendants.
Income potential: Handmade jewelry typically sells for $25 to $200 or more per piece, depending on materials, craftsmanship, and brand positioning. Successful jewelry sellers often earn $1,000 to $10,000 or more per month, once established.
16. Art lessons
If you’re an accomplished artist, try selling your technical know-how through virtual or in-person lessons. For in-person classes, consider hosting in your home or studio space (if you have one), or in community centers or libraries. To generate demand, create an SEO-optimized website, advertise in your local paper, and ask host venues to include your class in newsletters or on social media.
Whether you’re selling online or in-person lessons, consider marketing your offerings using video content or blog posts. These formats give prospective customers a taste of your expertise and style—but make sure to clearly communicate the value of your lessons so visitors are incentivized to pay for them, rather than relying solely on your free content.
Income potential: Art teachers and instructors typically charge $27 to $59 per hour, depending on their experience, medium, and location. Online course creators can earn $500 to $5,000 or more per month through platforms like Skillshare, Udemy, or private Zoom sessions. Further boost earnings through group workshops and ongoing memberships.
17. Pottery
Pottery is a creative, relaxing activity. If you’ve mastered the art of throwing pots, plates, cups, or bowls on a wheel, you can monetize your hobby by selling your work.
Don’t have access to a pottery wheel or kiln? No problem—pick up air-dry, epoxy, or polymer clay and paint from your local art supply store. Once you have your supplies, create fun decorative pieces like jewelry holders, candle sticks, or Christmas tree ornaments.
Income potential: Handmade pottery typically sells for $25 to $250 or more per piece, depending on size, design, and finish. Established ceramic artists with consistent online or market sales can earn $1,000 to $10,000 or more per month.
18. Candlemaking
Secure wax, wicks, and molds, and you’ll have everything you need to start making candles. Experiment with fragrances and essential oils, but to make your candles stand out from mass produced options, try marbling, decorating with objects like pressed flowers, and designing your own sculptural candle molds.
Income potential: Handmade candles typically retail for $15 to $50 each, depending on size, scent, and packaging. Successful small candle businesses often generate $1,000 to $5,000 or more per month once they build a loyal customer base and recurring online sales.
Read (or Listen): How a DIYer Created a Global Candle Brand
19. Caricature artist
Caricature artists might evoke images of packed tourist hubs, but if you have a knack for drawing, try starting an online caricature art business. Develop a pricing system for portraits of varying sizes and complexity.
For example, you might charge more for an eight inch by 10 inch drawing of a customer against a detailed background (like a cityscape) than a five inch by seven inch drawing of a customer against a single-color backdrop.
Income potential: Caricature artists typically charge $25 $150 per portrait, depending on size, detail, and whether the work is digital or hand-drawn. Online caricature sellers often earn $500 to $3,000 or more per month, with higher income potential for artists offering group portraits or event commissions.
Read more: How To Sell Art Online: The Complete Guide (2025)
20. Wreath making
Christmas celebrants have been lugging evergreens home since the 16th century. To make holiday wreaths, you’ll need wire frames, twine, and real or artificial evergreen branches. Also consider making wreaths from materials like seashells, thistle, dried flowers, and pinecones to appeal to customers looking for year-round home décor. Live in a town with a big sports fan base? Create some options integrating the team colors.
Income potential: Handmade wreaths typically sell for $40 to $150 or more each, depending on size, materials, and design complexity. Seasonal wreath makers could earn $1,000 to $5,000 or more per month during peak holidays like Christmas, with dried or decorative wreaths offering steady year-round sales.
21. Art supply store
No matter the medium, artists will always need supplies like paint, brushes, canvases, and clay. Try selling art supplies online through a dropshipping model. Analyze your competition to make sure you’re selling in-demand products, and if you’re an artist yourself, consider curating your store to sell the products you know and love.
Income potential: Online art supply stores can earn $2,000 to $20,000 or more per month, depending on niche, product range, and marketing strategy. Arts and crafts have the highest conversion rate amongst categories, hovering around 5.2%. Individual items like paint sets or brushes typically retail for $10 to $100, while curated bundles or specialty materials can command higher margins.
22. Rug making
If you’re interested in home décor, consider making rugs. There are various methods available to you, each requiring a different level of skill and investment:
- Braided. You can make braided rugs with reclaimed fabric, like old t-shirts or sheets.
- Tufted. Rug tufting involves threading loops of yarn into a fabric like burlap or linen to create intricate designs; buy a tufting gun and a frame to stretch your underlying fabric Starter kits run around $200-$300.
- Woven. For weaving, you’ll need yarn and a loom, found online for around $100, durable cotton, wool, and linen yarns are popular options
Sell your rugs online, offer them through local boutiques, or develop relationships with interior design professionals to place your work directly in customers’ homes.
Income potential: Handmade rugs typically sell for $100 to $1,000 or more, depending on size, materials, and technique. Smaller tufted or woven rugs often list for $150 to $300, while large or custom designs can reach $800 to $2,000 or more.
23. Handmade paper
Handmaking paper isn’t as difficult as it sounds. You’ll need a toolkit with items like screens and molds, available online. For your base material, use scrap paper, newspaper, or premade pulp specifically designed for handmaking paper. Blend your paper scraps into a slurry, press them onto a screen, use a mold to shape it, then wait for it to dry.
Once you’ve perfected your papermaking process, add elements like pressed flowers, stenciled designs, and stamps to convey your artistic style.
Income potential: Handmade paper products typically sell for $10 to $50 per set or $2 to $8 per sheet, depending on texture, design, and embellishments.
24. Custom books, dust jackets, and sleeves
Bibliophiles are the perfect audience for handmade book accessories. Create protective sleeves for hardcovers, paperbacks, and even e-readers. Source fabrics aligned with different themes or genres, or embellish plain fabrics with custom flourishes like embroidery or screen prints.
Income potential: Handmade book sleeves and dust jackets typically sell for $20 to $60 each, depending on fabric quality and design detail. Sellers offering themed or personalized designs can earn $1,000 to $4,000 or more per month, particularly during gifting seasons.
25. Mural painting
Murals adorn everything from exterior walls to restaurant interiors to children’s bedrooms. You’ll need a portfolio of past work to launch your mural painting art business, so consider volunteering for community murals if you need a few more projects under your belt.
Income potential: Professional mural artists typically charge $10 to $200 per square foot, with most projects ranging from $2,000 to $6,000, depending on size and complexity.
26. Holiday decorations
If your house is always in the holiday spirit (whether that’s Christmas, Valentine’s Day, or Halloween), consider starting a holiday decoration business. Use your crafting skills to create ornaments, tree toppers, figurines, stockings, and table centerpieces. Keep in mind that consumers will likely buy your products around the holiday season, so time your marketing efforts accordingly.
According to the National Retail Federation, 91% of US adults celebrate holidays like Christmas, Hanukkah, or Kwanzaa each winter. Survey data revealed that while 63% of respondents wait until Thanksgiving weekend to buy, they browse and make plans earlier. So, start marketing your end of year holiday items in October, even if it feels early.
Income potential: Handmade holiday decorations typically sell for $15 to $100 or more per piece, depending on size, materials, and detail. Seasonal sellers often earn $1,000 to $10,000 or more per month during peak months like November and December, with some continuing to generate steady income year-round through custom or themed décor.
27. Screen printing
Custom t-shirts, mugs, and posters are always in demand. If your passion is the design, outsource the production to a print-on-demand service. Print-on-demand services relieve you of the need to store inventory, which can be costly, and ship your products directly to your customers. If you prefer to be hands-on with the entire printing process—and you have the budget—buy your own screen printing equipment to do everything yourself.
Income potential: Screen printing businesses typically earn $500 to $10,000 or more per month, depending on order volume and setup. Individual printed items like t-shirts usually sell for $20 to $40 each.
28. Lampshades
An artistic lampshade can freshen up even the most dated décor. Make your own lampshades with a kit (which you can find online for about $15), or buy premade shades and add upholstered, printed, embroidered, woven, felted or handpainted designs. Sell your work to interior designers or homeowners looking to add handcrafted elements to their space.
Income potential: Handmade lampshades typically sell for $40 to $200 or more each, depending on size, materials, and craftsmanship. Simple fabric or printed shades often start at around $50, while embroidered or hand-painted designs can reach $150 to $300 or more.
29. VR and AR art experiences
If you love experimenting with new tech, consider creating virtual or augmented reality (VR/AR) art. These immersive experiences let viewers step inside your artwork. Whether that’s exploring a 3D gallery, interacting with digital sculptures, or using AR filters to transform their surroundings.
You can sell your creations as digital downloads, offer virtual exhibition access, or collaborate with brands looking for interactive installations.
As VR headsets and AR apps become more mainstream, the demand for innovative digital art experiences grows. Now is a great time to blend creativity with cutting-edge tech.
Income potential: VR and AR artists typically earn $1,000 to $15,000 or more per project, depending on the complexity and technology.
30. AI art prompt packs
AI art tools like Midjourney and DALL-E have opened the door for anyone to create digital art—but not everyone knows how to get great results. That’s where AI art prompt packs come in.
You can sell curated sets of detailed prompts that help users generate specific styles, themes, or moods, like “vintage travel posters” or “minimalist botanical prints.”
Offer packs for different niches, or create subscription bundles for regular updates. Whether you focus on prompts for beginners or professional designers, this business lets you earn from your creativity and understanding of AI tools, without needing to produce the final art yourself.
Income potential: AI art prompt packs typically sell for $10 to $50 per set with premium bundles or niche prompt libraries priced at $100 or more. Successful creators offering subscriptions or frequent updates can earn $1,000 to $5,000 or more per month in passive income.
31. Art subscription boxes
If you love curating art supplies or supporting independent creators, an art subscription box can turn that passion into a business. Each month, subscribers receive a themed box filled with art materials, prints, or small handmade items. These are perfect for gift-giving, hobbyists, collectors, or anyone looking for creative inspiration.
You can specialize in different audiences, like watercolor artists, printmakers, or kids exploring art for the first time. Subscription boxes create a reliable stream of recurring revenue and give you a way to build community around your brand.
Use Shopify’s subscription apps to manage recurring orders and keep your customers engaged month after month.
Income potential: Art subscription boxes typically sell for $25 to $75 per month, depending on the contents and target audience.
How to start an art business
- Understand your target audience
- Pick a pricing strategy
- Establish an online presence
- Develop an effective marketing strategy
- Engage your community
- Provide top-notch customer service
Once you’ve chosen a creative business idea, make sure your products and services are both high quality and consistent. Consider these tips to ensure your art business succeeds:
Understand your target audience
Defining your target market will help you focus your marketing strategies to reach a dedicated audience. To identify the target audience for your art business, ask yourself:
- Where would my art look at home?
- What purpose might my art serve (i.e., is it a gift or a design choice)?
- Who can afford my artwork?
Use the answers to find your niche. Let’s say you start an art business selling handmade jewelry. You live in a beach town and decide tourists are your target market. You might create jewelry with materials that evoke your specific area, like seashells and sea glass.
Pick a pricing strategy
Pricing your art can feel tricky. You want to cover your costs, earn a fair profit, and stay competitive. Start by calculating your base price using a simple formula:
(Number of hours worked × hourly rate) + cost of materials = base price
From there, factor in your profit margin––the percentage you want to earn on top of costs. Profit margins vary by business type, but many art-based businesses aim for 30% to 50% to stay sustainable.
Here’s how to calculate it:
Base price ÷ (1 - desired profit margin) = final selling price
For example, if your base price is $100 and you want a 40% profit margin:
$100 ÷ (1 - 0.4) = $166.67
You’d list the item at around $165 to $170, depending on your market.
Research similar artists or brands in your niche to make sure your prices align with customer expectations. If your work involves specialized skills, like intricate weaving, hand-poured resin, or original illustration, don’t be afraid to price higher. Customers often pay more for craftsmanship, originality, and story-driven design.
When creating marketing materials or product descriptions, be sure to include details to support the value of your art, whether it’s the materials chosen, the meaning behind the design, or your experience as an artist.
Tip: Include all your costs, packaging, transaction fees, and shipping, so your profit margin truly reflects what you take home.
Establish an online presence
Encourage conversions with a great website. Make sure the website design is visually compelling and has informative product descriptions with high-quality product photographs. You can also sell your artwork through marketplaces like Etsy and promote your work on visual social media platforms like TikTok or Instagram.
Remember that third-party sales channels will charge you a percentage of your sale prices.
Best platforms to sell art online
Selling art online has never been easier, but choosing the right platform can make a big difference in how your work is discovered and how much profit you keep. Each platform caters to different audiences and offers varying levels of branding control, customization, and fees.
Here are some of the top options for artists and creators:
| Platform | Best for | Key features | Fees and considerations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shopify | Artists who want full control over their brand | Create a fully customized storefront, sell physical or digital art, and manage payments, shipping, and marketing in one place | Monthly subscription starting at $39; transaction fees apply if not using Shopify Payments |
| Etsy | Independent artists selling handmade or vintage items | Built-in audience of art lovers, easy setup, strong search visibility | 6.5% transaction fee + listing fees; limited branding control |
| Saatchi Art | Fine artists and painters seeking global exposure | Handles shipping and returns, connects with collectors and galleries | 40% commission per sale; less control over branding |
| Redbubble | Designers creating digital art for print on demand | Great for passive income through prints, apparel, and home decor | Free to join; artists earn a set percentage per product depending on item |
| Society6 | Digital illustrators and graphic designers | Offers print-on-demand options with high product quality | Artists earn up to 10% base commission on sales |
| ArtStation | Concept artists, illustrators, and 3D designers | Popular with the gaming and entertainment industries, strong portfolio tools | Artists pay 5% fee when they handle their own transactions |
| Fine Art America | Photographers and fine artists selling prints | Print-on-demand services, framing options, and artist websites | Free plan or $30 per year premium; commission varies by product |
Tip: Many artists start by testing marketplaces like Etsy or Society6 to validate demand, then transition to a Shopify store for greater branding control and long-term scalability. This approach helps you build your own audience while maintaining independence from platform algorithms.
Develop an effective marketing strategy
Invest time into developing a clear brand identity. Make conscious choices about color palette, typography, brand voice, and more, and use those elements across your marketing materials (print ad, email newsletter, social media). Consider aligning those branding elements with the style of your work.
Create brand guidelines that define these elements and use it to design an online presence that reflects your identity.
Use social media marketing, and share educational content about your chosen medium. Consider posting about your personal artistic journey. It helps viewers build a personal connection with your art.
Engage your community
Digital advertising can be expensive, so consider partnering with local artists and craftsmen across different areas of the art industry to leverage word-of-mouth marketing. Participate in events like pop-up shops, galleries, and craft fairs to increase brand awareness.
Additionally, partnering with local artisans helps you cross-promote by tapping into their audience and market. Working closely with another artist might also unlock new inspiration.
Provide top-notch customer service
Even the best art business ideas can flop without customer trust. Encourage conversions with personalized, high-quality customer service.
Provide quick responses to customer questions and consider offering add-ons like personalization, handwritten notes, and expertise on supplementary art services like framing and installation. Consider the impact of your packaging and/or delivery experience.
Art business ideas FAQ
What business can I start with art?
You can start a range of businesses using your artistic skills, from pet portrait businesses to art consultancies to greeting card businesses. To determine the best art business for you, consider your skill set, art industry knowledge, and market demand.
What type of art is most profitable?
Many types of art can be profitable. Although original works of art fetch the highest prices, you can build a profitable business by selling serial items like prints, holiday decorations, and stationery.
What makes an art business successful?
A successful art business caters to a specific target market and establishes effective pricing and marketing strategies. Help your art business succeed by engaging with the art community and providing high-quality customer service.
What is the best art business to start?
The best art business to start depends on your skills and goals. If you enjoy creating physical pieces, selling prints, ceramics, or handmade crafts can be profitable. For digital artists, downloadable prints, design templates, or AI art prompt packs have low overhead and global reach. The key is to choose a niche you’re passionate about and build a brand that connects with your ideal audience.
What are the best art business ideas for beginners?
If you’re just starting out, focus on art businesses with low upfront costs and simple logistics. Great beginner-friendly ideas include selling digital prints, offering custom illustrations, starting a print-on-demand store, or creating art tutorials online. These options let you build experience, test demand, and grow your audience before investing in larger projects or inventory.
