Do you fancy yourself as a digital artist and want to generate some cash through it?
This is it!
You are at the right place at the right time...
Because it is way easier to create and sell digital art online now than it was a few years ago.
We all know that before the internet, artists relied heavily on art exhibitions or visitors to their galleries to GAIN sales.
But now, all the technological advancements have created more avenues for digital artists to
- Reach out to potential customers and
- And generate a lot of revenue.
So if you need a definitive guide on how to make money with digital art, then this is IT…
Cozy up and get ready to prime yourself to be the next prominent digital artist around.
First, let’s understand what digital artists do…
What Exactly Do Digital Artists Do?
In simple words, the digital artist creates art using the internet and multimedia platforms.
Most digital artists work in the entertainment business, creating animated films and character visuals for video games and even mobile apps.
They’re STORYTELLERS.
Companies hire digital artists to help them produce visual graphics for their websites.
Do you remember traditional print media?
Digital artists work on those too.
Digital artists also refine photographs in fashion publications to make them look flawless.
Want to know more?
Digital artists can also design the following.
- Stickers (These sticker companies might need your designs)
- Tattoos
- NFTs art
- Fonts
- Gift Cards
- Printable color-in art
- Graphic designs for merchandise
(Along with digital art, some other items that you can make and sell online for cash are listed here.)
Now let’s see what you need to cash out the creative digital artist inside you.
How To Make Money With Digital Art – Essential Tools & Apps
You will need the following tools and apps/softwares.
A Powerful Computer Or Laptop
A powerful computer or laptop is crucial for creating digital art.
Your computer should have a capable processor, sufficient RAM, and a high-resolution display for accurate color representation.
Here is my recommended list of some of the BEST COMPUTERS for you.
Digital Drawing Tablet:
You should invest in a graphics tablet or pen display that allows you to draw directly on the screen.
Popular brands include Wacom, Huion, and XP-Pen.
Having a tablet enhances precision and control compared to using a mouse.
Once you have figured out the hardware, let’s move to the applications and softwares needed to create digital art.
Digital Art Software:
Your digital artist toolbox needs to have at least ONE of the following applications to create digital art.
The following list includes both free and paid options.
Canva (My Favorite FREE Option)
The first tool from our digital artist toolbox is Canva. Me and my team use it every day.
Canva is a fantastic free tool that you can use to create digital art by leveraging its design tools, image library, and customization options.
Canva’s FREE plan provides access to a wide range of features, but certain premium elements, templates, and advanced functionalities may require a PRO subscription.
You can even put up your photos and designs, which you can then edit before distributing.
Picsart:
The Picsart photo tool is a free-to-use resource that can handle a wide variety of photo editing filters and brushes.
With a comprehensive suite of tools, editors, background removers, and filters, there’s something for every level of graphic artist.
Whether you’re just getting started in graphic design or a successful independent contractor, the free library from
Picsart gives this graphic design a competitive edge.
Let’s take a moment to look at the background remover tool.
This feature alone is impressive in the way it can completely erase background noise with no need for complicated tracing or area selection.
In just a matter of seconds, the entire background is removed, leaving you with a number of editing options that can be used in a variety of graphic design projects.
Just think of the options of being able to transform a single photo into several works of art that you can sell online.
Adobe Photoshop:
Adobe Photoshop is a versatile software widely used by digital artists for drawing, painting, and photo editing.
Procreate:
Procreate is a powerful drawing app for iPad users that offers a range of brushes, layers, and effects.
Corel Painter:
Corel Painter is one of the oldest digital art applications.
The program has a lot of features that artists will find helpful, like monitoring brush performance, setting up the canvas, and support for drawing tablets.
Corel Painter also has tutorials and resources to help artists improve their skills.
Clip Studio Paint:
It is a feature-rich software specifically designed for creating comics, manga, and illustrations.
Clip Studio Paint also has features for creating 3D models, animations, and special effects.
Krita:
Krita is a free and open-source painting program with an affordable set of tools for everyone.
Now once you have picked the right hardware and software to create digital designs, let’s discuss what digital art has the most demand market.
The Types of Digital Art Pieces You Can Sell
Print-it-yourself Prints / Printable Color In Art
To sell print-it-yourself prints, you can scan existing artwork or create digital art using software like Procreate.
Convert the image to grayscale in GIMP and make sure the file size for download isn’t more than 1MB.
Label the file with your website and artwork name, and include a copyright declaration if you own the copyright.
List the image in a mocked-up picture frame and include a disclaimer that the item is a digital image that can be printed at home.
A minimum of $5 can be charged per download, and you can also offer framing or printing services for an additional fee.
Create Tattoo Designs
When creating tattoo digital art, there are several items that need to be taken care of.
The placement of the tattoo design on the body and the size of the design needs to be considered.
The design should be scalable and high-resolution to ensure that it can be printed without losing quality.
Additionally, you should pay attention to the details and ensure that the design is symmetrical and well-balanced.
Finally, it is important to ensure that the design is original and does not infringe on any copyright laws.
Avoid putting watermarks on your tattoo design because I doubt anyone would want that on their body.
Tattoo designs should be considered any other kind of original art, with prices ranging from $5 to $50.
The more unique and intricate it is, the more it would cost.
Develop Fonts
Fonts require a little more talent to create because they are products that must adhere to a precise set of digital regulations.
Selling fonts is a typical hustle among graphic designers.
You can put them up for sale on Etsy or eBay.
You could also sell these on your website and include instructions on installing them on Macs and PCs.
Fonts can be purchased individually or as part of a font set.
Fonts can start at $5 to $10 per pack and go up depending on market demand.
Create Digital Art For Print On Demand Services
As a digital artist, you can make the most of a print-on-demand service by creating unique and high-quality designs that are in demand.
Research popular trends and niches to create designs that will appeal to a wide audience.
Use high-resolution images and ensure that the design is scalable to ensure that it can be printed without losing quality.
Choose a print-on-demand service that offers a wide range of products and is easy to use.
Promote your designs through social media, email marketing, and other channels to reach a larger audience.
Continuously create new designs to keep the product selection fresh and appealing to customers.
Finally, monitor sales and adjust the pricing or product selection as needed to increase profits.
Create Digital Art As Stock Photos
There is a market for high-quality digital images that can be used as stock photos.
Some customers want to use them as screen savers as well.
Also, bloggers may make up a bulk of your customer base.
There are various stock photography sites where bloggers and content creators buy stock photography from.
Here is my detailed post discussing such stock photography platforms.
You can list your digital art over there for FREE for sell.
Make sure to provide a lot of information in your image description to show up in site searches.
Prices vary, starting at $1 and increasing based on competition.
Design Stickers
Artists and designers can create and sell stickers, which are specialized products.
You can browse your collection and select artwork that can be turned into sellable stickers.
Then there are various sticker manufacturing companies who are willing to buy your digital designs.
Online marketplaces like Etsy can also be a good place to start with.
As stickers are inexpensive, your profit margin will be low, and to make any substantial money, you’ll need to sell many stickers.
[And here is my deep dive on how you can make your stickers to sell.]
Now we will talk about the exact strategies that can be used to monetize the digital artist inside you.
Strategies To Make Money Through Your Digital Art.
Join Online Marketplaces
Join established online art marketplaces like Etsy or eBay.
Create a shop and list your digital art for sale.
As these platforms have a large customer base and can help you reach a wider audience.
Mint NFTs For Your Digital ART
NFTs can be used to sell digital art by creating a unique, verifiable record of ownership and value for each piece of art.
This involves creating a non-fungible token for digital art, setting a price, and selling the NFT to a buyer.
NFT art is a trending niche in 2023.
Read my post here to master selling the NFT art.
Commissions and Custom Artwork:
Offering commissioned digital art services is also a good idea.
For this, you have to promote your skills on social media platforms like Instagram, Twitter, or TikTok to showcase your portfolio and build a following.
Many people are willing to pay for personalized digital artwork, such as portraits or illustrations, and you can cash out this opportunity.
Prints and Merchandise:
Sell prints of your digital artwork or use print-on-demand services to create products like t-shirts, mugs, phone cases, or posters.
Platforms like Printify and Printful provide easy integration and handle the printing and shipping processes for you.
Read more about other print-on-demand platforms here.
Online Courses and Tutorials:
Share your expertise in creating digital art by creating online courses or tutorials.
Platforms like Thinkific, Podia, or Teachable allow you to create and sell digital art courses, helping others learn and improve their skills.
There are tens of online course creation platforms to choose from.
I have compared the top 4 for you in the video below.
Use Patreon:
Build a community of supporters by offering exclusive content, early access, or behind-the-scenes peeks through subscription-based platforms like Patreon.
This allows your fans to support you on a recurring basis and access special perks.
Patreon is a great platform to earn a monthly income by providing rewards and perks to their following.
But if you looking for some better alternatives to Patreon, here is my list for you.
Freelancing and Collaborations:
Offer your digital art services as a freelancer.
Websites like Flexjobs, Upwork, or Fiverr connect freelancers with clients seeking digital artwork for various projects, such as book covers, album art, or game design.
Art Competitions and Grants:
Participate in digital art competitions or apply for grants and funding opportunities.
These can provide financial support, exposure, and recognition for your work.
Keep an eye out for art organizations, galleries, or institutions that offer such opportunities.
Licensing and Royalties
You can also explore opportunities to license your digital art for commercial use.
This could involve granting permission to companies, publishers, or individuals to use your artwork in various projects such as book covers, album artwork, or advertising campaigns.
You can negotiate licensing agreements that provide you with ongoing royalties for the usage of your artwork.
How Much Money Does A Digital Artist Make?
Glassdoor estimates the average total pay for a Digital Artist in the United States at $49,110 per year, with an additional estimated pay of $3,595 per year.
It is important to note that the salary of a digital artist can vary depending on factors such as education, certifications, additional skills, and years of experience.
And if you go for a freelance digital artist route, then you can earn money through various means, such as commissions, selling digital art online, or creating art for businesses or individuals, etc.
Apart from digital art, If you want to dig into other side hustles that may give you cash on the side, watch this video.
Making Money With Digital Art – FAQs
What type of digital art sells best?
The type of digital art that sell well include
Illustrations and cartoons
Concept art
Fan art
Landscapes and cityscapes
Abstract art
Each of these types of digital art can be popular among different audiences, and the best type of digital art to sell will depend on the artist’s personal style and skill level.
What are some trending niches for digital art in 2023?
The trending niches for digital art in 2023 include the following.
NFT Art
AI Art
Figurative Painting
Psychedelic Art
Metaverse Art
Also, it’s important to note that these trends are not mutually exclusive, and many artists may incorporate elements of multiple trends into their work.
Additionally, the popularity of different niches can vary depending on the market and audience.
The Bottom Line
So if you have a passion for digital art, now is the perfect time to turn that passion into a profitable business.
With the right tools, apps, and strategies, you can easily create and sell digital art online.
From print-on-demand services to NFTs, commissions, and merchandise, there are endless opportunities for you to monetize your creativity.
So, unleash the digital artist inside you and start making money doing what you LOVE!
