Shopify How to Sell Art Online

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Choosing Your Business Model
3. Deciding What to Sell
4. Photographing and Scanning Your Art
5. Printing Your Art
6. Building Your Brand
7. Setting Retail Prices
8. Building Your Shopify Store
9. Marketing Your Art
10. Fulfilling Orders
11. Handling Plagiarism and Copyright
12. Conclusion
13. FAQs

Introduction

Have you ever found yourself wandering through an art gallery, captivated by the beauty and creativity around you, and wondered: "Can I actually make a living by selling my art online?" You’re not alone. With the rise of e-commerce platforms like Shopify, selling art online has never been more accessible. This shift is not just a trend; it's a revolution in the art world, allowing artists to take control of their work and reach a global audience.

In this detailed guide, we'll walk you through the entire process of selling art online using Shopify. By the end of this post, you'll have a comprehensive understanding of how to set up your online store, market your art, fulfill orders, and grow your business sustainably. Let’s dive in and transform your creative passion into a thriving online enterprise.

Choosing Your Business Model

Create and Sell Your Own Art

As an artist, selling your creations directly to consumers is a powerful way to earn income and build a personal brand. Shopify provides a marketplace for artists to sell original art, reproductions, or digital artwork without needing a third-party gallery or agent. This direct-to-consumer model not only increases your profit margins but also allows you to establish a direct relationship with your buyers.

Curate and Sell Others’ Art

If you're not an artist but have a keen eye for art, consider curating and selling others' work. This model involves representing artists and selling their artworks for a commission. With Shopify, you can create a curated online art gallery and leverage your marketing and sales expertise to find buyers for the artists you represent.

Deciding What to Sell

Original Art vs. Reproductions

Your choice between selling original pieces or reproductions depends on your artistic medium and business strategy. Original artworks typically command higher prices, while reproductions can appeal to a broader audience due to their affordability.

• Original Art: Ideal for fine artists using traditional mediums who seek to sell unique, high-value pieces.
• Reproductions: Perfect for digital artists or those creating works that can be easily printed on various products like posters, mugs, or t-shirts.

Limited Edition vs. Open Edition

• Limited Edition: These are signed and numbered prints with a fixed quantity, adding value through exclusivity.
• Open Edition: Unlimited prints of an artwork, allowing continuous sales as long as there is demand.

Photographing and Scanning Your Art

High-quality images are crucial for online art sales. Potential buyers need to see your work clearly to make informed purchasing decisions.

Tips for Photographing Art

• Use natural light to avoid glare and shadows.
• Capture high-resolution images focusing on details.
• Consider professional photographers for large or glossy artworks.

Tips for Scanning Art

For 2D artworks, scanning can be an effective alternative. Use a high-resolution scanner, and if the artwork is too large, scan in sections and digitally stitch them together.

Printing Your Art

DIY Printing

Starting with your home printer can keep costs low initially. However, this may become impractical as your orders grow.

Professional Printing Services

Using local or online printing services ensures high-quality reproductions. They also often offer bulk printing discounts, which can be beneficial for artists with high sales volumes.

Print on Demand

For a hands-off approach, use print-on-demand services that integrate with your Shopify store. These services print and ship orders directly to your customers, allowing you to focus on creating art.

Building Your Brand

Your brand should reflect your unique style and story, compelling visitors to your site and encouraging them to make a purchase.

Key Components of Branding

• Visual Identity: Consistent color schemes, fonts, and logo.
• Brand Story: Share your journey and what inspires your art.
• Packaging: Ensure your packaging is as distinctive as your art.

Setting Retail Prices

Pricing Original Art

Factor in materials, time spent, and market rates. Don't undervalue your work; your prices should reflect the skill and creativity involved.

Pricing Reproductions

Consider printing costs, marketing expenses, and desired profit margins. Remember, reproductions can sustain sales with lower prices and higher volume.

Building Your Shopify Store

Designing Your Store

Choose a Shopify theme that showcases your art effectively. Look for themes with clean designs and large image displays.

Key Pages

• Homepage: Showcase your best works and special promotions.
• About Page: Share your story and connect with your audience.
• Product Pages: Include high-quality images, detailed descriptions, and pricing.

Essential Apps

Integrate apps from the Shopify App Store to enhance your store's functionality. Apps for customer reviews, social media integrations, and email marketing can be very beneficial.

Marketing Your Art

Social Media

Platforms like Instagram and Pinterest are excellent for visual content. Engage with your audience by sharing behind-the-scenes content, process videos, and live sessions.

Email Marketing

Build an email list to notify subscribers of new releases, sales, and events. Shopify’s email marketing tools simplify this process.

SEO

Optimize your Shopify store for search engines to drive organic traffic. Use relevant keywords in product titles, descriptions, and alt tags for images.

Fulfilling Orders

DIY Shipping

For original pieces, ensure secure packing to prevent damage. Use rigid mailing tubes for prints and sturdy boxes for canvases.

Print on Demand

If using print-on-demand services, they will handle production and shipping for you, minimizing your involvement in fulfillment.

Shipping Insurance

Consider insurance for high-value artworks to protect against losses in transit.

Handling Plagiarism and Copyright

Protect Your Art

Use watermarks on online images and maintain records of your creations. You can also look into copyright registration for added protection.

Conclusion

Selling art online with Shopify opens endless opportunities for artists and curators. By following this comprehensive guide, you can set up a successful online store, reach a global audience, and build a sustainable business around your artistic passion. Start today, and watch your art reach new heights.

FAQs

What is the best way to sell my art online?

The best way is to set up your own branded ecommerce store using platforms like Shopify, allowing you full control over your sales and brand.

How can I price my art?

Consider your material costs, time investment, and market factors to set prices that ensure profitability while remaining competitive.

Can I use print-on-demand services on Shopify?

Yes, Shopify integrates with various print-on-demand services, making it easy to sell and ship your art products.

How do I market my art?

Leverage social media, email marketing, and SEO to drive traffic to your store. Building a strong online presence is key to attracting buyers.

Is selling art online profitable?

Yes, with effective pricing strategies and marketing efforts, selling art online can be highly profitable. The key is to understand your costs and audience.