“This article explores top apps for parents to sell art online, focusing on platforms like Etsy, ArtPal, and Shopify. It highlights their features, fees, and benefits, offering practical tips for maximizing sales. With insights into user-friendly interfaces and global reach, parents can turn their creative passion into profit while balancing family life.”
Top Platforms for Parents to Sell Art Online
For parents juggling family responsibilities and creative pursuits, selling art online offers a flexible way to earn income. The digital art market has grown significantly, with online art sales reaching $6.8 billion in the first half of 2021. Here are the best apps and platforms for parents in the USA to sell their artwork, combining ease of use, accessibility, and profitability.
Etsy
Etsy is a go-to marketplace for artists and crafters, known for its community-driven platform and vast customer base. Parents can sell original artwork, prints, or even wearable art like custom T-shirts. Listings cost $0.20 per item, with a 6.5% transaction fee on sales, including shipping. Its user-friendly interface allows busy parents to manage inventory and pricing with minimal effort. To stand out in Etsy’s competitive market, use high-quality photos and SEO-optimized descriptions to boost visibility. The platform’s mobile app, available on iOS and Android, simplifies shop management on the go, making it ideal for parents with limited time.
ArtPal
ArtPal offers a completely free platform, perfect for parents looking to minimize upfront costs. With no membership or commission fees, artists can sell originals, prints, or use ArtPal’s print-on-demand service. The platform supports various art forms, from paintings to photography, and handles payments and shipping, reducing the workload for busy parents. ArtPal’s flexibility allows selling directly or through their print-on-demand service, with over 303,000 artists using the platform. Its straightforward setup means parents can start selling in minutes, making it a low-risk option for beginners.
Shopify
For parents aiming to build a personal brand, Shopify provides a robust e-commerce solution. Starting at $29/month (when paid annually), artists can create a customized online store to sell directly to customers. Shopify’s mobile-friendly themes and integration with print-on-demand services like Gelato make it easy to sell art prints or products like mugs and canvas prints. The platform’s POS app also tracks sales for in-person events like art fairs, which is great for parents attending local markets. Shopify’s analytics and over 6,000 apps help optimize sales, though transaction fees apply if not using Shopify Payments. This platform suits parents with some experience who want full control over branding and customer relationships.
Fine Art America
Fine Art America is the world’s largest art marketplace, ideal for parents seeking a global audience. Artists can upload images, set prices, and sell on products like wall art, apparel, or home decor through its print-on-demand service. The free plan has limited features, while the premium plan costs $30/year. Parents benefit from the platform’s vast reach, with millions of weekly visitors, and its mobile apps (iOS and Android) let buyers preview art on their walls using augmented reality. Staying active and regularly uploading new work is key to increasing visibility, as the platform rewards consistent engagement.
Saatchi Art
Saatchi Art connects parents with a global audience of art collectors, offering a curated platform for original paintings, photography, and sculptures. With over 1 million artworks and millions of monthly visitors, it’s a high-traffic site, but artists receive only 60% of each sale due to commissions. The mobile app (iOS only) allows parents to manage sales conveniently. To succeed, parents should optimize their profiles with detailed bios and high-quality images, as visibility can be challenging among 90,000 artists. Saatchi’s prestige makes it a strong choice for parents creating high-end art.
Redbubble
Redbubble’s print-on-demand model lets parents upload designs to be printed on products like stickers, apparel, and home decor. Artists set their own profit margins, giving flexibility to balance earnings with affordability. The platform’s in-depth traffic analytics help parents track shop performance, which is useful for refining marketing strategies. Redbubble’s multichannel distribution makes it easy to reach a broad audience, and its mobile app (iOS and Android) simplifies shop management. This platform is ideal for parents who want to sell art without handling inventory or shipping.
Society6
Society6 is another print-on-demand platform where parents can upload artwork for products like art prints, tote bags, and phone cases. Artists retain all rights to their work and can set royalties for prints and canvases, while Society6 handles fulfillment. The platform’s ease of use and lack of inventory management make it perfect for parents with limited time. Its mobile app (iOS and Android) allows quick uploads and shop monitoring, and integration with social media platforms like Instagram boosts exposure.
Tips for Success
To maximize sales, parents should focus on high-quality visuals and detailed descriptions to attract buyers. Platforms like Etsy and Saatchi Art benefit from SEO strategies, such as using relevant keywords in titles and tags. Social media integration, available on Shopify and Redbubble, helps drive traffic to listings. For parents new to selling, starting with free platforms like ArtPal or low-cost options like Fine Art America minimizes risk. Regularly updating portfolios and engaging with buyers through platform tools or social media can build a loyal customer base. Combining marketplaces for visibility with a Shopify store for long-term branding is a smart strategy for sustained growth.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or investment advice. Always conduct your own research and consult with a financial advisor before making decisions. Information is sourced from publicly available data and may not reflect real-time changes in platform fees or features.
