Selling prints of your artwork on Etsy can be a great way to share your creativity with a wider audience and generate a steady stream of passive income. With over 81 million active buyers, Etsy provides a massive potential customer base for artists looking to monetize their work[5]. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to successfully sell art prints on Etsy.

Decide on the Types of Prints to Sell

The first step is deciding what kind of art prints you want to offer. Some popular options include[15]:

• Posters
• Canvas prints
• Framed prints
• Greeting cards
• Digital downloads

Consider your artistic style and subject matter to determine which print formats would best showcase your work and appeal to your target audience. You can start with a few core products and expand your offerings over time as you see what resonates with customers.

Choose a Production Method

There are a few different ways you can produce prints of your art to sell on Etsy:

1. Print on demand – With print-on-demand services like Printful[5] and Printify[3], you upload your designs and they handle the printing, packaging, and shipping whenever an order is placed. This is the lowest risk option since you don’t have to hold any inventory or invest in printing equipment upfront.
2. Local printing – Find a local print shop that can produce high-quality prints of your work. You’ll need to order in bulk which requires more of an initial investment, but you’ll have more control over the production process[15].
3. In-house printing – If you already own or are willing to invest in professional printing equipment, you can produce your own prints. This gives you the most flexibility but comes with higher startup costs[15].

Carefully evaluate the pros and cons of each option to determine which production method makes the most sense for your business.

Create High-Quality Mockups

Since customers can’t see and touch your prints in person, it’s critical to have professional, eye-catching product photos that clearly depict what they’ll receive. Use realistic mockups showing your art displayed in different settings to help people envision how it could look in their space[5].

If you’re using print-on-demand, companies like Printful[5] and Printify[3] have mockup generators that make it easy to create compelling listing photos. If you’re printing yourself, consider investing in a high-quality camera and simple photo staging props.

Price Your Prints Strategically

Pricing your art prints can be tricky, but it’s important to find a balance between covering your costs, paying yourself fairly for your time and talent, and offering a price that customers are willing to pay.

Some factors to consider when setting your prices[13]:

• Production costs (printing, packaging, shipping, etc.)
• Etsy listing fees and payment processing fees
• Time spent creating the original artwork
• Competitor pricing for similar items

Many Etsy shoppers are willing to pay a bit more for unique, high-quality items. For example, an unframed 8×10 print on archival paper could reasonably be priced around $15-25[6]. Larger sizes and premium materials like canvas can command even higher prices.

Optimize Your Etsy Listings

To attract potential customers, make sure your Etsy listings are thoroughly optimized with[10]:

• Descriptive, keyword-rich titles and tags
• Detailed item descriptions covering the materials, dimensions, and any unique features
• Crisp, clear product photos from multiple angles
• Competitive shipping prices (consider offering free shipping!)
• An “About” section and shop policies that convey your professionalism and trustworthiness

Put yourself in the shoes of your ideal customer and include all the information they’d want to know before making a purchase.

Promote Your Shop

While Etsy has a built-in audience, you’ll need to actively market your shop to stand out from the competition and drive traffic to your listings. Some effective promotional strategies include[12]:

• Social media marketing – Share your work and behind-the-scenes content on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and other platforms where your target customers spend time. Use relevant hashtags to expand your reach.
• Email marketing – Build an email list of past customers and interested leads, then send regular newsletters featuring your latest designs, special promotions, and other engaging content.
• Paid advertising – Experiment with Etsy Ads and paid social media ads to get your listings in front of more potential buyers.
• Collaborations – Partner with complementary Etsy sellers or influencers to cross-promote to each other’s audiences.

Consistency is key with any marketing efforts. Create a regular posting and email schedule to keep your shop top of mind.

Provide Excellent Customer Service

Finally, delivering a great customer experience is essential for generating positive reviews, word-of-mouth referrals, and repeat purchases. Respond promptly to any questions or concerns, package your prints securely to avoid damage in transit, and consider adding a handwritten thank-you note or other special touches to leave a lasting impression[10].

By following these steps and continually refining your approach, you can turn selling art prints on Etsy into a thriving creative business. It takes some trial and error to find the right mix of products, pricing, and promotion for your unique artwork, but the potential rewards are well worth the effort.

Citations: [1] https://printify.com/blog/how-to-sell-art-on-etsy/ [2] https://merchize.com/etsy-print-on-demand-partners/ [3] https://www.printful.com/blog/how-to-sell-art-on-etsy [4] https://printify.com/blog/selling-prints-on-etsy/ [5] https://www.printful.com/integrations/etsy [6] https://www.reddit.com/r/EtsySellers/comments/pluaip/how_much_do_you_generally_believe_is_a_fair_price/ [7] https://www.gelato.com/blog/selling-art-on-etsy [8] https://community.etsy.com/t5/All-Things-Finance/How-to-price-my-artwork/td-p/133768759 [9] https://www.reddit.com/r/EtsySellers/comments/121hunw/best_way_to_market_art_prints_on_etsy/ [10] https://www.etsy.com/seller-handbook/article/22425080820 [11] https://printify.com/sell-on-etsy-drop-shipping/ [12] https://www.darkyellowdot.com/get-more-sales-on-etsy/ [13] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0svQyUl7dQc [14] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iwd-e-QEdf4 [15] https://merchize.com/how-to-sell-art-prints-on-etsy/ [16] https://bloggingwizard.com/etsy-print-on-demand-companies/ [17] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rsdzvXe6IEc [18] https://www.reddit.com/r/Etsy/comments/12swopl/artists_who_sell_digital_files_on_etsypros_and/ [19] https://www.gelato.com/print-on-demand/etsy [20] https://www.clearbags.com/art-photo-packaging