How to Make Money as an Artist: 10 Ways to Try in 2025

Want to see your art on t-shirts, mugs, greeting cards, or phone cases – without stocking a single box of inventory? Welcome to the magic of Print on Demand (POD). 

Platforms like Printful and Printify let you upload your designs, choose from a wide product range (think wall art, hoodies, tote bags, and more), and sell through your own website or marketplaces like Etsy and Amazon.

Here’s how it works:

1. Sign up with a POD platform.

2. Pick products to feature your art.

3. Upload your designs and create mockups.

4. Connect your store (Shopify, Etsy, Amazon, etc.).

5. When orders roll in, the POD company prints and ships for you.

Why it’s amazing: No upfront costs, no storage headaches, and a nearly endless product scope. This business model lets you focus on making art and growing your brand while someone else handles the heavy lifting.

Valuable read: How to start a print-on-demand business.

3. Teach art

Teaching is one of the best ways how to make money as an artist online and in person. It lets you share your skills with fellow artists and new students, whether through group sessions, private lessons, or structured courses. 

Additionally, run workshops in local shops or community centers, or even host live online classes on Zoom.

• Start by deciding your niche: Painting, digital illustration, sketches, pottery – whatever your art world specialty is. 

• Next, plan lessons and gather materials. Use AI tools to create a course structure, gather insights, and help you plan the sessions.

Platforms like Skillshare, Teachable, and Udemy make it easy to host your online courses. To promote in-person sessions, use community bulletin boards or social media.

Being an art teacher builds authority and a following while bringing in consistent income. Plus, every class is a chance to create more art and connect with people who love what you do.

4. License your art

Think of art licensing as renting your creativity. Instead of selling your original art pieces, you grant companies permission to use your work on their products – from t-shirts and stationery to home decor and digital products. 

You keep ownership, and they pay you a royalty each time your design sells.

Here’s how it works:

1. Create a portfolio of your best, most versatile designs.

2. Research brands that fit your style.

3. Pitch your work directly, or join agencies like Art Licensing International or Wild Apple.

4. Negotiate terms (royalties are usually a percentage of each sale).

The benefits? Passive income, wider exposure, and partnerships that put your art in front of new audiences without you lifting a paintbrush after the initial design. Perfect if you want to earn while focusing on creating more good art.

5. Create an online presence

With so many other artists competing for attention, a solid online presence is your megaphone. Think of it as building your personal art hub – a space where buyers and fans connect with you, discover your work, and make purchases. 

• Start an art blog to share tips and behind-the-scenes stories.

• Launch a YouTube channel with tutorials or process videos.

• Or build a strong social media presence on Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest.

How?

1. Choose 1-2 social media platforms you enjoy (consistency is easier when you like the format).

2. Share a mix of finished pieces, works-in-progress, and personal stories to connect with your audience.

3. Collaborate with other artists through joint lives, art challenges, or cross-promotions.

4. Link everything back to your store so your fans can buy your work instantly.

The best part? It grows your audience beyond your local circle, helps you connect with art buyers globally, and positions you as a go-to creative person in your niche. Done right, it turns casual scrollers into loyal customers.

Valuable read: How to make a profitable YouTube channel.

6. Sell digital products with your art

Selling digital products is like planting money seeds – you create once and watch sales sprout repeatedly. For artists, this could mean stock illustrations, digital wallpapers, printable coloring pages, art-inspired planners, or even brush sets for Procreate and Photoshop.

How to make it happen:

1. Decide on a product that aligns with your style and audience.

2. Create polished, high-resolution files (remember, good art still matters in the digital space).

3. Sell them through your website, or on an online marketplace like Creative Market, Gumroad, or Etsy.

4. Keep products relevant: Seasonal packs, themed bundles, and special releases keep your shop buzzing.

Why it’s gold for artists: No shipping, no packaging, no physical inventory. Delivery is instant, meaning buyers anywhere can purchase and download immediately. 

For many artists, it’s the easiest way to earn extra income while freeing up time for art classes, new projects, and marketing tactics.

7. Enter art contests and apply for grants

Art contests aren’t just for bragging rights – they can amp up your visibility, connect you with industry pros, and score you some serious prize money. 

National and international competitions like the Luxembourg Art Prize, BP Portrait Award, or World Illustration Awards welcome submissions from all skill levels. Many also include online exhibitions, which allow your work to be seen by a global audience in the art world.

Applying for grants: If you need financial support for a project or to cover expenses, look into grant programs from organizations like the Pollock-Krasner Foundation or National Endowment for the Arts. The application process usually involves submitting a portfolio, project proposal, and artist statement.

Pro tip: Always read the guidelines carefully and tailor your application to the contest or grant’s mission. Winning (or even being shortlisted) can open doors to exhibitions, press coverage, and collaborations.

8. Write and publish art-related content

If you love creating and talking about art, writing is a powerful way to grow your influence and income. Write and self-publish art books on your techniques, create a blog with tutorials, or dive into art history topics that fascinate you.

Where to publish:

• Launch your own blog using WordPress or Squarespace.

• Pitch articles to blogging platforms like Medium, Colossal, or My Modern Met.

• Self-publish books through Amazon KDP or Blurb.

This positions you as an authority in the art business, attracts students or clients, and opens the door to more collaborations. And because your written work lives online, it can keep bringing in money over time.

Pro tip: Repurpose your content – a blog post can become a YouTube video, while a chapter of an art book can be adapted into social media posts to draw in readers.

9. Collaborate with other artists

Teaming up with other artists can take your work further than going solo. You might co-create a limited-edition print series, host a joint exhibition, or launch co-branded merchandise like apparel, wall art, or prints. 

Collaborations are especially useful for expanding into each other’s audiences, which means more followers, more buyers, and ultimately more money.

Where to find collabs:

• Join local art collectives or co-working spaces.

• Network on Instagram or in Facebook artist groups.

• Attend art fairs or residencies to meet creatives with similar styles or values.

Once you’ve found your creative partner, set clear goals, timelines, and revenue-sharing agreements so the project runs smoothly. Collaboration doesn’t just double your reach – it can also make creating art more inspiring.

10. Work online as a freelance creative

One of the best ways how to make money as a digital artist is by working with online clients. From brand collaborations to commissions, the internet has turned the art business into a global playing field. You could design graphics for companies, illustrate for magazines, or create animations for marketing campaigns.

Where to find clients:

• Freelance platforms like Upwork and Fiverr.

• Creative job boards like Behance and Dribbble.

• Direct outreach to brands whose style matches yours.

For corporate or editorial gigs, tailor your portfolio to show you can meet professional standards while still injecting personality. 

The beauty of working online is flexibility – create art for clients anywhere in the world, build long-term partnerships, and keep plenty of time for making art on your own terms. 

Done right, this path can deliver both steady work and room for creative growth.