How to Sell Art on Shopify in 2025? A-Z Guide

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Selling art online is easier than ever, and Shopify provides an excellent way for artists to reach buyers around the world. This guide shows you how to sell art on Shopify step by step – from selecting what type of art to sell to setting up your store and marketing it well.

We’ll cover everything from digital downloads and original pieces to print-on-demand and art-themed products. Whether you’re a new or experienced artist, this article will help you build a store that showcases your work and drives sales.

1. Why is Shopify Great for Artists and Art Sellers?

If you want to turn your passion into a full-time business, sell art on Shopify. Unlike marketplaces like Society6 or Redbubble, Shopify gives you full control over your store design, pricing, branding, and customer experience. Whether you’re selling one-of-a-kind paintings, art prints, or Shopify digital art, this platform is built for artists who want to grow on their terms.

Here’s why Shopify is a top choice for art sellers:

• Full Creative Freedom

Shopify lets you design your store exactly how you want it. You’re not just uploading products into someone else’s system – you’re creating your own branded art space. This is perfect for artists who want their website to reflect their voice and vision.

• Higher Profits Per Sale

When you sell art on Shopify, you set your prices and keep all the profit after payment processing. That’s a big upgrade from Society6, where artists earn just 5–10% royalties, or Redbubble, which deducts account fees based on your monthly earnings. Shopify also avoids platform commissions when you use Shopify Payments.

• Sell Any Kind of Art – Digital or Physical

Shopify supports everything from framed prints to instant downloads. With a leap of print-on-demand integrations, you can automate the production of physical goods. You can use apps like Digital Downloads or Sky Pilot for Shopify digital art, such as downloadable posters or illustration files. It’s an excellent setup for artists who want to sell physical and digital pieces.

• Plans That Grow With You

Shopify has pricing tiers for every stage of your journey:

• Basic – $39/month for solo creators
• Shopify – $105/month for small teams
• Advanced – $399/month for scaling businesses
• Plus – $2,300/month for high-volume stores

Every plan includes tools for marketing, order management, shipping discounts, and 24/7 support.

• Powerful Marketing & Analytics

When you sell art on Shopify, you don’t just get a storefront – you get real business tools. Email marketing, SEO, blogging, discounts, and upsells help you attract customers. Meanwhile, in-depth analytics show how your Shopify digital art and other products perform across channels.

Who is Shopify not for?

Shopify isn’t the perfect fit for everyone. Here’s when it might not be the best choice:

• You’re just testing the waters – Monthly subscription fees can feel too high if you’re not fully committed yet.
• You’re not confident with tech – While Shopify gives creative freedom, setting up your store takes time and effort. If you’re uncomfortable with website tools, it might initially feel overwhelming.
• You’re on a tight budget – Shopify only offers 13 free themes. A polished, unique design often means paying for a premium theme, and that can add up quickly.

2. What Sells Best in the Art E-Commerce Industry?

Paintings and photography may come to mind when you think of selling art on Shopify. This is understandable, as in 2022, paintings accounted for slightly more than 33% of online art sales (Grand View Research, 2023). 

Selling into more recent, less crowded categories, however, might help you stand out and increase sales. Below are some suggestions: 

Best-selling digital Art (Instant Downloads)

• Abstract Prints – Bold, modern designs that match different decor styles.
• Botanical Illustrations – Plant and flower drawings popular for home decor.
• Minimalist Line Art – Clean, elegant sketches of faces or figures.
• Travel Maps – Personalized maps of destinations, perfect for gifts.
• Pop Culture Art – Iconic characters, shows, or movies fans love.
• Digital Portraits – Custom family, couple, or pet portraits in artistic styles.
• Fantasy Art – Dragons, fairies, and magical scenes for niche buyers.
• Watercolor Prints – Soft digital pieces mimicking traditional watercolor.
• Abstract Landscapes – Bold interpretations of nature using colors and shapes.

Best-Selling Physical Wall Art

• Custom Neon Signs – Personalized lights for home or event decor.
• Canvas Prints – Customizable art on canvas, often landscapes or portraits.
• Vintage Posters – Reprints of classic or vintage designs like William Morris prints.

Other Trending Art Products

• Pet Portraits – Funny or regal pet art, often in Renaissance style.
• Gallery Wall Sets – Bundled prints for trendy, curated wall displays.
• Pop Art – Bright, comic-style, or food-themed artwork for bold interiors.

3. 3 ways you can sell art on Shopify

If you’re an artist looking to turn your creativity into income, Shopify offers several ways to sell your work. The method you choose depends on the type of art you create and how involved you want to be with production and shipping.

Let’s explore the 3 main methods: selling digital products, selling physical art, and using print-on-demand services.

Sell Digital Art as Downloadable Products

Selling digital files – like printable wall art, illustrations, templates, e-books, or design assets – is one of the easiest ways to monetize your creativity on Shopify. These digital products are delivered instantly after checkout, making them ideal for both artists and buyers looking for speed and convenience.

A great example of this approach is The Drum Broker, a Shopify store that specializes in downloadable sound kits. One of their bestsellers, the Mahogany Segments Vol. 1 Multi-Kit, includes over 450 digital elements like loops, drum breaks, and textures. Customers can listen to previews, make a purchase, and instantly download everything – no shipping, no waiting.

What makes The Drum Broker effective is its simple yet focused layout: a strong landing page, clear product value, and instant delivery. It shows how digital art stores can succeed by making the shopping experience smooth and efficient.

Selling digital art as downloadable products offers several key benefits:

• No inventory or shipping – You don’t need to store or deliver physical products.
• Lower setup and operating costs – No packaging, fulfillment, or handling fees.
• Passive income potential – Once listed, your digital files can sell automatically, 24/7.
• Highly scalable – You can upload and sell hundreds of products without added complexity.

This model is especially suitable for:

• Artists who create digital files (JPG, PNG, PDF, video, or audio)
• Buyers who want instant access for personal or creative use
• Creators looking for a low-maintenance, hands-off income stream

Now, let’s break it down into two simple steps.

Step 1: Upload Your Product and Set It as Digital

Start uploading your artwork as a new product in your Shopify admin. Since this isn’t a physical item, you need to update two settings:

• Uncheck “Track quantity.”
• Uncheck “This is a physical product”

This tells Shopify that the item is digital and doesn’t require shipping. This method is fine if you only sell a few digital files. However, if your store grows or you want to save time, using an app for delivery will make things much easier.

Step 2: Use a Digital Delivery App (Free or Paid)

Digital Downloads (Free)

This app allows you to attach files directly to your product. Once a customer completes their purchase, the app automatically sends a download link via email.

You can upload files up to 5GB in size (JPG, PNG, PDF, etc.), choose automatic or manual delivery, and limit the number of downloads per customer. It’s simple, efficient, and perfect for beginners.

Sky Pilot (Paid)

If you’re selling digital art with more complexity, such as video tutorials or memberships, or you want more branding options, this app is for you. You can upload or connect files, organize them into folders, and set expiration dates or unlimited access.

You can also customize the emails customers receive, including your logo and message, and even notify previous buyers when a file is updated.

In short, if you’re just starting out, the free Digital Downloads app will handle the basics. But if you need more control and branding features, Sky Pilot is a smart upgrade that can grow with your business.

Sell Physical Art 

Selling physical art means delivering real, tangible products like framed prints, posters, or original paintings to customers. Unlike digital files, these artworks need to be produced, packed, and shipped with care. But the reward? A more personal connection and higher perceived value.

A great example is I Love Doodle, the Shopify store by Lim Heng Swee. This store features minimalist and whimsical cat-themed wall art that ships as museum-quality posters. Each product page is thoughtfully built to guide and reassure the buyer:

• Clear visuals: Multiple high-res photos show each piece in real-life settings.
• Detailed specs: Paper thickness, weight (192 g/m²), giclée printing quality, and even opacity (94%) are listed.
• Framing notice: Customers are informed that frames are not included — helping avoid confusion post-purchase.

This level of transparency builds trust. Buyers know exactly what they’re getting and how it will look and feel in their home or office.

So, to sell physical art successfully on Shopify:

• List your products with care: Use clean mockups, real-life display photos, and product specs (size, material, finish).
• Use Shopify Shipping: Set up zones, rates, and delivery timelines.
• Choose reliable packaging: Posters and prints should be protected with tubes or flat mailers; add insurance for high-value items.
• Offer sizing options: Let customers pick from formats like 8×10, 12×16, or 24×36 — like I Love Doodle does.
• Add personality: Consider adding thank-you notes or signed certificates for that extra handmade touch.

This approach works well for artists who want more creative control over how their work is printed, packaged, and presented. It also suits customers who value high-quality decor they can physically enjoy — something digital art can’t deliver.

Sell Printed Art with Print-on-Demand (POD)

Print-on-demand is a more hands-off way to sell your art, such as printed posters, canvas prints, framed pieces, or even merchandise like mugs or apparel. Services like Printful, ShineOn, or Gelato automatically print your artwork and ship it to the customer after each order – no need to handle inventory or fulfillment.

This is ideal for artists who want to offer more affordable or mass-produced versions of their work. It’s also perfect for buyers of stylish home decor, gifts, or art in multiple formats.

A great example is Crown & Paw, a Shopify store specializing in custom pet portraits. Their process is a perfect showcase of how POD can be used creatively:

• Customers upload a photo of their pet, choose the portrait size, frame style, and background color, and then get a preview of the artwork within 1–2 days.
• Once approved, the portrait is printed, packaged, and shipped directly to the customer.
• They even offer digital download options for added flexibility, showing how POD can support physical and digital art delivery.

This smooth, automated system means the artist doesn’t need to touch the printing or fulfillment process. Instead, they can focus on creating templates, growing their product range, or running marketing campaigns.

Here’s how a typical POD setup works on Shopify:

1. Choose a POD service and connect it to your Shopify store.
2. Upload your designs and choose the product types you want to sell (e.g., posters, canvas).
3. Set your retail prices and publish the products in your store.
4. When a customer orders, the POD service handles printing, packaging, and shipping.

With this model, you get the best of both worlds: your art reaches customers worldwide, and you don’t need to worry about production logistics. Just make sure to order a few samples yourself to ensure print quality before scaling up.

4. Strategies to Market Your Shopify Art Store

SEO (Search Engine Optimization)

Did you know that over 68% of online experiences begin with a search engine? (BrightEdge, 2023). If your store doesn’t show up on Google, you’re missing out on tons of free, targeted traffic.

Here’s how to optimize your store and sell art on Shopify through better SEO:

• Do keyword research: Use tools to discover what terms your target audience is searching for. Here are 3 helpful tools:
  • Ubersuggest – A beginner-friendly tool by Neil Patel that gives you keyword ideas, search volume, SEO difficulty, and even competitor insights.
  • Keywords Everywhere – A browser extension that shows keyword volume, cost-per-click (CPC), and trends directly in Google as you search.
  • Google Keyword Planner – A free tool by Google that gives you keyword ideas, monthly search volume, and competition level. Great for finding data straight from the source.

• Write strong product titles and descriptions: Include clear keywords while still sounding natural. Think like a buyer.
• Improve site speed: Compress image files, avoid heavy animations, and use fast-loading themes to keep users (and Google) happy.
• Create helpful content: Start a simple blog about art styles, decor ideas, or behind-the-scenes stories to attract organic traffic and keep visitors engaged.

Email Marketing

Email is still one of the most powerful tools to engage customers and drive repeat sales – especially for art stores, where storytelling and personal connection matter.

In 2024, email marketing revenue was predicted to surpass $9.5 billion globally (Statista). In a late 2023 poll, over half of marketers had reported a 100% improvement in their email marketing ROI, proving why email continues to outperform most other channels – even decades after its debut.

To make the most of email marketing for your Shopify art store:

• Build your list early: Offer a discount or free printable as an incentive for visitors to subscribe.
• Segment your audience: Send targeted emails based on purchase history (e.g., collectors vs. gift buyers).
• Use storytelling: Share the inspiration behind your art, new collection launches, or exclusive sneak peeks.
• Send follow-ups: Remind visitors about abandoned carts or tell them when a favorite item is back in stock.

Paid Ads

If you want faster results, running paid ads can give your art store the boost it needs – especially during product launches or seasonal promotions.

Where to advertise:

• Facebook & Instagram Ads: Perfect for showcasing visual art. Use carousel ads or video clips to highlight your pieces in different room settings.
• Google Shopping Ads: Great for buyers actively searching for specific types of art or prints.
• Pinterest Ads: Since art and decor are highly visual, Pinterest is a natural fit for targeting people looking for home inspiration.

Start with a small budget, test different ad creatives, and focus on high-performing products to scale how you sell art on Shopify.

Discounts & Promotions

Offering irresistible deals is a proven way to boost conversion rates, increase cart value, and move more products. One of the most effective tools is the BOGOS Free gift & Bundle (4.9/5 ★ – 2,580+ reviews).

Whether you’re selling art prints or digital downloads, BOGOS.io lets you create:

• Buy One Get One Free
• Free gift with purchase
• Mix & Match bundles
• Buy X Get Y
  …all without writing a single line of code.

Why artists love BOGOS.io:

• Easy to use: Auto-add gifts, display a slider on product pages, or use popups – your choice.
• Smart targeting: Show offers based on customer location, tags, or order history.
• Advanced features: Personalize promos for VIPs, collectors, or repeat buyers.
• Analytics built-in: See what’s working and optimize your deals in real-time.

If you’re looking to sell art on Shopify while increasing average order value or clearing out slow-moving inventory, BOGOS.io is a must-have tool. With plans starting at $29.99/month and a 7-day free trial, it’s perfect for both new and seasoned art sellers.

5. 5 Best Shopify Art Stores for Inspiration

Andy Okay

Andy Okay is a mission-driven Shopify art store that connects meaningful art with global causes. Built with a Prestige theme, the site instantly grabs attention with bold headlines like “82% OFF FOR CHARITY” and strong social proof from over 200,000 collectors.

Every artwork is linked to a nonprofit, and urgency is added through countdowns, stock bars, and “ALMOST GONE” tags.

Takeaways:

• Use bold headlines and urgency (FOMO tactics) to drive conversions.
• Build trust through charity partnerships and social proof.
• Add features like pop-ups and “Trending Now” collections to guide purchases.

James Niehues

James Niehues’ Shopify art store is a beautiful blend of art and simplicity. It highlights his life’s work – over 30 years of hand-painted ski maps – with clean layouts and large visuals. Product pages keep things uncluttered, while “artwork backstory” sections add emotional value.

His best-selling art book offers an additional product format, and the site includes related suggestions and personal stories to keep visitors engaged.

Takeaways:

• Let visuals take center stage with minimal design.
• Use personal stories to create emotional connections.
• Offer multiple product types (like books) to reach more buyers.

Riverry

Riverry Shopify art store specializes in custom watercolor portraits of pets and homes. The site’s emotional appeal is strong – featuring real pets and their painted portraits. Customization options are clear; buyers can choose style, size, and framing.

Over 100,000 commissions and 70,000+ customer reviews build strong credibility. Gifting categories make it easy for visitors to find art by occasion.

Takeaways:

• Use emotion-driven visuals and real customer photos.
• Make customization easy and clear.
• Add occasion-based gift categories to improve discoverability.

Artze

Artze is a UK-based Shopify art store offering affordable wall art, framed posters, and canvas prints. Despite an extensive catalog, the site stays clean and easy to navigate. The mega menu filters by style, subject, and color, helping users find exactly what they need.

The “Set of 3” concept and quick-buy button simplify browsing and speed up checkout. Product pages offer multiple formats, and Trustpilot reviews build trust.

Takeaways:

• Use smart navigation and filtering to improve the shopping experience.
• Offer curated bundles like “Set of 3” to encourage upsells.
• Include multiple formats (print-only, canvas, framed) to meet customer preferences.

Let’s Make Art

Let’s Make Art is a US-based Shopify art store that sells watercolor kits, workbooks, and online lessons. It combines product sales with education, helping users learn how to paint through guided projects and videos.

The layout is calm and easy to browse, with clear menus for categories like monthly packs and tools. The design feels more like a creative community than a typical e-commerce store.

Takeaways:

• Combine physical and digital products to build engagement.
• Add tutorials or videos to support beginner-level customers.
• Use a welcoming, educational tone to create a community feel. 

6. Conclusion 

I hope you find this post inspiring as you get ready to sell art on Shopify and share your talent with the world. The journey won’t always be perfect, but every piece you put out there is a step forward. Keep showing up – and let your art do the talking.

7. FAQs