As a freelancer, your time is your most valuable asset, so generating income without sacrificing more time is a game changer. And one way to do that is to use print-on-demand websites for artists to make products like t-shirts, stickers, mugs, and more, and sell them directly to consumers.

If you've been in the freelancing world for a short time, chances are you've heard the phrase passive income. That is the idea that you can earn money when you are not actively working. It's a must-have for independent artists looking to take their business to the next level.

But how do you go from this fantastic idea to making money?

One way is to create and sell products yourself. However, this requires you to find a printer, stock inventory, spend time going back and forth to the post office to ship things, and take care of customers yourself.

There has to be a better option, right?

The print-on-demand model allows artists to upload and sell their designs without having to deal with all the logistics.

In this article, we'll go over some of the best print-on-demand websites for artists, talk about the features and warning signs to look out for, and help you take the plunge to change the way you make money. change.

Top 5 Print On Demand Sites To Earn Money

Redbubble

If you've shopped for weirdly specific independent art, stickers, or prints, chances are you've heard of Redbubble.

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Pros: There's a lot to love about Redbubble. The site has a fairly wide reach and a high ranking SEO reputation, with an analytics tool to help you tweak your own strategy. They run ads to drive traffic to their designs at no cost to you.

There are over 75 different types of products, so you can upload a single design and, with a few tweaks, have a ton of potential options for buyers.

Redbubble also has a unique affiliate program that allows you to sell legally licensed artwork for currently 37 different popular brands. This helps the platform stand out as one of the best print-on-demand websites for artists.

Cons: Redbubble is a pretty crowded marketplace, so you have to work hard to make your designs stand out. Plus, they operate on a commission-based model, so you're not making a huge amount of money on each sale. Earnings come in high volume, which is definitely possible, but plan to spend some time on marketing

Fee: Redbubble has no account or listing fees, it's completely free to get started on the platform. If one of your designs sells, you get a portion of the sale price. You have some control over the pricing structure: Redbubble sets the base price for the product type based on the region you sell from, and you control the artist markup.

The higher the price of your products, the more money you'll make from a sale, but remember that higher prices can sometimes turn customers off. Also, remember that Redbubble doesn't get paid until you reach $20 in commissions.

Zazzle

Zazzle is one of the first print-on-demand sites for artists. They specialize in customizable designs, which means customers can order wedding invitations, t-shirts with their name on them, and more

Pros: Like the other sites on this list, Zazzle handles the manufacturing and logistics for you, so all you have to do is create and upload artwork. But what really sets Zazzle apart as one of the best print-on-demand sites for artists is their additional affiliate program.

If you have a blog or WordPress site, you can even earn money by posting links to products on the site, including your own products.

Cons: Some users complain about Zazzle's interface, so it may not be as easy to learn as other print-on-demand sites. Additionally, Zazzle has what is called the Zazzle Make program. This is great for creators looking to get small jobs done, but it means your designs can be printed in different locations and the quality won't always be the same.

Rate:It's free to open a Zazzle account and there are no listing fees. You control your own profit margin, between 15% and 99%. Zazzle pays monthly, but for the previous month's earnings, so it can take up to 75 days to receive your money.

blunt

Printout works a little differently than some of the other sites on this list. Instead of paying artists a commission, you open a shop and pay them for fulfillment services.

Advantages: Printout is on the list of the best print on demand sites for artists because they offer more personalized services for you as a business owner. You order your packaging, so you can add branding elements like colors and logos both inside and outside the box to create a truly shareable unboxing experience.

Printout doesn't provide a seller platform, so you also pay the costs you incur to set up your own website and billing service. You set your own retail prices, so you choose how much profit you make on each sale.

Society6

Society6 has a vibe of its own, with a greater emphasis on home products such as beautiful framed prints, wall hangings, shower curtains and bedspreads. That means landscape designers and photographers will probably feel more comfortable here, but everyone is welcome.

Pros : Highly rated by users, Society6 maintains a high standard of quality on all of their products so your artwork looks great and customers are satisfied. Society is also a global company, open to both artists and consumers around the world, so your art can reach anyone, anywhere.

Cons: Society6 is a smaller site than some of the other artist print-on-demand sites. And there is not much room in your profit margin.

Also, Society6 does not have strong customer support. So if you have problems, you can wait for a while to fix it.

Fee: It's free to sign up and upload designs, and artists earn 10% of product sales, but can set their own markup on prints.

Amazon Merchandise

No list of the best print-on-demand sites for artists is complete without mentioning the heavyweight champion of e-commerce: Amazon. You've probably ordered everything from books to toilet paper from Amazon, but did you know that Amazon Merch has its own print-on-demand platform?

Advantages: The obvious benefit is that Amazon is a massive platform with access to more customers than any other site. As a highly visible brand, Amazon has a vested interest in protecting its reputation, so its print quality is often strong.

Cons: The biggest drawback of Merch by Amazon is that you need an invite to join. The best way to be accepted is to create your own social media presence and present your best designs.

The other big drawback is that artists have a complete lack of control. There is no control over pricing, profits, printing, or available products. 

Fee: As with any other option on our best artist listing print-on-demand sites, you can join Amazon Merch for free once you've received your invitation. Sellers earn between 13% and 37% for each item sold.

The great thing about Amazon's pricing structure is that royalties are automatically credited to your account with every purchase and there is no minimum monthly payment. If your account is over $0, you will be paid.

Each site on this list has advantages and each has disadvantages. The best website for you depends on your skills, business model, and goals.

If you're looking for a hassle-free experience, Amazon Merch is probably a good place to start. If you want to build a business that gives you the most control over your platform, products, and pricing, check out Printout

Check out each page and see which one suits your style, artistry, and commitment.

start selling today

Perhaps the most important thing to remember when looking for the best artist print on demand sites is that you get what you put into your business. With the exception of Amazon, most websites do not do any kind of targeted marketing to you. It takes work to get noticed, appear on landing pages, and drive traffic to your business.

However, distributing your products is something that can be done from anywhere with nothing more than a tablet or smartphone, so you can really start building that passive income stream, whether you're on vacation, at school. , at home with your family or at work. during the lunch break.