40+ product ideas for YOUR art business that MAKE MONEY

How to find & work with manufacturers:

There are a LOT more options out there for digital products other than the basic prints and stickers! Let's do a deep dive into eeeeeveryything you can sell your art on! A few months ago I released a whole series on digital products for artists; how to get started, some ideas, etc! SO now it's time to do the same for physical products :)

ARTISTS MENTIONED/SHOWN (give them some love! YT isn't letting me tag everyone rn but I'll go back and tag them soon!)

○ @madameberry
○ Leigh Ellexson
○ Natasha Elle / Sadshrimps
○ Eureka Art Studio
○ Probably a lot more I'm forgetting! Lmk down in the comments who I missed!

💕 Check out my notion templates & resources for artists:

🍿 WATCH NEXT:

📖 RESOURCES FOR ARTISTS

⚙️ GEAR & FURNITURE ⚙️ *referral / affiliate links*

* Referral or affiliate links in this description allow me to gain a small commission off of any purchases you make through the link, at no extra cost to you. It's a great way to support the channel :)

[KelseyRodriguez]

I just posted a sequel to this video where I share info on how to find & work with manufacturers!! 💫

[StudioHannah]

My imperfect notes haha…

STANDARD IDEAS
1. Paper Prints/Giclee Prints
2. Pre-stretched Canvas Prints
3. Postcards
4. Stickers
5. Sticker Sheets/Books
6. Keychains
8. Enamel Pins
9. Patches
10. Lanyards
11. Tote Bags

STATIONERY
1. Washi Tape
2. Calendars
3. Bookmarks
4. To Do List/Pads
5. Recipe Cards
6. Letter-writing Stationery/Envelopes
7. Garden Labels
8. Planters

JEWELRY AND APPAREL
1. Necklaces
2. Earrings
3. Rings
4. Pins
5. Hair Pins
6. Scrunchies
7. hair pins
8. Hair clips
9. T-shirts
10. Hoodies
11. Socks
12. Scarves
13. Blankets
14. Tapestries

HOME GOODS
1. Fridge Magnets
2. Coasters
3. Mugs
4. Tea Towels
5. Cloth Napkins
6. Bowls
7. Vases
8. Mugs

RANDOM
1. Playing Card Decks
2. Tarot Gard Decks
3. Board Games/Game Pieces
4. D&D Dice
6. Dice Holders
7. D&D Character Sheets
8. Custom Keyboard Keys/Covers
9. Pencil Case

[I_am_Lauren]

I've thought about making a digital "Artist Calendar" that artists can use to plan submissions to upcoming shows, application deadlines, merch drops or track progress on a current project. I think having stickers with labels or little icons as visual reminders would be cute and useful if people want to print it out.

[HeavenlyFawn]

I love buying postcards from other artists because I basically treat them like affordable mini prints. This is especially nice at a festival where I can't afford to buy larger prints but want something from the artists I like. Postcard "mini prints" also allow me to hang more art on my walls without running out of space.

[NateTheTaterTot]

More ideas -

- mouse pads / computer desk pads
- bumper stickers
- car air fresheners
- custom stuffed animals
- pet leashes and collars
- welcome mats
- blankets
- beach towels
- tapestries
- sweatshirts and other articles of clothing
- miniature sculptures either with or without a purpose (a character holding your glasses, ladle, etc)
- fridge / car magnets

[riddhidraws]

I just had an idea while watching this video - HAND PAINTED RUBIK'S CUBES! You could paint a picture or illustration in any style for each of the faces by keeping them monochrome for each face. I think it would look so cool and I can't wait to try it myself when I have the time!

[aestheticalrose]

One thing that I really love about the online small business community is just how HELPFUL everyone is. It is so foreign to me as someone who has worked in retail and is trying to start my own business selling my art before retail makes me insane. I cannot believe just how much information people willingly and freely give actually HOPING that your shop does well and you are successful. In retail everything is cut throat, every man for himself. There's no positivity. Meanwhile I start researching how to starts my own arts and crafts business and I find that people are so warm and welcoming and will literally give ideas for free without a thought in the world that they're giving ideas to competition. It's so nice. It's so anti-capitalist, which is wild considering creating your own business is very much so part of the capitalist ideal. It's beautiful. I love it. Thank you so much for this video and your positivity.

[josephinejasmine.designs]

I’d also love to see some cool cases for glasses or those cleaning cloths for glasses. Usually they’re so bland and uninspiring. Also a pretty laundry bag would be nice. Suitcase tags. Lunchboxes. Colourful window stickers.

[sevenmillionhobbies]

I’ve been dealing with my problems for 30 years and now I’m surrounded by good people who are encouraging me to make myself known by sharing art and selling things.
The last thing that held me back was that I had no idea what to do after the “make art” part and I am so thankful that you exist to share these advice with newbies like me ❤❤❤

[spark_weirdo]

I personally am starting to sell scans of my sketchbook when I release sketchbook tour videos!! That would be something I would recommend people to try, so that way those who want to see everything up close can!! ^^ I also charge a pay what you want option with a minimum of $5, so if someone wants to pay more they definitely can! Just something to look into!

[stateyourthesis]

Gotta love a creator who passes on knowledge. You get a sub for that alone. I figured prints and designs on things is the best way to go. Ppl love cute little things or cool mugs etc

[l.m.n.]

I love art print silk scarves. They are usually way cheaper than something high-end like a Gucci scarf but way more unique and still luxurious. I wish more artists did these. I use them for hair scarves and it makes me feel like a queen. FYI, matte or low sheen silk looks more chic than satin which can look fake/cheap.

[pebblehime]

Another idea is deck boxes! Magic (the gathering) cards are usually double-sleeved and taken extremely well care of, so people will spend a ton of money on deck boxes to either protect the cards (as a baseline) or to match the deck's theme. A lot on Etsy are 3D-printed that I've seen but I've also seen people do deckboxes sculpted like a hobbit house, a mushroom, or even painted with designs on top (or with details glued on boxes). Just another suggestion!

[amandadoss]

I like to use rocks as garden markers. I paint and label them with acrylic paint and then nestle them at the base of my plants. It's a fun way to add little pops of complementary color to your garden.

[MaddieS]

Especially if your target demographic is younger ppl (say, college students, ) I can't overstate the usefulness of postcard-sized prints. I was selling postcard size prints for pretty cheap recently at a charity art sale we held at my college, and I was one of the biggest sellers because of those small prints. For people with not a lot of disposable income, smaller prints can be a great way to buy art affordably.

[onemig]

I'm so amazed at artists who are also business - minded ❤. The only cashflow I have for my art is out of my wallet - buying art materials 😂

[alokk]

I've just had an idea and had to come to youtube specifically to drop it into the world.
Hot water bottle bags.

There are so many hot water bottles covers that collect bits and are not easily removed for cleaning.
A soft drawstring bag could save so much time.

I need this.

[hilarywhite]

I had the idea the other day of offering printed cloth book covers or book bags. I don't know about anyone else, but paperback books don't survive long riding around in my bag. I've had to replace borrowed books a couple of times bcs my bag just shreds them. A nice cloth bag with a flap closure and maybe a bit of velcro would be great for that.

[costanzapolastri]

I'm a writer and I find zines to be the absolute perfect product! I'm working on my first one, it's actually gonna come out in a few days. I like to print them at home and I do all the shipping and packaging myself because that allows me for maximum freedom (compared to amazon KDP for example, which doesn't allow images from the internet... i wanna put memes in my zines damnit!). For my fellow artists who are learning how to draw I think this would be a great ideas, I love zines and I want to see more of them!

[kantui]

One idea I've been playing with (as a hobby not a business) is to get a button press and instead of making pin buttons, just gluing a magnet to the back. I have no use for pins, but I use a lot more magnets and they're much more functional.