I often get asked how I physically create my products. So today, I thought I’d take you through the basics of the product side of my business – as it currently looks.
A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away, I started painting a ton of stuff for a fine art publisher. They were also my art licensing agent, and I got my art on a load of products. I still can't believe all the original paintings I have, and I don't know what I'm going to do with them all!
Back then, I would literally paint all of my art on wooden panels and ship them off to my publisher! Isn’t that crazy!?
That was 23 years ago, and thankfully times have changed! Of course, I still do art licensing today, but I do it my way! Call it self-licensing, lol. I also create products for clients as special requests and sell my own products.
To break that down a little clearer, I currently use four main methods to sell my art.
1️. Art Licensing
I license my art, as I’ve always done, but now I’m my own agent. I’ve built (and continue to build) relationships myself, and I contract with manufacturers directly to use my art on their products.
2️. Commissioned Requests
This is where I create small batches of products per a client’s special request. To do this, I partner with Print On Demand services, such as Society6 and others, to fulfill these requests.
3️. Print On Demand
Print on Demand (POD) is a super helpful way to run a small direct-to-consumer business in our current era. You no longer need to lose revenue by stocking up on inventory; instead, you only need to produce what you sell. Oh my gosh, so much more cost-effective! I simply create products for the orders I have.
I use POD services like Printful, Gooten, and others to do this.
4️. Source My Own Product
Finally, I source my own products by partnering with manufacturers to create these products or by directly selling my prints and originals.
An example of partnering with a manufacturer would be my washi tape and stickers. In these cases, it’s best to order in bulk to lower the costs per item. While my original artwork may be a painting or, as you saw recently, my individually handpainted Christmas ornaments.
These are just some of the ways I take my art and turn it into a physical item!
Even if your dream is to ultimately break into art licensing, you really can start selling your art on products today with an Etsy account and a Print On Demand service. It’s also a great way to feel out customer demand for particular products.
Let me know of your successes!