If you’re a artist, you can earn handsome by turning your imagination & designing skills into decorative accessories such as acrylic keychains, enamel pins, stickers.
You can sell these products on Artist Alley, ETSY, other shopping platforms or by making your own online store.
From designing captivating artwork to sourcing materials and finding the right manufacturing partner, this guide will help you combine your passion with entrepreneurial success & bring your unique creations to life.
-
Design high quality & unique design:
Start by researching for inspiration & blend them with your oroginal work. Think about themes, colors, and special touches that will captivate your desired audience.
Stay updated with the latest trends in the art and pop culture scene. Creating designs that match the current trends can draw in more customers.
Consider the front and back artwork, keeping in mind any specific requirements or variations for each side.
Pay attention to the size selection and ensure the colors and edges are vibrant and clean. Use Pantone colors & try them on different screens to ensure accuracy.
Blend glitter, sparkly or glow-in-the-dark effects with glossy and matte finishes based on the desired aesthetic & your budget.
Include important information in the manufacturer file, such as the name, size, specifications, attachments, and quantity of the keychains.
Select the outline of your design and create an outline stroke to define it. Make sure the stroke is surrounding the design without any gaps. Keep your artwork organized in separate folders for the front and back designs.
This ensures that the manufacturer understands your requirements clearly.
Use the circle marquee tool to create a keychain loop hole in the same method as the outline stroke. Add a small hole where the keychain will be attached.
If desired, create digital mock-ups of your keychains for promotional purposes. Use mock-up templates to showcase how the keychain will look in real life.
Transform your designs into digital art, using scanning or graphic design software. Save them in the correct color modes (CMYK) and file formats((PNG)).
-
Explore more items & expand your inventory:
Don’t stick only to one item & explore different products such as enamel pins, buttons, and stickers to expand your range and appeal to various customer preferences. It can help you get more exposure & ultimately generating more sales.
Although you can make acrylic keychains & enamel pins on your own, but it’s not recommended. Manufacturing decorative is a separate professional skill & could be challenging especially for beginner. So it’s better to choose a reliable manufacturing company to hand over this task.
-
Find a reputable manufacturer:
Research for a specialized manufacturer to create custom keychains, enamel pins, stickers, and other decoratives. Communicate effectively when working with a manufacturer for the first time.
Make sure they reply quickly and answer all your queries. Depending on the size of your order, they may prioritize the manufacturing & delivery. Stay in contact with the manufacturer to stay updated.
Understand the production timelines of your designs and anticipate the shipping duration. Plan your order in advance to accommodate the timelines and inform your customers accordingly.
Avoid adding extremely tiny details to make the products clean & budget friendly, or ask the company for better guidance.
If desired, you can incorporate screen printing for finer details, although it may increase the overall cost.
Look at the size of your designs carefully. Make sure important details are not lost because of a small size. If your design has small or detailed parts, think about choosing a bigger keychain size.
Explore different platings(materials) like silver, rose gold, and dyed metal. Also consider the different materials and finishes to achieve the desired visual effect.
Also choose high-quality keychain clasps & backing cards complementing with your designs, like hearts, stars, or custom options based on the theme or character you’re portraying.
Remember, the more colors & specifications you want to apply, the higher the price can be. Order a large quantity to reduce the cost per item.
Order samples to check the quality of products before committing to them. If satisfied place orders as building a reliable relationship with a manufacturer can simplify future orders.
Thoroughly inspect the received order/sample for any quality issues like bubbles, scratches, inconsistencies in color, watermarks, or damage.
Also evaluate the print quality of your designs. Check if a protective layer is applied to keep the products glossy and undamaged while shipping.
Get assistance with Vograce:
Vograce is a professional anime peripheral product manufacturer and supplier. ID products and personal artworks and patterns can be customized.
They are specialized in creating high-quality merchandise, including acrylic keychains, stickers, enamel pins, custom body pillow & much more at wholesale rates. Their products’ are made of sturdy material, colors are vibrant, & finishing is awesome.
You can either buy the already available products at their store, or order manufacturing for custom designed decoratives.
The products are well-protected during shipment, and the competitive prices make it a great choice especially for small artists.
Ordering through Vograce is simple:
- Choose the item to manufacture
- Upload both sides of your design.
- Select quantity, quality, size & related accessories.
- Add receiving address.
- Make payment via options available.
-
Build your brand presence:
Create an online store on Etsy or set up a booth at an artist alley event to showcase and sell your products.
Artist Alley:
Artist Alley is a designated arena for artists to connect with fans, fellow artists, and potential customers.
To earn money in Artist Alley focus on these key strategies for success:
- Look for events or conventions that have an Artist Alley section.
- Checkout the application requirements, and guidelines on their website or contact the organizer.
- Compile a portfolio showcasing high-quality images of your unique artwork and products.
- Offer a diverse range of designs.
- Price products competitively
- Create an attractive booth display.
- Engage with customers.
- Promote the product presence.
- Accept multiple payment options.
- Networking with other artists and attendees can also lead to collaborations and future opportunities.
ETSY:
Etsy is another popular platform for selling your art. Start by signing up at their online store. To maximize your earning potential, focus on creating a variety of unique & appealing designs.
Take high-quality product photos and write compelling descriptions.
Utilize relevant keywords and tags to improve visibility in search results. Actively promote your Etsy shop through social media, participate in relevant art communities, and collaborate with influencers or bloggers to drive more traffic to your shop and increase sales.
Despite Artist Alley & ETSY, Shopify is a comprehensive e-commerce platform that allows you to create your own online store, customize it to reflect your brand, and sell your art products directly to customers.
Professional tips for artists, starting selling:
- Continuously improve and refine your designs based on customer feedback and market demand.
- Stay open to learning to meet the preferences of your target audience.
- Create unique designs related to in-demand products(niches).
- Try specialty features to enhance designs but don’t apply them unnecessarily.
- Double-check the proofs before starting production.
- Don’t grade your pins too harshly, as customers often don’t notice minor imperfections.
- Run pre-orders.
- Don’t spend too much on backing cards.
- Market your product & brand.
Conclusion:
Remember, every successful artist started from somewhere, and with time and persistence, you’ll pave your own path and achieve your goals. Believe in yourself, keep learning, and embrace the journey ahead.
By focusing on uniqueness in design, quality of product & boosting your online presence, you can earn by selling your art.
Vograce is recommended for small to professional artists to turn their imaginative design into high-quality handy selling items.
For further guidance, feel free to contact us.
