Which is better - Etsy or Zazzle for selling my original digital art?

1. 36

   ChristinSposted 10 years ago

   Which is better - Etsy or Zazzle for selling my original digital art?
   
   I am looking to start marketing some of my art - I do make some handmade items like art transfers onto tiles and necklace pendants.  I am looking into an Etsy shop.  Zazzle however has a variety of products and you don't have to make them, just upload your art and let people buy what they like with your art on it.  I can see advantages to both, but not sure if I have time to focus on both right now with other projects to attend to.
   
   Which would you focus on if you had to choose just one?

   replyreport
2. 68

   lisavollrathposted 10 years ago

   Neither. If your digital art is art rather than graphic design, try Saatchi, where you'll get paid and treated like an artist.
   
   But, if you have your heart set on Etsy or Zazzle...
   
   On Etsy, you have to keep your shop stocked. That means if you're selling prints, posters, or any other printed materials, you have to have them made, and keep them until someone buys them. Then, you're responsible for shipping. You get your money before the items ship.
   
   On Zazzle, you upload images, drop them onto products, and you're done. They do all the printing and the shipping. You have to meet a payment threshold before you're paid.
   
   With any of these venues, you get what you put into it. You'll have to promote your work, or it will just sit there.

   replyreport
   1. 36

      ChristinSposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      I used to do Photo restores and used etsy for that, but it's so saturated.  I started focusing more on doing digital art /mixed media and haven't used Etsy again yet. Zazzle seems cool due to not having to keep/store inventory for sure. thanks

      replyreport
3. 80

   CWanamakerposted 10 years ago

   If you are just making digital art (like graphic designs) then given your choices I would stick with Zazzle.  However, I would also recommend looking into Cafepress as well. I know there's a lot of Cafepress haters out there (and it does have its problems)  I have great success with it over the years.  I have over 1000 images and make several sales every day.  I like how easy it is (just upload your images) and then just sit back and let the money roll in.  Cafepress does all the work of marketing, printing, shipping, handling returns, etc and you get 10% commission on nearly everything.  Ten percent doesn't sound like a lot but if you were running your own print on demand business a 10% profit margin would be very good. Cafepress's payment threshold is only $25 and if you have good images it shouldn't take long to make that.  I hear Zazzle has a similar set up but I admit that I haven't spent much time looking at it.  I'm sure each one has pros and cons.
   
   If you're artwork is particularly good then perhaps none of these sites are where you should be spending your time.  Like the previous commenter suggested, Saatchi is a great place to sell artwork as art.  You could also look into FineArtAmerica or even the art based social network DeviantArt.

   replyreport
   1. 36

      ChristinSposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      I used DeviantArt before but moved away from it and haven't been back on there in ages.  I will check out saatchi as well.  CafePress and Zazzle I think are similar, but I know some who earn well with Zazzle. I suppose I'll keep pondering thanks!

      replyreport