Which Platform is Better for Selling Art: Etsy or Society6?

E-commerce for Artists: Comparing Etsy and Society6

Diversifying sales channels is key for artists looking to extend their reach and increase their income. Among the popular platforms, Etsy and Society6 stand out as go-to options. Both are part of the growing trend of print on demand services, but which one is better? Let’s dive into the specifics and see what each platform offers.

Etsy: The Prestige of Handcrafted Art

Etsy is renowned for its handcrafted and vintage goods. It has a diverse user base and is highly visible in search results, making it a robust platform for artists looking to sell their unique pieces. Unlike Society6, which primarily focuses on prints and physical products, Etsy is more suited for real art pieces, whether it be paintings, sculptures, or other forms of creative works.

While Society6 primarily caters to digital artwork, Etsy allows for a wider range of art forms, from original paintings and mixed media to handmade crafts. This broader scope is one of the main reasons artists often give Etsy the nod over Society6. However, selling on Etsy can be more complex and time-consuming. You need to handle the printing fulfillment and shipping yourself, which can be stressful for some artists. Nonetheless, there are solutions to simplify the process, such as integrating print on demand services with your Etsy listings.

Society6: The Mass Market

Society6 is known for its large inventory of printed products. It offers a vast array of items, including art prints, blankets, curtains, yoga mats, and even furniture. If you have a digital artwork file in JPEG or PNG format, you can upload it to their platform and enable it for printing on various products. This feature makes Society6 a great option for artists who want to reach a wider audience quickly.

However, the downside of Society6 is that the markup on their products is quite high, leaving artists with little profit margin. This can be a significant drawback for artists who are looking to make a substantial income. Despite its high commission rates, Society6 is a popular choice for artists who want to leverage its extensive product range and fulfill orders efficiently.

The Balancing Act: Diversification

Both platforms have their strengths and weaknesses. Rather than choosing just one, artists should consider diversifying their sales. Selling on both Etsy and Society6 can be a winning strategy. By leveraging the benefits of each platform, artists can maximize their potential earnings and reach a broader audience.

For instance, if you have a few original art pieces, listing them on Etsy can help you tap into the handcrafted market. Simultaneously, you can upload your digital artwork to Society6 to reach a mass audience. Additionally, print on demand services like Printify can help streamline the process of handling orders and shipping on platforms like Etsy. This integration allows you to focus on creating art while the print on demand service takes care of the rest.

Another advantage of using a print on demand service is the competitive production costs. For example, with Printify, the production cost for a Bella Canvas t-shirt is only 8 USD. This cost-effective approach can help you offer your products at a reasonable price while maintaining a decent profit margin.

Conclusion and Next Steps

In conclusion, while both Etsy and Society6 are valuable platforms for artists, the choice ultimately depends on your specific needs and goals. If you want to focus on creating and showcasing unique, handcrafted art, Etsy is the way to go. For those looking to reach a broader audience with a diverse range of printed products, Society6 is an excellent option. However, don’t be discouraged by the challenges of selling on Etsy—the use of print on demand services can significantly simplify the process.

By diversifying and selling on both platforms, you can tap into different markets and increase your income. Consider integrating print on demand services into your strategy to make the process easier and more efficient. With the right approach, you can achieve success in both the handcrafted and mass market art worlds.