7 Digital Products Artists Can Sell That Actually Make Money (Without Losing Your Mind)
What digital products can artists sell to make money (without losing your mind)?
Here are 7 digital product ideas you can create on your iPad today to earn income—and maybe pay for your next coffee.
If you’ve ever wanted a way to get your art out there, make cash on your own schedule, and maybe create a lil’ cult following of people obsessed with your sticker packs, this is for you.
Before you dive in, here’s a quick visual treat straight from my YouTube channel. Hit play and let the inspiration (and probably a little chaos) wash over you.
I’m in the thick of testing these strategies myself, building out digital products, and sharing what’s working along the way — so you’re getting real-world, in-progress lessons.
Let’s get your side hustle rolling, one digital file at a time.
Table of Contents
7 Digital Products Artists Can Sell That Make Money
Digital products account for over $2.5 trillion in global value — cites Shopify. It’s a booming market—and you’ve already got the tools to join it. Let's get us some of that money. People want to buy let's give them something they want!
Printable Artwork: The Low-Anxiety Way to Start Selling
You probably already have files on your iPad or laptop just begging to be uploaded as printable artwork. Basically, you sell digital files (think PNG or JPEG), your buyers download, print, and hang that bad boy on their wall looking instantly fancy.
What makes printable art so good?
- Instant delivery. No more standing in line at the post office with a weirdly shaped package.
- No shipping, no lost packages, no headaches.
- Super affordable for buyers, so they actually swap out art when the seasons change. Yes, you can become the Halloween Chic in your dorm.
- Perfect for anywhere: home offices, nurseries, or that kitchen wall you just realized is totally blank.
- Total style freedom: Go super clean and simple if you’re new. If you love florals (honestly, who doesn’t), those are a hit. Or just use your wild signature style.
Want to see printable stickers in action? Peek at this sticker art mood tracker project if you like the idea of art you can print and actually use.
Understanding File Types for Printable Art
Here’s what you need to know about file types: PNGs are king if you want backgrounds that disappear like magic (so you can layer art). JPEGs are fine for regular prints, but PNGs look way more pro. Big files are better if these prints might end up poster-sized. If the art is digital-only (like for phone wallpapers), a smaller JPEG is okay. Just don’t skimp on quality, it’s your name on the line.
Digital Stickers and Clip Art: Your Personality Is Your Superpower
Digital stickers are everywhere. You know those cute little packs on Etsy or for GoodNotes? That’s the lane. But here’s the thing: if your designs are generic, you’ll get lost in the crowd. Too many packs out there look the same.
The secret? Go all-in with your personality and target a very specific group. Make stickers that teachers can use in their handouts. Or, go after small business owners who need styled graphics. Your unique touch is the magic sauce.
You can even combine your love for digital art and creative chaos by learning how to make digital stickers for Procreate with an easy step-by-step guide. Seriously, it’s fun.
Theme Ideas for Digital Stickers
Don’t overthink it—the weirder and more niche, the better. Try:
- Self-care stickers. Obsessively tracking skincare routines, like retinol schedules (someone please tell me I’m not alone).
- Habit trackers. Food, water, sleep, anything you can log with a cute graphic.
- Study Stickers. Hello back to school sales.
The smaller your focus, the easier you stand out. Make it for a specific kind of person and you’ll have fans, not just customers. If you are struggling for ideas, have a peek at these Easy Procreate Sticker Ideas to Spark Your Creativity.
grab the free procreate starter pack and get this layered sticker file and my sticker brush!
Procreate Brush Sets: Where All the Cool Kids Hang Out
Let’s be real: we all hoard or aspire to hoard Procreate brushes like they’re rare Pokémon cards. Whether you build texture brushes (my kryptonite), watercolor effects, or elegant lettering brushes, there’s demand. If you’ve figured out how to make good brushes that do something fun or time-saving, trust me, you’ll find your people.
Procreate brush types you might make:
- Texture brushes (can someone hide my wallet?)
- Watercolor brushes (never stain your actual shirt again)
- Lettering brushes (for those who want calligraphy without the hand cramps)
If you’re curious, I’ve got a sticker outline brush in my starter kit, but no full set yet… that’s a whole journey by itself.
How to Create Valuable Procreate Brushes
If you want repeat buyers, focus on making brushes that make things faster and easier. Stamps for making patterns in seconds? Yes, please. Brushes that can fake a watercolor wash without trying to master actual watercolor? Even better. Bonus points for anything that saves users from digital existential dread.
If you aren't quite ready to try your hand at making your own brushes, you can still feed a new addiction and check out this Best Procreate Brushes for Stickers (Free & Paid) article and add some awesomeness to your next work of art.
Social Media Templates: Saving People From Canva Meltdowns
Templates are like cheat codes for people juggling a million things. You make Instagram post templates, story layouts, or Pinterest pins. They download, fill in, and post. Even busy entrepreneurs, bloggers, or anyone who wants “aesthetic” on autopilot will love these.
Options:
- Ready-made packs: Buy once, use forever.
- Custom packages: If you want to level up, offer to build someone’s template stack out of their real branding and photos. (It’s not passive, but it pays well.)
Want to spice up your brand? Social templates are your silent little helpers.
Custom Artwork and Commissioned Pieces
Custom art can be equally thrilling and terrifying. You get requests for family portraits, pet illustrations, kid’s room art… even cartoonified versions of grandma.
My advice? Set boundaries. Give clients a few template layouts to choose from so you don’t want to pull your hair out halfway through.
The payoff is sweet—people love personalized stuff, especially when you stick to your own unique style. I recently wondered if my own living room needed a cartoon family portrait. Spoiler, it totally does. Let me just add that to the to-do list.
Printable or Digital Planners
Printable planners and templates are in high demand according to these Printful's insights. Printable planners sound easy, but listen, the market is crowded. Generic planners go nowhere. Your planner should take buyers on a super-specific journey. Don't try to be everything for everyone!
Fresh ideas include:
- Fitness planner for introverts
- Movie night tracker for couples
- Craft project logbook
People want something that fits their life—not just a glorified notepad. Possibilities are endless but you need to do some research and fill a need for your audience. Let's see how below.
Printable and Digital Journals
These are great for people looking to reflect, build gratitude habits or have a safe space to dump all of life's heavy load. Journals work best when they solve a specific emotional or productivity challenge. Think: “anxious artist’s gratitude journal” or “daily mind dump for tired moms.” Niche sells.
Bonus Other Helpful Info
Finding Your Audience: Make Them Feel Seen
The secret sauce for sales is empathy. Know exactly who needs your product and why. Plant lover? Make a journal that tracks little Fred (their new fern) so they can brag about finally keeping something alive. Obsess about what’s missing in their life, fill that gap, and people will get irrationally excited to give you money for it.
How to Brainstorm Product Ideas Fast
Set a timer for five minutes—yep, just five. Write down everybody who might want what you make. Think, “Who would squeal a little when they see this?” and “What pain or problem do they have that my art can solve?” Get specific, get weird, and don’t edit yourself. Find out where your people are and listen to the problems they have. See if you can help them solve them with your products.
Benefits of Digital Over Physical Products
Why is selling digital products so satisfying? No boxes to ship. Instant delivery. Buyers can grab your work from anywhere and hang it up or use it in minutes. No inventory, no returns—just sweet, sweet passive sales. It’s freedom for you (hello, travel plans) and for your buyers. You can make your product one time and use it indefinitely or you can set quantities are run limited edition batches, it's really up to you.
have you joined the art to income: create & Sell digital products facebook group?
If you’ve ever said, “I want to draw digitally, but I have no idea where to start,” this is your sign.
We learn Procreate tricks, share designs, celebrate tiny wins, and cheer each other on as we start selling what we make.
💕Join Us on Facebook✨
Pricing Strategies for Digital Art and Products
Pricing your work? Keep it accessible so people impulse buy. Bundle items together for more value, or charge more for unique or niche sets. Test prices. Raise them if you’re in a tiny niche and people love what you do.
Marketing Tips for Selling Digital Art
Start with social. Show off your designs, talk about your weird creative process, and don’t be afraid to show your personality. Join communities for teachers, planners, or digital artists—the more specific, the better. Share reviews and funny customer stories. At the end of every post or listing, tell people to follow or subscribe for more art and chaos.
Tools and Platforms to Sell Your Digital Products
Most artists sell digital goodies on Etsy since buyers search there for exactly what you offer. But don’t forget about setting up your own website with e-commerce tools (you keep more profit that way). There are also lots of plugins that handle digital delivery while you sleep. Just make sure wherever you set up shop, your people are hanging out there. There are many other platforms available but Etsy is widely known and has a huge customer base so that should give you some built-in searchability.
Overcoming Creative Blocks When Making Digital Products
When you feel stuck (and you will), dig into your own quirks and hobbies for inspiration. Check out trends in your favorite communities, or just make something ridiculously specific for yourself.
Quick tips for unsticking yourself:
- Chase what makes you laugh or feel seen
- Scroll your own endless camera roll for ideas
- Remix an old design with a new twist
FAQ
- Q: What’s the easiest product for beginners to sell?
A: Printable artwork—upload PNGs or JPEGs and deliver instantly. - Q: Should I choose digital or commissioned products?
A: If you want passive income, stickers or brushes sell on repeat. Commissions are more hands-on and higher-priced. - Q: What’s the most profitable idea?
A: Templates and niche planners sell well, especially when tailored to a small but dedicated audience.
🎨 Art to Income Membership
Turn your doodles into dollars — one simple, sellable project at a time.
If you're staring at Procreate wondering how people go from drawing frogs in sweaters to actually selling stuff — you're not alone.
This membership helps you go from “where do I even start?” to having a finished product ready to list.
Each month you’ll get:
💖 One guided project to create and list a finished product
💖 Done-for-you assets to speed things up
💖 Trend + keyword ideas so you know what people are actually buying
💖 A supportive group of artists figuring it out right alongside you
💖 Listing and promo ideas so your art doesn’t just sit in a folder
You don’t need to be techy, trained, or totally “together” — just curious enough to try.
Final Reminder: Do What You Love, It Shows
You only need one real rule: Make things you love to make. Your art, your vibe, your story. That’s what draws people in and keeps you going when everything else feels tedious. You’re not just selling digital pixels, you’re selling a little piece of your weird wonderful self. Now go make it messy, make it fun, and hit upload.
Happy creating! If you want to hang out, swap stories, or watch more chaos unfold, come find me on my YouTube channel. Just don’t blame me when you start running out of digital storage space.
🧩 Want Help Putting All the Pieces Together?
If you're figuring out how to turn your art into income and wish there was a big-picture roadmap to follow — good news, there is.
👉 Read the Ultimate Guide to Making Money with Digital ArtLove and messy buns,
❤️
Cynthia McDonald
Helping women find creativity in the chaos — with stickers, stationery, and a little bit of fun
Make sure and grab your favorite Pinterest Pin and Save it to your Digital Art Pinterest Board
