Illustrators have a unique ability to bring visual worlds to life through their art. But making a consistent income from freelance projects or commissions alone can be challenging.
The good news? Evolving consumer preferences combined with the rise of digital platforms has opened up several promising avenues for artists to monetize their talent. Whether you are looking to start a full-time small business or supplement existing income streams, illustrators now have more options than ever to materialize their creative visions into profitable and scalable ventures.
As a small business consultant who has guided dozens of illustrators on their entrepreneurship journeys, I‘ve curated this list of 13 of the most lucrative business ideas for artists to launch their own commercial empires:
1. Customized Greeting Cards
Leveraging your specialized illustration skills to design customized greeting cards for different occasions like birthdays, weddings, graduations, etc. can be extremely lucrative. Key highlights:
- Low startup costs with potential for high profit margins
- Minimal overhead with easy digitization allowing global reach
- Can be marketed through platforms like Etsy, Amazon Handmade, or independent website
- Print-on-demand partners enable managing rapid delivery at scale
- Allows creativity within knownregexes that guide card content
| 2017 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|
| Market Size | $3.7B | $5.1B |
| 5 Year Annualized Growth | 8.4% |
2. Art Prints and Canvases
Limited edition art prints and stretched canvases sell particularly well amongst art enthusiasts looking to decorate their spaces with unique pieces. Key aspects:
- Enables leveraging existing illustration portfolio or creating custom collections
- Can be sold through dedicated online marketplaces like INPRNT, Redbubble
- Allows experimenting with diverse mediums like speciality printing techniques, mix-media, eco-friendly materials etc.
- Frees from reliance on galleries or physical retail spaces to reach global audience
- Drop-shipping integration on such platforms enables effortless fulfillment
The market for online art platform sales is projected to cross $9.3B over the next 3 years as digital art adoption surges.
3. Children‘s Book Illustration
From picture books to early readers, children‘s stories come alive through the right visuals. Key factors:
- Strong industry demand with over 2,400 new kids books published every year in the US alone
- Opportunities to collaborate with authors or publishing houses
- Attending book fairs to network and build portfolio is key
- Promoting work through online portfolios and social media generates leads
- Can start with self-publishing on Amazon before approaching larger publishers
The children‘s book publishing market size is set to grow at a 6% CAGR through 2026.
4. Tattoo Designs
For illustrators looking for a more literal canvas to display their artwork on, designing custom tattoos can be worthwhile. Considerations:
- A niche segment but reflects c. 20% of the $1.6B US tattoo industry revenue
- Can sell premade designs or take bespoke client requests on marketplaces
- Ideal to collaborate with local tattoo artists or parlors through partnerships
- Requires developing grasp of themes and styles preferred by tattoo enthusiasts
- Allows making art a permanent part of client‘s identity and self-expression
19% of Americans have at least one tattoo – reflecting growing adoption of body art.
5. Apparel and Merchandise Illustration
Applying artwork to apparel and accessories has become exponentially easier thanks to print-on-demand platforms. What to know:
- Companies like Teespring, TeePublic and Redbubble handle product fulfillment
- No inventory management with production and shipping handled by platforms
- Global reach with capacity to serve over 150 countries
- Opportunity for passive income with no need for continued effort post launch
- Ideal for pop culture art, branded collaborations, niche communities etc.
The fast fashion industry is expected to expand at a 6-7% CAGR between 2023-2027.
6. Surface Pattern and Textile Design
For artists inclined towards decorative work, surface patterns and textile design offers room for creative expression and attractive compensation. Key highlights:
- Diverse applications spanning upholstery, apparel, accessories, stationery, homeware etc.
- Lucrative area with individual pattern design fees ranging from $500-$3000+
- Extended licensing agreements providing ongoing royalty payments
- Mainstream adoption of bold prints and eclectic visuals drives demand
The surface patterns industry enjoys healthy growth driven by changing consumer preferences. Industry revenue is expected to grow at a 6% CAGR through 2027.
7. Branding and Packaging Illustration
Brand storytelling relies as much on visual communication as the written word. This is driving demand for illustrated branding elements and packaging. Components to consider:
- Logos, mascots, cover art, info-graphics all provide income streams
- Packaging projects for labels spanning food and beverage, skincare, fashion etc.
- Mainstream shift towards illustrated typographic styles
- Allows aligning artistic aesthetic with a brand‘s personality and offerings
- Collaborations with marketing agencies or as freelancers
Spending on branding and packaging design services by consumer brands is forecasted to grow 7.2% year-over-year.
8. Editorial Illustration
From magazines to blogs, websites, ad campaigns and beyond – illustrations add visual interest across all media formats. What you should know:
- Mainstream publications along with indie zines and newspapers provide work
- Cover art, spot illustrations, strips and comics, custom photos etc. provide income
- Need to align artistic style suited to different genres like business, lifestyle, tech etc. publications
- Promoting illustration skills across social media to relevant targets is key
Global expenditure on content marketing solutions expected to rise at 11% CAGR through 2025.
9. Crafting and Paper Goods
For artists keen on tangible mediums, handmade crafting provides a creative output. Elements to factor:
- Products span cards, notebooks, planners, calendars, posters and more
- Can be sold through dedicated craft marketplaces like Etsy and Craftsy
- Allows pairing with workshops or offering customization services
- Fulfillment either in-house or through production partners
- Opportunity for wholesale partnerships with gift stores and boutiques
Online marketplaces have expanded opportunities for independent crafters, with the industry expected to grow at 5%+ over 2022-2027.
10. Comic Books and Graphic Novels
For sequential artists adept at visual storytelling – comic books and graphic novels offer an appealing channel. Market dynamics:
- Mainstream superhero comics provide sporadic opportunities
- A growing scene of indie publications provide recurring work
- Can self-publish creator-owned comics through webcomics or digital downloads
- Print-on-demand platforms enable easy production and distribution
- Merchandising cross-over art prints, apparel etc. provides additional revenue
While dominantly print-based, digital comic revenues are forecasted to enjoy 25%+ annualized growth in the coming years.
11. Game Art and Design
The world-building involved in games provides fertile ground for imaginative illustrators. Here‘s what to consider:
- Work can encompass concept art, 3D modeling, UI design, environmental backdrops etc.
- Full-time positions or contracted freelance gigs with game studios
- Lucrative niche but competitive segment with emphasis on software skills
- Building a style portfolio suited to game art aesthetics is key
- Opportunity to have artwork incorporated at scale
The increasing scope and ambition of games corresponds with bigger art budgets – providing opportunities for talented illustrators.
12. Augmented Reality Art Projects
The integration of technology with artistic visualization is unlocking new mediums for illustrators. Opportunity areas include:
- AR filters and lenses for social media apps
- Interactive installations bridging physical and digital realms
- Animated 3D model artwork integrated into commercial spaces
- Provides a new method for engaging audiences with illustrations
- Collaborations with experience design agencies and technologists
Consumer and commercial applications of extended reality solutions expected to rise at a 65% CAGR through 2027.
13. Online Workshops and E-Learning
Monetizing your artistic skills through instructional classes has become more accessible than ever before thanks to digital platforms. Considerations:
- Can offer workshops focused on fundamentals or specialized techniques
- Allows serving both hobbyist artists along with aspiring professionals
- Platforms like Skillshare, Udemy, Domestika provide ready marketplaces
- Opportunities for passive income through evergreen pre-recorded courses
- Builds personal brand and cements authority in artistic niche
The online education market expected to grow 22% year-over-year to reach $485B in 2024.
The world of art and commerce offers diverse opportunities for creativity and self-expression. By identifying lucrative niches aligned to their unique skills, promoting themselves effectively online, and tapping into both digital and physical channels – illustrators of all stripes can now build scalable and fulfilling creative ventures.
What business model resonates most with you as an artist? Hopefully this guide has sparked ideas that can turn your artistic passion into a thriving and profitable profession. I wish you the very best in your entrepreneurship journey ahead! Do reach out if you need any assistance in bringing your vision to life.
