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    • Annie Mason
      • Feb 17
      • 5 min read

    3 Print-on-Demand Website Reviews


    My introduction to Print-on-Demand website began in 2015, see Unfinished Owl That seems so long ago yet it began my journey into uploading my artwork to these sites.



    Let's start with the definition: A Print-on-Demand (POD )site is a place where artists and designers can do their thing and then go through a process of sending their artworks to the site where the platform has products to sell with the images on those items. The products

    are then transferred to the artists' or the designer's stores where they are displayed, described, priced, then purchased. The artist/designer gets a percentage of the sales. It's that easy.


    Winter Robin iPhone Case by Amy Hamilton

    The prompt began when my daughter gave me a phone case with a small bird on the case. I loved it. She told me where she purchased it (Society6) and said, "Mom, you could do this." And I did. I did a little research on the site and started making small images in watercolor. The upload process was a bit time-consuming because the assets had to be created for each individual product and uploaded for each.


    Since that time Society6 has done what many other sites have done: The upload is for two or three sizes and then they are populated into each product at once. This can then be tweaked by the artist, if necessary.



    To make income in the "art world", the tradition is that you paint, or draw, or illustrate, and then find someone who sees your work and buys it, or show at a gallery and someone buys it and the gallery gets a commission, or someone approaches you because they want a pet portrait. That's where the dollars come.


    Now, these sites manufacture the artwork from your designs, then post them to your "store", they sell, earnings accrue, and the funds are sent to the artist.


    There are a lot of POD sites in the world. For this post, I am reviewing the three POD platforms which I use.



    Disclaimer: I am an associate for each of these platforms. I will earn a small commission from any purchase at no extra cost to you. If you make a purchase, I thank you.

     








    Society6 is my first dive into this world. When compared to other PODs, I think S6 has the artist/designer at the forefront in terms of a classier company. For background on the beginnings click this interview with co-founder, Justin Wills The Brains Behind Society6


    Like its competitors, Society6 lets creators sell their designs on various products. Unlike them, it prioritizes original art over popular slogans. See artist Carrie Lyman [Lyman Creative Co.]. Carrie was featured in a Society6 blog post who satisfies her wanderlust as a digital illustrator with her art.



    Marrakech Medina Shop, Morocco

    Society 6 Pros:

    • Customers have their choice of designs from the thousands of different artists who submit to Society6. They can choose to have these designs printed on a phone case, a t-shirt, or whatever else it is that they’re looking for.

    • Society6 is open to creators of all kinds of art. If you draw, doodle, paint, or digitally illustrate, you can capitalize on Society6.

    • As an artist, the site allows you to retain the rights to your art. This gives you the opportunity to post on other sites, like Fine Art America,

    • Unlimited image uploads.

    • Society6 determines how much you can make for the sale of a given item. However, for art prints, you can choose your own price.

    • While you won’t make a living by selling your artwork on Society6, you can, at the very least, rake in some decent spending money.

    Society6 Cons:

    • With thousands of artists on this site, your competition is heavy. An artist must post frequently and take the time to make sure each upload looks good on each product.

    • In order to bring in substantial money, you need to promote your products as much as possible.

    • Artists need to check the products carefully, as not all artwork may convert to a pleasant-looking product. There is a 30-day waiting period for sales. If the product is not to the liking of the buyer it will be canceled and the artist will not receive a commission.


     

    (click the image below to shop)




    Founded in 2006, in Melbourne, Victoria (Australia). this online company has grown big enough to have additional offices in San Francisco, California (USA).


    Like Society6, Redbubble has hundreds of products and a myriad of ways to find them. A search bar will immediately get you to designs and products where you will be struck by how many options are available.


    Cat Mug

    (image links broadly to Redbubble)





    It seems to me that Redbubble has its sights on the products, rather than the artists. This site allows the artist to set up in bulk, that is, it makes it easy to upload and sell your designs on all the latest new products, Like other POD websites, getting customers is the hardest part of selling. Merchandise here tends to be T-shirts, stickers, device cases, and posters. In other words, I think a younger clientele. While the products are cataloged quite well, the items can be overwhelming for the average shopper.


    Many of my artist friends use Redbubble. Among my favorite gals, "Belette Le Pink". I featured her in one of my Meet the Artist blog posts.



    Mouse Pad "Weasel Hugs" by Belette Le Pink

    Redbubble Pros:

    • You only need to upload one jpg for each piece of art you want to sell, and Redbubble will quickly put that art on all of their products with only a small amount of tweaking needed to make the art fit properly.

    • Redbubble lets you completely control your products and your profit margin - you decide your prices, you pay a flat fee to Redbubble for every product sold, and what’s left is yours to keep.

    Redbubble Cons:

    • You are competing with all the other artists on the Redbubble marketplace; once you send your customer to Redbubble, you are also sending that customer to every single other artist on Redbubble! There is every chance that they end up distracted by someone else’s work.

    • The profits are small, even for print-on-demand.


     



    Zazzle is an American online marketplace founded in 2005. Zazzle's CEO Robert Beaver and his sons, Jeff and Bobby, focus on products that can’t be found elsewhere. The list is enormous but includes baby items, invitations, clothing and shoes, crafts and party supplies, sports toys and games, and much much more.


    Many products can be customized: that is, the artist clicks an edit form, personalizing products. It makes for a very special gift, and for me, that is the true difference in this POD shop.


    I will post one of my products below with a link to show you how a shopper can purchase a product that they can personalize:


    Click the photo below ⬇️ to the Zazzle shop. Note the Personalize this template. The shopper can then change the name, edit, then click DONE and make the purchase.

    Baby bib with image of a pink and blue elephant and child's name
    Baby bib with child's name

    Zazzle Pros:

    • You are your own boss

    • You can make money monthly

    • The buyer can apply personalization

    • Set your royalty rate


    Zazzle Cons:

    • Being your own boss means you have to be accountable.

    • Minimum balance of $50 before payout.

    • The minimum royalty rate is 5%, which for some products, literally equates to pennies.

    • It takes some learning and time to succeed on the platform.


    If you haven't tried shopping on these sites, it's worth the browse. There are some amazing artists and designers who are making passive income (doing what they like to do) and have the POD shop do the manufacturing, and the shipping, A win/win for the artist and the platform






     

    You can find my POD shops here on my website by clicking here: Annie's POD Shops


    or direct to the shops here:

    Society6

    Redbubble

    Zazzle





    See my Collections at each shop:


    Society6 | Redbubble | Zazzle


    Society6 Wooden Wonderland Barn Owls by Micklyn on an iPhone Case

    ⬇️










    ⬆️

    Sasquash Travel Mug by Sophie Corrigan










    Dream VI Shower Curtain by SpaceFrogDesigns





    Affiliate link. I earn a small commission if you follow this link

    and purchase text apps or graphics.


    Art Text is graphic design software specifically tuned for lettering, typography, text mockups and various artistic text effects. Take a look: ⬇️




    Tough on threats, light on your system.









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    263 views0 comments
    • Annie Mason
      • Jan 24
      • 3 min read

    Meet the Artist - Shelley Wallace Ylst



    Meet the Artist. The place where I introduce YOU to an artist through a virtual interview. Our featured artist is Shelley Wallace Ylst.



     


    Images and Text contain links



     

    Shelley Wallace Ylst

    South Jordon, Utah



    • Who are you and what is your background?


    My name is Shelley Ylst and I live in South Jordan, Utah. I have a husband, two grown children, and of course the smartest and cutest grandchildren in the world! I started painting with watercolor in high school and studied art in college. I love the spontaneity and transparency of watercolors. My art is always evolving and full of joy.





    My mom was always my biggest fan (of course), and years ago she was a realtor and commissioned me to make a calendar of vintage houses to give to her clients. Together we would drive through areas in Salt Lake City that had amazing vintage houses to take reference photos, and that is how I came to love painting house portraits. The main part of my art business is now commissioned paintings of people’s homes.




    "Garden House" Canvas Print by ShelleyYlstArt on Redbubble




    Penelope Pig Art Print by Shelley Ylst Art

    My other favorite subjects are flowers and animals and I often combine them together. Growing up I always had cats and dogs and love their sweetness and companionship. Since I live in Utah flowers are seasonal, but I fill my areas with them in the spring and summer and it brings me great joy.







    • What is your favorite medium?

    I love watercolors and sometimes I add in ink and colored pencils. Over the years I have tried other mediums but always gravitate back to watercolors. I like the transparency and flow of them and how you can build layers and float colors together.




    The Flamingo Family's Day at the Beach [links to Society6]




    • What has been your favorite response to your work?


    Some of My Favorite Things [links to canvas print Society6]

    I love bright colors and flowers and nothing gives me more joy than when someone tells me my art gives them good feelings and makes them happy. My grandchildren make requests of things they want me to paint for them all the time. When we were all quarantined last year we started an art club where each grandchild would specify what they wanted me to paint, then I would mail it to them with a request of what I wanted them to paint for me, then they would mail their creations to me. It was so much fun and such a great way to navigate through a difficult time.








    • What is the strongest memory of your childhood?

    I grew up in the 1960s when we all had a very carefree childhood. There were so many kids in our neighborhood and we could roam our streets and play together outside until our mothers called us home. I was the youngest and only daughter and when I look back I lived a charmed and wonderful life and we always had many cats and dogs that I dearly loved.


    • Professionally what is your goal?

    I don’t really have a certain goal in mind, I recently had a health scare and am semi-retired so I have more time for my art. I am very happy to just keep creating (I have so many ideas in my head!) and hopefully make people smile. I enjoy doing commissioned work and selling through my Print=on-Demand sites. And I always want to improve and explore new techniques.


    • What jobs have you done other than being an artist?

    When I was in college I worked for a local school district doing illustrations for anything they needed. After I married, my husband and I have been entrepreneurs and owned many businesses in many different areas and I have always done the artwork and graphics for all these businesses. I have owned a lighting store, a hair salon, and a company that sold hair extensions. I was a realtor for a year and didn’t like that job at all. And I have always gravitated back to art!



     


    Thank you SO MUCH, Shelley. My readers are grateful that you took time out of your busy schedule to share your art, your talent, and the amazing array of bright, colorful designs and paintings that you create. We can see why your grandkids request more art!


    Readers, be sure to follow:


    Shelley's website: Shelley Wallace Ylst


    Society6: Shelley Ylst Art


    Redbubble: ShelleyYlstArt


    Instagram: @shelley_ylst_art


    Twitter: Shelley Ylst Art


    Facebook: Shelley Wallace Ylst




     


    Pin it, please.




    Watercolor Workshop: Learn to Paint in 100 Experiments


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