Best platforms to sell graphic and design assets in 2024

Finding the right platform to sell your graphic design and digital assets can be overwhelming with so many options.

In this post, I'll cut through the noise and share the best platforms in 2024 to sell your graphic design work and creative assets so you can choose the right one to launch or grow your business.

You'll see the top marketplace picks for different purposes, from versatile ecommerce sites like EvantoMarket and Creative Market to specialized platforms made for selling digital downloads like Marketsy.ai, Gumroad, and Payhip.

Introduction

The market for selling digital design assets online continues to grow rapidly in 2024. As more businesses and individuals seek convenient ways to purchase graphics, templates, fonts, and other creative materials, online marketplaces have emerged to meet this demand. For graphic designers, 3D artists, photographers, and other creatives, these platforms offer new opportunities to monetize artwork and expand customer reach.

This article provides an overview of the top sites to sell graphic design assets in 2024. It covers key factors to consider when selecting a platform, including fees, audience reach, file hosting options, and more. Whether you are just starting out or looking to improve an existing online store, the recommendations here will help you maximize earnings from your creative work.

How do I sell digital design assets online?

You can sell digital design assets in a few different ways:

Sell design assets on your own website

Whether your website is a portfolio or a landing page with contact information, it's a great place to sell your graphic design work.

Showcase and Sell Your Work:

• Your website acts as a central hub to display and sell your graphic design work, whether it’s a portfolio or a simple landing page.

Direct Customer Engagement:

• A well-designed contact page allows potential customers to easily inquire about purchasing your assets.
• You can also create custom landing pages tailored to specific products or promotions, enhancing customer experience.
• Incorporating a blog helps you share insights, updates, and stories behind your work, building a deeper connection with your audience.

Streamlined Sales and Product Delivery:

• Utilize integrated services like Marketsy.ai, Payhip, or SendOwl to manage your storefront directly from your website.
• These platforms handle payment processing, product delivery, and even allow for embedding the storefront into your existing site, making the sales process seamless.

Expand with Physical Products:

• Your website can also feature limited edition prints or other physical products related to your digital artwork, providing additional purchasing options for your customers

Sell design assets on marketplaces

Sites like Creative Market, EvantoMarket, Gumroad and others make it easy to upload and sell a variety of digital asset types. You set your own prices and keep % of each sale, usually commission 10-25%. These marketplaces have large existing audiences of buyers, which means you can make a sale without efforts. Marketplaces solves this issue for you.

Best graphic design and digital product selling sites in 2024?

A robust platform is essential for artists and designers looking to sell their work online independently. There are many players here, I will highlight a few of them: Marketsy.ai, Payhip, SendOwl and Shopify.

Marketsy.ai: a simple platform for selling your graphic designs online.

Marketsy.ai allows you to sell directly from your website, providing built-in tools for payments, revenue boosters, secure delivery, and other features to streamline digital sales. It’s an ideal solution for creators who want to sell their assets with ease.

Key benefits include:

• 0% commission on sales
• Direct payouts – We transfer each transaction straight to your PayPal or Stripe account, with no funds held.
• Quick setup – Get started in just a few minutes.
• Flexible file types – Sell design assets, music, PDFs, videos, photography, and courses.
• Revenue boosters – Coupons, order bumps, and abandoned cart reminders to increase your average revenue.
• Sell anywhere – Use your Marketsy.ai storefront, embed widgets on your site, or share product links anywhere.
• AI assistance – SEO-optimized content creation for product descriptions.
• No-code automations – Integrate easily with Zapier, webhooks, and APIs.
• Responsive support – Our team is ready to help.

With simple setup and 0% commission, Marketsy.ai is one of the best solutions for creators selling digital products and looking to maximize their earnings.

Payhip: a versatile platform for selling digital downloads

Payhip is an ecommerce platform focused specifically on selling digital products.

Key Features

• Sell various digital file types - ebooks, PDFs, audiobooks, videos, photography, design assets.
• Flexible payouts - Payhip supports over 100 payout providers including PayPal and Stripe.
• Coupons and bundles - Create discounts and product packages.
• Detailed sales analytics - Track sales performance and customer data.
• Responsive checkout templates - Templates work well on mobile and desktop.

Payhip combines a simple setup with advanced digital commerce capabilities, making it easy for creators to build an online business selling downloads. It lacks some marketing features but provides a full-featured platform to sell digital goods.

SendOwl is an e-commerce platform designed for selling digital products.

It allows to sell directly from your website and provides tools for payment processing, secure product delivery, and other features to streamline the digital sales process. SendOwl is ideal for creators who want more control over their sales without relying on third-party marketplaces.

Key Points for Sellers:

• Direct Sales Control: Sell directly from your website, maintaining control over your brand and customer relationships.
• Secure Delivery: Automatically delivers digital products through secure, time-limited download links.
• Flexible Payment Options: Supports multiple payment gateways like PayPal, Stripe, and Apple Pay.
• Customizable Checkout: Tailor the checkout process to match your website’s design and user experience.
• Subscription and Membership Sales: Offers options for selling subscriptions, memberships, and recurring billing products.
• Affiliate Management: Built-in affiliate program to incentivize others to promote your products.
• Upsells and Discounts: Tools for creating upsell offers, discount codes, and abandoned cart recovery to increase sales.

Pros:

• Full control over sales and branding.
• Secure and automated product delivery.
• Supports various digital product types (eBooks, software, courses, etc.).
• Integration with popular email marketing and CRM tools.

Cons:

• Requires self-management of marketing and traffic generation.
• Limited to digital products (not ideal for physical goods).
• May require technical setup to integrate with your existing website.

Shopify: a robust & complex platform for your design business

Shopify is one of the most popular and full-featured ecommerce platforms available. Some key benefits for designers include:

• Easy setup with no coding required. You can launch a store in under an hour.
• Numerous beautiful themes and customization options to showcase your artwork.
• Secure and scalable hosting for your store as traffic grows.
• Tools for marketing, SEO optimization, email campaigns, and more to promote sales.
• Robust backend dashboard to manage orders, inventory, shipping, taxes, etc.
• Mobile responsive design so customers can purchase anywhere.
• Integrates with payment gateways, shipping carriers, and other services.

With its balance of simplicity and customization options, Shopify is a great fit for most design businesses looking to sell their work online. The platform handles the technical aspects so you can focus on creating.

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Best Marketplace to sell Graphic Designs in 2024

Exploring the top online marketplaces and platforms for selling graphic and design assets, focusing on user experience and profitability.

1. EnvatoMarket

EnvatoMarket is part of a larger suite of products from Envato, offering a wide range of digital assets like templates, illustrations, backgrounds, and sound effects. However, it lacks options for custom design work with a designer. Pricing starts at €14.50/month.

Pros:

- Wide Exposure: Large user base, increasing the visibility of your designs.

- Diverse Product Range: Allows you to sell various types of digital assets, not just one category.

- Streamlined Sales Process: Easy setup and management of your digital products.

Cons:

- Limited Customization: No direct way to offer custom design services.

- Price Competition: High competition may drive prices down, affecting earnings.

- Fees: Marketplace fees can eat into your profits.

2. Etsy

Etsy isn’t just for handmade goods—it’s also a reliable marketplace for freelance design. While it’s not a designer-for-hire service, you can find creative assets and quick downloads. Prices vary widely, from a few cents to several hundred dollars, depending on the project.

Pros:

- Diverse Audience: Access to a broad audience, including those interested in unique, custom designs.

- Flexibility: You can sell both digital and physical design products.

- Established Trust: Etsy is a well-known platform, which can help in gaining customer trust.

Cons:

- High Fees: Transaction and listing fees can add up.

- Lack of Focus: Not primarily a design marketplace, so your products might get lost among other non-design items.

- Pricing Variability: Competing with low-priced items can be challenging.

3. Freepik

Freepik is similar to Canva but with a focus on downloadable assets like images, videos, and textures. It allows users to create unique designs with a vast library of resources. The free version is limited to 10 downloads per day, while premium plans start at €9/month if paid annually.

Pros:

- High Traffic: Large number of users looking for design resources.

- Passive Income: Your designs can generate consistent income over time.

- Flexible Pricing: You can set your own prices for premium assets.

Cons:

- Revenue Sharing: A significant portion of earnings goes to the platform.

- Competition: High volume of contributors can make it hard to stand out.

- Limited Creative Control: The marketplace's structure may limit how you present and package your designs.

4. Pixels Market

Pixels Market offers over 10,000 free illustrations in various styles and categories. Users can also request custom illustrations or hire a designer through ManyPixels, integrated into the platform.

Pros:

- Customization: Offers opportunities for custom design projects.

- Free Exposure: The free assets increase visibility, leading to potential paid projects.

- Designer Flexibility: Option to offer both pre-made designs and custom services.

Cons:

- High Competition: Many free options make it harder to attract paying clients.

- Low Earnings Potential: Free products may devalue paid work.

- Fee Structure: Custom design requests may come with fees that reduce profitability.

5. Shutterstock

Shutterstock is a well-known stock image marketplace with a wide variety of creative assets, including images, vectors, and AI-generated content. Prices start at €11 for two images, with subscription options beginning at €2.90/month for annual plans.

Pros:

- Large Audience: High traffic platform with global reach.

- Diverse Offerings: Sell various types of digital assets, including photos and vectors.

- Consistent Income: Subscription-based model can lead to steady earnings.

Cons:

- High Fees: Shutterstock takes a significant percentage of sales.

- Strict Quality Control: Approval process can be rigorous and time-consuming.

- Low Earnings per Sale: Individual payouts are generally low unless you have high volume.

6. DesignCrowd

DesignCrowd is a freelance design marketplace where you can select a designer based on specific criteria like location and specialty. It’s great for logo, business card, and other design needs. Pricing starts at $99, though details are a bit unclear.

Pros:

- Targeted Projects: Ability to choose projects that match your skills and interests.

- Global Reach: Access to clients from all over the world.

- Flexible Work: You can work on multiple projects at once, depending on your availability.

Cons:

- Unclear Pricing: Lack of transparency on fees and costs.

- Competitive Bidding: Often involves competing with other designers, which can drive down prices.

- Variable Income: Earnings can fluctuate depending on the number of projects won.

7. Design Cuts

Design Cuts is a premium marketplace for creative assets like fonts, templates, and holiday-themed bundles. Each project is priced individually, with some graphics available for as little as $1.

Pros:

- Premium Market: Higher quality expectations can lead to better-paying customers.

- Diverse Product Range: Ability to sell a wide variety of design products.

- Loyal Customer Base: Focus on quality attracts a dedicated customer base.

Cons:

- High Competition: Competing with other high-quality designers can be challenging.

- Price Sensitivity: Customers may be price-sensitive, especially for smaller projects.

- Fee Structure: Marketplace fees can reduce your overall earnings.

8. Behance

Behance is a leading design marketplace where you can hire freelancers or purchase ready-made designs. It offers categories like graphic design, illustration, and UX/UI. Prices vary, and designers can upgrade to Behance Pro for €12.72/month to showcase their work better.

Pros:

- Professional Network: Connect with other designers and potential clients.

- Portfolio Showcase: Excellent platform to display your work and attract clients.

- Project Diversity: Wide range of design categories available.

Cons:

- High Competition: Standing out among top designers can be difficult.

- Subscription Costs: Behance Pro is an additional expense.

- Client Expectations: High standards due to the professional nature of the platform.

9. Dribbble

Dribbble is another major design marketplace that connects users with designers or allows them to purchase designs. It’s free to use, with optional Pro upgrades for designers at $8/month if billed annually.

Pros:

- Creative Community: Engage with a vibrant community of designers.

- Portfolio Building: Showcase your work to attract clients and collaborations.

- Flexible Pricing: Set your own prices for your designs.

Cons:

- High Competition: Many talented designers are competing for attention.

- Limited Free Features: Advanced features require a Pro subscription.

- Client Acquisition: Finding clients can require active engagement and promotion.

10. Redbubble

Redbubble is a marketplace for products like T-shirts, phone cases, and wall art. Unlike digital downloads, these are physical products that can be ordered directly. Prices vary widely, from a few dollars to over $100, depending on the item.

Pros:

- Passive Income: Upload designs and earn from product sales without handling logistics.

- Global Reach: Access to a worldwide customer base.

- No Upfront Costs: No need to pay for materials or inventory.

Cons:

- Low Profit Margins: Earnings per sale can be low due to Redbubble’s fees.

- Limited Customization: You have little control over the final product.

- Competition: High competition can make it difficult to stand out.

11. Creative Market

Creative Market offers a vast selection of illustrations, typography, and creative concepts, including stock videos. While some free downloads are available, most projects are individually priced, ranging from $10 to several hundred dollars.

Pros:

- High-Quality Audience: Customers are often willing to pay for premium designs.

- Variety of Products: Ability to sell a wide range of digital design assets.

- Flexible Pricing: Set your own prices for your products.

Cons:

- High Fees: Marketplace fees can significantly impact your earnings.

- Competition: A large number of designers can make it challenging to get noticed.

- Marketing Required: You’ll need to actively market your products to stand out.

12. Graphic Mama

Graphic Mama specializes in cartoon characters, making it unique in this list. These characters are great for company mascots or creative content. Pricing is based on a credit system, with individual credits starting at $3.98. Bundle prices range from $4.49 to $198, depending on the number of credits purchased.

Pros:

- Niche Market: Stand out by offering specialized products like cartoon characters.

- Flexible Pricing: Credit system allows for tiered pricing options.

- High Demand: Unique designs like mascots can attract a dedicated customer base.

Cons:

- Credit System: May be confusing for customers and designers alike.

- Limited Audience: Niche focus may limit the number of potential customers.

- High Cost: Some designs require many credits, which can be expensive for customers.

Gumroad: Simple Solutions for Independent Creators

Gumroad is one of the most popular platform for creators to sell digital products directly to their audience

Benefits

- Simple setup - Easy to create an account and start selling with minimal hassle.
- No monthly fees - Only pay transaction fees on sales.
- Custom branding - Apply your own branding and design.
- Email marketing tools - Send email campaigns to customers.

Considerations
- Limited exposure - You must drive your own traffic to the sales pages. The platforms themselves have little visibility.
- Less features than full ecommerce platforms.
- Even there is no monthly fee, the transaction fee is more than 13% overall, which could be noticeble as your business grow

Monetizing Your Design Skills Beyond Asset Sales

Diversifying income streams by offering design-related services and productized services can help graphic designers and artists maximize their earning potential. Here are some tips for going beyond just selling assets.

Offering Custom Design Services on Your Website

• Use website builders like WordPress and Shopify to create your own design services ecommerce store
• Plugins like MemberPress allow you to easily sell access to custom design services
• Offer packages at different price points - logo design, branding packages, web design, etc.
• Showcase past work and testimonials to build trust
• Offer unlimited revisions to encourage sales
• Use email marketing and landing pages to promote your services

Creating and Selling Online Courses and Workshops

• Identify your area of expertise - character design, Photoshop techniques, branding basics, etc.
• Break your knowledge down into a course curriculum - video lessons, downloadable resources, assessments, etc.
• Use platforms like Teachable, Thinkific, Podia to sell your course
• Promote through social media, email lists, affiliate marketing
• Offer premium course upgrades, cohorts, and exclusive groups

Diversifying into services and digital products allows designers to leverage their skills in new ways while creating passive income streams over time through educational content and resources.

Conclusion

With so many platforms available to sell your graphic design and digital assets, choosing the right one can be overwhelming. In 2024, the market offers a wide range of options, each catering to different needs and business goals.

Whether you opt for versatile eCommerce sites like EnvatoMarket and Creative Market or specialized platforms like Marketsy.ai, Gumroad, and Payhip, it's essential to consider factors such as fees, audience reach, and ease of use. The right platform can significantly impact your earnings and visibility, helping you grow your business in the competitive digital landscape.

Some designers combine this options, some go for marketplaces only, another group of designers sale directly. There is no universal answer. The better - try to sell and experiment to find your formula

Thanks for reading 💚