10 Easy Ways Freelance Illustrators Can Make Money Online

As a freelance illustrator, there are countless opportunities to earn money online. With the rise of digital art and remote work, illustrators have more ways than ever to showcase their talents and connect with clients around the world. In this article, we'll explore ten easy ways for freelance illustrators to make money online, from selling digital art to offering custom illustrations for businesses and individuals on UpMyChain. Whether you're just starting out or you're a seasoned pro, these tips will help you grow your freelance career and increase your income.

Keep reading to find out how.

How Much Do Illustrators Make?

What is the actual earning potential for illustrators?

As per findings from a slightly outdated survey conducted by 3×3 magazine, certain US illustrators are capable of earning up to $948,000 on an annual basis. However, $530,000 of it came from selling prints and commissioned work as opposed to their actual illustrations.

Among New York's most reputable illustrators, the average annual income is around $100,000. Although, there are some who earn less than $1K yearly.

Data from Indeed Salaries demonstrate that an average US freelance illustrator charges $25 per hour.

It's worth noting that there are a considerable number of freelance illustrators who can make more than $66,000 per year through the sales of stock illustrations alone.

Here are some of the strategies they use to make a ton of money.

#1 Find Online Gigs

If you're an illustrator or freelancer looking to make money online from home, freelance marketplaces can be a great place to start. However, it's important to note that popular platforms may not have many opportunities for illustrators.

To find illustration jobs, consider joining niche marketplaces or browsing job boards that are specifically tailored to your skill set. This can help you find relevant opportunities more quickly and easily, and increase your chances of finding clients who are looking for your specific expertise.

#2 Do Art Commissions

Many new illustrators turn to commissions as a way to earn money online. This approach is particularly popular on DeviantArt, a community for artists where clients can pay for services using either money or DeviantArt points.

Other illustrators use a variety of platforms to connect with clients and offer commission work. The process usually involves a client approaching the illustrator with a request for an illustration, the illustrator agreeing on a price, and then receiving payment once the work is completed.

#3 Sell Your Vector Designs

Selling your artwork online is an excellent way to earn a sustainable income, even while you sleep. You can begin by joining online marketplaces such as Creative Market, GraphicRiver, and Envato Elements.

These platforms enable you to sell various types of artwork, including illustrations, character designs, logo designs, mascots, icon packs, and templates.

However, it is not enough to simply list your work for sale. To generate significant sales, you need to identify a profitable niche. Take a look at the best-selling illustrations and vectors on these platforms and determine how you can contribute to those categories with even better designs.

#4 Sell Posters & Prints

Selling your artwork as prints is another great way to generate income online. However, it requires building a reputation and promoting your work to attract an audience.

Many artists use platforms like DeviantArt to sell their posters while promoting their work on the same platform. Other sites like Society6 and Printful handle the printing and shipping of posters, leaving you to simply upload your artwork and receive a royalty for each sale.

#5 Sell T-Shirts

Selling T-shirts online may sound like a complicated process, but it doesn't have to be. With platforms like Printful, RedBubble, and Design By Humans, you can create and sell your own T-shirt designs without ever having to handle the manufacturing process. Simply upload your artwork, and the site will take care of the rest, from production to shipping.

Not only can you sell T-shirts, but you can also design products like mugs and phone cases. Plus, these platforms promote your work, making it easier for you to reach a wider audience and earn a percentage of each sale.

#6 Learn Hand Lettering

Hand lettering has become a popular trend, especially in website design, branding, T-shirt design, and greeting card design. By learning hand lettering, you can become an invaluable designer and apply your skills to many different tasks.

For instance, you can sell beautiful wedding invitations and greeting cards online using your hand lettering skills. Another way to capitalize on your skill is to network with web designers and let them know about your abilities. You can offer a small percentage of your payment as a referral fee to sweeten the deal when they send clients in need of hand lettering work your way.

#7 Create & Sell A Font

Utilizing your hand lettering skills to create your own handmade fonts can also be a profitable endeavor. While it requires some technical know-how, the rewards can be significant. You can earn recurring income by selling your font on marketplaces such as MyFonts, Creative Market, and Envato Elements. These platforms handle sales and promotion for your fonts, leaving you free to create and upload your font designs.

#8 Start A YouTube Channel

Starting your own YouTube channel may not yield immediate monetary benefits, but it can be a lucrative long-term investment. Numerous artists run successful YouTube channels where they share time-lapse videos of their drawings or teach art techniques through video tutorials.

If you're interested in pursuing this avenue, be prepared to invest time and effort into creating high-quality content. Although it may take a while to build a following and start earning revenue from ads and sponsorships, the potential payoff can be significant.

#9 Create An Online Course

Selling online courses may require some effort, but it can be a lucrative way to make money compared to other strategies. Simply record a screencast while demonstrating your illustration process, and people will pay to learn from you.

Many professional illustrators earn thousands of dollars selling their courses on popular platforms like Udemy and Skillshare.

#10 Cold Emailing

Cold emailing is another effective way to find work online. If you can identify a business or company that may benefit from your skills, you can reach out to them and inquire about any available positions.

For instance, you can conduct research to find a potential client who needs a new social media campaign and offer to design unique illustrations and artwork for their social media posts. You can pitch this idea through an email.

Look For Other Opportunities

Stay alert for other opportunities. You can explore online forums and job boards to discover new job openings. Many companies, including video game developers, advertise jobs for game-level designers and character designers.

What other tactics do you apply to discover online work? Share your thoughts by leaving a comment.

Easy Answer

Find Online Gigs
Do Art Commissions
Sell Your Vector Designs
Sell Posters & Prints
Sell T-Shirts
Learn Hand Lettering
Create & Sell A Font
Start A YouTube Channel
Create An Online Course
Cold Emailing

Trending Article

Top 7 Advantages And Tips To Work From Anywhere

How To Land The Best Remote Jobs - A Comprehensive Guide