Users' questions 

How do I start an art selling business?

Leia Doyle

How do I start an art selling business?

Here’s our step-by-step guide to selling art.

  1. Putting Your Art Online. If you want people to buy your art, you need to make it available.
  2. Putting Your Art Into the World.
  3. Sell Art Commissions.
  4. Hire a Professional Consultant.
  5. Networking.
  6. Build a Client Base.
  7. Know Your Audience.
  8. Use Social Media.

What type of business should I start as an artist?

Either way, this list should give you some entrepreneurial inspiration.

  • Painting and sculpture. Let’s start with an artistic business almost as old as time.
  • Greeting cards. With the right design and copy, greeting cards can be a work of art.
  • Candles.
  • Antique curation.
  • Art consultant.
  • Graphic design.
  • Calligraphy.
  • Tattoo artist.

What type of business is selling art?

Sole Proprietorships require no paperwork and are the easiest type of business entity to create. In fact, if you are creating art by yourself and you have already sold some pieces, you are already a sole proprietor!

Do you have to pay taxes if you sell art?

Although artists, dealers and investors can deduct business expenses related to producing and selling art works, they do pay taxes on the sales of their art. As such, those sales are subject to the capital gains tax rate, which is 20% for taxpayers in the highest tax bracket.

How do I start a small art business?

Click here to learn more and get a simple art website of your own!

  1. Create great work.
  2. Get to know your target market.
  3. Get to know your marketplace.
  4. Develop a simple business plan.
  5. Regularly review your business plan.
  6. Create fans by creating opportunities.
  7. Make it easy for your fans to “connect” with you.

Can I copyright my artwork?

Like anything else that can be copyrighted, artwork is protected by copyright when the art is affixed in a tangible form (such as a painting, sculpture, or drawing). You have to register your copyright with the US Copyright Office if you want to be able to take infringers to court and be awarded damages.

Do you pay tax on selling art?

The art sold by artists and dealers is considered inventory, which means sales are taxed generally at rates of up to the highest ordinary income tax rate, which is currently 39.6%. When investors sell works of art, they are acquiring gains on their investments, similar to selling stock for a profit.