Are you starting to think about ways to make money? You’re not alone! Many high school and college students are in the same boat, trying to find a way to save up some cash. As a creatively inclined student pursuing the arts, I know the idea of a classic 9-to-5 job can seem dull. That’s why I’ve pulled together five of the best art-related side hustles out there to give you some ideas of where to start. Check out these great sites that can help you get paid for doing what you love.
1. Etsy
Etsy is a popular online selling platform famous for its niche products. It’s the perfect way to start your own business without having to worry about the legal side of it. With Etsy’s simple setup tools, you can easily sell anything you want—from handmade zines to digital art prints—to millions of Etsy users around the globe. You get to stay completely in charge of your brand, pricing, and customer communication. Plus, you get to keep 95% of every sale you make on Etsy.
Related: Part–Time Jobs and Money–Making Ideas for Students
2. Alamy
Do you love photography? If so, Alamy is the perfect side hustle for you! This stock photography agency works with well-known companies like Netflix, Penguin Random House, and Pixar to sell their contributors’ original photos. It’s easy to sign up and there are no contracts. Plus, students with Alamy get to keep 100% of the profit from sales of their photos, helping empower the next generation of artists.
3. Redbubble
The popularity of Redbubble has recently spiked due to widespread social media exposure. I’m not usually one for trends, but this one is worth the hype! With Redbubble, you can upload one artwork to be printed on a ton of products (like stickers, T-shirts, and tote bags) all at once. Then sit back and relax while Redbubble takes care of selling and shipping your products. This online marketplace has a set fee for each product, but you have the freedom to choose your own profit percentage by increasing your prices.
Related: 9 of the Best College Jobs for Artistic Students
4. Fiverr
Fiverr started out as a freelancing website that allowed users to hire artists for custom projects at a maximum price of $5. But now sellers have much more control over pricing their gigs. On Fiverr, you can design logos, write short stories, paint portraits, touch up photos for influencers—the possibilities are endless! Selling on this e-commerce website requires a lot of responsibility (you’ll be held to strict deadlines and will have to actively communicate with buyers to complete orders), but it’s great experience for the art industry. You take home 80% of your sales on Fiverr.
5. Printful
Unlike the other options on this list, Printful doesn’t actually sell anything for you. It’s a print-on-demand service with hundreds of quality products and no order minimums. Printful easily syncs with many online retailers like Etsy and Shopify so you can sell your designs without having to print or ship the products yourself. You pay Printful a flat price for its services and then have total control over how much you charge your customers. Printful even offers mockup tools, tips, and tutorials to help you start and grow your business.
Related: Student Entrepreneurs in the Time of COVID–19
Selling your art can be a daunting task, but I hope these five side hustle ideas have made it a little less scary. Online options like these are perfect for making a little money on the side so you can get back to what matters: bringing life to your creativity. Now get out there and start earning!
Looking for colleges that can nurture your artistic talent? Check out our lists of schools with great Visual Arts programs across the country.
