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Here's the game plan for getting your art online
So here's the deal: you don't need to become some online marketing guru or compete with giant Etsy shops. That's not what this is about. Instead, we're going to set up a few simple things that work for you while you're busy doing what you actually love—making art and selling it at markets.
You already post photos of your work, right? This just lets people tap on those photos and actually buy stuff. No new apps to learn, no separate website to manage. You post like normal, tag your products, and people can purchase right from Instagram.
Why this makes sense for you: Your customers are already following you there. This just makes it way easier for them to buy when they see something they like.
This is free and takes maybe 20 minutes. When someone in Portland searches "local artist" or "custom t-shirts near me"—you'll actually show up! Most artists don't even bother with this, so there's basically zero competition.
Why this makes sense for you: It'll help you get found by local shops and breweries looking for wholesale. That's happened for other artists who set this up.
This one's optional but pretty cool. You upload your designs once, and when someone orders, a company prints and ships it for you. You literally don't have to do anything after the initial setup. It's passive income from designs you've already made.
Why this makes sense for you: Those designs you already have? They can keep making money while you sleep. And you still do the custom/limited stuff at markets.
I want to be clear about what this isn't:
That's it. Maybe 30-35 minutes a week total.
You don't need to "compete online." You just need online to feed your real-life business and create a small passive income stream on the side.
Your advantage is that you're real, you're local, and you make actual things. That beats Redbubble spam every time.
Check out the How to tab when you're ready for the step-by-step instructions. No rush—take it one thing at a time!
For: Artists who sell at farmers markets and want to make more money online
Tech level: Can send an email
Time: 2-3 hours spread over a weekend
Cost: $29-39/month (pays for itself with 2-3 sales)
You're not trying to compete with massive Etsy shops. You're:
The secret: Most local artists don't even try this. Zero competition.
Let's do them one at a time.
What this does: People tap your Instagram photos and buy directly. No leaving the app.
What you need:
You need a "store" that connects to Instagram. Two options:
OPTION A: Square Online (Easiest)
OPTION B: Shopify (Most Popular)
Which one?
Already use Square at markets? → Square Online
Starting fresh? → Shopify (better Instagram connection)
In Square:
In Shopify:
Pro tip: Start with your 5 bestsellers from markets. That's it.
In Square:
In Shopify:
Once approved:
Now what happens:
What this does: When someone searches "custom t-shirts Portland" or "local artist near me", YOU show up.
Cost: Free Time: 20 minutes
Question: "Do you want to add a location?"
This is IMPORTANT. Add:
Why photos matter: Google shows profiles with photos 2x more often.
Custom illustrated t-shirts, art prints, and
unique gifts made by [Your Name].
Find me at [City] farmers markets.
Original designs, locally made.
Wholesale inquiries welcome!What this does: Someone orders your design, a company prints and ships it, you get paid. Zero work after setup.
Printful (integrates with Shopify/Square)
Printful shows you:
Most artists charge $28-32 for t-shirts.
You literally do nothing.
Monday (5 min): Check orders, ship custom orders
Wednesday (10 min): Post to Instagram with product tags
Friday (5 min): Post on Google Business about weekend market
Sunday (15 min): Review sales, add 1 new product
Total: 35 minutes per week
Month 1 (Setup): $0 (free trials)
Month 2+: $0-39/month (Shopify or free with Square)
Break-even: 4 sales per month at $28 shirts
Use your personal debit card to start. Get a business account when making $500+/month.
Save 25% of profits in a separate account. Give that to your tax person at tax time.
Message them on Instagram, arrange payment through Venmo/PayPal like you do now.
Just post: photos of new products, photos from markets, behind-the-scenes. 3 posts per week is plenty.
You can do both. But this is better: no listing fees, lower transaction fees, you own your customer list, less competition.
Start with JUST Instagram Shopping (Part 1). Do that for a month. Add more when ready.
You've got this. You're already doing the hardest part (creating amazing art). This is just making it easier for people to give you money for it.