How to Start a arts Business | Making Stickers, Prepping for Launch & Tips to Get Started

In the ever-evolving world of art entrepreneurship, embarking on the journey of starting your own arts business can be both exciting and intimidating.

From the humble beginnings of making stickers to preparing for a grand launch, I’ll share my experiences and valuable tips In this article.

My experience as an art entrepreneur:

Hi this is Talyor & I’ll share my experience of creating and selling my own stickers business, inspired by my passion for stickers collection sincechildhood. One of my close friend was also involved in this journey.

Later we expanded our inventry to prints, greeting cards, washi tapes, pins, and more. With our more than one year struggle we managed to generate a revenue of 10K $ per month

Due to startup, fixed budget & less time, we decided to outsource the manufacturing of our products, that turned into an extremely pleasant experience. Thanks to Vograce, who helped us creating high quality merchandise items at an affordable rates.

We found it better to make our own personal web store using Shopify instead of starting on an online marketplace like Etsy. Having your own website would be more beneficial in the long run. However online marketplaces like ETSY & insta can add up sales if efficiently managed.

We used social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok to market our shop and products. Later we also collaborated with some fellow artists & paid influencers to expand our reach.

In beginning we targeted a fresh competitor that help us grow our brand at initial stages. We followed other artists for inspiration on how to produce highly selling unique products & effectively market them.

For shipping services we initially used stamp letter mail but later we researched more platforms and chose Shippo best for our needs.

For mnaging budget we broke down the costs into categories such as equipment, services/subscriptions, and materials.

The start up cost was around 1200$ including product manufacturing, shipping & web portal management. However startup costs can vary based on individual circumstances.

We mainly focused on high quality product designing, maintaining website, product photographing & marketing, tha slowly helped us gain brand recognition.

The journey was not that smooth as it seems, faced unmanaged deadlines, budget miscalculation, demotivated from no results & got some faulty products from the manufacturer that got us in serious trouble.

With time facing challenges we gained experience, confidence & were able to generte some revenue in first 6 months. Then, we thought about adding more products in our merch.

What I learned with my experience the most is, effectively planning and setting deadlines. You must have patience during the learning process & especially when you have no revenue. You mut be courageous to analyze & learn from mistakes & not be afraid to make changes or adjustments along the way.

Here are some key tips for young entrepreneur, what I learned from my experience:

• Start with a manageable product:

Before investing your savings, ask yourself if your ideas need further development and if there is an audience for them. Consider the quality and uniqueness of your products. When beginning your arts business, consider starting with a simple and manageable product like stickers. 

This allows you to gain experience in creating and selling products without overwhelming yourself.

Deciding a budget can also help you choose the product you should start with. As you gain confidence and experience, you can gradually expand your product line.

• Create designs & decide on manufacturing:

First of all, you must be familiar with software like Procreate and Photoshop for creating digital designs.

Get inspiration from highly selling merchandises & create your own quality designs.

Adjust colors and brightness for accurate printing. Test and fine-tune your printing settings to achieve the desired results.

Determine whether you want to outsource the production of your products or make them yourself.

Making your own products provides more control over inventory levels & quality but it takes a lot of tie especially for beginners & maintaining the stock.

That’s why it’s usuall better to outsource the manufacturing of your products.

Here I highly recommend Vograce, a leading manufacturer of art accessories that is sure to ignite your creative spark.

Vograce is the go-to destination for enthusiasts and entrepreneur seeking high-quality and customizable artistic merchandise.

With a wide range of products including custom keychains, stickers, charms, pins, and badges upto bed decorative items i.e. custom body pillow.

However if you want to make stickers on your own, ensure you have the necessary equipment, such as a printer and cutting tools. Remember for each product you’ll need specific machines.

• Create your brand presence:

Decide where you want to sell your products. Art & decorative accessories are widely sold online.

Consider online marketplaces like Etsy or creating your own website with platforms like Shopify, Instagram or Squarespace.

Research and compare different options to find the platform that best suits your needs, taking into account factors such as fees, ease of use, and potential audience reach.

• Develop a marketing strategy:

Utilize social media handles like Instagram and TikTok to market your products. Look for inspiration from other artists who are successfully promoting their work and engage with their strategies. Utilize hashtags and engage with your followers to increase visibility.

Consistency is key, so establish a regular posting schedule to build your community and showcase your products.

• Packaging, Shipping and logistics:

Put thought into your packaging to enhance the customer experience. Consider using personalized wrapping, decorative elements, and custom stickers for a professional and visually appealing touch.

Also, determine how you will ship your products to customers. Research shipping options, such as different carriers and shipping platforms like Shippo, to find the most suitable and cost-effective solution for your business.

Start with basic shipping options and consider adding more tracking and delivery options as your business expands.

• Manage finances effectively:

Keep track of your startup costs, including equipment, services or subscriptions, and materials. Plan a budget that aligns with your financial comfort level.

As your business grows, monitor your expenses and revenue to ensure you are operating within your means and making necessary adjustments.

• Plan and prepare for launch:

Design your website, create product listings, and take high-quality photographs of your products. Use a plain background that complements your products.

Adjust lighting and edit your photos using software like Lightroom to enhance their quality. Pay attention to details such as product descriptions and pricing. 

Establish a clear launch date and give yourself ample time to complete all necessary tasks before unveiling your shop to the public.

• Learn from mistakes and improve:

Be open to learning from your experiences and iterate on your processes. Accept that there may be challenges and setbacks along the way, but use them as opportunities for growth and improvement.

Continuously evaluate your strategies and products to identify areas for improvement. Adapt to customer feedback and market trends to stay relevant and competitive.

• Prioritize planning and organization:

Planning is crucial for a successful arts business. Use tools like Notion or other planning platforms to stay organized, set deadlines, and manage your shop effectively. Streamlining your processes will help you meet your goals and reduce stress.

• Be committed:

Starting a business requires dedication and passion. Make sure you have the time and energy to manage it alongside your other responsibilities.

Conclusion:

Running your own arts business can be challenging but rewarding. Embrace the joy of sharing your art with others and the satisfaction of seeing your products bring happiness to customers. Stay passionate and continue to document your journey to inspire others and foster a sense of community.

With careful planning, creativity, and dedication, you can turn your passion into a successful venture. 

Good luck on your entrepreneurial journey. Feel free to contact if you still need guidance.