Society6

Society6 is a popular print-on-demand platform that connects artists with a global audience. It allows creators to sell their artwork on a wide range of products, including home decor, apparel, tech accessories, and more. Established in 2009, Society6 has become a hub for independent artists seeking to monetize their creativity without managing production or logistics.

Society6 provides an open marketplace for artists to upload their designs and sell them on over 90 customizable products. The platform handles all production, shipping, and customer service, enabling creators to focus solely on their art. With over 350,000 artists from 160+ countries and millions of monthly visitors, Society6 offers a significant opportunity for exposure and sales.

Key Features

1. Wide Product Range:
   • Artists can sell their designs on products like wall art (prints, tapestries), home decor (pillows, rugs), apparel (t-shirts, hoodies), tech accessories (phone cases), and furniture.
2. Artist Plans:
   • Society6 offers different artist plans (Free, Basic, Pro) with varying features:
     • Free Plan: Upload 10 designs; earn 10% royalties.
     • Basic Plan ($4.99/month): Upload up to 100 designs; set your own prices.
     • Pro Plan ($12.99/month): Upload up to 10,000 designs; access analytics and discounts.
3. Built-In Marketplace:
   • Artists receive a personal storefront where they can showcase their designs.
   • Society6 attracts millions of visitors monthly, providing exposure to a global audience.
4. Ease of Use:
   • The platform is beginner-friendly, requiring no technical expertise.
   • Artists can upload designs quickly and apply them to multiple products automatically.
5. Passive Income:
   • Society6 handles all logistics, making it a low-effort way for artists to generate income.
6. Global Reach:
   • The platform connects artists with buyers worldwide, expanding market opportunities.
7. Sustainability:
   • Society6 uses eco-friendly printing methods and materials whenever possible.

Benefits

1. No Upfront Costs:
   • Artists can start selling without any financial commitment under the Free Plan.
2. Creative Freedom:
   • Artists retain full ownership of their designs and can choose which products to feature them on.
3. Scalability:
   • Paid plans allow creators to scale their offerings by uploading more designs and setting custom profit margins.
4. Marketing Opportunities:
   • While Society6 doesn’t offer built-in marketing tools, artists can promote their storefronts through social media or personal websites.
5. Quality Assurance:
   • Society6 ensures high-quality printing and manufacturing for all products sold on its platform.
6. Community Support:
   • Artists can network with like-minded creators and participate in design challenges for additional exposure.

Recent Updates (Effective March 2025)

1. Approval Process:
   • Society6 now limits which artists and designs are accepted on the platform to ensure quality and align with current trends.
2. Elimination of Artist Plans & Fees:
   • Artist subscription fees have been removed, making the platform more accessible.
3. Standardized Pricing:
   • Custom markup percentages have been eliminated in favor of a standardized pricing structure.
4. Shipping Fee Changes:
   • Shipping fees are no longer deducted from artist earnings.

Why Choose Society6?

Society6 is ideal for independent artists looking for a hassle-free way to monetize their art globally. Its extensive product catalog, built-in marketplace, and passive income model make it an attractive option for both emerging and established creators. While recent changes may limit accessibility for some artists, they aim to improve quality and customer satisfaction overall.

How does Society6 compare to Redbubble in terms of artist benefits?

Society6 and Redbubble are both leading print-on-demand platforms, but they cater to artists differently in terms of pricing, earnings, and community engagement. While Redbubble gives artists more control over pricing, Society6 focuses on premium home decor and a curated marketplace.

• Earnings & Pricing: Society6 offers fixed commissions on most products, while Redbubble allows artists to set their own profit margins.
• Product Range: Society6 specializes in high-quality home decor, whereas Redbubble leans towards apparel and stickers.
• Market Exposure: Society6 has a more design-focused, curated approach, attracting customers looking for artistic home goods.
• Artist Tools & Community: Redbubble has more community-driven features, including forums, while Society6 focuses on showcasing artist work through its marketplace.

For artists looking for an exclusive platform focused on high-end digital artwork, SuperRare is another option worth exploring.

What are the main challenges artists face when using Society6?

Selling on Society6 can be rewarding, but artists also face several hurdles, such as limited pricing control and intense competition. Since Society6 sets product prices, profit margins remain fixed, making it harder for artists to adjust their earnings.

• Limited Pricing Control: Unlike Redbubble, artists cannot set their own margins, limiting earning potential.
• High Competition: With thousands of artists on the platform, standing out can be difficult.
• Slow Payout Process: Earnings are paid monthly, and delays can sometimes occur.
• Minimal Customization: Society6 restricts design placement options, offering less flexibility than some competitors.
• No Direct Customer Interaction: Artists cannot communicate with buyers, making it harder to build a loyal customer base.

For those considering alternative platforms, TeeFury offers a different model focused on limited-edition, pop-culture-themed designs.

How does Society6 handle customer service and support?

Society6 manages customer service internally, which means artists do not have to handle customer disputes, returns, or order issues. While this reduces the workload for artists, it also limits their ability to resolve issues quickly.

• Email-Based Support: Society6 primarily handles customer queries via email, which can lead to slow response times.
• No Direct Buyer Communication: Artists cannot interact with customers directly, making it hard to resolve concerns or build a community.
• Refund & Return Policies: Society6 manages refunds and returns, preventing artists from having to deal with disputes.
• Lack of Real-Time Assistance: Unlike some platforms with live chat or phone support, Society6 relies on ticket-based systems.

What types of products are most popular on Society6?

Society6 is known for its high-quality home decor products, with items like art prints and throw pillows being among the best-sellers. The platform attracts customers looking for unique, artist-driven designs for their living spaces.

• Art Prints & Framed Prints: Wall art remains one of the most popular product categories.
• Throw Pillows & Blankets: Stylish, custom designs make these products highly sought-after.
• Wall Tapestries: A great option for large, decorative artwork.
• Phone Cases: Custom-designed phone cases are a top-selling item.
• Stationery (Stickers & Notebooks): Smaller items that are affordable and easy to collect.

How can artists effectively promote their Society6 storefronts?

To succeed on Society6, artists must actively promote their storefronts beyond the platform. Since Society6 has a competitive marketplace, external marketing efforts can help drive traffic and increase sales.

• Optimize Tags & Titles: Use relevant keywords to improve search visibility within Society6.
• Leverage Social Media: Platforms like Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok can help attract customers.
• Email Marketing: Building an email list allows you to send updates about new designs and promotions.
• Collaborate with Influencers: Partnering with influencers or other artists can expand reach.
• Run Paid Ads: Facebook and Instagram ads can target potential buyers interested in home decor.

Society6 partner or Affilated Program

Yes, Society6 does have an affiliate program specifically for artists. You can easily join and start earning additional income by promoting your own artwork and Society6 products. Here are the key details of the Society6 Artist Affiliate Program:

1. Eligibility: Open to all Society6 artists with an active account.
2. Commission: Earn 10% commission on all sales generated through your unique affiliate link.
3. Promotion: You can promote your own artwork or any Society6 product.
4. Tracking: Use a unique affiliate link to track sales and commissions.
5. Cookie Duration: 30-day cookie window, meaning you earn commission on purchases made within 30 days of someone clicking your link.
6. Payout: Commissions are paid monthly via PayPal.
7. No Cost: Free to join and participate.
8. Marketing Tools: Access to banners and other promotional materials to help you market effectively.
9. Dashboard: Track your performance and earnings through a user-friendly dashboard.

To get started, simply log into your Society6 artist account and look for the “Affiliate Program” option in your account settings. This program offers a great way for artists to maximize their earnings on the platform by leveraging their existing audience and social media presence.