As an artist or digital creator, you’ve likely noticed the growing popularity of NFTs in the creative world. If you have a unique artistic style or digital design skills, now’s a great time to turn your work into a new income stream by selling NFTs. Several online platforms make it easy to mint, list, and sell your digital art to a global audience. In this blog post, we’ll guide you through the process. You’ll learn what kinds of artwork you can sell as NFTs, the best marketplaces to sell your art & NFTs, and tips to help you get started in the exciting world of NFT art.
What types of Marketplaces can I sell in?
Digital art comes in many forms, and in the world of NFTs, it can be more than just beautiful—it can be collectible, meaningful, and even interactive. From illustrations and 3D renders to generative art, animations, and graphic designs, there’s a wide range of styles that can be transformed into NFTs. But before you start creating, it’s important to think strategically. Explore the marketplaces we’ll mention below. Pay attention to what’s trending, what styles are in demand, and which artists are standing out. Then, look for gaps—types of art or unique concepts that are underrepresented but could spark interest. There’s no promise of instant sales, but understanding what works in the current NFT space is a crucial first step before diving into your creations.
Where can I sell Marketplaces to Sell Your Art & NFTs online?
To start selling your art and designs as NFTs, you’ll need to find a digital marketplace that caters specifically to creators and collectors in the NFT space. You’ll have a better chance of success if you focus on platforms where users are actively browsing and buying digital art. In other words, go where your audience already is.
There are plenty of NFT marketplaces that allow you to mint and list your creations for sale. On most of these platforms, you can sell individual pieces or create themed collections. To help you take that first step, we’ve rounded up some of the most popular NFT marketplaces available today. Many of them offer non-exclusive listings, so you can try out multiple sites and see which one works best for your style and goals.
1. SuperRare
SuperRare is a premier NFT marketplace specializing in unique, single-edition digital artworks. Established in 2018, it operates on the Ethereum blockchain and is renowned for its curated approach, ensuring that each piece is authentically created and tokenized as a collectible digital asset.
Key Features:
- Curated Platform: SuperRare maintains a selective process for artists, requiring an invitation to mint and sell NFTs. This ensures a high standard of quality and authenticity .
- Single-Edition NFTs: Each artwork on SuperRare is a one-of-a-kind piece, emphasizing uniqueness and exclusivity .
- Decentralized Governance: The platform utilizes its native token, $RARE, granting holders voting rights on platform-related decisions, including the addition of new community-operated galleries known as “Spaces” .
- High-End Art Focus: SuperRare caters to serious collectors and investors, with an average sale price exceeding $4,000. It has also collaborated with notable brands like Gucci and hosted physical exhibitions to bridge digital and traditional art worlds.
2. Rarible
Rarible is a decentralized, multichain NFT marketplace that empowers creators to mint, sell, and collect digital assets across various blockchains, including Ethereum, Polygon, Tezos, and Flow. It offers a user-friendly platform with features like lazy minting (no upfront gas fees), customizable royalties up to 50%, and support for various NFT types such as digital art, music, photography, and virtual items. The platform is governed by its community through the RARI token, allowing users to participate in decision-making processes. Rarible’s intuitive interface and multichain support make it accessible for both newcomers and experienced NFT enthusiasts.
3. OpenSea
OpenSea is the largest and one of the most well-known NFT marketplaces online. It allows artists, designers, and collectors to create, buy, and sell a wide range of digital assets, including art, music, collectibles, and domain names. Built primarily on the Ethereum blockchain (with support for other chains like Polygon), OpenSea offers a user-friendly interface and tools for minting NFTs without needing deep technical knowledge. It’s a go-to platform for both new and experienced creators looking to reach a global audience in the NFT space.
4. Nifty
Nifty Gateway is a popular NFT marketplace known for its high-profile art drops and curated collections. It focuses on making digital art accessible to both creators and collectors by offering credit card payments alongside crypto. The platform often features collaborations with well-known artists, brands, and celebrities, and it emphasizes quality over quantity through a selective onboarding process. Nifty Gateway also supports both primary sales (drops) and a secondary marketplace, making it a great platform for artists looking to reach serious collectors.
5. Mintable
Mintable is a user-friendly NFT marketplace founded in 2018 by Zach Burks. Built on the Ethereum blockchain, it allows creators to mint, buy, and sell NFTs without needing coding skills. Notably, Mintable offers gasless minting, enabling artists to create and list NFTs without paying transaction fees. The platform supports various digital assets, including art, music, and collectibles, and accepts payments via credit card and ETH. With features like customizable royalties and cross-listing with OpenSea, Mintable is an accessible option for both new and experienced NFT creators.
6. Foundation
Foundation is a curated NFT marketplace built on the Ethereum blockchain, designed to connect digital artists with collectors through a streamlined and community-driven platform. Launched in February 2021, it has quickly gained recognition for its focus on high-quality digital art and its unique auction-based sales model.
Key Features:
- Auction-Based Sales: Primary sales on Foundation operate via reserve auctions. Once a collector places a bid that meets the reserve price, a 24-hour auction begins. If a bid is placed in the last 15 minutes, the auction extends by another 15 minutes, ensuring fair opportunities for all bidders.
- Creator Earnings: Artists receive 85% of the final sale price from primary sales. Additionally, they earn a 10% royalty on all secondary sales, providing ongoing revenue from their work.
- Verification Process: To mint and list NFTs, creators must verify their profiles by connecting a Twitter or Instagram account. This verification builds trust and context for collectors.
- Diverse Selling Options: Beyond auctions, Foundation offers various sales methods, including “Buy Now” listings, offers, drops, editions, galleries, exhibitions, and batch listings, allowing artists flexibility in how they present and sell their work.
- Community Curation: Foundation emphasizes a community-led approach, where initial artists were given invites to onboard new creators, fostering a network of trusted artists and high-quality art
With its emphasis on quality, transparency, and community, Foundation has become a prominent platform for digital artists seeking to showcase and monetize their work in the NFT space.
7. 500px
500px is a global online photography community and marketplace where photographers can showcase their work, gain exposure, and sell high-quality images. It’s popular among both amateur and professional photographers for its sleek portfolio features and community-driven platform. Users can license their photos through 500px’s licensing program, offering a potential source of income. With features like photo contests, galleries, and detailed analytics, 500px is an ideal platform for photographers looking to build a presence and monetize their art.
Start selling your Art and Designs
Creating and selling digital art and designs as NFTs is an exciting way to earn passive income as an artist, but it’s important to do your homework first. Once you’ve chosen the style or concept you want to focus on—whether it’s illustrations, animations, or generative art—start creating with intention. Then, select a few of the NFT platforms mentioned above that allow non-exclusive listings and begin uploading your work. It will take some trial and error, but over time, you’ll discover which platforms bring in the most consistent sales and exposure. With creativity, persistence, and a bit of luck, you could turn your digital designs into a rewarding source of income.
Sell more than just Art and Designs
There’s a wide range of digital content you can sell online beyond just NFT art and designs. If you’re a versatile creator, consider exploring other types of digital products to diversify your income. From templates and animations to music, virtual goods, and more, there are plenty of options to expand your offerings. Visit our categories page to discover other types of digital assets you can start selling today to boost your passive income.