• Try “portfolio”, “ink”, “branding” or a code like “PRS 101”.

CBE 235Creative Business and Entrepreneurship

Selling Art Online

Choose how to sell originals, prints and products online, price artwork, write listings, ship safely and understand consumer protection and sales tax basics.

Planned

About this course

There are many ways to sell art online: marketplaces, print-on-demand services, social commerce, galleries with online shops and your own store. This course helps you choose a model, price originals and editions, photograph and describe work so buyers know exactly what they're getting, set shipping and returns policies, pack artwork safely and handle customer service. It covers, in broad terms, Canadian consumer protection expectations, honest descriptions under the Competition Bureau's guidance and GST/HST registration thresholds. Setting up your own storefront is covered in Building an Online Art Shop.

Who it’s for: Artists ready to sell originals, prints or products online, or who sell informally and want to do it properly. Best in Canada; international differences flagged.

You will be able to

  • Compare marketplaces, print-on-demand, social selling and own-store models for your work
  • Price originals, limited editions and open-edition prints using a consistent method
  • Write accurate listings with dimensions, materials, edition details and condition
  • Set shipping, returns and customer service policies
  • Describe consumer protection and GST/HST questions to confirm for your situation

Studio project

Five works prepared for online sale with consistent pricing, complete listings, a packing spec, a policies page and a compliance questions list.

To complete this course

  • Complete every required lesson.
  • Have the assignment “A sales-ready collection” accepted by an instructor.
  • Records of completion are issued only for courses whose content has passed instructor review.

Syllabus

Working titles: they may change as the course is written.

  1. Module 1: Selling models

    Where and how to sell.

    1. 1.1Marketplaces and print-on-demandReading · 30 min
    2. 1.2Your own store and social sellingReading · 25 min

  2. Module 2: Pricing artwork

    A consistent, defensible approach.

    1. 2.1Pricing originalsExercise · 35 min
    2. 2.2Editions and printsReading · 30 min

  3. Module 3: Listings that sell honestly

    Buyers should know exactly what arrives.

    1. 3.1Photographing work for saleStudio · 45 min
    2. 3.2Writing listingsExercise · 30 min
    3. 3.3Honest descriptionsReading · 20 min

  4. Module 4: Orders, shipping and obligations

    From payment to a happy buyer.

    1. 4.1Shipping and packing artworkReading · 30 min
    2. 4.2Returns and policiesExercise · 25 min
    3. 4.3Consumer protection and sales tax basicsReading · 30 min

Educational information about Canadian and international practice, not legal, tax or financial advice. Tax, consumer and business rules differ by country and province. For decisions about your situation, consult a qualified accountant, lawyer or other professional.

Sources

Author: Ricketts University curriculum team (draft for founder review) · Not yet reviewed

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