Etsy vs. Spoonflower vs. Creative Market: Where Should You Sell Your Art First?
If you’ve ever finished a pattern and thought, “Now what?”—this post is for you.
Maybe you’ve seen artists selling digital downloads on Etsy… or gorgeous fabrics on Spoonflower… or sleek graphics on Creative Market. It’s inspiring—but also a little overwhelming. You’re not just picking a platform. You’re trying to pick a direction.
And when you’re a creative with limited time and no business background, that pressure can feel like a full stop.
Let’s walk through this together—gently, clearly, and with your beginner brain (and heart) in mind.
All Three Platforms Work—but Not the Same Way
Each platform serves a different audience and asks for different things from you—time, tech, setup, and energy.
1. Etsy – Best for Building Your Own Shop
✅ Pros: Easy to start, great for digital downloads (wall art, pattern packs), lots of built-in traffic
❌ Cons: You’ll need to handle listing visuals, SEO, and customer messages
⭐ Best For: Artists who want to sell digital files, prints, or sticker designs
"My first digital product was a wildlife coloring page. It wasn’t perfect—but it sold. That one little sale made me feel seen. It gave me the courage to keep going."
2. Spoonflower – Best for Fabric & Home Decor
✅ Pros: No need to print or ship anything—they handle it!
❌ Cons: Requires some learning around pattern scaling and repeat files
⭐ Best For: Artists excited to see their art on real products like pillows, napkins, or bedding
"I still remember ordering napkins with my own design on them. It wasn’t just about fabric—it was about feeling like my art had a place in the world."
3. Creative Market – Best for Design-Savvy Digital Products
✅ Pros: Niche, design-savvy audience; potential for passive income
❌ Cons: Application process + polished, pro-level product expectations
⭐ Best For: Artists creating high-end assets like brushes, templates, or seamless collections
"You’re not choosing forever. You’re just choosing for right now. You can always grow into new platforms."
Start Where Setup Feels Doable (Not Where It Looks Coolest)
Picking the most beautiful storefront doesn’t matter if you don’t feel ready to use it.
Check Your Time & Tech Bandwidth
Ask yourself:
How much time do I realistically have to list one product?
Am I more comfortable with digital downloads or physical products?
What do I already have finished or nearly ready?
Match the Platform to Your Current Strength
Got a few digital files ready? → Etsy might be your move.
Curious about fabric? → Try uploading to Spoonflower first.
Like creating templates or bundles? → Creative Market is worth working toward.
Let One Tiny Win Build Momentum
Pick one pattern.
List it as a wallpaper, a napkin, or a digital tile.
Celebrate your first view or favorite listing photo—that means someone out there found you.
“Progress comes from clarity, not complexity. Choose what you can do this week—not what sounds perfect next month.”
My Start (And Why I Recommend Etsy First for Most Beginners)
I didn’t map out a full business plan. I didn’t even look into all the platforms. I picked one and uploaded my art—then slowly grew from there.
I Chose Etsy Because It Felt Possible
Etsy didn’t ask me to be a designer, a marketer, and a tech whiz all at once. It let me list my coloring page, and I learned from there.
"That first sale wasn’t just about money. It was about possibility. That someone wanted what I made—it meant my creativity had a home."
My “Aha” Moment: I Don’t Have to Be Everywhere
I realized I didn’t need to juggle Etsy, Spoonflower, Redbubble, and Creative Market all at once. Having all my eggs in one basket—and watching it grow—gave me confidence.
Your Path May Be Different—and That’s Okay
Maybe you’ll start with Spoonflower. Maybe it’s Redbubble. The platform doesn’t matter as much as your willingness to begin.
“There’s no wrong place to begin—only the wrong belief that you’re not ready.”
Ready to Sell? Start with What You Can Control
You don’t need every answer before you list your first product. You just need one clear step.
That’s why I created a free seamless pattern course—to help you go from blank canvas to repeat-ready tile without overwhelm.
🖼️ It’s step-by-step.
🕒 You can work at your own pace.
🎉 You’ll walk away with something you’re proud to list.
👉 Sign up for the free course here!
Because action creates clarity—and clarity builds momentum.
You’re not late.
You’re not behind.
You’re exactly where you need to be.
Let’s list that first product. Together.
