Discover Redbubble: Where Artists Thrive, Buyers Explore, Creations Shine

Redbubble is an online marketplace that enables artists to sell their artwork printed on various products, including clothing, stickers, phone cases, and home decor. It’s a platform for both established and emerging artists looking to reach a broader audience with their creations. 

The Redbubble Crowd

But, Redbubble is crowded in the sense that there is a vast number of stores with an array of artwork and products available, but it also means there’s a diverse audience constantly browsing.

That is why being heard and doing the things that make all the difference is key.

How Buyers Find Redbubble

Buyers typically find Redbubble through online searches, social media, or word-of-mouth recommendations.

The platform started in 2006 in Melbourne, founded by Martin Hosking, Peter Styles, and Paul Vanzella. 

Since then, it has grown into a global marketplace connecting artists with buyers worldwide, fostering creativity and allowing individuals to express themselves through unique and personalised products.

How to Make Redbubble Work For You

So how do you make this impressive and popular platform work for you?

The creative creature who has wonderful artwork to sell to folk all over the world? Well that is what this skills sharing story is all about, outlining the key elements that you need to do well and the mistakes to avoid.

4. Engage with the Redbubble Community

Participate in Redbubble’s community forums, challenges, and promotions to increase visibility and connect with potential buyers.

This is the same as using your professional profile, eg. Jennifer Lou Artist, to comment, like, share and follow on Facebook and Instagram.

Just as there, on Redbubble, others will see your profile and check you and your out.

So how you present yourself with what you say, how you say it, how you encourage or not, will make a difference to how others perceive you.

5. Eye-Catching Thumbnails

Create visually appealing thumbnails that accurately represent your artwork and stand out among competitors.

Again, this is about making sure that your work, the little snippet that people see immediately, looks good and entices people to dive in.

While Redbubble does all of the product thumbnails, you set up your own for categories etc.

7. Promote Your Work Outside of Redbubble

Utilise social media platforms and other online channels to promote your Redbubble store and individual designs.

This has a double whammy effect as Redbubble will see the traffic you’re bringing in and reward you for stepping up and contributing.

Your own existing supporters, buyers and friends, as well as potential customers will be led to your Redbubble store.

Do make sure you are using a link to your Redbubble store that takes your potential customers straight to your store. Always test your links before publishing on the socials.

8. Regular Updates to Your Redbubble Store

Keep your portfolio fresh by regularly adding new designs and updating existing ones to maintain relevance.

Again, this is a double whammy. And again, this includes getting brownie points with Redbubble. They want you to regularly add content and will reward you with showing your work to more people.

Plus, your own followers enjoy seeing your new products and it gives you fresh social media content.

Just as with planning out your newsletters, your Bluethumb, Patreon, Etsy, Spoonflower etc work, create a calendar for yourself so you can plot out what you need to do by when and how.

9. Optimise Your Pricing on Redbubble for Sales

Set reasonable prices that reflect the value of your artwork while remaining competitive within the marketplace.

This is important.

You can see for yourself the various pricing options your competitors on Redbubble are offering to buyers.

Don’t go into a pricing war – Redbubble does quite a few sales so you could really knock yourself sideways in a pricing war and it is a fast way to waste your time and efforts.

Unless you sell your work for big bucks and have an exceptionally loyal customer base who will buy anything you do at whatever price, aim for the middle to top half of the pack.

12. Utilise Redbubble Analytics

Use Redbubble’s analytics tools to track performance, identify trends, and adjust your strategies accordingly.

So initially, these analytics tools can take a while to figure out, largely because you won’t have much data to be turning into information.

But give it time, explore what is available and keep tweaking your listings, particularly your keyword tags to see what the reports might tell you.

13. Cross-Promotion on Redbubble

Collaborate with other artists or influencers to cross-promote each other’s work and expand your reach.

This can be a game changing approach on Redbubble. Yes, you will come across some folk who are takers, but, you will also get to work with some really lovely, inspiring, enabling artists who become part of your treasured Redbubble family.

Keep the folk who belong in your tribe, and walk away with good grace from the others. 

14. Stay Informed of Redbubble Changes

Keep abreast of Redbubble’s updates, policies, and best practices to adapt your approach accordingly.

OK, so, Redbubble does periodically make changes, some popular, others not so popular and sometimes ones that cause a lot of upset. It is important to stay informed so you can take advantage of the good things and make your own informed decisions about the others.

15. Legal Compliance and Redbubble

Ensure your artwork does not violate copyright or trademark laws to avoid potential legal issues. 

While this one is kinda obvious to all, well you’d hope so at least, breaking these rules is a fast way to lose your store and all the time, care and effort you’ve put into it.

A number of sellers were illegally using the May Gibbs artwork that had it’s copyright bequeathed by the beloved artist to two charities. 

Redbubble received some messages from the charities and all the illegal products were wiped out, with massive impacts for the artists who were in breach of copyright.

From personal and professional ethics, to reputation, to keeping your Redbubble store open, respecting copyright and trademark laws it crucial. 

Final Words

In conclusion, Redbubble offers a unique platform for artists to showcase and monetise their creations without the logistical hassles of inventory and shipping.

This marketplace not only caters to the needs of established and emerging artists but also attracts a diverse and global audience.

However, succeeding on Redbubble requires more than just talent; artists must strategically approach their store management and promotion.

High-quality artwork, a diverse portfolio, effective keyword tagging, and eye-catching thumbnails are essential to stand out in the crowded marketplace.

Additionally, active engagement with the Redbubble community, consistent updates to the store, and external promotion through social media can significantly enhance visibility and sales.

Setting competitive prices, maintaining a cohesive brand identity, and providing excellent customer service are also crucial.

Utilising Redbubble’s analytics, staying informed about platform changes, and ensuring legal compliance can further solidify an artist’s presence on the platform.

By avoiding common pitfalls such as overpricing, ignoring customer feedback, and neglecting marketing, artists can maximise their potential on Redbubble.

How Long to Build a Successful Redbubble Store

Just as with any serious income producing asset for a creative business, such as a newsletter, website, social media profiles, Bluethumb, Patreon, Etsy, Spoonflower etc, with 4-6 hours a week of consistent work, it should take about 2-4 years to build a steady income stream.

Success On Redbubble

Ultimately, success on Redbubble demands a balance of creativity, strategic planning, and continuous engagement, making it a valuable avenue for artists to reach a broader audience and achieve financial success.