How to Make Printable Wall Art to Use or Sell

How to Make Printable Wall Art to Use or Sell

Welcome to Part Four of our Printable Products Blog Series In this edition, we're diving into the world of printable wall art—an accessible and rewarding way to turn your creativity into beautiful, sellable designs. Whether you're crafting for your own space or building a product to sell online, this step-by-step guide is packed with practical tips and inspiration for beginners and seasoned creators alike.

How to Make Printable Wall Art to Use and Sell (Step-by-Step Guide)

Printable wall art is one of the most accessible and profitable digital products for creatives today. Whether you're a hobbyist looking to decorate your space or a small business owner eager to start selling online, this guide will walk you through the complete process—from concept to sale—using tools like Midjourney and Canva (or their alternatives).

Why Printable Wall Art?

  • Low startup cost (no physical inventory)
  • Passive income potential
  • Easy to create with AI art tools + graphic design platforms
  • Ideal for Etsy, Shopify, Creative Market, or your own website

Tools You’ll Need

Tool

Purpose

Midjourney / AI Art Generator

Create unique illustrations or backgrounds

Canva / Affinity Designer / Photoshop

Edit, layer, add typography, and export

PDF Editor / JPG Converter

Format art for printing

Cloud storage

Host files (Dropbox, Google Drive)

Online storefront

Sell via Etsy, Shopify, etc.

 

Step 1: Choose a Style or Theme

Here are some popular printable wall art types (with ideas for each):

  1. Inspirational Quotes
    • Uplifting affirmations
    • Motivational business sayings
    • Minimalist calligraphy designs
    • Bold modern designs
  2. Abstract Designs
    • AI-generated geometric art
    • Watercolour blends
    • Mid-century modern shapes
  3. Seasonal Decor
    • Christmas, Easter, Halloween, Valentine’s Day
    • Summer beach vibes or cozy winter tones
  4. Personalized Name Prints
    • Nursery art with baby names
    • Custom family name signs
    • Zodiac or birthstone themes
  5. Minimalist Art
    • Line drawings
    • Scandinavian-style shapes
    • Neutral-toned botanical art
  6. Trending Topics (2025 trends)
    • Retro Y2K graphics
    • Cottagecore florals
    • Moody maximalist quotes
    • Celestial and tarot-inspired pieces

Tip: Choose 1–2 styles to start and refine your niche as you grow. We recommend that you choose niches that you love and enjoy – your passion for your style and niche will shine through your designs (create what you know and understand).

Step 2: Create the Artwork

Option A: Using AI Tools like Midjourney

  1. Open your AI tool (e.g. Midjourney on Discord).
  2. Write a clear prompt. For example:
  3. /imagine: a minimalist abstract watercolour in earth tones, suitable for wall art, 300dpi
  4. Wait for render → Upscale your favourite → Download image.
  5. Check resolution: Aim for 300 DPI at your preferred sizes (e.g., 8x10", 11x14", 16x20").

Pro Tip: Ask for “negative space,” “framed composition,” or “white border” in your prompts if you plan to add text later in Canva.

Option B: Designing in Canva (or similar)

  1. Create a custom-size design in inches or pixels (e.g., 4800x6000px for 16x20”).
  2. Upload your AI image or use Canva elements.
  3. Add text for quotes or names using free-for-commercial-use fonts.
  4. Design multiple layouts (e.g., landscape, portrait, square).
  5. Save project and download in high-res PDF + JPG formats.

Step 3: Prepare Files for Print

Offer files in multiple ratios to fit common frame sizes:

Ratio

Size Examples

2:3

4x6", 12x18", 24x36"

4:5

8x10", 16x20"

3:4

6x8", 12x16"

ISO

A4, A3, A2 (Europe, Australia)

Bundle file formats:

  • JPG (high res, 300 dpi)
  • PDF (for print shops)
  • PNG (for transparent elements)
  • ZIP files for all ratios

Step 4: Add Licensing & Instructions

  • Create a PDF with usage instructions:
    • How to print at home
    • Recommended online printers
    • Paper types (e.g. matte cardstock)
    • Frame suggestions
  • Include a personal use or commercial license, if relevant.

Optional: Add your logo subtly to protect your art.

Step 5: List Your Wall Art for Sale

Where to Sell:

Platform

Best For

Etsy

Beginners & traffic-rich niche market

Shopify

Brand-focused store owners

Creative Market

Design-savvy audience

Payhip / Gumroad

Simple and no monthly fees

Faire / Wholesale Directories

Scaling via boutiques

What to Include in a Listing:

  • SEO title: “Printable Inspirational Wall Art | 8x10 11x14 16x20 | Minimalist Quote Print | Digital Download”
  • Keywords: Use tags like "office decor," "boho wall art," "printable nursery art"
  • Description:
    • What’s included
    • Sizes and ratios
    • How to use
    • Licensing info
  • Photos/Mockups:
    • Show artwork in real environments (frames, walls)
    • Use mockup templates (Canva, Placeit, or Smartmockups)

Step 6: Market Your Printables

Organic Marketing

  • Pinterest: Create pin graphics with your art and link to product pages.
  • Instagram: Share behind-the-scenes, process videos, or room mockups.
  • Blog or Email: Write DIY decor guides or free printable giveaways.
  • Facebook Groups: Share your work in relevant digital product or home decor groups.

Paid Marketing (when ready)

  • Run targeted Etsy ads or Meta ads for high-performing designs.
  • Use SEO tools (like Marmalead or eRank) to optimize listings.

Note: We don’t use ‘paid’ marketing (ever), rather we put our focus on creating and building organic traffic to our website/shop and have found this to be a slow but successful method of building our business.

Bonus Ideas for Experienced Sellers

  • Bundle seasonal or themed sets (e.g. “Inspirational Office Trio” or “Boho Nursery Set”)
  • Offer custom orders for names, quotes, or wedding dates.
  • Create limited-edition printables to drive urgency.
  • Turn bestsellers into physical products (e.g. canvas prints, greeting cards).

Final Checklist Before Publishing

High-res JPG and PDF files in multiple ratios
Clear and optimized product description
Branded, professional mockup images
Download folder or ZIP with naming conventions
Instructions + License PDF
SEO-friendly title and tags
Your social media and website links

Click here to download your free pdf step by step instructions.

Conclusion

Creating and selling printable wall art is one of the most beginner-friendly ways to enter the world of digital products. Whether you love typography, painting, AI art, or design, this method gives you the freedom to express your creativity and make passive income. In the next blog in this series, we’ll explore how to printable stickers and labels, including Planner Stickers, Recipe Labels, Pantry & Spice Jar Labels, Gift Tags and Address Labels.

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