A Complete Guide to Fine Art America for Artists and Photographers
Are you an artist or photographer looking to sell your work online? Fine Art America (FAA) is one of the largest platforms where you can showcase and sell your art as prints, home decor, phone cases, and more. In this blog, I’ll explain everything you need to know about becoming a contributor on Fine Art America, how it works, its benefits, challenges, and tips to succeed. Let’s dive in!
What is Fine Art America?
Fine Art America, also known as FAA or Pixels.com, is a global online marketplace and print-on-demand (POD) company that helps artists and photographers sell their work. Founded in 2006, FAA connects creators with buyers worldwide, offering millions of images from over 500,000 artists and iconic brands. Whether you create paintings, drawings, photographs, or digital art, FAA makes it easy to turn your work into products like canvas prints, posters, t-shirts, mugs, and even yoga mats.
FAA handles everything from printing to shipping, so you can focus on creating art. It’s like having your own online shop without the hassle of managing inventory or shipping orders yourself.
How Does Fine Art America Work for Contributors?
As a contributor, you upload your artwork or photos to FAA’s platform, choose the products you want to sell, set your prices, and let FAA take care of the rest. Here’s a step-by-step look at how it works:
- Sign Up for Free:
- Go to www.fineartamerica.com and click “Sign Up” to create an account. You’ll need an email address, username, and password.
- The free account lets you upload up to 25 images and sell them as various products. For unlimited uploads and extra features (like a personal website), you can upgrade to a Premium account for $30 per year.
- Set Up Your Profile:
- Your profile is your “home” on FAA. Add a headshot, write a short bio, and include links to your social media or personal website. This helps buyers learn about you and trust your work.
- A well-crafted profile with a professional photo and engaging bio can attract more visitors.
- Upload Your Artwork:
- Upload high-quality images of your paintings, photos, or digital art. FAA doesn’t review your uploads for quality or content, so make sure your images are clear and professional. Low-quality images may be rejected if a customer orders them.
- You can add titles, descriptions, and keywords (e.g., “zoo animals,” “landscape photography”) to help buyers find your work.
- Choose Products and Set Prices:
- FAA offers hundreds of products, including art prints, canvas prints, framed prints, metal prints, phone cases, greeting cards, pillows, and apparel. You decide which products to offer for each image.
- FAA sets a base price for each product (covering production and shipping costs). You add a markup (your profit), and that’s the final price customers see. For example, if a canvas print’s base price is $50 and you add a $20 markup, the customer pays $70, and you earn $20.
- FAA Handles the Rest:
- When a customer buys your product, FAA prints it at one of their 16 global production facilities (in the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, or the Netherlands), packages it, and ships it directly to the buyer. Products are delivered “ready-to-hang” with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
- FAA collects the payment and sends your profit (the markup) on the 15th of the next month, after the 30-day return window.
- Promote Your Work:
- Your products are listed on FAA’s marketplace, where millions of buyers browse monthly. You can also promote your work on social media, your blog, or email newsletters to drive sales. FAA provides tools to help with this (more on that below).
Can You Sell Zoo Animal Photos and Videos on FAA?
If you’re interested in selling zoo animal photos or videos (as mentioned in your previous questions), FAA is primarily for still images, not videos. You can sell zoo animal photos, but you must follow these rules:
- Zoo Policies: Many zoos prohibit commercial photography without permission. Before uploading zoo animal photos to FAA, contact the zoo’s marketing or PR department to get written approval. Some zoos charge a fee or require a profit-sharing agreement.
- Legal Considerations: You own the copyright to your photos, but zoos may restrict commercial use based on their property rights or ticket terms. Always check the zoo’s rules to avoid legal issues.
- Tips for Success: Zoo animal photos with unique moments (e.g., a baby animal or funny behavior) can attract buyers. Use keywords like “zoo animals,” “wildlife photography,” or “cute animal prints” to make your work discoverable.
If you want to sell videos, consider platforms like Newsflare (as discussed in your earlier questions) instead of FAA.
Benefits of Selling on Fine Art America
FAA is popular among artists and photographers for many reasons. Here are the key benefits:
- Easy to Use:
- Setting up an account and uploading images is simple, even for beginners. The platform is user-friendly, and you don’t need technical skills to start selling.
- No Upfront Costs:
- The free account lets you test the platform without spending money. The $30 Premium account is affordable if you want to upload more images or access advanced features.
- Wide Range of Products:
- With hundreds of products, you can offer something for every buyer, from affordable greeting cards to high-end canvas prints. This increases your chances of making sales.
- Global Reach:
- FAA’s marketplace attracts millions of buyers worldwide. Their 16 production facilities ensure fast shipping and lower costs for international customers.
- Marketing Tools:
- FAA provides tools to boost your sales, including:
- Branded Web Stores: Create a custom storefront with your own URL (e.g., fineartamerica.com/profiles/yourname).
- Social Media Integration: Sell directly on Facebook or promote your work on Instagram and Twitter.
- Blogging: Write unlimited blog posts on FAA to attract search engine traffic and engage buyers.
- E-Newsletters: Send emails to your followers about new artwork or promotions.
- Smartphone App: Buyers can use FAA’s app to visualize your art on their walls, increasing sales potential.
- Additional Revenue Streams:
- Digital Licensing: License your images for use in ads, books, or websites. You set the base price, and FAA adds a 30% commission.
- Digital Streaming: Earn royalties by letting your art appear in digital frames (like a Netflix for art). Royalties are small but can add up if your work is popular.
- Community Support:
- FAA has a forum where artists share tips, discuss sales strategies, and support each other. You can learn from experienced contributors to improve your success.
Challenges of Selling on Fine Art America
While FAA offers many opportunities, there are some challenges to consider:
- High Competition:
- With over 500,000 artists and millions of images, it can be hard to stand out. You’ll need to actively promote your work to get noticed.
- Limited Sales Without Marketing:
- Some artists report low sales if they rely only on FAA’s marketplace. Most successful contributors drive traffic from their own blogs, social media, or email lists.
- Quality Concerns:
- A few artists have noted issues with print quality, like pale colors or poor paper for certain artworks (e.g., watercolors). Test FAA’s prints by ordering samples of your own work before selling.
- Scams:
- Some contributors have received scam inquiries, like fake buyers offering overpayments (e.g., a $600 money order for a $100 print). Be cautious and verify buyers before sharing personal details.
- Fees for Premium Features:
- The $30 annual Premium account fee is required for unlimited uploads and advanced tools. This might feel like a barrier if you’re just starting out.
- No Video Support:
- FAA doesn’t support video uploads, so if you want to sell zoo animal videos, you’ll need another platform like Newsflare.
Tips to Succeed on Fine Art America
To make the most of FAA, follow these tips to boost your visibility and sales:
- Upload High-Quality Images:
- Use clear, high-resolution images to ensure your prints look professional. Poor-quality images may be rejected or lead to customer complaints.
- Optimize Your Listings:
- Use descriptive titles and keywords (e.g., “zoo lion photography,” “colorful abstract painting”) to help buyers find your work. Add detailed descriptions to tell the story behind your art.
- For zoo animal photos, use keywords like “wildlife art,” “animal prints,” or “zoo photography” to attract buyers interested in animal-themed decor.
- Promote Actively:
- Share your FAA profile and products on social media (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter) using relevant hashtags (e.g., #ZooPhotography, #ArtForSale).
- Write blog posts on FAA or your Blogspot blog to drive traffic. For example, share a post about “How I Captured These Stunning Zoo Animal Photos” and link to your FAA portfolio.
- Send email newsletters to your followers with updates about new artwork or sales.
- Engage with the Community:
- Join FAA’s forum to connect with other artists, share tips, and learn from top sellers. Being active in the community can increase your visibility.
- Test Print Quality:
- Order samples of your own work to check FAA’s print quality. This ensures your customers receive products you’re proud of.
- Experiment with Products:
- Offer a variety of products (e.g., affordable greeting cards and premium canvas prints) to appeal to different budgets. Zoo animal photos might sell well as phone cases or posters for kids’ rooms.
- Be Patient:
- Sales may start slowly, especially with high competition. Keep uploading new work, promoting, and refining your strategy to see results over time.
Fine Art America vs. Other Platforms
You might wonder how FAA compares to other platforms like Newsflare, Etsy, or your own website. Here’s a quick comparison:
- FAA vs. Newsflare:
- FAA is for still images (photos, paintings), while Newsflare is for viral videos, including zoo animal footage. If you want to sell both photos and videos, use FAA for photos and Newsflare for videos.
- FAA has a broader product range (prints, decor, apparel), while Newsflare focuses on licensing videos to media outlets.
- FAA vs. Etsy:
- Etsy is great for handmade or vintage items, but you handle printing and shipping yourself. FAA’s print-on-demand model is easier for artists who don’t want to manage logistics.
- Etsy has less competition for art but requires more effort to set up and promote your shop.
- FAA vs. Your Own Website:
- A personal website gives you full control and higher profits but requires significant time for setup, SEO, and maintenance (e.g., 2,000+ hours, as one photographer noted).
- FAA is easier for beginners and provides built-in traffic, but you compete with other artists and pay a small fee for Premium features.
Is Fine Art America Right for You?
FAA is a great choice if you:
- Want an easy way to sell your art without managing printing or shipping.
- Are comfortable promoting your work on social media or blogs.
- Create high-quality paintings, photos, or digital art (including zoo animal photos, with zoo permission).
- Are okay with competition and willing to be patient for sales.
It may not be ideal if you:
- Want to sell videos (try Newsflare instead).
- Prefer full control over your brand and sales (consider your own website).
- Expect instant sales without marketing effort.
How to Get Started
Ready to join Fine Art America? Follow these steps:
- Visit www.fineartamerica.com and sign up for a free account.
- Complete your profile with a bio, headshot, and social media links.
- Upload your best artwork (e.g., zoo animal photos, with zoo permission) and optimize with keywords.
- Choose products, set your prices, and start promoting on social media or your Blogspot blog.
- Engage with FAA’s community and keep adding new work to grow your portfolio.
Final Thoughts
Fine Art America is a fantastic platform for artists and photographers to reach a global audience and monetize their work with minimal effort. While it has challenges like competition and the need for active promotion, its ease of use, wide product range, and marketing tools make it a solid choice for beginners and experienced creators alike. If you’re passionate about sharing your art—whether it’s zoo animal photos or colorful paintings—FAA can help you turn your creativity into income.
Have you tried Fine Art America or another platform? Share your experiences in the comments below, and let me know if you have questions about selling your art online! Thanks for reading, and happy creating!
