If you’re into creating cute, colorful pixel art, you might be wondering, can you actually make money from it?
The short answer is yes, you can. In fact, there are several legit ways to sell pixel art online today, whether you’re doing it as a fun side hustle or aiming to build a steady income from your work.
It sounds exciting, right? But before you jump in, it’s important to understand how it really works.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through how to make money selling pixel art online, show you real examples of how much people are earning from it, plus some practical tips to help you get started the right way.
What is pixel art?
Pixel art is a digital art style where images are created and edited at the pixel level. This means that each tiny square, called a pixel, is carefully placed to form a larger picture. It’s often associated with the retro look of 80s and 90s video games, like those seen on classic consoles.
But unlike modern digital art that focuses on smooth shading and realism, pixel art is all about simplicity and precision. Each pixel matters, and artists use limited color palettes to make their designs stand out.
What’s great about this digital art style is that it has made a big comeback. It’s not only used in indie games but also in NFTs, icons, digital stickers, and online marketplaces, so there’s a demand for this kind of digital art, making it a fun and creative way to earn money online.
What to expect?
Before we talk about how you can sell pixel art online, let's talk about what you can expect from this method of earning online. The video below explains exactly what you can expect from creating and selling digital pixel art. You can also read the full details below the video.
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First of all, there are many websites that you can use to create pixel art. These websites are easy to use and don’t cost a lot to use. Some of them are even free.
A good example of a website you can use is Piskel. What’s great about this site is that it is free, and it also has tutorials you can watch to help you get started. It’s a great option for beginners, in my opinion.
If you are new to this form of digital art, let me just tell you that creativity is what sets the limits to what you can do, which is why it is very important to get used to how you can make pixel art. That’s where these free tools come in handy, because you can use them for practice, so you can master this form of digital art.
Now, if you are thinking that you can just use AI to create digital pixel art, let me just tell you it will be quite challenging. Yes, AI systems are capable of creating pixel art, but they are very unreliable. I have tested it myself, and the result was not great. There were many mismatched pixels, and sometimes, the images were blurry.
This doesn’t mean you can’t use AI to help you create digital pixel art. In my opinion and experience, AI can be a great tool to get inspiration from. For example, you can ask it to create a sketch that you can use to model your pixel art. Or to brainstorm ideas.
As for the amount you can earn by selling pixel art, let me just tell you that it can’t make you rich overnight. That being said, it can be a nice source of extra income, especially if you create small packs or game assets that people are always looking for.
For example, you can sell a pack of 5 pixel art images for $25 instead of just selling an image individually for $5. You’ll earn more because the buyer will be forced to buy the pack even if they don’t need all the pictures. Of course, you also have to figure out what kind of pixel art is in demand.
But overall, the amount you can earn will mostly depend on your style, how well you market your art, and how unique your creations are.
It’s important to know that there’s no guarantee you will earn immediately. You will need to be consistent in creating and promoting your art to succeed.
Where can you sell pixel art?
Now that you know what to expect from this type of earning method, it’s time we discuss where you can sell your pixel art.
Option #1 – Itch
One great platform to sell your pixel art is called Itch. It is an online marketplace and community platform primarily for independent game developers. You can upload game assets per pack or individually, and game developers can download them for a fee.
Many creators upload assets on this platform, so you’ll want to ensure your pixel art stands out in terms of quality, uniqueness, and niche. You can also use this website to figure out what assets are selling or what styles and assets are trending to get a sense of the market.
You can get inspiration from other creators, just make sure not to copy their work.
Option #2 – Fiverr
Fiverr is a popular online freelance marketplace where people offer digital services starting at $5. It can be a great platform to sell custom sprite designs, game characters, or retro-style commissions.
However, like any marketplace, competition can be tough. So, you’ll need to create eye-catching samples and maintain good ratings to stand out. That’s why, if you decide to use this platform, you must be patient and take the time to build your reputation as a great pixel art creator.
Option #3 – Etsy
Etsy is a global online marketplace where people buy and sell handmade, vintage, and creative digital products. It’s best known for physical crafts and art, but it’s also a great place to sell digital downloads, including pixel art prints, game assets, and design elements.
The good thing about Etsy is that it already has a built-in audience of people who appreciate art and design. So, if you create eye-catching pixel art, there’s a real chance to reach buyers who love that nostalgic, retro look.
But again, competition can be strong, and you’ll need to learn how to make your listings stand out with good titles, tags, and appealing preview images.
The websites above are just examples of where you can sell your digital pixel art, but in general, you can also sell them on most online marketplaces, Facebook groups, and many freelance platforms.
Practical tips to get started
Before you get started on your pixel art journey, there are a few practical tips you can follow to increase your chances of succeeding in this endeavor.
- Start small – When starting, don’t try to create overly complicated art. It is best to create simple and clean pixel art because it can sell really well, based on my experience.
- Focus on quality – It is best to focus on quality instead of quantity. A polished and high-quality work can help improve your reputation as a pixel art creator. Once you’ve established your reputation as a good pixel art creator, you can start thinking about increasing your output.
- Consistency is key – When it comes to making money online, this is one of the key rules you need to abide by. You’ll need to create pixel art regularly and upload it to the platforms, because the more art you have, the more likely people will find you.
- Don’t copy the work of others – As I’ve explained earlier, it’s okay to get inspiration from other creators, but you must make sure not to copy their work. It will not help you build a real business, and in most cases, it can get your listing taken down.
- Don’t rely on one listing – When selling pixel art, it is recommended that you test different styles and different packs, so you can see what sells. Listing your products in different ways can also help you figure out which is more effective based on the sales you get.
But the most important tip I can give you is that you must always remember this is a long-term game.
Pixel art can be fun to make and sell, but the key is to keep improving and experimenting. In short, you have to put in time and effort to succeed in it.
Final Thoughts
Creating and selling pixel art can be a viable and fun way to earn passively if you are willing to learn, test, and put in continuous time and effort. Just remember that it’s not a magical way to become rich. It can, however, potentially be a way to build up an online income stream if you are willing to work on it.
Just be aware that you’ll need to build an audience to market your creations. To learn how to do so, you can check out this guide on how to build your own online business. Not only will it teach you how to grow your audience organically, but it will also teach you how to build your online business from the ground up, no matter your chosen niche.
If you have any comments, questions, or know of great ways to make money in your sleep that you think belong in this guide, I would love to hear from you in a comment below.