The Truth About Making Your First Dollar with Your Digital Art

May 7

Written By DAB

Time for real talk – making your first dollar with your digital art is a bigger deal than people give it credit for. That first sale isn’t just a transaction but it’s also a signal that your iPad drawings can actually be more than your hobby.

It means someone saw value in something you created out of pixels and passion! That moment, no matter how small, means you’re not just making art but building a creative life that others want to be part of.

But how do you make your first dollar with your digital art?

Here’s what most people don’t say out loud: it’s not just about being “good.” It’s about being unmistakably you, and letting people know you exist.

1. Master the Fundamentals — Then Make It Yours

Before you start selling, it helps to get your skills sharp. Not perfect — just solid enough that your work feels intentional. That’s why it’s so important to find your digital art style.

Once you’ve got the basics down, the real magic happens when you stop trying to be like everyone else and start leaning into what makes your work yours. Your sense of color, your way of drawing hands (even if it’s weird), your textures, your themes.

Style is less about being trendy and more about being recognizable. If someone can spot your work from across a room, or a crowded Instagram feed, you’re onto something.

2. Make Yourself Easy to Find (and Hard to Forget)

Self-marketing can sound scary, but think of it as making it easier for people who already like your work to stay in the loop. That’s why it’s crucial to have a website and social media presence. Most people won’t commission or buy from you the second they see your art — but if they follow you and keep seeing your posts, they’ll remember you when it matters.

Maybe they’ll want a custom piece for their girlfriend’s birthday. Or a tattoo design. Or something cool for their new apartment. You don’t want to rely on luck that they stumble across your page again — give them a way to stay connected.

Instagram is great, but don’t stop there. Start a newsletter. It’s low-key, personal, and you’re not at the mercy of an algorithm.

3. Show Your Work — and How You Work

People don’t just buy art. They buy stories, process, and personality. So show up. Share your sketches. Talk about what inspired a piece. Post that messy Procreate time-lapse. When people see how much thought and craft goes into your art, they understand its value.

(Also — clients feel way more confident commissioning you when they’ve seen how you work.)

4. Make It Easy to Support You

You need a way to actually sell — whether that’s commissions, prints, or products. Don’t overcomplicate it at the start. Even something as simple as a pinned post that says “DM me for commissions” is a start. But when you're ready, give people a real way to shop.

One great option is DAB Print Shop — a curated space that helps digital artists sell high-quality prints without dealing with the mess of printing and shipping themselves. It’s a plug-and-play way to turn your digital work into something people can hold and hang. (And yes, that first dollar feels even better when it’s from a print someone loves enough to frame.)

5. Remember: First Dollars Come From People, Not Platforms

No matter what tools or platforms you use, your first sale will almost always come from someone in your circle — or a few clicks away from it. A friend. A cousin’s coworker. Someone who followed you for a year and finally saw the piece.

So treat every post, every email, every interaction like a seed. You never know when it’ll grow into your first sale. Or your next ten!