As artists, it’s easy to think of our work in its original form...the painting, drawing, or illustration we created with our own hands. Selling fine art prints is often the next natural step, giving people a more accessible way to enjoy your work. But here’s the exciting part: once your artwork is digitized, the possibilities stretch far beyond prints.
A single watercolor, sketch, or digital illustration can be transformed into dozens of different products, like greeting cards, stickers, licensed patterns, web graphics, textiles, even signage! All of these become possible when you have a high-quality digital file. Not only does this help you maximize the value of each piece you create, but it also allows you to diversify your income and connect with a wider audience.
Step One: Digitize Your Artwork
The key to expanding your artwork into multiple products is creating a high-resolution digital version. Scanning or photographing your art properly ensures the colors, textures, and details remain true to the original. Once you have that digital file, you can scale, crop, and format your design for endless applications.
(Need help digitizing your work? Check out our art scanning services. We’ll make sure your pieces are captured beautifully and ready to use across any medium.)
From Prints to Paper Goods
Fine art prints are just the beginning. With digitized artwork, you can create greeting cards, postcards, calendars, notepads, and more. Paper goods are a fantastic way to reach customers who might not be ready to invest in a larger print but still want to enjoy your art in their daily lives.
For example, if you’ve painted a series of florals, those designs can easily be adapted into a boxed set of thank-you cards or seasonal holiday cards.
You might also enjoy our blog on understanding art print terminology, which explains different print formats and options if you’re just starting out.
Stickers and Small Goods
Who doesn’t love a good sticker? Stickers are an affordable, fun, and high-volume way to share your art. They’re especially popular with younger buyers and can help introduce new audiences to your work.
Say you’ve illustrated a whimsical collection of succulents...these could become a set of vinyl stickers perfect for laptops, water bottles, or phone cases. Artists often find that stickers become “gateway products” or low-cost items that help new customers discover their brand before purchasing larger prints or originals. Small items like these also tend to sell well at art markets and craft fairs!
Surface Design and Licensing Opportunities
This is where the possibilities really open up. Digitized artwork can be turned into repeating patterns for textiles, wallpaper, wrapping paper, or home goods. Companies are always looking for new designs to license, and surface design is a growing industry for artists. Licensing allows you to earn passive income while your work appears on products like fabric, stationery, or even phone cases.
For instance, a single watercolor seashell painting could be transformed into a repeating nautical pattern, licensed to a fabric company for summer collections, and also adapted for beach tote bags or gift wrap.
Digital Uses
Don’t forget about digital spaces. Your artwork can be adapted into social media graphics, web design elements, email headers, or digital downloads. Many artists even offer wallpapers for phones, desktops, or tablets, giving fans a way to carry art into their everyday digital lives.
For example, a vibrant abstract piece could make a striking website banner, while a botanical watercolor might translate beautifully into a downloadable phone background.
This kind of repurposing doesn’t just bring in income; it also strengthens your brand’s presence online. If you’re exploring this route, check out our blog on leveraging social media to market your art prints for ideas on promoting your digital products.
Signage, Branding, and Beyond
Businesses and organizations often seek custom artwork for signage, branding, or promotional materials. Imagine a watercolor painting of lemons being adapted into branding artwork for a farm-to-table restaurant. That same design could later appear on menus, shopping bags, and signage, all from one piece of art that was digitized and repurposed.
Examples like this show how a single piece of artwork can evolve into multiple uses, offering artists a chance to reach new audiences while keeping their creative voice consistent.
Endless Possibilities Once You Digitize
At the end of the day, digitizing your work is like opening a door to endless creative opportunities. Prints are just the starting point, but from there, your artwork can live on in countless formats: greeting cards, stickers, textiles, digital graphics, signage, and so much more.
The key is to start small and explore what feels right for you. Maybe you begin with prints and stickers, then move into paper goods, then branch out into licensing or digital designs. Step by step, you’ll discover which products resonate most with your audience and bring you joy to create.
If you’re ready to get started, our art scanning services can help you take that first step, and from there, the possibilities are truly endless!