Last updated September 27, 2026
Want to sell your designs online without buying boxes of products or handling every order yourself?
Redbubble is one option to consider.
The print-on-demand marketplace allows artists to upload their artwork, place it on products, and earn money when customers purchase those products. Redbubble handles much of the production and fulfillment process through third-party manufacturers.
But knowing how to sell on Redbubble involves more than uploading a picture and waiting for sales.
You need to understand the account requirements, product setup, titles and tags, markup, artist fees, payments, copyright rules, and how to get people to find your work.
This guide walks through the process step by step.
For the bigger question of whether Redbubble is legitimate and trustworthy, read our Redbubble review.
How Does Selling on Redbubble Work?
Redbubble uses a print-on-demand model.
You upload your artwork to your Redbubble Artist account, select the products you want to sell, and choose your product markup. When a customer purchases a product featuring your design, the order is produced and shipped through Redbubble’s third-party fulfillment network.
Your artist earnings are based on the product’s base price and the markup you set. Redbubble then applies any relevant account fees and other adjustments when calculating what you ultimately receive.
The basic process looks like this:
Create artwork → upload it → choose products → add titles and tags → set markup → customer orders → product is made and shipped → you receive eligible artist earnings
This model means you can sell physical products without buying inventory or managing normal fulfillment yourself.
You still have to create the artwork and attract customers.
Is Selling on Redbubble Free?
Yes. Creating an artist account and setting up a Redbubble shop is free.
However, Redbubble’s current artist system includes account fees for Standard and Premium accounts. These fees only apply when you make sales, rather than being charged upfront for simply having a shop. (Redbubble account fees)
The current platform fees are:
| Account tier | Platform fee |
|---|---|
| Standard | 50% of monthly earnings |
| Premium | 20% of monthly earnings |
| Pro | 0% |
Redbubble also has an excess markup fee for Standard and Premium accounts when a product’s markup is above 20%.
That means “free to join” and “free to sell” should not be interpreted as “you keep all of your markup.”
Understanding the fee structure is one of the first things you should do before trying to build a Redbubble shop.
What Do You Need to Start Selling on Redbubble?
Redbubble’s current setup process is fairly straightforward, but there are some specific requirements.
To make your shop visible to customers, Redbubble says you need to:
- Upload at least five pieces of public artwork.
- Enable at least one product for each design.
- Complete the shop setup.
- Add your payment details.
- Confirm your email address.
- Verify your phone number.
- Complete the account classification process.
Private, suspended, or designs without enabled products do not count toward the five-work requirement.
Redbubble says the account can take up to five business days to be classified and become visible to customers in search and through direct links. (Redbubble Artist Account setup)
That means there is no need to worry if your store does not appear immediately after you finish your first few uploads.
Step 1: Create Your Redbubble Artist Account
Start with Redbubble’s signup page.
Redbubble says artists must be over 18 and can create an Artist account for free.
One detail worth thinking about is your username.
Redbubble’s current setup documentation says the username cannot be changed, so choose something you are comfortable keeping.
You will also need to provide information such as your name, residential address, email address, and payment details before completing the setup process.
Redbubble allows you to choose a payment currency, and the available payment method depends on the currency you select.
Step 2: Complete Your Shop Profile
After creating the account, finish the shop profile before worrying about getting hundreds of designs online.
Redbubble’s current setup guide lets artists add things such as:
- A shop name
- Profile picture
- Cover image
- Artist bio
- Social links
Your profile does not guarantee sales, but it gives visitors context about who created the artwork.
A coherent shop also makes it easier to build a recognizable style.
If your designs all feel completely unrelated, a visitor may not immediately understand what your shop is about.
Step 3: Create Original Artwork
The foundation of selling on Redbubble is the artwork itself.
Start with original designs that you created yourself or have the legal right to use.
Think about four things:
Originality: Is this actually your work?
Audience: Who would want it?
Product fit: Does the design work on the products you intend to enable?
Presentation: Does it still look good when printed?
You do not need hundreds of designs before you begin.
A smaller collection built around a theme or recognizable style can be easier to manage, improve, and promote.
Step 4: Prepare the Right File
Redbubble currently accepts JPEG and PNG uploads. Its Help Center says TIFF and PDF files are not accepted for uploading work. (Redbubble Dimensions & Format)
Resolution matters because different products have different pixel requirements.
Redbubble also recommends considering different image orientations, including:
- Portrait
- Landscape
- Square
That is because one design file does not necessarily fit every product equally well.
For some apparel, Redbubble currently lists 2400 × 3200 pixels as enough to cover the printable area for “Other Apparel,” while other products require different dimensions. (Redbubble Dimensions & Format)
You therefore should not rely on one generic “best size for Redbubble.”
Check the current product requirements for the products you actually want to sell.
Step 5: Upload Your Design
Once your artwork is ready, go to your Artist Dashboard and select Add New Work.
Redbubble’s Uploading Work guide explains the current process for uploading artwork, adding titles and tags, and enabling or disabling products.
After uploading, check the product previews carefully.
This is an easy step to rush through, but it can make a real difference.
A design may look excellent in your original file and awkward once placed on a particular product.
Look for:
- Cropping problems
- Poor positioning
- Tiny artwork
- Unexpected backgrounds
- Colors that do not look right
- Products where the design simply does not make sense
Do not enable every product automatically just because the option is available.
Step 6: Choose the Right Products
Not every design needs to be available everywhere.
A simple graphic might work well on stickers, shirts, and phone cases.
A highly detailed illustration may be better suited to wall art, apparel, or products where the artwork can be displayed at a larger size.
Redbubble lets you enable and disable products individually, so use that control.
It is better to have a design that looks good on five appropriate products than one that looks poor on 30 products.
Redbubble’s current uploading documentation also explains that product availability can depend on your uploaded file’s dimensions.
Step 7: Write Clear Titles and Descriptions
Your listing title should describe the artwork clearly.
For example:
Black Cat Drinking Coffee Illustration
is much more useful than:
Funny Cute Amazing Best Viral Cat Gift Design
The first tells potential customers what they are actually looking at.
Redbubble recommends descriptive titles, and its current uploading documentation says work descriptions can be up to 250 characters. (Redbubble Uploading Work)
Write descriptions for people rather than trying to cram keywords into every sentence.
A natural description might explain the subject, theme, style, or intended audience of the artwork.
Step 8: Use Relevant Redbubble Tags
Tags can help customers discover your work.
Redbubble currently allows up to 15 tags per work, with each tag limited to 50 characters. The company recommends using accurate, relevant tags and specifically warns against tag spam. (Redbubble tagging guide)
For the black-cat-and-coffee example, relevant tags could include:
black cat
coffee cat
cat illustration
coffee lover
cute cat
coffee gift
The exact tags should match the artwork.
Do not use unrelated popular terms simply because you think they might get more searches.
Redbubble says newly added or updated tags can take up to 15 minutes to appear in its search results. (Redbubble tagging guide)
Step 9: Understand Redbubble Markup
Your markup controls the artist margin generated from the product’s base price.
Redbubble explains the difference between these amounts:
Base price: Includes Redbubble’s service fee for hosting the marketplace and the manufacturing fee charged by the third-party manufacturer.
Artist margin: The amount generated by your markup.
Retail price: The base price plus your artist margin, before applicable indirect taxes. (Redbubble payment calculation)
Redbubble’s current default markup is 10%, but you can increase or decrease it.
For example, Redbubble currently uses a U.S. Classic T-Shirt with a $20 base price as an example.
At a 20% markup:
$20 × 20% = $4 artist margin
That produces a $24 retail price before tax.
The $4 is your artist margin before applicable account fees.
This distinction is important because your markup percentage is not the same as the amount you take home.
Step 10: Understand Redbubble’s Current Artist Fees
This is one of the biggest things new sellers should understand before investing significant time in the platform.
Redbubble currently uses three account tiers:
Standard: 50% platform fee on monthly earnings.
Premium: 20% platform fee on monthly earnings.
Pro: 0% platform fee.
Standard and Premium accounts can also have an excess markup fee when product markup exceeds 20%. Redbubble currently charges 50% of the earnings generated by the portion above 20% for those accounts. Pro accounts are exempt. (Redbubble account fees)
For example, suppose a U.S. Classic T-Shirt has a $20 base price and you set a 30% markup.
Your artist margin would be:
$20 × 30% = $6
The first 20% generates $4.
The additional 10% generates $2.
For Standard and Premium accounts, the excess markup fee would be 50% of that additional $2, or $1.
That leaves $5 after the excess markup fee, before other applicable considerations.
Redbubble also says total account fees will not exceed $150, €150, or £150 in a payment period. (Redbubble account fees)
Step 11: Know Your Account Tier
Redbubble classifies all artist accounts into Standard, Premium, or Pro.
The company says Standard accounts generally include newer artists, while Premium accounts are associated with artists who have developed a personal brand or established following and create unique work. Pro accounts are for artists in Redbubble’s top-seller or Artist Ambassador programs. (Redbubble Artist Account setup)
Do not assume that uploading a certain number of designs automatically moves your account to a higher tier.
Redbubble describes its tiering as a broader classification rather than a simple upload-count system.
Step 12: Build Collections and Organize Your Shop
If you start creating a larger portfolio, use Redbubble Collections to organize related artwork.
Redbubble currently allows up to 30 collections, with up to 100 works in each collection. (Redbubble Collections)
For example, you might create collections for:
Cat Designs
Coffee Designs
Travel Illustrations
Minimalist Quotes
This can make a growing portfolio easier for visitors to navigate.
It can also help you think more strategically about what you are creating rather than uploading completely unrelated work.
Step 13: Promote Your Redbubble Shop
Redbubble provides a marketplace, but the company itself says self-promotion is important for independent artists.
Redbubble suggests methods such as social media, websites, blogs, promotional images, and other ways of getting your work in front of potential customers. (Redbubble self-promotion)
You could use:
- TikTok
- Your own website
- Relevant communities where promotion is allowed
Do not simply post the same shop link repeatedly.
Show the artwork.
Explain the idea behind a collection.
Share how you created a design.
Show how a finished product looks.
Then give interested people a path to your Redbubble shop.
Redbubble also allows artists to sell their art on other platforms. (Can I sell my art on other sites?)
That means Redbubble does not have to be your only sales channel.
Step 14: Don’t Expect Every Design to Appear in Redbubble Search
Uploading a design does not guarantee that it will automatically appear throughout Redbubble’s search and browse areas.
Redbubble explains that it is an open marketplace and that there is no guarantee every design will appear in its homepage search, “new,” or browse areas. The company recommends proper titles and tags and also encourages artists to promote their work directly. (Why isn’t my work showing up in Redbubble’s search results?)
This is important for expectations.
Do not confuse:
I uploaded a design
with:
Customers will automatically find my design.
Step 15: Understand When You Get Paid
Redbubble says artist earnings are generated from successfully shipped sales.
Payments are processed according to Redbubble’s payment cycle once you meet the applicable payment threshold. Its current payment guidance says processing starts at the beginning of the month and the payment should reach your financial account by the 15th, although payment methods and other circumstances can affect when funds arrive. (When do I get paid?)
Redbubble also announced that beginning July 1, 2026, the payment threshold was lowered from $20, £20, or €20 to $10, £10, or €10. (Redbubble payment update)
Remember that your account fees are deducted before determining the remaining earnings available for payment.
Step 16: Pay Attention to Taxes
Redbubble explains that indirect taxes such as sales tax, GST, or VAT can apply depending on the transaction and location.
The company may collect and remit certain indirect taxes in jurisdictions where marketplace rules require it.
However, Redbubble also says artists are responsible for understanding their own tax obligations. (Redbubble payment calculation)
Your tax obligations depend on where you live and your individual circumstances.
Do not assume that Redbubble’s handling of customer-facing taxes means you have no tax responsibilities of your own.
Step 17: Be Very Careful With Copyright
Copyright and trademark issues are among the biggest risks for new print-on-demand sellers.
Only upload artwork you created yourself or have the legal right to use.
That means being careful with:
- Movie and TV characters
- Video game characters
- Logos
- Brand names
- Celebrity images
- Photographs
- Song lyrics
- Other artists’ work
- Designs copied from other sellers
Redbubble’s copyright guidance says original artwork that does not use elements from somebody else’s creation is generally less likely to create a copyright problem. It also explains that licenses, copyright exceptions, trademarks, and other rights can complicate individual cases. (Redbubble copyright guidance)
If you are unsure about a particular design, consider getting professional legal advice before selling it.
What About Fan Art?
Redbubble does have a Fan Art Program involving selected brands.
Those partnerships are not a general permission to sell any fan art you want.
Redbubble maintains a current list of participating brand partnerships and advises artists to check the individual brand guidelines before uploading work for review. (Current Redbubble Brand Partnerships)
A license can also have restrictions about where the artwork may be sold.
Common Redbubble Mistakes to Avoid
Uploading Copied Designs
A design can look popular and still belong to somebody else.
Do not copy another seller’s work and upload a slightly modified version.
Tags should describe your artwork.
More unrelated keywords do not automatically mean more visibility.
Enabling Every Product Without Checking
A design can work beautifully on one product and poorly on another.
Always inspect your product previews.
Ignoring the Current Fee Structure
A 20% markup does not mean you automatically keep 20% of the retail price.
Understand the base price, artist margin, account tier, and applicable fees.
Expecting Instant Sales
Redbubble does not guarantee that customers will discover your work.
It may take time to build a portfolio and audience.
Treating Redbubble as Completely Passive
Redbubble removes much of the manufacturing and fulfillment work, but you still have to create artwork, maintain your shop, optimize listings, and promote your work.
How to Get Your First Redbubble Sales
There is no guaranteed formula for getting a first sale.
But you can improve the fundamentals.
Start with a small collection of original designs.
Choose a specific theme or audience.
Make sure the designs look good on the products you enable.
Write clear titles.
Use relevant tags.
Complete your shop profile.
Promote your work outside Redbubble where appropriate.
Then keep learning from what happens.
A design that gets attention may point you toward a theme worth developing further.
A product that looks awkward may need a different file or layout.
A listing with unclear tags may need better descriptions.
Think of the early stage as testing and learning rather than expecting immediate income.
How Much Can You Make on Redbubble?
There is no single answer.
Your earnings depend on your sales volume, product base prices, markup, account tier, discounts, and applicable fees.
Redbubble’s current fee structure makes the account tier particularly important.
For example, the same $4 artist margin before account fees would produce different amounts after the platform fee depending on whether the account is Standard, Premium, or Pro.
That is why you should not calculate your potential income from markup percentage alone.
A better question is:
How many sales can I generate, what is the actual artist margin per sale, and what fees apply to my account?
That gives you a much more realistic picture.
Is Redbubble a Good Way to Sell Your Art?
Redbubble can be useful for artists who want to experiment with print-on-demand without purchasing inventory or handling fulfillment themselves.
The technical barrier to entry is fairly low.
The harder part is creating artwork that people want and getting that artwork in front of them.
The current account fees also mean that sellers should understand the economics before spending a lot of time building a very large portfolio.
For someone starting out, it can make sense to begin with a manageable group of designs, learn how the platform works, and decide whether the results justify expanding.
For a broader examination of Redbubble’s legitimacy, customer experiences, fees, fulfillment, and other considerations, read our Redbubble review.
A Simple Redbubble Beginner Plan
You do not need hundreds of designs on your first day.
Try this approach:
1. Create five to ten original designs.
Make sure they are genuinely yours or properly licensed.
2. Complete your shop profile.
Add your shop name, image, bio, and social links.
3. Upload the designs.
Use suitable file formats and check the product previews.
4. Write clear listings.
Use descriptive titles, useful descriptions, and relevant tags.
5. Set a markup you understand.
Take your account tier and applicable fees into account.
6. Build related collections.
Make the shop easier to understand and browse.
7. Promote your work.
Use social platforms, your website, or other appropriate channels.
8. Keep improving.
Use what you learn from your portfolio to decide what to create next.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is selling on Redbubble free?
Creating an artist account and setting up a shop is free. Standard and Premium accounts can have platform fees deducted from earnings after sales.
How many designs do I need to sell on Redbubble?
Redbubble currently requires at least five public artworks with at least one product enabled for each design before the shop can become visible to customers.
Can beginners sell on Redbubble?
Yes. Artists over 18 can create an account, upload original artwork, set up their shop, and complete the required account setup process.
You can currently use up to 15 tags per work. Redbubble recommends that tags accurately describe the artwork.
What file types does Redbubble accept?
Redbubble currently accepts JPEG and PNG uploads. TIFF and PDF files are not accepted for uploaded work.
What markup should I use on Redbubble?
There is no universal markup that works for every artist. Consider the product’s base price, the margin you want, your account tier, and the excess markup fee that can apply above 20%.
How do Redbubble artists make money?
Artists earn an artist margin when customers buy products featuring their designs and the order successfully ships. Applicable account fees and other adjustments affect the final amount received.
When does Redbubble pay artists?
Redbubble processes eligible payments according to its monthly payment cycle. Its current guidance says processing begins at the start of the month and payments should reach the financial account by the 15th, subject to circumstances such as payment method and account status.
What is the Redbubble payment threshold in 2026?
Beginning July 1, 2026, Redbubble lowered the payment threshold to $10, £10, or €10.
Can I sell the same artwork somewhere else?
Redbubble says artists are free to upload and sell their artwork on other platforms as well. However, individual licensing arrangements, such as certain fan-art programs, can have additional restrictions.
Can I sell copyrighted characters on Redbubble?
Only if you have the appropriate rights or permission, or the specific use is covered by a valid license or applicable legal exception. Redbubble also has a Fan Art Program for selected brands with specific rules.
Does Redbubble print the products itself?
Redbubble uses third-party manufacturers and fulfillment providers to produce and ship products.
Final Thoughts
Learning how to sell on Redbubble is not particularly complicated.
Building a shop that generates consistent sales is a different challenge.
Start with original artwork, choose products carefully, optimize your listings, understand the current fee structure, and give people a reason to visit your shop.
Do not build your expectations around overnight passive income.
Instead, treat your first designs as an opportunity to learn what your audience responds to.
For more ideas about building multiple sources of online income, visit the Money For My Beer Beermoney section.
You can also read our guide to building multiple income streams as a gig worker if you are looking beyond a single platform.
Editorial Note
Redbubble’s fees, account tiers, product requirements, payment policies, and other rules can change.
We checked the Redbubble documentation available when this article was updated, but important details should always be verified directly with Redbubble before opening an account or making business decisions based on the platform.
Money For My Beer aims to keep its content research-based and transparent. Learn more about how Money For My Beer researches and writes its content or read the Disclosure Policy.
Also Read: Beermoney: A Practical Guide
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Hi, I’m Ryan. I write and edit everything on this site, which means I’m the last set of eyes on every post before it goes live. By day I’m a technical architect. I design and build enterprise systems, apps, websites, and the occasional game.
This site started because I wanted one place where money advice for regular people doesn’t read like it was written by a finance robot. My goal is simple: every article should be genuinely useful, actually tested against what real people are searching for, and written in plain English. No jargon, no “get rich quick,” no advice I wouldn’t follow myself.
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