Exploring the top online marketplaces and platforms for selling graphic and design assets, focusing on user experience and profitability.
1. EnvatoMarket
EnvatoMarket is part of a larger suite of products from Envato, offering a wide range of digital assets like templates, illustrations, backgrounds, and sound effects. However, it lacks options for custom design work with a designer. Pricing starts at €14.50/month.
Pros:
- Wide Exposure: Large user base, increasing the visibility of your designs.
- Diverse Product Range: Allows you to sell various types of digital assets, not just one category.
- Streamlined Sales Process: Easy setup and management of your digital products.
Cons:
- Limited Customization: No direct way to offer custom design services.
- Price Competition: High competition may drive prices down, affecting earnings.
- Fees: Marketplace fees can eat into your profits.
2. Etsy
Etsy isn’t just for handmade goods—it’s also a reliable marketplace for freelance design. While it’s not a designer-for-hire service, you can find creative assets and quick downloads. Prices vary widely, from a few cents to several hundred dollars, depending on the project.
Pros:
- Diverse Audience: Access to a broad audience, including those interested in unique, custom designs.
- Flexibility: You can sell both digital and physical design products.
- Established Trust: Etsy is a well-known platform, which can help in gaining customer trust.
Cons:
- High Fees: Transaction and listing fees can add up.
- Lack of Focus: Not primarily a design marketplace, so your products might get lost among other non-design items.
- Pricing Variability: Competing with low-priced items can be challenging.
3. Freepik
Freepik is similar to Canva but with a focus on downloadable assets like images, videos, and textures. It allows users to create unique designs with a vast library of resources. The free version is limited to 10 downloads per day, while premium plans start at €9/month if paid annually.
Pros:
- High Traffic: Large number of users looking for design resources.
- Passive Income: Your designs can generate consistent income over time.
- Flexible Pricing: You can set your own prices for premium assets.
Cons:
- Revenue Sharing: A significant portion of earnings goes to the platform.
- Competition: High volume of contributors can make it hard to stand out.
- Limited Creative Control: The marketplace's structure may limit how you present and package your designs.
4. Pixels Market
Pixels Market offers over 10,000 free illustrations in various styles and categories. Users can also request custom illustrations or hire a designer through ManyPixels, integrated into the platform.
Pros:
- Customization: Offers opportunities for custom design projects.
- Free Exposure: The free assets increase visibility, leading to potential paid projects.
- Designer Flexibility: Option to offer both pre-made designs and custom services.
Cons:
- High Competition: Many free options make it harder to attract paying clients.
- Low Earnings Potential: Free products may devalue paid work.
- Fee Structure: Custom design requests may come with fees that reduce profitability.
5. Shutterstock
Shutterstock is a well-known stock image marketplace with a wide variety of creative assets, including images, vectors, and AI-generated content. Prices start at €11 for two images, with subscription options beginning at €2.90/month for annual plans.
Pros:
- Large Audience: High traffic platform with global reach.
- Diverse Offerings: Sell various types of digital assets, including photos and vectors.
- Consistent Income: Subscription-based model can lead to steady earnings.
Cons:
- High Fees: Shutterstock takes a significant percentage of sales.
- Strict Quality Control: Approval process can be rigorous and time-consuming.
- Low Earnings per Sale: Individual payouts are generally low unless you have high volume.
6. DesignCrowd
DesignCrowd is a freelance design marketplace where you can select a designer based on specific criteria like location and specialty. It’s great for logo, business card, and other design needs. Pricing starts at $99, though details are a bit unclear.
Pros:
- Targeted Projects: Ability to choose projects that match your skills and interests.
- Global Reach: Access to clients from all over the world.
- Flexible Work: You can work on multiple projects at once, depending on your availability.
Cons:
- Unclear Pricing: Lack of transparency on fees and costs.
- Competitive Bidding: Often involves competing with other designers, which can drive down prices.
- Variable Income: Earnings can fluctuate depending on the number of projects won.
7. Design Cuts
Design Cuts is a premium marketplace for creative assets like fonts, templates, and holiday-themed bundles. Each project is priced individually, with some graphics available for as little as $1.
Pros:
- Premium Market: Higher quality expectations can lead to better-paying customers.
- Diverse Product Range: Ability to sell a wide variety of design products.
- Loyal Customer Base: Focus on quality attracts a dedicated customer base.
Cons:
- High Competition: Competing with other high-quality designers can be challenging.
- Price Sensitivity: Customers may be price-sensitive, especially for smaller projects.
- Fee Structure: Marketplace fees can reduce your overall earnings.
8. Behance
Behance is a leading design marketplace where you can hire freelancers or purchase ready-made designs. It offers categories like graphic design, illustration, and UX/UI. Prices vary, and designers can upgrade to Behance Pro for €12.72/month to showcase their work better.
Pros:
- Professional Network: Connect with other designers and potential clients.
- Portfolio Showcase: Excellent platform to display your work and attract clients.
- Project Diversity: Wide range of design categories available.
Cons:
- High Competition: Standing out among top designers can be difficult.
- Subscription Costs: Behance Pro is an additional expense.
- Client Expectations: High standards due to the professional nature of the platform.
9. Dribbble
Dribbble is another major design marketplace that connects users with designers or allows them to purchase designs. It’s free to use, with optional Pro upgrades for designers at $8/month if billed annually.
Pros:
- Creative Community: Engage with a vibrant community of designers.
- Portfolio Building: Showcase your work to attract clients and collaborations.
- Flexible Pricing: Set your own prices for your designs.
Cons:
- High Competition: Many talented designers are competing for attention.
- Limited Free Features: Advanced features require a Pro subscription.
- Client Acquisition: Finding clients can require active engagement and promotion.
10. Redbubble
Redbubble is a marketplace for products like T-shirts, phone cases, and wall art. Unlike digital downloads, these are physical products that can be ordered directly. Prices vary widely, from a few dollars to over $100, depending on the item.
Pros:
- Passive Income: Upload designs and earn from product sales without handling logistics.
- Global Reach: Access to a worldwide customer base.
- No Upfront Costs: No need to pay for materials or inventory.
Cons:
- Low Profit Margins: Earnings per sale can be low due to Redbubble’s fees.
- Limited Customization: You have little control over the final product.
- Competition: High competition can make it difficult to stand out.
11. Creative Market
Creative Market offers a vast selection of illustrations, typography, and creative concepts, including stock videos. While some free downloads are available, most projects are individually priced, ranging from $10 to several hundred dollars.
Pros:
- High-Quality Audience: Customers are often willing to pay for premium designs.
- Variety of Products: Ability to sell a wide range of digital design assets.
- Flexible Pricing: Set your own prices for your products.
Cons:
- High Fees: Marketplace fees can significantly impact your earnings.
- Competition: A large number of designers can make it challenging to get noticed.
- Marketing Required: You’ll need to actively market your products to stand out.
12. Graphic Mama
Graphic Mama specializes in cartoon characters, making it unique in this list. These characters are great for company mascots or creative content. Pricing is based on a credit system, with individual credits starting at $3.98. Bundle prices range from $4.49 to $198, depending on the number of credits purchased.
Pros:
- Niche Market: Stand out by offering specialized products like cartoon characters.
- Flexible Pricing: Credit system allows for tiered pricing options.
- High Demand: Unique designs like mascots can attract a dedicated customer base.
Cons:
- Credit System: May be confusing for customers and designers alike.
- Limited Audience: Niche focus may limit the number of potential customers.
- High Cost: Some designs require many credits, which can be expensive for customers.
Gumroad: Simple Solutions for Independent Creators
Gumroad is one of the most popular platform for creators to sell digital products directly to their audience
Benefits
- Simple setup - Easy to create an account and start selling with minimal hassle.
- No monthly fees - Only pay transaction fees on sales.
- Custom branding - Apply your own branding and design.
- Email marketing tools - Send email campaigns to customers.
Considerations
- Limited exposure - You must drive your own traffic to the sales pages. The platforms themselves have little visibility.
- Less features than full ecommerce platforms.
- Even there is no monthly fee, the transaction fee is more than 13% overall, which could be noticeble as your business grow
Monetizing Your Design Skills Beyond Asset Sales
Diversifying income streams by offering design-related services and productized services can help graphic designers and artists maximize their earning potential. Here are some tips for going beyond just selling assets.
Offering Custom Design Services on Your Website
- Use website builders like WordPress and Shopify to create your own design services ecommerce store
- Plugins like MemberPress allow you to easily sell access to custom design services
- Offer packages at different price points - logo design, branding packages, web design, etc.
- Showcase past work and testimonials to build trust
- Offer unlimited revisions to encourage sales
- Use email marketing and landing pages to promote your services
Creating and Selling Online Courses and Workshops
- Identify your area of expertise - character design, Photoshop techniques, branding basics, etc.
- Break your knowledge down into a course curriculum - video lessons, downloadable resources, assessments, etc.
- Use platforms like Teachable, Thinkific, Podia to sell your course
- Promote through social media, email lists, affiliate marketing
- Offer premium course upgrades, cohorts, and exclusive groups
Diversifying into services and digital products allows designers to leverage their skills in new ways while creating passive income streams over time through educational content and resources.
Conclusion
With so many platforms available to sell your graphic design and digital assets, choosing the right one can be overwhelming. In 2025, the market offers a wide range of options, each catering to different needs and business goals.
Whether you opt for versatile eCommerce sites like EnvatoMarket and Creative Market or specialized platforms like Marketsy.ai, Gumroad, and Payhip, it's essential to consider factors such as fees, audience reach, and ease of use. The right platform can significantly impact your earnings and visibility, helping you grow your business in the competitive digital landscape.
Some designers combine this options, some go for marketplaces only, another group of designers sale directly. There is no universal answer. The better - try to sell and experiment to find your formula
Thanks for reading 💚