Table Of Content
Introduction
I vividly remember agonizing over my latest art print purchase. It was a stunning piece – a mesmerizing blend of colors and textures – that I knew would instantly elevate my living room’s ambiance. But the question that plagued me was, “Displate or Redbubble?” Both platforms promised to bring artistic visions to life, but which one would be the best fit for me? This is the same question many art lovers and, more importantly, artists themselves face. “Displate vs Redbubble” – which one reigns supreme for creators? “Displate vs Redbubble artists” – which platform empowers artists to thrive? This blog post aims to be your comprehensive guide, diving deep into the nuances of each platform, comparing their features, and ultimately helping you determine the ideal platform to satisfy your art addiction and, for artists, propel your artistic journey forward.
Understanding the Platforms
Before we delve into the intricacies of the “Displate vs Redbubble” debate, it’s crucial to understand what makes each platform unique.
Displate
Displate is not your average online art marketplace. Their claim to fame? Metal posters. They’ve taken the concept of wall art and injected it with a dose of modern sophistication, offering prints on sleek, durable metal canvases. These are not flimsy posters; they are robust, magnetic pieces that exude a sense of quality and permanence. Displate carefully curates its marketplace through an application process, ensuring a focus on artistic designs and maintaining a specific aesthetic.
Redbubble
Redbubble, in contrast, is a bustling bazaar of independent artist designs sprawled across a diverse range of products. If you can imagine it, Redbubble probably has it – t-shirts, hoodies, phone cases, stickers, tote bags, and the list goes on. It’s a platform that celebrates the independent artist, empowering creators to showcase their work on a multitude of canvases. Redbubble’s appeal lies in its wide-reaching product range, its global community of artists and buyers, and its relatively accessible entry point for new sellers.
Head-to-Head Comparison
Now, let’s pit “Displate vs Redbubble” head-to-head across key categories that matter most to both artists and buyers.
Product Range & Customization
- Displate: As we’ve established, Displate is all about metal posters. They offer various sizes, from compact to quite large (their “extra-large” option is actually four separate medium-sized posters combined). While this limited product focus might seem restrictive at first glance, it allows Displate to hone their craft and excel in their specialty – producing stunning metal prints.
- Redbubble: This is where Redbubble truly shines. Their product catalog bursts at the seams with apparel, home decor, tech accessories, stationery, and more. Artists have the freedom to choose from a vast collection of items and apply their designs to whatever catches their creative fancy, catering to diverse customer preferences and expanding their potential market reach.
Pricing & Profitability
- Displate: Displate’s metal prints come with a higher base price than traditional posters, reflecting the premium quality of the product. While artists set their own margins, Displate takes a commission on each sale (typically 41% for regular designs and 10% for limited editions). However, a compelling advantage of Displate is its incentive for artists who drive external traffic to their listings, rewarding them with significantly higher profit margins.
- Redbubble: Redbubble, with its lower base prices, makes its products accessible to a broader audience. However, artists typically earn smaller profit margins, impacted further by their tier level within the platform (higher tiers unlock better margins).
Print Quality & Fulfillment
- Displate: Displate takes pride in the quality of its metal prints. Fulfillment is handled in-house, ensuring consistent standards and minimizing the potential for inconsistencies. Additionally, they have a reputation for providing responsive and helpful seller support.
- Redbubble: While Redbubble’s print quality can be good, it’s also known to be inconsistent due to their reliance on a network of different print providers. This can lead to variations in the final product and potentially impact customer satisfaction. Furthermore, some sellers have reported challenges with Redbubble’s customer service, making it harder to address issues when they arise.
Community & Exposure
- Displate: Displate cultivates a smaller, more curated community. The platform’s application process and specific aesthetic contribute to this tightly knit group of artists, many of whom focus on artistic, motivational, and intricate designs. This can be both a blessing and a curse – less competition but also a smaller potential customer base.
- Redbubble: Redbubble, with its global reach, boasts a vast, diverse community of artists and buyers representing a wide spectrum of styles and interests. While this means higher competition, it also translates to greater potential exposure to a much larger, pre-existing audience.
Ease of Use
- Displate: Displate’s upload process is relatively simple, allowing artists to upload up to 10 designs per day. However, they have specific file format and dimension requirements that can make manual uploads a bit cumbersome. The application process for selling on Displate adds an extra layer of complexity, and the acceptance criteria is not transparent, which can be frustrating for aspiring sellers.
- Redbubble: Redbubble is known for its user-friendly interface and straightforward upload process, making it a favorite among beginners. Shop setup and product listing are generally easy to navigate, contributing to its reputation as an accessible platform for new sellers.
Pros & Cons: Weighing the Advantages and Disadvantages
Let’s condense the key takeaways from our “Displate vs Redbubble” comparison into a concise list of pros and cons.
Displate:
Pros:
- Unique Product: The allure of metal prints sets Displate apart, offering a distinctive aesthetic and durability.
- High-Quality Prints: Consistent print quality ensures customer satisfaction and minimizes potential issues.
- Decent Profit Margins: The potential for good profits is higher, especially with larger sizes, external traffic driving, and successful Displate Club promotions (which offer free shipping to members).
- Good Seller Support: A responsive and helpful support team facilitates a smooth selling experience.
- Curated Marketplace: Less competition in some niches can benefit artists with particular styles or those seeking a more selective platform.
Cons:
- Application Process: Getting accepted to sell on Displate can be a challenge, and the lack of transparent acceptance criteria can be frustrating.
- Limited Product Range: Exclusively metal posters, which might not suit all artists’ creative visions or business models.
- Strict File Requirements: Manual uploads can be time-consuming due to specific file format and dimension requirements.
Redbubble:
Pros:
- Free & Easy to Start: No upfront costs and a user-friendly interface make Redbubble a popular starting point for print-on-demand beginners.
- Wide Product Range: The vast catalog allows artists to diversify their offerings and apply designs to various items, catering to wider customer preferences.
- Large, Global Community: The expansive community of artists and buyers offers a larger potential audience and greater visibility.
- Beginner-Friendly: Straightforward shop setup and product listing make it easy to get started.
Cons:
- Low Profit Margins: Redbubble’s tiered commission system, especially in the lower tiers, can significantly impact artist earnings, making it more challenging to earn substantial income.
- Inconsistent Print Quality: Reliance on multiple print providers can lead to variations in product quality, potentially affecting customer satisfaction and brand perception.
- Customer Service Issues: Some sellers have reported challenges in resolving issues with Redbubble’s customer service.
- Shop Suspensions: Accounts can be randomly suspended, even for established sellers, creating uncertainty and disruption for businesses.
Choosing the Right Platform
There’s no universal winner in the “Displate vs Redbubble” battle. The best platform for you hinges on your unique artistic vision, business goals, and personal preferences.
The Displate Artist:
Displate is a compelling choice for established artists who:
- Prioritize Quality: You’re passionate about high-quality prints and the unique aesthetic of metal posters.
- Embrace Artistic Designs: Your creative style leans toward the artistic, motivational, or intricate – aligning with Displate’s curated feel.
- Seek Higher Profits: You’re willing to invest time and effort in driving external traffic to your listings and capitalizing on Displate’s higher potential profit margins.
The Redbubble Artist:
Redbubble is a suitable platform for beginners and artists who:
- Seek Accessibility: You’re looking for a low-barrier entry point into print-on-demand and a platform that’s easy to navigate.
- Value Product Diversity: You enjoy experimenting with applying your designs to various products, catering to a wider range of customer interests.
- Desire Exposure: You prioritize reaching a large pre-existing customer base, even if it means accepting lower profit margins initially.
Use Cases:
Let’s consider how specific artist types might approach the “Displate vs Redbubble” decision:
- “Displate vs Redbubble” for Photographers: Both platforms can be viable options, but Displate’s focus on high-quality wall art and unique metal prints might be particularly appealing for photographers seeking to showcase their work in a premium format.
- “Displate vs Redbubble” for Graphic Designers: Both platforms can work well, but Redbubble’s extensive product range might be more attractive for graphic designers seeking versatility in applying their designs to a multitude of items.
- “Displate vs Redbubble” for Fan Art: Both platforms have specific considerations for fan art. Redbubble has established brand partnerships that allow for the sale of officially licensed fan designs. However, artists must go through an approval process. Displate tends to have stricter content policies regarding copyrighted material, and artists should carefully review their guidelines to ensure compliance.
Beyond the Big Two: Exploring Other Print-on-Demand Options
While Displate and Redbubble dominate the print-on-demand conversation, they are not the only players in this vast and ever-evolving field. Artists seeking specialized platforms or wanting to diversify their reach should consider these alternatives:
- For Original Art and Fine Art Prints:
- Saatchi Art: A renowned online gallery for original art, attracting serious collectors and art enthusiasts.
- Artfinder: A curated marketplace for original artworks, focusing on independent artists and offering personalized shops.
- Fine Art America: A print-on-demand service specializing in transforming artwork into various products, including framed prints, canvas prints, and home decor. It also allows for the sale of original artwork.
- Artpal: A no-commission platform for selling original art and prints, providing artists with complete control over pricing and profits.
- For Diverse Products and Niche Markets:
- Society6: A platform offering a wide range of products, from art prints and home decor to apparel and tech accessories.
- Teespring: Specializes in apparel and accessories, with a strong focus on t-shirts, hoodies, and mugs.
- Zazzle: A marketplace with a vast catalog of customizable products, from apparel and home decor to stationery and gifts.
- For Artists in the Gaming and Entertainment Industry:
- ArtStation: A platform designed for artists working in the game, film, media, and entertainment industries. It provides portfolio building tools, a marketplace for selling art, job boards, and a dedicated community.
- For Selling Digital Art Directly:
- SellPal: A platform that enables artists to sell digital art files directly to buyers, providing secure transactions, spacious storage, and zero commissions. It’s a viable option for artists seeking to maintain full control over pricing and profits in the digital art space.
FAQ
Let’s address some common questions that often arise in the “Displate vs Redbubble” discussion:
- Is Displate difficult to get accepted on?
- The application process for selling on Displate can be selective, with many artists being rejected. The criteria for acceptance isn’t publicly available, which can make it challenging to gauge your chances. It’s advisable to focus on building a strong portfolio that aligns with Displate’s aesthetic and showcasing your artistic skills.
- Why is Redbubble’s print quality inconsistent?
- Redbubble partners with various print providers across different geographical locations. This distributed network can lead to variations in print quality depending on the specific provider and the product being printed. It’s a good practice to research print providers in your region, read customer reviews, and consider ordering samples to assess the print quality firsthand.
- Can I sell on both Displate and Redbubble?
- Absolutely! There are no restrictions on selling your art on multiple platforms simultaneously. In fact, many artists find success in diversifying their reach and catering to different audiences through multiple marketplaces. Upload automation tools can be incredibly helpful in streamlining this process, allowing you to manage listings across multiple platforms efficiently.
Conclusion: Empowering Your Artistic Journey
Ultimately, the “Displate vs Redbubble” debate, especially when considering “Displate vs Redbubble artists,” boils down to finding the platform that best complements your artistic vision, business aspirations, and personal preferences. Both platforms offer valuable avenues for artists to showcase their creativity, connect with audiences, and monetize their work.
Remember, success in the print-on-demand world often hinges on several key factors:
- Niche Research: Identify specific art styles, themes, or interests that resonate with your creative strengths and have a potential market.
- Traffic Driving: Invest in strategies to drive traffic to your listings, whether through social media marketing, paid advertising, or building an engaged audience.
- Upload Automation: Leverage tools that streamline the process of managing listings and uploading designs across multiple platforms, freeing up your time for creating more art.
Experiment with different platforms, stay informed about their policies and features, and, most importantly, never stop creating! The world is waiting to be captivated by your art.