In the competitive world of online art sales, standing out from the crowd is essential. Society6, a popular platform for artists to sell their work on various products, offers a fantastic opportunity to reach a wide audience. But with thousands of talented creators vying for attention, how can you make your art truly shine? The answer lies in harnessing the power of Society6 mockups.
Mockups are digitally created images that showcase your designs on real-life products. They go beyond simple previews, giving potential customers a tangible and realistic view of how your art would look adorning their favorite items.
This blog post will guide you through creating stunning mockups, using them effectively to promote your Society6 shop, and understanding some frequently asked questions. Let’s dive in!
Table of Contents
* Why Mockups Matter on Society6
* Creating Stunning Society6 Mockups – A Step-by-Step Guide
* Promoting Your Society6 Shop for Maximum Visibility
* FAQ – Your Society6 Mockup Questions Answered
Why Mockups Matter on Society6
1. Professionalism & Visual Appeal
Imagine scrolling through a sea of art prints on Society6. Some are presented as flat images, while others come alive, displayed beautifully on phone cases, tote bags, or even framed on a stylish living room wall. Which ones are more likely to grab your attention?
Mockups transform your art presentation. They add depth, context, and a sense of realism that elevates your designs from simple digital files to desirable products. This visual enhancement makes your shop look more professional and visually appealing, instantly attracting more views.
2. Improved Customer Experience
Mockups don’t just benefit you as the artist; they significantly enhance the customer’s browsing experience. Instead of trying to imagine how your Society6 design might translate onto a mug or a throw pillow, they can see it clearly, making it easier to visualize the product in their own lives.
This visual aid can be a powerful tool for driving sales. When customers can picture your art as part of their daily routine, they’re more likely to make a purchase.
3. Attracting Licensing Opportunities
Society6 mockups can open doors beyond individual sales. Companies often browse the platform looking for artwork to license for their own products. When they stumble upon your designs, professionally presented using mockups, it instantly demonstrates your understanding of product application and your ability to create visually appealing merchandise.
This could lead to exciting collaborations, expanding your reach and generating additional income streams. For instance, after showcasing a sleepingsun pattern mockup on a phone case, a company reached out within a week to license the design for their own phone case line.
Creating Stunning Society6 Mockups – A Step-by-Step Guide
Now that you understand the power of mockups, let’s walk through the process of creating your own Society6 mockups, step by step:
1. Software:
While various design software options are available, Adobe Photoshop is generally recommended for working with mockups due to its robust features and industry-standard format compatibility.
2. Sourcing Mockups:
- Direct from Society6: The good news is that Society6 generously provides a collection of free, high-quality Society6 templates for its products. These are designed to perfectly match the dimensions and appearance of items sold on the platform. For those looking to showcase their art as framed prints, Society6 offers templates in various sizes and ratios, including square, portrait, and stories formats.
- Other Sources: If you’re looking for mockups beyond Society6’s offerings, or for products not readily available on the platform, numerous websites specialize in mockup templates. Popular options include Placeit, Mockup World, and GraphicBurger.
3. Customization Process:
- Download & Prepare: Once you’ve identified the mockups you want to use, download the files and extract them. Typically, they’ll be in PSD (Photoshop Document) format.
- Open in Photoshop: Open the PSD file of your chosen mockup in Photoshop. You’ll usually find designated “smart object” layers within the file, which are placeholders for inserting your artwork.
- Insert Artwork: Select the smart object layer, and choose “Place Embedded” or “Place Linked” from the File menu. Navigate to your artwork file (ensure it’s in a high-resolution format like JPG or PNG) and place it within the mockup.
- Adjust & Refine: Resize and position your artwork within the mockup to ensure it accurately reflects its real-life appearance on the Society6 product. You might need to experiment with scale, rotation, or cropping to achieve the perfect fit.
- Save & Export: After fine-tuning your mockup, save it in a web-friendly format, such as JPG or PNG. Ensure the resolution is suitable for online display and social media sharing.
Promoting Your Society6 Shop for Maximum Visibility
While Society6 boasts a substantial built-in audience, achieving success on the platform requires more than just uploading your designs and hoping for the best. Active promotion is key to driving traffic to your shop, engaging potential customers, and ultimately, boosting sales.
1. The Importance of Active Promotion
Don’t rely solely on Society6’s algorithms to showcase your work. Take charge of your visibility! Actively promote your shop on various channels to build a dedicated following and direct potential buyers to your unique creations. Leverage social media, email marketing, and even Society6’s own affiliate program to expand your reach.
2. Content Strategies for Authentic Connection
- Behind-the-Scenes: Offer a glimpse into your creative world. Share images or videos of your work process, your studio space, or your sources of inspiration. These personal touches help customers connect with you as an artist, building trust and engagement.
- Product Usage: Show your Society6 designs in action! Capture photos or videos of yourself using your own products – wearing your designed t-shirts, sipping coffee from your art-printed mugs, or decorating your home with your creations. This helps customers visualize how the products might fit into their own lives.
- Time-lapses: Condense your art creation process into dynamic time-lapse videos. This visually engaging format allows viewers to witness the skill and effort you put into each piece, adding value to your art and highlighting your talent.
- Authenticity is Key: Above all, be yourself! Don’t try to force a persona or copy what others are doing. Let your genuine passion and unique style shine through. Authenticity builds trust and resonates with your audience, making them more likely to support your work.
3. Social Media Strategies
- The 80/20 Rule: A smart approach to social media is the 80/20 rule. Allocate 80% of your content to providing value to your followers – share inspiring art, design tips, industry trends, or behind-the-scenes insights. Dedicate the remaining 20% to direct product promotion. This balance creates a positive and helpful online presence, making your audience more receptive to your shop promotions.
- Using Mockups: Utilize your stunning Society6 mockups on platforms like Instagram. Eye-catching visuals are essential for standing out in the crowded social media landscape. Post your mockups regularly, using relevant hashtags to reach a wider audience and attract potential buyers.
4. Society6’s Affiliate Program
Did you know you can earn commission by promoting other Society6 artists’ work? Join their free affiliate program and receive a unique referral link. When someone clicks your link and makes a purchase on Society6, you’ll earn a percentage of the sale, even if it wasn’t for one of your own products. Share your affiliate link on social media, your website, or in your email newsletters to expand your reach and potentially generate a passive income stream.
5. Email Newsletters
Cultivating an email list is an invaluable way to build a loyal customer base and maintain direct communication. Use newsletters to deliver exclusive content, share personal stories, announce new product launches, or offer special discounts. Platforms like Flodesk make it easy to create visually appealing and engaging newsletters without needing extensive design experience.
FAQ – Your Society6 Mockup Questions Answered
1. What software do I need to use Society6 mockups?
Society6’s free mockups are optimized for Adobe Photoshop, ensuring seamless integration and compatibility. However, if Photoshop isn’t accessible to you, alternative design software like GIMP or Canva might offer suitable functionalities for working with mockups.
2. Can I use mockups for products other than framed art prints?
Certainly! While our focus has been on showcasing framed art prints, Society6 offers a wide array of product options, including apparel, home decor, tech accessories, and stationery. You’ll find a diverse selection of mockups for these various product categories on their website, allowing you to present your Society6 create your own designs across their full range of offerings.
3. Do I have to use Society6’s mockups, or can I use my own?
While Society6 provides excellent resources for mockups, you’re free to source them from other websites, create your own from scratch, or even hire a graphic designer to develop custom mockups. This can help you achieve a more personalized look for your shop and tailor the mockups to match your unique branding style.
4. How often should I share mockups on social media?
Finding a good balance is key. You want to keep your audience engaged and informed about your products, but avoid bombarding them with constant promotion. Aim for a diverse content mix, incorporating mockups strategically alongside other valuable and engaging posts. Experiment with different posting frequencies and monitor your engagement to see what works best for your audience.