Society6 Sizing Guide: Choosing the Right Dimensions for Your Art & Decor

Society6 Sizing Guide: Choosing the Right Dimensions for Your Art & Decor

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Have you ever uploaded a design to a print-on-demand platform, only to be disappointed by how it looked on the final product? Incorrect sizing can lead to pixelation, cropping, or awkward placement, ruining the visual appeal of your hard work. That’s why understanding the specific size requirements for each platform is crucial, and that’s where this comprehensive guide comes in.

Today, we’re diving into the world of Society6, a popular print-on-demand marketplace where you can sell your art on a vast array of products. Mastering Society6 sizing will streamline your workflow, optimize your product presentation, and ultimately boost your sales potential.

Table of Contents

Understanding Society6 Product Categories & Design Types

Society6 operates on a print-on-demand model, meaning you don’t have to handle any physical inventory or shipping. You simply upload your designs, and Society6 takes care of production and fulfillment once a customer places an order. They offer an extensive catalog of products, from apparel and home decor to tech accessories and stationery.

When it comes to design styles for Society6, there are three main categories to consider:

  • Text Designs: These designs center around typography, incorporating catchy phrases, quotes, or slogans. Think of a t-shirt with the words “More Self Love” boldly printed across the front. Text designs are incredibly popular on Society6, and we’ll delve deeper into their specifics in an upcoming tutorial.
  • Art Prints: This category encompasses a wide range of artistic creations, from paintings and illustrations to photography and digital art. Society6 offers a unique feature for art prints – individual pricing. This means you can set your own price for each art print size, giving you greater control over your profit margins. Stay tuned for a dedicated tutorial on selling art prints on Society6.
  • Patterns: The main focus of this guide, patterns are large-scale designs that repeat seamlessly or semi-seamlessly across various products. Think of a vibrant floral pattern adorning a shower curtain, leggings, or a throw pillow.

Society6 Pattern Sizing: The Essential Dimensions

Now, let’s get down to the nitty-gritty of Society6 pattern sizing. The platform requires three specific dimensions to ensure your patterns look their best across their diverse product catalog:

  • 9400 x 9400 pixels (1:1 aspect ratio): This is the most commonly used Society6 size and is perfect for square products like art prints, throw pillows, tote bags, and more.
  • 7500 x 12000 pixels (5:8 aspect ratio): Ideal for rectangular products like phone cases, mugs, stretched canvases, notebooks, and laptop skins.
  • 15000 x 6000 pixels (5:2 aspect ratio): This wider dimension is used for products like yoga mats, tapestries, shower curtains, and desk mats.

A common question that arises is whether your patterns need to be seamless for Society6. Unlike some other print-on-demand platforms, Society6 doesn’t have a built-in tiling feature. This means seamless patterns aren’t strictly necessary, as the platform doesn’t automatically repeat your design to fill the product surface. However, you can upload pre-tiled patterns for unique effects. For instance, you could create a pattern that appears as a single large motif in the center of a product, surrounded by negative space.

Tools for Pattern Creation & Scaling

Creating and scaling patterns for Society6 requires the use of design software. There are various options available, ranging from free to professional-grade:

  • Free Design Software: Platforms like Canva or Krita are accessible options for creating patterns. However, they might have limitations with file size, making it challenging to reach the large dimensions required by Society6.
  • Professional Design Software: Photoshop, Illustrator, and Procreate offer advanced features for pattern creation and scaling. These programs allow you to create high-resolution designs and easily adjust their size to fit Society6’s specifications.
  • Specialized Pattern Design Tools: Paid tools like Repper are specifically designed for creating large-scale, seamless patterns. They offer an intuitive interface and often include features that simplify the process of multiplying and tiling your designs.

If you’re working with a seamless pattern and want to multiply it to fit the larger Society6 sizes, programs like Clip Studio Paint or Photoshop can help. You can find tutorials online that demonstrate the process of tiling a seamless pattern, creating a larger design that can be exported at the required dimensions.

Step-by-Step Society6 Pattern Uploading Process

Here’s a detailed breakdown of how to upload your patterns to Society6:

  1. Prepare Your Pattern Files: Start by designing or sourcing your pattern and scaling it to the three essential Society6 dimensions using your preferred design software.
  2. Navigate to the “Sell” Section on Society6: Log in to your Society6 account (create one if you haven’t already) and click on “Sell.” Then, select “Add New Design.”
  3. Upload Your Pattern Files: Drag and drop all three pattern sizes into the designated area. Be prepared for a potentially slow uploading process due to the large file sizes, especially if you have a slower internet connection.
  4. Select Your Featured Image: Choose the most visually appealing version of your pattern (usually the square 9400 x 9400 version) as the featured image. This is the image that will be displayed as a thumbnail on your product pages and in search results.
  5. Enter Design Details:
    • Give your design a compelling and descriptive title, such as “Collapsing Flowers in Blue.”
    • Add relevant tags that accurately reflect your design’s style and theme. For example, “pattern,” “floral,” “blue,” “home decor,” etc.).
    • Write a concise and engaging product description that highlights the design’s key features and appeals to potential buyers.
    • Confirm that you own the rights to the design and that it doesn’t contain any mature content.
  6. Enable Products & Customize Placement: Choose the products you want to offer with your pattern. You can adjust the placement and scaling of your design for each product type to achieve the desired look. Preview your products and make any necessary adjustments.
  7. Publish Your Design! Once you’re satisfied with your product selections and design placement, hit the publish button and watch your patterned creations come to life on Society6!

Society6 Pattern Marketing: Two Levels of Success

Now that your designs are live, it’s time to promote them and attract potential buyers. When it comes to marketing patterns on Society6, there are two key levels to consider:

  • Medium: This refers to the platform you choose for promoting your designs. Will you focus on social media channels like Instagram, Pinterest, or Facebook? Will you create a dedicated blog or website?
  • Niche: This level focuses on the specific target audience you’re trying to reach. Will you promote your patterns for a specific product type, such as leggings or shower curtains? Will you focus on a particular room theme, such as bathroom decor or office accessories?

Whether you’re using Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, or a blog, understanding your niche is critical for effective marketing. Here are two examples:

  • Product-Focused: If your niche is pattern leggings, you could create a Pinterest board dedicated to showcasing your various legging designs, along with inspirational images that resonate with your target audience.
  • Theme-Focused: Let’s say your niche is bathroom decor. You could create a website or blog that showcases your patterned shower curtains, bath mats, towels, etc., accompanied by beautiful bathroom design ideas and tips.

Drive Traffic, Boost Sales

It’s important to remember that relying solely on Society6’s internal search engine to drive sales can be limiting. Bringing your own traffic to your Society6 shop is essential for long-term success. This signals to the platform’s algorithm that your products are valuable and sought-after, increasing their visibility and potential to reach a wider audience.

Society6 Pros & Cons

Like any print-on-demand platform, Society6 has its pros and cons:

  • Pros: Easy affiliate program, wide variety of high-quality products, especially home décor items.
  • Cons: No in-platform design tools, no sale notifications or analytics, slow uploading process.

The New Society6 Pricing Structure: A Massive Opportunity?

As of December, Society6 is introducing paid membership plans, which could significantly impact the platform’s landscape. Here’s a breakdown:

  • Free Plan: Limited to 10 design uploads.
  • Middle Plan: Allows up to 100 design uploads for $5.99/month.
  • Pro Plan: Offers unlimited design uploads (up to 10,000) for $12.99/month.

This change could present a massive opportunity for those willing to invest in the Pro plan. With many casual sellers potentially limiting their accounts to the free or middle tiers, there could be less competition from lower-tiered accounts, giving Pro users a potential edge in search results and product visibility.

Additional Tips for Society6 Pattern Success

  • Collections: Group similar designs together into collections to enhance the browsing experience for potential buyers. For instance, you could create a collection of floral patterns, a collection of geometric patterns, or a collection of patterns specifically designed for yoga mats.
  • Naming: Choose creative and descriptive names for your designs and collections. Names that capture the essence of your patterns and resonate with your target audience are more likely to attract attention.
  • Virtual Assistants: Consider using virtual assistants to handle time-consuming tasks like uploading and managing your Society6 products. This frees up your time to focus on creating new designs and promoting your shop.
  • Free Resources: Take advantage of free resources like PatternHippo.com for pattern inspiration and downloads. This website offers a vast library of royalty-free patterns that you can use as a starting point for your own designs or as standalone patterns for Society6 products.

FAQ Section

  • Q: Does my pattern have to be seamless for Society6?
    • A: No, Society6 doesn’t have a tiling feature, so seamless patterns aren’t required. You can upload pre-tiled patterns for specific effects.
  • Q: How long does it take to upload designs to Society6?
    • A: The uploading process can be slow due to the large file sizes, especially with slower internet speeds. Patience is key!
  • Q: Does Society6 notify me when I make a sale?
    • A: Unfortunately, Society6 doesn’t have sale notifications or analytics, but you can regularly check your account for updates.
  • Q: Is the Pro plan worth the cost?
    • A: If you’re serious about selling on Society6 and can commit to uploading consistently, the Pro plan offers unlimited uploads and a potential advantage with less competition from lower-tier accounts.

Conclusion

Understanding Society6 sizing is the key to unlocking your full potential on the platform. By creating patterns that meet the platform’s specific dimensions (society6 sizes, society6 dimensions, society6 size requirements), you’ll ensure your designs shine on their diverse range of products, including popular options like society6 art print sizes. Remember to explore the different marketing strategies outlined in this guide, drive your own traffic to your shop, and consider the advantages of the new Pro plan. With dedication and a focus on quality designs, you can leverage Society6 to achieve your creative and financial goals.