How to Sell Art Prints Online: SEO Guide for Artists Using Print on Demand

Quick Answer: To sell art prints online successfully, start with a Shopify store, connect a print-on-demand provider like Printful, and use SEO to drive free traffic. Focus on searchable product titles, clear descriptions, and blog content that links to your products.

TL;DR Table: How to Sell Art Prints Online with SEO

Step	What to Do	Why It Matters
1. Start with Shopify	Set up a clean, mobile-friendly store	Full control over SEO and branding
2. Connect POD Provider	Use Printful, Gelato, or Printify	No inventory, auto-fulfillment
3. Research Keywords	Use Google, Etsy, Pinterest, and tools like Keywords Everywhere	Target what buyers are already searching
4. Optimize Listings	Write clear, keyword-rich titles and descriptions	Helps products rank and convert
5. Launch SEO Blog	Publish content targeting long-tail search terms	Drives traffic and builds internal links
6. Use External Channels	Pinterest, Etsy, and Google Shopping	Get more visibility across search platforms
7. Track + Adjust Weekly	Use GSC, GA4, and Pinterest Analytics	Double down on what’s working

Why SEO Matters for Selling Art Prints

SEO isn’t a buzzword or just for marketers. It’s how regular artists like you and me get discovered in a crowded online world.

Most art buyers don’t browse galleries anymore. They search. They type things like “minimalist wall art for bedroom” into Google or Etsy, scroll Pinterest, and click what catches their eye.

If you’re not showing up where they’re searching, you’re invisible.

Here’s why SEO actually matters:

Search engines = intent. Buyers are already looking. You don’t have to convince them.
It’s free marketing. Organic traffic costs you nothing once you rank.
It builds over time. Unlike social posts, your pages can bring traffic for years.
High buying intent. SEO attracts users ready to take action—like buying or subscribing.

Most importantly:

SEO allows your art to keep working even when you’re not.

With the right keywords, structure, and content, your listings can show up on Google, Etsy, or Pinterest long after you’ve created them.

Step 1: Start Your Shopify Store the Right Way

Before you can rank, get traffic, or sell anything, you need a home for your art. That’s your store.

And if you’re serious about building a long-term print-on-demand business, Shopify is your best bet.

Platforms like Etsy and Redbubble are great for testing the waters. But they own the traffic, the customers, and the search engine. Shopify gives you full control, especially when it comes to SEO.

You control your domain name, branding, and design
You can write your own URLs, meta descriptions, and product titles
It plays nicely with SEO tools, Google Analytics, and Pinterest tags
Seamless integrations with Printful, Gelato, and other POD services
You can create blogs, collections, and landing pages to target search traffic

This is your storefront, your content hub, and your long-term asset.

How to Set Up Your Shopify Store (SEO-Ready):

1. Choose a Clean, Mobile-First Theme

Go for Shopify’s Dawn, Craft, or Prestige themes
Keep navigation simple
Use large, clear product images

2. Set Up Your Pages

Home
About
Shop / Collections
Contact
Blog
Policies: shipping, returns, privacy

3. Connect Your Print-on-Demand Tool

I use Printful, but you can also try Gelato or Gooten.

Sync product templates to your store
Choose product sizes and formats (e.g. framed, canvas, digital download)
Set your profit margins (aim for 30–50%)

4. SEO-Proof Your Products From Day One

Use descriptive product titles that include art style + format + use case
Add alt text to every image
Write unique product descriptions
Create collections to group art styles or themes
Edit your URL handles (e.g. /products/modern-botanical-print)
Set meta titles and descriptions that include your keywords

5. Launch With 3–5 Core Products

No need to go live with 50 designs. Start lean.

Focus on your best styles
Get real data from traffic and buyers
Then expand your catalog strategically

Optional (But Helpful) SEO Add-Ons for Shopify:

SEO Manager – helps manage titles, descriptions, schema
TinyIMG – compresses images and handles ALT text
Bloggle – makes your blog content SEO-structured and styled

Shopify sets you up to scale. Whether you’re running blog content, driving Pinterest traffic, or ranking in Google, this platform lets you build for the long haul.

Step 2: Find the Right Keywords Before You Upload Anything

Now that your Shopify store is ready, it’s time to make sure people can actually find your art.

Before you upload your products, name your collections, or write your blog, you need to know what your ideal buyers are typing into search engines. That’s what keyword research is for.

A good keyword isn’t just about volume—it’s about intent. You want to target phrases that show someone is ready to buy, decorate, or learn more about the art you’re selling.

Why Keyword Research Matters:

It guides your product titles, descriptions, and URLs
It tells you what blog posts to write
It helps you understand what people actually want—not just what you like making

Let’s keep it simple and strategic.

Where to Find Great Keywords for Art Prints

You don’t need to overcomplicate it. Here are the tools I actually use:

Google Autocomplete
Start typing “boho wall art” or “kitchen art print” and see what Google suggests
Etsy Search Bar
Since Etsy is search-driven, their suggestions are gold
Pinterest Search Trends
Especially helpful for aesthetic-based keywords
Keywords Everywhere (plugin)
Shows search volume, competition, and CPC right in your browser
Ahrefs/Ubersuggest
Useful for digging deeper, but not mandatory if you’re just starting out

Keyword Intent: What People Are Actually Searching For

You don’t want to guess. Match your keywords to the real search behavior of your audience.

Here’s a cheat sheet:

Keyword	What They Want
“botanical wall art prints”	To decorate with a specific theme
“minimalist art prints black white”	Shopping based on style & color
“how to sell art prints online”	Looking to learn—blog post opportunity
“best POD sites for artists”	Mid-funnel comparison content
“abstract printable wall art”	Wants a digital download (fast/cheap)

Use keywords that match:

Aesthetic (boho, modern, vintage)
Room/location (bedroom, kitchen, office)
Format (printable, canvas, framed)
Theme (botanical, animal, abstract, minimalist)

How to Use Keywords in Your Store

Once you’ve got a list of strong keywords, use them smartly across your Shopify site:

Product Titles:

Good:

“Modern Abstract Line Art – Black & White Printable for Office Wall”
Bad:
“Lines #7”

Product Descriptions:

Sprinkle your keyword variations naturally
Don’t overstuff—Google can tell
Mention use cases and rooms (e.g. “great for gallery walls or minimalist home offices”)

Collection Names:

Use buyer-focused titles like:
- “Neutral Wall Art”
- “Printable Art for Living Rooms”
- “Modern Line Art Prints”

Blog Post Titles:

Target long-tail keywords that match what your audience is searching for:

“Best Art Print Styles for Small Apartments”
“Where to Buy Minimalist Wall Art in the US”
“How I Made My First $1,000 Selling Digital Prints Online”

Pro Tip: Build a Keyword List You Can Reuse

Create a Google Sheet or Notion board and start logging:

Primary keywords
Keyword variations
Monthly search volume
Where you’ve used it (product title, blog, collection, etc.)

This keeps your SEO consistent across the site and helps you avoid overlap.

Step 3: Write SEO-Optimized Product Descriptions That Actually Sell

Once you’ve got the right keywords, it’s time to put them to work. That starts with your product descriptions.

This is where too many artists drop the ball. They either write nothing at all—or they write paragraphs that sound poetic but say nothing useful.

Your product description should do two things:

Help Google understand what you’re selling
Help your buyer picture that print in their space and click “Add to Cart”

Let’s break it down so you can write descriptions that sell and rank.

What a Great Product Description Looks Like

Think of it like this:

First line = your hook (mention style + format + who it’s for)
Middle = keywords and key info (art style, color, size, format, room, use)
Bullets = scan-friendly specs
Closing = vibe/emotion that connects

Example Layout

Hook (First Line):

“This minimalist botanical print is perfect for bringing calm, earthy tones into your bedroom or workspace.”

Body (SEO + Benefits):

Designed with soft beige and green tones, this art print fits effortlessly into boho, Scandinavian, and neutral-themed rooms.

It’s available as a high-resolution printable download, so you can print it instantly at home or through your favorite print shop.

Bullets (Specs):

Digital download (JPG, 300 DPI)
Sizes: 8×10″, 11×14″, 16×20″
Printable at home or with a pro service
No physical item will be shipped
Perfect for bedrooms, offices, or gifting

Closing (Vibe):

Whether you’re updating your space or looking for a thoughtful gift, this artwork adds a touch of calm and natural beauty to any wall.

Where to Use Keywords (Naturally)

These are the key areas Google looks at:

Product title (covered in Step 2)
First 1–2 sentences of your description
Image ALT text
URL handle
Meta title and description (can edit in Shopify settings)

Keywords to Include (based on your research):

Art style (boho, abstract, botanical)
Format (printable, framed, canvas)
Room or setting (bedroom, kitchen, living room)
Color (black and white, beige, neutral)
Buyer use case (gift, home decor, minimalist space)

Use 2–3 variations per product. You don’t need to jam them in—just make them flow.

Mistakes to Avoid:

Writing nothing. Google can’t rank blank pages.
Using vague terms like “beautiful” or “artsy” without any context.
Stuffing in keywords unnaturally (Google punishes this).
Copying descriptions from other sites (duplicate content = bad for SEO).

Pro Tip: Use the Same Format Across All Your Products

Once you’ve got a description template that works, use it across your product range.

It saves time, builds brand consistency, and makes your shop easier to scale. Just plug in the unique style, format, and use case for each new piece.

Step 4: Use Blog Content to Bring In Free Traffic and Rank for Long-Tail Keywords

Once your store is live and your products are keyword-optimized, the next step is building out blog content that attracts people searching for inspiration, tips, and comparisons related to art prints.

The goal isn’t to blog for the sake of it.
You’re blogging to rank on Google, attract new buyers, and internally link back to your product and collection pages.

This is where your SEO starts to scale.

Why Blogging Works for Print-on-Demand Stores

Most shoppers don’t start with “buy minimalist print now.”

They start with questions like:

“How to decorate a neutral-toned bedroom”
“Where to buy modern wall art for cheap”
“What size art print fits a small living room?”

You can show up for all of those searches by writing blog posts that help them—and link them to your products as the solution.

What a Good Blog Strategy Looks Like

You don’t need to write every day. Just 1–2 posts a month, structured properly, can build momentum.

Types of Blog Posts That Work:

Post Type	Example Title	Internal Link Opportunity
Style guides	“How to Style Your Kitchen with Botanical Prints”	Link to kitchen art print collection
Buyer intent content	“Where to Buy Neutral Wall Art for Under $50”	Link to budget-friendly collection
Comparison posts	“Print-on-Demand vs Traditional Printing: Which Is Better?”	Link to product pages using POD fulfillment
Trend roundups	“Top Wall Art Trends for 2025”	Link to bestsellers or new arrivals
Behind-the-scenes	“How I Create My Abstract Prints for Home Decor”	Build trust + link to product pages

Blog SEO Checklist for Shopify

Make sure every blog post follows this simple SEO structure:

Keyword in title and URL
Keyword mentioned in the first 100 words
Use H2/H3 subheadings with variations of your keyword
Include internal links to products and collections
Add at least one image with ALT text
Write at least 800–1,000 words per post
Add a clear CTA (like “shop the collection” or “view this print”)

Use Shopify’s built-in blog engine or apps like Bloggle to format better and improve SEO markup.

Example Blog Funnel

Here’s what a real funnel might look like for your Shopify store:

Blog Post:
“5 Best Art Prints for Boho Bedroom Walls”
→ Targeting keyword: boho bedroom wall art
Internal Links:
- Link to your “Boho Wall Art” collection
- Link to 2–3 specific product pages mentioned in the list
- CTA at the bottom: “Browse the full boho collection”
Outcome:
- Visitors from Google land on the blog
- They click into a collection or product
- Some buy, others join your list or share it

This is how SEO creates a loop that builds over time—and doesn’t rely on social media or ads.

Pro Tip: Add Pinterest Pins to Every Blog Post

Once your blog post is live:

Create a Pinterest graphic using Canva
Title it using your blog’s keyword
Link the pin to your blog post
Add it to a relevant Pinterest board (e.g. “Boho Wall Art Ideas”)

Now you’ve turned one piece of content into two traffic sources: Google + Pinterest.

Step 5: Use Pinterest, Etsy, and Google Shopping to Multiply Your Traffic

Once your Shopify store and blog are live, it’s time to amplify your reach beyond Google.

Platforms like Pinterest, Etsy, and Google Shopping are their own search engines—and they’re visual, intent-based, and built for product discovery.

Think of them as traffic pipelines that feed buyers into your Shopify site.

You don’t need to build a huge presence on all of them. But if you set them up with basic SEO, they can drive thousands of monthly visits over time.

How Pinterest Works for Art Print SEO

Pinterest isn’t just social media—it’s a search engine where people go to plan purchases, decorate rooms, and save design ideas.

Pinterest boards and pins rank on Google, show up in Pinterest search, and send referral traffic directly to your store.

Pinterest SEO Checklist:

Create boards around buyer keywords like:
- “Neutral Wall Art Ideas”
- “Modern Art Prints for Living Room”
- “Affordable Printable Wall Art”
Use your exact keywords in:
- Pin titles
- Pin descriptions
- Image file names
Add ALT text to your image uploads
Link each pin back to:
- A blog post
- A product page
- A collection

Pro Tip:

Use Canva to design tall, scroll-stopping pins. Add product previews or styled room mockups.

Then post them regularly (2–5 pins per week) to keep your content circulating.

Etsy: Still Worth It (But Not Your Home Base)

If you already sell on Etsy—or plan to—you can use it as a traffic source, not your main platform.

Etsy has built-in SEO rules. Buyers search for prints all day, and if your listing matches, you show up.

But Etsy owns the customer, not you. That’s why we focus on Shopify as the foundation, and Etsy as distribution.

Etsy SEO Tips:

Use full-length product titles with keyword variations
Fill out all 13 tags per listing
Match product categories and attributes to your buyer’s search intent
Add image ALT text (manually through shop manager)
Include internal links (Etsy allows links between your own listings)

Smart Move:

Mention your Shopify site in your Etsy bio or order inserts. Drive Etsy buyers back to your owned platform where you control the upsell.

Google Shopping: A Shortcut Into Google Search

If you’re on Shopify, you can list your products on Google Shopping for free.

This puts your listings in Google’s product tab and search results—even if you’re not running ads.

Set Up Google Shopping SEO via Shopify:

Connect Google Merchant Center to your Shopify store
Ensure your product titles are keyword-optimized
Use high-quality images with white or neutral backgrounds
Add product schema markup (Shopify does most of this automatically)
Set pricing, shipping info, and tax details accurately

Free vs Paid:

Free listings: appear in the Shopping tab
Paid listings: show up in main search results (can test later)

Even just listing your top 10–20 products can drive new discovery.

Platform Recap

Platform	Best Use	SEO Strength
Pinterest	Visual search engine	Strong (long-term)
Etsy	Marketplace for added reach	Moderate (limited control)
Google Shopping	Free listings in search results	High (via Shopify)

Final Tip: Keep Everything Connected

If you’re using all three platforms:

Make sure your branding is consistent
Use the same keywords across titles and descriptions
Drive all traffic back to your Shopify store, blog, or lead magnet

Now you’ve built multiple entry points for buyers to find your art—without needing to be on every social media platform.

Step 6: Choose the Right Print-on-Demand Partner for Shopify

Shopify is the storefront. But unless you’re printing and shipping your own art (which most of us aren’t), you’ll need a print-on-demand provider to handle the backend.

Print-on-demand means:

No inventory
No upfront printing costs
No shipping hassles
And more time to focus on creating and promoting your art

But not all POD companies are equal—especially when it comes to SEO, quality, and reliability.

What You Need in a POD Partner

Since you’re building an SEO-first Shopify store, your POD integration should:

Sync smoothly with Shopify
Let you set your own product titles and descriptions (without rewriting them)
Offer high-quality prints (bad reviews kill conversions)
Have flexible product mockups and shipping options
Be transparent with fulfillment times and margins

Top Print-on-Demand Providers (For Artists on Shopify)

POD Provider	Best For	Shopify Integration	Key Notes
Printful	Highest print quality	Direct app	Framed, canvas, poster prints. Global shipping.
Gelato	Fastest global delivery	Direct app	Strong EU + US coverage. White-label options.
Gooten	Large product catalog	Direct app	Good for scaling. Lower cost but slower support.
Printify	Flexible pricing, multiple vendors	Direct app	Lower costs, but variable quality between vendors.
Teelaunch	Unique art-product options	Direct app	Offers niche items like metal prints and home decor.

Each of these lets you create art listings in Shopify, fulfill them on-demand, and focus on marketing—not logistics.

How to Set It Up (Quick Overview)

Install the POD app inside Shopify (e.g. Printful)
Create product templates (choose format, sizes, pricing)
Add your artwork files
Sync to Shopify store as a live product
Customize the product title, description, URL, and ALT text
Launch with SEO-optimized listings

Make sure your listings stay original and unique—don’t use auto-generated descriptions.

Which POD Is Best?

It depends on your goals.

If you care most about print quality and brand control, go with Printful.

If you want fast international fulfillment, Gelato is excellent.

If you’re testing lots of product types or need better margins, Printify or Gooten might be a better fit.

Whichever you choose, the key is this:

Let POD handle the backend while you focus on SEO, content, and growth.

Your Shopify store stays the front-end engine. The POD partner works invisibly in the background.

Step 7: Measure What Works and Adjust

SEO is a long game—but it’s measurable. The sooner you check your data, the faster you’ll improve.

SEO Tools I Use:

Google Search Console – see what terms you rank for
Google Analytics 4 – track page views, time on page, and bounce rate
Pinterest Analytics – see pin impressions and clicks
Etsy Stats – track tags, views, and conversion rates
Keywords Everywhere or Ahrefs – validate search volume

What to Track Weekly:

Keyword positions
Blog post traffic
Product page CTR
Bounce rate
Which pins bring clicks

What to Tweak:

Rewrite product titles that aren’t ranking
Update product descriptions with better keywords
Interlink blog posts to collection pages
Add FAQs to boost on-page time

Little changes, made consistently, move the needle.

Common SEO Mistakes Artists Make (And How to Avoid Them)

No need to feel bad—most of these are easy to fix once you know them.

Mistake 1: Using Only Artistic Titles

Search engines need clarity, not creativity. Use words people actually search for.

Mistake 2: Not Optimizing for Mobile

Most buyers shop from phones. If your store loads slow or looks messy, they’ll bounce.

Mistake 3: Skipping Internal Links

Link your blogs to products, and your products to collections. This helps Google understand your site’s structure.

Mistake 4: Low-Quality Images

Your art is visual. Blurry images or bad lighting kill conversions. Invest in clean, high-res product photos.

Conclusion: SEO Is What Makes Art Prints Sell Online

If you want people to find your art prints, SEO is non-negotiable.

It’s not just about ranking—it’s about matching what people are already searching for. When you combine SEO with print on demand, you create a business that can scale without inventory, warehouses, or constant ad spend.

Start small:

Update your product titles and descriptions
Write one blog post a week
Add keywords to your Etsy listings and pins

Over time, your traffic and sales will grow—and it’ll all come from the foundation you built with SEO.