10 Ways to Promote Your Merch on TikTok

Since launching in 2016, the video-sharing app TikTok has amassed more than 1.2 billion users worldwide and has been downloaded more than 3 billion times.1 In other words, it’s a pretty big deal. While older generations brush off TikTok as an app reserved for Zoomers, it actually has a much larger influence on culture than you might assume. It’s where people go to see what’s trending in the world, and it has the potential to expose artists to millions ofRead more

Ink Tuesday, Month 2: My First Sale, the TikTok Algorithm, and More

Starting a brand from scratch is thrilling, but after that initial enthusiasm wears off, things get progressively harder. Especially when you don’t see much success posting online to keep you motivated. It’s easy to get frustrated making artwork no one sees. This is part of what I experienced during Month 2 of Ink Tuesday, my 365 project where I freehand paint for 52 weeks straight. Even though I didn’t see the kind of growth I wanted during September, I’m stillRead more

2024 Design Forecast: 10 Emerging Trends to Look Out For

As a Artist Shop owner in the ever-evolving landscape of e-commerce, staying ahead of the curve is key to captivating your audience. Understanding and incorporating emerging design trends into your art not only keeps your work fresh but also connects you with the pulse of what shoppers are seeking. In this post, we’re diving into the design trends that we predict will make waves through 2024. Based on our market research, we’ll explore what makes these trends unique and whyRead more

Asking Artists: What’s Your Creative Process Like? – Part 2

In the first installment, we explored the intriguing ways artists transition from the initial spark of an idea to a finished piece in their Artist Shop. The journey from concept to creation is as varied as the artists themselves, and we’re excited to delve further into this artistic exploration. In this continuation, we’re featuring a new group of talented individuals, each with their own unique creative process. Discover how they overcome the daunting blank screen, transform their imaginative concepts intoRead more

Holiday Marketing Guide: Your Ultimate Checklist for the Peak Shopping Season

The holiday season is upon us, and it’s more than just twinkling lights and merry songs. It’s a pivotal time for e-commerce. According to the National Retail Federation, holiday sales during November and December have made up roughly 19% of total retail sales over the past five years, and the figure can be higher for some retailers.1 This data underscores the monumental potential the holidays bring to online merch stores like yours. It is not just recommended, it’s critical toRead more

Summertime Vibes: Creating Trendy Summer Collections for Your Merch Store

Summer is a time of warmth, adventure, and endless possibilities. As an Artist Shop owner, summer collections and product drops enable you to tap into the vibrant energy of the season. By aligning your shop with summer trends that suit your brand, you can capture the attention of a wider audience and evoke a sense of relevance and connection. This helps you establish a stronger rapport with your followers, which leads to increased engagement, repeat purchases, and a loyal fanRead more

Promo Toolkit: Everything You Need to Build Social Media Posts for Your Shop

For more than 20 years, Threadless has helped hundreds of artists grow their art into successful brands. Over that time, our team has found that Artist Shop owners who enjoy the most success generally follow three essential steps: create, promote, and repeat. The Promo Toolkit is here to help you with the step that artists appear to stumble on most: promotion, particularly on social media. It’s no mystery why many artists struggle with this step. First off, promoting your ownRead more

Asking Artists: What’s Your Creative Process Like? – Part 1

Previously for our Asking Artists column, members of our community showed us their workspaces and explained the type of environment that helps them get in a creative mindset. But once they’re comfortable at their workstation, how do they go from staring at a blank screen to adding a completed work of art to their Artist Shop? We recently caught up with artists to learn more about their creative process. Read about their routines and how they work through creative blocks,Read more

Art Trends: The Y2K Aesthetic Revisits the Fun, Trashy Futurism of the 2000s

The turn of the millennium was supposed to be widespread chaos. (SPOILER ALERT, it wasn’t.) People all over the world stockpiled necessities as doomsayers predicted a computer glitch known as the Y2K Bug would collapse worldwide infrastructures as soon as the year 2000 hit. Yeah…none of that ended up happening. Instead, the anxiety of the time shifted toward a utopian futurism that permeated all facets of art, fashion, and entertainment. That’s how the Y2K aesthetic was born. “Subtle” is notRead more

Your 2022 Artist Shops Holiday Checklist

The holiday shopping frenzy has begun and it’s your time to capitalize on the busiest season of the year for e-commerce. There’s so much to do and so many opportunities for your brand to grow that it can feel overwhelming. Where do you even start? The Artist Shops Holiday Checklist is here to guide you through the hectic season and help ensure your holiday promotions are a success. The strategy? Divide and conquer. We split this year’s checklist into fourRead more

How Artists Can Give Back on GivingTuesday

If you’re looking for ways to help communities in need during the holiday season, Threadless Causes makes it simple for artists and their supporters to give back on GivingTuesday and beyond. How does it work? This Artist Shops feature enables artists to donate a portion of their proceeds from any design in their shop to a Cause and charity of their choice. When those designs sell, Threadless matches the donation and sends it directly to the organization. With participating artistsRead more

Make Gift-Giving Easy with New Gift Cards for Your Shop

Whatever the reason, whatever the season, newly launched Gift Cards for your Artist Shop are a lifesaver for indecisive and last-minute shoppers. Not only are they a quick and convenient gift idea for your customers, but they also open up opportunities to increase your brand awareness, sales, and growth. With supply chain issues causing a rise in inflation and product shortages, more shoppers are looking for Gift Cards to fill the void. According to a 2022 survey conducted by Fiserv,Read more