DIGITAL ILLUSTRATOR

BUSINESS OVERVIEW

Digital illustrators create art for books, branding, social media, and websites using tools like Procreate or Adobe Illustrator. This business allows artists to build a portfolio and take on freelance or client work.

STARTUP COST

Moderate ($500–$2,000)

HOME-BASED

Yes

SKILLS REQUIRED

Communication, organization, creativity

IDEAL FOR

Ideal for creatives with a strong visual sense and design software skills.

FIT CHECK

Ideal for designers who enjoy working on book covers, branding materials, or other assets related to publishing.

STEP-BY-STEP BUSINESS STARTUP

1. Learn Procreate, Illustrator, or Photoshop
2. Create a strong portfolio on social platforms
3. Take commissions through Etsy or DMs
4. Set turnaround times and pricing tiers
5. Offer digital downloads or merchandise

COMMON MISTAKES

Neglecting mockup quality, failing to proof designs, or choosing low-quality print-on-demand vendors.

LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY (LLC) CONSIDERATIONS

Print-on-demand sellers benefit from an LLC for managing vendor relationships, tracking income, and protecting against copyright issues. A print-on-demand shop has tax and fulfillment obligations that are easier to manage under a registered LLC. Selling your design work or templates? Shield your creative assets with a simple LLC setup.

RELATED BUSINESS IDEAS

Digital Legacy Consultant, Digital Nomad Consultant, Custom Digital Avatars