Back in the day, earning any reliable income over the internet seemed to be a far-fetched idea. However, this is no longer the case today, as you will find many ways to make a living just by using your computer.
Affiliate marketing, drop shipping, and Amazon FBA are just among the most lucrative sources of income online. However, there is another passive income that you might not be familiar with, which is print-on-demand. It may not be as profitable as the ones mentioned, but it can generate a good amount of passive income that can help you boost your regular income.
And when you search for legitimate print-on-demand, among the first websites that you will come across is RedBubble. They have been in the business for almost two decades, and they are now among the trusted print-on-demand brands in the industry.
But if you still want to be certain about the program, then the article for today will shed light on the potential of RedBubble in helping you earn a good source of passive income or should you search for a better alternative.
Product Overview: RedBubble
RedBubble is a print-on-demand platform that provides customized graphic designs. They also sell mugs, t-shirts, pins, posters, tumblers, or any items where you can put your chosen designs. The company has been in existence since 2006, and it was the brainchild of co-founders Peter Styles, Paul Vanzella, and Martin Hosking. The company's main headquarters is in Melbourne, Australia, but they also have sectors in Berlin and San Francisco.
Aside from selling artworks to thousands of people around the globe, they also encourage individuals with an artistic side to contribute to them. Although they may not be suitable for full-time jobs, it is a good source of passive income that will help you manage your monthly budget.
How RedBubble Works?
You can interact with RedBubble in two ways—from the perspective of buyer or seller. When you are trying to buy artwork printed on items, then using RedBubble for such purposes is self-explanatory. It is very similar to other online merchants like Amazon and eBay, with the only exception being that you can customize the products that you prefer.
Firstly, you have to create an account, which includes providing necessary details such as your name, email, contact number, and, most importantly, your address. Afterward, you have to select the graphic design of your choice and where you want to put it. Then, go to the checkout and select the payment mode. Double-check the shipment address. And the last thing you have to do is wait for the package to arrive at your home.
If you want to earn a few bucks from the platform by sharing your work of art, then RedBubble can help you sell your designs and turn them into profits. Furthermore, you don't have to provide them with any credentials or portfolios or show them any work experience. Everybody is welcome to join their artist's roster as long as they have the creative mind and skills to produce catchy and trendy graphic designs.
In fact, most of the designs you will find in RedBubble are from its contributors. Another great thing about the program is the creation of an account for artists and graphic designers is free. If you are familiar with freelancing platforms, then the way RedBubble works is very similar. Once you make sales, they will have a cut of your earnings.
RedBubble Registration and Payment Process
The registration process is relatively straightforward. And no matter if you are a seller or buyer, there are no membership fees involved. When you visit their website, they will ask you to log in or sign up if you don't have an account yet with them. If you don't have an account, you can either fill in the necessary information that they ask for or you can connect your Google account or social media account to register. And then, you only have to provide them with your current address.
If you are a buyer, you can pay for the items you like either through PayPal or banking transactions. You can also redeem coupons to save more money from the purchase. If you are an artist, you can receive your hard-earned money through PayPal or banking transactions as well.
However, a huge disadvantage of contributing artwork for RedBubble is they have a period where they perform the payouts which is on the 15th and 30th day of the month. It is a huge inconvenience considering that the platform is seen as more of a side hustle, especially if you are not earning that much.
How Much Would You Earn from RedBubble?
To determine how much is the potential earnings of the artists, you have to note the computation of the operation cost for each of the art pieces. Firstly, there is a 20% markup from the base price of the items used, such as mugs, t-shirts, tumblers, etc. Furthermore, the 20% markup is also the artist's margin of the contributor which is essentially your earnings from the sale. An example of the computation is as follows:
- $50 (base price of the t-shirt) x 20% (markup) = $10 (artist's margin)
- $50 (base price of the t-shirt) + $10 (artist's margin) = $60 (price per t-shirt)
Advantages of RedBubble
Below are the reasons why RedBubble may be worth your while:
- The has been around for almost two decades now and among the top print-on-demand websites which is a good indication that they are legitimate
- You get a chance to sell your artwork
- A great source of passive income
- They have a decent rating in Trustpilot and Sitejabber
Disadvantages of RedBubble
On the other hand, the following are the disadvantages of RedBubble that you need to note:
- The payment cycle of every 15th and 30th day of the month is very inconvenient
- Although they have a positive rating from Trustpilot and Sitejabber, they have an overall rating in the Better Business Bureau
- Overwhelming negative experiences from artists that include unpaid earnings, undisclosed account suspension, etc.
- Other issues experienced by buyers include the quality of the items used and delivery problems
Final Thoughts: Is RedBubble Effective?
Although RedBubble is generating a lot of traffic, getting noticed by buyers is another story. The website is highly saturated and competing with other artists is very challenging. Like any freelance platform, you need to create unique designs that will stand out from the rest of the competition. But even if you have a knack for creating trendy designs, and let's say that they are more creative than the top-selling ones, it will be very hard for you to compete, especially if you are starting from scratch.
In any case, contributing your work of art in RedBubble can be rewarding if you persevere. You are sharing your creative minds with a larger audience while you are earning a good source of passive income.
