Understanding Society6 Artist Earnings
Society6 is a print-on-demand marketplace where artists upload designs and earn commissions on every sale. As of March 2025, Society6 implemented standardized pricing across all products, eliminating custom artist markup. This calculator helps artists understand their actual earnings after Society6's new commission structure.
March 2025 Pricing Changes
Society6 removed artist control over markup on March 18, 2025. Artists now earn fixed commission rates: 10% for pillows, wall tapestries, framed art, and posters; 5% for all other products. This change aims to standardize pricing and improve customer experience.
How Society6 Artist Commissions Work
Society6 calculates artist earnings using a simple formula applied to the discounted base price:
Artist Earnings = (Base Price - Discount) × Markup Rate
- •Base Price: Manufacturing cost + Society6 fee (shown on product page)
- •Discount: Customer discount percentage applied during sales
- •Markup Rate: 10% for select products, 5% for others
Commission Tiers (2025)
- •10% Products: Throw pillows, floor pillows, wall tapestries, framed art prints, canvas prints, posters
- •5% Products: All other items including apparel, phone cases, tote bags, mugs, rugs, furniture, etc.
- •Wholesale/Trade Orders: Fixed 5% commission regardless of product type
Payout Schedule & Minimums
- •Minimum Threshold: $20 required to receive payment
- •Payment Timing: 30 days after order ships, then paid on 1st-3rd business day of following month
- •Payment Method: PayPal only
- •Rollover: Earnings below $20 carry forward to next month
How Discounts Affect Artist Earnings
Society6 frequently runs promotional sales (20-50% off). These discounts directly reduce artist earnings because the markup percentage is applied AFTER the discount:
Example: $25 Poster
- Base Price:$20.00
- Markup Rate (Poster):10%
- No Discount (0%):$2.00 earnings
- 20% Off Sale:$1.60 earnings
- 50% Off Sale:$1.00 earnings
Maximizing Artist Earnings
Strategies for Higher Earnings
- •Focus on 10% Products: Pillows, wall tapestries, framed art, and posters earn double the commission of other items
- •Design for Multiple Products: Spread artwork creation costs across various product types
- •Promote During Non-Sale Periods: Your earnings are highest when products are full price
- •Build a Portfolio: More designs = more earning opportunities across different products
- •Track Your Metrics: Monitor which products and designs perform best to optimize your catalog
Who Benefits from Society6?
- •Digital Artists: No upfront costs, passive income from existing artwork
- •Designers: Zero inventory risk, global distribution, quality production
- •Side Hustlers: Minimal time investment after initial upload, scalable income
- •Portfolio Builders: Showcase work, gain exposure, build credibility
Limitations to Consider
- •Low Commission Rates: 5-10% earnings are significantly lower than self-hosted stores (typically 30-50% margins)
- •No Pricing Control: As of March 2025, artists cannot adjust retail prices or markup percentages
- •Discount Impact: Frequent Society6 sales reduce your earnings without your consent
- •High Competition: Thousands of artists compete for visibility in the marketplace
- •$20 Minimum Payout: Low-volume artists may wait months to reach threshold
Final Tips
Society6 works best as a supplemental income stream rather than a primary business. The platform handles production, shipping, and customer service, allowing artists to focus on creating. To maximize earnings, prioritize 10% commission products, create versatile designs that work across multiple items, and promote your work outside the Society6 marketplace to drive direct traffic to your store.