Your Window is Closing: How to Quit Hitting Snooze on your Art Business

Running an art business shouldn’t feel like a constant scramble, but somewhere along the line, things get complicated. Dates sneak up. Great ideas get rushed, or shelved altogether, because there never seems to be enough time. 

As a production partner to artists at every stage, we’ve seen this pattern play out before. The good news is, taking a few intentional hours to map out your year lets you master your timeline, not the other way around.

Begin with the End in Mind

The first step in planning a successful and creative year with your art is to start with your sell date. The day you actually need finished products in hand may vary, but the mindset shift is that your products need to be ready for the selling season, not the holiday itself. 

 

How Do You Figure Out Your Start Date?

Consider your timeline. From the first flash of inspiration to finished products, how long does the entire process take for your business? It’s not just creating the artwork- it’s creation, production, and even shipping.

Identify your scope. In general, new product development should start about three months before you want finished versions in hand. Retail buyers plan early, so you'll want to finalize pieces for wholesale markets or dropshipping well in advance. Local pop-ups and direct to consumer marketplaces don’t require as long of a timeline.

Here’s an example timeline for Sarah, a painter getting her pieces ready for Halloween. Notice how she works backwards from her end date, outlining the time required for every step of her process, to determine her start date.

 

By starting in July, Sarah was able to get her products ready by September and take advantage of the full selling season. 

 

Dates to Remember

Timing is everything. Keep your eye on these upcoming holidays and events when charting a course for your business, so you can be prepared long before they arrive:

January Start: The Master’s Finish: March Madness, Easter Sell: Winter, Valentine’s	February Start: Graduation, Wedding Finish: The Master’s, Spring Sell: Valentine’s, Easter
March Start: Mother’s Day, Kentucky Derby Finish: Graduation, Wedding Sell: The Master’s, Easter	April Start: 4th of July, Father’s Day Finish: Mother’s Day, Kentucky Derby Sell: Graduation, Wedding
May Start: Back to School, Collegiate Finish: 4th of July, Father’s Day Sell: Mother’s Day, Father’s Day	June Start: Fall, Memorial Day Finish: Back to School, Collegiate Sell: 4th of July
July Start: Christmas, Halloween Finish: Fall, Memorial Day Sell: Back to School, Collegiate	August Start: Christmas, Thanksgiving Finish: Halloween Sell: Fall, Collegiate
September Start: Winter Finish: Christmas, Thanksgiving Sell: Fall, Halloween	October Start: New Year’s Finish: Winter Sell: Christmas, Halloween
November Start: Valentine’s, Spring Finish: New Year’s, Winter Sell: Thanksgiving, Christmas	December Start: March Madness, Easter Finish: Valentine’s, Spring Sell: Christmas, New Years

 

Evergreen Pieces

Some designs may feel seasonal, but any product can fly off the shelves year-round. For example, ornaments aren’t just for Christmas- they’re often used as wreath-hangers, gift toppers, or small charms. 

Watch out for events that happen year round- baby showers, weddings/anniversaries, graduations. Collegiate themes are consistently popular too. Always consider licensing requirements when creating your pieces.

 

Want a powerful tool to help you plan ahead? Download our free printable Planning Calendar.

 

The Bottom Line: Stay Ahead

In our years of producing on-demand art prints, we’ve seen that our clients who experience the most success are the ones who plan ahead. We’ve seen the challenges you face, and know how to get you across the finish line, so that you can give your work the attention it deserves.

So stop surfing the web, grab a pen, and start planning your year today- your future self will thank you.