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5 Things You Should Know Before Buying Digital Art Online

As the digital art market continues to thrive, more collectors, hobbyists, and art enthusiasts are turning to the internet to discover and purchase unique pieces of art.

Whether you're looking for a statement piece for your virtual gallery or investing in digital artwork as an asset, buying art online offers convenience and access to a global marketplace. However, there are crucial things to consider before making your first (or next) digital art purchase

In this article, we explore five important things you should know before buying digital art online - to help you make a smarter, safer, and more satisfying purchase.

1. Understand What You’re Buying: File Types and Licensing Matter

2. Choose Reputable Platforms and Marketplaces

3. Beware of Scams and Copyright Infringement

4. Know How to Store and Display Your Digital Art

5. Support the Artist and the Art Community

1. Understand What You’re Buying: File Types and Licensing Matter

One of the most common misconceptions in digital art is that buying a piece automatically means you own all rights to it. In reality, purchasing digital art typically grants you access to a digital file and limited usage rights, not full ownership of the copyright unless explicitly stated.

Key considerations

File types: Digital art can come in various formats, such as JPEG, PNG, GIF, MP4, and even 3D models or interactive files. Ensure you understand what file format you're receiving and whether it's compatible with your display or software.

Resolution: Higher resolution files are ideal for printing or large-screen display. If you plan to print your digital art, look for files that are at least 300 DPI.

Licensing: Always check if the artist is offering personal use, commercial use, or full copyright. Most digital art purchases are for personal use only. If you need commercial rights,https://artuk.org/about/what-is-non-commercial-use-vs-commercial-use. make sure that’s clearly outlined in the agreement.

Pro Tip: Always read the licensing agreement or terms of use before finalizing your purchase. Don’t assume that buying the file means you can resell or reproduce it freely.

2. Choose Reputable Platforms and Marketplaces

Digital art marketplaces are not created equal - some are invariably more safer than others. And with the rise of NFT art, digital galleries, and e-commerce platforms for creatives, it’s essential to ensure you're buying from a safe source.

Popular platforms

Etsy: Great for custom and handmade digital prints.

Crelands: Offers artisanal designs and nouveau digital art - mostly from Indian creators

DeviantArt: Offers original art with clear artist profiles.

ArtStation: Popular among professionals in the gaming and entertainment industries.

Look for platforms that:

Have clear refund or dispute policies.

Display artist profiles and artwork descriptions transparently.

Offer customer reviews and ratings.

Pro Tip: Always verify the artist's identity, portfolio, and reputation on and off the platform before buying, especially if you’re spending a significant amount of money.

3. Beware of Scams and Copyright Infringement

The growth of the digital art space has also brought an increase in scams, stolen art, and copyright violations with many unsuspecting buyers paying for digital art that was plagiarized or illegally resold.

Red flags to watch for

The seller has no online presence outside the marketplace.

The art style seems inconsistent across different pieces (possibly stolen from multiple artists).

The price seems too good to be true.

The artist cannot provide proof of original creation (e.g., working files, time-lapses).

To protect yourself

Use reverse image search tools like Google Images or TinEye to check if the artwork exists elsewhere.

Reach out to the artist directly if you’re unsure of the legitimacy.

Purchase through platforms that offer verification for creators, especially for NFT art.

Pro Tip: If you're buying expensive or limited-edition digital art, consider platforms that offer blockchain certification or metadata tracking to prove authenticity and ownership.

4. Know How to Store and Display Your Digital Art

Once you've bought your digital art, the next step is to preserve and showcase it properly. As unlike physical artwork, digital pieces require proper storage and display to maintain their value and accessibility.

Storage tips

Keep a backup of your files in multiple secure locations (external hard drives, cloud storage, etc.).

For NFT art, store it in a secure digital wallet (like MetaMask or Ledger).

Save certificates or proof of purchase along with the artwork file.

Display options

Use digital frames like Meural or Samsung Frame to showcase your art at home.

Display it in virtual galleries such as OnCyber, Spatial, or Decentraland.

Share it online via social media, personal websites, or metaverse platforms.

Pro Tip: Regularly update your digital storage to avoid file corruption or software obsolescence.

And moreover, keeping metadata intact (like the artist's signature, title, and creation date) can also add to the art's long-term value.

5. Support the Artist and the Art Community

One of the most rewarding parts of buying digital art online is supporting the artists behind the work. This simple act of kindness helps to sustain the digital art community and encourage even more innovation.

Ways to support artists beyond buying

Leave positive reviews and share their work on social media.

Credit them properly if you use the artwork (according to the license).

Subscribe to their newsletters, Patreon, or Ko-fi pages.

Recommend them to others looking for custom or commissioned pieces.

Pro Tip: Reach out to artists for custom work if you love their style. Many digital artists accept commissions and will work with you to create something unique and personal.

Final Thoughts

Buying digital art online can be an enriching experience when done thoughtfully. From understanding the fine print to choosing the right platform and supporting creators, each step plays a role in ensuring that your purchase is ethical, valuable, and aligned with your intentions.

And as digital creativity continues to redefine the boundaries of art and ownership, being an informed buyer isn’t just smart - it’s absolutely essential.

Why Crelands?

Crelands is a no-cost listing platform that aggregates digital products for entrepreneurs, artisans, micro-influencers and niche experts looking to break into and consolidate their brand in the digital product space.

We provide one-on-one dedicated customer support, guidance and insights to help you attract your customers and build meaningful relationships with them.