Pinterest for Artists: Sell Art on Pinterest

Pinterest isn't social media — it's a visual search engine where people actively plan purchases. Unlike Instagram where users scroll passively, Pinterest users are searching with intent: "living room wall art," "coastal paintings for beach house," "modern abstract prints."

For artists, this means Pinterest can drive sales on autopilot. A well-optimized pin can bring traffic for months or years, long after an Instagram post has disappeared.

1. Why Pinterest Works for Art

Pinterest behaves fundamentally differently from Instagram or Facebook:

The key insight: Pinterest users are planning. They're saving ideas for their home renovation, collecting art for a new apartment, or researching gifts. Your art isn't interrupting their feed — it's answering their search.

2. Setting Up Your Profile

Your profile is your storefront. Optimize it for both humans and Pinterest's search algorithm:

Bio Formula

[What you create] + [Who it's for] + [Call-to-action]

Example: "Original coastal paintings and art prints for beach lovers. Bringing ocean light to your walls. Shop → [link]"

3. Board Strategy

Boards organize your pins and signal to Pinterest what your content is about. Create boards that match what your buyers search for:

Board Optimization

• Board name: Searchable keywords, not clever phrases
• Board description: Keyword-rich, explain what's in the board
• Board cover: Your best pin from that board
• Board sections: Use for further organization within large boards

4. Creating Pins That Perform

Pin Anatomy

Image Best Practices

• Vertical format: 2:3 ratio takes up more feed space
• Lifestyle shots: Art shown in room settings outperform flat lay
• Text overlay: Optional but can increase clicks for some niches
• Multiple pins per piece: Different angles, settings, crops
• High resolution: Crisp, professional quality

5. Pinterest SEO

Pinterest is a search engine. Treat it like SEO:

Where to Use Keywords

• Pin title: Primary keywords first
• Pin description: Natural sentences with keywords
• Board name: Exact match searchable phrases
• Board description: Related keywords and phrases
• Profile name: Your name + what you create
• Image file name: Descriptive before uploading

How to Find Keywords

1. Type in Pinterest search bar and see suggestions
2. Look at guided search tiles after searching
3. Study top-performing pins in your niche
4. Check Pinterest Trends for seasonal opportunities
5. Use the same research methods as Etsy keyword research

6. Posting Strategy

How Much to Pin

• Starting out: 5-10 pins per day
• Established: 10-25 pins per day
• Mix: 80% your content, 20% repins of relevant content
• Fresh pins: Prioritize creating new pin images

When to Pin

Pinterest is less time-sensitive than Instagram, but consistency matters:

• Spread pins throughout the day (use scheduling)
• Pinterest usage peaks evenings and weekends
• Seasonal content 45+ days before the season
• Consistency beats volume — daily pinning is better than sporadic bursts

7. Tools & Automation

Manual pinning daily is unsustainable. These tools help:

Workflow Example

1. Create 3-5 pin variations for each new artwork
2. Write keyword-rich titles and descriptions
3. Schedule across relevant boards over 2-4 weeks
4. Repin top performers to group boards
5. Review analytics monthly, double down on what works

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Pinterest good for selling art?

Yes, Pinterest is excellent for art sales. Unlike other social platforms, Pinterest users are actively planning purchases — 85% use Pinterest to plan new projects. Art performs especially well because Pinterest is a visual discovery platform where users save inspiration for their homes, weddings, and projects.

How often should artists post on Pinterest?

Consistency matters more than volume. Aim for 5-15 pins per day, spread throughout the day using scheduling tools. Quality and freshness of content matters more than quantity. Pinterest rewards active accounts that regularly add new, valuable content.

What size images work best on Pinterest?

Pinterest favors vertical images with a 2:3 aspect ratio (1000×1500 pixels is ideal). Vertical pins take up more space in the feed, getting more attention. For art, show your piece in a styled room setting when possible — lifestyle images outperform flat product shots.

How do I get my art found on Pinterest?

Pinterest is a search engine — treat it like SEO. Use keywords in your pin titles, descriptions, and board names. Think about what buyers search: "living room wall art" not "my new painting." Use relevant hashtags sparingly (2-5 per pin). Rich Pins provide additional context automatically.

Should I link Pinterest pins to my shop or website?

Always link pins directly to where users can buy that specific piece — not your homepage. Every extra click loses buyers. If you sell on multiple platforms, link to whichever has the lowest friction for purchase. Consider linking to AR preview pages so buyers can visualize the art first.