Monday, March 20, 2017

How Can I Turn My Computer Artwork into a Legitimate Business?

Mar. 20, 2017

Dear Cathy:

I make positive computer artwork. So far I make the pieces digital online. My pieces are very inspirational and I was wondering do you have any idea on how I can turn this into a legitimate business? Artwork, Texas

Dear Artwork:

You can continue to do this type of artwork and sell from your computer or put it on some type of canvas or paper and sell in physical locations. If you sell from you computer, you will need a signature on it and probably file some type of copyright. 


You should register your artwork and literary works with the copyright office. Registered works provide more protection and benefits in the court of law, especially if someone uses your work without permission. 

It is NOT REQUIRED to register your work with the Copyright Office because the creator of the work is the official copyright owner, BUT, if you want to sue for damages when someone violates the copyright laws, your work must be registered. 

Check out the copyright office official website for more information and to register your work online or by mail! Google search the words "U.S. Copyright Office" to find the website. 

Copyright applies to all visual arts - drawings, paintings, digital art, photographs, sculptures, etc. According to the copyright laws, the official copyright owner has the exclusive right to do and to authorize the following: 
1. Reproduce or make copies of the artwork 
2. Prepare derivative works based upon the original artwork 
3. Distribute the artwork to the public by sale, rental, lease, lending, or transfer ownership 
4. Display the artwork publicly 


A trademark generally protects brand names and logos used on goods and services. It is not required to register your trademark BUT registered trademarks provides more protection and benefits, such as allowing you to take legal action in court if someone uses your trademark without permission. Check out the "United States Patent And Trademark Office" website for more information!

If you sell your work in a physical location, remember that many people are making art but don’t have a place to hang it. You can set up an art gallery right in your home or another facility, maybe a local business who has a storefront. Be careful setting up any type of business out of your home, especially today.

You can hang the work of local artists and host a party once or twice a month. You can give the artist 60% of the sale price and you keep 40%.

Another idea is your artwork is similar to graphic designing so you can take a course in graphic designing and start making positive logos, flyers and banners that people will buy.

Graphic design is the practice or profession of designing print or electronic forms of visual information, as for an advertisement, publication, or website.

Graphic designers are also called graphic artists and they can also do logos, business cards, flyers, brochures, etc.

To stand out from the rest, you need to offer cheaper prices with good quality. You can obtain clients by joining business groups. Most business owners don’t realize that a professional business card and logo is a great marketing tool.

Many people will recognize your business just by looking at your logo. For more business ideas, read "The New CEO: 185 Easy-To-Set Up Businesses for Youth and Adult Entrepreneurs" available as an e-book and paperback.

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