14 Ways to Make Money Online as a Freelance Graphic Designer in 2023

Are you a freelance graphic designer looking to make extra money? With the right strategies, you can turn your creative skills into a lucrative side hustle. In this article, we’ll cover 14 ways that you can start earning more as a freelance graphic designer in 2023. From creating logos and designing websites to selling stock photos and illustrations – these ideas will help take your income to the next level. So if you’re ready to get started, read on for our top tips!

1. Sell your designs on Creative Market

Making money as a freelance graphic designer has never been easier thanks to Creative Market. This popular online marketplace allows you to upload your designs and start selling them right away. With millions of buyers from all around the world, it’s an excellent platform for freelancers who want to make extra money.

Whether you specialize in logos, websites, photos or illustrations – Creative Market is the perfect place to showcase your work and start earning some cash on the side.

Tips for selling your designs on Creative Market:

Create trendy and unique designs for customizable graphics (like social media templates!)
Include high-quality previews of your work to showcase its potential
Promote your products on social media and other platforms

2. Offer freelance services on Upwork

Upwork is an online platform that connects freelancers with clients looking for creative services. As a freelance graphic designer, you can sign up to the Upwork platform and start offering your services to potential customers. With a global network of employers and thousands of projects posted every day, it’s easy to find work on Upwork.

You can create custom proposals tailored to each project, showcase your portfolio and even receive payments through the site – so you don’t have to worry about chasing down invoices or dealing with awkward payment negotiations.

So if you’re ready to turn your creative skills into cash – consider taking advantage of Upwork’s platform.

Tips for freelancing on Upwork:

Make sure you have a detailed portfolio that illustrates your skills and experience as a freelance graphic designer. It’s also important to include a comprehensive list of services you provide and any reviews from past clients. This will allow potential clients to get an idea of your abilities and make it easier for them to decide to hire you.

Also Read: 11 Upwork Profile Tips to Win More Jobs (with Examples!)

Read the job postings carefully so you can submit a proposal that’s tailored to the project’s exact requirements. This will make it more likely for you to be chosen as the successful candidate.
Utilize Upwork’s built-in messaging system to communicate with clients to ensure you stay safe as a freelancer and avoid scams!

3. Sell digital products on Etsy

Are you a graphic designer looking for ways to make money with your creative talents? If so, selling digital products on Etsy could be the perfect solution. With its huge customer base and wide range of product categories, Etsy is an excellent platform for designers to showcase their work and monetize their skills.

From fonts and graphics to web templates and marketing materials, there are plenty of opportunities for graphic designers to make money by selling digital products on Etsy.

People buy digital products on Etsy for a variety of reasons. For one, it’s an easy and convenient way to find high-quality graphics quickly and easily. With millions of buyers from all around the world, customers know they are getting great value for their money when they purchase on Etsy, which makes it a great place to list your designs.

Tips for selling digital products on Etsy:

Create attractive cover images for your digital products to draw in potential buyers.
Include detailed descriptions of the features and benefits of your product so customers know what they are getting before purchasing. Also make it extremely clear if your digital products are downloadable only.
Utilize Etsy’s search engine optimization (SEO) tools to help get your product found more easily on the platform by shoppers searching for specific items.

4. Create and sell t-shirts on TeePublic

Graphic designers can make a great living creating and selling t-shirts on Teepublic. With this platform, you have the freedom to design whatever you want and can create an entire store of their own branded designs. Not only do graphic designers get to be creative, but they also get to earn money from what they love doing!

They can use the platform to market their designs by setting up campaigns and connecting with potential customers. Teepublic provides tools that help graphic designers set prices for their products as well as track sales performance over time. By taking advantage of these features, graphic designers are able to maximize profits while still being able to enjoy the creative process.

Tips for Creating T-Shirt Designs:

Brainstorm creative concepts that will capture the attention of potential customers. Focus on creating designs that are unique and stand out from other t-shirts already on the market.
Use high quality images and graphics to ensure your t-shirts look great when printed. Also consider investing in a professional program like Adobe Illustrator or Corel Draw for more complex designs.
Consider creating trendy or time-sensitive designs to attract more customers to your shop. For example, creating shirts related to current events or trending memes.

5. Design logos for businesses on Fiverr

If you’re a logo designer looking to make extra money, you can do so by selling logos on Fiverr. This popular platform offers a great opportunity for graphic designers to showcase their skills and monetize their talents.

With Fiverr, designers have the freedom to design whatever they want, and set up their own stores with branded designs. They also get access to tools that help them track sales performance over time and maximize profits while still enjoying the creative process of logo making.

Fiverr provides a customer base of people actively searching for logos, which makes it easier for graphic designers to find potential customers who are interested in buying logos from them.

Tips for Selling Logos on Fiverr:

Make sure to spend time creating high quality designs that are unique and will stand out from the competition.
Take advantage of Fiverr’s tools to track your sales performance and optimize your prices for maximum profits.
Respond quickly to customer inquiries and requests in a professional manner. This will create a positive experience for customers and help increase the chances of them coming back to you for more logo designs.

6. Illustrate children’s books

If you’re a graphic designer looking to make some extra money, consider illustrating children’s books. With the rise of self-publishing, there has never been a better time for aspiring illustrators to break into this market. Not only can it be an enjoyable and creative endeavor, but it can also be financially rewarding as well.

You’ll have the opportunity to create beautiful artwork that will bring joy to both kids and adults alike while earning an income from your work. Plus, with the right approach and strategy, you could even turn this passion project into a full-time job! So why not give it a shot? Who knows—illustrating children’s books might just become your new favorite gig!

Tips for Illustrating Children’s Books:

Before you start, make sure to do your research. Get familiar with what types of illustrations work best for this particular age group and market. Once you have an idea of the style that is popular, get creative with your designs and create something unique and eye-catching.
Create a portfolio of your work to showcase your skills and highlight your best pieces. This is a great way to give potential customers a glimpse into what you can do. Set up a website or social media page where people can easily find and contact you with inquiries about your services.
Build relationships with people in the publishing industry. Networking can be a great way to find more projects and reach more potential customers. Be flexible when it comes to pricing and turnaround times. This will help you stay competitive and ensure that you attract more customers for your services.

7. Work as a freelance graphic designer for a marketing agency

As a freelance graphic designer for a marketing agency, you can make money by creating digital and physical graphics that help businesses promote their products, services, or overall brand. You’ll be tasked with designing logos, website elements, ads, brochures, posters, banners and more.

Sometimes you’ll be working independently finishing extra tasks, and other times you’ll be working alongside other members of the marketing agency’s team.

Tips for Working as a Freelance Graphic Designer for a Marketing Agency:

Be organized and efficient with your work. Take advantage of your agency’s project management tools to keep track of tasks, deadlines and progress.
Stay up-to-date on the latest design trends and technologies in order to create modern designs that will stand out from competitors.
Communicate clearly with clients so that you both understand the desired results for each project. Be willing to take feedback and make changes in order to create a successful outcome for the client.

8. Do contract work for website design projects

Doing contract work in web design can be a great way to make money and gain valuable experience. Whether you’re just starting out or are an experienced professional, there are plenty of opportunities available for those who want to do contract work in the web design industry.

Figma is an increasingly popular choice for web design projects, and it’s essential that you know this tool for working on web design projects. Figma is a powerful online platform that offers a range of features to help you create website designs quickly and easily. With Figma, you can collaborate with team members in real-time, make changes on the fly, and access version control tools. Using Figma for your web designs will also make coding your design project a bit easier for the developers.

Tips for Doing Contract Work in Website Design:

Stay up-to-date with the latest web technologies and design trends. This will make you more marketable when looking for contract work opportunities.
Be comfortable with different design tools and know how to use them. This could include Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, Sketch, or other popular web design programs.
Get familiar with the best practices for designing responsive websites that look great across all platforms and devices.

9. Create graphics for social media campaigns

One of the most lucrative ways to use graphic design skills is by creating graphics for social media campaigns. With a little bit of creativity and knowledge of digital tools, you can make money as a graphic designer creating graphics for businesses’ Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn pages. By understanding the needs of your clients and having an eye-catching portfolio, you’ll be able to land jobs that pay well and help businesses reach their goals through creative visuals.

Tips for creating graphics for social media campaigns:

Understand the goals of your clients and create visuals that reflect their brand identity.
Explore different types of visuals, from videos to GIFs, to see what resonates with their audience the most.
Stay up-to-date on trends in graphic design and look for ways to use them in your designs.

10. Design posters and flyers for local businesses

Designing posters and flyers for local businesses is a great way for graphic designs to make some extra money. With the right tools, you can create eye-catching designs that will help promote businesses in your area. Plus, it’s an easy job that doesn’t require any special skills or expensive equipment.

All you need is knowledge of design basics and access to inexpensive software such as Photoshop or Canva. You can even start with pre-made flyer templates from Envato Elements or Creative Market.

To get started selling poster and flyer designs, all you have to do is find clients looking for advertising materials and offer your services at a competitive rate. With dedication and hard work, designing posters and flyers for local businesses can be a lucrative side hustle that helps add extra income to your pocket!

Tips for Designing Posters and Flyers:

Focus on creating designs that are simple but eye-catching. Make sure to include all the necessary information and other elements such as logos, photos, or illustrations.
Consider adding an element of interactivity with a QR code or other digital features.
Pay attention to the typeface and font size when designing posters and flyers. Make sure that it’s easy to read from a distance.

11. Develop brand identities for startups

Developing brand identities for startups is a great way to make money in the creative industry. As a designer, you can help bring an idea to life and create an identity that will represent the company’s values, mission and vision.

From concept development and logo design to marketing materials and website design, there are plenty of ways to get involved with startup branding projects. With the right skillset and experience, you can become an invaluable asset in helping small businesses stand out from their competition.

Whether you’re working as a graphic designer on a freelance basis or as part of an agency team, developing brand identities for startups is both rewarding and lucrative!

Tips for Developing Brand Identities for Startups:

Send your clients a questionnaire to make sure you’re clear and aligned on their brand vision
Understand the company’s mission, vision and values before designing a logo or any other visuals. Make sure the design is consistent with their target audience and market.
Create a style guide to ensure the brand identity remains consistent across their designs.

12. Create marketing materials for nonprofit organizations

As a graphic designer, you can make money creating marketing materials for nonprofit organizations. This type of work is an excellent way to use your creativity and design skills to help those in need.

You can work with a variety of organizations, from education and medical to environmental, animal rights, and social services. By creating marketing materials that help promote their cause and mission, you can make an impact in your community while earning a living.

Tips for Creating Marketing Materials for Nonprofit Organizations:

Get to know the organization’s mission and research their target audience. This will help you create materials that resonate with their audience.
Keep in mind that nonprofit organizations usually have limited resources, so focus on simplicity and cost-effectiveness when designing.
Make sure your designs are memorable and inspiring — it should make people want to take action and support the cause.

13. Design covers for e-books and Kindle books

Making money by designing covers for e-books and Kindle books is a great way to make extra income. With a little bit of creativity and effort, you can create amazing cover designs that will help authors stand out from the competition.

You can use programs like Adobe Photoshop or Canva to create your designs, and there are many tutorials online that will teach you how to get started. You can also find sites where authors post requests for book cover designs and work with them directly. With an eye for design and some dedication, you could make a steady income by designing covers for e-books and Kindle books.

Tips for Designing E-Book Covers:

Research how other books in the same genre are presented.
Create designs that resonates with the book’s content and audience.
Use high-resolution images and fonts that are appropriate for the book’s genre. Make sure the title, subtitle and author’s name are clearly visible. Pay attention to details like color, alignment and composition to make your design stand out. Test different designs with potential readers before finalizing a design.

14. Create infographics and data visualizations

Creating infographics and data visualizations can be a great way to make money as a graphic designer. With the right skills, you can create attractive visuals that tell compelling stories with data. Not only are these visualizations useful for businesses and organizations, but they can also help individuals better understand complex topics and concepts.

By mastering the art of creating effective infographics and data visualizations, you can make a great income from creating visuals for various clients.

Tips for Creating Infographics and Data Visualizations:

Understand the data before you start designing. Make sure you can explain what the visual is showing and why it matters.
Choose a design style that resonates with the data, audience and purpose of the visualization.
Simplify complex topics with concise headlines and captions that provide context to your visuals.

Bottom Line

As a freelance graphic designer, there are plenty of opportunities to make money by leveraging your creative skills. Whether you’re creating marketing materials for nonprofits or designing e-book covers and infographics, you can find ways to apply your design expertise in the service of others.

With the right knowledge and effort, you can build up a successful freelancing career that provides both financial security and creative satisfaction. Take advantage of these 14 great ideas to get started on your journey towards becoming an independent freelance graphic designer!