Spoonflower is a print-on-demand marketplace for surface pattern designers. You upload repeating patterns that Spoonflower prints on fabric, wallpaper and home decor items, and you earn a 10% royalty on each sale, with bonus commissions when your monthly sales reach set levels. You keep the rights to your work, and Spoonflower handles printing, shipping and payments.
At a glance
| What it is | Print-on-demand marketplace for patterns |
| Products | Fabric, wallpaper and home decor |
| Royalty | 10% of what the customer pays |
| Bonus | Higher commission at monthly sales thresholds |
| Designer discount | 10% off your own designs |
| Rights | You keep the rights to your work |
How it works
You upload a design, usually a seamless repeat, and choose the products it’s available on. To sell, you complete Spoonflower’s seller verification and make the design public in the Marketplace. Customers find it by search or browsing, order their fabric, wallpaper or decor, and Spoonflower prints and ships it.
What you earn
You earn 10% of what the customer pays for an item with your design, including any discounts applied. On a $10 item sold at 10% off, you get $0.90. Spoonflower adds bonus commissions when your monthly sales pass certain thresholds, which can raise your rate above 10%.
Selling on other marketplaces
Spoonflower also lists designs on external marketplaces such as Etsy, at no cost to you and with the same royalty as on its own marketplace. Designers can opt into this to reach more buyers.
What sells
Patterns that work well as fabric or wallpaper do best: florals, geometrics, kids’ themes, seasonal prints and coordinating collections. Buyers often search by color, style and theme, so naming and tagging matter.
Getting started
Learn how to make a seamless repeat, upload your first designs and order swatches to check the print. Build collections of coordinating patterns rather than isolated designs.
Common mistakes
Some designers upload images that don’t tile, leaving visible seams. Others choose colors that look different on fabric than on screen. A third mistake is tagging designs too vaguely to be found.
Keeping track
Watch which designs and colorways sell and on which products. Make new colorways of designs that sell, since buyers often look for the same pattern in different colors.
Is it worth it?
For pattern designers, yes. Spoonflower’s audience comes specifically for fabric and wallpaper designs, which few other platforms offer. Income builds slowly with the size of your catalog, so treat it as a long-term project.
Before you upload
Check your repeat at several scales, make sure colors are print-friendly and write titles and tags that name the style, colors and theme. A design called “blue watercolor floral” is easier to find than “design 12”.
Collections and coordinates
Buyers making quilts, clothing or rooms often want several patterns that work together. Designing small collections in a shared palette, with a main print and simpler coordinates, gives them more reasons to buy several of your designs at once.
Owen’s take
Spoonflower is the clear choice for pattern designers. The 10% royalty is modest, but your designs work across many products, and a growing catalog can bring steady income.
Who it suits
It suits surface pattern designers and illustrators who enjoy repeat patterns. It suits less well designers of slogans or one-off artwork.
Similar options
- Society6 sells art on home decor.
- Redbubble sells patterns on many products.
- Fine Art America sells prints and decor.
- Zazzle sells custom products and gifts.
More options are in Print on Demand.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Focused audience for patterns
- Bonus commissions at higher sales
- Extra reach on outside marketplaces
Cons
- 10% base royalty
- Requires seamless repeat skills
- Royalty falls with customer discounts
FAQ
How much does Spoonflower pay designers?
10% of what the customer pays, with bonuses at higher monthly sales.
Is it free to sell on Spoonflower?
Yes, listing designs is free.
Do I keep the rights to my designs?
Yes.
Does Spoonflower sell on Etsy?
Yes, it lists opted-in designs on outside marketplaces like Etsy with the same royalty.
Do I get a discount on my own designs?
Yes, 10% off fabric, wallpaper and decor larger than a swatch.
