Redbubble First Sale Experience – Paper Moods-lee’s 2-Month Journey
Starting an online shop as an independent artist is always a mix of excitement and uncertainty. Two months ago, I launched my Redbubble store under the name Paper Moods-lee. As of today, I have made my very first sale — one product featuring my design Grumpy Gourd. It may sound like a small milestone, but for me, it represents the beginning of something bigger. Here’s my honest experience so far.
1. Starting My Redbubble Shop
I had been considering different platforms to showcase and monetize my artwork. Adobe Stock was already part of my creative journey, but I wanted to try a marketplace where art could be directly applied to products like t-shirts, mugs, and stickers. Redbubble felt like the right choice because it allows artists to reach an international audience with minimal upfront cost.
2. Uploading My First Designs
The first step was preparing high-quality files that could work across multiple product formats. From notebooks to tote bags, Redbubble automatically generates mockups, but not all designs fit perfectly. I quickly learned the importance of checking previews carefully and adjusting layouts for each product. I also realized how crucial keywords and tags are for visibility. Without proper tagging, even the most creative design can remain invisible.
3. The First Sale – Grumpy Gourd 🎃
After weeks of waiting, my very first sale came through: a product featuring Grumpy Gourd, a cheerful yet quirky pumpkin illustration. It sold for $4.66. To some, it might not sound like much, but the feeling of receiving that first email notification was incredibly motivating. It proved that my artwork had potential to connect with buyers, even in a highly competitive marketplace.
4. Challenges Along the Way
While the first sale was exciting, there were also challenges. The biggest hurdle is visibility. Redbubble has thousands of active sellers, and it’s easy to feel like your designs are lost in a sea of similar artworks. Promoting my shop outside the platform—through social media and blogs—became essential. Another challenge was patience. Unlike stock platforms, where buyers actively search for specific resources, Redbubble sales often rely on trends, timing, and luck.
5. What I Learned in 2 Months
These first two months taught me several valuable lessons:
Consistency matters: Uploading regularly keeps the shop active and increases chances of discovery.
Trends drive traffic: Seasonal themes like Halloween or Valentine’s Day can boost visibility.
Promotion is key: Sharing links, like my shop Paper Moods-lee on Redbubble, helps build an audience beyond the platform.
Don’t chase perfection: Sometimes a simple, fun design like Grumpy Gourd resonates more than over-polished artwork.
6. Looking Ahead
With only one sale in two months, my Redbubble journey is still in its early stage. But this first step gave me confidence to continue uploading, experimenting with different styles, and exploring seasonal ideas. My next goal is to grow beyond a single sale and build a small collection that attracts repeat buyers. It will take time and effort, but that’s the exciting part of being an independent creator.
👉 If you’re also starting your Redbubble shop, don’t be discouraged by slow results. Every sale, no matter how small, is proof that your art has value. For me, this one pumpkin design was the spark I needed to keep creating and sharing my work with the world.
Got questions? Drop them in the comments and I’ll reply.