In the current economic climate, it’s more crucial than ever for graphic designers to explore additional income sources. A side hustle can not only supplement your earnings but also provide financial stability.
If you possess a unique blend of creativity and design expertise, you have a myriad of opportunities to tap into new earning potential.
Let’s take a look at the 8 best side hustle ideas for graphic designers in 2024.
What is a side hustle?
A side hustle is a part-time job or activity people do alongside their main source of income, often to earn extra money, explore their passions, or develop new skills. These secondary gigs can take various forms, such as freelancing, part-time work, or online businesses. Side hustles provide an opportunity to boost income, learn new things, and turn hobbies into money-making ventures. They’re a popular way to achieve financial flexibility and personal growth in today’s gig economy.
1. Create and Sell Design Templates
Imagine generating an extra $1000 a month by selling design templates to a wide customer base. One of the most popular passive income strategies for graphic designers is selling design files online.
Many individuals who lack design skills are constantly in search of ready-made templates for various needs. To succeed in this endeavor, invest effort in designing templates, identifying trends, and setting appropriate pricing.
Some trending template ideas for platforms like Etsy include Canva templates, resumes, digital wedding planner templates, and more.
2. Sell Your Own Merchandise
Consider creating and selling custom merchandise as another income stream. With the advent of print-on-demand websites like RedBubble, Zazzle, and Printify, it has become incredibly easy for creatives to design and sell merchandise without worrying about inventory management and order fulfillment.
To test the waters, create mock-ups of your designs and share them on social media to gauge interest and identify trends. Some examples of custom merchandise include baby onesies, hoodies, funny kids’ t-shirts, mugs, and tote bags.
3. Freelancing
Freelancing offers graphic designers the flexibility to manage their workload, choose their clients, and break free from a traditional 9-to-5 work schedule.
Online platforms like Fiverr, Upwork, and Freelancer.com are excellent resources for finding freelance opportunities. These platforms allow you to showcase your portfolio, receive client reviews, and let your designs speak for themselves.
According to ZipRecruiter, the national average salary for a freelance graphic designer is $52,284.
4. Sell Video Courses
Leverage your expertise by starting a YouTube channel or offering pre-recorded video courses to teach the fundamentals of Adobe Photoshop & Illustrator.
This can be a great way to monetize your knowledge and skills while helping others improve their design abilities. With the right approach, it could become a lucrative income stream.
5. Sell Printables on Etsy
Creating and selling printable files on Etsy has become a popular niche for many designers. Similar to selling design templates, printables are assets that can be sold repeatedly, providing a passive income stream.
The advantage is that printables require minimal upfront work and virtually no maintenance. Design the assets, list them on Etsy, and watch the sales roll in.
Some popular printables on Etsy include coloring books, shopping lists, gift tags, checklist templates, and journal pages.
6. Photo Mock-Ups
If you have photography skills, consider creating mock-ups as a side hustle. Mock-ups are in high demand among Etsy sellers who don’t have the resources or time to photograph their products.
By providing beautiful, flat-lay photographs of various items, you can offer a valuable service to these sellers and earn extra income in the process.
7. Design Fonts
If you’re a skilled typographer, you can turn your passion into a profitable side hustle by creating and selling your own fonts. While this requires design expertise and knowledge of font creation software, it can be a rewarding way to earn extra income and might even turn into a full-time business.
8. Start a Design Blog
For those with a passion for design and a knack for sharing knowledge, starting a design blog or niche website can be a great way to earn extra income.
By creating valuable content, building an audience, and monetizing your site through methods like advertising, sponsorships, affiliate marketing, and product or service sales, you can transform your passion into a profitable side hustle.
Keep in mind that building a content-based site is a long-term project, but with patience and persistence, the financial and personal rewards can be significant.
Conclusion
Explore various strategies to monetize your design skills and build passive income. Experimentation is key, and it’s important not to get discouraged if you don’t see immediate results. Building passive income takes time, so start small and discover the best ways to utilize your talents.
Thanks for reading our top 8 side hustle ideas for graphic designers article.
For the latest tips and deals related to your print-on-demand business, follow us on Instagram and Facebook. If you’re ready to begin your journey in selling custom baby clothes online, join the KidsBlanks Print-on-Demand Program today. With our platform, you can start selling your designs on t-shirts and build a successful business.