Society6’s Big Shake Up: What It Means for Artists

“ the company has decided to trim down its artist community, keeping only a handpicked selection of creators moving forward. “

If you’ve been selling your art on Society6, you might have woken up to a rather unexpected email recently. The popular print-on-demand platform just announced a massive overhaul, moving from an open marketplace to a curated, invite-only club and, well, not everyone made the cut.

For years, Society6 has been a go-to space for artists to upload their designs, slap them on everything from prints to shower curtains, and make some cash. But now, the company has decided to trim down its artist community, keeping only a handpicked selection of creators moving forward. If you didn’t get their “Congrats, you’re in!” email, you’re out.

Let’s break down what’s changing and what this means for artists.

Wait, What Just Happened?

Until now, Society6 has been an open platform where artists of all styles and skill levels could sell their work. But as of March 18, 2025, that’s over. The company is tightening the reins with a curation system, meaning they’re only allowing a select group of artists to stay.

According to their email, this shift is meant to ensure “quality standards, current trends, and customer demand.” But let’s be real, it also means a ton of artists who spent years building their shops just got kicked to the curb with little notice.

If you were one of the lucky ones who got the “you made it!” email, congrats! You’re now part of a smaller group that Society6 will focus on promoting. If not… well, you’re no longer welcome on the platform. Ouch.

What’s Changing?

Here’s the rundown of Society6’s new rules:

• Only curated artists can sell – If you weren’t handpicked, you’re out.

• No more artist plan fees – They’re no longer charging for premium features (small win?).

• No more shipping fees deducted from earnings – Artists who remain won’t have to pay shipping costs out of pocket.

• Fixed pricing model – You no longer control your product markups—Society6 sets the prices now.

• Stronger visibility for the chosen few – With fewer artists, Society6 says it will focus on giving curated creators better exposure.

If You Didn’t Get the “You’re In” Email…

If your inbox didn’t have a golden ticket from Society6, it means your shop is getting shut down. Many artists have already found their accounts deactivated or their designs removed. For those affected, this is more than just an inconvenience, it’s a major blow to their income and creative presence.

The biggest frustration? The lack of transparency around the selection process. Society6 hasn’t shared exactly how they chose which artists to keep, leaving many wondering if it was based on sales, engagement, or just some mysterious algorithm.

For artists who relied on Society6 as their main storefront, this change feels like getting dumped via text. It’s a harsh reminder that putting all your eggs in one digital basket can be risky when platforms change the rules overnight.

So… What Now?

This shift marks a huge change in the print-on-demand landscape. Society6 claims this new model will boost sales and visibility for the artists who remain, but for those left out, it’s time to regroup and explore new ways to share and sell their work.

If there’s one lesson here, it’s that owning your audience is key. Relying on third-party platforms can be risky, so whether it’s setting up a personal website, using social media to drive sales, or diversifying income streams, artists now need to think long-term about where and how they sell their work.

What do you think about Society6’s big change? Did you make the cut?