The digital-goods boom is officially here. And it’s changing the way creators make money by offering low overhead costs, passive income potential, and a worldwide audience. As more people turn to online commerce, digital products have emerged as a powerful way to monetize creative work. And now, with Big Cartel’s digital products for creators like you, it’s easier than ever to join the movement. 

So if you’ve been asking yourself “Can I sell digital files with Big Cartel?”—the answer is yes, absolutely. And the setup couldn’t be simpler. In minutes, you can upload, sell, and automatically deliver digital files to customers—no plug-ins, no added fees, and no revenue cuts.

Whether you're an illustrator, musician, photographer, or educator, selling digital products can unlock new income streams with simplicity and independence.

What Is a Digital Product?

A digital product is any downloadable file: a single creation you can sell again and again. No inventory, no packaging, no shipping—just your work delivered instantly, for as long as you’d like. That means once your file is ready, your shop is always open (aka more earning potential without the added work stress.) 

Digital products come in all shapes and formats, and that’s what makes them so powerful for creators. You can sell digital products from printable art and design assets to music files, 3D printables, presets, e-books, and tutorials. If it can be downloaded, you can probably sell it. Whether that’s a coloring book, a font, an STL file, a preset pack, or a how-to guide, all of that can count as a digital product. Big Cartel makes it easy by securely and automatically delivering files to your customers when they purchase. 

Why Digital Products Work So Well for Independent Creators

Earn More With Less Overhead

Since there’s no need for physical materials, inventory, packaging, or shipping, digital products significantly reduce the overhead costs typically associated with ecommerce. 
Once a file is created (with no listing fees!), there’s no additional cost to produce for each sale allowing you to keep more of what you earn. Many consider this one of the strongest advantages of selling digital goods. And remember, Big Cartel does not take a cut of your digital product sales. You keep 100% of your profits, minus standard payment processing fees from Stripe or PayPal.

Scale Without Limits

A digital product can be sold infinitely: the same file can be downloaded by 10 customers or 10,000, with no extra effort on your part. That scalability means your creative work can turn into a long-term income stream without lifting a finger (except to click into your earnings!) 

Reach Fans Everywhere

With digital delivery, you’re not limited by geography. Whether a buyer is across town or across the globe, they can instantly access their purchase. That 24/7 global reach expands your customer base well beyond local markets or shipping limits. 

Add Income Streams 

Digital products can complement your existing offerings. If you already sell physical art prints, merchandise, or handcrafted goods, digital products allow you to diversify by adding downloadable art, e-books, or behind-the-scenes content without the logistics headache. Plus, Big Cartel allows you to sell digital and physical items, all managed from one store. 

You can also run a shop solely of digital goods: all under your brand, all delivered automatically, all with minimal overhead. 

Popular Types of Digital Products Creators Sell

Digital products are not one-size-fits-all: they can be tailored to almost any skill set or creative outlet. Start with your go-to medium, and you might be surprised by how your creativity expands into new digital formats over time. 

Here’s a breakdown of what types of digital products you can sell to help you brainstorm what might suit you:

• Artists & Illustrators: Printable wall art, digital illustrations, coloring pages, desktop or phone wallpapers.
• Designers: Graphic design templates, fonts, vector assets, mockups, icons, social-media graphics, presentation templates.
• Photographers: Lightroom or Photoshop presets, texture overlays, stock photo bundles, photo editing tutorials.
• 3D Makers & Tinkerers: 3D printing files (STL, OBJ), laser-cut templates, digital blueprints.
• Musicians, Producers & Audio Creators: Sample packs, sound-effect libraries, instrument loops, background music, audio assets.
• Writers, Educators & DIY Creators: E-books, how-to guides, tutorials, patterns, worksheets, craft or DIY instructions, zines, workbooks.

What File Types Does Big Cartel Support?

Your Big Cartel shop supports all your favorite file types, including: .pdf, .doc, .docx, .txt, .md, .epub, .csv, .xls, .xlsx, .ods, .ppt, .pptx, .jpg, .jpeg, .png, .gif, .bmp, .tiff, .mp3, .flac, .mp4, .mov, .zip, .7z, .psd, .ai, .json, .html, .css, .xml. 

You can upload files up to 1 GB, and for larger or more complex bundles, just drop in an external link for smoother delivery. Simply paste the shareable link from your hosting service (Google Drive, Dropbox, etc.) into the designated field and you’re good to go. 

How to Sell Digital Products on Big Cartel (in 5 Minutes or Less)

If you’ve ever wondered, “How do I sell digital products online?” or “What’s the easiest way to sell digital downloads?”, Big Cartel keeps the process simple and fast. Everything happens right in the app—no plug-ins, no extra services, no complicated setup. Here’s how to get your first digital product live:

1. Prep your digital file. Make sure it’s ready to upload (Big Cartel supports files up to 1GB each).
2. Go to Products → Add Product. Choose Digital Product to get started.
3. Add your details. Enter your product name, description, and price, and upload any preview images or mockups.
4. Upload your file. Upload your digital file directly, or paste a download link if you’re hosting it elsewhere.
5. Publish your product. Set the product status to Active, hit Publish, and your digital download is ready to sell.
   

After purchase, Big Cartel automatically sends customers a secure download link and displays the link on the order confirmation page—instantly, with no extra work from you. 

No third-party apps. No marketplace rules. No extra fees. Just a fast, creator-friendly way to sell digital products your way. 

Tips for Creating Digital Products That Sell

Having a shop is one thing; making products that actually sell is another. Below are some actionable recommendations to help you create appealing, customer-ready digital goods:

• Keep file sizes reasonable — no one likes waiting for downloads For very large files, consider using an external link to improve reliability and download speed for customers. 
• Use clear, descriptive product names and titles — this helps your customers search for and understand what they’re buying.
• Include a preview image or mockup — shoppers often want to see what they’re getting. A clean, attractive preview helps set expectations (especially for art prints, templates, fonts, or 3D files).
• Offer bundles or packages — bundling related items (like a preset + sample pack + bonus asset) instantly boosts the value, and shoppers love feeling like they scored a deal. Give them real bang for their buck, and they’ll keep coming back.
• Write customer-focused descriptions — instead of just listing file types or features, explain what the buyer gets: “a high-resolution printable poster,” “editable template for social media,” or “drag-and-drop design assets ready for use.”
• Be transparent about licensing or usage rights — if you care about how buyers use your files (personal use, commercial use, reselling, etc.), include clear licensing or usage notes.
• Test your download process — make sure files are easy to download, accessible, and that external links (if used) work reliably. Consider doing a test purchase or asking a friend to do so.
• Consider customer support and updates — since digital products can be updated or improved, you can occasionally release “version 2.0” or bonus content adding to customer trust. 
  

Inspiration From What Creators Are Selling

Whether you make art, music, design assets, or educational content, digital products unlock endless creative possibilities. From illustrators to 3D-makers, and from photographers to educators, creators everywhere are turning their passion into digital products that reach a global audience instantly.

Here’s a snapshot of what’s possible on Big Cartel:

• Artists & Illustrators: Sell printable wall art, wallpapers, and coloring pages.
• 3D Makers: Offer files, laser templates, and build guides.
• Designers: Publish fonts, icons, templates, and mockups.
• Educators & DIY: Share patterns, tutorials, zines, and e-books.
• Photographers: Sell stock sets, textures, and Lightroom presets.
• Musicians & Producers: Release tracks, loops, sample packs, and SFX.

Big Cartel supports every kind of maker. No matter your medium, you can turn your creativity into something people love. 

Simple, independent, and built for creators.

With Big Cartel, you can start selling digital products in minutes—no plugins, no complicated setup, no hidden fees. Upload your files, set your price, and once customers buy, they get an instant download. Best of all: you keep 100% of your profits.It’s a simple and secure way to sell digital products simply, independently and without platform fees. Now start turning downloads into dollars!