How to Start Selling on 99designs
Best for graphic designers who thrive in competition
99designs is a design-specific platform where clients run contests and designers submit entries. The winning design gets paid. It's great for building a portfolio fast, but income is unpredictable since you only get paid if you win.
Seller Fees
5–15% platform fee (varies by designer level)
Avg Earnings
$500–$3,000/mo for active designers
Difficulty
medium
First Sale
1–3 weeks
Best For
Pros & Cons
Pros
- ✓Massive exposure — your work is seen by real clients
- ✓Great for building a portfolio with real projects
- ✓1-to-1 projects available for established designers
- ✓Design-focused community (no dilution by other services)
- ✓Mid-level pricing ($299–$1,299 per contest)
Cons
- ✗Contest model means you often work for free
- ✗Win rates for new designers are low (5–10%)
- ✗Spec work is controversial in the design community
- ✗Limited to design — no dev, writing, or marketing
- ✗Client feedback can be vague or unhelpful
Getting Started on 99designs
Create your designer profile
Sign up and upload 10–20 portfolio pieces. Quality matters more than quantity.
Tip: Show range — logos, brand identity, packaging, web design. Clients want versatile designers.
Enter open contests
Browse active contests and submit designs. Focus on contests with fewer entries for better odds.
Tip: Start with 'guaranteed' contests — the prize money is committed regardless.
Study winning designs
Look at past winners to understand what clients pick. Clean, professional, and on-brief wins over flashy.
Tip: Read the brief 3 times before designing. Most entries get eliminated for not following the brief.
Level up to 1-to-1 projects
After winning contests and building reviews, you unlock direct client projects (no competition).
Tip: 1-to-1 projects are where the real money is. Contests are your audition.
Pro Tips
Only enter contests where the brief is clear and the client is responsive
Submit 2–3 concepts per contest to increase your win rate
Use mockups to present designs — flat logos on white always lose to lifestyle mockups
Avoid contests under $299 — low budgets attract clients who don't value design
What You Can Sell on 99designs
Best Niches for 99designs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 99designs worth it for new designers?
It's great for portfolio building and learning what real clients want. But don't rely on it for income initially — win rates are low until you build a track record.
How much can you earn on 99designs?
Contest prizes range from $299 to $1,299+. Active designers winning 3–5 contests/month earn $1,500–$5,000. 1-to-1 projects pay $500–$5,000+.
Some clients prefer to DIY
Not every client will hire on 99designs. Some try to do it themselves using free or low-cost tools. Knowing what they use helps you explain why your work delivers better results.
Canva Pro
$12.99/mo (free tier)
Figma
$15/mo (free tier)
Claude (Anthropic)
$20/mo (free tier)
Ready to start on 99designs?
Create your account and start earning.
Join 99designs →Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.