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What are Originals?
Originals are how custom work gets done on DeviantArt. You set up your offerings, buyers submit requests through your forms, and everything (order management, delivery, and payment) is organized in one dedicated space in your Studio.
Every completed piece becomes a unique Exclusive, which can be public or private, that's delivered directly to your buyer with payment collected before you begin, so you can focus on creating, not managing.
What can you sell?
You can use Originals for virtually any custom creation. Here's how some artists are using it:
Characters (single or multiple, in anime style, cartoon style, or anything you can create, offered in full body, half body, headshot, and more)
Reference sheets
Videos, game assets, clips, or scenes (based on your characters or concepts)
Icons and avatars
Full illustrations or scenes
Simple Animations
Image sets or bundles
Mystery adoptable packs
…and anything that you offer in your style!
Set up your Originals
Every Originals listing comes with a customizable order form to seamlessly offer options, add-ons, and organize pricing to let buyers request exactly what they want, while ensuring you earn from extra work provided.
Ask questions using multiple-choice, free-text, or single-choice fields to guide what buyers fill out for you, whether it's style, mood, poses, and more. As they select options, the price updates automatically.
Everything is returned to you in one structured request. Sellers and buyers alike love it because it's structured, transparent, and easy to manage from the start.
Manage your orders
Every custom order stays in one clear dashboard, from first request to final delivery. See what's Pending, In Progress, or Done at a glance, so you'll always know exactly where to pick up.
Whether you're handling two pieces or twenty, everything stays in one place.
Get paid securely
Using Originals protects your work and your time, while buyers appreciate peace of mind.
Buyers pay before you begin, and you have 72 hours to accept or decline.
Starting each Original with confidence and communication ensures both parties are thrilled at delivery.
Getting discovered leads to more sales
As your Originals get posted across DeviantArt, you can take even more steps to increase visibility. Here are some ways your work appears in front of more buyers, and how you can push it even further.
Automatically appear in Deviants You Watch
Your Originals can appear directly in your audience’s feed, helping you reach people already interested in your art.
Add Features on your Profile
You can add Originals to Spotlight or other featured sections on the front of your Profile, making them easy to spot for anyone visiting your page.
Add “Order My Originals” to your Profile
Use the Carousel Gallery widget to clearly announce to visitors that you’re open for requests.
Boost Original offerings and completed Originals
Increase your visibility and your reach for 2 to 8 days (in 48-hour increments) across the Home feed, Deviants You Watch, and more.
Coming soon: Originals in the DeviantArt Shop
Soon Originals will also be available in the Shop, making it easier for new buyers to discover and request your work.
Build trust through delivered Originals
When you deliver a completed Original as an Exclusive, the buyer will have specified whether they'd like that piece to be published publicly or kept private and unlisted.
If they opt for public, your Original can be faved, commented on, and showcased by owners in the "Exclusives I Own" tab. And if you enable Resale, you earn royalties every time a piece changes hands. Every delivered Original, public or private, builds the trust that turns new visitors into buyers.
Ready to take custom orders on your terms? Set up your Originals now. They're one more important piece of a full seller's toolkit on DeviantArt. Pair it with one or more of the other available selling tools, like Subscriptions, Exclusives, Premium Galleries, and Premium Downloads to really solidify a sustainable art business, all without leaving your community.
Share your feedback and join the conversation in our dedicated Forum thread. Please follow our Etiquette policy and Forum rules.
