Ready to take the art you have and build a business?
You heard there’s room for everyone in the surface pattern design business, but now that you’ve got some artwork created, you’re starting to wonder if it’s really true.
You’ve been creating patterns (or illustrations, or hand lettering) that would look great on gifts, stationery or home decor products, but you don’t know how to effectively and consistently connect with paying clients.
A quick look at any surface pattern forum will reveal plenty of designers who’ve mastered the art part of a creative business, but struggle with the ‘growing a profitable business’ part which means you’re not alone.
Lucky you, there’s a targeted step-by-step solution for just that problem.
Start Your Surface Pattern Business combines marketing and mindset to give you a clear, actionable plan to confidently build a profitable creative business with your art.
Marie Viteri
“Because of Start Your Surface Pattern Business, I’m close to making my first licensing deal! This course is so good, it gave me the confidence to work on my website and pitch feeling like a professional even though this is my first time doing this!”
Start Your Surface Pattern Business helps you set up the foundations of a profitable ‘art for products’ business with confidence.
When I first started building my business, I had a mismatched collection of art that I knew would be great for products and no real idea on how to connect with paying work.
So, I tried a LOT of things. I read blogs and e-books, I started an Etsy Shop to sell art prints, I entered Spoonflower and Minted contests, I had a Society6 shop. I set up profiles on freelancer websites, I was learning about how to build a newsletter through free webinars, I did consultations with experienced designers. I was reaching out to art licensing agencies and print studios with my art, I was working on my logo and trying to build a website.
Whew. I’m getting tired just thinking about it.
Does any of that sound familiar? I wasted a lot of time trying to do ALL the things.
Fast forward a few years and with a full freelance client roster, multiple licensing partners and lots of trial and error under my belt, I’ve made it my mission to share what I’ve learned and make this path easier for you.
THIS COURSE IS FOR YOU IF…
You have a collection of designs and you’re ready to be paid to have your art on products
You’re craving a clear path forward in building your business with concise, actionable lessons
You’re ready to connect with and make an impression on potential paying clients or licensing partners
You’re excited about making money doing something you love and having a flexible career
Start Your Surface Pattern Business gives you a simple blueprint to set up your business foundation, zero in on the perfect clients for your work, and to pitch your services with confidence – no more procrastinating.
Ready to go from someone who loves surface pattern design to a professional Surface Pattern Designer?
Alyssa Walsh
“I got my first licensing deal a month after finishing the course!”
Heather Baden
“This course was a game-changer for me. The expertise and insider knowledge were invaluable. Elizabeth broke down complex ideas so that even beginners could grasp.
I recommend this course to anyone serious about succeeding in surface pattern design – it's an investment that truly pays off!”
WITH THIS COURSE, YOU WILL…
🚀 Build a strong online presence and nail your social media strategy for better visibility
🎯 Target your ideal clients and projects confidently, knowing exactly where to look for them.
🚀 Master the art of pitching, follow-up, and relationship-building to secure new clients with ease.
🎯 Cultivate a supportive community for accountability, growth and resource-sharing
🚀 Boost your confidence and resilience to build long-term success with simple mindset techniques.
Sofi Grace
“This is by far the best course I've taken to help me take the next step in pitching my artwork.
Elizabeth is such a hands-on teacher, and is so generous in sharing her years of industry experience with her students! Before this course I was feeling stuck and overwhelmed with pitching, and now I finally have the tools to take the next leap!”
Carla Andrew
“Since I took this course, I’ve had the courage to go back to my freelancing platform. In seven months I got 10 gigs. Double my hourly rate and fixed price rate. Clients don’t even negotiate.”
What will you learn inside Start Your Surface Pattern Business?
Seven actionable video modules paired with curated workbooks and resources
These videos not only give you step-by-step instructions, they also provide a number of real-life screenshared examples of the tasks you’ll be working on to build your business. With each video lesson, you’ll have a clear to-do list that includes any additional resources you need to make incredible progress on what you’ve learned each week. Here’s a snapshot of each module:
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1. FOUNDATIONS
What does it really mean to start a surface pattern business? We’ll break down 3 factors you’ll need, all the income sources available to you if you want to see your art on products, and how a product category can help you focus.
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2. SHOW OFF YOUR SERVICES: Website
As we dive into the most important principles of marketing your new business, we’ll create a clear, effective portfolio website to establish your credibility as a professional surface designer and showcase your art.
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3. SHOW OFF YOUR SERVICES: Social Media
Learn the most important factors for using LinkedIn and Instagram to connect, further your legitimacy, and get the word out about your work.
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4. FIND YOUR PEOPLE: Clients
Learn 7 effective methods to find companies that need artwork for their products and 6 research techniques to locate the right contact people to reach out to with your portfolio, with lots of screen shared examples.
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5. FIND YOUR PEOPLE: Community
Harness the power of community and learn ways to connect with other artists and designers in the industry and create a network of mutual support.
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6. ASK FOR WHAT YOU WANT
Pitch your work directly to decision makers with support, templates, tools for streamlining – and some tried and true old-school methods that may surprise you.
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7. CONSISTENCY IS KEY
Create a strong long term follow-up system for consistent communication to build lasting relationships and make win client work.
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⚡️MOTIVATED MINDSET BREAKS⚡️
Confidence plays a KEY role in building and maintaining a successful business. In these extra videos, placed strategically throughout the course, we’ll dive into ways to actively cultivate a motivated and confident mindset to fuel your work.
Ready to start building a profitable business?
Plus Templates, Resources and More!
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Pitch Perfect Email Templates
Plug-and-play email templates that take the guesswork out of what to say and what art to include in your email pitches. 🌟Fan favorite🌟 I get regular messages from past students about how they continue to use these templates years later as they interact with clients.
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Monthly Office Hours
We’ll meet face to face every month for 6 months via Zoom to answer your questions, talk about the roadblocks you’re facing, and to foster the community that you need.
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Portfolio Website Planner
A professional website doesn’t have to be difficult, promise. With lots of support and a step by step tech walkthrough, you can have a professional online presence in under a week.
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Piece of Cake Postage Templates
Stand out with a stamp! These templates make creating beautiful physical pitches with your artwork simple. Customize with your art and use the copy suggestions to make your mailers shine.
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Deep Dive on Income Sources
⭐Expert Advice ⭐ Learn more about Freelance Surface Design with Jenn Sabo, Art Licensing with Brenda Manley, Design Studios with Leslie Kenehan, Print on Demand with Erin Kendal and working as a Staff Designer with Nadia Hassan.
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Find Your Focus Masterclass
Discover the right product category for your art in this powerful and effective mini course. Understand the ins and outs of all the markets and how to optimize your art to best attract art directors and deals.
Anikah John
“This course has made me understand the direction I want to go with my business. It’s helped me see I don’t have to wait until my art is ‘perfect’ but to trust that it is ready. I've learned so much about putting myself out there, gaining confidence and trusting in this process knowing that it takes time to build things that will last.”
Leysan Shayak
“I am really grateful to Elizabeth for this amazing course. During the course she will step-by-step lead you to your goals. If you follow her instructions, you will definitely have some results after the course. I loved that it was possible to receive an answer to any question you had, Elizabeth always responded almost immediately. The course also has an extremely supportive Facebook group which reveals many secrets of the pattern design industry.”
Here’s the thing – You don’t need another portfolio builder or “how to create” course if the work you’re creating is just taking up space on your hard drive, going nowhere.
You need to learn how to make your portfolio into a profitable business, period.
Ready to turn your passion into a thriving business?
Join Start Your Surface Pattern Business today and step confidently into the world of paid surface design opportunities.
Join now and start your business today!
Only $729
(*plus tax, as one time payment OR 3 monthly installments)
✓ 7 video modules and step-by-step workbooks to put the knowledge into action
✓ 2 years of access to all the class lessons and any upgrades in that time frame.
✓ Easy-to-use templates for pitch emails & art mailers
✓ Portfolio website planner and a tech walkthrough of how to build a website on my favorite platform
✓ Class Community to connect with designers and get support from me
✓ Live: Monthly Office Hours (6 months access)
✓ Bonus: Find Your Focus Masterclass
✓ Bonus: Income Streams Module with 5 Guest Interviews highlighting the opportunities in this industry
Purchasing this course confirms you agree to the course terms of use.
Tylee Hansen
“Elizabeth’s course gave me the confidence and tools I needed to start pitching to companies. The course was extremely clear and easy to follow, while still being packed full of juicy surface pattern content and expertise.”
FAQs
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If you don’t already have a starter collection of art (roughly 8-10 strong patterns, illustrations or hand lettering designs that could look good on products) this class is NOT for you.
SYSPB isn’t about creating art- there are a million classes about that. This is about getting targeted help to build the foundations of a creative business designing art for product.
Need help developing a marketable portfolio? Check out Successful Licensing Collections.
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I hope your work is developing for your whole career, I know mine is. Lots of artists will NEVER feel like they are out of the beginner stage and ready to show their work, but taking the first steps to start developing relationships with art directors is SO critical to your ultimate success.
If you have a starter collection of artwork (see above), and you are excited to start connecting with paying work, you are ready.
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As soon as you enroll, you'll have immediate access to the Welcome resources and the first module. Modules will be released weekly starting with Module 2 on September 24 with the final Module (7) available on October 29.
This dripped access is to be sure you have time to focus on the step-by-step checklist that provides the foundation to your business.
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You can go at your own pace as needed but I recommend following along week to week as the content is released to you because you’re joining this class to start your business and there’s no better time than right now.
That said, you will have access to this content indefinitely, so if you need extra time or to take a break to handle other things, take it- live your life and don’t feel guilty like I always do when I fall ‘behind.’
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Plan on an average of 4-5 hours a week for this course. The content itself is not that long (averages around 45 minutes) but each week has assignments to help you build your business, and they will take some time to complete.
I promise it will take less time out of your schedule than searching the internet looking for articles on how to find clients and scrolling through Instagram wishing you were getting deals like other artists you’re seeing.
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You will have access to the course classroom including video lessons for 2 years from date of purchase, but all the templates and resources like the Pitch Perfect Email Templates and the weekly workbooks are downloadable and can be kept on your personal computer forever.
You will have access to our live monthly office hours for 6 months from date of purchase, with option to renew access if you choose. -
This is the first time I’m offering tiered access to this content. You can read what’s included in each tier here.
These tiers are to give you some flexibility in your support and budget needs, and can be paid as a one time payment OR in 3 monthly installments.
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Starting a business does come with start up costs, and that should include education. If you sell one print or do one day’s worth of paid client work as a result, you’ll make back the cost of this course. I am also offering, for the first time ever, tiered versions to make the core content more accessibly priced and offer 3 month payment plans for all tiers.
That said, I NEVER recommend anyone go into debt for a surface design course as it often takes time (6 months - 18 months) and dedication to find those first clients right for your work, and even longer to build sustainable recurring income.
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I do offer scholarships to those in financial need, with preference to marginalized communities 2 times a year, March 1 and September 1, via an application process.
Learn more about eligibility and apply here. -
If this course isn’t for you, refunds are available within 14 days of purchase. See other terms and conditions for this course here.
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Reach out to me at hello@elizabethsilver.com
Just in case we haven’t met before…
Hey there, I’m Elizabeth
I’ve been working in this industry for 22 years, as a staff designer, a freelance designer and a licensed artist. I have designed for all types of products – everything from dinnerware to socks. My work is regularly featured in major retailers like Aldi, Target, Five Below, and Micheal’s. I also license my art with over 30 partners.
When I first started building my business, I was just like you, and the information, resources, and advice I share in Start Your Surface Pattern Business are the exact things that helped me the most to create the business I have today. This course will help you take focused steps to actually move the needle and become a hireable designer.
One thing you should know is I’m a realist. This industry isn’t easy and I won’t tell you it’s going to be a quick 7 weeks to create a sustainable business. Start Your Surface Pattern Business is good, but I’m not a miracle worker. What I WILL do is cheer you on – big sister style – because when you combine confidence and actionable strategies, you can make major progress in creating the thriving surface pattern business of your dreams.
I can’t wait to meet you inside the course!
-Elizabeth