Stock Illustration Pack
Sell illustration packs for SaaS landing pages — Humaaans-style
Sell illustration packs for SaaS landing pages — Humaaans-style.
Day-to-day work involves designing a series of 100 unique illustrations tailored for SaaS landing pages, ensuring a cohesive style that resonates with tech startups. You'll spend time creating variations, testing aesthetics, and gathering feedback from potential customers. Listing the packs on platforms like Gumroad and Figma, alongside active promotion on Twitter, will be essential to drive sales and engagement.
The rise of remote work and digital transformation has accelerated the demand for appealing, user-friendly SaaS solutions. As more businesses launch online, the need for high-quality illustrations to enhance branding and user engagement is at an all-time high. Investing in digital assets now aligns perfectly with the increasing focus on visual content.
The ideal founder for this venture is someone with a background in graphic design or digital marketing and a passion for creating visual content. Realistic effort will involve dedicating around 15-20 hours a week to design, marketing, and customer interaction, balancing creativity with business acumen to ensure success.
In 12-24 months, you could see revenues between £5,000 and £20,000, depending on market penetration and repeat customers. With effective marketing and product iteration, your gross margins can remain high, allowing for reinvestment into new packs or expanded services.
- Illustration
- Branding
£20–£90 per pack
Gross margins can exceed 80%, given the low cost of digital asset production and high perceived value.
With SaaS usage booming in the UK, companies are keen on investing in strong visual branding. The shift towards online business means startups are looking for quick, effective ways to stand out, making illustration packs a timely offering.
The primary customers are SaaS companies, particularly startups looking to enhance their landing pages without the budget for bespoke design work. They value high-quality visuals that can be easily integrated into their existing platforms.
The UK digital illustration market is growing rapidly, with a 10% increase year-on-year as businesses seek to enhance their online presence. The demand for digital assets in the tech sector is particularly pronounced, with significant opportunities for new entrants.
Revenue & pricing
Revenue will be generated through direct sales of illustration packs on platforms like Gumroad, with potential for tiered pricing based on the complexity and exclusivity of the illustrations offered.
- Basic Pack: £20 for 10 illustrations
- Standard Pack: £45 for 25 illustrations
- Premium Pack: £70 for 50 illustrations
- Pro Pack: £90 for 100 illustrations
Costs
- Graphic design software (Adobe Illustrator subscription)20
- Website domain and hosting100
- Marketing budget (social media ads)200
- Gumroad fees (initial listing)10
- Miscellaneous (stock photos, resources)70
- Adobe subscription20
- Website hosting10
- Marketing budget50
- Gumroad transaction fees15
First steps
- 1Design 100 illos
- 2List on Gumroad + Figma
- 3Promote on Twitter
Your first 90 days
- Complete a minimum of 30 illustrations to build a starter pack.
- Set up accounts on Gumroad and Figma, uploading initial designs.
- Launch a Twitter profile dedicated to sharing design tips and illustrations.
- Engage with potential customers through polls and feedback sessions.
- Begin a small-scale ad campaign targeting SaaS founders.
- Launch the first illustration pack and track initial sales.
- Collect customer feedback and iterate on designs as needed.
- Expand marketing efforts by collaborating with design influencers.
- Release a second pack based on customer requests.
- Establish a mailing list to build a community around your illustrations.
How to get customers
Share design processes, engage with SaaS communities, and promote packs.
Design forums
Participate in discussions and showcase packs for feedback.
Email newsletters
Send updates and design tips to a growing mailing list.
Content marketing
Write blog posts about design trends and best practices in SaaS.
Tools you'll actually use
| Tool | Cost | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Adobe Illustrator | 20 | Industry-standard for creating professional illustrations. |
| Gumroad | 0 | Simple platform for selling digital products. |
| 0 | Effective for engaging with the target audience. | |
| Google Analytics | 0 | Track visitor behaviour and sales conversion rates. |
| Mailchimp | 0 | Free tier for managing email marketing campaigns. |
Common mistakes to avoid
- Underestimating the time required for high-quality designs.
- Neglecting to promote packs consistently on social media.
- Failing to engage with customer feedback for product improvement.
- Not tracking sales data and analytics effectively.
- Overcomplicating the purchasing process on Gumroad.
How to scale this
- 1Start by selling illustration packs directly to customers.
- 2Expand offerings to include bespoke illustration services.
- 3Collaborate with design agencies to reach larger clients.
- 4Consider subscription models for ongoing illustration updates.
Risks & mitigations
Saturated market for digital illustrations
Focus on niche-specific designs to differentiate.
Low initial sales
Increase marketing efforts and engage with communities.
Changes in design trends
Stay updated on trends and adapt offerings.
Technical issues with Gumroad
Diversify selling platforms to reduce dependency.
UK legal & compliance
- Register as a sole trader with HMRC and maintain accurate records for tax purposes.
- Consider professional indemnity insurance to cover design-related liabilities.
- Ensure all illustrations are original to avoid copyright infringements.
- Comply with GDPR by obtaining consent for email marketing and data collection.
FAQ
How long does it take to create the packs?
Expect around 4-6 weeks for designing and refining 100 illustrations.
What if customers want custom designs?
You can offer bespoke services as an additional revenue stream.
Are there any fees for using Gumroad?
Gumroad takes a small percentage of each sale, typically around 5% + payment processing fees.
How do I market my packs?
Utilise social media, design forums, and email newsletters to reach potential customers.
Can I sell these illustrations on other platforms?
Yes, diversifying sales channels can increase your reach and sales.
Written and maintained by
Business Pathfinder Editorial TeamEditorial research and publishing team
The Business Pathfinder Editorial Team researches and maintains practical guides for UK founders.
Guides are reviewed against relevant primary sources where practical. Financial, legal and tax content is general information, not personal advice.
Turn this idea into a useful next step
These practical playbooks help you validate demand, manage early commitments and make setup decisions before you spend heavily.
Validate a business idea before you spend heavily
A practical seven-day validation plan for UK founders: define a customer problem, test demand, price a small offer and decide what evidence you need next.
Sole trader or limited company: frame the decision before you register
A plain-English UK decision framework for comparing sole trader and limited company routes, the responsibilities involved and the official questions to check before registering.
Ready to start this one?
Every business idea on this site needs two things from day one: a separate business bank account and a way to float expenses. Here are the two we recommend.
Tide Business Account
A digital business account with Free, Smart, Pro and Max plans; suitability and protection depend on account type.
Get £75 after spending £100 on the Tide card within 30 days. Get a further £125 by opening an eligible Tide Instant Saver, depositing £5,000 within seven days and maintaining the qualifying balance for 30 days. Eligibility and campaign terms apply.
- Free plan available with no monthly fee
- Up to £200 partner reward: £75 for £100 card spend plus £125 for an eligible Instant Saver balance held for 30 days
- Open and manage the account in the app
- Accounting integrations including Xero, QuickBooks, FreeAgent and Sage
- Expense categorisation and receipt capture
Capital on Tap Business Credit Card
A UK business credit card offering 1% uncapped cashback, subject to eligibility.
Worth £75. Awarded after your first card transaction within 30 days of sign-up, subject to approval, eligibility and campaign terms.
- 7,500 bonus reward points worth £75 after your first card transaction within 30 days
- 1% uncapped cashback on eligible spending
- No joining fee or annual fee
- Free additional employee cards
- Accounting integrations and spend notifications