Question 1

How do you know every piece is really made by a human?

Accepted Answer

Selling is by invitation: every artist and gallery applies, and only those we approve can open a shop. We review their portfolio, materials, and process. After approval, listings are spot-checked and we run reverse-image scans on uploaded photos to flag duplicates and generated work.

Question 2

What happens after I buy an artwork?

Accepted Answer

The artist is notified immediately and packs your piece, typically shipping within 3–5 business days. You'll get tracking. Your payment is held safely in escrow and only released to the artist once you confirm the piece has arrived (or automatically a short time after delivery if you forget).

Question 3

Is my payment protected?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Payments are processed by Stripe and held in escrow until your order is complete — the artist isn't paid until the piece is delivered and confirmed. If something goes wrong, you can open a dispute on the order and we'll review it before any funds are released.

Question 4

Can I return an artwork?

Accepted Answer

Yes, within 14 days of delivery, in its original condition and packaging. Return shipping is on you — unless the piece arrived damaged or not as described. Reach out to the artist first most issues resolve directly.

Question 5

Are there hidden fees?

Accepted Answer

No. The price you see is what you pay, plus shipping if applicable. There are no buyer fees on PaintedByUs.

Question 6

How do I start selling?

Accepted Answer

Selling on PaintedByUs is by invitation. Apply as an artist (the link is in the footer) with your portfolio or Instagram and a few words about your work. If we approve you, we email an invite with a code and a one-click sign-up link; the code works once, for that email address, for 30 days. If you already have a buyer account, enter the code from your profile instead.

Question 7

How do I get verified?

Accepted Answer

Before any piece goes live, a person on our team reviews the listing — the images, the materials, and whether it looks genuinely hand-made. We may ask for work-in-progress photos or more detail about your process. Verification badges are awarded by our team as your work and history on the site build up.

Question 8

What's the fee?

Accepted Answer

A flat 8% of each sale, plus Stripe's standard payment-processing fee. There are no listing fees, monthly fees, or featured-placement fees.

Question 9

When do I get paid?

Accepted Answer

Your sale is held in escrow until the order completes. Once the buyer confirms delivery or automatically a short time after the piece is delivered your payout (the sale price less the 8% fee) is released to your connected Stripe account. Stripe typically deposits to your bank within about 2 days after that.

Question 10

Can I list digital art or prints?

Accepted Answer

No. PaintedByUs is for original, one-of-one work only. We don't allow prints, NFTs, digital downloads, or AI-assisted work that's the entire point.

Question 11

How does gallery verification work?

Accepted Answer

Selling is by invitation, so start with Apply as a Gallery (in the footer). Once we approve the application, we email you an invite to open a gallery account. Then tell us about your space: your registered name, street address, a contact person, and your website and Instagram. Our team then verifies the gallery — in person where practical, otherwise with a live video walkthrough of the space. Your shop opens the day you're verified.

Question 12

Can we prepare listings before we're verified?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Once your application is sent you can set up payouts, add your ship-from address and the artists you represent, and submit listings for review. Nothing is visible to buyers until your gallery is verified — then your approved pieces go live together.

Question 13

How are our artists credited?

Accepted Answer

You keep a list of the artists you represent, and every listing names the artist who made it. Buyers see the artist first, with your gallery named beneath them. You may only list work by artists you represent and have authority to sell for.

Question 14

What does it cost?

Accepted Answer

The same as for artists: a flat 8% of each sale, plus Stripe's standard processing fee. The buyer's payment is held until they confirm the piece has arrived, then your payout is released to the gallery's connected Stripe account.

Question 15

Who ships?

Accepted Answer

The gallery packs and ships each piece from its own address, with the same tracking and signature rules as every other sale on PaintedByUs.

Frequently asked.

For buyers

For artists

For galleries