You can get paid for art through payment services that don't require a traditional bank account
If you sell art but don't have a bank account, you have several real paths to receive money. Payment apps like PayPal, Square Cash, and Stripe can deposit earnings into a prepaid card or send them to a mobile wallet. Some platforms that sell art on your behalf—Etsy, Shopify, Printful—will pay you through these same services. You can also receive cash directly, use money transfer services like Western Union, or open a prepaid card account that functions like a bank account for receiving deposits.
The catch is that most payment processors now require some form of identity verification and a way to receive funds. A prepaid card or mobile wallet counts as that receiving method. You do not need a traditional checking account, but you do need something to catch the money when it arrives.
Key Takeaways
- PayPal, Square Cash, and Stripe can send your art sales directly to a prepaid card or mobile wallet without requiring a bank account.
- Etsy, Shopify, and print-on-demand platforms like Printful will pay you through PayPal or direct deposit to a prepaid card if you set it up.
- A prepaid card from Visa, Mastercard, or your mobile wallet (Apple Pay, Google Pay) serves as your receiving account and costs between $0 and $15 to open.
- Cash sales, local pickup, and in-person payment avoid payment processors entirely but limit your reach to people near you.
- You will need a government ID and sometimes a tax ID or Social Security number to verify your identity with payment processors.
Payment apps that work without a bank account
PayPal is the most widely used. You create an account with your email, verify your identity with a photo ID, and link a prepaid card or mobile wallet. When someone pays you, the money goes to that card or wallet. PayPal charges a fee when you receive money from a sale (usually 2.2% plus $0.30 for domestic transfers), but the receiving part is free. You can also request a payout to a prepaid card directly.
Square Cash (now called Cash App) lets you receive money from buyers if you set up a Cash Card, which is a prepaid Visa card. You need a government ID to verify your account. Money arrives in your Cash App balance, and you can spend it with the card or transfer it to a prepaid card you already own.
Stripe is built into many art platforms and online stores. It requires identity verification and a way to receive payouts—a prepaid card, mobile wallet, or in some cases a debit card from a credit union (which does not require a traditional bank account). Stripe holds payouts for 2 to 7 days before sending them, so money takes longer to reach you than with PayPal.
Google Pay and Apple Pay can receive money if you link them to a prepaid card. They do not hold the money themselves; they pass it through to your card. This works well if you already use one of these wallets.
Art platforms that pay without requiring a bank account
Etsy pays sellers through PayPal or direct deposit. If you choose PayPal, you link your prepaid card to PayPal and Etsy sends your earnings there. Etsy takes a listing fee (20 cents per item), a transaction fee (6.5% of the sale price), and a payment processing fee (3% plus $0.20 per transaction). Payouts happen every 3 to 5 days.
Shopify lets you build your own store and set your own prices. It connects to Stripe, PayPal, or other payment processors. You pay Shopify a monthly fee ($29 to $299 depending on the plan), plus payment processing fees. Payouts go to your linked prepaid card or mobile wallet.
Printful, Redbubble, and Merch by Amazon handle print-on-demand: you upload your art, they print and ship it, and they pay you a commission. Printful pays through PayPal or direct deposit to a prepaid card. Redbubble pays through PayPal. Merch by Amazon requires a bank account or tax ID, so it is not an option without one.
Fiverr and Upwork are for selling services (commissions, design work, digital art) rather than physical products. Both pay through PayPal or direct deposit to a prepaid card. Fiverr takes 20% of each order; Upwork takes 5% to 20% depending on your earnings history.
Prepaid cards and mobile wallets as your receiving account
A prepaid card is a physical or digital card that works like a debit card but is not tied to a bank account. You load money onto it, and you can spend it or transfer it elsewhere. Most major card issuers—Visa, Mastercard, American Express—offer prepaid cards. Some charge a monthly fee ($5 to $15), some charge per transaction, and some are free.
NetSpend, Chime, and GoBank offer prepaid cards with low or no monthly fees. Chime and GoBank also offer early direct deposit, meaning your paycheck or payment can arrive up to two days early. You need a government ID to open one, and the process takes 5 to 10 minutes online.
A mobile wallet like Apple Pay or Google Pay can also receive money if you link it to a prepaid card. The wallet itself does not hold the funds; it just routes them to your card. This is useful if you want to receive payments on your phone without carrying a physical card.
Once you have a prepaid card, you link it to PayPal, Stripe, or your art platform. Money arrives within 1 to 3 business days. You can then spend it with the card, withdraw cash at an ATM (some cards charge a fee), or transfer it to another card if you later open a bank account.
Cash and in-person payment options
If you sell art locally—at markets, galleries, or directly to customers—you can ask for cash. This avoids payment processors entirely and means no fees. The downside is that you can only reach people near you, and you have to handle the money yourself.
If a buyer is far away but wants to pay in cash, you can ask them to use a money transfer service like Western Union or MoneyGram. They send cash to a location near you, and you pick it up with a government ID. Fees are usually $5 to $15 depending on the amount. This is slower than digital payment (1 to 3 days) and less secure, but it works if both of you prefer cash.
Some artists ask buyers to send a check or money order, which you can cash at a check-cashing service or a store like Walmart. Check-cashing fees are usually 1% to 3% of the check amount. This is slow (5 to 10 days) but requires no account at all.
What you need to verify your identity with payment processors
Most payment apps and art platforms now require identity verification before you can receive money. This is a legal requirement under anti-money-laundering rules. You will need a government-issued photo ID—a driver's license, passport, or state ID card. Some platforms also ask for a tax ID or Social Security number, especially if you earn over a certain amount (usually $20,000 in a year).
The verification process is usually automatic: you upload a photo of your ID, the platform scans it, and you get approved within minutes to a few hours. If verification fails, you can resubmit or contact support. Do not use a fake ID or someone else's ID; payment processors flag this and freeze your account.
If you do not have a government ID, you will need to get one before you can use most payment processors. A state ID card (not a driver's license) is the fastest option in most places and costs $10 to $30.
Fees and how they add up
Every payment method has costs. Here is what to expect:
| Method | Receiving Fee | Withdrawal or Transfer Fee | Monthly Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| PayPal | 2.2% + $0.30 per sale | Free to prepaid card | None |
| Stripe | 2.7% + $0.30 per sale | Free to prepaid card | None |
| Etsy | 6.5% + 3% + $0.20 per sale | Free (through PayPal) | None |
| Shopify | 2.9% + $0.30 per sale | Free to prepaid card | $29–$299 |
| Prepaid Card | None | $0–$3 per ATM withdrawal | $0–$15 |
| Cash | None | None | None |
The total cost depends on your sales volume and how often you move money. If you sell one piece for $100 through Etsy and PayPal, you pay about $10 in fees (Etsy's 9.5% plus PayPal's 2.2%). If you sell ten pieces for $100 each, the percentage stays the same but you pay $100 total in fees. Cash sales have zero fees but zero reach.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I receive money on a prepaid card if I'm under 18?
Most prepaid card issuers require you to be 18 or older. Some allow minors with a parent or guardian's permission, but you will need to check with the specific card issuer. Payment apps like PayPal also require you to be 18. If you are under 18, ask a parent or guardian to open an account in their name and let you use it.
What happens if a buyer disputes a payment?
PayPal and Stripe both handle disputes. The buyer can claim the item did not arrive or was not as described, and the payment processor investigates. If the dispute is ruled against you, the money is refunded to the buyer and taken from your account. Keep photos of your art and shipping receipts to defend yourself. Disputes usually take 10 to 20 days to resolve.
Can I use someone else's prepaid card to receive my art sales?
Technically yes, but payment processors may freeze the account if the name on the card does not match the name on your PayPal or Stripe account. It is safer to open your own card in your own name. If you are under 18, ask a parent or guardian to help you open one.
How long does it take to get paid after someone buys my art?
It depends on the platform. Etsy and Shopify hold payouts for 2 to 5 days before sending them to PayPal or your prepaid card. PayPal then deposits to your card within 1 to 3 business days. Cash sales are instant. Total time is usually 3 to 7 business days from sale to money in your card.
Do I have to pay taxes on art sales if I don't have a bank account?
Yes. The IRS tracks income from PayPal, Stripe, and other payment processors. If you earn over $600 in a year, the processor sends you a 1099-K form and reports it to the IRS. You owe taxes on that income regardless of whether you have a bank account. Keep records of your sales and expenses, and file a tax return. A tax professional can help you figure out what you owe.