How to make money as an artists and designer in Malta for starters

Where paying customers come from

In Malta the market for creative services is local and networked. Neighbours, friends and family are often the easiest first clients because they already trust you and can give simple briefs. Small businesses and workplaces hire locally for bespoke design work, signage, window displays and commissioned pieces. Schools and community groups commission artwork for events, workshops or classroom projects. The tourist sector and hospitality businesses sometimes buy original pieces for hotels, restaurants and short term lets, and galleries and craft markets can bring occasional sales.

Online search and social media bring people who are actively looking for a specific service. Word of mouth is strong on an island where recommendations travel fast. Combine both local outreach and an online presence to reach different kinds of customers.

• Neighbours, friends and local networks
• Small businesses and workplaces
• Schools and community groups
• Tourist-facing venues and hospitality businesses
• Online search, marketplaces and social media

Setting a first price and talking about money

Start by calculating your direct costs for a job - materials, subcontracted services and any fees - and then estimate the time you expect to spend. Decide what your time is worth and build that into the price. For early offers you can provide clear options: a basic package and an upgraded package with more time or materials. Write out what is included so clients understand the boundaries.

When you talk money, use clear language. State the total price and what is included, name any extra costs that will be charged if the brief changes, and set a payment method and timing. It is reasonable to ask for a deposit before work begins and to require final payment before delivery of the finished work or files. Put those terms in writing in an email or a short contract.

• List materials and time separately
• Offer clear packages or options
• Put scope and extra-cost triggers in writing
• Ask for a deposit before starting and final payment before delivery

What the first ten customers often look like

Early clients tend to be people who already know you or have heard about you through a recommendation. Expect friends and family to commission small pieces or to buy at a reduced or introductory rate. Neighbours and local businesses often order practical items or small commissioned works. A few customers may come from online searches or social posts when someone is looking for a specific skill you advertise.

These first clients usually give straightforward briefs, provide feedback and are more tolerant of an emerging process. They are useful for building a portfolio, collecting testimonials and refining how you estimate time and costs.

• Friends and family
• Neighbours and local businesses
• School or community contacts
• Early online or social media leads

What to sort out when taking money as an independent person in Malta

For legal and tax questions, check with the relevant Maltese authorities rather than relying solely on online summaries. Contact the Malta Business Registry if you need information about registering a business entity or trading name. Contact the Commissioner for Revenue to ask how to declare self-employed income, whether you need to register for VAT and how to submit tax returns. Contact Jobsplus or the Department handling social security to ask about national insurance or social security obligations for self-employed people.

Ask specific questions when you call or visit an authority: how to register as self-employed, what records to keep for income and expenses, whether and when VAT registration is required, and how to pay social contributions and tax installments. Keep copies of any written guidance you are given.

What tends to go wrong in the first months

New independent creatives commonly underprice work because they omit hidden costs or underestimate time. Scope creep happens when the brief expands without a revised fee. Late payments and unclear terms cause cashflow problems. Inconsistent marketing and relying on a single source of enquiries can leave you with gaps between jobs. Record keeping is often overlooked until tax time, which makes declarations harder.

Mitigate these problems by writing simple terms, asking for a deposit, tracking hours and materials, and setting a routine for outreach. Save invoices and receipts from the start so you can produce them if authorities or clients ask.

• Underpricing because of missing costs
• Scope creep without written change requests
• Late payments and cashflow stress
• Poor record keeping leading to tax headaches

How a Websta profile fits into this work

A Websta profile acts as a single page you can send to anyone that shows your services, photos and available times. You can list services and prices, accept bookings online, and use the contact form for enquiries. Card payments from customers are paid out to your own bank account through Stripe, and you set your own prices. The profile is discoverable through the Websta marketplace when people search by service and place.

Use the profile as a professional landing page that links to your social accounts and portfolio. Keep listings up to date so that anyone who finds you can see what you offer, how much you charge and how to book. If you need country specific details about pre-populated pages or data sources, contact Websta support to ask how pages are created and claimed in Malta; note that in other countries some pages have been created from public business registers and carry a claim notice.

Practical next steps

Collect a short portfolio of your best recent work, prepare a simple price list for common services, and draft a short service description for each item. Reach out to your immediate network with the portfolio and the link to your Websta profile. Set up a basic invoicing routine and decide how you will take payments and request deposits.

Finally, make two phone calls or emails: one to the Malta Business Registry about registration options and one to the Commissioner for Revenue about tax and VAT rules for self-employed people. Keep expectations realistic: building steady paid work takes time, follow up, and repeated outreach.