How to earn money as an artist and designer in Split

Split has a steady base of people and businesses that need design work - from tourism companies to small shops, schools, event organisers and individuals. Earning real money as an artist or designer in the city takes work and time, but it is possible to build a side income or full-time practice if you understand where customers actually come from, how to price your work fairly, and what paperwork you need to sort out as an independent person in Croatia.

Updated October 21, 2026

Where customers in Split actually look for artists and designers

People in Split who need design work come from several places. Small businesses - cafes, restaurants, shops, tourism companies - need logos, menus, posters and social media graphics. Schools and cultural institutions sometimes commission work for events or publications. Event organisers, wedding planners and individuals hosting celebrations need invitation designs or custom graphics.

They find you in four main ways. Word of mouth still matters in a city this size; one satisfied customer tells others. Local online search - when someone types 'designer Split' or 'graphic artist Split' into Google, a profile page with your services and photos visible helps them find you. Websta itself works as a marketplace where people nearby search for artists and designers by service and location. Finally, some customers come directly if you share your work on social media or have a personal website they discover.

Your Websta profile serves all of these. It is a page you can send to anyone who asks about your work. It shows up in local searches. It lets people book or contact you directly. Payment goes straight to your own bank account through Stripe, which the customer pays.

Setting your first prices in Split

Pricing is personal to your skill, experience and time. You set the prices yourself. When you are starting out, the question is not what others charge - it is what your work is worth and what customers in Split are willing to pay.

Start by calculating your own costs and time. How many hours does a typical project take you. What materials or software do you need. What do you need to earn per hour or per project to make this worthwhile alongside another job or as your main income. Then look at what others in Split charge for similar work - check other designers' portfolios, ask contacts in the field, look at job postings to see what clients are offering.

In a city of Split's size, customers are often small businesses and individuals with modest budgets. A logo or simple poster design might be priced differently than a full branding project or illustrated work. Be honest about your level. If you are new to freelancing, you may start lower to build a portfolio and testimonials, then raise prices as you gain customers and confidence. Underpricing teaches customers that your work is worth less than it is; raising prices later becomes harder.

What to sort out as an independent person in Croatia

Before you take money for your work, you need to understand the rules for self-employed people in Croatia. The specifics - tax registration, social contributions, invoicing requirements, income thresholds - change and depend on your personal situation. You must check these with the relevant authorities.

Start with the Tax Administration (Porezna uprava) to understand registration requirements for self-employed people. Speak to the Croatian Chamber of Commerce or a local accountant about what paperwork you need, what taxes apply to you, and whether you need to register for VAT. If you employ anyone later, that brings separate rules. Keep records of all income and expenses. When customers pay you through Websta and Stripe, those payments go to your bank account and create a clear record.

Do not skip this step. It takes time and a small amount of money to get it right, but it protects you and keeps your income legitimate. The rules are real, and penalties for not following them are real too.

Your first ten customers usually look like this

Your first customers are rarely large companies or prestigious brands. They are usually small businesses, individuals, schools, or event organisers who found you because you were visible - through word of mouth, a local search result, or Websta. They often have modest budgets. They may ask for revisions or have unclear briefs. Some will be professional and straightforward; others will need more hand-holding.

The first ten months are when you learn what kind of work you actually want to do, who you work best with, and how to communicate about money and timelines. You will probably take some projects you would not take again. You will discover which types of client are easiest to work with. You will also discover gaps in your skills or processes that you need to fix.

These early customers matter because they build your portfolio and can lead to referrals. A satisfied client who recommends you to others is worth more than the money they paid you.

What tends to go wrong in the first months

Many new freelancers in Split make the same mistakes. They agree to work without setting a clear price or deliverables up front. They do not invoice properly or on time. They work on projects that take much longer than they expected and earn almost nothing for the hours spent. They take on too many small projects and have no time to look for better-paying work. They do not follow up with happy customers or ask for referrals.

Others struggle with isolation - working alone without feedback or a team. Some spend so much time chasing small jobs that they have no energy to improve their skills or build a real brand. Payment issues happen too: a customer delays payment, or disputes the work, and the freelancer has no clear contract or agreement to fall back on.

These are not character flaws. They are normal. The way to avoid them is to agree on price and scope in writing, set clear timelines, keep records, follow up with customers, and be honest with yourself about which projects are worth your time.

How a Websta profile fits into your earning strategy

A Websta profile gives you a professional page that works like a website. You list your services and set your own prices. You add photos of your work. People can see your contact form and book or contact you directly. When they pay, the money goes to your own bank account through Stripe - there is no middleman taking a cut of your earnings.

The profile is also a tool you can send to anyone. A potential customer asks about your work: you send them your Websta link instead of scrambling to gather old files or screenshots. You are found through the Websta marketplace when people in Split search for artists and designers. You also show up in local Google searches.

This does not replace the other ways customers find you - word of mouth, your own social media, direct relationships. But it gives you a legitimate, professional presence that is easy to maintain and that works for you while you are not actively promoting yourself.

Building a sustainable practice takes time

Be honest with yourself: earning money as an artist or designer in Split is not quick or guaranteed. It takes work to find customers, deliver good work, build a reputation and raise your prices. You will have months when business is slow and months when you are overwhelmed. You may earn nothing in month one and something real by month six or later.

The people who succeed are those who treat it like a real job: they show up, deliver, follow up, and keep improving. They set prices they can live with. They do not panic when work is slow. They ask for payment clearly and on time. They build relationships with customers and ask them to tell others.

If you approach this as a side income while working another job, you have time to find the right customers and build gradually. If you need it to be your main income, you need savings to cover the months when business is sparse. Either way, the work comes first - then the money follows.

Frequently asked questions

Where do I find customers for design work in Split?
Customers come from small businesses, schools, event organisers and individuals in Split. They find you through word of mouth, Google local search, the Websta marketplace, or your own social media and website. Start by letting people in your network know you are available, then build from there.
How much should I charge for my first projects?
Set your prices based on how many hours the work takes, what you need to earn, and what similar designers in Split charge. You set the prices yourself. Do not price so low that the work is not worth your time, but be realistic about the market and your experience level.
Do I need to register as self-employed in Croatia before I take money?
Yes, you need to understand and follow the rules for self-employed people in Croatia. Check with the Tax Administration (Porezna uprava) and the Croatian Chamber of Commerce about registration, taxes and invoicing requirements. An accountant can help you get this right.
How long before I earn real money?
There is no set timeline. Some people build a client base in a few months; others take longer. It depends on how much time you invest, how visible you are, and how many customers you can reach. Expect the first months to be slower than later ones.
What does a Websta profile do for me?
It gives you a professional page where you list services, set prices, show your work and let customers book or contact you. Payment goes straight to your own bank account. You can send the link to anyone, and customers find you through the Websta marketplace and local search.

About the numbers

Counts in this guide were read from the Websta catalogue when the text was written and are refreshed above from the live catalogue. Part of the catalogue was built from the public business register and is marked as such on each profile.

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