So, you’ve been tweaking photos on Lightroom, turning dull shots into Instagram-worthy masterpieces, and your friends keep saying, “Wow, can you share your settings?” That’s when the lightbulb moment hits — why not sell your Lightroom presets online?
Selling presets is like selling a secret recipe. You’ve got the magic formula, and people are willing to pay for it because they want their photos to look just as amazing without spending hours editing.
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| How to Sell Your Lightroom Presets Online: Beginner to Pro Guide (2025 Edition) |
By the way, it’s 2025, and the demand for ready-to-use digital products like Lightroom presets is bigger than ever. Photographers, influencers, bloggers, and even small businesses are all searching for that “one-click magic.”
Let’s dive in — I’ll take you from beginner to pro, step-by-step.
Why Lightroom Presets Are a Hot-Selling Digital Product in 2025
Think about it: people don’t just buy presets for editing. They’re buying a lifestyle, a vibe, a mood.
When someone sees “Moody Autumn,” “Beach Glow,” or “Cinematic Street” presets, they’re imagining how their own photos will instantly look Pinterest-perfect.
Some reasons presets are selling like hotcakes:
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Zero shipping costs — pure digital delivery.
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Global audience — your customer could be in New York, Tokyo, or Paris.
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Passive income potential — create once, sell forever.
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Trendy niche — visual aesthetics are in high demand for social media.
Step-by-Step Guide to Selling Your Lightroom Presets
Step 1: Create Killer Lightroom Presets
Before you even think about selling, you need presets people can’t stop talking about.
Here’s how to make them:
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Choose a theme — Cinematic, Minimalist, Warm & Cozy, Vibrant Travel, etc.
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Edit a variety of images (portrait, landscape, indoor, outdoor) so your preset works across different styles.
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Save your preset in .XMP (for desktop) and .DNG (for mobile).
Pro Tip: Give your presets catchy names. Nobody wants “Preset #1” — they want “Golden Hour Glow.”
Step 2: Test, Test, Test
Don’t just rely on your own photos. Test your presets on:
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Different skin tones
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Various lighting conditions
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Indoor and outdoor settings
Ask friends, photographers, or online communities for feedback before launching.
Step 3: Package Your Presets Like a Pro
Presentation matters. A lot.
Bundle your presets in a ZIP file with:
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The preset files (.XMP or .DNG)
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An easy-to-follow PDF installation guide (with screenshots)
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Example before-and-after images
This not only makes your product look professional but also reduces refund requests.
Step 4: Decide Where to Sell Your Presets
Here are some top options:
Option A: Your Own Website
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Full control over branding, pricing, and customer experience.
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Platforms like Shopify, Wix, or WordPress + WooCommerce work great.
Option B: Digital Marketplaces
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Etsy, Creative Market, Gumroad, or Design Cuts.
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Easier to start, built-in audience, but they take a cut of sales.
Option C: Social Media Direct Sales
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Sell directly via Instagram DMs, TikTok bio links, or Pinterest traffic.
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Link to your Gumroad/Etsy store for payment.
Step 5: Price Your Presets Smartly
Don’t undervalue yourself, but also don’t scare buyers away.
Here’s a simple pricing breakdown:
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Single preset — $5–$10
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Preset packs (5–10) — $15–$40
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Premium bundle (20+) — $50+
Tip: Offer a free sample preset to grow your email list.
Step 6: Market Your Lightroom Presets
Marketing is where the magic happens. Even the best preset won’t sell if nobody knows about it.
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Instagram Reels & TikTok — Share before/after videos (these go viral!).
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Pinterest — People LOVE saving aesthetic edits.
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YouTube Tutorials — Show how your presets transform photos.
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Email Marketing — Send exclusive discounts and freebies.
Pro Hack: Collaborate with micro-influencers who can showcase your presets to their audience.
Mistakes to Avoid When Selling Presets
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Over-editing — Too much saturation or contrast kills versatility.
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No clear installation guide — Customers will get frustrated and leave bad reviews.
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No brand identity — Make your product feel unique and memorable.
FAQ: Selling Lightroom Presets Online
1. Can I sell presets I made using someone else’s editing tutorial?
Nope. Your presets must be original to avoid copyright issues.
2. Do I need Lightroom to create presets?
Yes, you’ll need Lightroom (Classic or Mobile) to create and test them.
3. What file types should I provide?
Provide both .XMP (desktop) and .DNG (mobile) so buyers can use them easily.
4. How can I prevent people from sharing my presets for free?
You can’t 100% prevent it, but branding, watermarking previews, and building a loyal audience helps reduce piracy.
