Comparisons
Squarespace vs MyArtPDF: website ≠ portfolio PDF
Squarespace helps you build a portfolio website. MyArtPDF helps you create a structured, submission-ready PDF portfolio.
Quick answer: use Squarespace for your online presence, and MyArtPDF for applications, galleries, residencies, and art schools.
- Squarespace: portfolio website
- MyArtPDF: portfolio PDF for submissions
- Best for visibility: Squarespace
- Best for applications: MyArtPDF
The short answer
Squarespace is for being seen. It helps you create a public website where people can browse your work.
MyArtPDF is for being reviewed. It helps you send a clear, structured portfolio document to institutions.
These are not competing formats. They serve different moments.
The key idea
A portfolio website and a portfolio PDF are not interchangeable.
One is open-ended and exploratory. The other is fixed, structured, and designed for evaluation.
A website is not a submission PDF
This is where most confusion comes from.
- Websites: browsing, discovery, navigation
- PDFs: fixed order, controlled reading, easy review
A reviewer opening a PDF expects:
- a clear structure,
- a predictable sequence,
- a document they can read in 2–5 minutes.
A website does not guarantee any of that.
Different use cases
- Squarespace: personal website, SEO, sharing your work publicly
- MyArtPDF: gallery submissions, grants, residencies, applications
One lives on the web. The other is sent, downloaded, and reviewed.
When Squarespace makes sense
- you want a professional online presence,
- you want your work discoverable via Google,
- you want to share a link with curators or clients,
- you are building a long-term public portfolio.
When MyArtPDF is the better choice
- you are applying to a gallery or residency,
- you need a structured portfolio PDF,
- you must include CV, bio, statement, and works,
- you need something that opens instantly and reads clearly.
Why institutions ask for PDFs
Galleries, schools, and grant committees do not review websites randomly.
They review dozens or hundreds of applications in a short time.
They need:
- consistent format,
- predictable order,
- offline access,
- easy archiving.
That is why the PDF portfolio remains the standard.
What happens with a website instead
Sending only a website can create friction:
- unclear navigation,
- inconsistent order of works,
- loading time,
- no clear “start → end” reading path.
That makes evaluation harder, not easier.
Squarespace vs MyArtPDF
- Type: website builder vs PDF portfolio tool
- Goal: visibility vs submission
- Structure: flexible vs fixed
- Best context: browsing vs evaluation
- Offline: no vs yes
The right setup
Most artists do not need to choose.
The best setup is:
- a website (Squarespace) for visibility
- a PDF (MyArtPDF) for applications
They complement each other.
If you need a portfolio PDF
A strong portfolio PDF is:
- clear and structured
- 10–15 artworks
- with CV, bio, and statement
- easy to read in a few minutes
A simpler workflow
MyArtPDF is a local-first macOS app designed to build exactly that kind of document.
No layout struggle. No unnecessary complexity.
Frequently asked questions
Is Squarespace enough for an artist portfolio?
It is enough for an online presence, but not for most applications. You will usually still need a PDF portfolio.
Do galleries accept websites instead of PDFs?
Sometimes, but most still ask for a PDF because it is easier to review and archive.
Should I have both a website and a PDF portfolio?
Yes. They serve different purposes and work best together.