Two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterials have demonstrated the potential to replace silicon and compound semiconductors that are conventionally used in photodetectors. These materials are ultrathin and have superior electrical and optoelectronic properties as well as mechanical flexibility. Consequently, they are particularly advantageous for fabricating high-performance photodetectors that can be used for wearable device applications and Internet of Things technology. Although prototype photodetectors based on single microflakes of 2D materials have demonstrated excellent photoresponsivity across the entire optical spectrum, their practical applications are limited due to the difficulties in scaling up the synthesis process while maintaining the optoelectronic performance. In this review, we discuss facile methods to mass-produce 2D material-based photodetectorsbased on the exfoliation of van der Waals crystals into nanosheet dispersions. We first introduce the liquid-phase exfoliation process, which has been widely investigated for the scalable fabrication of photodetectors. Solution processing techniques to assemble 2D nanosheets into thin films and the optoelectronic performance of the fabricated devices are also presented. We conclude by discussing the limitations associated with liquid-phase exfoliation and the recent advances made due to the development of the electrochemical exfoliation process with molecular intercalants.