How To Start Selling Printables on Etsy

Etsy is a popular online marketplace where you can find a wide range of handmade and vintage items, but also digital printables. Printables are downloadable files that you or your customers can print at home or at a print shop to use for various purposes such as home decor, organization, party supplies, and more. And if you’re curious to see which printables are bringing in sky-rocketing sales each month, get this FREE E-Book here.

Here are some of the top reasons, why printables are so popular on Etsy:

Convenience: Printables offer a convenient and instant solution for various needs. Buyers can simply purchase a printable file, download it, and print it at home or at a local print shop. This convenience saves time and eliminates the need for physical shipping meaning you never deal with inventory, shipping, or warehouse costs.

Customization: Printables can be customized to suit your customers preferences and needs. Customers can choose the size, and color scheme, and sometimes even personalize the content of the printable. This level of customization allows your customers to find printables that align with their unique style and requirements. And customers love it!

Affordability: Compared to physical products, printables are often more affordable. As a seller, you can offer printables at lower prices since they don’t incur manufacturing or shipping costs. This affordability makes printables accessible to a wider audience, including those on a tight budget or those looking for last-minute gifts.

Variety and Creativity: Printables come in a wide range of categories and designs. Whether it’s home decor, organization tools, educational resources, or party supplies, there is a printable for almost every need. Sellers can showcase their creativity and offer unique designs, attracting buyers who are looking for something different and eye-catching.

Instant Gratification: With printables, buyers can access their purchased files immediately after the transaction is complete. They don’t have to wait for shipping or delivery, allowing them to start using the product right away. This instant gratification is appealing to customers who want quick solutions to their needs (Read how this Etsy mom sellers makes $1000 per month and more selling printables).

Sustainability: Printables are environmentally friendly as they eliminate the need for physical production and shipping. Buyers can reduce waste by printing only what they need, and they have the flexibility to print on recycled paper or use digital devices for viewing and interacting with the files.

Flexibility and Reusability: Printables offer flexibility in terms of usage. Buyers can print the files multiple times, resize them as needed, and use them for different purposes. For example, a printable planner can be used year after year, and wall art printables can be changed or rotated for different home decor themes.

DIY Culture and Personalization: Printables align with the growing DIY (Do-It-Yourself) culture, where customers enjoy creating and customizing their own items. Printables empower buyers to add a personal touch to their home, events, organization systems, and more.

If that excites you, then keep on reading to learn more about printables.

Also, check out my post 500 Best Selling Items on Etsy To Make Money in 2023 here.

Next, I want to show you some popular types of printables you can find on Etsy:

1. Wall Art Printables: These are digital files featuring artwork, quotes, illustrations, or photographs that can be printed and framed for home or office decoration.
2. Planner and Journal Printables: These are printable pages designed for planners, journals, or organizers. They can include calendars, to-do lists, habit trackers, meal planners, and other templates to help you stay organized. You can check out my Etsy store AnyMommyCanPlanner here.
3. Party Printables: If you’re planning a party or celebration, you can find printables for invitations, banners, cupcake toppers, party games, and other decorations to create a cohesive theme.
4. Stationery Printables: These are printable files for various stationery items like notepaper, envelopes, labels, tags, and stickers. You can customize and print them for personal or business use.
5. Personal Finance Printables: Personal finance printables are popular because they provide a tangible and organized way for people to stay on top of their finances. This net worth tracker bundle help moms calculate and monitor their overall financial health at the end of each month and year. They typically involve listing assets, such as savings, investments,
6. Educational Printables: Etsy offers a variety of educational printables for children, including worksheets, flashcards, coloring pages, and teaching resources to make learning fun and engaging.
7. Wedding Printables: If you’re planning a wedding, you can find printables for wedding invitations, save-the-dates, table numbers, seating charts, and other wedding-related items.

To start selling printables on Etsy, you’ll need to follow these steps.

1. Set up an Etsy seller account

If you don’t have an Etsy account yet, go to Etsy.com and sign up as a seller. Provide the required information, including your shop name and payment details.

2. Plan your printable products

Determine the type of printables you want to sell and identify your target market. Consider your skills, interests, and expertise to create products that align with your strengths and appeal to potential customers. Use a cheap analytics tool to help find best-selling products like the one I am using.

3. Create your printable files

Use design software like Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, or Canva to create your printable files. Ensure that your designs are high-quality and meet the specific requirements for printing. Consider using popular file formats such as PDF or JPEG. The E-Printables course can help you get everything set up right, fast. So make sure to check it out if time and money are an issue.

4. Set up your Etsy shop

Customize your shop by adding a shop banner, shop icon, and a compelling shop description. Make sure to clearly communicate the value and benefits of your printables to potential customers. Also, check out my other post How To Start an Etsy Shop: What You Need To Know.

5. Create product listings

For each printable product, create a unique listing with attractive product photos, a descriptive title, a detailed description, and appropriate tags. Clearly state that it’s a digital printable and specify the file format and dimensions.

6. Pricing and policies

Set competitive prices for your printables based on factors such as the complexity of the design, your time invested, and the market demand. Determine your shop policies regarding refunds, exchanges, and usage rights, and clearly state them in your shop policies section.

7. Upload your printable files

Upload your printable files to Etsy for each listing. Ensure that the files are properly formatted and ready for instant download once a customer makes a purchase.

8. Marketing your shop

Promote your Etsy shop and products through various channels. Utilize social media platforms, create a blog or website, collaborate with influencers or bloggers in your niche, and use keywords and tags effectively to improve your shop’s visibility in Etsy search results.

9. Provide excellent customer service

Respond to customer inquiries promptly and professionally. Deliver your printable files promptly after purchase and ensure that your customers are satisfied with their purchase. Encourage customers to leave reviews to build credibility and attract more buyers.

10. Continuously improve and expand

Pay attention to customer feedback and adapt your offerings based on market trends and customer preferences. Continuously create new designs and expand your product range to keep your shop fresh and attract repeat customers.

How much money can you make selling printables on Etsy

The amount of money you can make selling printables on Etsy can vary greatly depending on several factors, including the demand for your particular niche, the quality of your designs, your marketing efforts, pricing strategies, and the size of your target market.

Let me share a screen shot of my Etsy shop stats with you below.

Your results can differ, of course. However, many sellers have been able to generate a significant income from selling printables on Etsy. And with the right tools, you could be next!

But the main thing is to research your product and your market. My favourite Etsy analytics tool is called Everbee and it’s the one I use. It is also the cheapest, so make sure you check it out if that is something you’re interested in.

Remember to check and comply with Etsy’s policies, guidelines, and any legal requirements applicable to your printable products. Additionally, consider researching and learning from successful Etsy sellers in the printable niche, like Julie, to gather more insights and inspiration for your own shop.

I hope this post has given you the inspiration and tools to start selling your own printables on Etsy. Let me know in the comments if you have any more questions!