Selling printables on Etsy has become a popular way for mums to earn extra income without committing to a full-time job. While it’s not quite as easy as Instagram and TikTok would like you to believe (as we’ll cover in this blog), it is a profitable way to earn money online while exploring your creative side. However, like any business venture, it’s essential to understand the ins and outs before diving in.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know before you sell printables on Etsy, including Etsy shop tips, potential challenges, the skills you’ll need, and the steps you can take to create a successful store. Let’s get started!
Starting your digital printables business:
1. What are printables?
Printables – also known as digital downloads – are digital files that customers can download and print at home. These can range from planners and calendars to art prints, educational worksheets, and party decorations. Because they’re digital, once you create a product, you can sell it an unlimited number of times with no additional cost—a significant advantage over physical products.
2. Why sell printables on Etsy?
Etsy is one of the largest online marketplaces for handmade and digital goods. With millions of active buyers and a user-friendly platform, it’s an excellent place for mums to start their digital printables business However, the market is saturated, so it’s crucial to find your niche and differentiate yourself from competitors.
3. Is selling printables right for you?
Before you start, ask yourself whether selling printables is a viable side hustle for you:
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Do you have graphic design skills? While you don’t need to be a professional designer, basic graphic design skills are essential. Tools like Canva offer user-friendly templates that can help you create beautiful designs, even if you’re a beginner. Keep in mind the market is so hugely saturated that the competition is fierce, and you’ll need to ensure your skills are up to the challenge.
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Do you have the time? Making money on Etsy with digital downloads is something you can grow to become a passive income stream. Once your downloads are up for sale, you can leave them to do their thing. But, you’ll still need to invest the time upfront creating your assets, marketing them on Etsy and beyond, and updating your stock as trends change. It’s certainly not the most time-consuming side hustle out there, but you will need to be willing to invest some time into it.
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Is there a demand? Research Etsy to see what types of printables are selling well. Look for trends and consider whether there’s a gap in the market that you could fill.
- Is the market oversaturated? While there’s room for creativity, some niches are highly competitive, and you’ll struggle making money on Etsy. Consider whether your idea is unique enough to stand out or if you can offer a twist on existing products.
4. Getting started: tools and resources
To start selling printables, you’ll need the right tools. Fortunately, there are free and low-cost resources available to help you.
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Canva: A user-friendly graphic design tool with thousands of templates that you can customise to create your printables. Canva’s free version is robust, but you may consider the Pro version for additional features.
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Adobe Illustrator/Photoshop: If you have experience with more advanced design tools, Adobe’s suite offers powerful capabilities for creating detailed and professional printables.
- Etsy account: Setting up an Etsy account is straightforward, and there are plenty of Etsy shop tips to guide you through the process of opening your shop. However, be aware that Etsy charges fees for listing products and takes a commission on each sale (we’ll cover this later).
5. Finding your niche
Identifying a niche is crucial for standing out on Etsy. Here’s how to find yours:
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Assess your skills: What are you good at? Are you passionate about home organisation, children’s education, or party planning? Leverage your strengths and interests to create unique products while keeping yourself interested – the worst thing is losing motivation mid-side hustle!
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Research trends: Use Etsy’s search bar, Pinterest, and Google Trends to see what’s popular. However, don’t just follow what everyone else is doing—look for ways to add your personal touch or create something entirely new.
- Test your ideas: Before investing too much time, create a few designs and test them out. You can ask friends or social media followers to get feedback from potential customers or offer them as freebies in exchange for reviews.
6. Designing your printables
Once you’ve identified your niche, it’s time to start designing. Here’s what to keep in mind:
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Choose quality over quantity: It’s easy to get carried away when planning your digital designs, and think that churning out design after design will draw more people to your shop. In actuality, to fight the strong competition, you’ll need to put quality first and foremost. Most shoppers will set out to buy one particular design on Etsy, so it’s important that your individual designs are up to the job. Ensure your designs are high-quality and print well. Avoid overly complicated designs that may not translate well when printed.
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Pay attention to your file formats: Save your printables in high-resolution PDF format, as this is the most widely used and user-friendly format for customers to print at home.
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Keep it consistent: Develop a cohesive style across your products to create a recognisable brand. This includes choosing a consistent colour palette, fonts, and design elements.
- Prepare your designs for print: You want to make it as easy as possible for your customers to print their designs. It’s your job to set up print bleeds, check margins, and package fonts if necessary to make sure the design will be printed correctly. Set up your files for print, and run a test print to make sure it comes out perfectly.
7. Setting up your Etsy shop
Now that your products are ready, it’s time to set up your digital printables business on Etsy itself..
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Shop name and branding: Choose a shop name that reflects your niche and resonates with your target audience. Design a logo and banner that align with your brand.
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Product listings: Write clear and concise descriptions for your products. Include keywords to improve your search rankings (more on this later). Use high-quality images to showcase your printables.
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Pricing: Research similar products to determine a competitive price. Remember to factor in Etsy’s fees and the time you spent creating the design. Many sellers offer tiered pricing or bundles to increase sales.
- Shop policies: Set clear policies regarding returns, refunds, and customer service. Although digital products are generally non-refundable, it’s essential to communicate this clearly to avoid disputes.
8. Marketing your printables
Your shop may be live, but it’s not time to sit back and let the customers roll in. You’ll need to do your bit to market your products to build your audience. Here are some quick Etsy shop tips:
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Social media marketing: Use platforms like Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook to promote your shop. Share your designs, behind-the-scenes content, and customer reviews to build a community around your brand.
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SEO on Etsy: Etsy’s search algorithm favours products with relevant keywords, so make sure to optimise your titles, descriptions, and tags. Use tools like Marmalead or eRank to find the best keywords for your products.
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Website and SEO: Consider setting up a simple website or blog to drive additional traffic to your Etsy shop. Focus on creating SEO-optimised content that targets your niche. For example, if you sell printable planners, write blog posts about time management or organisation tips that link back to your Etsy shop.
- Email marketing: Build an email list and send out regular newsletters featuring new products, discounts, and tips. Offering a freebie in exchange for email sign-ups can be an effective way to grow your list.
9. Standing out in a crowded market
With so many sellers on Etsy, it’s crucial to make your shop stand out. Here’s how:
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Offer something unique: Whether it’s a particular style, a niche market, or customisation options, find a way to differentiate your products from others.
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Provide excellent customer service: Respond to messages promptly, offer help if customers have trouble with downloads, and be polite and friendly in all your communications.
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Collect reviews: Encourage satisfied customers to leave positive reviews. Reviews are crucial for building trust and improving your shop’s visibility on Etsy. Consider offering customers a discount code for their next order in return for their honest review.
- Keep updating your shop: Regularly add new products and update your existing listings to keep your shop fresh and relevant. Seasonal products, such as Christmas party printables or Halloween decor downloads, can also attract more customers.
10. Understanding Etsy’s fees
While Etsy is an accessible platform, it’s essential to understand the costs involved. At the time of writing (August 2024), these are:
- Listing fees: Etsy charges £0.16 per listing, which lasts for four months or until the item sells.
- Transaction fees: Etsy takes a 6.5% commission on the sale price, including shipping.
- Payment processing fees: Etsy charges a 4% + £0.20 payment processing fee.
These fees can add up, so make sure to factor them into your pricing strategy to maintain profitability.
11. Managing your time
Running a digital printables business, or any Etsy shop, requires time and effort, especially if you’re managing it alongside family responsibilities. Here’s how to stay on top of things to stop you falling off the wagon, and keep making money on Etsy.
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Set a schedule: Dedicate specific hours each week to work on your shop, whether it’s researching or designing new products, or marketing your existing ones.
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Automate where possible: Use tools like Canva’s content planner for social media, or email marketing platforms that allow you to schedule campaigns in advance.
- Pace yourself: As we covered, it’s easy to get carried away. Don’t take on too much at once; it’s much better to start with one really high-quality product than 10 sloppy, rushed ones.
12. Evaluating your success
Once your shop has been up and running for a while, it’s essential to evaluate its success:
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Monitor your sales: Keep track of which products are selling well and which aren’t. This will help you refine your product offerings.
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Adjust your strategy: If you’re not seeing the results you want, don’t be afraid to change things up. Try new marketing strategies, tweak your product designs, or explore new niches.
- Celebrate your wins: Running a business is hard work, so make sure to celebrate your achievements, no matter how small. Whether it’s your first sale or your 100th, take the time to acknowledge your success.
Ready to get started?
Deciding to sell printables on Etsy can be a profitable side hustle, especially for mums looking to earn extra income from home. While the market is competitive, with the right skills, strategy, and determination, you can build a successful shop that stands out from the crowd. Remember to read these Etsy shop tips, stay patient, keep learning, and enjoy the process!
