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Are you looking for a creative way to make money online and build a passive business?
Then look no further than selling printables on Etsy and other online platforms!
In this post, we’ll talk about how to sell printables on Etsy even if you’re not an artist, creative designer or someone with amazing design skills.
Selling printables on Etsy is a fun and easy way to share useful tools & resources and reach a ton of people who would love to buy your work.
In this blog post, we’re going to walk you through 5 simple steps to help you get started with selling your printables on Etsy.
From setting up your shop to promoting your products, we’ll cover everything you need to know to be a successful printable seller on Etsy.
So, whether you’re new to Etsy or already an experienced seller, grab a cup of coffee and let’s get started on turning your passion into profit!
What Are Printables?
Printables are digital products that people can purchase, download and print from the comfort of their own homes or at a local print shop.
They’re awesome resources that you can use for a variety of purposes.
Printables can come in all sorts of shapes and sizes and cover a wide range of topics and themes.
They can be anything from wall art, planner pages, kid’s activity sheets and more.
Some popular types of printables include calendars, to-do lists, colouring pages, party decorations, and educational worksheets.
The great thing about printables is that they’re usually very affordable, and they offer a quick and easy way to either get organized, entertain your kids or add a personal touch to your home or office.
Types of Printables You Can Create
There are many types of printables that you could sell on Etsy. Here are some ideas to get you started:
- Wall art prints: These could include quotes, watercolour illustrations, or abstract designs.
- Planner pages: Printable planner pages, such as daily, weekly, or monthly schedules, to-do lists, and habit trackers, are always popular. You can get an entire kit to get started with this niche here.
- Party decorations: Printable banners, cake toppers, and photo booth props are great for celebrations like birthdays, weddings, and baby showers.
- Invitations and cards: You can design and sell printable invitations for weddings, birthdays, and other events, as well as greeting cards for various occasions.
- Worksheets: Printable worksheets for school subjects like math, science, and English, or even for activities like colouring, tracing, and mazes, can be helpful for parents and teachers.
- Recipe cards: These could include designs for organizing recipes, as well as recipe cards with attractive graphics.
- Gift tags and labels: Printable gift tags and labels can be used for packaging, organizing, and labelling items.
- Digital art: You could create and sell digital art prints that customers can print and frame themselves.
- Travel journals: Printable pages for documenting travel adventures, including maps, checklists, and prompts for writing and drawing.
- Colouring books: Printable colouring pages for kids and adults, featuring various themes like animals, flowers, and mandalas.
- Digital scrapbooking kits: Printable graphics and papers for creating digital scrapbook pages.
- Photo booth templates: Printable designs for photo booth templates, including backgrounds, props, and speech bubbles.
- Stickers: Printable stickers for planners, scrapbooking, and other craft projects.
- Sewing patterns: Printable patterns for sewing projects like clothes, bags, and home decor items.
- Art therapy: Printable pages with prompts for art therapy exercises and mindfulness activities.
- Wedding stationery: Printable designs for save the dates, wedding invitations, and thank you cards.
Biggest Benefits of Selling Printables on Etsy
Etsy is a well-established online marketplace with a massive audience of potential customers, so it’s the perfect platform to get started with selling your printables.
Creating and selling printables is low-cost and low-risk. You don’t have to invest in materials or shipping, and you can sell your products to customers all over the world.
Additionally, it’s super flexible. You can work from anywhere, at any time, and you get to be in control of your schedule.
By getting started on Etsy you learn fundamental skills such as search engine optimization that will be invaluable throughout your whole entrepreneurial journey.
5 Steps to Sell Printables on Etsy
Creating Your Printables
Creating your printables is the most fun part of the process! Here’s what you need to keep in mind:
Choose a niche: Decide on a specific theme or niche for your printables. This will not only make it easier for you to create designs that cater to your target audience’s needs and interests.
So pick the type of printables you want to create. Are you going to create Printable Wall Art, Printable Planners or something else?
Niches are important on Etsy because stores work best when you focus on one niche. For instants say you wanted to sell wall art and kid’s educational worksheets, it would be best to open 2 separate stores so each store focused on one niche.
Determine your target audience: Knowing your target audience will help you create designs that they will love. Consider their age, gender, interests, and what kind of products they are looking for. Think in terms of problems that need to be solved.
Create high-quality designs: Your designs should be visually appealing and easy to read. Use high-quality images, colours, and fonts that are consistent with your brand. The best platform to use to design your printables is Canva.
Decide on the format and file type: Printables can be in various formats such as PDF, JPG, PNG, and more. Choose the format and file type that is easiest for you to work with and is also compatible with your customers’ printers. The best way to decide on a format is to look at what other stores are providing to their customers.
Test your designs: Before selling your printables, make sure to test them to ensure they look and print as intended. Print a copy for yourself, or ask friends and family to test them out and give you feedback.
By following these steps, you’ll be well on your way to creating high-quality printables that your target audience will love. So go ahead, let your creativity shine and have fun creating!
Setting up your Etsy Shop
Setting up your Etsy shop is super easy and a lot of fun! Here’s what you need to do to get started:
Create an Etsy account: To create an Etsy account, all you need is an email address. Head over to Etsy.com and sign up.
Open your Etsy shop: Once you’ve confirmed your email, you’re ready to start setting up your shop. You do this by clicking the shop Icon next to the Notification bell Icon.
Choose a shop name: Your shop name is your brand, so choose wisely! It should be memorable and reflective of your style. If your preferred shop name is already taken, try adding your location or a modifier to it.
Fill in your profile information: Your profile is where you get to introduce yourself and your shop to the world. Make sure to include a profile photo, a brief description of yourself and your shop, and your location. This is a critical step that store owners like to skip over. DON’T! It’s important for your branding and getting sales. Fill out every section as fully as possible.
Set up payment options: Etsy provides several payment options for your customers including PayPal, credit cards and Klarna. You don’t have any say in this. What you must make sure to set up is how you want to be paid and a payment method for any fees you have to pay to Etsy. You’ll also need to select your shop’s currency.
Create your first listing: Your first listing is the most exciting part! Choose a design you’d like to sell, set a price, and write a detailed description of the product. Make sure to include high-quality photos to showcase your product.
And that’s it! You’re now ready to start selling your printables on Etsy. Remember, the more time you invest in your shop, the more successful it will be. So take your time, have fun, and happy selling!
Listing Your Printables on Etsy
Listing your printables on Etsy is the final step in the process of selling your designs. Here’s what you need to keep in mind:
Title and description: Write an eye-catching title and a detailed description of your printable. Make sure to highlight the features and benefits of your product and include all relevant information. Include your main keywords at the front of your title and also include it in the first 160 words of the description.
Keywords: Choose keywords that accurately describe your printable and are relevant to your target audience. This will help customers find your product when searching for similar items on Etsy. You can discover keywords and profitable niches by using the Etsy search bar or a tool like eRank.
Photos and videos: High-quality photos and videos are a must! Make sure to showcase your printable in the best light possible and include multiple photos. You can buy printable mockup photos on Etsy that you can edit in Canva. This will give customers a better idea of what they are buying.
Video for your listings is essential now, especially for Etsy. Use your videos to showcase what’s inside your printables or how you can put it to use.
Pricing your printables: Determine a fair price for your printables based on your cost of production (the time you put into making it), competition, and the value you are providing to your customers. You can also use tools like eRank to see the average price for the product.
Offer discounts and promotions: Consider offering discounts and promotions to attract customers and drive sales. This could be a limited-time discount or a bundle deal, for example.
By following these steps, you’ll be well on your way to successfully listing your printables on Etsy. So go ahead, hit that “list” button and get ready for your customers to start loving your designs!
Marketing Your Etsy Shop
Marketing your Etsy shop is an important step in getting your printables seen by potential customers.
Here’s what you can do to get the word out:
Use social media: Share your Etsy shop and printables on social media platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. Engage with your followers and interact with other Etsy sellers and customers.
Collaborate with other Etsy sellers: Consider collaborating with other Etsy sellers to cross-promote each other’s shops. You can share each other’s products on social media, or even do a joint giveaway.
Join Etsy Facebook Groups: Joining Facebook groups can be a great way to network and connect with other Etsy sellers and customers. You can share your shop and products, and get feedback and support from the community.
Offer a newsletter: Consider starting a newsletter to keep your customers up-to-date on new products, promotions, and other news from your Etsy shop.
Run a giveaway: Running a giveaway is a fun and effective way to get your shop and products noticed by new customers. You can give away a product from your Etsy shop, or offer a discount code for future purchases.
By following these marketing strategies, you’ll be able to reach more people and get your Etsy shop and printables in front of a wider audience. So go ahead, get creative and start marketing your shop today!
Orders and Customer Service
Handling orders and providing excellent customer service is an essential part of running a successful Etsy shop.
Here’s what you need to keep in mind:
Delivering orders efficiently: With digital products, you don’t have to do anything once an order is placed as it will be delivered directly to the customer’s inbox automatically.
What you do have to think about beforehand is what the customer will receive. Will you upload the products directly to Etsy or will you create a delivery document with links to the product?
I prefer option 2 as you get to ask for a review and market my email list to them.
Responding to customer inquiries: Respond to customer inquiries promptly and professionally. This includes answering questions about your products, addressing any concerns or issues, and providing support and guidance as needed.
Providing excellent customer service: Providing excellent customer service is essential for building a positive reputation and keeping your customers happy. Be friendly, helpful, and responsive, and go above and beyond to make sure your customers are satisfied with their experience.
By following these steps, you’ll be able to provide an outstanding customer experience and keep your customers coming back for more. So go ahead, be friendly and professional, and keep your customers happy!
Conclusion
In conclusion, selling printables on Etsy can be a fun and rewarding experience.
Etsy requires effort and dedication, but the rewards can be well worth it.
Whether you’re looking to make some extra income or just want to share your designs with the world, Etsy is a great platform to get started.
By following these 5 steps, you’ll be able to set up your shop, create high-quality printables, list them on Etsy, market your shop, handle orders and provide excellent customer service.
So what are you waiting for? Get started on your Etsy shop today, and take the first step towards building a successful and fulfilling business. You never know where it may take you, but with the right attitude and approach, the possibilities are endless. Happy selling!
FAQ
What type of files do I need to create and sell printables on Etsy?
Answer: The most common file formats for printables are PDF and JPG, but you can also use PNG, EPS, or SVG files depending on the type of printable you’re creating. Make sure to include detailed instructions on how to print and use your files in the product description.
How do I price my printables on Etsy?
Answer: Pricing your printables on Etsy can be challenging, as you want to make sure you’re charging enough to cover your time and expenses, but not so much that you’re not competitive. Take a look at what other sellers are charging for similar products, and consider your costs for materials, time, and any fees associated with selling on Etsy.
How do I promote my printables on Etsy?
Answer: One of the best ways to promote your printables on Etsy is to optimize your product titles, tags, and descriptions to make sure they’re searchable and appealing to potential customers. You can also use social media platforms like Instagram and Pinterest to showcase your products and attract new buyers.
Can I use licensed images in my printables?
Answer: You should only use licensed images in your printables if you have obtained the proper permissions or licenses to do so. Make sure to read and follow the licensing terms carefully, as some images may be restricted for commercial use. This means that most images from TV shows or movies will not be available for commercial use. If you infringe copyright on Etsy more than once they will shut your store down. The first time you will usually be issued with a warning and the product will be automatically taken down from Etsy.
Can I sell physical copies of my printables?
Answer: Yes, you can sell physical copies of your printables on Etsy, but you’ll need to factor in the cost of printing, packaging, and shipping in your pricing strategy. Make sure to provide clear instructions on how to print and use the file, and consider offering both digital and physical options for customers.
How do I protect my printables from being illegally distributed?
Answer: While there’s no foolproof way to prevent your printables from being illegally distributed, you can take some steps to protect your files. Consider watermarking your designs, limiting the number of downloads per purchase, or using password-protected download links.
Do I need a business license to sell printables on Etsy?
Answer: The requirements for business licenses vary depending on your location and the type of business you’re operating. Check with your local authorities or a tax professional to determine if you need a business license, and to make sure you’re complying with any tax laws or regulations.
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