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How to Make Money Selling Printables on Etsy

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If you are creative, you might want to earn some extra money while exercising your creativity. Selling printables on Etsy is a great way to start.

Printables are digital files that can be downloaded and printed by customers for personal use. They are a popular and affordable option for home decor, organizational tools, and more.

However, with Etsy’s user-friendly platform and vast customer base, it’s never been easier to start your own printables business.

This guide will provide you with a step-by-step approach to creating and selling Etsy printables. As you read on, you will learn about everything from design creation to shop setup and product marketing.

Let’s dive in and explore the world of passive income with Etsy printables.

What are Printables?

Printables are digital files that can be downloaded and printed by customers for personal use. Aside from being affordable, they are a versatile way to add personality and organization to any space, such as a home office or a child’s bedroom.

Printables can serve a variety of purposes. They can provide daily inspiration with art prints. They can also help you stay organized with planners and checklists. Some popular printables include wall art, party decorations, invitations, stickers, and even colouring pages.

Busy professionals, parents, teachers, and students are just a few examples of those who may need to purchase printables from Etsy.

How to Create Digital Printables to Sell

Creating printables is easy if you have the right resources. Aside from your artistic and creative skills, all you need is a reliable and functioning computer.

You will need to have online tools, apps, and software that will help you create your printables. Some examples are Canva, Adobe Creative Suite, and Microsoft Office.

To learn more about creating and selling printables, you can take courses about creating printables. Gold City Ventures, for instance, offers one such course.

In their course, Gold City Ventures covers various topics about creating and selling printables. Some examples of topics discussed in the course include:

  • how to choose the right software
  • design tips and tricks
  • how to create printable templates that you can sell again and again.

This course is perfect for beginners who want to learn the basics of creating digital printables for their Etsy store.

How to Sell Printables on Etsy

Once you have created your printables, it is time for you to start selling them on Etsy. Here are the steps to follow:

1. Create the Printables.

Make sure your printables are high-quality and visually appealing. Consider offering different sizes or customization options.

In creating printables, keep in mind who your target customers are. This will help you come up with what kind of printables you will create and sell.

For instance, you can create printables for kids and toddlers so that parents can buy them. This could include alphabets, numbers, activity books, crafts, and other fun and educational materials.

2. Open an Etsy Shop.

To open an Etsy shop, you need to have an Etsy account. If you do not have one, you can easily create an account on the Etsy site.

Once you’ve logged in to your Etsy account, click on “Sell on Etsy” on the homepage. You will be asked to provide some basic information about your shop, including your shop name, description, and logo.

After setting up your shop, you can start adding products to sell. Click on “Add a listing” and provide a description, pricing, and any other relevant information for each product.

You also need to set up payment for your shop. Etsy offers several payment methods, including credit cards and PayPal.

You can skip the part about setting up shipping options because Etsy printables are digital products.

Once you finish adding all your products and set up your payment, you are ready to launch your shop. Click on “Open your shop” to make it live.

3. Mockup Your Products and Create Listings.

Use mockup templates to showcase your Etsy printables in different settings. Write detailed descriptions and tags to help customers find your products.

4. Market Your Etsy Store.

You can use social media and other marketing tactics to promote your Etsy store and drive traffic to your listings.

5. Sell Your Printables.

Once you start making sales, make sure to fulfill orders promptly and provide excellent customer service.

Additionally,  it is important to note that Etsy allows you to start and join their platform for free. However, fees are associated with selling on the platform. These fees include:

  • Listing fee ($O. 27 for each listing to be active for four months or until they sell.)
  • Transaction fee (6.5% of the sale price)
  • Payment processing fee when you use Etsy Payments (3-4% + $0.25)
  • In addition, an advertising fee may be charged for sales that come from Offsite Ads.

Related: Selling printables are one of the best stay-at-home jobs that pay well

Want to make money on Etsy? Check out the Ultimate Etsy Course that teaches you how to earn a consistent 4-figure income monthly selling printables on Etsy. The step-by-step tutorials cover everything from idea generation to product creation, listing and marketing, and more.

What are Some Best-Selling Printables on Etsy?

The best-selling printables on Etsy are those that cater to popular niches such as home decor, wedding planning, and organization. Here are some ideas for your Etsy printables business.

  • Inspirational quotes and wall art
  • Wedding planning checklists and budget trackers
  • Printable stickers for planners and journals
  • Meal planning and grocery lists
  • Kids’ activities and colouring pages

Where to Sell Printables Besides Etsy

While Etsy is one of the most popular platforms for selling printables, there are many other options available to sellers looking to expand their reach.

Here are a few other viable options:

Shopify

Aside from Etsy, Shopify is another popular e-commerce platform that allows you to create your own online store and sell your printables. It offers a variety of customizable templates and features to help you create a professional-looking store.

However, it has a monthly fee that allows for more customization and control than other platforms. The fee starts at $51 monthly or  $38 per month (billed yearly) for a basic plan.

You may also upgrade to the Shopify plan, which costs $132 per month, with the first three months costing only $1 each. Lastly, Shopify’s advanced plan costs $389/month when billed yearly.

On top of it, Shopify offers a free trial for its first-time users and a 3-month starter plan that costs only $1 per month.

Fiverr

Another option for selling your printables is Fiverr. Fiverr is a platform where you can offer your services as a freelancer. While it’s not specifically designed for selling printables, you can offer your design services on the platform and create custom printables for your clients.

Although Fiverr takes a 20% commission on each sale, it can be a good option if you are just starting and don’t want to invest in your own website.

You can learn more in this Fiverr review.

Amazon

You can also sell your printables on Amazon. Amazon sellers create their own storefronts and sell their products to a wider audience. Selling printables on Amazon is a great option if you have a large inventory of printables and want to reach a broader audience.

The fees associated with selling printables on Amazon are:

  • Selling plan that costs $1.49 per unit sold in an individual plan, or $29.99 per month for a professional plan
  • 15% Referral Fee for each item (Media products category) sold.
  • Other costs

Additionally, Amazon is not as customizable as Etsy or Shopify.

Related: Learn how you can sell on Amazon USA from Canada.

Pros and Cons of Selling Printables on Etsy

Like any business venture, having an Etsy printables business comes with its advantages and disadvantages. Here are some of the pros and cons of selling printables on Etsy.

Advantages:

  • Easy to set up. Opening an Etsy shop is an easy and simple process, which means you can start selling your printables quickly.
  • Wide customer base. Etsy has a large customer base, so there’s a good chance that your Etsy printables will be seen by potential buyers.
  • Low overhead costs. Since printables are digital products, there are no physical production or shipping costs involved. This means that you can earn a higher profit margin than with physical products.
  • Passive income potential. Once you have created and posted your printables, they can continue to generate income without any additional effort on your part.
  • Community support. Etsy has a strong community of sellers. You can take advantage of their resources, forums, and online groups to get advice, support, and tips on growing your business.

On the other hand, its disadvantages include:

  • Competition. With millions of active sellers on Etsy, competition can be stiff, and it can be challenging to stand out from the crowd.
  • Fees. Etsy charges fees for listing and selling products on its platform, and these fees can add up over time.
  • Changes to policies. Etsy can change its policies and rules at any time, which can impact your business and sales.
  • Need for ongoing marketing. While Etsy can help you reach a large customer base, you still need to promote and market your products to stand out from the competition.

Is Selling Printables on Etsy Profitable?

Many sellers have found success selling printables on Etsy and have turned it into a profitable business. However, it still depends on many factors, such as the quality of your printables, your marketing efforts, and the competition in your niche.

Want to make money on Etsy? Check out the Ultimate Etsy Course that teaches you how to earn a consistent 4-figure income monthly selling printables on Etsy. The step-by-step tutorials cover everything from idea generation to product creation, listing and marketing, and more.

FAQs

How do I legally sell Printables?

To legally sell Etsy printables, make sure you have the right to sell the images or graphics used in your designs. You can either create your own graphics or purchase licenses from a stock photo or graphic website.

Can you sell Canva Printables on Etsy?

Yes, you can sell Canva printables on Etsy as long as you have a Canva for Work or Canva Enterprise account. However, you have to remember that other sellers may also be using the same templates. It is important to customize your designs and make them unique.

Do Printables really sell on Etsy?

Yes, printables are a popular item on Etsy, and many sellers have found success selling them. For your Etsy printables to stand out among the rest, you can do your research and find a niche that isn’t too saturated.

Can you make a living selling Printables?

It is possible to make a living selling printables on Etsy, but it takes time and effort to build up your store and customer base. To increase your chance of success, you need to create high-quality designs, market your store effectively, and provide excellent customer service. 

Conclusion

In conclusion, selling printables on Etsy is a great side hustle with the potential to turn into a profitable business. By creating high-quality designs, marketing effectively, and providing excellent customer service, you can build a successful Etsy printables store and earn some extra cash on the side.

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Author

Gravatar for Enoch Omololu, MSc (Econ)
Enoch Omololu, MSc (Econ)

Enoch Omololu, personal finance expert, author, and founder of Savvy New Canadians, has written about money matters for over 10 years. Enoch has an MSc (Econ) degree in Finance and Investment Management from the University of Aberdeen Business School and has completed the Canadian Securities Course. His expertise has been highlighted in major publications like Forbes, Globe and Mail, Business Insider, CBC News, Toronto Star, Financial Post, CTV News, TD Direct Investing, Canadian Securities Exchange, and many others. Enoch is passionate about helping others win with their finances and recently created a practical investing course for beginners. You can read his full author bio.

About Savvy New Canadians

Savvy New Canadians is one of Canada's top personal finance platforms. Millions of Canadians use our site each year to learn how to save for retirement, invest smartly, maximize rewards, and earn extra cash. We have been featured in prominent finance media, including Forbes, Globe and Mail, Business Insider, CBC, MSN, Wealthsimple, and TD Direct Investing. Learn more about Savvy New Canadians.

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