Ever felt overwhelmed by the idea of making money online? You’re not alone! Figuring out where to start and what to sell can be a real challenge.
But guess what?
There’s a fun and surprisingly simple option you might not have considered yet – printables! Yep, those creative, digital designs you see on Etsy are not just trendy; they’re a fantastic way to earn passive income. Imagine creating something cool once and watching it bring in earnings for years. Intrigued? Let’s dive into the world of Etsy printables together!
This article may contain links from our partners. Please read Our Earnings Disclaimer for more info.
Thinking about a passive income stream that doesn’t require you to hustle 24/7?
Let me introduce you to the world of creating Etsy printables – it’s like striking a goldmine in the world of earning money online with minimal effort. The best part? You don’t need to be a design wizard! With just a bit of practice, you’ll be crafting gorgeous printables that could turn into your next successful online business.
So, why sit back? Dive into the details below and discover the 5 simple steps to kickstart your printable business today. Trust me, it’s easier than you think!
Table of Contents
What are printables?
Printables are all the rage right now, they’re one of the best selling items on Etsy! Not only that, they’re a fantastic opportunity for anyone looking to make some extra income. These digital downloads, ranging from planner pages and worksheets to art prints, are not just best-sellers; they’re a revolution in online crafts.
What makes printables so special? Well, create them once, and you can sell them endlessly – talk about a smart passive income stream! They’re super popular on Etsy, and for good reason. The demand for these digital gems is on the rise, as people adore their affordability, customizability, and the fact that they actually help make life a little easier and more fun.
Imagine creating a printable that brings joy to a baby shower with delightful games, or crafting a digital planner that helps someone manage their finances better. That’s the beauty of printables – they’re incredibly versatile and can cater to a myriad of niches, from weddings to educational resources.
So, now that you’re clued in on the magic of printables, are you ready to roll up your sleeves and start creating? Let’s jump into how you can make your mark with printables on Etsy!
5 Steps To Create Printables
To start a printables business on Etsy, you need to take a few steps.
These include starting your shop, creating your digital download files, creating your shop listing on Etsy, setting your prices and promoting your shop.
1. Niche & Keyword Research
Ready to create printables that not only look good but also sell like hotcakes? The key is to get into the minds of your customers and see what’s already working on Etsy. It’s all about knowing what people want and which printables are flying off the virtual shelves.
Here’s how you can become a successful Etsy entrepreneur:
- Market Research is Your Best Friend
- Dive deep into the Etsy marketplace. Look at what’s trending, what’s selling, and most importantly, what’s not. This will give you a clear picture of where the opportunities lie.
- Master the Art of Keyword Research
- In the Etsy world, keywords are like gold. They help you understand what shoppers are searching for. Think of it as doing detective work to uncover the most sought-after printables.
- Embrace Etsy SEO
- SEO might sound technical, but it’s really about making your products findable. It’s about using the right words in your product titles and descriptions so that when someone types in “cute planner printable,” your product pops up.
Getting started with research doesn’t have to be daunting. It’s about being curious, exploring the Etsy marketplace, and using tools and insights to guide your product creation. With a little bit of research and a lot of creativity, you’ll be on your way to crafting printables that not only meet the market demand but also bring joy and utility to your customers.
Get Ideas Using Everbee
One way to see what printables are selling is using Everbee (you can see it hard at work in the image above.) This Etsy tool shows what some of the most popular keywords on Etsy are.
Everbee offers both a free and a paid version. The free version is good for generating some ideas and seeing their search volume. The paid version goes much more in depth and offers additional metrics, unlimited searches, the option to connect your Etsy store and more.
Let’s see what Everbee suggests as some top keywords for “printables”. Here’s what it gave us for the top-selling printables:
- Printables
- Printable Wall Art
- Printable Art
- Printable Calendar
- Printables planner
There’s so many more ideas on Everbee. Sign up and so some more research and find the best selling printables on Etsy!
Search on Etsy
Diving into Etsy is like opening a door to endless possibilities. A simple search can reveal the most popular printable products currently making waves. This isn’t just about seeing what’s out there; it’s about gathering valuable insights for your own creative ways to make money online! By filtering your search with trending keywords, you get a clearer picture of what buyers are seeking. Whether it’s general categories like “printables” or more specific niches like “christmas” or “shower games,” this approach helps you fine-tune your ideas to match customer interests.
Pinterest: A Hub of Inspiration for Printables
Meanwhile, over on Pinterest, a world of creative printable ideas awaits. It’s a fantastic place to fuel your imagination and see what might resonate with your target audience. On Pinterest, you can explore an array of concepts, from playful coloring pages for kids to sophisticated digital planners for budgeting, and even festive gift tags for holiday seasons.
This platform isn’t just about discovering what’s trending; it’s about sparking your own creativity. Use it as a tool to inspire your designs and possibly even to market your finished products.
2. Create Your Printables
With a load of niche ideas and keywords in hand, you’re all set to bring your printable concepts to life. And guess what? You don’t need to be a seasoned graphic designer to create stunning digital products. All it takes is a bit of flair and the right tools at your fingertips.
There’s a plethora of tools available to help you craft your digital printables, catering to all skill levels. Software like Canva, ProCreate, and Adobe Illustrator are fantastic for getting started. Canva is particularly user-friendly for beginners, offering a wide array of templates and design elements that can bring your ideas to life with a few clicks.
As you begin, aim to create a diverse range of products – think about crafting 10 to 15 different items to start. This variety not only gives you a fully stocked Etsy store but also caters to a wider audience, increasing your chances of sales. Each product is an opportunity to attract a new customer, so think of each design as an open door to your shop.
Remember, the key here is to start. Your first designs don’t have to be perfect. They are stepping stones on your creative journey. As you grow, your style will evolve, and so will the appeal of your Etsy store.
If you’re not up for creating a design, no worries at all! There are plenty of ways to create amazing printables, even if design isn’t your specialty. You’ve got options galore, from snagging free templates to getting a helping hand from talented designers.
Let’s start with the freebies. Sites like Canva & Pinterest are treasure troves of free templates. These are perfect for getting your feet wet. You can easily tweak these pre-made designs to add your personal touch, aligning them with your unique style. It’s all about making something that resonates with you and, of course, your future customers.
But what if you’re looking for something a bit more custom? That’s where platforms like Upwork & Fiverr come in. Here, you can connect with skilled designers who can whip up a bespoke template without breaking the bank. Prices can be surprisingly affordable, with services starting as low as $5. It’s a small investment that can lead to a big payoff in terms of unique and appealing printables.
Once you have your beautiful design in hand, the next step is to save it in a digital format, ready for your Etsy audience. PDFs are usually the go-to choice here. Why? Because they’re easy to open on any device and print without any loss in quality. It ensures your customers get the best version of your work, no matter where they are.
Now, with your printable all set and looking fabulous, it’s time to think about pricing. This is where you balance valuing your creativity and understanding what your market is willing to pay. But don’t worry, we’ll walk through this together in the next step!
3. Price Your Printables
When it comes to pricing your printables, striking the right balance is key. You want to offer great value while also keeping your prices accessible to your customers. Aiming for the middle ground is often a smart move. It’s like hitting that sweet spot where your customers feel they’re getting a great deal, and you’re getting the value you deserve for your creative work.
A great strategy is to do a bit of market research. Take a look at what others in your niche are charging for similar products. This gives you a real-world perspective on the pricing landscape.
Are your competitors charging high or low? Understanding this range helps you position your own prices in a way that’s competitive yet fair.
Let’s take an example. Imagine you’re selling budget printables on Etsy. A quick search might show you that prices range from under $1 to about $3 per sheet. Armed with this insight, you could consider pricing your printables around $1.50 to $2. This positions your products attractively in the market, offering potential customers a compelling blend of quality and affordability.
4. Set up your Etsy Shop
Now that you’ve got a fantastic collection of printables and a pricing strategy in mind, it’s time to embark on the exciting journey of opening your very own Etsy shop.
Etsy is like a bustling marketplace filled with eager shoppers just waiting to discover your digital creations. It’s the perfect place to showcase your work because it’s user-friendly and offers you access to a vast audience.
The best part? Setting up your Etsy account is a piece of cake, and it won’t cost you a dime. In just a few minutes, you’ll have your shop ready to roll, and you can start sharing your wonderful printables with the world.
Now, you might be wondering about Etsy’s fees. Don’t worry; they’re quite affordable and definitely worth it when you consider the exposure and potential sales your shop can gain compared to selling solely on your own website.
Here are the fees for selling on Etsy:
- Listing fee: $.20 per listing
- Transaction fee: 6.5%
- Payment processing fee: 3%+.25
The best part – no monthly fees and no website fees!
Marketing – Promoting your Etsy Shop
Promoting your Etsy business and getting the word out about your printables is crucial for reaching new customers and boosting sales. There are several effective marketing strategies you can utilize to achieve this, including social media, Etsy ads, email marketing, and content marketing.
For those who are new to the world of selling printables, it’s a smart move to start by concentrating on one or two of these marketing tactics. This way, you can gain insights into what works best for your specific business and target audience.
As you grow and understand your customers better, you can expand your marketing efforts to reach a wider audience and drive even more sales.
How to Set Up Your Etsy Shop
We’ve gone over the basic steps of selling your digital printables on Etsy, now it’s time to get your shop up and running.
1. Opening Up your Etsy Shop
If you don’t already have an account, head over to Etsy and sign up.
Once you’ve logged into your account, click on the “Etsy Sell” button again.
Then, click “Open Your Etsy Shop”. You can choose a standard Etsy account or upgrade to Etsy Plus.
You’ll need your business name, a logo (or picture), a shop banner, description of your shop & what you sell. Then you can fill in the rest as you start to grow like FAQs, about me, etc. Head over to Canva wher eyou an easily create the graphics you need for your shop, or Fiverr if you’d like someone else to create it for you.
2. Create your Listing
Once you’ve created your Etsy shop, you’ll want to start creating listings for your digital products. This helps customers find your digital downloads in the Etsy Marketingplace.
Each listing on Etsy will cost .20 for 4 months or you can select Etsy Plus for $10 per month and it comes with 15 listings along with a few other perks.
3. Add your Product Details and Photos
One of the best ways to stand out on Etsy is to take, or design some amazing photos of your products. Your images will be the first things customers will see when searching the marketplace, you need to make sure it stands out to attract more buyers.
Focus on creating high quality photos that are going to showcase your products in the best light. Adding in videos is already a great way to attract buyers. For digital products, you can print off a copy and show it being used in real life to create an eye-catching video.
A word of caution – ALWAYS watermark your listing photos. Others may look to steal your images and your listening.
Etsy makes it super simple to create your listing photos by providing you with a set of clear guidelines – 2000px for the shortest side of the image.
4. Make your shop SEO friendly
Selling printables or any other items on Etsy can be quite challenging due to the extensive competition. However, there’s a way to make your products stand out, and that’s by optimizing your shop for search engines.
While we’ve discussed using SEO for researching printable ideas, it’s important to note that SEO plays a crucial role in making your listings more discoverable to potential customers. Here are some key tips for optimizing your Etsy printables shop with SEO:
- Organize Your Shop: Start by ensuring that your Etsy printables shop is well-organized and easy for visitors to navigate. A clear and organized shop layout can enhance the user experience and encourage potential customers to explore your products.
- Keyword Integration: Use relevant keywords strategically throughout your product descriptions. These keywords should reflect what your printables are about and what potential buyers might search for. Effective keyword usage helps improve the visibility of your products in Etsy’s search results.
- Promote on Social Media: In addition to optimizing your shop, promote your printable Etsy shop through social media and other marketing channels. Increased visibility and traffic to your shop can positively impact your search engine ranking. The more people visit and engage with your shop, the higher it will appear in search results.
By following these straightforward yet effective tips, you can give your Etsy shop the boost it needs to sell digital downloads, attract new customers, and ultimately thrive in the competitive marketplace.
The Extra Stuff
You can learn even more about selling on Etsy and earn money from your hobby!
Youtube
There’s so many great videos on YouTube the can teach you the basics of creating digital products. These tutorials will help you get your Etsy shop up and running in no time!
Canva
Canva is by far the best tool you can use to create amazing digital products to selling your Etsy shop. It comes loaded with thousands of templates that you can start off with and grab inspiration from. Not only that, but you can create your own Canva templates and sell those as digital downloads as well.
Upgrading to pro unlocks a lot of perks that the free version doesn’t have. Stock photos, branding colors/fonts, resizing, Magic AI, cloud storage and so much more. Highly recommend a pro account if you’ll be selling printables or any digital downloads on Etsy.
Etsy Printables FAQs
Q: Why sell printables on Etsy?
A: It’s a great place to get started and get your designs seen by thousands of shoppers. It’s a fun way to make some passive income and Etsy does the marketing piece for you if you don’t want to. It’s also perfect for stay-at-home moms who want to make some extra income.
Q: What kind of files can I sell as printables on Etsy?
A: PDFs, PNG, SVG, JPEG, Powerpoints, Excels, and Docs are the most popular.
Q: Do I have to know SEO to sell on Etsy?
A: No, you don’t need to know SEO but it can help drive more customers to your store. Learning keywords and experimenting with different ones can help give you the sales results you’re looking for. Once you find the right keywords, that attract the right buyers, you can optimize your listing so more people can find you.
Q: Can I sell my printables on other platforms?
A: Absolutely – You can start your own website and sell on there. This can be a bit more work since you’ll have to do the marketing, but you also get to keep 100% of the profit you make. Creative Market is another option as well, but it’s similar to Etsy.
Q: What are your best tips for selling printables?
- Diversify Your Product Range: Give your customers a variety of options by offering different types of printables in your shop. Whether it’s planners, artwork, worksheets, or games, catering to diverse preferences can attract a wider audience.
- Prioritize Customer Service: Building a strong reputation starts with excellent customer service. Be prompt and polite in responding to inquiries and addressing concerns from potential buyers. Positive interactions can lead to loyal customers.
- Embrace Promotion: To get your printables noticed, you’ll need to promote your shop actively. Utilize various marketing channels such as social media, Etsy ads, blogging, and more to spread the word about your printables business. Effective promotion can drive traffic and sales to your shop.
Final Thoughts
Starting a printables business is a fantastic way to earn passive income. With just a bit of effort, you can quickly set up your side hustle business and start making money.
But it’s not just about the money – it’s also a chance to let your creativity shine and connect with people who share your interests.
Etsy is the perfect place to launch your printable shop. It offers a global audience and an affordable way to showcase your products to the world.
Creating your own Etsy printables business is not just financially rewarding; it’s also about helping people stay organized and adding a touch of beauty to their lives.
So, don’t hesitate – get creative with your printables and start selling on Etsy today! Your unique creations can find a welcoming audience on this platform.
