How to Sell Printables on Etsy: A Step-by-Step Guide for 2025

Note:In addition to selling printables, you can expand your offerings to physical products like t-shirts, mugs, stickers, and more by leveraging print-on-demand services. Tapstitch provides free design tools, seamless integrations, and all the resources you need to run a successful eCommerce business. This allows you to diversify your shop, reach a broader audience, and boost your revenue potential by offering both digital downloads and physical products.

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Key Takeaways

• Passive Income: Selling printables on Etsy is an excellent way to generate passive income. Once your digital products are listed, they require little to no ongoing management, allowing you to earn income on autopilot.
• Demand and Variety: Digital downloads are always in demand, with a broad range of popular printables including planners, logos, wedding items, and educational materials. The variety ensures there's something for everyone.
• Initial Investment and Skills: Creating printables can range from simple designs using templates to more complex, custom-made creations that may require graphic design skills. The investment is relatively low, making it accessible for beginners and seasoned designers alike.
• Revenue and Fees: Printables can be highly profitable, but sellers must keep in mind Etsy’s fees—such as listing fees, transaction fees, and payment processing fees—which can impact overall profit margins.
• Marketing: To succeed in selling printables, effective marketing is crucial. This includes SEO optimization, leveraging social media for promotion, and utilizing Etsy’s advertising tools to boost visibility and sales.

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What are printables?

Printables are digital items that customers can download and print themselves. These products can include a wide range of items, such as artwork, wall decor, templates, sewing patterns, and graphic designs, each catering to various needs and interests.

One of the main attractions of printables is their convenience. They allow customers to complete DIY projects or add personal touches to their spaces with ease. Etsy is a popular platform for these digital goods, where buyers seek unique, customizable items for everything from home organization to creative crafts.

The best part? You don't need advanced design skills to get started. Many printables can be made with free online tools and pre-made assets, making it a simple and low-cost business option for both beginners and seasoned creators. Whether you're crafting easy-to-design planners or intricate artwork, there's plenty of room to create and sell.

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Can you make money selling printables on Etsy?

Yes! Many Etsy sellers have successfully built a source of passive income by offering printables. Once you've created your digital products, Etsy takes care of everything else—from hosting your listings to processing payments.

Selling digital printables is straightforward and offers several advantages. Since there's no need to manage inventory or deal with shipping, it’s an ideal niche for sellers who want to avoid the complexities of physical products. Printables are a hassle-free way to make money, allowing you to focus on creating new products.

While you save on shipping costs and inventory management, you should still keep Etsy's fees in mind when pricing your printables to ensure profitability. Here's a breakdown of Etsy’s fees:

• Listing Fee: $0.20 per item listed on your store.
• Transaction Fee: 6.5% of the sale price.
• Payment Processing Fee: 3% + $0.25 (for U.S.-based transactions).

How to start selling printables on Etsy in 3 easy steps

Let’s go over all the steps required to make money selling printables on Etsy.

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1.Start with creating printables

When you're starting to sell printables on Etsy, you can either create designs from scratch or use pre-made assets, depending on your design skills and time. If needed, you can also hire a professional to assist with certain aspects of your printable products.

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Pre-made Options:

There are several platforms that offer pre-made graphic elements that you can use to create your own printables. These platforms often offer stock images and templates with varying licensing agreements, so it’s important to pay attention to subscription costs and usage terms.

Commercial Use Licenses:

To legally sell printables on Etsy that include pre-made images, you’ll need to ensure you have a commercial license. Many platforms offer such licenses, but it’s important to be aware of any additional restrictions, such as mandatory alterations or the inability to sell the images on their own.

Here are some of the most popular platforms for obtaining pre-made graphic elements:

• Canva

A user-friendly graphic design tool widely popular for creating printables. Canva provides both free and paid options, with a broad selection of templates and graphic elements. The Pro plan offers more advanced features and assets, while you can also buy individual licenses for certain elements.

‍Price: Pro plan starts at $12/month. Individual elements can be purchased for as low as $1. Note: Graphic elements can’t be sold as-is; they must be altered.

• Unsplash

‍Known for its collection of high-quality, royalty-free photos, Unsplash allows commercial use without attribution. However, the images can’t be sold as they are and need to be modified.

‍Price: Free with optional subscription. Unsplash Plus membership costs $16/month or $84/year for additional content and benefits.

• Pexels

‍Similar to Unsplash, Pexels offers free high-quality stock images that can be used for commercial purposes, provided they are altered before being sold.

‍Price: Free.

• Envato Elements

‍Offers a vast library of fonts, photos, graphics, 3D images, and templates, all with a commercial license included in the paid subscription.

‍Price: Plans start at $14.50/month, which includes unlimited downloads. Free account users can access up to 12 downloads per month.

• Shutterstock

‍A widely used platform for stock images. Shutterstock provides high-quality images but can be expensive. It integrates with platforms like Tapstitch and other eCommerce services.

‍Price: $29/month for a basic plan. They offer a free trial with limited downloads, and plans provide varying download limits.

• Creative Market

‍Offers graphic assets, fonts, photos, and templates, with a limited number of free resources each month. Membership plans offer discounts and credits to access premium assets.‍

Price: Starting at $9.95/month for access to design assets worth up to $1,000/month.

• Freepik   

Provides thousands of free and premium images, vectors, and illustrations. The free plan allows limited access, while the premium plan offers unlimited downloads with full commercial licenses.

Price: Free access allows up to 10 downloads per day. Premium access starts at $24/month.‍

• Adobe Stock

A premium stock image and asset provider with a range of photos, vectors, and templates. If you're already a subscriber to Adobe’s Creative Cloud, this could be a valuable addition to your toolkit.

Price: Starts at $29.99/month, with access to up to 10 assets per month. Additional credits can be purchased as needed.

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Printables from scratch:

Creating printables from scratch allows for more creative freedom and the ability to offer unique, one-of-a-kind products. Depending on your skills and resources, you can use a variety of paid and free tools to create high-quality designs.

Paid Tools:

• Adobe Creative Cloud

‍Adobe products, including Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign, have been the industry standard in graphic design for decades. The Creative Cloud subscription gives you access to all of Adobe’s powerful software tools. If you plan to create intricate and professional printables, Adobe’s suite offers unparalleled capabilities.

Price: $59.99 per month for all Adobe software. Subscribe to Photoshop and Lightroom only for $19.99 per month. For $9.99 a month, you can use any app on Creative Cloud.

Adobe's subscription model is ideal for professionals, but it may be costly if you're just starting out or selling printables as a side hustle.

Free Alternatives:

If you’re looking to save money without sacrificing quality, there are excellent free tools that offer powerful design features:

• GIMP

‍GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) is a free, open-source alternative to Adobe Photoshop, providing professional-grade editing capabilities. It’s compatible with all operating systems, making it accessible to everyone, but it does have a steeper learning curve.

Price: Free.

• Photopea

‍Photopea is a free, browser-based design tool that can handle vector images, raster graphics, and Adobe files. It’s a great free alternative to Photoshop, offering almost all of the same features. While it displays ads in the free version, you can remove them with a $5 payment.

Price: Free (with optional $5 for ad removal).

• Affinity

‍Affinity is a suite of professional graphic design software that works on Mac, Windows, and iPad. Affinity offers:

• Affinity Designer: A versatile tool for vector and raster graphics, perfect for creating illustrations, logos, and print-ready designs.
• Affinity Photo: Powerful editing and retouching tools for high-quality photo manipulation.
• Affinity Publisher: Ideal for creating complex layouts like books, brochures, and magazines.

Price: One-time payment of $69.99 per app for desktop. All three apps (Designer, Photo, Publisher) can be purchased as a bundle for $164.99 across all platforms.

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Hire an expert:

If you prefer to outsource the design work, you can hire a professional to create your printables. Here are a few platforms to find the right expert:

• Fiverr-A wide range of designers for logos, illustrations, and more. Great for budget-friendly options.Price: Starting from $5.
• Upwork -Post a job and hire creative talent for ongoing or one-off design work.Price: Varies based on the project.
• PeoplePerHour-Offers graphic design, illustration, and logo creation with flexible pricing.Price: Varies.

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2.Open an Etsy store (or use an existing one)

After creating your printables, it’s time to upload them to Etsy. You can either start a new shop or use an existing one. Here’s how to get started:

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Set up an Etsy store

1.Sign Up ：Fill in your email and password to create an Etsy account. If you already have an account, simply log in.

2.Navigate to Sell on Etsy ：Go to the upper-right menu labeled “Your account” and click Sell on Etsy.

3.Open Your Shop ：On the opening page, scroll to the bottom and click Open Your Etsy Shop.

4.Fill in Required Information：

• Language, Country, and Currency: Choose your shop’s language, country, and the currency you want to use.
• Shop Name: Pick a unique name for your shop.
• Seller Type: Indicate whether you are a full-time or part-time seller.

5.Create Your First Listing ：You must list at least one item to open your shop. If your printables are ready, go ahead and upload them. Otherwise, you can create a test listing with a placeholder image and description to complete the setup, and delete it later.

6.Set Up Payment and Billing :Add your payment details, such as a bank account or card. Etsy will verify and charge a small amount for verification, and the funds will be refunded after confirmation. This process may take a few days, and you may need to contact Etsy support for assistance.

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Create an Etsy store

1.Prepare High-Quality Mockups :Since you’re selling digital printables, you won’t have physical product images. You’ll need to create mockups using your digital designs. Etsy allows you to upload up to ten photos per listing, so make the most of this opportunity.

• Watermark: To prevent unauthorized copying, add watermarks or lower the resolution of the preview images. This ensures customers can see the design’s details without it being easy to steal.
• Lifestyle Mockups: Create more engaging listings by displaying your printables in real-life contexts (e.g., planners on a desk, wall art in a living room). Lifestyle mockups make your products feel more relatable and help customers envision how they might use them.

2.Add Explanatory Videos (Optional but Beneficial) :Consider creating short videos to demonstrate how your printables can be used. For example, show how a planner can be printed and organized, or explain how to frame your artwork. While not required, these videos can enhance your listings and improve visibility on Etsy, as they tend to boost rankings and engagement.

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Create and fill in listings

1.Select Digital Product TypeWhen adding your printables to Etsy, choose "Digital" as the product type. Etsy allows you to upload up to five files of 20MB each for digital downloads.

2.Title and Description

• Title: Make it clear and use keywords your customers are likely to search for (e.g., "Printable Weekly Planner – Instant Download").
• Description: Write an engaging description that includes key details and benefits. Use relevant keywords to improve discoverability.

3.Use Tags and Attributes

• Etsy allows up to 13 tags. Choose descriptive tags that highlight your product’s features (e.g., “digital art,” “printable planner,” “wall decor,” etc.).
• Ensure you also fill in any relevant attributes to help Etsy’s search algorithm.

4.Upload High-Quality Images

• Use mockups to showcase your printables. Upload high-quality images that demonstrate how the product will look once printed.
• Protect your work with watermarks or lower resolution for the preview images.

5.Maintain Consistency Across Listings

• Keep your store’s voice consistent. Ensure each listing reflects your brand and clearly communicates your value proposition to the customers.

6.Enable Auto-Renewal

• Turn on automatic renewal for your listings so they don’t go out of stock after the first sale. This will keep your printables available for future customers.

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Choose pricing carefully

1.Pricing Range

• Most printables typically sell between $5-$10, but certain products (e.g., knitting patterns, woodworking plans, homeschooling planners) can command higher prices due to the skill involved in creating them.

2.Consider Your Target Audience

• Are your customers looking for quality or low-cost options? Higher prices may increase the perceived value of your printables, especially for premium products.

3.Research Competitors

• Check out competitors to determine the price range for similar products. Pay attention to which printables are selling well and what prices they are listed at.

4.Use Tools for Research

• Utilize Etsy-integrated tools like eRank to track your competition and gain insights into the market.

5.Factor in Costs

• Consider both fixed (e.g., software subscriptions, design tools) and variable (e.g., transaction fees) costs. Ensure that your pricing covers these expenses while leaving room for profit.

6.Set Profit Margin

• Once you’ve accounted for your costs, calculate your profit margin. This ensures you’re earning enough to sustain your business.

Quick tip: Remember, thoughtful pricing can make your printables seem more valuable while keeping your business profitable.

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Publish your items

To publish your listing, scroll down and click Publish. Before finalizing, you can preview how the listing will look to ensure everything is in place. If you’re not ready to go live yet, click Save as Draft and come back later to make any necessary edits. Once you’re happy with the listing, click Publish to make it available to buyers.

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3.Market your store

To make your Etsy business stand out, follow this checklist:

• Define Your Target Audience: Understand who your ideal customers are and tailor your products to meet their needs.
• Refine SEO: Conduct keyword research to optimize your product descriptions, titles, tags, and images for better visibility.
• Optimize Images: Ensure your images are properly sized and meet Etsy’s guidelines, including banner sizes.
• Leverage Social Media: Promote your shop, especially on Pinterest, to drive traffic and engagement.
• Use Email Marketing: Build an email list to connect with potential customers and update them on new products and offers.
• Offer Promotions: Consider offering free printables or a course to attract new customers and generate interest.
• Invest in Etsy Ads: Once you’ve built some organic traffic, set up Etsy Ads to reach a larger audience. For a detailed strategy, check out our Etsy marketing guide.

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Best-selling printables on Etsy

Etsy’s best-selling printables include a variety of items such as organizational planners, business graphics, event printables, children’s coloring pages and educational games, cards, calendars, and DIY patterns.

Planners, fillable to-do lists, and chore chart checklists

Planners, fillable to-do lists, and chore chart checklists are some of the most popular digital products on Etsy. These items appeal to people looking for ways to organize their day-to-day routines. Variations like to-do lists and chore chart checklists add extra value, helping customers stay on top of their responsibilities and goals.

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Logos and business cards

Logos and business cards are highly sought-after printables on Etsy, especially for entrepreneurs and side hustlers. Custom logos offer a professional touch for individuals looking to establish their brand identity, while business card templates cater to those just starting their businesses.

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Wedding printables

Wedding printables are a popular and evergreen niche on Etsy. You can offer a wide range of products, including wedding invitations, guestbooks, seating charts, menus, and even fun items like bachelorette party games.

These printables cater to couples looking to add a personal touch to their big day without the high costs of custom designs.

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Event printables

Event printables cover a wide range of needs for various occasions, from birthdays to corporate events. Popular items include event planners, to-do lists, timeline templates, invitations, custom stickers, flyers, programs, and venue selection guides.

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Baby and children printables

• Baby-related Printables: This is a broad and lucrative niche. Products like baby shower games, invitations, checklists, birth plans, and pregnancy journals are always in demand. Focus on creating cute, memorable, and useful printables that help expectant parents stay organized.
• Children’s Learning Materials: As babies grow, the need for educational printables increases. Flashcards, worksheets with letters, numbers, and shapes are essential for parents looking to enhance their children’s learning experiences.
• Homeschooling Materials: With homeschooling becoming more popular globally, there’s a growing demand for quality worksheets and educational resources. Take time to research curriculum guidelines, collaborate with teachers, and create printables that are both educational and valuable to homeschooling families.

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Printable cards

Birthday cards, invitations, thank-you notes, and greeting cards are in constant demand, especially during holidays and special occasions.

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Calendars

Calendars are essential tools for staying organized and keeping track of important dates, from personal appointments to family events. Printable calendars are a popular choice because they offer flexibility and customization, allowing customers to choose designs that fit their style.

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Photography

Selling digital photos can be a profitable option if you have photography skills or can create art prints for Etsy. To ensure your work stands out and complies with Etsy's rules, focus on creating unique, high-quality images that offer artistic value, such as landscape photography, portrait photography, or themed photo prints.

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Coloring pages – for kids or adults

Coloring pages are timeless and in-demand products, appealing to both children and adults. For kids, you can create fun and educational pages featuring animals, letters, numbers, or cartoons.

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Crossword puzzles

Crossword puzzles are a timeless favorite, and with trends like Wordle rising in popularity, they continue to capture people's attention.

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Hand embroidery, crochet, and knitting patterns

Patterns for hand embroidery, crochet, and knitting are consistently popular on Etsy. These types of printables cater to a wide range of crafting enthusiasts, from beginners to experts. If you can create detailed and easy-to-follow patterns, you can tap into a thriving market.

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Honorable mentions

Other great printable ideas for your Etsy store include jar labels, gift tags, candy bar wrappers, and seasonal printables for holidays. Woodworking plans and religious worksheets also have niche appeal. These options let you diversify and target specific audiences, expanding your product range.

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FAQ

1.Can I really make money on Etsy by selling printables?

Yes, you can! Many sellers have successfully built a source of passive income by offering printables on Etsy. Once you create and list your products, Etsy takes care of everything else. It's a great way to sell digital items without worrying about shipping or inventory!

2.How do I get started selling printables on Etsy?

To start selling printables on Etsy, first create digital products, whether from scratch or using templates. Next, open an Etsy store and list your products. Lastly, promote your store through social media and SEO strategies to attract buyers!

3.How much does it cost to sell printables on Etsy?

Selling printables on Etsy involves a few costs. You pay $0.20 to list each item, plus a 6.5% transaction fee and a payment processing fee. It's important to factor these costs into your pricing strategy to ensure you make a profit!

4.What should I consider when pricing my printables?

When pricing printables, consider your target audience and how much they value quality. Research similar products on Etsy to determine a competitive price, and make sure to cover your costs in order to maintain profitability.

5.How can I effectively market my printable store?

To market your printable store, identify your target audience and conduct keyword research to enhance your product listings. Use social media platforms like Pinterest for promotion, offer free printables to attract customers, and consider using Etsy Ads to increase visibility.

To summarize

We've gone over the key steps to selling printables on Etsy: understanding what printables are, how to create them, popular design ideas that sell well, and how to list and start selling your digital products online.

Now, it's your turn to join the growing community of Etsy sellers and start earning passive income with your printable design portfolio.

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