Beginner’s Guide: How to Sell Print on Demand on Etsy

Learn how to sell print on demand on Etsy in 6 steps.

Opening an Etsy print-on-demand business is like running your dream shop, where you get to focus on creating products while avoiding many of the usual business headaches, like inventory management, shipping, and delivery.

I chose to sell print-on-demand on Etsy for my second shop because of its convenience. The idea of not managing inventory is pure gold, and it also lets me fulfill my dream of bringing my art designs to life. Since you have landed here, I am guessing you are just as excited about starting your own Etsy print-on-demand business.

In this post, I will share a step-by-step guide to help you get prepped and ready to sell print-on-demand on Etsy. I will be focusing on the preparation stage, rather than the technical setup.

Step 1: Find Your Dream Customers

Before we get into products and partners, ask yourself: who are you selling to?

Do you picture parents looking for personalised gifts? Pet owners who loves cute custom pet portraits? Teachers in search of fun classroom decor?

When you know your target audience, everything else falls into place. Spend some time exploring Etsy to see what your ideal customers are already buying. What gets their attention? What do they leave glowing reviews about?

Pro Tip: Browse Etsy and social media hashtags related to your niche. Make note of trends, popular designs, and the language buyers use in their reviews.

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Step 2: Choose Where You Are Comfortable Playing

Let’s get real—what are your strengths, and what kind of products do you feel good about selling?

Start by asking yourself:

• Do you have design skills or love experimenting with tools like Canva?
• Are you willing to learn something new, like creating unique mockups for niche products?
• What types of items align with your comfort zone? For example:
  • Are you happy to avoid fragile items (like ceramics or glass) to minimise the risk of damages and customer complaints?
  • Do you prefer staying clear of items in sensitive categories like baby products or home items that might need stricter safety standards?

Choosing products you are comfortable with not only reduces stress but also helps you run a smoother business. Fragile items can lead to refunds and unhappy buyers if they arrive broken, and certain niches may involve compliance with rules that could complicate things.

Why It Matters: Selling items that fit your skills and comfort zone allows you to focus on creating a great experience for your customers while building confidence in your shop’s operations.

Step 3: Pick Your Print-on-Demand Partner

The right Etsy print-on-demand partner can make or break your shop’s success. Here are some popular print-on-demand companies to consider:

• Printify: Wide product catalogue and competitive pricing.
• Printful: High-quality products with lots of branding options.
• Printed Mint: Amazing for aesthetic packaging and customisation.
• Gooten: Flexible options for international shipping.

When choosing a partner, consider these factors:

1. Product Catalogue: Does the partner offer the type of products you want to sell?
2. Shipping Locations: Check where they ship. Can they reliably deliver to your target audience?
3. Branding Options: Do they offer custom inserts, labels, or packaging to make your brand shine?
4. Shipping Price: Based on where most of your target audience is, calculate the shipping costs. This is especially important for maintaining competitive pricing and profitability.

Pro Tip: You can always order samples to check the quality, but I didn’t. Since I am based in Singapore and most of my target audience is in the US, the shipping costs for samples are quite high. Instead, I follow this rule of thumb: go with suppliers that have high ratings and great reviews. It has worked like a charm for me so far!

Step 4: Brainstorm Product Ideas

Now comes the fun part—dreaming up the products you will sell! When brainstorming, think about a mix of short-term and long-term strategies for your shop.

• Short-Term Ideas: These are for your initial launch and should include:
  • Loss Leaders: Affordable products to attract customers (think under $10 or $15).
  • Repeat Purchase Items: Things people might buy again, like stationery, mugs, or tote bags.
  • Higher Price Point Items: Larger-margin products that boost your profit, like custom wall art or premium gift sets.
• Long-Term Ideas: Envision your entire product catalogue. Over time, you will want a well-rounded mix of products to cater to different customer needs and price ranges.

When brainstorming, consider these questions:

• What items already sell well on Etsy for your target audience?
• What products do your customers buy repeatedly or gift to others?
• What can you charge enough for while still producing quickly to maintain a decent hourly rate?

Why This Matters: A balanced product mix not only attracts a wide range of customers but also builds the foundation for a sustainable and profitable shop. Short-term ideas help you hit the ground running, while long-term planning ensures your shop grows in the right direction.

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Step 5: Decide on Pricing for Your Launch

Pricing your products is about striking the right balance—you want to cover your costs, make a profit, and still appeal to your customers. To do this, you will need to calculate a few key things:

1. Production Costs: Know how much it costs to produce each item, including the base price from your production partner and shipping fees.
2. Etsy Fees: Account for listing fees, transaction fees, and payment processing fees. These small percentages can add up quickly!
3. Profit Margin: Decide how much you want to make per sale. Factor in your time and effort to ensure it is worth your while.

But —it is not just about covering costs. Your price needs to be competitive in the marketplace. Here’s where market trends and buyer psychology come into play:

• Market Trends: Look at what similar products are selling for on Etsy. This helps you set a price range that feels reasonable to your customers.
• Buyer Psychology: Think about how your audience makes purchasing decisions. For instance, a lower price point can encourage impulse buys, while higher-priced items might require more thought and justification.

Why This Matters: Pricing your products isn’t just about avoiding a deficit; it is about creating a business that is both sustainable and attractive to buyers. When you combine accurate cost calculations with competitive pricing and an understanding of how buyers think, you’ll set your shop up for profitability and growth.

Step 6: Plan Your To-Do List for Launch

Now that you have laid the groundwork, it is time to get organised. Your Etsy print-on-demand business needs a polished look and a smooth setup before you open those virtual doors.

Here’s an example of a handy to-do list to guide you:

• Create a shop banner and logo.
• Write a catchy shop announcement and an engaging About section.
• Set up shop policies to build trust.
• Finalise your production partner and link them to Etsy.
• Prepare 10 launch-ready products (including great photos and descriptions).
• Claim your social media accounts (Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest, etc.).
• Design branded inserts for packaging.

My Personal Journey: Timeline

Here’s a peek into my timeline to give you a sense of how things progressed for me. Keep in mind, this is just for reference—you will need to pace yourself based on your unique situation.

• 8th October 2024: Opened my shop
• 11th October 2024: Officially launched with 26 products
• 20th October 2024: Expanded to 67 products
• 11th November 2024: Received my first order
• 25th November 2024: Reached 78 products

It took about a month to get my first order. My focus is on nailing SEO and using Pinterest for long-term growth. If you are after faster results, try promoting your products on Instagram, TikTok, or even Facebook groups.

I was working full-time on setting up my Etsy print-on-demand business, which allowed me to move at this pace. If you are juggling this with other commitments, your timeline may look different—and that’s perfectly okay!

Your launch speed will also depend on the type of products you are starting with. Some items, like mugs or T-shirts, are relatively quick to design, while others, like intricate wall art or personalised items, may take more time and effort.

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Starting an Etsy print-on-demand business might feel overwhelming at first, but once you find a pace that works for you, you will be up and running in no time. Remember: the effort you put into planning will set you up for success in the long run.

This post guides you on how to sell print on demand on Etsy.

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• How to Do Keyword Research for Etsy Without Any Paid Tools
• What Etsy Sellers Should Know about Etsy Fees (for digital products only)
• 11 Fast & Easy Steps to upload digital files to Etsy