What is Etsy print on demand?
Etsy Print on Demand is a popular business model that allows sellers to create and sell custom-made products without holding inventory. This means sellers can offer customers a wide range of unique and personalized products.
In this all-inclusive guide, we will explore everything you need to know about selling print on demand products on Etsy – one of the top marketplaces, such as:
- What to prepare to sell Etsy print on demand?
- How to start a print-on-demand business on Etsy?
- Why Should Sellers Choose Etsy Print on Demand?
- Top Etsy print on demand products
- 4 Suppliers to start selling print on demand products with Etsy
- Etsy Print on Demand: Do and Don’t Tips
Without any further ados, let’s get started!
Start Selling Print On Demand on Etsy and More! Reach more customers and grow your POD business by listing your product on Etsy and other marketplaces. LitCommerce simplifies your multichannel selling journey! |
What to Prepare Before Selling Print on Demand on Etsy?
Selling print on demand products on Etsy involves multiple stages. By understanding the flow, sellers might have better preparation to grow a print on demand Etsy business. Let’s move to the get-ready stage. Below are some bullet points that can help you to have a solid start:
- Find an Etsy print on demand niche;
- Partner with printing manufacturers;
- Embrace scaling opportunities.
1. Find an Etsy print on demand niche
The inevitable issue when selling on popular marketplaces like Etsy is to stand out in a saturated market of 5.90 million sellers. Thus, you can reduce the competition by becoming a dominant supplier for a specific and undersupplied demand.
The underlying technique is finding a small niche where there are no quality sellers, and then providing those products. You can try various search terms for Etsy print on demand products (i.e anime coasters) and inspect existing products for further niche inspiration. Below are some niches that can be potential for your Etsy print on demand store:
- Animals and Pets
- Activism and Social Causes
- Families and Couples
- Humor and Internet Memes
- Jobs and Hobbies
- Events and Special Occasions
- Outer Space
- Health & Fitness
2. Partner with trusted Etsy printing manufacturers
Once you determine your niche products, it’s essential that you have a trusted Etsy printing manufacturer in mind. You should do thorough research and refer to existing reviews for an informed decision about who to partner with.
A decent print-on-demand Etsy manufacturer should not only have a wide range of products, but they should also offer various custom options. Moreover, trusted printing partners also help you avoid customers receiving faulty or damaged products.
3. Embrace scaling opportunities
Etsy print on demand model holds great potential for business growth since Etsy receives a significant amount of global traffic at 470.5M visits in May 2023. The majority of fulfillment service providers also place their warehouses across different regions. For such reasons, you always have to think globally when it comes to the product development process. You should consider how you can leverage culture and trends to attract international audiences.
Regarding embracing scaling opportunities, going multi-channels is also a brilliant strategy. Print on demand Etsy integration with many best selling platforms may unlock more chances to reach a broader base of international audiences and scale your business. It’s also worth noticing that a multichannel selling tool will make this process easier and less time-consuming.
LitCommerce is a multichannel selling tool that simplifies the entire multi-channel selling process with an all-in-one management dashboard. Our tool offers a management solution for inventory, order updates, and stock syncing so businesses can constantly and effortlessly sell on multi-channels.
How to Sell Print on Demand on Etsy?
Etsy is a lucrative marketplace for selling art-related products. Mentioning Etsy print on demand, it’s a brilliant idea for sellers who want to run a business with Etsy without inventory or making products themselves. To have a clear path to success, here are some steps to start a print-on-demand business on Etsy:
- Step 1: Create an Etsy account;
- Step 2: Name your Etsy store;
- Step 3: List your products to sell print on demand with Etsy;
- Step 4: Connect Etsy print on demand partners;
- Step 5: Finish your store settings.
Step 1: Open your Etsy account
In the process of how to sell shirt on Etsy, the first thing you need is an Etsy account. You can either sign up on Etsy via the single sign-on (SSO) feature using your Google, Facebook, or Apple account or create an independent account.
However, having an Etsy account doesn’t make you an Etsy seller. You can start creating an Etsy shop by clicking the Sell on Etsy button on your Etsy homepage.
You can learn more about how to start selling on Etsy by checking our comprehensive guide.
The platform then will take you to a dashboard where you set up several basic shop preferences.
- Shop language. This is where you choose the default language for your item description. Be cautious for this part as you can not switch to other language options once save this setting.
- Shop country. This field refers to the country where your store is based. This setting determines your shop eligibility for using Etsy Payment services. In case you can find your country on the list, you can look for a detailed explanation on the Etsy FAQs page.
- Shop currency. This refers to the currency you use for pricing your items. If your bank currency differs from your shop currency, Etsy will charge a 2.5 % conversion fee for the sale amount.
Upon signing up, Etsy offers two subscription plans for sellers: Etsy Standard and Etsy Plus. The Etsy Standard plan is free, while the Plus plan costs you $10 monthly. The key differences between these two plans are discounts on certain features and advanced options for store customization.
Etsy does not prioritize the subscription plan in terms of how product listings appear on its search result page. Therefore, you can choose any of these two depending on your available budget and personalized demands.
Take a look at Etsy selling fees to pick a tier that fits your Etsy print on demand business.
Step 2: Name your Etsy shop
Moving to the next steps of selling personalized print on demand on Etsy, you’ll need a name for your shop. The name should be easy for customers to read and remember. It should also reflect your brand identity and the items for selling print on demand Etsy.
Nevertheless, your shop name can be anything you prefer as long as it doesn’t infringe on Etsy’s guidelines. In general, your storefront name should:
- Be from 4 to 20 characters;
- Include no space and special characters (i.e exclamation mark, exclamation point, etc.);
- Exclude profanities and names already in use by other Etsy sellers;
- Violate no trademark infringements.
Once you enter your shop name, Etsy will automatically check the availability of the name. In case it’s already used by other Etsy sellers, the marketplace will provide you with a name suggestion.
Ideally, you should take your time on this process as Etsy only allows you to change your shop name once. Check out how to change your Etsy shop name to learn more.
Step 3: List your products on Etsy
This is the crucial step to succeed in selling print on demand with Etsy. The secret lies in creating and optimizing product listings for buyers’ product searches. Etsy allows sellers to list physical and digital goods but the listing process is slightly different for each type.
Generally, you must go through the following procedure
- Add photos & video. You should use at least 5 (maximum 10) photos from various angles for each item. Image sizes should be at least 1,000 pixels square. You can also refer to Etsy’s guidelines and best practices for item images.
- Choose your thumbnail image. The first image you upload in the previous step is your product thumbnail by default. You can change it by dragging another photo to the first slot. The thumbnail photo will represent the product on product search results.
- Add listing details. This is where you include product information such as title, about this listing, and categories. You can browse for further details in Etsy Help Center articles.
- Describe your listings. This includes detailed descriptions and product tags for your listings. It is also where you determine whether your products are physical or digital.
This step is really crucial that will determine how your shop is ranked or visible to millions of Etsy customers. Hence, learning about Etsy SEO is necessary when it comes to listings descriptions and titles.
Step 4: Connect Etsy print on demand partners
Once finish listing details for your personalized print on demand store, you proceed to connect Etsy print on demand partners. Under the same listing page, you will find the Production Partners part to add your Etsy print fulfillment.
You will have to provide information in several fields to enable print-on-demand integration with Etsy including
- Production partner. This is where you type in your Production Partner’s name. In case you want to keep it a secret from your buyers, click the toggle and choose to add a Descriptive title.
- Location. The location where the service provider is based.
- About production partner. A short description of the manufacturer…
- About your partnership. This is where you have to answer a few questions about the partnership.
- Why are you working with this partner?
- What is your role in the design process?
- What is the partner’s role in the production process?
When you complete, click Save Partner.
Step 5: Finish your Etsy print on demand store settings
The last step in selling shirt on Etsy is to finish the following settings for your Etsy seller account.
- Etsy payments. You need to select your business type (either individual or business) for tax purposes before giving out your bank details.
- Subscription billing options. For sellers residing outside the US, Etsy will require a credit card for identity validation and authorization purposes. You will also need a card for Etsy fee billing. This is automatically charged on credit cards for US citizens.
- Shop customizations. This is where you design features for the front end of your store such as the About section, Banner, Featured products, etc.
Why Should Sellers Choose Etsy Print on Demand?
If you are an artist and want to make money from your works, selling print on demand with Etsy is a great option. Here are some reasons that you should choose this business model if you still hesitate:
- Better product margins;
- High buying mood for customers;
- Low entry cost;
- High traffic channel.
1. Better product margins
The first advantage of Etsy selling prints is the higher perceived value of goods sold on the platform. This is due to the “independent designer” atmosphere entitled to most of the shops running Etsy as part of the marketplace’s branding identity. Therefore, sellers can enjoy better product margins for the same item that can be sold elsewhere.
Additionally, print on demand Etsy sellers can earn great profits with another similar business model with high margins, which does not require inventory or making products to sell. Check out the Etsy dropshipping guide to learn how to boost sales.
2. A perfect buying mood for customers
Marketing itself as the marketplace for selling crafts and DIY items, Etsy helps set the buying mood for print on demand products. People come to Etsy with the purpose of finding unique and personalized products. This just fits perfectly with what Etsy print on demand has to offer.
3. Minimal cost for business owners
It costs sellers almost nothing to launch an Etsy store. Together with the Etsy print on demand model, you can get rid of financial worries as an entrepreneur. For beginners building a business and sellers testifying other business models, there is no more economical option than Etsy print on demand.
4. Optimal traffic
Considering Etsy’s huge amount of traffic, having a print on demand Etsy business is a decent starting point. In the long run, you still need to place your effort in marketing activities to stand out yet Etsy is still a low-cost path to approach a large customer base.
It is a great selling platform, especially when you’re a beginner expecting to get your feet wet in the online retail market.
If you are still in doubt about selling Etsy print on demand, let’s take a further look at the pros and cons of the marketplace.
Top 5 Etsy Print on Demand Products
Although Etsy is an ideal marketplace to sell art-related or print on demand products, finding out what sells best is also crucial. By understanding the top items, sellers can have more chances to approach customers and make sales faster. Here are some items that Etsy print on demand sellers should not miss:
- Home decor;
- T-shirts;
- Printables;
- Stationery;
- Cards.
1. Home decor
Home comfort like personalized mugs and pillows is always in great demand on Etsy for both gifting and personal use. You can leverage your products in this category by offering a premium line of better quality than that of existing brands.
In fact, customers are mainly looking for customized mugs or home decor for presents. As a result, sellers should take advantage of it to grow their print on demand Etsy business.
2. Clothes (T-shirt, jacket, etc)
Clothes especially essential pieces like T-shirts, jackets, etc. are many buyers’ cups of tea when it comes to Etsy print on demand products.
With such items, your store can address the customized need of the mass. It’s not an item made for specific body figures or goes after certain fashion styles. Everyone has these fundamental apparel to go with other clothing pieces in their closet.
3. Digital art
Printable product is a rising star among existing Etsy print on demand items. Basically what you sell is your art ideas and you allow buyers to have a wide range of Etsy printing choices.
You can sell these ideas in the form of downloadable files, wall art, or posters. If you choose to sell posters, make sure to use a poster maker tool to create visually compelling and eye-catchy designs.
4. Stationery
Stationery necessities like stickers and journal decorations are easy-to-sell items. With such low-valued items, buyers are more likely to make a purchase decision without putting too much thought into it.
Also, sellers should provide some services like printing customized stickers, and notebooks as a priority. It will help you stand out from other competitors by having a unique printing style or service.
Also, sellers should provide some services like printing customized stickers, and notebooks as a priority. It will help you stand out from other competitors by having a unique printing style or service.
5. Cards
The last item on the list of best items to sell print on demand with Etsy is cards. There are some ideas for selling cards, such as gift-giving purposes or business cards. It’s highly recommended that you offer an extensive variety of customized options for your shoppers. This helps grow the number of repeat buyers for every occasion they need cards.
4 Suppliers To Start Selling Print on Demand with Etsy
One advantage of selling Etsy print on demand is sellers don’t need to produce the items themselves. However, they need suppliers to assist in making items. Hence, choosing the right suppliers requires serious consideration. Below are 4 suppliers for you to take a look at:
- Printful;
- teelaunch;
- Custom cat;
- Gelato.
1. Printful
Printful is one of the top suppliers for Etsy print on demand products. They offer a variety of products to sell, including clothing, phone cases, and home decor. Moreover, the supplier also provides a wide range of personalized print on demand options, making it easy for sellers offer diverse items to buy at their store.
The cost of using Printful’s services varies depending on the product being sold. However, Printful does not charge any upfront fees or subscription fees. The cost of the product and shipping is deducted from the sales price, and the remaining profit is paid to the seller.
2. teelaunch
teelaunch is another famous supplier of Etsy print on demand products. They offer a variety of products to sell, including clothing, accessories, home decor, and more. Moreover, teelaunch is also reputed as a Shopify POD app. Hence, sellers can leverage this chance to expand beyond Etsy and sell on multichannel.
When choosing teelaunch as a supplier for your Etsy print on demand business, you may need to pay product and shipping costs. These fees depend on the items you want to sell and the location of your customers.
3. Custom cat
Continue in the list of best Etsy print on demand suppliers, Custom cat is a provider specializing in custom printed products such as apparel or housewares. Additionally, the supplier commits that 95% of your items is out the door within 3 business days so your customers get their products as quickly as possible.
Regarding the cost to sell, Custom cat offer distinctive plans including:
- Lite: Free (suitable for new seller);
- Pro: $30/month;
- Enterprise: Custom price.
4. Gelato
Gelato is a great option for sellers looking for a reliable Etsy print-on-demand supplier that offers 24/7 customer service. In addition to providing a wide range of high-quality products to sell, Gelato also offers excellent buyers support. This means sellers can trust them to build customer trust and loyalty, which is essential for any successful business.
Additionally, Gelato does not charge any upfront fees or subscription fees, which can help to keep costs down for sellers.
Etsy Print on Demand: Do and Don’t Tips
Overall, selling print on demand with Etsy is lucrative and profitable, but sellers need to research, optimize, and follow Etsy policies to smoothly sell on this marketplace. To help new sellers successfully launch their Etsy print on demand store, we have listed some tips.
Do | Don't |
Find a niche that is not too competitive | Sell too many products at once |
Use high-quality images and descriptions for your products | Use copyrighted or trademarked images without permission |
Partner with reliable printing manufacturers | Ignore customer feedback |
Take advantage of Etsy's marketing tools | Overprice your products |
Offer excellent customer service | Skimp on quality materials or printing processes |
Stay up-to-date with Etsy's policies and guidelines | Copy another seller's products or designs |
FAQs – Etsy Print on Demand
- Is print on demand for Etsy available?
Yes, it is. You can sell print on demand products on Etsy by connecting to your manufacturing partner when listing a product. As long as you own the copyright of their designs and disclose the Etsy printing partners, you are allowed to sell them through print on demand on the Etsy platform.
- Can I dropship on Etsy?
The answer is Yes! However, you can not search for any policy or regulation that specifically mentions dropshipping on Etsy Help Center. Therefore, dropshipping is allowed on the site as long as you adhere to their product criteria
- What items are the best print on demand for Etsy?
Here are some items that Etsy print on demand sellers should not miss:
- Home decor (wallpaper, curtains, lamps, rugs);
- T-shirts (V-neck t-shirt, unisex t-shirt);
- Printables (timetable, calender);
- Stationery (notebook);
- Cards (business card).
- How to start a print on demand business on Etsy?
Check out 5 steps to start a print-on-demand business on Etsy:
- Step 1: Create an Etsy account;
- Step 2: Name your Etsy store;
- Step 3: List your products to sell print on demand with Etsy;
- Step 4: Connect Etsy print on demand partners;
- Step 5: Finish your store settings.
- Is print on demand worth it?
Yes, it is. Print on demand can be a profitable business model for sellers, as it allows them to offer a wide range of unique and personalized products to customers without holding inventory. The costs and risks associated with traditional inventory management are also reduced with print on demand.
- How does print on demand work?
Print on demand works by allowing sellers to create and sell custom-made products without holding inventory. When a customer places an order, the seller sends the order to a printing manufacturer, who prints and ships the product directly to the customer.
- What is print on demand Etsy?
Etsy print on demand is a low-cost business model on the Etsy marketplace. It is a variation of the dropshipping model where sellers work with print-on-demand suppliers in delivering customized items to customers.
Etsy Print on Demand: Conclusion
Etsy promotes a sustainable growing space for print-on-demand businesses desiring to concentrate on developing arts and designs. When going for Etsy print on demand, you have a chance to focus on the creative and marketing aspects of running a business.
Nevertheless, the only way you can identify the most suitable business model is to test the water across platforms. With the help of Litcommerce, scaling to other channels has never been this easy. We help businesses manage inventory, orders, stock updates, and more with one concentrated solution. Excited to find out more? Drop us a message, and our supporting team will contact you in no time.
You can also discover more eCommerce insight via our retailer blog and interesting tips by joining our active Facebook community!
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