Are You Ready to Start Your Printables Business on Etsy? 8 Things You Need to Know.
Thinking about starting your own digital product Etsy shop? Let’s see if you’re ready to take that exciting step! Trust me, starting a printables business isn’t just about having a great idea or being crafty (though those help!). It’s also about preparation and mindset.
Etsy’s marketplace is a great choice for beginner sellers. Whether you’re starting a side hustle, looking to pay some bills, or have a need for a creative outlet, here’s what you need to know before you get started selling printables on Etsy.
1. Understanding the Basics
So, what exactly are printables? (And why are they such a hit on Etsy?)
Printables are digital files that customers can purchase, download, and print at home. These can be anything from planners and calendars to art prints and party invitations. The beauty of printables is they’re versatile and cater to so many interests. Plus, once you create them, they can sell over and over again without any extra work on your part. Sounds like a dream, right?
What’s even better, there’s an opportunity for people of all skill levels to make a printables business. For example, if you love designing or have an eye for detail, invitations could be a perfect business model for you! If you prefer simple designs, business templates or checklists might be your niche of choice.
Etsy is a popular spot for busy people looking to save time and buy quality handmade goods from individual sellers. But wait, how is a printable download handmade? Even though you don’t have to assemble and mail any items, your printables are still designed and made by you, so they are considered handmade (unless you used Artificial Intelligence to help you design, in which case you must disclose that on your listing).
2. Assessing Your Skills and Resources
One of the advantages of selling printables is that you don’t need to be a professional designer to do it! There are plenty of user-friendly tools out there like Canva or Adobe Express that make designing accessible even if you’re not a pro designer, but you can also use a program like PowerPoint or Google Sheets if you are already familiar with those. Just remember, quality matters. People want products that look polished and professional, even if they’re only paying a few bucks.
Remember that you will build up your skillset over time, so you don’t have to know everything before you get started with your digital Etsy shop. Also, you can look into purchasing templates with private label rights (PLR) or master reseller rights (MRR) where other creators make the base design that you can modify (PLR) and sell or sell as-is (MRR). These can help you avoid blank page syndrome when you’re first getting started. Check out our PLR templates in the shop.
And don’t forget that creativity isn’t just about design skills. It’s also about coming up with unique ideas that stand out in the crowded marketplace. Think about what makes your style different or what niche you could fill.
3. Evaluating Your Goals and Motivation
Let’s get personal here. Why do you want to start this business? Is it purely for extra income (which is totally fine!)? Or maybe it’s because you love creating and want to share your passion with others?
Having clarity on why you’re embarking on this journey will keep you motivated when challenges arise, and believe me, they will! Whether it’s dealing with tough customers or figuring out SEO (search engine optimization) and always changing algorithms – your “why” will keep pushing your printables business forward.
Setting mini-goals can also be really helpful when you are just starting out. Maybe your first goal is just the first sale, then the next goal could be getting to 10 sales or 10 products designed and listed. Each time you reach a goal, reward yourself in some small or meaningful way. Then set your next goal. Think about what you hope to achieve in your first few months with your new business. What effort or time will you need to commit to reach your goals?
Be sure to celebrate your wins along the way! Starting your own shop means that you are putting yourself out there and that is an accomplishment in itself!
4. Market Research and Niche Selection
It’s homework time! Before launching any business venture (even something as fun as selling printables), research is crucial. Look at successful shops within your niche; what are they doing right? How can you offer something similar but uniquely yours?
Plan out everything from product ideas and pricing strategies to marketing plans and customer service policies. Having these elements mapped out gives structure amidst all the creativity flowing through those veins! Check out resources available to you by people you trust. Get on YouTube, join some email lists, buy a course or two. Learn. I give away tons of tips, free stuff and deep discounts to people that join my newsletter.
Use keyword research tools to help you decide what products you should make first. When choosing a niche, you can think in broad areas like educational resources, or weddings, or wall art. Then you can drill down further into more specific types or categories or even who your ideal customer is.
5. Technical Know-How
Are you comfortable with trying digital tools and platforms? If you need help, YouTube is a great option to watch tutorials on every tool and platform out there! A little tech-savviness goes a long way! If you’re lacking in an area or need a confidence boost, tutorials can be a big help.
You will need to navigate platforms like Etsy, design software, and eventually some basic marketing tools. Don’t worry – you can learn as you go, but be open to experimenting and refuse to give up!
6. Building Your Support System
Who’s in your corner cheering you on? Never underestimate the power of community support! Surround yourself with supportive friends, family or join communities of fellow Etsy sellers. It’s easier when you have people to share your wins and troubleshoot with. They can help you get unstuck and keep you motivated!
Join our free Facebook group here to access our awesome community.
7. Financial Considerations
The good news is, starting a printables business is low cost. Starting on Etsy, you will be required to pay a one time fee ($30 or less) to open your shop. You might also invest in design software and templates. And don’t forget individual Etsy listing fees. It costs $0.20 to list each item (and again each time it sells) plus 6.5% of your sale price. If you open your shop using my referral link, you will get your first 40 listings for free! Otherwise, all Etsy fees come out of your proceeds. Just be sure to budget wisely to keep expenses manageable. There are a lot of free resources out there. Here’s my list of 10 Tools to Grow Your Etsy Shop.
8. Ready, Set, Launch!
Alright, let’s get real for a second – how much time do you actually have? Running an Etsy shop isn’t just set-it-and-forget-it (wouldn’t that be nice?). It takes time to create listings, market your products, engage with customers, and update designs based on feedback or trends.
Consider your current schedule: family commitments, work responsibilities, social life (yes, that’s important too!). Can you carve out dedicated hours each week to focus on your business? If you’re juggling multiple roles already, think realistically about how you’ll manage your time. How much time do you have available to work on your shop and get your first product listed?
Be sure to pace yourself so you don’t feel overwhelmed, but you also need to set deadlines and they need to be realistic deadlines. Aim to create a few high-quality products before opening your shop. Having more than one product gives you a better chance at being seen by buyers. When you first list a product, you get a slight boost in the search while Etsy tries to figure out what your product is and how well it resonates with potential shoppers.
Don’t forget you also have to invest time to grow and maintain your shop. You will have to respond to customer service inquiries. Etsy isn’t a get rich quick scheme so you will want to commit as much time as you can to the growth of your shop in order to see results. This doesn’t necessarily mean a huge time commitment up front, but the amount of time you are able to spend building your shop can help your show grow faster.
Planning your timeline keeps the process manageable and stress free. If you’re looking for the steps to get your first product designed and launched in your Etsy shop, check out our 5 Day Etsy Shop Launch Challenge!
Ready to Start Your Printables Business?
You don’t have to do this alone. Join our community of beginner and intermediate Etsy sellers online where people ask questions, share tips, and even talk about their struggles (because we all have them). Plus, you get the support of people who understand exactly what you’re going through!
Remember, it doesn’t matter if today isn’t quite the day, what matters most is starting when YOU feel prepared both mentally AND practically.
Are YOU ready now? If so, I’m cheering loudly from here!! And hey…if not yet…that’s okay too, you’ve got this whenever the timing feels right. Either way, you can subscribe to our email list to get tips, tricks, and insider secrets straight to your inbox, just like having a coffee chat with a friend who’s been there, done that! If you’re still Feeling Overwhelmed About Starting on Etsy, check out this post.