How Do I Make Printable Products to Sell on Etsy?
Hey there! Ever found yourself curious about what printable products are and how you can whip them up for your Etsy shop? Well, you’re in the right place. If you’re already familiar with Etsy, you may know it is a great place to find all kinds of cool stuff. I’ve personally bought shoes, custom wood shelves, dirt (and plants!), wall art, candles, jewelry, and wedding invitations.
But most of those things are what are referred to as “physical products” basically because something is crafted and then shipped to you. Printable products or printables, however are considered “digital products” because they are crafted and then provided digitally.
What Are Printable Products?
But what exactly are printables? In a nutshell, these are any digital files that your customers can download and print at home (or at a local print shop). Etsy draws people in with an array of planners, art prints, invitations, or even educational worksheets – all just a click away. So that’s what’s in it for your buyers, but what is in it for you? You can create products in a variety of categories, and for various needs and occasions without the fuss of physical inventory. That’s a huge win!
Why Printables Are Perfect for Your Etsy Shop
Now, why should you consider adding printable products to your Etsy repertoire? For starters, they come with low overhead costs! This means there’s no need to worry about shipping, packaging, storage of materials or inventory, you don’t need a whole crafting room overflowing into the rest of the house, and you don’t have boxes and bins all around! Plus, you get the freedom to design as many variations as your heart desires – whether it’s a quirky cat calendar or a chic nursery wall art piece. The possibilities are endless when it comes to printable products.
Getting Started with Creating Printable Products
Ready to jump in? Great! Let’s talk tools. You don’t need fancy equipment or a degree in graphic design to get started. Software like Adobe Express or Canva is super user-friendly (and Canva has a crazy robust free version!) while Adobe Illustrator offers more advanced features if you’re feeling adventurous. When it comes to designing, remember: simplicity often shines brightest. Use clean lines and colors that pop. Your goal is to create something that stands out on the page and sets you apart from other sellers.
I had zero design experience when I first started, but Canva was really helpful in jumpstarting my journey. They have tons of fonts and images you can use for free, and design templates you can look at for inspiration when you’re creating.
From Idea to Finished Product
Okay, let’s break down the basic process from start to finish:
- Brainstorming Ideas: Start by jotting down ideas based on trends or personal interests. What’s popular now? Maybe seasonal planners or motivational quotes? What colors or patterns are trending right now?
- Designing Your First Product: Once you’ve got an idea in mind, it’s time to bring it to life! Play around with fonts and graphics until you find a style that feels just right. Does it look balanced? Is there enough white space?
- Finalizing and Exporting Files: After perfecting your masterpiece, export it in a format suitable for printing (PDFs work well for most things). Now it’s ready for the Etsy stage!
I’ve learned a few tricks over the years. For instance, consistency in style helps build brand recognition among buyers. Also, don’t shy away from experimenting; sometimes happy accidents lead to the best designs! And don’t forget to do your research. Remember that you are not designing what you would want to purchase, you’re designing what people want to buy!
Listing Your Printable Products on Etsy
Now that your printable product is ready, let’s make sure it catches the eye of potential buyers!
Crafting an Eye-Catching Listing: Think of your product description as a mini story that highlights its benefits and uses vivid imagery. These are referred to in “the biz” as mockups. When your potential buyer is scrolling though hundreds of images, how can you draw them to click on yours? The product needs to shine and stand out, but your mockup does too!
Pricing Strategies: Price competitively but remember not to undervalue your work so you need to consider factors like design complexity and market demand. I check at least once per year to see if my pricing is still competitive with the market. You don’t want to be the cheapest, but you don’t want to be the most expensive either. Just like Goldilocks and the Three Bears, you want it to be juuuust right.
Tips for Selling Printable Products Successfully
Here’s where we take things up a notch:
- Marketing Your Creations: Social media can be your best friend here! Share sneak peeks of new designs or behind-the-scenes glimpses of your creative process. Showcase product lines or holiday products. The possibilities are endless.
- Pinterest: Etsy products are popular on Pinterest, which is a visual search engine. Adding Pins for your products helps you get more engagement and eyes on your products which then helps them be shown to more people!
- Engaging with Customers: Building relationships is one of the most important things you can do when owning a business! Respond promptly to inquiries and encourage feedback.
Creating a loyal community around your brand isn’t just rewarding; it also leads to repeat business. Etsy even flags purchases from repeat buyers so you know when your buyers come back.
This stuff is the fun part, just don’t forget that before you dive head first into socials and Pinterest, you need to make sure you have products to sell and that your listings are high quality.
So what do you say? Ready to turn those creative juices into profit? If you start designing today, your first printable product could be just one brainstorm away from becoming someone’s favorite purchase! And hey, why not join our vibrant community of Etsy sellers by signing up for my newsletter? Let’s grow together and support each other every step of the way!
Ready to learn more? Check out: Are You Ready to Start Your Printables Business on Etsy? or Feeling Overwhelmed About Starting on Etsy?