Back when I started, if someone had told me I could make six figures selling digital products on Etsy, I would have laughed. Like most people back then, I thought Etsy was just for handmade crafts, custom jewelry, and physical products. But when I discovered printables (digital downloads that buyers print themselves) I realized this could be a game-changer. So I began a side hustle selling some printables because it was fun and I wanted to see if I could make some sales.
I didn’t have to worry about inventory. No shipping, no packing orders at midnight, no trips to the post office. Just digital products that I created once and could sell over and over again. It sounded too good to be true.
But can you really make money selling printables on Etsy?
The short answer: YES. The longer answer? Yes, but only if you go in with the right mindset, strategy, and a willingness to learn from trial and error.
Let’s talk about the success stories, the common mistakes that trip up beginners, and how you can start your own printables side hustle the right way.
Affiliate Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission if you purchase through my links, at no extra cost to you.
Success Stories: People Making Real Money with Etsy Printables
I’m living proof that selling printables on Etsy can be a real income stream. I supported my family on the income while my husband went back to school. I bought a house and paid the mortgage during that time too. So it’s completely doable. In total, I’ve sold over 120,000 digital products on Etsy, made upwards of $800,000, and built a business that allows me to work around my life (and not the other way around).
But I’m not the only one.
Here are a few examples of what’s possible:
- Kat, a teacher, made an extra $3,000 a month selling classroom resources and planner pages. She started with just a handful of printables and grew her shop into a full-time income.
- Jo, a busy mom, who turned her love for organizing into a profitable shop selling meal planners, budgeting templates, and home organization printables.
- Janna, a bride turned wedding planner, who made wedding printables for her own big day, uploaded them to Etsy, and created a thriving business that now brings in thousands per month.
The common thread? They all started small, worked hard, learned as they went, and stayed consistent.
Common Mistakes That Keep Beginners from Making Sales
When I started, I made so many mistakes. Some cost me time, some cost me money, and some just made me want to give up.
Here are the most common mistakes I see (and ones you should avoid):
1. Thinking “If I Build It, They Will Come”
Etsy is not a “set it and forget it” marketplace. Just because you create a printable doesn’t mean buyers will magically find it. Etsy SEO (search engine optimization) is key. If your listings don’t use the right keywords, they’ll get buried.
Tip: I highly recommend using a tool like EverBee to research product demand, search volume, and competition before creating a product and listing it.
2. Not Validating My Ideas Before Creating a Product
One of the biggest mistakes I made early on was creating printables I thought people would want instead of products that were actually in demand.
3. Underpricing or Overpricing Products
Some beginners think pricing low will get them more sales, but this often backfires. A printable priced at $1.99 screams low value, while a $10+ printable with great mockups and a polished listing can sell over and over again. Not to mention that selling $1.99 products is just not really sustainable.
Tip: Research similar listings on Etsy and price competitively—but don’t undervalue your work. But be careful not to overprice your listings either, as shoppers are often looking for a deal.
4. Skipping Quality Mockups and Listing Images
Your product might be amazing, but if your mockups look unprofessional, you won’t get clicks. Your Etsy shop should look polished, even if you’re just starting.
Tip: Use Canva (even the free version works) to create high-quality, eye-catching listing images that showcase your printables in real-life settings.
5. Not Knowing How to Scale Beyond the First Few Sales
Some sellers get stuck after their first few sales because they don’t know how to grow their shop strategically.
Tip: Once you find a winning product, create variations, bundle it with other printables, or add new products that serve the same audience.
So … Can You Really Make Money Selling Etsy Printables?
Yes, but only if you treat it like a real business.
I started this journey with zero Etsy experience, no graphic design skills, and no idea what I was doing. Now, I’ve built a six-figure business that lets me work on my terms.
The only difference between you and successful Etsy sellers? They started.
You might also want to read The Easiest Digital Products to Sell on Etsy (And How to Start)