Are you looking for a way to earn passive income online? Selling printables on Etsy is one of the best ways to start a profitable side hustle with minimal upfront costs. With digital downloads, you create a product once and sell it over and over again. In this step-by-step guide, I’ll show you exactly how to start your Etsy printable business—and if you want a structured, hands-on approach, my 3-Day Etsy Printables Challenge will walk you through it step by step! Join here for just $22.
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While selling printables can be profitable, results vary based on effort, market trends, and execution. There are no guarantees of earnings.
Step 1: Decide on Your Shop’s Name and Branding
Before you dive into selling, think about your shop’s identity. A strong brand can help you stand out in a crowded marketplace. Here’s what to consider:
- Shop Name: Choose something memorable and relevant to what you plan to sell.
- Branding Elements: Think about colors, fonts, and a logo that represents your style.
- Brainstorming Your Shop Name: Ask yourself: What kind of digital products will I sell? Do I want a niche-specific name or a broader one? Do I want to include words like “Printables,” “Designs,” “Digital,” or “Studio”?
Tip: If you’re struggling with branding, check out Canva’s free logo maker to create a cohesive look for your shop.
Step 2: Research, Validate, and Pick Your First Product(s)
Not all printables sell equally well. That’s why research is crucial. Use Everbee (a powerful Etsy research tool) to analyze product demand, competition, and pricing. Try Everbee here.
Here’s how to find winning products:
- Search Etsy for trending printable categories.
- Look for high-demand, low-competition opportunities.
- Check reviews on bestsellers to identify gaps in the market.
If you’re unsure what to sell, start with these questions: What are you already using or looking for yourself? (If you need it, others probably do too!) Who do you want to help? (Teachers, parents, business owners, event planners?) What problems can you solve? (Organization, budgeting, productivity, celebrations?)
If you want a deep dive into picking the right product, my 3-Day Etsy Printables Challenge covers this in detail. Sign up here.
Step 3: Create Your First Design(s)
Once you’ve selected a product, it’s time to design! Canva is an excellent tool for beginners.
Things to keep in mind when designing:
- Use commercial-use fonts and graphics. Don’t steal elements and use them in your designs — license them!
- Keep your designs simple and visually appealing.
- Export your files in high resolution (PDF, PNG, or JPG depending on the product).
Legal Considerations: Ensure that your printables don’t infringe on trademarks or copyrights. Selling digital products means you must respect intellectual property laws. ALWAYS do your own research — review to Canva’s Content License Agreement (Canva Terms) and check USPTO Trademark Search before creating and listing anything!
Step 4: Open Your Etsy Shop
Once your first product is ready, it’s time to open your Etsy shop! Here’s how:
- Go to Etsy’s seller sign up page — Use this LINK to get 40 free Etsy listings to get you started!
- Enter your shop name.
- Set up your shop’s branding and policies.
- Add your first listing (see next step for SEO tips!).
Step 5: Create an SEO-Friendly Listing
Etsy SEO (Search Engine Optimization) helps your product get found by potential buyers. Here’s how to optimize your listings:
- Title: Use high-traffic, low competition keywords.
- Photos & Mockups: Showcase your printable beautifully with high-quality mockups.
- Description: Write a clear, detailed description that includes keywords but is easy to read.
- Tags: Max out your 13 Etsy tags with relevant keywords.
Need help with Etsy SEO? My 3-Day Challenge walks you through this with real examples and ChatGPT prompts. Join here.
Step 6: Drive Traffic & Set Yourself Up for Long-Term Success
Etsy has built-in search traffic, but promoting your products will help you grow faster. Here’s how:
- Pinterest: Create eye-catching pins linking to your shop.
- Instagram and/or TikTok: Share behind-the-scenes content and showcase your printables.
- Etsy Ads: Experiment with a small budget to test which products perform best.
- Email List: Start building an audience outside of Etsy for long-term success.
If you want to set up a sustainable, scalable Etsy business, my 3-Day Etsy Printables Challenge will give you a roadmap to follow to selling printables on Etsy. Sign up now for just $22!
Start Your Etsy Printable Business Today!
Selling printables on Etsy is one of the easiest and most profitable online businesses to start. By following these steps, you can launch your shop with confidence and start making sales quickly. If you want step-by-step guidance, my 3-Day Etsy Printables Challenge will walk you through every part of the process—so you don’t have to figure it out alone! Click here to join.
You might also want to read Etsy Printables Side Hustle: Can You Really Make Money?