The 5 essential steps to create passive income with Etsy printables are:
- Pick a profitable printable niche.
- Set up an Etsy printables shop.
- Create high-quality printables.
- Create your printable listings on your Etsy shop.
- Promote your Etsy printables on social media.
You can create passive income with Etsy printables. Once you design and list your printable products on Etsy, you can start earning from the platform. Etsy users can purchase and download your digital files an unlimited number of times. Moreover, you don’t need to manage inventory or restock products. However, you need to create high quality, unique printables to attract potential customers.
On Reddit, Cocobee401 shares about spending “about 5 hours a week” working on their Etsy store. “If there is a high search volume and low competition, this will be great for you to jump on and list,” adds the Redditor.
Julie Berninger sells printable scavenger hunts and games on Etsy as a side hustle. In her Millennial Boss blog, she shares she earns over $10,000 per year with minimal ongoing effort. “There’s no better feeling than making money when you sleep,” she says. “Which is exactly what selling printables allowed me to do.”
Meanwhile, other sellers also warn that the business model has its disadvantages.
Reddit user psalm723 says they made money selling viral 3d printable designs. However, they only “did really well” for a few days after other sellers started copying them.
On the other hand, ricks_flare also writes about earning only $300 in a year. “My shop has almost 200 listings and (was) wasting $10 per month,” shares the Redditor. “One tip is don’t believe anything you see on YouTube about making $X per month or listening to Etsy ‘gurus’.”
In this feature, we'll show you how to transform your creative ideas into a possible income source on Etsy. We'll also highlight some unique strategies that successful Etsy printable shops use.
1. Pick A Profitable Printables Niche
Picking a profitable niche is the first step to starting your Etsy printables business. Your goal is to choose a specific market segment where demand is high but competition is low. This increases the likelihood of your digital products standing out. You can attract more targeted traffic and create more sales with less active effort.
Some profitable Etsy printable niches include:
Some best selling printables on Etsy to create passive income are:
2. Set-Up An Etsy Printables Shop
Setting up an Etsy shop allows you to establish your business on the platform. You can do this by:
3. Create High Quality Printables
Creating high quality printables is a strategic way to build a passive income stream. Here are some tips to consider when designing your printables:
Some of the best design tools to create passive income on Etsy are:
4. Create Your Printable Listings On Your Etsy Shop
Creating your listings on your Etsy shop allows you to showcase your digital products on the platform. With a well-crafted listing, buyers will be able to find your offerings easier on Etsy. It can help boost sales in your printables business. To create a good Etsy listing, you should:
5. Promote Your Etsy Printables On Social Media
Promoting your Etsy printables on social media lets you attract traffic to your online business. Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, and TikTok can give you direct access to buyers who may be interested in your products. Furthermore, social media also allows you to build a community around your brand.
To use social media in promoting your Etsy store, you can follow these steps:
6 Proven Tips In Increasing Your Profits As An Etsy Printables Seller
1. Bundle Your Items
Bundling your items can be a good way to increase your overall sales. Offer discounts when you sell related printables as packaged sets. For example, you can create a Home Organization Bundle by combining printable planners, to-do lists, and calendars. This approach can boost perceived value among customers and attract a wider market. Eventually, this can lead to higher average order values.
When creating bundle packages, select complementary items that will interest your buyers. Ensure all printables in the bundle share a cohesive design theme. As always, include quality images and detailed descriptions in your listings. That way, buyers clearly understand what they're getting.
Although specific statistics for Etsy printables are not readily available, general marketing research suggests that bundling can increase sales by 30% or more. This makes it a highly effective tactic for growing revenue on the platform.
2. Create Seasonal Products
Creating seasonal products lets you tap into seasonal shopping trends. Designing and selling holiday-themed items can boost your revenue. Craft printables that reflect each season, such as floral patterns for spring or spooky designs for Halloween. This targeted approach helps attract customers looking for timely, relevant products.
3. Learn Etsy SEO
Learning Etsy SEO is essential for growing your profits. Etsy shoppers generally use the search bar to find products. As such, implementing an SEO campaign can help you stand out among your competitors.
Conduct thorough keyword research to identify popular search terms. Strategically incorporate these keywords into your product titles, descriptions, and tags. Doing this can boost your listings' visibility on the platform. You can attract more buyers for your printable products.
4. Provide Comprehensive Details In Your Listing Images
Providing comprehensive details in your listing images allows you to maximize your Etsy presence. Not all buyers thoroughly read product descriptions. As a seller, you want to present key information directly in your listings. This improves the customer experience and reduces misunderstandings.
Highlight the key features of your printables, such as the layout and size. Utilize text overlays to convey important information like dimensions and file types. If your product has different styles or variations, make sure to include images for each.
Also, incorporate a call-to-action like “Download now” or “Click to buy” to encourage prompt purchasing decisions. This approach ensures your listings are not only eye-catching. More importantly, they're also informative, enhancing the likelihood of sales.
5. Use Promo Codes
Using promo codes can entice buyers to spend more on your printable products. For example, you can offer “15% off on purchases over $20 today” to spark interest from new and repeat customers.
In most cases, buyers are likely to return for future purchases if they feel they're getting a good deal. Furthermore, creating a sense of urgency with limited-time offers can influence buying decisions.
You can create and manage promo codes in Etsy's Shop Manager under the "Marketing" section. You can then promote these codes through your social media pages and newsletters. Make sure to monitor your codes' performance by utilizing Etsy's analytics. These tools provide insights into its effectiveness of your promotions.
6. Continue To Learn New Graphic Design Skills
Continuously learning new graphic design skills is essential for growing your profits. As a printables seller, you want to keep up with design trends and customer preferences. This allows you to stay relevant and appealing in your niche category.
For example, a current trend in the Etsy marketplace is the use of bold, abstract shapes and bright colors. These design elements are often used in planners, wall art, and stationery.
In any case, well-designed products can dramatically enhance your income potential. So experiment with new styles and incorporate customer feedback to refine your offerings. Follow design blogs and engage with design communities to keep your skills sharp. You can also take online courses on platforms like Udemy, Skillshare, and Coursera. Paid and free courses can help you expand your skill set.
On YouTube, printables seller Sandra Di also emphasizes the importance of product validation. According to her, doing keyword and competitor research allows sellers to determine which designs sell best among potential customers.
What Are Etsy Printables?
Etsy Printables are a diverse range of digital files available for sale on the Etsy platform. These digital file products are for customers to download and print for personal or professional use.
Among the most popular printables are planners and organizers. These time management tools come in various formats like daily, weekly, or monthly. Some users also buy planners designed for specific purposes, such as budget and meal planners.
For home decor enthusiasts, digital wall art files are a must-buy. These printables range from minimalist designs to intricate illustrations.
Meanwhile, party decorations are perfect for event planners. Printable banners, invitation cards, and party favor tags offer the convenience of instant access.
How Much Money Can You Make Selling Printables On Etsy?
The amount of money you can make selling printables on Etsy is around $10 to $100 per week. Your overall earnings will depend on the quality of your designs, pricing strategy, and marketing efforts.
Top sellers usually earn a lot since they’ve been on Etsy longer and offer a wider range of printable products.
Etsy seller Whitney Bonds reports making $8,000 selling Canva-designed printables. Her strategy is to choose the right niche and then create unique descriptions.
Meanwhile, Brandom Timothy makes $70,000 in passive income selling Etsy printables. He focuses on the printable wall art category.
How to Sell Printables on Etsy
You can sell printables on Etsy by choosing a profitable niche and creating your own designs. Decide on the type of printables you want to offer. Use the right tools - or hire someone - to create original designs. List your digital products in your Etsy store. Make sure to set competitive prices. Finally, promote your shop online to attract your target market.
It's important to note that while Etsy printables can be a relatively passive income source, it isn't entirely hands-off. To remain competitive, you may need to regularly update your designs. You'll also have to respond promptly to customer inquiries. Plus you'll need to adjust marketing strategies to align with market trends and buyer preferences. This upkeep means that selling Etsy printables still require some level of ongoing maintenance.
How To Make Money On Etsy With Canva?
You can make money on Etsy with Canva by creating templates, printables, and digital designs that customers can buy from your store. Canva is an easy-to-use design platform with free graphics and elements.
You can publish your Canva creations on Etsy under the digital downloads category. To create advanced designs, you can subscribe to Canva Pro.
3 Drawbacks In Creating Passive Income With Etsy Printables
Etsy charges the following fees:
- a $0.20 listing fee for each item
- a 5% transaction fee on the total sale price
- a payment processing fee that varies based on the seller's location.
These Etsy fees can quickly add up and affect your final profit. In particular, new sellers who have lower sales volumes and smaller product range may not earn much. So you need to price your items strategically. Pricing them too low may mean you won't be able to cover these essential costs. Meanwhile, customers could be put off if you price your printables too high.
When you start an Etsy printables business, you're operating under Etsy's rules. The platform controls the policies, fees, and even search algorithms. This means that any changes on Etsy could affect your shop's visibility and sales. They can also close your shop if you violate any house rules and seller terms. These factors make it tough for beginners to establish a unique brand identity on the Etsy platform.
The Etsy marketplace has become extremely saturated with printables. Thousands of sellers are offering similar designs and products. This is apparent in popular categories like planners, educational materials, wall art, and party decorations. For example, a quick search on "printables" yields over 6.7 million results.
That said, saturation doesn't entirely eliminate opportunities. Success on Etsy requires finding the right niche and differentiating your products. Reddit user RaggySparra points out there are over 300,000 printable stickers on Etsy.
Still, the Redditor points out that "a random shop on page 100" had "thousands of sales and plenty of recent reviews."
One effective strategy is to use long-tail keywords. This allows Etsy business owners to target a specific customer segment. It can also reduce possible competition. So instead of a broad term like "planner," use a more specific phrase like "hand-drawn botanical weekly planner." This strategy helps attract a niche audience. As a result, your products are more likely to be noticed and purchased.
Creating passive income with Etsy printables is not easy. You'll need to put in time and effort - especially in the early stages - to gain visibility in the Etsy marketplace.
Moreover, you'll need to go after a well-defined niche and have strong graphic design skills. You'll also need to implement an effective marketing strategy to continue making money online .
Why Local Lead Generation Is Better Passive Income Than Etsy Printables
Local lead generation is definitely a better passive income source than Etsy printables. This business model generally has less competition and offers higher profit margins. On Etsy, you're competing with numerous sellers, making it hard to stand out. In local lead generation, you’re competing with only 10 to 15 local businesses. This increases your chances of maintaining a stable income.
The lead gen business involves creating websites that attract leads for local services. With SEO tactics, your goal is to achieve high search engine rankings for your sites. Once you dominate your target niche and location, your site stays there with minimal maintenance.
As a result, you can earn substantial income from your digital asset. In fact, a single site can potentially bring in $500 to $3,000 per month. What's great here is that you can build as many lead gen sites as you want. You can then rent them out to local business owners to multiply your earnings. This is the strategy I do in my business, so I'm able to earn up to $52,000 per month providing lead gen services to my clients. In comparison, achieving significant earnings on Etsy requires selling a large volume of printables at lower profit margins.
To sum up, local lead generation is more sustainable and offers higher passive income potential. It is not as competitive and as labor-intensive as selling Etsy printables. For those interested in learning lead gen, we have a coaching program with over 7,500 students and counting. We can teach you our 3-step repeatable process for best results.
