Do you need a business license to sell on Etsy?
Once your Etsy store starts making a consistent profit in sales, you can be legally obligated to apply for a license through your local government.
Printify + your favorite platform = more sales!
Etsy is an eCommerce goldmine with 95 million active buyers hunting for unique, handmade, and custom products. If you’re ready to turn that demand into income, the first step is creating a shop that stands out.
Printify makes that easy by helping you sell custom products without managing inventory or packing orders yourself. Keep reading as we show you how to make money on Etsy – from setting up your own shop to getting your first sales.
Disclaimer
This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may earn a commission if you make a purchase through those links. This comes at no additional cost to you.
Key takeaways
- Print-on-demand platforms like Printify let Etsy sellers create and sell custom products without managing production or inventory.
- Choosing a niche and conducting market research helps Etsy store owners create products that appeal to their target audience.
- Effective SEO practices, such as relevant keywords and clear product descriptions, help Etsy listings appear in search results and attract potential buyers.
- Marketing strategies like email campaigns, social media posts, and Etsy Ads increase store traffic and attract more customers.
- Monitoring store performance with tools like Etsy Stats helps successful Etsy shop owners stay competitive by making informed adjustments to product listings, pricing, and marketing efforts.
Pick a profitable product category
Most Etsy shop ideas start with choosing a niche and product category. Your niche is the group of people you want to sell to, based on shared interests or needs. It can be broad or specific – but whatever you choose will shape what you sell and how you market your Etsy shop, so pick something with real demand.
Dig deep into your interests
Find something you’re skilled at or passionate about – that way you’ll stay motivated long-term.
Think about your hobbies, skills, and what you’d enjoy talking about every day. If you want to make money as an artist, your niche will naturally be tied to your work. And Etsy’s audience loves original, handmade creations. The more invested you are, the easier it is to stay engaged and compete with other Etsy stores.
Pinpoint customer needs
Before you start selling, find out what shoppers are actually looking for. This minimizes guesswork and directs you toward products with real demand.
Start by typing keywords into Etsy’s search bar and noting the autocomplete suggestions. Then use tools like Semrush and Google Trends to see what’s trending. Browse Quora and Reddit to spot common questions and unmet needs.
Look for patterns: repeated searches and product gaps are clues that can help your Etsy shop take off fast.
Research the market and competition
Analyze other successful shops in your niche by reviewing their catalog, pricing strategies, and customer feedback.
Look at what sells well and what their Etsy customers like and dislike. Use your findings to spot gaps and figure out how your products fill them.
Prepare your Etsy shop and products
After sorting your Etsy business niche and strategy, it’s time to set up your own shop.
The process is straightforward – here’s how to start selling on Etsy.
Step 1: Pick products and designs
Choose best-selling items that align with your niche – tote bags, pint glasses, custom mugs, whatever fits. The key is adding your own twist so your products stand out in the Etsy marketplace.
At Printify, we offer over 1,300 white-label products across categories, like custom clothing, accessories, and home decor – all sourced globally from reliable Print Providers. You can even sell printables of your artwork alongside physical products.
Focus on items you’d be excited to promote and that your target audience is already searching for. That’s how you get sales early.
Pro tip
One in three Etsy buyers searches for personalized products – Printify’s Automated Personalization for Etsy captures that demand. Customer enters their name, date, or message at checkout, and your design updates automatically – you just review and approve. No back-and-forth, no manual edits. It’s free, works with over 1,300 products, and keeps your workflow hands-off.
Learn more in our Help Center.
Step 2: Calculate the numbers
To start making money on Etsy, you need to know your costs. Add up your overhead expenses and Etsy fees – the right price keeps your profit margins sustainable.
Etsy sellers typically cover these fees:
- Production costs: The cost of making your products, including packaging materials, shipping, and taxes.
- Listing fees: A small fee for each product listing you create (currently $0.20 per item).
- Transaction fees: Etsy charges 6.5% per sale, calculated from your product price plus shipping.
- Payment processing fees: Handled through Etsy Payments, which most shops set up automatically during account creation. For US-based customers, Etsy charges 3% plus $0.25 per transaction. Visit their Help Center for fees in other countries.
On average, Etsy fees land between 10% and 15% per sale, though this can vary based on your listing price, shipping fees, and payment processing.
If you’re using a print-on-demand model, your supplier already bundles production and shipping costs upfront, which makes pricing much easier.
To speed things up, try Printify’s Etsy calculator. Just enter your selling price, product cost, and shipping fees to see a clear breakdown of Etsy fees and your potential profit.
Pro tip
Is selling on Etsy worth it? Absolutely. But to find success and make more money online, you’ll need the right approach and a well-planned strategy.
Step 3: Open your own Etsy store
Create an Etsy account using a business email, then follow Etsy’s guided setup. Next, open a free Printify account to access products and design tools. Connect Etsy to Printify, publish your product listings, and start promoting your store.
As part of this setup, you’ll:
- Add basic shop details like your store name, language, and currency.
- Create your first product listing by uploading Printify mockups, writing a description, and setting your price and shipping details.
- Link your bank account and enable Etsy Payments to receive funds from your sales.
Once you complete the steps, your store is officially live and ready for Etsy shoppers.
How successful Etsy sellers enhance their stores
Top-performing Etsy shops do 3 things to keep their shop fresh and sales running:
- Complete your About section: This is where potential buyers decide whether to trust your brand. Write an engaging shop description and add an eye-catching banner.
- Build out your catalog: More listings mean more chances to get discovered. Organize products into clear categories and use high-quality images that show exactly what buyers will get.
- Optimize for search: This is how Etsy shoppers find you organically (meaning, for free). Write detailed descriptions with relevant keywords and tags.
Nail these three, and your shop looks established – even if you just launched.
Create a marketing strategy
Now that your store is live, the next step is to market it. Along with optimizing your Etsy listings, developing an Etsy marketing strategy also increases customer retention and grows sales over time. These best practices are a great place to start.
Define your target customers
Create a buyer persona to shape your listings for the right audience. Think about who your potential buyers are, what they care about, and what their budget is.
Outline basics like age, location, income, interests, social media platforms, and hobbies. Understanding these details helps you create products and listings that connect faster, attract the right shoppers, and drive more sales.
Pick effective marketing channels
Etsy’s search algorithm can surface your listings organically – but relying on that alone limits your growth. Paid promotions help your Etsy shop reach even more buyers. A mix of marketing channels attracts new customers and supports long-term sales.
Here are the most effective options:
- Email marketing:Build an email list to share product launches, promotions, and updates to stay connected with potential buyers.
- Etsy SEO: Optimize product listings with relevant keywords using tools like eRank and Ahrefs.
- Social media marketing: Promote your shop on TikTok and Instagram using trends, hashtags, and short-form content. Many Etsy sellers use social media to connect with their audience and respond to customer feedback quickly.
- Content marketing: Share blogs, videos, or guides to build trust and showcase your products.
- Influencer marketing: Partner with creators to reach new audiences through reviews or sponsored posts.
Start with one or two channels, then expand based on what brings the most traffic and sales.
Promote with paid Etsy Ads
Etsy Ads is the fastest way to drive traffic to your store. It uses a cost-per-click (CPC) model – you only pay when someone clicks your ad.
Etsy Ads puts your product listings in front of shoppers browsing Etsy search results and other high-traffic spots on the online marketplace.
Here’s how to set up Etsy Ads:
- Go to your Etsy Shop Manager.
- In the left menu, click Marketing, then select Etsy Ads.
- Set your daily budget to control how much you spend.
- Choose which listings to promote. Etsy suggests top performers, but you can pick your own.
- Launch your ads.
Analyze and adjust your strategy
Your Etsy shop is now live. The last thing to do is keep an eye on what’s working and what’s not. Regular check-ins help you spot trends, fix weak listings, and grow sales over time.
Collect data
Use Etsy Stats to track visits, clicks, and orders. Look for patterns, then update your titles, tags, and listings to improve visibility in Etsy search results.
Optimize your store
Focus on basic search engine optimization (SEO) and create clear, eye-catching product photos. Improve shop layout so customers can easily browse and buy.
If you work with Printify, use ready-made mockups and write detailed product copy to strengthen your listings. Keep product descriptions up to date to maintain customer expectations.
Monitor and refine
Review your analytics regularly and make small adjustments based on performance. Keeping up with online marketplace trends and updates helps you compete with other Etsy sellers and build steady, long-term growth.
Top-selling products on Etsy
There are many ways to make money on Etsy, but one of the easiest is to learn from what’s already working. Successful Etsy businesses usually focus on popular categories and study what other sellers are doing to drive sales.
For inspiration, check out our compilation of successful Etsy shops. As for top-selling items for online stores, check out these popular choices.
1. Jewelry
One of Etsy’s most competitive markets, offering everything from minimalist designs to bold statement pieces. Buyers love unique jewelry, making it a highly profitable niche.
- Necklaces
- Earrings
- Bracelets
- Handmade jewelry
- Jewelry boxes
2. Crafts and supplies
Crafters flock to Etsy for unique materials. Selling craft supplies directly to artists unlocks a huge market of creative entrepreneurs working on DIY projects.
- Beads and gems
- Fabric
- Wrapping paper
- Knitting and crochet supplies
- Stickers
3. Wedding and party supplies
Personalized decor and party favors are in demand for special events. People want one-of-a-kind items to make their celebrations unforgettable.
- Balloons
- Napkins
- Greeting cards and invitations
- Yard signs
5. Stationery supplies
Shoppers love personalized stationery for both work and home. It’s an ideal category for creative sellers offering custom notebooks, calendars, and branded business items.
6. Home decor
This category sells well, especially personalized and handmade items – buyers love custom, artisanal pieces to enhance their homes. Vintage products (at least 20 years old) also appeal to the same audience – mix modern designs with timeless finds.
7. Art and collectibles
Yes, you can make money on Etsy by selling art. Offer original works, digital downloads, or handmade goods. Selling digital products like digital art and printables is especially popular – no shipping, no inventory.
- Digital art
- Canvas prints and posters
- Handmade crafts
- Artisanal pottery
- Sculptures and figurines
8. Baby items
A popular category that attracts parents and gift-givers seeking personalized baby products with special meaning.
9. Kitchen supplies
Offer stylish and functional kitchen supplies for home cooks and bakers. It’s a big category for cooking gear, kitchen textiles, and drinkware.
11. Shoes
Custom shoes let you tap into personalization where big brands can’t compete. And the custom footwear buyers are happy to pay premium prices for one-of-a-kind designs.
12. Toys and games
Custom games and toys gather potential customers in all age groups. Perfect for sellers wanting to provide fun, creative products for families.
13. Electronics and accessories
Tech-savvy shoppers love custom, stylish accessories for their gadgets – creative alternatives to mass-produced items.
How to make money on Etsy without making anything yourself – The Printify way
![How to make money on Etsy: Complete guide ([bp_year]) 1](https://prod.printify.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/How-to-make-money-on-Etsy-without-making-anything-yourself-1024x768.png "How to make money on Etsy without making anything yourself")
Partner with Printify for our automated Etsy integration and the largest POD Catalog with top-selling items. Join creative entrepreneurs and sell custom products while our Print Providers handle the rest – printing, packaging, and shipping to your global customers.
Here’s why Etsy sellerschoose Printify.
100% Free
Signing up is free, and we only charge you when a customer places an order. Printify makes it risk-free to start and easy to scale as your Etsy business grows.
Global printing network
We partner with 90 Print Providers worldwide. Local providers mean faster shipping and lower shipping costs for your customers.
Quality Product Creator
Our free and beginner-friendly Product Creator helps you create designs to sell on the Etsy marketplace. Create your own design from scratch or use pre-made clipart and templates to bring your ideas to life.
Outstanding customer support
Our 24/7 Merchant Support Team offers assistance via chat or email. Browse our blog, Help Center, and YouTube tutorials for valuable articles, tips, suggestions, and updates on all things eCommerce.
How to make money on Etsy: FAQ
Yes, absolutely. Many sellers build profitable businesses on Etsy by offering unique products people actually want to buy. Whether you’re starting an Etsy side hustle or a full-time gig, success comes down to picking the right niche, creating a memorable shop, and using simple sales strategies – strong product photos, clear descriptions, and basic social media promotion.
From handmade goods and vintage items to digital downloads, there’s plenty of room to turn your ideas into real income.
Etsy charges a 6.5% transaction fee on your sale price (plus shipping) and a payment processing fee – usually around 3% + $0.25, depending on your country.
On a $100 sale, expect Etsy to take roughly $9 to $10 in fees, leaving you with about $90 before production and shipping costs.
To protect your margins, build fees into your pricing or bundle products to increase order value. You can also offer free shipping strategically – just make sure it’s covered in your pricing.
Yes, but it takes time, strategy, and consistency. Many successful sellers on Etsy reach this level by focusing on high-demand products like digital downloads, craft supplies, or popular handmade items such as jewelry and wall art.
Scaling your Etsy business often means partnering with production providers and driving traffic through social media or your own website. Great customer experiences encourage repeat purchases – and that loyalty makes a big difference at higher revenue levels.
Some of the most popular things to sell on Etsy include custom apparel, handmade jewelry, home decor, and digital downloads. Shoppers are drawn to personalized and creative products they can’t easily find elsewhere. Party supplies, wall art, craft supplies, and printable products also perform well.
The key is to combine strong demand with your own unique designs, then optimize your listings so the right buyers can find you.
Turn your passion into profit and start your own Etsy shop
Making money on Etsy comes down to finding your niche, creating products people want, and staying consistent. With Printify, you can focus on design and marketing – we handle production and fulfillment for you.If you’re learning how to sell on Etsy and make money, start small, test what works, and improve as you go. With the right approach, your creative ideas can grow into a steady income. You’ve got this.
