How to sell clothes on Etsy

Custom clothes

This category is all about customized and personalized clothing, and is your chance to offer unique and tailored products specifically to customers’ preferences. 

Although these terms are used interchangeably, custom clothing is like jazzing up a basic tee, adding your creative flair to simple items from big manufacturers. This way, you’re not making the clothes but giving them a unique touch. 

Personalization is when your customers get in on the fun. They add their own names, photos, special dates, or graphics to make products their own.

Customization is your creativity – personalization is theirs.

It’s a major draw for shoppers on Etsy, and that’s why the print-on-demand business model is so popular there. It’s where you take shirts or other clothes from third-party suppliers and decorate them with your designs and sell them online for profit.

Vintage clothes

Etsy has rules for vintage items. For example, vintage clothes must be at least 20 years old. For this, Etsy may request details, like the item’s source, how you determined their age, the designer, and specific characteristics like fabric and labels. 

To build trust with potential buyers, you should have thorough documentation and authentic information for your vintage pieces.

New clothes

This category is straightforward, brand-new manufactured apparel. Whether it’s your own designs or sourced items, these are never-worn clothes that appeal to customers looking for the latest in fashion.

Used clothes

Here, you’re offering pre-owned clothes. It’s an excellent way to provide value to customers looking for more affordable options or who are interested in sustainable fashion by reusing and recycling garments.

Handmade clothes

Etsy emphasizes the handmade section. If you’re a maker, note that you must physically create the product. If you’re a designer, you might design the items and have them produced by a production partner. 

In both cases, Etsy requires transparency about the production process. You must state who’s involved in making your items and how they’re produced. This openness is crucial for maintaining the integrity and trust that Etsy’s community values.

No matter which category you wish to represent, you must understand and adhere to Etsy’s policies. Your success on Etsy depends on meeting these guidelines while offering high-quality clothing.

Find a niche for your Etsy shop

Picking your niche is like finding the perfect outfit for an occasion.

What is a niche? A specialized market segment for a particular kind of product. It’s important as it helps you stand out in a crowded marketplace and attracts the right Etsy customers. 

To find your niche, consider what you’re passionate about and identify gaps in the market. Are you into eco-friendly products, vintage clothing, or quirky graphic tees? 

Use tools like Google Trends, Semrush, or the Ubersuggest Chrome extension to research and understand your target audience’s preferences. 

Niches like eco-friendly children’s wear, plus-size vintage items, or handmade military mom t-shirts are just a few examples that can differentiate your shop.

Develop Your Online Store Branding

Think of your brand as the personality of your shop. It’s not just about a catchy Etsy shop name, it’s the essence of your business. Good, consistent branding creates a memorable impression and builds trust. 

Branding encompasses everything from your logo and shop aesthetics to high-quality photos and the tone of your product descriptions. It reflects who you are and what you promise to your customers when you sell on Etsy.

Decide what to sell

This is where your creative flair comes into play. Conduct product research, look into current trends, check out other sellers, see what’s in demand, and consider what aligns with your brand and skills. 

Will you focus on t-shirts, bespoke dresses, casual street style, or niche athletic wear? Keep an eye on fashion blogs, social media, and even Etsy itself to understand what’s hot and what’s not.

Choose how to produce and ship your products

The big question while working out how to sell clothes on Etsy, is how will you bring your products to life and get them into the hands of customers? 

Explore these methods, each with its own cost, time investment, and scalability. 

• Print on Demand

Ideal for those Etsy sellers just starting out, POD is there to design and sell shirts and other custom clothing with no inventory worries. It’s cost-effective, with no upfront expenses for stock, packaging and shipping supplies, or any tangible burdens of in-store selling.

With the POD model, your clothes are printed and shipped only when a customer purchases from you, making this the perfect model to generate passive income.

• Dropshipping

Dropshipping is like being the middleman without the hassle of a warehouse.  You sell products that are shipped straight from the supplier to your customer’s doorstep. The difference between this and POD is that you don’t design the items. 

Instead, you’re picking from a catalog of pre-made products. It’s a great option if you want to offer a variety of items without handling stock. It’s also perfect for reaching customers worldwide without worrying about customization.

• Wholesale purchasing

If you’re confident in your product’s demand, buying in bulk from wholesalers might be a viable option. This approach often leads to better per-unit pricing and savings on shipping costs, potentially increasing your profit margins.

• Local manufacturing

Partnering with local manufacturers can offer more control over the production process and support local businesses. It’ll take more investment, but it can pay off in quality and brand reputation.

• In-house production

For the ultimate control over quality and design, consider producing items yourself or with a team. This model requires more resources and skill but allows for complete customization and hands-on quality control.

Create an Etsy seller account

Before anything else, you need to create an Etsy account. It’s your all-access pass to both selling and buying on this diverse platform. Simply sign up, add a profile picture, and a bio to introduce yourself to the Etsy community.

The initial setup requires a desktop browser. Once your shop is open, you can manage everything on the go with the Etsy app.

Set up shop preferences and a name

Let’s cover the process of setting up an Etsy store:

1. First, head to Etsy.com/sell and click on Get started. 
2. Answer some basic questions, like where you live, a bit about your business experience, and whether you’re interested in extra resources for selling.
3. Next up, select your shop’s language, country, and the currency you’ll be using. Click Save and continue after each choice.
4. Then, it’s the exciting part – choosing your shop name. It should be memorable, reflect your style, and adhere to Etsy’s guidelines of 4-20 characters, no spaces or special characters, and it must be unique. 

Select a payment method

Connect your bank account to your Etsy shop to make the cha-ching happen. This setup varies based on location, so follow Etsy’s guidelines specific to your country. 

Regarding Etsy payments – add a debit or credit card to pay Etsy’s charges. For more on listing fees, check out our article, Etsy Fees Explained.

Create your first listing to activate your store

You can start selling on Etsy when you add your first listing. Think of this as the grand opening of your online boutique. You don’t need to list all your products right away, but this initial step is what flips the Open sign on your Etsy store.

Make it happen today!

Start selling

Product titles

Think of your product title as your item’s handshake – it needs to make a solid first impression. The trick is to be clear and descriptive while featuring keywords related to your goodies. 

Explore keyword research tools, or take pointers from Etsy’s search bar suggestions. It’s an excellent way to discover what your audience types when seeking the perfect t-shirt or vintage item. So, instead of throwing words in the dark, you’re strategically placing signposts leading straight to your products.

Product descriptions

This is where Etsy sellers tell the story of their products. Be detailed and descriptive, highlighting the unique features of your clothes. Mention relevant details, like the material, size, and care instructions. Good descriptions not only inform customers but also help with SEO.

Keywords and attributes

Keywords are the secret sauce of Etsy SEO. Use relevant and specific keywords in your titles, descriptions, and tags. This improves your visibility in search results. Attributes, like color and size, also affect how Etsy’s search algorithm ranks your products.

Variants

When selling clothes on Etsy, offering choices like different sizes or colors can draw in customers. But not everything needs to be listed since too many options could overwhelm shoppers. Find that sweet spot – offer enough variety to be appealing, but keep it simple enough to avoid decision fatigue. 

For a deeper dive into getting this balance just right, have a look at this handy article on product variants. It’s all about making choices a delight, not a dilemma.

Product photos

On Etsy, photos can be the make-or-break factor in a shopper’s decision. You can take a couple of routes for high-quality snaps that do your products justice, especially with the POD model.

• Order samples. For authenticity, and if you have a knack for photography, consider ordering samples of your products. This way, you can take your own photos, showing off your items in real life.
• Use mockup tools. Not a photographer? No problem. Use tools like Printify’s Mockup Generator or Placeit. They’re a breeze for creating professional and appealing product images that look almost as good as the real thing.

Shipping details

Be transparent and precise about your shipping policies. Include information about the shipping rate, methods, times, and special packaging details. This helps set clear expectations with your customers and can be a deciding factor in their purchase decision.

Policies

Outline your shop policies regarding returns, exchanges, and contact information. Clear policies build trust and confidence among your customers, making them more likely to shop with you.

Etsy onsite and offsite ads

Etsy offers powerful tools to boost your visibility both onsite and offsite. Etsy ads help your products shine via promoted listings – ideal for capturing the attention of shoppers already browsing the platform. 

Etsy onsite ads strategically place your products in prominent positions, like at the top of search results or within relevant category pages.

Off-site ads extend your reach beyond Etsy, showcasing your items on platforms like Google and Facebook. It’s like casting a wider net to catch more fish – reaching potential customers wherever possible. The best part is that you don’t manage these ads yourself – the Etsy team does.

Social media marketing

Social media is your runway to the world. Platforms like Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok are perfect for showcasing your product listings in all their glory. Create engaging content, share behind-the-scenes glimpses, and connect with your audience.

Use tailored hashtags, post regularly, and interact with your followers to build a community around your brand. It’s not just about selling – it’s about creating a narrative people want to be a part of.

Email marketing

Think of Etsy email marketing as your direct line to your customers. It’s personal, effective, and a great way to keep your audience engaged. Share updates about new collections, special offers, and interesting content related to your Etsy clothes. 

Remember to provide value. Whether it’s exclusive discounts for subscribers or insightful fashion tips – make your emails something your customers look forward to.

Influencer marketing

Influencer marketing is like having a friend who tells everyone how great you are. Collaborating with influencers who align with your brand values and aesthetics can introduce your Etsy clothes to a broad, yet targeted audience. 

Find influencers using platforms like Upfluence and Klear. Whether it’s a fashion blogger, a sustainability advocate, or a vintage lover, employ influencers and micro-influencers who resonate with your brand.

Sign up to Printify

Create your free account. It’s a straightforward process that unlocks access to our extensive Catalog of high-quality products and the tools to customize them.

Connect your store

Once your Printify account is set up, integrate it with your Etsy store. This allows seamless synchronization of your product listings, orders, and shipping details.

Design products

Now, let those creative juices flow. Our beginner-friendly Mockup Generator is where your ideas come to life – upload ready designs or create new ones from scratch in minutes. Our AI Image Generator, Text Editor, and Graphics Library are at your fingertips.

Publish and start selling

Publish your listings on Etsy, complete with compelling product descriptions, eye-catching photos or mockups, and competitive pricing. 

Once you make a sale, Printify takes care of the production and shipping directly to your customers. It’s a hassle-free way how to sell on Etsy, leaving you more time to focus on growing your brand and reaching new potential customers.