Etsy boasts a staggering 96 million active buyers as of 2024, making it one of the leading online marketplaces. Originally a platform for handcrafted goods, Etsy has expanded to include digital products, opening up exciting new opportunities for sellers.
In this article, we’ll show you how to sell on Etsy by focusing on selling SVG files. You’ll learn about the best software options for creating your designs, expert tips for using Illustrator, and step-by-step instructions on setting up your Etsy store to upload your files. Plus, we’ll share strategies for growing your SVG business and generating steady passive income.
What are SVG files?
SVG stands for Scalable Vector Graphics.
Most common file formats, such as JPEG or PNG, store a fixed number of pixels. This pixel density is called the file resolution. If you zoom the file in, after a certain point it becomes blurry or pixelated.
SVG files are different – they are based on mathematical formulas (vectors) so you can zoom and resize them without losing quality.
Tiny SVG files, such as logos, can be significantly enlarged and printed on oversized items like billboards.
Where are SVGs used
The SVG format is used everywhere – from logos, icons, fonts, illustrations, or brand identity elements to plans, blueprints, 3D printing, or SVG cut files for CNC or laser cutting machines.
Why sell SVG files on Etsy?
- Depending on which software you use, there are few upfront costs to produce.
- Since SVG files can be resized precisely without losing resolution, there are many applications, from a custom script font and artistic illustrations to technical blueprints and guitar plans.
- Affordable SVGs on Etsy appeal to many niches – entrepreneurs looking for designs for their brands, stores and products, DIYs interested in woodworking, or laser engraving plans.
- Selling SVGs can complement your full-time income with passive earnings.
Tip
Learn more on how to sell printables on Etsy on our blog.
Make it happen today!
Best software for making SVG files
Check these paid and free design software to create SVG files, and pick the one that best fits your budget and creation process.
Paid SVG software
- The Adobe Creative Cloud ($54.99/month, $599.88/year) contains everything designers need to create graphic elements – from thousands of assets to specialized applications like Adobe Illustrator, the solution for creating and editing SVG files.
It is possible to subscribe to Adobe Illustrator alone for $20.99/month.
- Affinity Designer 2 is a direct competitor to not only Adobe Illustrator but also Photoshop.
The product is a complete professional solution for creating SVG files and editing vector and raster files. Its workflow is reasonably intuitive, but given the depth of some resources, there is still a learning curve.
The company replaces subscriptions for a one-time payment of $69.99 (Windows and Mac) or $18.99 (iPad).
The whole suite (Designer 2, Photo 2, and Publisher 2) can be purchased for $164.99.
- CorelDraw – Alludo (former Corel Corporation) offers more than one tool for vector design, with confusing and often changing price tiers, including one-time options and suite subscriptions for businesses.
CorelDraw uses the AI-powered tool Power Trace, which quickly removes the background from raster files and transforms them into vector files.
- Corel Vector ($69.99/year) is a simplified, template-based online tool for hobbyists with unlimited cloud storage, non-destructive editing, vectorizing, effects, text, and typography.
- Corel Draw Standard ($299 one-time purchase) is aimed at hobbyists and home businesses, offering vector illustration tools, layouts for publishing, deep photo editing (with the Corel Photo Paint Standard included), typography, effects, and much more. Available only for Windows.
- CorelDraw Graphics Suite ($549 one-time purchase, $22.42/per month) includes the full power of the CorelDraw family for professional graphic designers. Available for Windows and Mac.
- Canva Pro – Canva is beloved for offering pre-made assets, quickly editable elements, and even some free designs. It is possible to edit vector files with its premium version.
The program is intuitive and easy to use but lacks professional photo editing tools and depends on cloud storage.
Subscription plans start from $12.99 monthly.
Free SVG software
- Inkscape is a free, open-source competitor to Adobe Illustrator. It is a high-quality, full-featured, professional-level editor for vector graphics.
As such, it has a steep learning curve, with an interface that some consider cluttered and overwhelming.
The powerful tool has a passionate and active supporting community and is available for Windows, Mac, and Linux. This makes it one of the most compatible and cross-platform options for creating and editing SVGs.
It also imports Illustrator AI and Corel Draw CRD files, and you can convert AutoCAD dxf files to SVG.
- Vecta is an online editor with a dashboard for teams, integration with Slack and Google Drive, and AI-powered features. It is fully expandable through Javascript plug-ins and has an edge in technical designs and productivity with diagrams, measuring, and precision tools.
Vecta imports AutoCAD files (dxf), creates and edits SVGs, and lets you export files in PNG, JPG, SVG, and PDF formats.
This tool is recommended if you want an easy-to-work and affordable solution to sell SVGs for plans or diagrams. More advanced features will require Illustrator, Inkscape, or Affinity.
- LibreOffice Draw is an open-source and free vector editor, part of the LibreOffice suite. It runs on Linux, Windows, or Mac and is supported by an engaged community worldwide.
It imports and edits several formats (including PDF) and exports files as SVG designs.
The editor is straightforward compared to Illustrator but lacks deep graphic editing capabilities.
It can deliver diagrams, flowcharts, photo galleries, and other graphic assets targeting productivity niches with professional quality.
How to make an SVG file in Adobe Illustrator
Let’s see how to create a simple text-based design to sell online.
Printify Expert tip
Besides text, you can create custom shapes and use brushes in Illustrator. Once you’ve gained more confidence, experiment with Illustrator’s more advanced tools to take your designs to the next level.
Linda Vilumsone, Product Marketing Graphic Designer
- Click on New file or select a preset. We are going to stick with the “Common” option.
- Select the Text tool (1), place the cursor where you want and type (2). Change the font, select the size, or adjust other parameters (3). Use the selection tool to move the design around (4).
- Outline your text to transform it into a recognizable object with lines and points that other devices (including printing and cutting machines) can read. Select the text with the Selection tool.
In the right-hand menu, select the tab Properties, then scroll down and hit the Create Outlines button.
Note
Double-check for spelling errors before outlining, as you cannot re-type the text later.
- You can insert graphic elements from Adobe libraries or local files.
Printify Expert tip
Adobe Libraries has assets you previously saved to your Creative Cloud to create your own library. Click on the Libraries tab in the upper-right corner to access it. You may have to prepare the designs in your library to make them editable to save them in an SVG file.
Linda Vilumsone, Product Marketing Graphic Designer
- For local files, simply drag and drop the asset to your design.
Note
Remember to purchase the assets you’ve added to your library. Otherwise, you won’t have commercial usage rights, and the graphics will display a watermark.
Printify Expert tip
Make the image you want to insert editable and then save it. Open the asset separately, go to the Properties tab in the upper-right corner, and then use the Image trace tool and save it.
Linda Vilumsone, Product Marketing Graphic Designer
- Return to your main image (re-insert the edited graphic element if necessary). Use the selection tool to select both the text and the design. Then, in the Properties tab, click on Group to make them into one element and move or resize the whole bunch without misplacing anything.
- You can ungroup the elements anytime by clicking the same button. This is useful, for instance, if you want to change the colors of letters individually.
- Once you’re satisfied with the results, save or export your file.
Printify Expert tip
The safest option when creating an SVG file is to select all elements you want to be in your design, click on File (upper menu), select Export as, and finally, choose SVG as the file format. This will prevent other things on the Artboard from being added to the SVG.
Linda Vilumsone, Product Marketing Graphic Designer
Pro-tip
Check for detailed Illustrator tutorials on how to remove backgrounds, create paths, and more.
Make it happen today!
How to start selling SVG files on Etsy
Selling SVG files on Etsy differs from selling physical products. Let’s go over the main steps Etsy sellers must take.
Start your Etsy print-on-demand business today!
Open an Etsy shop
- Go to Etsy.com and Register or Sign in.
- Click the Your account button (upper-right corner), then Sell on Etsy to create a Seller account.
- On the next page, click on Get Started or Open your Etsy shop.
- Fill in language, country, and currency.
- Enter your Etsy shop name. Use generators such as Namelix if needed.
- Create a first Etsy listing.
- Set up payment and billing methods, including a bank account or credit card. The payment verification may take some days.
Warning
If you are a new Etsy seller, you must create a first listing before completing other steps. Etsy refunds the first listing fee – the next ones will cost $0.20 each.
Upload and list your digital file
- Go to the Shop Manager in the upper-right corner.
- Click on Listings on the left-hand menu, then +Add a listing, in the upper-right corner.
- Select Digital files to specify that you’re selling a downloadable.
- Fill in the About section information – add a title, up to ten product photos, and one video.
- Create mockups to use as product photos. Create mockups with daily situations to avoid copycats – for instance, a DIYer looking at the computer with the SVG cut files you’re selling on the screen.
- Drag and drop your .svg files or click on Add file. You can upload up to five files of 20MB each.
The next steps are the same as creating a physical product. Remember to enter in the Description field what the SVG designs’ purposes are and if there are particular steps to print or operate them.
Quick tips
Learn in detail how to post on Etsy in our blog.
Remember to refine your Etsy SEO and your Etsy tags.
Set prices
Do a quick search on Etsy for top sellers. Then, establish a range for your prices. There are SVG bundles and packs from $1-15 and many individual designs around $1, but specialized designs can sell for much more.
Tip
Analyze competitors’ prices with tools like eRank.
Publish and market your products
Go to the Settings tab in your listing (or scroll down) and select the automatic renewal option before publishing, or they will appear as Out of Stock after a sale.
Re-check everything, then click on Publish.
Share your listing on your own website, blog post, social networks, or other platforms and make your products known.
Tip
Check our blog for up-to-date Etsy marketing strategies.
Other file formats
Etsy also supports .bmp, .doc, .ePUB, .gif, .iBook, .jpeg, .jpg, .mobi, .mov, .mp3, .mpeg, .pdf, .png, .psp, .rtf, .stl, .txt, and .zip.
Expand your new business by adding more files in different formats, from product designs and woodworking plans to children’s education content.
Pro-Tip
Learn how to sell digital downloads on Etsy on our blog.
FAQ: How to sell SVG on Etsy
Yes. Selling SVG on Etsy is a way to generate passive income. There is demand for graphic assets to apply to POD products, plans for DIYers, drawings, and more.
There are few upfront costs to selling digital products on Etsy, but you must drive traffic with SEO and marketing strategies to get more sales in the SVG market.
- Add your SVG files to a . ZIP file, as Etsy doesn’t support uploading SVGs directly.
- Go to the Shop Manager
- Click on Listings (left menu), then +Add a listing (upper-right corner)
- Select Digital files
- Add pictures or mockups
- Click on Add file and upload the digital file.
- Fill in all information (title, description, tags, categories), watching for SEO and keywords.
- Set your prices
- Scroll down in the Setting tab and select automatic renewal.
- Publish, and market your SVGs.
SVG files can be zoomed in or out without losing quality, making them perfect for many applications – from logos and branding material to DIY plans. Small SVG files (like logos) can be printed on large items.
Summary
We have shown how to make SVG files to sell on Etsy, including software options (paid and free), how to create simple designs on Illustrator, and how to open an Etsy shop and upload your files.
You’ve also learned additional ways to expand your SVG business, like adding other file types and POD products.
