Does Etsy offer print-on-demand? You’ve spent hours creating the perfect custom t-shirt or sweatshirt. Maybe you even found the ideal print-on-demand company to work with. But sadly, Etsy doesn’t have a POD option for sellers.
However, you cannot sell your products with an automatic ordering system by simply uploading a design file. Does that rule out selling those items on Etsy?
Find out where to look for POD firms and what kinds of designs do well in online shops by reading this post about selling print-on-demand designs on Etsy.
What is Print-On-Demand?
Print-on-demand is a production process where items are printed when a customer orders them. In other words, there’s no need to create and store extra inventory. Instead, a retailer simply makes a design file and uploads it to a printing service.
The merchant then notifies the manufacturer to print the products according to the order’s parameters when a customer puts in an order. Selling print-on-demand items has many benefits.
Since you only create the design file once, developing new products is much easier. Many retailers also find that their profit margins are higher because they’re not paying for inventory that often sits in a warehouse.
Does Etsy Offer Print-On-Demand?
Unfortunately, Etsy doesn’t offer print-on-demand services. You can’t use a single design to create different items.
You would have to create different designs for each item as a seller. This is often a time-consuming process that is difficult to scale. You shouldn’t feel discouraged, though. There are plenty of other ways to optimize your shop and use customized printed items.
The Best Print-On-Demand Companies for Etsy Sellers
If you want to sell customized items through your Etsy shop, you’ll need to work with a print-on-demand company. This means you won’t be able to create the items yourself; you’ll need to outsource the production.
There are plenty of options for POD services. However, only a few are worth considering for Etsy sellers. That’s because you’ll have a much easier time scaling your business if you can find a company that meets all of your requirements.
You can read reviews to find the best POD companies for Etsy sellers. You can also ask other Etsy sellers which companies they use and why. Once you’ve narrowed down your options, compare the companies side-by-side.
Here are a few of the most important factors to consider:
1. Pricing
You’ll need to find a company that offers competitive pricing. Remember, you’ll need to factor in the shipping cost when setting your prices. For example, if a company charges $10 per shirt but shipping is $5, you’ll need to charge your customers at least $15 per shirt.
2. Product Quality
Choosing a reliable business with exceptional items is also essential. Remember that your store’s reputation depends on the quality of the goods you sell. Customers will be less inclined to return for future purchases if you offer inferior goods.
3. Shipping Times
Customers expect fast shipping, especially when they’re paying for shipping. Make sure that your company can ship orders quickly and efficiently.
4. Customer Service
You should also find a company with good customer service. After all, you’ll need to be able to rely on them to help you with any problems that arise.
5. Design Files
Finally, you’ll need to ensure that the company can work with the design files you create. Ideally, you should be able to upload your design files directly to their website.
5 Types of Customized Designs that Sell Well on Etsy
There are many types of products you can sell through your print-on-demand company and then sell on Etsy. However, some products tend to sell better than others.
To get a general idea of what sells, you can look through the most popular Etsy products. You can also look through the product tag pages on Etsy. You can find out what people are searching for, which products are trending, and what designs sell best in different categories.
Some of the most popular products that you can sell on POD and Etsy include:
1. T-shirts
The casual apparel category is one of the most popular on Etsy. If you want to start with a simple and proven product, choose t-shirts.
2. Hoodies and Sweatshirts
These everyday items are great for fall and winter. They’re also great for buyers who want something more stylish.
3. Mugs and Cups
Coffee, tea, and hot chocolate are classic gifts that people love to receive.
4. Sweatpants and pajamas
People love to lounge around in these items during their downtime. If you can create branded gear that is comfortable but still adorable, you can really take advantage of this trend.
5. Bags and Totes
Tote bags are practical and can be used for a variety of purposes. You can find them in different materials, such as canvas or leather.
3 Print-On-Demand Strategies for Etsy Sellers
If you want to sell print-on-demand products on Etsy, you’ll first need to find a source for these products. You can then create an automated selling process that allows you to quickly create and sell new designs.
To do this, you’ll need to work with a print-on-demand company. You can then use each product’s design files to create listings on Etsy. Here are some strategies that you can use:
1. Create Product Collections
You can sell more products in each listing by creating collections. You can also group certain items if they are part of a more prominent theme.
2. Use Items With Related Designs
You can create more unique items by using designs already available on your computer. Many POD companies will let you upload a design file. Then, you can customize the product using the company’s design tools.
3. Create New Designs
If you want to create new designs for your Etsy shop, you can do so with simple design software like Canva. You can also create unique designs with a program like Photoshop.
What are the Benefits of Print-On-Demand on Etsy?
For Etsy vendors, print-on-demand is a terrific method to offer unique wares with no investment. No minimum order requirements, no warehouse space needed, and no extra shipping fees.
Another significant benefit of print-on-demand is that you can create and sell new designs quickly and easily. You can test out new strategies without ordering many products upfront.
Print-on-demand is a fantastic choice if you want to expand your Etsy sales. You can expand your market by offering consumers something fresh, like a new product or layout. In addition, by automating your fulfillment process, you may free up time to focus on other areas of your business, such as product promotion.
Bottom Line
Selling print-on-demand items on Etsy can be a great way to scale your business. However, you’ll need to find a company that offers POD services.
You can then use each product’s design files to create listings on Etsy. To make the most of this strategy, you can create product collections, use items with related designs and create new designs.
Online storefronts that fail to provide what buyers need will never see sustained growth or profitability. Therefore, the ability to make individualized designs and goods is essential. The most convenient way to accomplish this is to contract the services of a print-on-demand provider.