How to Make Money Selling Printables On Etsy

Want to know how to sell printables on Etsy and make money without shipping anything?

Selling printables on Etsy is a great way to earn extra cash. Once you create them, you can sell them over and over again.

You can make printables for all kinds of things like holidays, baby showers, birthdays, and more. Printables are popular, and lots of people use them every day.

In this interview Cody Berman shares how he learned to sell printables on Etsy, even though he started with no graphic design skills. He answers questions like how much money you can make and how to start selling printables on Etsy.

If you’re curious about selling printables and want to make some extra money, this interview is a great starting point. Cody also has a free ebook to help you figure out how to begin selling printables on Etsy.

Please give us a little background on yourself and how you got started selling on Etsy.

I first started selling printables on Etsy in 2018 after my friend Julie told me she had made over $6,000 from just 50 hours of work. $120 per hour? Sign me up.

I had never been on Etsy before, I wasn’t good at graphic design, and I had no experience with digital products. Sounds like the perfect recipe for success, right?

I definitely had a slow start. I opened my shop in October and didn’t have my first “big break” until February. I ended up making over $700 during Valentine’s week selling seasonal products and I’ve continued that same strategy since.

What exactly is a “printable”?

A “printable” is a digital file that a customer can purchase and download. These files typically contain designs, artwork, templates, or other content that can be printed at home or through a print shop. Customers can use them for a wide range of purposes, from wall art and planners to invitations and more.

What do you like best about selling on Etsy?

One of the things I like best about selling on Etsy is the flexibility it offers. You can work from anywhere, use your creativity, and it’s one of the most passive side hustles I’ve ever tried. Once you create the product and upload it to your Etsy store, there’s almost no additional work needed on your end besides answering the occasional customer question.

How much money can you make selling printables on Etsy? 

The amount of money you can make selling printables on Etsy can vary greatly. It depends on factors such as the quality of your products, your marketing efforts, and the demand for your particular niche. Some sellers make a few hundred dollars a month, while others earn a full-time income.

How much do you earn each month on Etsy?

Since I mostly sell seasonal products, my monthly earnings vary greatly. I’ve made $700+ in a week, but I’ve also had months where I’ve only earned $100 during a slow season. I’ve also expanded into Shopify and earn money selling digital products there as well.

Do you need a big following to succeed in selling printables?

You don’t necessarily need a big following to succeed in selling printables. While having a social media presence or email list can be beneficial, Etsy itself is a platform where customers come to shop.

You can attract customers through Etsy’s search and recommendation algorithms, in addition to optimizing your shop and listings for relevant keywords.

How long did it take to make your first sale, and how do you attract customers to your Etsy shop?

My first sale on Etsy took a couple of weeks to achieve. To attract customers to my shop, I focused on optimizing my product listings, using high-quality images, and pricing competitively.

The most important lesson I learned was that I needed to create products that other people were looking for, not just products that I felt like creating. Once I started focusing more on keyword research and SEO, things started to come around for me.

How do you come up with new printable ideas?

Coming up with new printable ideas is an exciting part of the process. I often draw inspiration from popular trends, seasons, holidays, and customer requests. It’s important to stay creative and keep an eye on what’s in demand in the market.

Can someone with no tech skills create printables?

Yes, someone with no tech skills can create printables. There are user-friendly graphic design software options like Canva that make it easy to design and create printables, even if you have no prior experience. Plus, there are many tutorials and resources available online to help you get started.

What are the key steps to start selling printables on Etsy?

The key steps to start selling printables on Etsy include:

  1. Research products to create.
  2. Create high-quality printable designs.
  3. Set up your Etsy shop.
  4. Optimize your listings with relevant keywords.
  5. Price your products competitively.
  6. Promote your shop through various marketing channels.
  7. Provide excellent customer service.

Do you have any tips for people starting out on Etsy?

For those starting out on Etsy, my tips include:

  • Focus on creating unique and valuable printables that meet the needs of your target audience.
  • Invest time in optimizing your product listings with high-quality images and keyword-rich descriptions.
  • Continuously learn and adapt to changes in the platform and market trends.
  • Don’t give up. It took me over 20 products to find one that was a “winner”. 

Can you tell us more about the training you offer?

I created a course called E-Printables with my friend Julie that provides in-depth instruction on creating and selling printables on Etsy. We have dozens of hours of content, product templates to help you get started, and an entire community to support you.

We’ve now had over 10,000 students work through the course and have seen some amazing success stories. One student made $160,000 in one year. Another student was able to pay the mortgage with Etsy income. We’ve seen people of all backgrounds and ages make this side hustle a reality.

If you want to dip your toes in the water first before committing to a full-fledged course, we also put together a 60-minute workshop to help you get started which you can find here.

Author: Britt

I am Britt. I have been house-sitting and pet-sitting for the past seven years. I have cared for 25 dogs, 35 cats, one turtle, and one rabbit over 80+ houses in 15 countries.

The opportunity to experience different homes, cultures, and communities has been extraordinary.

I’ve connected with homeowners seeking reliable sitters through house-sitting platforms like Aussie House Sitters and Trusted House Sitters. This unique way of living has allowed me to save money on accommodation, explore new cultures, and meet new people.

Being a member of these platforms has broadened my horizons and opened doors to short- and long-term house-sitting jobs. I’ve found joy in providing excellent pet care and ensuring the home is well-maintained.

I get many questions about how to start as a housesitter, so please reach out if you have any questions! I want everyone to enjoy this incredible lifestyle as well!

You can read more about Jay and me here!

Or connect with me on Facebook or in our house-sitting community on Facebook.

House Sitting in Salon-de-Provence
Me (Britt) House Sitting in Salon-de-Provence, France

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