Print on Demand (POD) is a great way to start a business on Etsy without worrying about inventory or shipping. But success isn’t just about listing a few products and hoping for sales. It takes strategy, creativity, and knowing what works and what doesn’t. In this guide, we’ll cover the key do’s and don’ts of running a POD Etsy shop so you can set yourself up for success from the start!
What You Should Do
1. Research Your Niche
Before you start designing products, take time to research what sells well on Etsy. Use tools like eRank or Marmalead to find high-demand, low-competition keywords. Browse best-selling items in your category to understand trends. Focus on a niche you’re passionate about—it makes creating products much easier!
2. Choose a Reliable Etsy Print On Demand Provider
Picking the right POD partner is crucial because they handle printing and shipping for you.
Printful – High-quality products, reliable shipping, slightly higher prices.
Printify – Multiple print providers, competitive pricing, but varying quality.
Gooten – Good for unique products like home decor.
Teespring – Great for t-shirts and hoodies but requires manual Etsy integration. Test a few providers before committing to ensure you’re happy with the quality.
3. Create High-Quality Designs
Your design is what sells the product, so make sure it stands out. Use Canva (for beginners) or Adobe Illustrator (for advanced designs). Keep designs simple and visually appealing—too much detail can make prints look messy. Check Etsy trends to see what styles are popular.
4. Optimize Your Listings for SEO
If your product listings aren’t optimized, customers won’t find them. Include relevant keywords in the title, description, and tags. Add clear, detailed descriptions to help buyers understand your product. Use alt text on images to improve searchability.
5. Use High-Quality Mockups
Good images sell products, so don’t just rely on default POD mockups. Use Placeit or Smart Mockups for professional-looking images. Show products in real-life settings (e.g., a t-shirt being worn, a mug on a desk). Include multiple angles to give buyers a full view.
6. Offer Competitive Pricing
POD products can be more expensive than handmade items, so pricing strategically is key. Check competitor prices and stay within a similar range. Factor in Etsy fees, POD costs, and profit margin when setting prices. Offer occasional discounts or bundle deals to attract more buyers.
7. Promote Your Shop
Etsy SEO alone won’t drive enough traffic—you need to market your shop!
Pinterest: Create eye-catching pins linking to your Etsy shop.
Instagram & TikTok: Share behind-the-scenes videos and product mockups.
Email marketing: Offer discounts and updates to repeat customers.
Etsy Ads: Invest in Etsy’s advertising platform for more visibility.
8. Provide Excellent Customer Service
Happy customers mean more positive reviews and repeat sales. Respond quickly to messages and inquiries. Address any issues with shipping or product quality professionally. Offer hassle-free returns and refunds (within reason).
9. Monitor Your Sales & Analytics
Tracking your performance helps you understand what’s working. Use Etsy Analytics to track shop visits and conversions. Check which products sell best and focus on expanding those lines. Adjust pricing or SEO strategies based on data.
10. Keep Experimenting & Improving
Success doesn’t happen overnight, so keep testing new designs and strategies. Try seasonal designs (Christmas, Halloween, etc.). Add new product types to see what resonates with your audience. Stay updated with Etsy trends and algorithm changes.
What You Shouldn’t Do
1. Don’t Copy Other Sellers
It’s tempting to replicate a best-selling design, but it can get you in trouble. Etsy removes listings that violate copyrights and trademarks. Creating original work helps you build a brand, not just a store. Use USPTO’s Trademark Search to ensure your phrases/images aren’t copyrighted.
2. Don’t Use Low-Quality Images
Blurry or generic mockups make your shop look unprofessional. Always use high-resolution images and mockups that showcase your product well. Avoid dark or cluttered backgrounds that make designs hard to see.
3. Don’t Set Unrealistic Prices
Overpricing scares away buyers, while underpricing eats into your profits. Consider Etsy fees and POD costs before setting prices. Offer a balance of affordability and profit margin.
4. Don’t Ignore Customer Messages
Poor communication leads to bad reviews and lost sales. Set up Etsy’s quick replies feature for common questions. Always reply within 24 hours to show customers you care.
5. Don’t List Too Many Products at Once
Starting with too many listings can spread you too thin. Focus on quality over quantity—10 well-optimized listings are better than 50 low-quality ones. Launch new products gradually to see what sells best.
6. Don’t Forget About Etsy Fees
Etsy takes a cut of every sale, so factor that into your pricing. Etsy charges a listing fee ($0.20 per product). Transaction fees are 6.5% of each sale. POD providers charge for production and shipping—don’t forget these costs!
7. Don’t Rely Solely on Etsy’s Traffic
While Etsy brings organic traffic, marketing is crucial. Promote on social media, run Etsy Ads, and build an email list. Consider starting a blog or YouTube channel to drive external traffic.
8. Don’t Overload Descriptions with Keywords
Yes, SEO is important, but keyword stuffing looks unnatural. Write clear, helpful descriptions instead of just listing keywords. Focus on answering customer questions (size, material, shipping times, etc.).
9. Don’t Neglect Packaging & Branding
Even though POD providers handle fulfillment, branding still matters. Add custom packaging options (some POD providers allow this!). Include a thank-you note or discount code for repeat customers.
10. Don’t Get Discouraged!
Success on Etsy takes time and effort. If sales are slow at first, analyze what can be improved. Keep learning, testing, and refining your strategies. Celebrate small wins—every sale means someone loves your work!
Final Thoughts Selling Print on Demand on Etsy is an amazing opportunity, but success comes from strategy, creativity, and persistence. Follow the do’s, avoid the don’ts, and keep improving along the way. Whether you’re just starting or looking to grow, taking the right steps will set you up for long-term success. Now go make something amazing—your future customers are waiting! 🚀
