Do you want to learn how to sell printables online? Below you’ll find guidance on how to discover printable ideas to sell, how to create printables as a beginner, how to earn extra income from digital products, and practical tips to get started.
This article expands on an earlier post, How I Make Money Selling Printables On Etsy, and features updated advice from Cody, co-founder of the E-Printables Side Hustle course, plus real experiences from students who’ve launched successful printable shops.
Selling printables can be a fulfilling side hustle: you tap into creativity, build a product once, and sell unlimited copies. Cody began with no design experience—he learned as he went—and now helps others do the same.
Common questions people ask include:
- What exactly is a printable?
- Why do buyers choose Etsy for printables, and is selling on Etsy profitable?
- Which types of printables sell best on Etsy?
- How should I price a printable?
- How do I begin selling printables on Etsy?
This article answers those questions and provides actionable steps to help you sell printables online. If you prefer a compact starter guide, Cody offers a free ebook to help you choose a niche and start selling digital downloads on Etsy.
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How to sell printables online
Please tell us about yourself and how you got started selling printables on Etsy.
Hi — I’m Cody, co-founder of Gold City Ventures. As a digital nomad and side hustler, I’m always exploring creative income streams. I didn’t have design skills or prior Etsy experience when I started. In early 2019 a friend mentioned she’d earned over $6,000 selling printables with about 50 hours of work. Intrigued by the potential, I tried it—and kept going.
What is a printable?
A printable is any design or document intended to be printed or used digitally: calendars, planners, stickers, labels, cards, resumes, brochures, wall art, banners, coloring pages, games, postcards, and workbooks, among others. Digital downloads are closely related but are consumed on devices—digital planners, templates, digital stickers, online invitations, and more.
Why do people buy printables from Etsy? Why are they profitable?
Buyers choose Etsy for printables for several reasons:
1. To solve a problem: Planners, trackers, and organizational printables address specific needs—budgeting, wedding planning, fitness tracking—so customers search with clear intent.
2. As gifts or entertainment: Cards, party games, invitations, and activities are purchased for events and celebrations.
3. For decoration: Wall art, quotes, and printable photos are popular for home decor.
Because shoppers on Etsy often have purchase intent, sellers who create products that solve problems, entertain, or decorate can generate steady sales.
What printables sell best on Etsy?
Many types of printables sell well, but success depends on differentiation. Stand out with better presentation, targeted keywords, customization options, or a unique niche.
Examples: offering editable Mother’s Day cards when most listings are static, or creating a niche “pink floral wedding planner” instead of a generic “wedding planner.” Niche down to reduce competition and capture search traffic. There are many paths to success—find the one that fits your strengths.
How do you know what to price each printable?
Research competing listings first. Price ranges vary widely—from a few dollars to much more—so check similar products. For beginners, aim for a middle-to-lower price point within the competitive range. Avoid pricing too low (which may signal low quality) or too high (which can prevent sales).
How do I get started selling printables on Etsy?
Start by brainstorming printable ideas. If you need help, resources like the Seasonal Products Secret ebook can spark year-round ideas.
Design tools: you can create printables in Adobe products, Canva, PicMonkey, Procreate, Microsoft Word, or PowerPoint. Canva and Adobe Illustrator are popular choices.
Once your product is ready, open an Etsy shop and create a listing—add listing images, a clear title, persuasive description, tags, and a competitive price. Publish the listing and promote it. You can expand visibility through social media, blogs, video, Pinterest, and paid ads.
How do I start selling printables online as a beginner?
Here are real starter stories from students who took the E-Printables course—examples of how they began, what they sold, and how they earned their first income. These stories show that getting started doesn’t require perfection; persistence and research do the heavy lifting.
Kristy (Print it Momma) launched in August 2020 with kid-friendly activities and seasonal products. She made her first sale within weeks and grew to thousands of sales and thousands of dollars in revenue in months by focusing on a niche she knew well—parenting—while working less than 10 hours per week.
Jen (EdenwoodPaperie) focused on wedding and party printables after designing her own invitations. She used editable templates to improve customer experience, invested in ads early to gain visibility, and pivoted products when demand shifted during the pandemic.
Cynthia (EphemeralAesthetics) started with wall art in 2018 and later pivoted to quarantine games, reminding sellers to persist and experiment when first starting.
Kevin (Modern Printable Shop) began with a personal finance debt thermometer and made his first sale within days of launching. He highlights that early sales timing doesn’t predict long-term success—consistently creating products that match buyer demand matters most.
Sasha (YourFrugalFriend) started in 2019 with budgeting printables, expanded into related niches for steady income, and advises research, attractive listing images, and competitive pricing to secure initial sales.
Rachel (moneyhackingmama.com) began selling printables after taking a course, made a first-month sale, and now earns a significant monthly income. Her tip for beginners: invest a little in Etsy ads to boost early visibility, but learn how to use ads efficiently.
Do you want to learn how to sell printables online? What other questions do you have?