Are you interested in starting a profitable Etsy business selling candles using print-on-demand?
Print-on-demand candles offer an excellent way to sell unique, giftable products online without holding inventory or handling shipping yourself. Because fulfillment is handled by a supplier, you can operate this work-from-home business from your laptop—one reason many people are drawn to it.
In this article, I’m sharing an interview with Emily Odio-Sutton, who was previously featured for earning substantial monthly income selling print-on-demand gifts. Since that feature, Emily’s Etsy shop has grown significantly: she has sold more than 22,000 candles and surpassed $900,000 in total Etsy revenue, with candles accounting for over half of her sales.
In the interview Emily covers:
- How she began selling on Etsy
- Why she chose candles as a product
- How print-on-demand candles work
- Startup costs and tools needed
- Realistic income expectations for beginners
- Tips for product ideas, pricing, and Etsy visibility
- Advice for new sellers before opening a shop
If you’ve been thinking about starting an Etsy shop or selling candles online, this interview offers practical tips and straightforward beginner guidance. Emily also runs a free workshop that explains how she made $500,000 in two years selling print-on-demand items and outlines the best product types to maximize earnings through Etsy.
Make Money With Print-On-Demand Free Workshop
Learn how to make money selling print-on-demand products on Etsy and discover how Emily earned $500,000 in two years.
How I Sell Print-On-Demand Candles on Etsy
If you want to launch a print-on-demand candle business, this interview provides actionable steps and realistic expectations.
1. Can you tell us a little about yourself and how you first got started selling on Etsy?
I’m a mom of two young girls with a background in higher education. When my oldest prepared to start kindergarten, my husband and I worried about balancing school schedules while working full-time and accelerating student loan repayment. I explored side-hustle ideas and tried reselling on Amazon, but it required too much upfront inventory and expense.
Eventually I found a YouTube video about print-on-demand on Etsy and was immediately interested. The model required no inventory, had low startup costs, and allowed me to work from my laptop—perfect for a busy parent. I set a six-month goal to make it work and started from there.
2. What made you decide to sell candles specifically?
I began with t-shirts and sweatshirts because that’s what many creators recommended, and I even had an early bestseller. But as I researched, I noticed other print-on-demand items faced less competition and required simpler designs. I tested candles with a single listing and was surprised when it sold the first night. That immediate validation revealed a large opportunity on Etsy.
3. How much have you made selling candles on Etsy, and what has your growth looked like over time?
After reviewing my stats, the results were striking. I’ve sold over 22,000 candles, generating more than $500,000 in candle sales. My total Etsy revenue has surpassed $900,000. My first year of candle sales led to a sharp increase in overall revenue, and each year I see major peaks during spring and the holiday season. My shop consistently exceeds six figures annually, and this year’s revenue is up over 70% compared to last year.
4. How much can a new person make selling print-on-demand candles?
Candles are an excellent starter product: easy to design, giftable, and popular among Etsy shoppers seeking unique presents. Results vary, but new shops are achieving impressive sales quickly. For example, I analyzed a four-month-old shop that made over 2,100 sales selling only candles. With the right niche and consistent effort, meaningful results are possible even for beginners.
5. What is print-on-demand, and what is a print-on-demand candle? Do you need to carry any inventory at all?
Print-on-demand is a fulfillment method where you create a design and link it to a supplier. For candles, you upload your artwork to a print supplier, set up the product, and publish the listing on Etsy. When a customer orders, the supplier prints, packages, and ships the candle directly to the buyer. You never hold inventory and you only pay for the product after it sells, which keeps startup risk low.
6. How much does it cost to get started with print-on-demand candles?
One of the major advantages is low startup cost. You’ll need an Etsy shop (a small fee is typical), a design tool like Canva (the free tier is sufficient), and an account with a print-on-demand supplier. I also recommend using at least one Etsy research tool to help identify trends and keywords—these usually range from $6 to $30 per month. Altogether, you can start a shop for under $50 in many cases.
7. How do you come up with product ideas that people will actually buy?
Research is essential. Don’t open your design tool before you’ve researched what buyers want. Focus on a specific person and occasion—a target customer and a moment. For example, instead of a generic “graduation” candle, specify the kind of graduation: nursing school, high school, etc. Being specific helps your product speak directly to a buyer’s emotions and increases the chance of a sale. Your aim should be to create items buyers can’t pick up at a chain store.
8. How do you price your candles?
Use the supplier’s pricing tools to calculate costs. I recommend aiming for at least a 30% profit margin where possible. Because candle shipping can be higher than for some other items, consider charging for shipping rather than including it in the price to protect margins.
9. How do customers usually find your shop and your candles?
The majority of sales come organically through Etsy searches and SEO. Being specific about your target customer and occasion makes it easier for buyers to find you. A niche product, such as a nursing school graduation candle, ranks and converts better than a generic candle.
10. Can someone with no computer skills start a print-on-demand business selling candles?
Yes—though there’s a learning curve. You don’t need to be tech-savvy or a designer. Tools like Canva and straightforward supplier integrations make the process accessible. Expect to learn as you go: creating listings, basic design, and navigating Etsy will take some practice, but none of it is overly technical.
11. What are the biggest challenges with selling candles on Etsy?
Common challenges include being too broad in your targeting and expecting instant results. Products that try to appeal to everyone often appeal to no one. Successful shops define a clear audience and gifting occasion. Market saturation can feel intimidating, but it also indicates strong demand. Patience is essential—Etsy momentum builds over time rather than overnight.
12. Is there room for new print-on-demand candle sellers in 2026?
Absolutely. New trends, seasonal demand, and fresh ideas continually create opportunities for new sellers. I’ve seen recent shops achieve substantial sales within months by focusing on the right niches and consistent listing growth.
13. What other items do you sell through print-on-demand?
Over three years I expanded beyond candles to other giftable items, including:
- Journals
- Mugs
- Tote bags
- Blankets
- Ornaments
The focus remains on items tied to special occasions—products that feel meaningful and custom rather than generic.
14. For someone who wants to get started this month, what steps would you tell them to take?
Keep it simple and take one step at a time. Open your Etsy shop, connect a print-on-demand supplier, and publish one listing at a time. Choose a specific niche and customer—think of a person and a moment like a teacher gift or a dog mom’s birthday. Research what newer shops are selling, note design styles and phrases, then create a few simple designs. Most importantly, be consistent and learn by doing rather than waiting for perfection.
15. Can you tell us more about The Gift Lab and who it is best for?
The Gift Lab is a course that teaches how to sell print-on-demand products on Etsy with an emphasis on giftable items like candles, journals, ornaments, and similar products. The course helps you stop guessing and instead identify who a product is for, when it would be gifted, and why someone would buy it. It’s suited for beginners who want a clear step-by-step path as well as sellers who have tried Etsy but feel stuck. The content is broken into bite-sized videos and includes design templates and product ideas to speed up your progress.
Are you interested in starting a print-on-demand business?
Recommended reading:
- How I Make $400,000 Per Year Selling Educational Printables
- Printify vs. Printful: Which Print On Demand Platform Is Best for You?
- How I Make Money Selling Printables On Etsy
- 14 Best Low Maintenance Businesses to Start Today
- 16 Best Things To Sell On Etsy To Make Money
- How To Sell On Etsy Successfully: A Beginner’s Guide
- How To Start a Print On Demand Side Hustle With $0
- How To Start Your Clothing Brand Side Hustle on Etsy With Zero Upfront Costs