How to Pick the Right Products to Sell Profitably on Etsy: A Guide for Print on Demand Store Owners
Starting a Print on Demand (POD) store on Etsy can be a rewarding way to turn your creativity into a profitable business. With Etsy’s vast audience of shoppers looking for unique, custom items, the potential for success is high. However, like any business, choosing the right products to sell is critical to your store’s profitability.
In a marketplace crowded with countless options, standing out requires a strategic approach to product selection. Whether you’re offering custom t-shirts, personalized mugs, or digital art, understanding what resonates with your target audience and staying on top of market trends can make all the difference. This guide will walk you through how to pick the right products to sell on Etsy, ensuring your print-on-demand business thrives in a competitive environment.
1. Understand Your Niche and Target Audience
Before you even start thinking about the types of products you want to sell, the first and most crucial step is to identify your niche and target audience. Etsy is a marketplace where niche products perform exceptionally well because customers often look for something unique or customized. A clear, focused niche helps you stand out among a sea of generic offerings and makes it easier to market your products.
Key Questions to Ask:
- What are you passionate about, and how can you turn that into a product?
- Who is your ideal customer? (Think age, gender, interests, lifestyle, etc.)
- What kinds of products is this audience already buying on Etsy?
Take the time to research different niches and customer demographics. For example, if you’re into sustainable living, your niche could be eco-friendly, customizable items. If you’re an artist, you might create custom artwork on t-shirts or mugs. Once you’ve narrowed down a niche, it becomes easier to identify specific products that will appeal to your audience.
2. Analyze Market Trends
To choose the right products, you must stay updated on market trends. A tool like Etsy’s search bar and its “Trending Items” section is your best friend. By typing in general product keywords like “custom t-shirts” or “personalized mugs,” you’ll see what people are currently searching for and purchasing. This will give you an idea of what’s in demand.
Additionally, Etsy is known for seasonal products. Understanding when certain trends peak can give you a competitive edge. For example, personalized holiday gifts are huge in the months leading up to Christmas, and custom apparel for weddings and bachelorette parties sees an uptick in spring and summer.
Useful Tools:
- Etsy Search Bar: Use keyword suggestions and search volume to find popular products.
- Google Trends: Helps you gauge the demand over time for specific product types.
- Pinterest: Another platform for identifying trending items and designs.
3. Conduct Competitive Analysis
Once you’ve identified a few potential products and niches, it’s time to check out the competition. Competitor research can offer invaluable insights into what’s already selling and where the gaps are in the market.
Look for high-performing Etsy shops in your niche and examine their product offerings, pricing strategy, and customer feedback. What do their best-selling items have in common? How do they present their products, and what keywords are they using in their descriptions? This type of research can help you spot opportunities to either improve on existing products or offer something different.
Pro Tip: Don’t be discouraged if a market seems saturated. Instead, focus on how you can differentiate your products through design, customization options, or branding.
4. Choose High-Demand POD Products
Now, let’s talk about specific product categories. While there are countless items you could sell via print on demand, some products perform better on Etsy than others due to their customizable nature and high demand. Below are a few evergreen product ideas that tend to sell well on Etsy:
Custom Apparel (T-Shirts, Hoodies, Baby Onesies)
Custom apparel is one of the most popular categories for POD products on Etsy. It offers endless possibilities for customization, whether you focus on funny quotes, pet-themed designs, or niche cultural references.
The key to success in this category is creativity. Simple, clean, and meaningful designs tend to resonate with Etsy shoppers. Personalization options like names, dates, or custom illustrations can also set your products apart.
Mugs
Mugs are another bestseller in the print-on-demand space. They’re inexpensive to produce, easy to ship, and appeal to a wide range of buyers. Consider offering personalized mugs with names, quotes, or images. Seasonal themes, like holiday mugs, also perform well, particularly when coupled with gift-ready packaging.
Wall Art and Posters
Digital artwork and posters can be a goldmine on Etsy, especially if you have a knack for design or photography. Whether you create typographic prints, motivational quotes, or scenic artwork, wall art is versatile and can be tailored to various tastes and styles.
Since these are digital products, customers can download them immediately, reducing your shipping and production costs while giving you a higher profit margin.
Tote Bags
With increasing interest in sustainability, custom tote bags have surged in popularity. These bags serve a practical purpose while allowing for creative designs. You can target a specific audience (e.g., eco-conscious shoppers, moms, or students) with your designs, offering a product that combines function with personality.
Phone Cases
Customized phone cases are a trendy and practical item that many people are willing to invest in, especially when it reflects their personal style or interest. Offering options for a variety of phone models and providing customization will appeal to shoppers looking for unique designs.
5. Optimize for Profit Margins
One of the advantages of a POD business is the low upfront cost, but that doesn’t mean you should overlook your profit margins. When selecting products to sell, you’ll need to ensure the item is priced appropriately, both competitively and profitably.
Take into account the following factors:
- Production Costs: Calculate the cost to produce each item, including customization options.
- Etsy Fees: Etsy charges various fees, including listing fees, transaction fees, and payment processing fees.
- Shipping Costs: While many POD providers offer flat-rate shipping, it’s important to consider the total shipping expense, especially if you’re targeting an international audience.
- Markup: Make sure your retail price includes a reasonable markup to cover costs and generate a profit. A general rule of thumb is to aim for at least a 30-40% profit margin.
Tip: Free shipping is a big draw for Etsy shoppers. Consider offering it by incorporating the shipping cost into your product price.
6. Choose Reliable POD Suppliers
Your success in Etsy POD hinges not only on picking the right products but also on partnering with reliable suppliers. You want a supplier that offers high-quality products, dependable printing, and timely shipping.
Some popular POD suppliers that integrate seamlessly with Etsy include:
These platforms allow you to connect directly to your Etsy store, automate orders, and manage inventory without upfront costs. However, it’s crucial to order samples from each supplier to ensure the quality of their products and printing meets your expectations.
Conclusion
Starting a successful Print on Demand (POD) store on Etsy requires careful product selection to ensure profitability and stand out in a competitive marketplace. This guide covers essential steps for choosing the right products, including identifying a niche, understanding your target audience, and analyzing market trends. It also emphasizes the importance of conducting competitor research, focusing on high-demand items like custom apparel, mugs, and digital art, and maintaining healthy profit margins. Additionally, selecting reliable POD suppliers and offering personalization options can elevate your store’s success. By following these strategies, you can build a thriving Etsy POD business.
Check out how to create your first product and get it up online quickly.
