Etsy Print on Demand: A Complete Guide (2025)

Last Updated on April 6, 2025 by Himanshu Rawat

If you’ve been dreaming of starting your own business but feel overwhelmed by the idea of managing inventory, handling shipping, or investing heavily upfront, Etsy Print on Demand (POD) might just be the perfect solution. 

What is Etsy Print on Demand?

Etsy’s Print on Demand (POD) model offers entrepreneurs a low-risk opportunity to start a business without the hassle of managing inventory or handling logistics. By partnering with POD providers, sellers can focus on designing and marketing their products while the provider takes care of production and shipping. 

With Etsy’s large and growing customer base of 89.6 million active buyers and 5.6 million sellers, the platform provides a fertile ground for new sellers to reach a global audience and build a successful, scalable business. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to expand your product offerings, Etsy POD offers a great way to enter the market and tap into the thriving e-commerce space.

But the question remains: is it still a good option for 2025? This will be explored in the next section of the blog.

Is Etsy Print-on-Demand Profitable in 2025?

Yes, Etsy print-on-demand remains a profitable business model in 2025. However, profitability depends on several factors:

• Design Originality and Quality: Unique and high-quality designs are crucial for attracting customers and standing out in a competitive market.
• Market Trends and Product Selection: Choosing the right products and staying updated with market trends can significantly impact profitability. For instance, while apparel remains popular, other categories like home decor are gaining traction.
• Marketing Strategies: Effective marketing, including SEO optimization and advertising, is essential for reaching a wider audience and increasing sales.
• Cost Management: Sellers must carefully manage costs, including production, shipping, and Etsy fees, to ensure a healthy profit margin.
• Profit Margins: The average profit margin for print-on-demand businesses typically ranges from 15% to 50%, with most sellers aiming for a margin between 25% and 50%. However, for Etsy sellers using print-on-demand services like Printify, profit margins might be lower, often around 15% to 20%.

Overall, while competition has increased, print-on-demand on Etsy can still be profitable with the right strategies and product choices.

Start selling print on demand on Etsy in 7 simple steps

Selling print-on-demand products on Etsy involves several steps that help you set up and manage a successful online store. Here’s a step-by-step guide to get started:

Step 1. Create an Etsy Seller Account:

• Go to Etsy.com and sign up for a seller account.
• Set up your shop by entering details like shop name, language, currency, and location.

Step 2. Choose a Print-on-Demand Provider:

• Select a reliable POD service like Printify or Printful that integrates with Etsy.
• These services handle production and shipping, allowing you to focus on design and marketing.

Step 3. Design and Choose Products:

• Use the POD provider’s design tools to create unique designs for products like t-shirts, mugs, or phone cases.
• Choose products that align with your target audience’s interests and current trends.

Step 4. Set Up Listings:

• Create listings for your products on Etsy, including high-quality images and detailed descriptions.
• Ensure that your listings comply with Etsy’s policies and guidelines.

Step 5. Market Your Products:

• Use SEO optimization to improve visibility in Etsy search results.
• Consider running ads or promoting your products on social media platforms.
• promote your store via social media, Etsy ads, and SEO, while engaging with your audience to build loyalty.

Step 6. Manage Orders and Fulfillment:

• Once an order is received, the POD provider will handle production and shipping directly to the customer.
• Monitor your orders and ensure timely communication with customers.

Step 7. Optimize and Grow:

• Continuously monitor sales data and customer feedback to improve designs and product offerings.
• Expand your product line or target new audiences to grow your business

Here are the four Etsy Print-On-Demand Partners to choose

1. Printful

• Offers over 300 customizable products, including apparel and home goods.
• Known for high-quality products, which enhances customer satisfaction.
• Has fulfillment centers in Europe and the U.S., ensuring efficient shipping worldwide.
• Provides resources like the Printful Academy for business growth.
• Seamless integration with Etsy, though some features like shipping status tracking are limited.
• Ideal for beginners due to comprehensive support and a wide product range. However, costs can be higher than some competitors

2. Printify

• Offers over 850 products, including niche items like scented candles.
• Partners with over 90 print providers worldwide, ensuring competitive pricing and fast shipping.
• Free to use with no upfront costs, making it ideal for new sellers.
• Seamlessly integrates with multiple platforms, including Etsy.
• Offers a large selection of products and competitive pricing, making it suitable for sellers looking to maximize profit margins. However, product quality can vary, and shipping times may be slower

3. Gelato

• Focuses on sustainable fulfillment, which appeals to environmentally conscious customers.
• Extensive network of print providers across 32 countries, ensuring fast and reliable shipping.
• Ensures high-quality printing and manufacturing processes.
• Easy integration with Etsy, allowing for automated order fulfillment.
• Ideal for sellers prioritizing sustainability and fast global shipping. Offers 24/7 customer support and no upfront fees

4. Lulu

• Primarily focuses on self-publishing and print-on-demand for books and ebooks.
• Allows for customization of book sizes, binding options, and paper qualities.
• Handles printing, packaging, and shipping, making it easy for authors to focus on content creation.
• Best for creators looking to self-publish books without inventory risks. Offers white-label fulfillment and allows retaining 100% of revenue.

Top 5 Best-Selling Print-on-Demand Products on Etsy

1. Custom T-shirts: The revenue for t-shirt sales in 2024 is roughly $45.52 billion, and the market is growing by more than 3% each year. T-shirts are consistently one of the top sellers on Etsy, as they offer endless customization options. You can create shirts with funny sayings, personalized quotes, or graphics related to specific hobbies, professions, or pop culture trends.

From classic crew necks to trendy oversized styles, there’s a wide variety to cater to every buyer. The key to success is finding a niche, such as pet lovers, fitness enthusiasts, or people looking for custom event shirts (e.g., weddings, reunions).

2. Mugs: Custom mugs are popular for both personal and gift purposes. Sellers often personalize mugs with names, funny quotes, or inspirational messages, making them perfect for birthdays, holidays, and special occasions like anniversaries or graduation. The options are endless, from classic ceramic mugs to travel mugs and even novelty designs that cater to specific hobbies or interests like coffee lovers, teachers, or pet owners.

3. Tote Bags: Tote bags are popular for their versatility and eco-friendly appeal. Custom designs range from minimalist prints to bold graphics, making them perfect for carrying groceries, books, or everyday items. They’re also great gifts for special occasions like birthdays or weddings, and targeting specific niches like fashion or pets can help attract a dedicated audience.

4. Posters and Prints: Custom posters and prints are popular for home décor, appealing to buyers looking to personalize their space. From family portraits to motivational quotes and seasonal designs, these items offer endless creative possibilities and can be marketed for various occasions and trends.

5. Hoodies and Sweatshirts: Hoodies and sweatshirts are cozy, customizable items popular in colder months. With options like funny sayings, logos, or embroidered patches, they’re trendy and perfect for gifts or corporate events, especially in oversized or vintage styles.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Etsy print-on-demand is a low-risk and profitable business model that allows you to create and sell custom products without the hassle of inventory management.

By selecting the right POD provider, optimizing your product listings, and strategically pricing your items, you can tap into Etsy’s massive customer base. Success in this model depends on your ability to create unique designs, offer quality products, and effectively market your store. With the right approach, Etsy print-on-demand offers great potential for growth and long-term success.

FAQs on Etsy Print on Demand

1. What is Etsy print-on-demand?

Etsy print-on-demand (POD) is a business model where sellers create custom designs for products, and a third-party provider prints, packages, and ships those products directly to customers. This eliminates the need for inventory management.

2. How does print-on-demand work on Etsy?

Once you upload your designs to Etsy and receive an order, the print-on-demand provider handles production and shipping. The order is fulfilled directly from the POD supplier to the customer, while you manage your shop and market your products.

3. What types of products can I sell on Etsy with print-on-demand?

You can sell a wide variety of products, including custom t-shirts, mugs, posters, tote bags, hoodies, phone cases, and more. You can choose the product categories that best suit your designs.

4. Is Etsy print-on-demand profitable?

Yes, Etsy print-on-demand can be profitable if you manage costs well, offer unique and high-quality designs, and optimize your listings for search. Profitability depends on factors like product quality, pricing, and marketing.

5. What are the fees involved with Etsy print-on-demand?

Etsy charges a $0.20 listing fee, a 6.5% transaction fee on the sale price (including shipping), and payment processing fees. The print-on-demand provider also charges for production, printing, and shipping costs.