130+ Etsy Shop Ideas To Start For Free in 2024!

Reading Time: 16 minutes

Are you looking to start your own business and ditch the brick and mortar store life (or not even go there in the first place)?

Welcome to the world of Etsy, a bustling online marketplace where you can make serious money online. Whether you’re crafting vintage items, creating personalized gifts, custom pet gifts, or selling vintage clothing, your own Etsy shop is a powerful platform to reach global Etsy customers.

Today, we’re diving headfirst into a collection of innovative and easy Etsy shop ideas, guaranteed to inspire you to kickstart your Etsy business. From considering your Etsy shop name to understanding what Etsy shoppers really want, we’ve got you covered.

So, whether you’re a seasoned Etsy seller looking to diversify or a newbie hoping to sell on Etsy for the first time, stick around. These Etsy shop ideas are your first step to a profitable online business, connecting you with Etsy buyers across the globe. Let’s turn your passion into profit!

Understanding Your Market and Setting Your Goals

Before you dive headfirst into establishing your Etsy shop, it’s critical to understand your market and set your goals. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Identify Your Niche

In the vast ocean of Etsy sellers, you need to find a unique selling proposition for your shop. It’s all about what makes your shop special.

Do you specialize in vintage clothing, personalized gifts, or perhaps custom baby products?

Identifying your niche helps you carve out a unique space in the Etsy marketplace, allowing you to stand out among the competition and connect with the right Etsy buyers.

2. Know Your Target Customer

Once you’ve found your niche, it’s time to understand who your ideal Etsy customer is.

Are they millennials looking for sustainable fashion, parents in search of unique baby items, or gift shoppers seeking one-of-a-kind personalized items?

By profiling your target customer, you can tailor your products, descriptions, and even shop branding to appeal directly to this audience, ultimately boosting your sales.

3. Set Realistic Goals

Setting clear, realistic goals is key to answering what is the most successful Etsy business and how to build it.

• How many sales do you aim to make each month?
• How will you expand your product range over time?
• What customer engagement levels are you targeting?

Remember, Rome wasn’t built in a day, so take it one step at a time. Start small and gradually ramp up your targets as your business grows.

4. Build Your Brand

Your brand is more than just your Etsy shop name; it’s what customers associate with your shop and products.

Your branding should be a cohesive blend of your shop’s personality, style, and the quality you offer.

From your logo and product photos to your customer interactions, consistent branding helps build trust and loyalty among Etsy shoppers.

5. Understand Etsy’s Policies and Fees

Lastly, familiarize yourself with Etsy’s policies and fees. This ensures you’re aware of the platform’s rules, as well as the costs associated with listing and selling products.

Knowing these details upfront helps you price your items correctly and maintain a profitable Etsy business.

In summary, before exploring various Etsy shop ideas, it’s vital to do your groundwork. Understand your market, set clear goals, establish a strong brand, and get familiar with Etsy’s rules.

This preparation is your key to building a successful Etsy shop that not only sells but thrives.

Now, let’s dive into some exciting Etsy shop ideas!

130+ Etsy Shop Ideas

Below you’ll find 130+ Etsy shop & product ideas split into the various popular niches selling well on Etsy today. Each idea can be a shop niche on it’s own or you can collate some of the product ideas to target a specific segment of the market. The choice is yours.

Get creative, think outside the box, research what’s working now and take action! Have fun.

Canva Templates Etsy Shop Ideas

Digital printable Canva templates are all the rage right now.

Not only on Etsy though. You’ll find sellers on Instagram, TikTok & Facebook.

Quick & easy to set up, even for non-creatives like me, Canva gives you all the tools you need to create practical and useful checklists & templates.

The beauty is that there are no tangible products involved. All the files are online and downloadable, so you can scale infinitely with no shipping costs or time.

Popular designs include;

1. Canva Business Template Kits

2. Canva Webinar Slides

3. Canva Ebook Templates

4. Canva Planner Templates

5. Canva Lead Magnet Templates

6. Canva Social Media Templates

Wall Art Etsy Shop Ideas

Wall art is a super popular category on Etsy with over 7.5 million monthly searches.

You can create a wall art Etsy shop in one of three ways;

• Create your own paintings and sell them on Etsy (for the avid Van Goghs amongst us)
• Integrate your Etsy store with a print on demand platform such as Printful and create your listings from your wall art designs (more on print on demand below)
• Sell wall art as digital printables buyers can download and print themselves

Print on demand (POD) is a service whereby a POD company offers a range of blank products for you to add designs too. These can include t-shirts, hats, mugs, socks, wall art, and much more.

The only time a product gets manufactured is once a buyer purchases the product online. Your design is then printed onto the product and shipped out to the buyer.

It’s a great business model as you don’t have to purchase or hold any stock upfront. Simply upload your designs and let the POD company do the rest.

Popular Wall Art Etsy Shops Include;

7. Downloadable Printable Wall Photo prints

8. Downloadable Printable Motivational Quote Wall Prints

9. Playroom & Nursery Wall Art for Children

10. Abstract or Wooden Wall Art

11. Gallery Wall Print Sets

12. Metal & Glass Wall Art

Digital Printable Coloring Product Ideas

The idea of adult coloring books has been around for a while now and how meditative they are by the way!

However, it’s not just coloring books that sell on Etsy, here are some popular designs and ideas which you could easily specialize in and start an Etsy shop around;

13. Downloadable Adult Coloring Books & Pages

14. Kids Coloring Books & Pages

15. Printable Coloring Bookmarks

16. Printable Coloring Calendars

17. Coloring Placemats

18. Coloring Gift Cards

Public Domain Paintings Etsy Shop Ideas

This one is for the non-artists amongst us!

Imagine being able to download the most beautiful and even famous paintings online and sell them on Etsy!

Well, guess what? You can!

Public domain images are images that are not covered by copyright and that you can use free online for personal or commercial purposes.

This basically means you can download a copy of Van Gogh’s ‘Starry Night’ or Da Vinci’s ‘Mona Lisa’, and sell them on Etsy in different formats.

Here are some of the best Etsy shop ideas for historical public domain paintings;

19. Historical Painting Packs

20. Historical Painting Wall Prints

21. Historical Painting Digital Paper

22. Historical Junk Journal Printables

23. Historical Painting Craft Supplies & Printables

Public Domain Photos Etsy Shop Ideas

It doesn’t just have to be historical paintings, however. There are thousands of images available on public domain sites.

Websites such as shutterstock.com, unsplash.com, free-images.com, pixabay.com, and publicdomainpictures.net, all offer public domain images that can be used for personal or commercial purposes.

Here are some popular Etsy shop ideas using public domain images;

24. Public Domain Photo Wall Prints

25. Public Domain Collage Photo Kits

26. Public Domain Digital Photo Paper

27. Vintage Public Domain Photo Kits

28. Vintage Public Domain Photo Wall Prints

29. Public Domain Vintage Art Packs

30. Vintage Postage Stamps

31. Vintage Wallpaper

Sticker Shop Ideas

Stickers are huge on Etsy! Over 2.2 million results pop up on a search for ‘stickers’.

They’re also crazy easy to create and list, especially if you create printable stickers which buyers can print directly onto sticker paper and cut out at home. Fun for all the family!

Many households now have a Cricut machine that can cut precision shapes through lots of different materials including paper, sticky paper, vinyl and some even do fabric and wood.

Hence there are lots of Cricut sticker products selling on Etsy also.

Here are some of the best Etsy shop ideas for fab stickers;

32. Printable Planner Cricut Stickers

33. Printable Motivational Cricut Stickers

34. Floral Cricut Stickers

35. Kids Cricut Stickers

36. Printable Cricut Blank Stickers

37. Printable Sticker Bundles

Labels Etsy Shop Ideas

Following on from the sticker ideas, you can also create labels for specific products or events using the same strategy.

Simply create the labels in Canva, and make them available on Etsy as SVG or PNG files for buyers to print off. Or you could also create them as templates buyers can download and amend specific to their needs.

Here are some label Etsy store ideas;

38. Labels for Manufactured and Handmade Candles

39. Labels for Kitchens or Pantries

40. Labels for personalized Champagne or Wine Bottles

41. Hand Sanitizer Labels

42. Gift Tag Labels for Presents

43. Gimmick Labels for Special Events such as Halloween, Christmas, Weddings etc.

Printable Greeting Cards Ideas

Next on our list of Etsy business ideas are greeting cards.

If you’re a crafter you might like to make these at home and create a physical greetings card business, or once again you can go down the printable route and let the buyer print the card directly.

Here are some great Etsy shop ideas for greetings cards;

44. Christmas Cards

45. Baby Shower Cards

46. Anniversary cards

47. Wedding Cards

48. Birthday Cards

Birthday Party Etsy Shop Ideas

It doesn’t just stop at Birthday cards, however.

Birthday parties are one of the best Etsy shop ideas as they are big business on the platform with almost 2 million monthly searches.

You could either set up a store specializing in all things party supplies, or break it down to cover specific areas like cards, banners, or tableware.

As with several of the other ideas here, you can create a physical product store, meaning you actually create, sell & ship ready-made products, or you can go down the super fast and low-cost digital printable route.

Here are some great Etsy shop ideas for birthdays and parties;

49. Printable Birthday Party Banners

50. Printable Birthday Party Hats

51. Printable Party Favors Bag Tags

52. Birthday Party Signs

53. Birthday Party Invitations

54. Birthday Party Tableware

55. Printable Birthday Party Games

Wedding Etsy Shop Ideas

Another hugely popular event niche on Etsy is weddings with over 6 million results from the search term ‘weddings’.

From wedding dresses to handmade backdrops and even wedding accessories such as rings, coins, and the products available are so varied. However, you could start a wedding Esty shop today by focusing on smaller items that can be instantly downloaded such as;

56. Wedding Invitations

57. Wedding Bag Favor Tags

58. Wedding Menus

59. Wedding Programs

60. Wedding Welcome Signs

61. Wedding Seating Plan Signs

Please note I could go on here and add hundreds more ideas for baby showers, anniversaries, special occasions, etc, but I think you get the idea by now!

Kids Activities & Games Ideas

How about creating an Etsy store around kids’ games and activities?

Lending itself massively to digital printables, the most popular activity kits are for road trips (obviously), but there are lots of other Etsy store niches you could specialize in including;

62. Printable Matching Games

63. Flash Card Games

64. Scavenger (Treasure) Hunts

65. Chore Checklists

66. Family Trivia Night Sheets

67. Mothers Day Games

68. Charade Games

69. Escape Room Games

Adult Activities & Games Etsy Shop Ideas

Who said only kids could have all the fun! A huge niche on Etsy is adult activities and games. Here are some of the best;

70. Bingo Games

71. Family Quiz Games

72. Murder Mystery Packs

73. Couple Coupon Books

74. Date Night Cards

75. Drinking Games

76. Adults Only Trivia Games

77. Adults Only Risque Games (XXX – for the more adventurous amongst us!)

Digital Printable Board Games Ideas

Lastly, in the games niche, you could also create an Etsy store or stores selling all manner of printable board games including;

78. Printable Monopoly Templates

79. Make Your Own Board Game Printable

80. Snakes & Ladders

Craft Supplies Etsy Product Ideas

Craft supplies is one of the biggest categories on Etsy with over 11 million results popping up for the search term. From handmade items to sewing patterns & knitting patterns, if the thought of selling craft supplies floats your boat, then know that handmade crafts is an extremely popular Etsy shop idea.

I could potentially include hundreds of different ideas, but I’m going to focus once again on ideas you can start today for free using just Google and Canva!

81. Downloadable Sewing Project Planners

82. Downloadable Sewing & Embroidery Patterns

83. Downloadable Quilt & Crochet Patterns

84. Downloadable Paint by Numbers Kit

85. Printable Bottle Cap Images

86. Printable Crafting Kits

Junk Journal Product Ideas

Junk journals are also a big crafting niche on Etsy and there are many Etsy sellers offering handmade journals or the supplies to go in them.

They are what they say on the tin and are basically journals crafted from old paper, ribbons, fabrics, and anything else which looks vintage or distressed.

Once again, however, you could start by using some of the public domain images we discussed earlier and offering vintage or historical printables Etsy shoppers can download and add to their junk journals.

Here are some of the products you could offer;

87. Junk Journal Pages

88. Junk Journal Tabs

89. Junk Journal Quotes

90. Junk Journal Bookmarks

Travel Digital Printable Etsy Store Ideas

Onto my favorite subject and most definitely the niche I will start with when I launch my Etsy store; travel!

Focusing again on the instant printable product route, here are some Etsy business ideas for the travel niche;

91. Printable Travel Checklist

92. Printable Travel Journal Kits

93. Printable RV or Campervan Checklist

94. World Trip Activity Packs for Adults & Kids

95. Editable Plane Tickets or Boarding Passes for Gifts

96. Printable Flight Records

97. Printable Luggage Tags

Inspirational Products Etsy Shop Ideas

Inspirational products are on the rise across the web and amongst Etsy shop owners. Since the pandemic, people want more motivation and inspiration than ever.

Posters, banners, stickers, wall art, and inspirational quote t-shirts, have all increased in numbers over the last couple of years.

Type in the word ‘inspiration’ in Etsy and over 1 million results pop up.

Here are some great yet simple Etsy ideas & things to sell on Etsy to inspire your buyers!

98. Printable Journal Prompts

99. Inspirational Mugs

100. Printable Quote Cards & Calendars

101. Printable Spiritual/Religious Cards & Notes

102. Printable Affirmation Cards

103. Hoodies & T-Shirts with Inspirational Messages

104. Bracelets & Necklaces

105. Inspirational Gifts

Student Digital Printable Etsy Shop Ideas

As I write this my daughter is going through her high school exams. Armed with her iPad she’s downloading all sorts of digital products to help her study.

Here are some printable ideas and digital products to sell on Etsy to students;

106. Printable Lecture Notes

107. Printable & Digital Study Planners (Goodnotes)

108. Printable Mind Maps

109. Digital Flashcards (Goodnotes)

Goodnotes Digital Products

Talking about digital products, this is a fantastic and versatile Etsy shop idea all on its own.

If you’re proficient with an iPad and either Goodnotes or Notability, you can create many of the printable and downloadable planners, journals, and templates I’ve mentioned throughout the article as digital products.

110. Digital Planners

111. Digital Journals

112. Digital Notebooks

113. Digital Notebook Covers

114. Digital Stickers

Branding & Website Graphics Digital Printable Ideas

I was surprised to find so many website themes and graphics available for sale on Etsy.

I’d always categorized these as ‘techie stuff’ only available from verified Shopify or Wix app providers, but if web design is your jam, then selling your themes and designs on Etsy could be another way of driving traffic to your offers.

Here are some great ideas for setting up Etsy stores selling website and brand design;

115. Editable Etsy Shop Branding Kits

116. Shopify Themes

117. Wix Themes

118. WordPress Themes

119. Editable Logos

120. YouTube Branding Kits

121. Instagram Story Highlight Icons

122. Instagram Post Templates

Jewelry Supplies Etsy Shop Idea

Jewelry supplies are huge such as handmade jewelry Etsy is famous for, but unless you’re willing to fork out cash and order earring studs, jewelry pliers, or vintage jewelry beads it’s tough to get started straight away selling physical jewelry supplies.

However, would you believe there are some printable jewelry supplies products available?

Here are some product ideas to get you started;

123. Jewelry Product Catalog Templates

124. Jewelry Care Templates

125. Printable Bracelet & Ring Sizers

126. Jewelry Organizer Printable Sewing Pattern

Baby Products Etsy Shop Idea

Starting a baby products Etsy shop is a great idea because these items are in high demand.

Parents and gift-givers love Etsy for its unique, handmade items that can be personalized for special meaning. It’s a thriving market where quality, creativity, and personal touch matter, making it perfect for small-scale artisans and crafters.

Plus, it’s a niche where consumers appreciate and often seek out eco-friendly and organic materials, aligning with a growing trend toward sustainability.

Here are some great and unique Etsy shop ideas & product suggestions for baby products;

127. Handmade Baby Clothing: Create unique designs or personalized baby clothes such as onesies, hats, booties, bibs, or baby dresses. Organic cotton and other hypoallergenic materials are popular choices.

128. Baby Accessories: Make pacifier clips, headbands, baby bow ties, or stylish baby bags.

129. Nursery Decor: Craft beautiful items to decorate a baby’s room such as wall art, mobiles, personalized name signs, crib bedding, and more.

130. Custom Baby Books: Design bespoke baby milestone books or memory scrapbooks.

131. Toys and Teethers: Make safe, non-toxic, and fun baby toys or teethers. Wooden and silicone items are trendy in this category.

132. Baby Blankets and Swaddles: These are essentials for new parents and can be made in unique prints or personalized designs.

133. Baby Care Products: If you’re into natural and organic products, consider making handmade soaps, baby soaps, lotions, or diaper rash creams.

134. Baby Shower Gifts and Kits: Curate bundles or boxes that include a variety of handmade baby products, perfect as a baby shower gift.

135. Baby Carriers or Slings: Comfortable, stylish, and practical, these items are always in demand.

136. Baby Keepsakes: Make items like footprint or handprint kits, or customizable lockets for keeping baby’s first haircuts.

Etsy Shop Ideas Summary & How to Get Started

Wondering what profitable Etsy shop ideas you want to pursue? That’s a lot of ideas to help you get started and I haven’t even really scratched the surface.

There are over 60 million items for sale on Etsy which proves just how popular the platform is.

Your best bet is to think about what interests you and where you believe you could add some value.

For example, my love is firmly in the travel & business niches, so I wouldn’t waste my time researching how to sell vintage items or baking supplies for example.

I would only consider selling items in the travel or business niche, which reduces the types of products I could sell considerably.

Here’s how to get started;

1. Choose your niche
2. Decide which model(s) you’d like to pursue – physical products, print on demand or printables
3. Make a list of best-selling products within your niche that meet your model requirements
4. Create or outsource the creation of your products
5. Create your Etsy store & list your products!
6. See my blog post “How to Make Money on Etsy” for step-by-step instructions on setting up your store and promoting your products.

The most important thing is to simply get started. Stop thinking and start doing!

Good luck with your Etsy store!

Etsy Shop Ideas FAQ’s

What is a good idea to sell on Etsy?

Choosing what to sell on Etsy depends on your niche and how you plan to start an e-commerce business on Etsy. Selling physical handmade products is very different from going down the print on demand or printable route.

First, choose your niche, then decide your model, and then research what’s already selling well.

Of course, you’ll be tempted to come up with a brand new idea no one’s ever thought of before, but the chances are you’ll have better luck simply adding your own unique flair to an already best-selling item.

What sells best on Etsy?

The best-selling niches on Etsy are;

• Artisanal and Handmade Home Decor
• Vintage Goods and Products
• Craft Supplies
• Wedding products
• Jewelry Supplies
• Unique handmade jewelry
• Handmade furniture
• Custom and Handmade bags

If none of these is your niche, don’t let that put you off. You only need a small portion of the 90 million buyers on Etsy to purchase your products and you’ll generate a fantastic monthly lifestyle income.

What are some good Etsy shop ideas?

There is no perfect Etsy store idea.

In fact, there is no perfect online product idea for your Etsy shop. Use the information available to guide you and see what’s already selling well by researching the best sellers in your niche.

For instance, selling art on Etsy can be a great business idea if you have a passion for creating unique pieces. Etsy customers appreciate unique and personalized items, making it an ideal platform for artists to sell online. From custom paintings to digital art prints, the possibilities are endless.

Then create something better! Always remember you get out what you put in.

How much does it cost to set up an Etsy Shop?

Setting up your Etsy store is completely free. Etsy will charge you $0.20 for each product listed and then 5% of your sales.

As you can see, if you choose printables or even print on demand, it’s perfectly feasible to get started on Etsy today for free!

How can I start selling my own handmade clothing on Etsy?

Starting to sell your own handmade accessories, custom phone cases, home decor and clothing on Etsy involves several steps. First, you need to set up your own Etsy store. Choose a great Etsy shop idea that reflects your brand and style. Then, take high-quality photographs of your clothing and write detailed descriptions for each item. Finally, determine shipping methods and pricing before listing your items.

What do top sellers in Etsy’s jewelry making category sell?

Many Etsy best sellers in jewelry jewelry-making category sell custom designs, personalized jewelry, and polymer clay jewelry. These sellers often offer unique pieces that resonate with Etsy’s customer base, which values creativity and craftsmanship.

How can I start an Etsy Shop for planner stickers?

Starting an Etsy shop for planner stickers involves a few steps. First, you’ll need to buy from the craft supplies category like sticker paper and printer ink. Design your own unique planner stickers, ensuring they are high quality and meet the needs of your target market. Set up your own shop on Etsy and list your products with detailed descriptions and clear photos. Finally, promote your Etsy shop to attract potential customers.

How can I improve my Etsy Customer Care?

Etsy customer care can be improved by responding promptly to customer inquiries, resolving issues quickly, and providing detailed product descriptions and clear shop policies. Positive customer experiences can boost your store’s reputation and lead to higher sales.

How can I establish my own brand on Etsy?

Establishing your own brand on Etsy involves defining your shop’s unique selling proposition, creating a recognizable shop name and logo, and maintaining consistency across your products, packaging, and customer interactions. A strong brand can help you stand out among other sellers and build customer loyalty.

What do I need to know before I start selling on Etsy?

Before you start selling on Etsy, you should familiarize yourself with the platform’s rules and fees, identify your target market, decide what products you want to sell, and plan how you will handle production, inventory, shipping, and customer service. It’s also important to think about how you will market your shop to attract customers.