Printify Etsy: How To Set Up a Profitable Print on Demand Store in 2024

Reading Time: 10 minutes

Looking to start your own Printify Etsy shop but not sure where to begin? You’re in the right place.

By using Printify, a print-on-demand service, and Etsy, a popular online marketplace, you can sell custom-designed products without the need to manage inventory or handle shipping.

It’s an efficient and cost-effective way to launch an ecommerce business.

In this post, we’ll break down the simple, step-by-step process to get your Printify Etsy store up and running and share some key tips for success.

Keep reading to turn your creative ideas into a thriving online business!

Understanding Printify and Etsy

Printify is a print on demand company that lets you create, design, and sell a variety of products.

You can design anything from t-shirts and mugs to phone cases and wall art, with Printify managing the printing and shipping.

On the other hand, Etsy is a beloved online marketplace that allows individuals to sell handmade, vintage, or unique factory-manufactured items.

It’s a perfect platform for creative lifestyle entrepreneurs who wish to reach a global audience.

Combining these two – Printify and Etsy – can bring about a potent selling platform where creativity meets ease of business.

6 Steps to Start a Printify Etsy Shop

Starting a Printify Etsy shop involves a few essential steps, beginning with setting up your accounts on both platforms.

1. Registering on Etsy

1. To start the Etsy store setup process, visit Etsy.com.
2. Click on the “Sell on Etsy” option.
3. Choose “Open your Etsy Shop” and follow the prompts to set up your store.
4. Ensure that you select a unique, memorable Etsy shop name that aligns with your brand.

2. Setting up your Printify Account

1. Head over to Printify.com and click on “Start selling“.
2. Fill in the necessary details and complete the setup process.
3. You can then start creating products right away.

3. Linking your Printify Account with Etsy

To integrate your Printify account with Etsy:

1. In Printify, click on “My Store” and select “Add a new store“.
2. Choose Etsy from the available options and follow the prompts to connect the two accounts.

4. Creating Your First Printify Product

With the accounts set up, it’s time to create your first product on Printify.

Choosing Products on Printify

1. Under your Printify account, click on “My Store” then select “Add Product“.
2. Browse through the different categories and choose a product you wish to design.

Designing Your Product

On the product design page:

1. Upload your custom designs, ensuring they adhere to the recommended design guidelines.
2. Adjust and preview the design until you’re satisfied with how it looks.

Setting Pricing for Your Product

You can set the selling price for your product as follows:

1. Enter the desired price under the “Retail Price” section.
2. You will see your estimated profit based on the product’s production cost and your set price.

5. Listing Your Printify Products on Etsy

After creating your product, you can list it in your Etsy shop.

Creating a Compelling Product Listing

1. Click on “Publish” to list the product on Etsy.
2. You’ll need to fill in information about your product, including title, description, and tags.
3. Make your listing attractive and informative to encourage potential customers to make a purchase.

Setting up Shipping Profiles on Etsy

Etsy requires sellers to set up shipping profiles:

1. Go to “Shipping Settings” on your Etsy account.
2. Create a new shipping profile, detailing shipping costs and delivery times.

6. Managing Orders

With your Printify Etsy shop up and running, you need to know how to manage orders.

Handling Orders from Etsy through Printify

When a customer places an order on Etsy, it’s automatically sent to Printify. You then need to approve the order in Printify, and they will handle the rest, including printing and shipping the product to your customer.

Tips for Successfully Selling on Etsy Using Printify

Having a Printify Etsy shop is one thing, but making it successful requires some additional effort.

Effective Marketing Strategies for Your Etsy Shop

Consider implementing marketing strategies to increase visibility and attract more customers.

Use high-quality images, SEO-friendly descriptions, and social media promotion to bring more traffic to your shop.

Importance of Good Customer Service

Providing excellent customer service can set you apart from your competitors. Respond promptly to queries and complaints, and ensure to offer solutions where necessary.

Strategies for Maximizing Profit Margins

To maximize profits, consider pricing strategies, product diversification, and targeted marketing. Always seek ways to improve your shop and stay ahead of the competition.

Dealing with Common Challenges

Running a Printify Etsy shop comes with several challenges that are typical of online businesses. Here are some common problems:

Order Fulfillment

With print-on-demand services like Printify, there may be instances where your orders are delayed or products are out of stock. These issues could lead to unsatisfied customers.

To avoid issues with order delays or out-of-stock products, it’s beneficial to offer a variety of products from different Printify suppliers. If one supplier falls short, you have others to rely on. Regularly checking stock levels and communicating with your suppliers can also help.

Shipping Issues

Shipping problems, such as delays, lost packages, or damaged items, are also common. This is especially true if you’re shipping internationally, as customs can hold up a package for longer than expected.

Provide clear and detailed shipping information to your customers, including potential delays. Purchasing insurance for shipped items can also help cover losses if packages are lost or damaged.

Additionally, offer tracking information when possible, so both you and your customer can keep track of the shipment.

Quality Control

Since you don’t handle the products personally, quality control can be a challenge. If Printify’s partners don’t deliver up to the expected quality, this could negatively impact your reputation on Etsy.

Order samples from Printify before adding products to your Etsy shop. This allows you to check the quality of the products and the print before your customers do. Regularly reviewing product quality and seeking customer feedback can also help you maintain high standards.

Customer Service

Handling customer complaints, returns, and refunds can be challenging. Unsatisfied customers may leave negative reviews, which can harm your shop’s reputation.

Be proactive and responsive in handling customer complaints, returns, and refunds. Set up a clear return and refund policy and aim to resolve issues as quickly as possible to maintain customer satisfaction.

A positive attitude and willingness to go the extra mile can often turn a negative situation around.

Pricing

Setting competitive yet profitable prices can be tough. If your prices are too high, you might lose customers to competition. If they’re too low, you might not make a profit.

Research your competitors and consider your costs carefully to price your products effectively. While it’s important to be competitive, remember that you also need to cover costs and make a profit.

Product Design

Your designs need to meet Printify’s guidelines and be of high enough quality to look good when printed. Sometimes, what looks good on the screen may not turn out as well on a physical product.

Make sure your designs meet Printify’s guidelines. Order samples to see how your designs look on the products.

Use high-quality images, and consider hiring a professional designer if you’re not confident in your design skills.

Marketing

As Etsy is a very competitive marketplace, effectively marketing your products to stand out can be challenging. SEO, social media marketing, and advertising require time, effort, and sometimes financial investment.

Learning Etsy SEO best practices and utilizing social media can help your Etsy shop stand out.

You might also consider paid advertising or collaborating with influencers in your niche. Regularly reviewing your marketing strategies and being adaptable can help you stay ahead.

Policy Understanding

Both Printify and Etsy have their own sets of policies and terms of service. Not fully understanding these can lead to complications, such as listings being removed or shops being closed.

Make sure you thoroughly understand and follow the policies and terms of service for both Printify and Etsy.

If you’re not sure about something, reach out to their customer support for clarification. Being diligent about this can help prevent potential issues in the future.

Pros and Cons of Printify Etsy Integration

Pros:

1. Effortless Setup with Printify as Production Partner:
   • Printify as Production Partner: Utilizing Printify as your production partner ensures an effortless setup, allowing you to focus on creating and selling custom-designed products without the hassle of managing inventory.
2. Seamless Printify Etsy Integration:
   • Printify Connect to Etsy: The seamless integration of Printify with Etsy streamlines your workflow, making it easy to create, manage, and sell a variety of products directly from your Printify account to your Etsy store.
3. Diverse Printify Etsy Listings:
   • Diverse Product Offerings: With Printify, you can diversify your Etsy listings by designing and selling a wide range of products, from t-shirts and mugs to phone cases and wall art, catering to a broad audience.
4. Cost-Effective Printify Etsy Marketing:
   • Cost-Effective Marketing: Boosting your Printify Etsy business is cost-effective through strategic marketing strategies, utilizing high-quality images, SEO-friendly descriptions, and social media promotion to enhance visibility and attract customers.
5. Profitable Printify Etsy POD Opportunities:
   • Profitable Print on Demand: The Printify Etsy integration opens up profitable print on demand opportunities, allowing you to capitalize on customer demand for unique, custom-designed products without the need for upfront investment.

Cons:

1. Limited Control over Production and Shipping:
   • Dependency on Printify: One drawback is the limited control over production and shipping, as Printify handles these aspects. This can lead to potential issues with product quality or delivery times.
2. Competition in the Printify Etsy Shopfront:
   • Competitive Marketplace: Etsy is a highly competitive marketplace, and standing out in the Printify Etsy storefront requires effective marketing efforts, SEO optimization, and possibly financial investments in advertising.
3. Potential Printify Etsy Shop Issues:
   • Possible Complications: Running a Printify Etsy shop comes with potential challenges, such as order fulfillment delays or out-of-stock products. Vigilance is required to offer a variety of products from different Printify suppliers to mitigate these issues.
4. Customer Service Challenges:
   • Handling Customer Service: Managing customer complaints, returns, and refunds can be challenging, impacting your shop’s reputation. Proactive and responsive customer service is crucial to maintaining customer satisfaction.
5. Pricing Sensitivity on Printify Etsy Store:
   • Balancing Pricing: Setting competitive yet profitable prices is a delicate balance, as pricing too high might lose customers, while pricing too low may impact profitability. Careful consideration of costs and competitor pricing is essential.
6. Quality Control Without Personal Handling:
   • Quality Control Challenges: Since you don’t handle the products personally, ensuring consistent quality can be challenging. Ordering samples from Printify before listing products is recommended to assess the quality of the prints and products.

While the Printify Etsy integration offers numerous advantages, being aware of potential challenges and implementing effective strategies is crucial for long-term success in the competitive world of Etsy selling.

How to Start a Printify Etsy Shop – Summary

Setting up a Printify Etsy shop offers a wealth of opportunity for creativity, entrepreneurship, and profit.

The process, from setting up your accounts, creating your products, and listing them, to managing orders and overcoming common challenges, is a journey of learning and growth.

The key takeaways are the importance of quality control, effective marketing, excellent customer service, and understanding both Printify’s and Etsy’s policies.

If you’ve enjoyed this guide, our blog offers a multitude of resources, especially tailored for lifestyle entrepreneurs and solopreneurs.

We invite you to delve deeper into the world of Etsy selling with our other blog posts, such as

• How to Start an Etsy Print on Demand Shop
• How to Make Money on Etsy in 2023 & Beyond!
• Etsy Best Sellers: Your Ultimate Guide to the Top 50 Items
• Is Etsy Safe To Buy & Sell On?

Starting your Printify Etsy shop is just the first step into the exciting world of creative business.

Remember, success doesn’t come overnight, but with persistence, innovation, and a dash of entrepreneurial spirit, you’re well on your way to creating a thriving online business.

We hope you’ll find our blog a valuable companion on this journey.

How to Start a Printify Etsy Shop – FAQs

Are you allowed to use Printify on Etsy?

Yes, Printify is allowed on Etsy. Printify is a print-on-demand service that can be integrated with your Etsy shop, enabling you to create and sell custom design products. However, it’s important to disclose in your listings that you’re using a production partner.

Can you make money with Etsy and Printify?

Absolutely! Many sellers use the Etsy-Printify combination to create and sell a variety of products without maintaining inventory.

Your profit is the difference between your sale price on Etsy and the cost of production and shipping on Printify.

Can you actually make money with Printify?

Yes, you can make money with Printify. The key is creating unique, compelling designs that customers want to buy and pricing your products strategically to cover costs while still providing profit.

Is Etsy good for dropshipping?

Etsy can be a suitable platform for dropshipping, particularly for unique or customized items. However, it’s important to note that according to Etsy’s policies, you must clearly acknowledge in your shop that you use a production or shipping partner.

What types of products can I sell using Printify on Etsy?

With Printify, you can create and sell a wide variety of products, such as t-shirts, hoodies, mugs, posters, phone cases, and more. The platform offers over 250 products that you can customize with your designs.

How can I ensure good customer service when using Printify on Etsy?

Good customer service is crucial, even when dropshipping.

Ensure that you respond promptly to customer inquiries and address any concerns. Keep customers updated about their orders and handle any issues related to quality or shipping on a case-by-case basis.

Can I use other print-on-demand services besides Printify on Etsy?

Yes, you can use other print-on-demand services on Etsy, such as Printful or Gooten. Just like with Printify, you must disclose in your shop and listings that you use a production partner.

Do I need to handle shipping if I use Printify with Etsy?

No, Printify handles the production and shipping of your products. However, it’s crucial to manage customer expectations regarding shipping times and to provide tracking information when available.

How does Printify pricing work with Etsy?

With Printify, you pay for the cost of producing and shipping the product, and any price above that on Etsy is your profit. It’s important to consider these costs when pricing your Etsy listings.

Are there any drawbacks to using Printify with Etsy?

While Printify offers many benefits, there can be challenges.

For example, you have less control over production and shipping, which could lead to potential issues with product quality or delivery times. However, good communication with customers can help mitigate these concerns.

Does Etsy Printify actually work?

Yes, Etsy Printify does work. It is a reliable and effective way to integrate print on demand services into your Etsy shop, allowing you to create and sell custom-designed products without managing inventory or handling shipping.

Does Printify take money from Etsy?

No, Printify does not directly take money from Etsy. You pay Printify for the cost of producing and shipping the product, and any amount above that on Etsy is your profit. The financial transactions are separate.

Is selling on Printify worth it?

Yes, selling on Printify can be worthwhile. It provides an opportunity to tap into the print on demand market, offering a variety of customizable products without the need for upfront investment in inventory.