If you're a digital illustrator, you might have considered selling your art prints on Etsy, the popular online marketplace for handmade and creative goods. But is Etsy the right platform for you? In this article, we'll explore some of the pros and cons of selling digital art prints on Etsy, and give you some tips on how to succeed.
One of the main advantages of selling on Etsy is that you can reach a large and diverse audience of buyers who are looking for unique and original art. Etsy has over 81 million active buyers and 4.6 million active sellers, and it's known for its supportive and loyal community. You can also benefit from Etsy's features and tools, such as its search engine optimization, marketing campaigns, analytics, and customer service. Plus, you can set your own prices, policies, and shipping options, and customize your shop and listings to showcase your brand and style.
In many ways you can develop a side hustle that can keep growing over time. It does take some time to conceptualize your art but once it’s made, set up correctly, and well presented, this can be a very nice side income that brings joy to your life with creative freedom. It’s also a great platform to dive into SEO by utilizing their Etsy Marketing Tools. These analytics will help you know what to keep in your shop and what listing might need some improvement. You can also pay for other applications to further help out with the analytical side. It’s a great place to see what is being sold and favorited too.
However, selling on Etsy also comes with some challenges and drawbacks. One of the main ones is the competition. With so many sellers offering similar products, it can be hard to stand out and attract customers. You also have to deal with Etsy's fees, which include a listing fee, a transaction fee, a payment processing fee, and an optional advertising fee. These fees can add up and reduce your profit margin. Additionally, you have to comply with Etsy's rules and regulations, which can change frequently and affect your shop and sales. For example, Etsy recently introduced a mandatory free shipping guarantee for US orders over $35, which some sellers found unfair and unsustainable.
Cons can be very different for many. Digital Doodlers Paper & Gifts has been flooded with listing fees as well as transaction fees due to Etsy’s increasing prices but you have to pay to play. This is also something that can turn into a pro easily because it makes you be a trend setter or know the trends far better by researching the platform.
If you decide to sell your digital art prints on Etsy, you need to prepare and plan ahead. To increase your chances of success, create high-quality, original digital art that reflects your style and niche. Use a professional software and format, such as Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator, and save your files in high resolution and print-ready formats. You should also choose a printing method and provider that suits your budget and quality standards. Set up your Etsy shop and listings with clear photos, titles, descriptions, tags, and categories. Use keywords that match your target audience's search intent, highlight your unique selling points, and provide accurate information about your products. Promote your shop through various channels like social media, email marketing, blogs, podcasts, videos or collaborations. Connect with customers and encourage them to leave reviews or referrals. Monitor and evaluate your shop's performance using Etsy's analytics and reports. Identify strengths and weaknesses, then make adjustments as needed.
In the beginning I’ve only used Adobe Creative suites to sell digital art prints, SVGS, watercolor clipart, and digital seamless patterns. Now with the introduction of Canva, it really helps to visualize your concepts with premade templates that give great inspiration. One thing I’ve realized with Canva, because it’s a free platform, over the years to come we will see a lot of similar design that have come from premade templates. That’s why creatives like myself will thrive even more in creative environments like this by using our graphic, design, editing, and layout skills to even new heights. It’s imperative to make something new in the platform to enhance you Creative Suites experience.
If you're looking to effectively and efficiently sell your digital art prints on Etsy, there are some tips and best practices to consider. You should research the market and learn what kind of prints are popular, what prices are reasonable, and which keywords are effective. It's also important to be consistent and professional with your brand identity and communication, as well as creative and innovative with your products. Lastly, staying flexible and adapting to trends and customer feedback can help you grow your business. With the right knowledge and effort, selling digital art prints on Etsy can be a rewarding experience.
Constantly thinking outside the box with your creativity will help sell your creative style. Having a social media following is always a great thing but most can’t rely on this alone. It’s best to have multiple things within your shop to see what your customer gravitates to. Never put a shop on vacation mode, you will loose all of your analytics and will have to start from scratch with your listings once your shop is open again. You need at least 10 good listings that sell consistently, trickling in new work, have more than 100 listings the be somewhat competitive but that’s still very low for a digital store. Also selling more digital/physical categories is ideal.