How to Sell Printables on Etsy Without Designing Them Yourself
Selling printables on Etsy is a fantastic way to generate passive income, but what if you don’t have graphic design skills? The good news is that you can still build a successful Etsy printable business without ever creating a design yourself. This guide will walk you through the exact steps to start selling printables without designing them, including where to source high-quality printables legally and ethically, how to optimize your Etsy listings for sales, and strategies to maximize your profits.
Why Sell Printables on Etsy?
Printables are digital files that customers can download and print at home. Some of the most popular printable categories include:
Planners and calendars
Wall art
Budget trackers
Invitations and greeting cards
Educational worksheets
Coloring pages
Benefits of Selling Printables on Etsy
✅ Passive income – Once uploaded, a single design can sell unlimited times.
✅ Low startup costs – No inventory, shipping, or production costs.
✅ Scalability – Create a shop with hundreds of products over time.
✅ Work from anywhere – Manage your business from your laptop.
Step 1: Find High-Quality Printables to Sell
If you’re not a designer, you can source printables from multiple places. However, it’s crucial to use legally obtained printables to avoid copyright violations. Here are three safe ways to get printables without designing them:
1. Buy Commercial-Use Printables from Marketplaces
Many designers sell pre-made printables with commercial licenses. Some top places to find them include:
Creative Market (creativemarket.com)
Etsy (search for “commercial-use printables”)
Design Bundles (designbundles.net)
Creative Fabrica (creativefabrica.com)
⚠ Tip: Always check the license terms before reselling any digital products.
2. Outsource Designs on Fiverr or Upwork
If you have a specific printable idea but lack design skills, hire a freelancer to create it for you. Platforms like:
Fiverr (fiverr.com)
Upwork (upwork.com)
allow you to work with talented designers for affordable prices.
3. Use Canva Pro Templates
Canva Pro offers editable commercial-use templates that you can modify slightly to create unique designs. Ensure that the designs adhere to Canva’s licensing terms before selling them on Etsy.
Step 2: Optimize Your Etsy Listings for Maximum Sales
Even the best printables won’t sell without proper Etsy SEO and optimization. Follow these steps to ensure your listings appear in search results and convert visitors into buyers.
1. Choose SEO-Optimized Titles
Your Etsy listing title should contain long-tail keywords that potential buyers search for. Example:
❌ Bad Title: “Printable Planner”
✅ Good Title: “Minimalist Daily Planner Printable | Instant Download | A4 & Letter Size”
Use free keyword tools like eRank or Marmalead to find high-ranking keywords.
2. Write a Detailed Product Description
Your description should:
Explain the benefits of the printable.
Mention file formats (PDF, PNG, JPG, etc.).
State that it’s a digital download (not a physical product).
Include relevant keywords naturally.
3. Use High-Quality Mockups
Etsy customers buy with their eyes. Use lifestyle mockups to showcase how your printables will look when printed and framed.
👉 You can create mockups using Placeit or Canva.
4. Set the Right Price
Most printables on Etsy sell for $2 - $10, depending on complexity. Pricing sweet spots:
Simple printables: $2.99 - $4.99
Bundles: $5.99 - $9.99
Premium printables (customizable planners, large sets): $10+
Step 3: Promote Your Etsy Printables for More Sales
Listing your printables is just the first step. To increase visibility and sales, use these marketing strategies:
1. Leverage Pinterest SEO
Pinterest is a visual search engine, making it a perfect platform for promoting printables. Steps to succeed:
Create eye-catching pins showcasing your printables.
Use SEO-rich pin descriptions with keywords like “printable planner PDF instant download”.
Join Pinterest group boards in your niche.
Pin consistently using a scheduler like Tailwind.
2. Build an Email List
Encourage buyers to join your email list by offering a free printable as an incentive. This allows you to promote new products directly.
3. Run Etsy Ads
Start with a small daily budget ($1-$5) to test what works. Optimize ads by targeting high-intent keywords.
Step 4: Scale Your Etsy Printable Business
Once you start making sales, scale up by:
✔ Adding more listings – Etsy shops with 50+ listings get more visibility.
✔ Creating printable bundles – Sell themed packs at a higher price.
✔ Expanding into other digital products – Offer templates, digital stickers, or editable designs.
Final Thoughts
Selling printables on Etsy without designing them yourself is 100% possible with the right strategy. By sourcing high-quality, commercial-use printables, optimizing your Etsy listings, and using smart marketing techniques, you can create a profitable passive income stream.
🚀 Now it’s your turn! What type of printables will you start selling first? Let us know in the comments!
Related Resources:
Etsy Seller Handbook
Pinterest SEO Guide
