Print on Demand Etsy Shop: Getting Started

So, I'm interested. I'm personally invested in this post 100%. I love my blog — but I'd also like to branch out into something different and more creative than just writing.

After doing some research and looking around at what might interest me — I've zeroed in on having an Etsy shop and creating print on demand products.

But, I'm an absolute beginner in print on demand and I only know Etsy from about a dozen purchases I've made over the last several years. How can I make money with print on demand and Etsy?

Are you interested too?

Print on Demand + Etsy – Is There Money to be Made?

One of the reasons I chose this venture out of all of the ones I'd researched – was the potential for profits. I like the idea of doing something once and earning over and over.

Print on demand is killing it on Etsy. There are shops making over $100,000 a year. My goal is not that lofty. Because I work as a part-time assistant in real estate, work my blog and I am soon to be divorced after 29 years of marriage — I am not only short on time — but I don't have a lot of money to invest in this venture either.

Print on Demand Courses

I don't want to drop $100's on an Etsy+ Print on Demand course…but… I did research them, and I am even on the waiting list for Gold City Ventures E-Printable course. Though this course is $247 (+145 for 6 months of coaching) for a total of $421 — I went ahead and signed up for the waitlist, hoping that when I get my tax return I might be able to take it. I'm on the fence right now — if my budget weren't such an issue – I'd just do it. I wish they offered a payment plan :/

The course is 4 weeks long and they do offer a 7-day refund of you don't move past Module 1. They also offer a free ebook if you're interested, called The Seasonal Products Secret.

They offer a facebook group too that free for the first 30 days and then it's $29 a month. From what I've read – it's super helpful and fun to be in this group. But again — for now — this is on the back burner.

What I did instead, was plunk $37 down for Amy Harrop's, Etsy Success program. I can afford this and it helps me get my baring's about how this process actually works. She includes this bonus: Printful To Etsy Guide

Print on Demand Niche Ideas

Now – this seems to be the most fun and the hardest part of all. I looked all through Etsy at print on demand products. Calendars, planners, mugs, tshirts… goodness. And then there is the scope of what you want to narrow in on. You can't cover every print on demand product and every type of customer/niche.

I made lists. It might help you too, if you're considering starting an Etsy shop with print on demand products. I'm not an artist. So, that right there limits me on creating my own masterpieces to use. I do love Canva, and use it all the time to create my Pinterest pins. That's definitely something I can use to create designs.

There are a lot of sites that allow you to use images for commercial use. Be careful and research well.

And what will be the focus? I'm torn between mugs and cards. At least that's where I'm at right now with it all. I love mugs myself — so, it would be fun to have a shop with items in it that I personally adore and collect.

Naming Your Etsy Shop

Obviously, the options are endless. You just need to brainstorm. I do this with pieces of paper of words I love and things I love. I tear of the paper in little pieces with all these things on them and pull 2-3 of them… I do this over and over and start jotting things down — expanding on those ideas.

Be sure to check and make sure the name isn't already being used! Or disappoint will ensue :-)

Etsy + Print on Demand Success

This is new for me. I'm just getting my feet wet. And like I said — time is not something I have a lot of — and my budget has mega constraints. I'm taking it one step at a time.

Are you considering an Etsy + Print on Demand shop? Have you taken courses? Maybe you already have this kind of shop? Share below in the comments section. I'd love to hear from you!