Turn Your Designs into Dollars: Sell Print-on-Demand Merch on Etsy with Spreadconnect
Want to make some extra money this holiday season? You can reach millions of buyers on Etsy thanks to the power of print-on-demand. Print-on-demand (POD)is a powerful selling tool for creators, small business owners, nonprofits - you name it. With print-on-demand merch, you don’t have to worry about traditional barriers like upfront costs, storing inventory, or fulfilling orders - tools like Spreadconnect can take care of all that for you.
Spreadconnect is a shop solution plug-in that enhances the merch experience. Its drop-shipping capabilities allow anyone to make and sell merch without the extra hassle - production, shipping, and fulfillment are all covered! The best part: You can integrate Spreadconnect and sell on multiple platforms. And in exciting news, you can now sell merch on Etsy with Spreadconnect!
Tap into Etsy’s massive audience of over 100 million buyers with your merch. Best of all, Etsy’s marketplace gives your shop FREE visibility and access to its active shopper base without additional marketing costs. This makes it easy to connect with your niche market and maximize your sales.
And now’s the perfect time to sell on Etsy! With the surge in online holiday shopping, Etsy is an ideal sales channel to showcase seasonal designs, holiday-themed collections, and personalized gift options. By connecting Spreadconnect with Etsy, you can focus on the fun part —creating unique designs—and leave the logistics of printing, shipping, and fulfillment to Spreadconnect.
Why Etsy is the Ultimate Merch Hub
When selling and promoting your print-on-demand (POD) merch, choosing the right platform is crucial. You want to go where your audience is so you can grow your sales, without wasting time and money in the long run. And Etsy is a top choice for creators and sellers.
Etsy has a vast marketplace, active buyer base, and is super easy for beginners to navigate. Here are the top reasons why Etsy is an ideal platform for you to sell your custom merch and how it can help you build your brand.
1. Millions Are Waiting
With over 100 million buyers actively shopping on Etsy as of 2023, there’s already a massive audience for anyone to take advantage of. You don’t have to start your own website from scratch and struggle to promote it. Selling on Etsy means you’re instantly exposed to buyers who are already interested in unique, custom, and handmade items.
The typical Etsy customer is looking for one-of-a-kind products, like custom merch and POD products, which makes it easier to attract shoppers who appreciate personal, custom items. A big advantage of using Etsy is the ability to connect you with niche audiences. There’s a demand for any and every market. It can be hyper specific, like underwater basket weaving, for example. Or more general, like health and fitness, arts and crafts, gaming, etc.
Etsy’s search algorithm puts items in front of shoppers that align with their specific interests and the target keywords. This makes it simpler for sellers to reach an audience that resonates with their work, leading to more meaningful engagement and, ultimately, more sales!
2. Marketing Made Easy (And FREE)
One of the greatest benefits of selling on Etsy is its built-in marketing. This comes at NO EXTRA cost to the seller. When you list a product, Etsy actively promotes it to shoppers based on search relevance, user browsing history, and buying behavior. This means that every listing has the potential to be featured on Etsy’s search pages, category pages, and even email recommendations to buyers. Etsy gives sellers instant exposure and is a low-maintenance way to reach your audience.
Additionally, Etsy’s SEO-friendly platform ensures that products listed on Etsy often appear in Google search results, which is another channel to drive organic traffic to your shop and your merch. This makes Etsy a particularly attractive option for POD sellers who may not have the budget or resources to invest in hefty marketing campaigns. By leveraging Etsy’s marketplace, you can enjoy enhanced visibility and sales without the added costs of traditional advertising. This is a huge advantage for merch sellers.
3. The Timing is Right
The holiday season is one of the busiest times on Etsy, with traffic surging as shoppers search for unique and personal gift items. From mid-fall through the end of the year, Etsy’s traffic sees a substantial increase as buyers scour for holiday-themed, seasonal, or customizable items as gifts for their loved ones. To take advantage of this traffic, POD sellers can make holiday-specific designs and capitalize on seasonal trends.
Holiday merch, like custom apparel, festive mugs, and cozy home décor, can become top-sellers during this period. By aligning your POD products with holiday themes or offering limited-time seasonal items, you can boost your visibility and tap into the gift-buying frenzy. Plus, Etsy’s marketplace often highlights holiday items on its homepage and in curated collections, giving sellers that additional boost in exposure.
For POD sellers, Etsy’s holiday rush is an excellent chance to get creative with seasonal designs, offer exclusive promotions, and maximize sales. Since Spreadconnect handles order fulfillment, you can focus entirely on creating and promoting your designs, knowing that orders will be seamlessly processed and shipped out on time. This is a significant advantage when demand is at an all-time high.
Spreadconnect + Etsy = Merch Sales Made Easy
For creators and entrepreneurs who want to turn their ideas into sellable products, Spreadconnect is a powerful solution for getting started on Etsy quickly and effectively. You can seamlessly integrate print-on-demand (POD) services with Etsy’s marketplace. Spreadconnect helps sellers save time, reduce operational headaches, and maximize your reach. Here’s a closer look at how Spreadconnect can elevate your Etsy sales.
1. Easy Integration
One of the standout features of Spreadconnect is its smooth integration with Etsy, designed to make the process of listing and selling products as straightforward as possible. With Spreadconnect, there’s no need to worry about inventory, warehousing, or complex backend setups. It’s all handled by us, in-house. Instead, you simply design your merch, choose your products, and use Spreadconnect to connect directly with Etsy’s marketplace.
Through Spreadconnect, you can list your designs on Etsy within minutes. When a customer makes a purchase, the order is automatically sent to Spreadconnect for processing. This automation allows you to bypass the usual inventory and fulfillment tasks, freeing up time for you to focus on creating new designs and other fun operations of the merch games. For Etsy sellers, this streamlined process eliminates many of the traditional challenges associated with product-based businesses.
2. Streamlined Operations with Order Fulfillment
Managing orders and shipping logistics can be time-consuming and stressful, especially during high-demand seasons. Spreadconnect’s integration with Etsy allows sellers to hand over the entire fulfillment process, from printing to packaging to shipping. This means you can count on Spreadconnect to deliver quality products to your customers while you focus on the creative side of your business.
Once a customer places an order, our fulfillment team takes care of the rest. Products are printed when there’s demand, packed, and shipped directly to the buyer without any additional work on your end. This eliminates unnecessary merch waste and is a sustainable solution for all parties. It also eliminates challenges like stock shortages, warehousing costs, or handling returns.
The end result is a smooth experience for both you and your customers, with the added benefit of quick turnaround times.
3. Expanded Reach For Your Merch
One of the biggest advantages of using Spreadconnect to sell on Etsy is the ability to create new designs without upfront investment. With traditional retail, you often have to buy inventory in bulk, which can be expensive and risky if items don’t sell. With Spreadconnect’s POD model, you can experiment with new designs, seasonal collections, or niche ideas without worrying about losing money in the process.
The flexibility of POD allows you to respond quickly to trends and holidays, keeping your shop fresh and engaging. For example, if a particular aesthetic becomes popular or a holiday is approaching, you can create and list themed products immediately. You need to be adaptable to capture niche audiences and ensure your merch remains relevant year-round.
Spreadconnect also enables you to sell merch that resonates with Etsy shoppers—whether it’s a limited-time holiday collection or designs tailored to specific interests—you can expand your reach on Etsy and attract repeat customers.
3 Essential Selling Tips For Your Designs
In a competitive marketplace like Etsy, the quality and appeal of your designs can make or break your success. Shoppers come to Etsy looking for unique, eye-catching products that feel personal and special. To stand out and attract Etsy’s large audience of buyers, it’s essential to focus on creating designs that resonate with their unique tastes. Here are some key strategies that you can use to help sell your merch on Etsy.
1. Targeted Designs
Etsy shoppers are often drawn to specific design styles and trends, so creating designs that match Etsy’s aesthetic can help increase sales. Start by researching popular categories on Etsy, such as vintage-inspired graphics, personalized items, and seasonal themes. Many Etsy shoppers appreciate items with a handmade feel, even if they’re produced via print-on-demand, so think about how you can incorporate unique design elements that give your merch a personal touch.
For example, if you’re designing T-shirts, consider trends like retro color palettes, botanical illustrations, or text-based designs that feature meaningful quotes. For items that can be customized, such as tote bags or mugs, offering personalization options (like adding names, dates, or initials) can add significant appeal.
Personalized merch often performs well on Etsy, and are the main reason for interested buyers visiting Etsy in the first place. To help inspire ideas, browse similar products and see what’s trending in terms of themes, colors, and styles.
2. Quality Visuals
Quality visuals are essential for attracting buyers on Etsy, where your product images are one of the first things customers see. Because shoppers can’t physically interact with your products, it’s important to showcase them in a way that highlights their appeal and quality. Here are some tips for creating standout product images that showcase your merch effectively:
Use High-Quality Mockups: Make sure your designs are shown on high-resolution mockups that accurately represent the final product. Mockups with realistic lighting and settings can make a big difference, especially for products like apparel, mugs, or wall art.
Showcase Different Angles and Details: Include images that display your products from multiple angles. For example, if you’re selling a T--shirt, show both the front and back views, and zoom in on design details like stitching or texture. This gives potential buyers all the information they need before purchase.
Contextual Backgrounds: Consider using mockups that place your merch in real-life settings. For example, a tote bag displayed in an outdoor scene or a mug shown in a cozy kitchen setting can help buyers envision how they’ll use the item.
Highlight Design Variants: If your merch comes in multiple colors or designs, make sure to showcase each variant clearly. Visuals that show all available options can encourage shoppers to make a purchase.
Etsy’s platform allows up to 10 images per listing, so use this space to show your product in the best possible light. High-quality visuals can help build trust with customers, as they get a clear sense of what they’re buying and how it might look in their own lives.
3. Seasonal Themes
One of the advantages of using print-on-demand is the ability to create products for seasonal events, holidays, and trending aesthetics. Seasonal designs can give your shop a fresh look, attract new customers, and encourage repeat purchases. Etsy buyers are often looking for unique items that reflect a particular holiday or season, making it an ideal time to offer limited-edition designs that resonate with the time of year.
For example, consider creating designs for popular holidays like Christmas, Halloween, Valentine’s Day, or Mother’s Day, as well as seasonal themes like spring florals or cozy winter vibes. These designs can be featured on products like t-shirts, mugs, or home decor, which are popular holiday gift items. When a holiday is approaching, shoppers are likely to search for themed items, so having timely designs can make your shop more discoverable.
To stay ahead of the curve, keep an eye on Etsy’s trend reports or other design trend resources. By aligning your designs with the current season, you can tap into the excitement of holiday shopping and increase the likelihood that shoppers will add your merch to their carts.
Tools that Make Merch Design Easy
You don’t need a four-year degree to design merch that’s high-quality.
There are plenty of easy-to-use design tools out there that can help you create custom designs - ZERO design experience required. Use them to develop your niche design style and have fun brainstorming ideas that best suit you and your brand.
If you don’t have the creative brain power to come up with merch designs, it might be worth it to hire someone! Ask your family and friends if they know anyone with design experience. Or go it alone and seek out a designer with a stacked portfolio that suits your needs.
Customize with Canva
Canva has hundreds of pre-made graphics and text options you can use to create one-of-a-kind designs. Find graphics that suit your niche simply by typing specific keywords into the search bar, like “gaming”, “retro” or “dance”. These specific, niche designs will look great on all kinds of merch: Stickers, water bottles, totes. They have plenty of holiday design options, as well.
Canva also lets you upload any brand colors you have to help you create designs that create a cohesive look. Use their brand kit tool to unlock this customization factor. This makes it easy to tweak designs that appeal to your overall aesthetic.
When using text in your designs, it’s important to show movement or offer some form of self-expression. You can easily curve your text or arrange it in different shapes. These simple tweaks will heighten your merch designs instantly.
Get Professional Help
If you need a professional designer, look into a service like Fiverr. They have thousands of designers ready to fulfill your requests. Type in “t-shirt design” or “merch design” into the search bar and you’ll find plenty of designers with different specialties. See examples of their previous work to better inform your decision. And a lot of designers have affordable rates.
If you’re looking for a more personalized approach, we have our own design service. This team of in-house designers is ready to fulfill your requests. They can bring your ideas to life for a flat fee of $19.99
Get your design in 4 easy steps:
1. Fill in the form below and let us know a) where you want to use the design, and b) what you want it to look like.
2. Attach your file to the form. Possible file formats are jpg, png, gif, bmp, eps, ai cdr, svg, psd or pdf.
3. Go to your shopping basket and place your order.
4. After 3-5 workdays you will receive the finished graphic design file via email.
How To Boost Your Sales
Building a successful Etsy shop doesn’t stop with listing your products; it’s equally important to employ effective marketing and promotional strategies to drive traffic and encourage conversions. Here’s how to optimize your shop’s visibility, reach more potential buyers, and maximize your sales.
1. Optimize Your Listings
Etsy’s marketplace is competitive, so optimizing your listings with relevant keywords can get products in front of the people that matter. Start by conducting keyword research to find phrases shoppers are likely to use when searching for products like yours. Include these keywords naturally in your product titles, descriptions, and tags to improve your shop’s searchability.
Title Optimization: Use specific, descriptive titles that incorporate keywords but remain easy to read. For example, instead of “T-Shirt,” try “Retro Graphic T-Shirt for Women – Vintage Aesthetic.”
Detailed Descriptions: Write clear and informative descriptions that highlight the product’s features, materials, sizing information, and any unique selling points. Mention relevant keywords here as well to reinforce your product’s relevance in searches.
Tags: Etsy allows you to add up to 13 tags per listing, so take full advantage of this feature. Use a mix of broad and specific tags, such as “holiday gift,” “custom t-shirt,” or “eco-friendly mug,” to cover a wide range of search terms.
2. Take Advantage of Your Socials
Promoting your Etsy listings on social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest can significantly boost your visibility. Many Etsy sellers see success by sharing behind-the-scenes content, product photos, and user-generated content (UGC) that showcases how customers use and love their products.
Instagram: Post high-quality images of your products, create Instagram Stories or Reels showing the design process, and use hashtags like #EtsyFinds or #ShopSmall to reach the Etsy community.
TikTok: TikTok is perfect for creative, short-form videos that showcase your products in a fun way. Consider making styling videos, unboxings, or short tutorials that highlight your items’ versatility.
Pinterest: As a visual search engine, Pinterest can drive long-term traffic to your Etsy shop. Create visually appealing pins for each product and include keywords to increase discoverability.
Social media is especially effective during peak seasons, such as the holidays. Plan themed posts to build anticipation, promote holiday-specific designs, or create countdowns to special sales events, encouraging followers to shop your Etsy store.
3. Offer Discounts and Bundles
Discounts and bundles are proven strategies for encouraging purchases, especially during busy shopping periods like the holiday season. Offering limited-time discounts or creating product bundles can help attract new customers and boost your average order value.
Holiday Discounts: Consider running sales around key holidays, like Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and Christmas. Promote these sales on your Etsy page and social media channels to drive urgency.
Product Bundles: Create themed bundles that group related items together for a discounted price. For instance, you could offer a “Winter Essentials Bundle” with a hoodie, mug, and beanie for one price, giving shoppers an incentive to buy multiple items at once.
Free Shipping: Offering free shipping on orders over a certain amount can also be a great way to incentivize larger purchases, especially for gift shoppers.
Using Etsy’s built-in marketing tools, you can also create exclusive coupons to reward repeat customers or offer discounts to customers who have favorited your items but haven’t yet purchased.
Etsy is a burgeoning platform for buyers of all kinds, especially during the holidays. Print-on-demand merch not only makes for great presents but is a worthwhile side hustle. Spreadconnect takes care of the printing, shipping, and fulfillment of all your orders - you just sit back and relax while the sales roll in.