Are you ready to turn your creativity into cash?
In today’s digital age, selling printables offers a lucrative opportunity for creative individuals to monetize their skills.
With the increasing demand for digital products, especially in the online market, the potential for making money selling printables is more promising than ever. Printables, such as planners, wall art, digital stickers and educational resources, cater to a wide range of interests and needs, making them highly sought after by consumers.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll delve into the ins and outs of selling printables, exploring various strategies, platforms, and tips to help you succeed in this thriving market.
What are printables?
Printables are digital products designed for customers to print from the comfort of their own homes or through a printing service, offering them convenience and savings. There are numerous printable digital products, such as wall art, gift tags, daily planners, greeting cards, and more.
Many sellers offer editable printables, allowing customers to personalize their purchases with specific text, photos, and graphics (for example, wedding invitations with adjustable dates and names). This flexibility enables customers to tailor the designs to their exact requirements without the need for professional design services.
Overall, printables offer a convenient and cost-effective solution for customers seeking personalized digital products, making them a popular choice in today’s digital marketplace.
10 types of digital printables that you can sell
- Wall art
- Planners and organizers
- Stationery
- Presentation cards
- Invitations
- Worksheets and checklists
- Calendars
- Coloring pages
- Recipe cards
- Quotes
Steps for creating and selling printables
Starting to sell printables may seem simple, but there are important steps for independent creators and ecommerce entrepreneurs. Follow these key steps to kickstart your printable-selling business journey.
Identify your niche
When diving into the world of digital product sales, the initial step is narrowing down your niche. Your niche simply refers to your specific target audience.
There’s a wide array of digital products and niche options to explore, such as home decor, weddings, baby showers, education, daily organization, and holidays.
As you ponder the ideal niche and products for your business, it’s essential to consider your own interests. If you have a talent for graphic design or a passion for certain fields, opt for a niche that you personally identify with. Then, do some market research to determine potential opportunities.
Simple searches on platforms like Etsy can provide insights into top-rated products and high-demand categories. Additionally, tools like Google Trends offer visibility into current search trends for relevant keywords, helpful in your understanding of the printables market.
Create your printables
Now that you have a niche chosen, it’s time to start creating your printable designs.
When it comes to creating digital products like printables, you’ve got plenty of platforms at your disposal, like:
- Canva
- PhotoShop
- Illustrator
- InDesign
- Google Sheets / Docs/ Slides
You can use any of these platforms, but the key is to focus on the quality and functionality of your design rather than the platform you use.
When designing a printable consider the following tips:
- Check for typos constantly, people don’t want to buy something with mistakes.
- Ensure it’s an original idea.
- Save it as a PDF.
- Solve a problem for the user.
- Make sure it’s easy to download.
- Use color and interesting features to make it eye-catching.
- Add fonts and design elements that are available for commercial use.
Above all, your printable must deliver on its promises. It should effectively address the needs of your audience, providing value and functionality. By focusing on these tips, you can create printables that not only look great but also resonate with your customers, leaving them satisfied with their purchase.
Set up your online store
When you’re diving into the world of selling printables online, picking the right platform is key to your success. There are plenty of choices out there, but it’s crucial to think about things like who you can reach, the fees involved, how much you can customize, and what tools they offer to help you market your products.
Let’s take a look at some of the top places where you can sell your printables:
Etsy
Etsy is a big name in the online marketplace scene, especially for handmade and vintage items. They have a special section just for printables, which makes it a hit with sellers like you.
With tons of buyers checking out Etsy every day, you’ve got a huge audience right at your fingertips.
Shopify
While Shopify is known for physical products, it’s gaining ground in the digital goods world. With loads of templates and settings to play with, you can get your shop set up and selling printables in a flash.
Creative Market
Creative Market is all about helping creative folks like you sell their digital goods, including printables. They focus on top-notch designs and have a community of creative minds that can really appreciate what you’re offering.
If you’re into making premium products, Creative Market could be your spot.
Gumroad
Gumroad is all about giving creators like you a way to sell directly to your fans. It’s easy to use, with a simple setup that lets you start selling without any problem. You can also make your shop look just the way you want it to.
Sendowl
Sendowl is a go-to for bloggers and online sellers looking to connect with their customers. It’s quick to set up an account, and you’ll be on your way to selling your stuff in no time.
Your website
If you’ve got a website, platforms like WordPress have plugins that can help you set up shop and sell your digital goods to your readers. WooCommerce is a popular choice for this.
Pricing strategies for printables
When it comes to selling printables, pricing them correctly is key to boosting your profits and success.
You need to consider several factors to ensure that you’re maximizing your profits while also being competitive in the marketplace:
- Think about the time, effort, and money that you’ve invested in creating your printables. Consider the overall value and uniqueness of your products compared to your competitors.
- Take a look at what your competitors are charging for similar items to ensure your prices are competitive but still allow for a decent profit margin.
- It’s also wise to analyze the pricing trends within your niche and consider the complexity, quality, and uniqueness of your printables.
- In the early stages of your business, it’s common to offer discounts and promotions to attract customers, encourage repeat purchases, and drive traffic to your online shop.
- Providing different pricing options (basic vs premium versions) can also help you take into account different budgets and needs.
- Offering bundles that include a variety of your printables at a reduced price can motivate customers to buy multiple products, ultimately boosting your total sales and revenue.Bottom of Form
Keep in mind that pricing is flexible, and it’s crucial to regularly check your sales. Adapt your pricing strategy as necessary to optimize profits and remain competitive.
By implementing an effective pricing strategy, you can enhance your chances of success and efficiently expand your printable business.
Marketing your printables
To get more people interested in your printable business, you need to focus on promoting it well. You can use various free and paid tools, including social media platforms, to spread the word about your products.
If you already have an Instagram, Pinterest, or TikTok account, let your followers know about your printable offerings. Share sneak peeks, behind-the-scenes content, and customer testimonials to create excitement and build a loyal following.
Another great way to keep your followers engaged is by sending them a monthly newsletter. This can help you share updates about your business and showcase your printable products. Building an email list is a fantastic way to keep your audience informed and interested in what you’re offering.
Don’t forget to show your customers some love by offering special deals and freebies. This can help build a strong relationship with your audience and encourage them to keep coming back for more. For example, you can offer free printables as a preview of your products (to allow them to see the quality of your printables for themselves) or give them a special promo code for a discount.
Lastly, it’s important to track your marketing efforts and see what’s working. Analyze the results to refine your approach and make the most of your marketing efforts. By doing this, you can increase your chances of success and build a thriving printable business.
Conclusion
As we wrap up, remember that selling printables can be a lucrative venture with the right approach.
By choosing a niche, creating quality designs, and pricing your products strategically, you can set yourself up for success.
Don’t forget to stay creative, keep an eye on market trends, and be open to adjusting your strategies along the way.
Whether you’re looking for a side hustle or dreaming of running your own business full-time, selling printables could be the perfect opportunity for you.
So why wait? Take the first step today and start turning your creative passion into a profitable business.
You’ve got this!
