ETSY 101: What to Sell on Etsy (Physical + Digital Products)

About this video

In this Etsy 101 episode, Kate Hayes explains what Etsy allows and does not allow. Physical products fall into four subcategories. Handmade means you are the maker or the designer — if a production partner manufactures your original designs, you must disclose that partner in the listing and About section; examples include candles, wood signs, wreaths and baby blankets. Vintage means genuinely at least 20 years old, which means one-of-a-kind listings and sourcing, cleaning or repair work. Print on demand means you design while a provider manufactures, fulfills and ships for a base cost — her example is a $25 shirt with a $10 base cost leaving $15 — so compare catalogs, Etsy integration and base prices, use strong mockups from sources such as PlaceIt or Creative Fabrica, and disclose the provider as a production partner. Craft supplies are tools, materials or ingredients for making a new item — ribbon, paint, fabric, beads and craft-intended blanks, plus party supplies — and are the exception where reselling as-is is allowed; a blank sweatshirt wearable as-is does not qualify. Digital products are instant downloads (ready files, up to five per listing, delivered automatically by Etsy, such as printables, sewing patterns or Canva templates) or made-to-order files you personalize after purchase, such as invitations, logos or custom art. Hayes says mass-manufactured reselling with no change by the seller is not allowed, prohibited items risk shop closure, and services are generally not allowed unless they produce a tangible final item or file, as with her shop reviews delivered as a PDF and video.

Key takeaways

• Etsy physical products must be handmade, vintage (at least 20 years old), print on demand, or craft supplies
• Handmade sellers must be maker or designer and must disclose any production partner in listing and About section
• Print-on-demand sellers keep the margin above the provider’s base cost and never handle inventory
• Digital products are either instant downloads (up to five ready files per listing) or made-to-order personalized files
• Mass-manufactured reselling is prohibited, and services are only allowed when they deliver a tangible item or file

Episode details: published January 31, 2023 · 14:15 long. Summary written by Self Growth Videos from the episode itself. Business results and any income figures mentioned are Kate Hayes’s own claims, shared for education — they are not typical or guaranteed.

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