How to Make Printables to Sell Online: A Step-by-Step Guide

Ever dreamed of making money online?

Well, learning how to make printables to sell online might just be your ticket to a passive income paradise.

These digital products are becoming extremely popular in the online business world.

They provide a fun and creative way to make extra money without much effort.

So in this guide, we’ll walk you through the entire process of creating and selling printables online.

You’ll discover what printables are, how to choose your niche, and the ins and outs of designing eye-catching products. We’ll also cover setting up your online store, marketing your creations, and scaling your business.

Alright then! Let’s get started!

What are Printables?

Printables are one of the most popular digital products to sell online and include downloadable planners, diaries, journals, stickers, art prints, coloring pages, and more.

In other words, instead of buying something physical, customers purchase a digital file that they can print at home and use.

The benefit of printables is that customers can easily access and print them, without having to wait for a physical product to be shipped to them.

This easy and affordable solution has made printables a popular choice for people looking for practical and customizable resources.

Types of Printables

The list of what you can create as printables is endless.

You could make pages designed for planners, inserts focused on helping with budgeting, meal planning, goal setting, habit tracking, and so on.

You can also create coloring books, worksheets, activity books, templates, crochet or knitting patterns, sewing patterns, flashcards, teaching materials, SVG graphics, clipart, photo booth props, save-the-date cards, daily checklists, wedding planners, self-care printables, and art and decor pieces.

And the list just keeps going and going, like a toddler’s collection of random toys!

Popular Types of Printable Products

Some of the most popular printable products include:

• Planners (calendars, project planners, meal planners, financial planners)
• Customizable templates (eBook interior design, lead magnets, Canva, InDesign, book covers)
• Crochet, sewing, and knitting patterns
• Worksheets (coloring sheets, math worksheets, preschool worksheets, language arts printables)
• Trackers (food calorie counter, workout tracker, weight loss tracker, shopping list maker)
• Wall art (nursery prints, inspirational quotes, framed quotes, digital art)
• Clip arts (Halloween, Kawaii, seasons like winter, animal-inspired, watercolor school clip arts)

As you can see, the benefit of creating and selling printables is that it requires less work than physical products.

You create them once and can sell infinite copies without worrying about production costs, inventory, shipping, or stock issues.

Choosing Your Printable Niche

Choosing the right niche for your printables is incredibly important for long-term success. It’s essential to find a niche that aligns with your interests and caters to an audience you can serve for years to come.

Researching Market Demand

Before you focus on a specific niche, do some research on platforms like Etsy to see what types of printables are in demand.

Look at popular shops and see what products they offer, how much they charge, what customers say about them, and how they present their items.

This will help you understand what buyers are looking for, what is successful, and how you can make yourself unique.

Some niches with high demand include:

• Planning and organization (planners, goal trackers, to-do lists)
• Home decor (wall art, quote posters, photo frames)
• Weddings (invitations, seating charts, save the dates)
• Education (worksheets, activities, teaching materials)
• Hobbies and interests (crafting, gardening, cooking)

The most successful printable businesses are the ones that constantly try new things, improve their products, and stay ahead of trends.

It’s not enough to just stick to what’s worked in the past – you need to actively seek out new opportunities and find innovative ways to engage with your audience.

Identifying Your Target Audience

Once you find a good niche, figure out who your target audience is.

Ask yourself, “Who do I want to serve, and what problems can my product solve for them?”

Having a clear audience is important because it helps you save time and resources. It allows you to start off on the right track and focus on the right people.

There’s a saying that goes, “If you’re trying to talk to everyone, you’re not really talking to anyone.”

And remember to engage with your followers on social media.

By creating surveys and polls, you can also gather information about their interests and concerns and how your printables can meet their needs.

Remember, the key is finding a niche you’re passionate about and an audience you want to serve for years as you build your printables business.

Designing Your Printables

Selecting Design Software

To create attractive printables, you need to use the right design software tools.

You have multiple options to choose from, each with its own advantages and learning curve.

Let’s explore some popular choices:

• Adobe Illustrator: A popular vector graphics editor, Illustrator is a go-to choice for many printable designers. Its tools are powerful and allow for creating complex designs, aligning elements, and working with text and illustrations. However, it may be overwhelming for beginners.
• Canva: Canva is an easy-to-use design platform that you can access on the web. It has a wide range of templates, images, and fonts to choose from. It’s a great option for beginners in design. Just remember to be careful about the licensing restrictions if you plan to use it for commercial purposes.
• Adobe Photoshop: While primarily photo editing software, Photoshop and its simpler version, Photoshop Elements, can also be used to create printables. They offer a wide range of design tools and are popular among many designers.
• Microsoft Office Suite: Programs like Word, and Excel can be handy for creating simple printables such as checklists, calendars, and spreadsheet-style designs. They’re a great starting point for beginners, but may have limited capabilities compared to dedicated design software.

No matter which software you choose, it would be beneficial to consider taking online courses or watching YouTube tutorials. These resources can help you learn the basics and unlock the full potential of your design tools.

In most cases, Canva is a great fit for everyone. If you want to learn easily, there are some great online courses out there.

So don’t forget to check them out.

Key Design Principles

While creating printables, remember these basic principles to make visually attractive and impactful products:

• Format and Sizing: Choose the right format and size for your printable based on how you plan to use it. Consider the print medium and make sure your design looks good when printed. The standard size for printables is usually A4, which measures 210 x 297 mm (or 8.27 x 11.69 inches). This size is commonly used for documents, flyers, and different types of printables, making it a good option for your projects.
• Typography: Select fonts that are easy to read and make sure the spacing between characters and words is optimal for readability. Avoid using complicated fonts that might make it difficult to read.
• Color Palette: Use a pleasing combination of colors to make your printables stand out. Make sure the colors go well together and create a unified appearance.
• Visual Elements: Include graphics, illustrations, and visual elements to make your printables more attractive. Keep a consistent style, make sure they look good when printed, find a balance between graphics and text, and stick to your brand’s visual identity.
• Simplicity: Avoid overcrowding and focus on key messages. Use structural elements to guide the reader’s attention. Simplified designs make printables more understandable and effective.
• Testing: Test your chosen fonts on different print media and lighting conditions to ensure readability and optimal appearance across various situations.

Remember, when creating printables, it’s important to find a balance between how they look and how they work. Think about who you’re making them for and focus on making things that are both visually pleasing and useful for them.

But if you’re stuck here, I recommend improving your skills before anything else.

Skillshare is a popular resource for people who want to enhance their graphic design skills and learn the software tools necessary for creating high-quality printables.

The platform offers a variety of classes that cover everything from basic design principles to advanced programs like Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign.

Setting Up Your Online Store

Choosing an eCommerce Platform

When setting up your online shop, it’s important to create a professional and user-friendly experience for your customers.

One of the first steps is to choose a platform that best suits your needs and preferences.

Consider factors such as ease of use, customization options, and fees.
Ensure that the platform allows you to sell digital products and provides features specific to selling printables.

Here are some popular eCommerce platforms for selling printables online:

1. Etsy

Etsy is a well-liked online marketplace where you can sell different types of handmade, vintage, and craft items, including printables.

It’s a good choice for selling digital products like printables because it offers a ready-made platform with a built-in audience.

However, Etsy does require you to pay fees for listing and transactions, which can add up, but it’s worth it because the platform already has a built-in audience.

2. Teachable

Teachable is mainly recognized as an online course platform. However, it also enables you to sell various digital products, including printables.

It comes with a user-friendly tool for creating courses, customizable pages for sales, and features for managing your students.

It’s a suitable option if you intend to sell printables as part of a broader educational package, like a course or workshop.

3. Podia

Podia is an all-in-one platform that enables you to sell digital downloads, online courses, and memberships.

Its drag-and-drop website builder and integrated marketing tools make it easy to create a professional-looking online store for your printables.

Podia also offers a built-in community feature, which can be useful for engaging with your customers.

4. Payhip

Payhip is a straightforward platform focused on selling digital products, including printables.

It offers a free plan with a 5% transaction fee, making it a budget-friendly option, especially for those just starting out.

Payhip also supports features like coupon codes, affiliate marketing, customizable storefronts, and automatic tax calculations.

5. Shopify

Shopify is a comprehensive eCommerce platform that can be used to sell both physical and digital products, including printables.

While Shopify is primarily designed for physical product sales, it offers a range of apps and integrations that can be used to sell digital downloads.

Choosing Shopify is a good choice if you want to expand your printable business into print-on-demand (POD) products.

You can link your shop with a POD supplier and sell your designs printed on physical items like t-shirts and mugs. (I will discuss this further at the end of this post.)

Each platform has its own features and pricing models, so research thoroughly to find the one that aligns best with your business goals and budget.

Creating Product Listings

Once you have selected your platform, it is time to create attractive product listings for your printables.

Start by establishing a strong brand identity that connects with your intended audience.

Pick a memorable business name, make a logo, and create a consistent visual identity for your shop. Having a consistent brand helps to build trust and recognition among your customers.

When creating listings, write compelling product descriptions that highlight the features and benefits of your printables. Use relevant keywords to improve your search visibility and attract potential customers.

Include high-quality images or mockups to showcase your products.

Offer a seamless purchasing experience by providing a smooth checkout process, multiple payment options, and a straightforward download process.

Consider adding a personal touch, like a thank-you note or a bonus printable, to improve the customer experience.

Clearly mention that the product is a digital download and give instructions on how to access and print the files.

Marketing Your Printables

Having effective marketing strategies is important for the success of your printables business. You can use social media and email marketing to reach more people, make people aware of your brand, and increase sales.

Social Media Strategies

Social media platforms offer a great playground for promoting your printables.

Here are some effective strategies to consider:

• Use user-generated content as social proof: Encourage customers to share photos or videos of your printables in use. User-generated content is content created by users, and it can be a powerful way to show that your brand is trustworthy and credible.
• Make the most of business reviews: Positive reviews on platforms like Etsy or Facebook can significantly influence potential buyers. Actively seek and showcase reviews to showcase customer satisfaction.
• Host interactive Q&A sessions: Host live Q&A sessions or engage with your audience through Instagram Stories or Facebook Live. This interactive approach helps build a community and address customer queries.
• Collaborate with micro-influencers and niche communities: Partner with influencers or join niche communities related to your printables niche. This can expose your products to a highly targeted audience.
• Create interactive social media experiences: Create interactive experiences, such as polls, quizzes, or contests, to increase engagement and drive interest in your printables.
• Collaborate with local artists or designers: Collaborate with local talent to create unique printables or limited editions. This can add exclusivity and appeal to your offerings.
• Create product customization experiences: Offer customization options for your printables, allowing customers to personalize their purchases. Share these customized products on social media to showcase your capabilities.
• Use social media automation tools: Use automation tools to schedule posts, track analytics, and maintain a consistent presence across multiple platforms.
• Build communities that get access to exclusive deals: Build a dedicated group of people by providing special offers, early access to new items, or behind-the-scenes looks to your followers.
• Organize contests and giveaways: Run contests or giveaways with specific goals, such as increasing followers, generating user-generated content, or boosting engagement.

Email Marketing Strategies

87% of marketers say that email marketing is important for business success.

This means that email marketing is still a powerful way to build relationships, increase brand awareness, promote content, generate leads, market products, and get leads.

When it comes to email marketing tools, ConvertKit and Constant Contact are great choices, especially if you’re new to the game and want to try it out.

These platforms are easy to use and offer free plans, so you can easily experiment and see how email marketing can benefit your business.

Here are some tips to make them work better:

• Offer Exclusive Printable Freebies: Provide your email subscribers with exclusive access to free printable resources, templates, or checklists that are not available anywhere else. This helps build your email list and shows subscribers the value you can provide.
• Create Printable-Focused Newsletters: Send a regular newsletter that highlights your latest printable products, provides tips on how to use them, and shares ideas for incorporating them. This keeps your printables top-of-mind with your audience.
• Segment by Buyer Behavior: Segment your email list based on which printables customers have purchased in the past. This allows you to send personalized product recommendations and cross-sell related printables.
• Use Email Automation: Set up automated email sequences to welcome new subscribers, follow up with cart abandoners, or deliver printables after a purchase. This helps nurture leads and drive more sales.
• Highlight Customer Creations: Showcase how customers are using your printables by featuring their photos or designs in your emails. This provides social proof and inspiration for other subscribers.
• Offer Printable Bundles: Create special printable bundles or collections that you can promote via email. Bundling related printables can increase average order value.
• Run Email-Exclusive Promotions: Offer email-only discounts, flash sales, or limited-time offers on your printables to reward your subscribers and drive more sales.

By using social media and email marketing together, you can effectively advertise your printables, reach the people you want to target, and increase sales for your online business.

Another powerful option is to run targeted ads on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest.

These ads can be created specifically for your target audience and can show your printables being used, feature customer reviews, and offer special deals.

Scaling Your Printables Business

One of the best things about selling printables online is that it’s an affordable business model that’s easy to scale.

Unlike a traditional brick-and-mortar business, you won’t need to worry about paying for raw materials and maintaining inventory.

The products are digital, and customers will print their own products.

However, with Print-on-demand (POD), we can turn digital designs into physical products without having to handle inventory or shipping.

For example, imagine you start an online store selling printable artwork. At first, you offer downloadable files that customers can print and frame at home.

As your business grows, you notice that some customers would prefer ready-made products.

It’s quite easy to expand your product line to ready-made products with the help of a Print-on-demand supplier.

Here’s how it works:

1. Customer Browses Your Online Shop: A customer visits your online store and finds a product they like, such as a t-shirt with one of your designs.
2. Customer Places an Order: The customer makes a purchase on your online shop. They provide their shipping information and make a payment.
3. Order Sent to POD Supplier: Once the order is placed, it is automatically sent to your chosen POD supplier. You don’t have to do anything manually; this integration is set up when you link your shop to the POD platform.
4. POD Supplier Processes the Order: The POD supplier receives the order and starts the production process. They print your design on the chosen product, whether it’s a mug, t-shirt, or any other item.
5. POD Supplier Ships the Product: After the product is printed, the POD supplier takes care of the packaging and shipping. They send the finished product directly to your customer’s address.
6. Customer Receives the Product: The customer receives their ready-made product at their doorstep, complete with your design.

POD suppliers such as Gelato, Printful, and Zazzle offer an extensive range of products, including mugs, clothing, wall art, phone cases, calendars, and bags.

These POD suppliers have everything you need to bring your creative ideas to life.
However, the goal is to choose the best supplier that works for your business.

Personalization is another great feature to offer.

You can offer users customizable printables, such as artwork with their name on it. This allows customers to order personalized printables.

When you integrate your shop with a print-on-demand supplier, they will print and deliver the personalized items to the customers’ doorsteps.

The best thing is that Shopify makes this whole process even easier.

It helps you build an online store and integrate it with POD suppliers like Gelato.

The platform also offers apps and plugins to help you customize your store, making it simple to add new products and set up automatic order processing.

This integration ensures a smooth and efficient operation, so you can focus on creating designs while Shopify and your POD supplier handle the rest.

Final Thoughts

Creating and selling printables online is a great way to make money without actively working, and it allows you to express your creativity.

Stay updated on market trends, listen to what your customers want, and continuously work on improving your products or services.

To scale your printable business, you can also consider building an online store with Gelato, a top POD provider that offers a variety of printable items.

It’s like hitting two birds with one stone; you can earn more than just selling a printable.

Happy selling!