When I read the personalized/customized section, it was clear to me that I if using POD, I CAN use a mockup, but the first image must NOT include placeholder text on the item. I can use a mockup showing a name on the item instead of "your text here". People are making this more complicated than necessary and causing drama for no reason.
How difficult would it be for Etsy to show printed examples in screenshots with "allowable," "not allowable" in their instructions so we wouldn't have to go through this nonsense? Not difficult at all.
Makes me feel better. Thank you guys. I actually add a pretend name, I pick friends names 😂 I use a few like this so they get an idea of what it looks like with a name etc. relieved! Just want to add, my supporting image sometimes says ‘any name’ but the first image will be personalised with an actual name. Never had a problem x
As far as personlized items, ot is a little fuzzy. What I hear is: Photos trump mockups. If you can use a photo especially for the first image, do it. (Photos preferred serms to be the general advice anyways.) I think you can use a mockup for the first image of a customized or personalized POD product but it had to loom like the finished product. In the images that follow I think you can use "your text here" type images to make it clear what vis customizable.
I don't agree with their decision regarding "Your Text Here" because if a person is looking for a personalized product, "Your Text Here" is far more likely to grab their attention than an example of a finished product, like "Ninth House Construction." They might think the product is a reference to something and just scroll past it, not reading the title that specifies the item is personalized. Most people don't read, they just look at the pictures.
Agree! As soon as I saw the new rules I assumed exactly what you are saying - mockups are fine for personalised items (even for the first image), Etsy just doesn't want placeholder text on the main image. Any other interpretation would make no sense at all unless Etsy was trying to discourage customisable POD items.(Which seems very unlikely). However, Etsy are still muddying the water on this issue 🙄 (see Pam Duthie's recent video.) As a new seller, I am about to list personalised items for the first time, and I'm going with the logical interpretation. Mockup of a 'real' item for the first image - i.e. no placeholder text. Other images can then be mockups where the design includes text like 'Your Name Here'.
I'm making digital dowlodable files to sell on Etsy, clipart design or teardrop earring design, how to showcase those since the product that my client receive is a file with images not printed on anything yet?
Not really sure how this applies to digital download files. Should the 1st pic be the digital download file (with watermarks so it can't be copied) then mock ups after that? There is no physical product to photograph.
Thank you, how about adding the real "photo" or "text" but writing on the main mockup on the side " add your name"? " custom text" etc? Can you please update when you have an answer from the legal team?
I agree (after finally dusting off my confused brain). For the mockups that I sell or use, I'll put examples prior to showing one with "Your Design Here". That is usually last, if at all. It's just not appealing for customers and after seeing it from both sides (as a seller and a buyer) it makes more sense to use an example of the expected finished product.
What about the in store customization that POD providers facilitate for the end customer? They add their name and can see in real time the change that is made to the end product. Finish editing all options, (or delete the unwanted parts) evaluate the outcome on the product and then place the order. My POD provider has this in place and all is automatic. They are also integrated with Etsy, so I think this particular requirement is not applicable to all POD product designers by default. Just inferior POD providers that do not offer in store personalization.
Your interpretation is how we all want it to be, but Etsy's wording is confusing & it sounds like they want a finished end product REAL photo. I hope you're right!! I have been doing my custom listings this way, with a mocked up finished design" example as you've explained.
I make wood signs and take pictures of my finished product. I have experimented with two listings by copying the finished product and putting it on a background mock-up that I purchased. I don’t have beautiful spots in my home that are decorated perfectly. So the photo of the finished product is my photo, but it’s placed on a different background. Does this seem okay?
Hello there, I hope you’re doing well! I have a quick question about using mockups for digital printouts. My shop has a lot of products, but I don’t have the budget to print and frame everything for photos. Is it okay to use mockups as the initial images in my shop and is it okay to use mockups in general? I’d really appreciate your advice on this! Thanks
Thank you for the video. Question: We work without POD - meaning without external production partners. We produce our prints on T-shirts ourselves here in our company. Are we allowed to use mockups from Placeit if they show the finished textile with the layout?
Hi Guys, Thanks for your video, very helpful. Thank you!!! I have a burning question about the use of listing images. At the moment I'm using an image that I bought from CF. If I have understood correctly things have changed now. I will now need to make an actual photo of my product (digital download) to use as my first listing photo in my shop? (I have a Greeting Card shop, selling only Digital Downloadable cards!!). If this is the case, does this mean I will have to change all the current listing photos of all my existing products? If yes, I'm a bit concerned as what will happen to the algorithm that we as sellers have built over time? As it is recommended to NOT"change" listings that are selling? Hope you can take away my concerns. Thanks a lot! regards Ellen
Thank you so much for your video! I have a quick question: I sell t-shirt png designs and for my main listing photo I always use a real life model mockup of a girl with a white t-shirt with my png design on it, so my customers could visualize what my product would actually look like on a t-shirt. Is this compliant with the new Etsy terms in your opinion?
I have the same understanding regarding custom products. I disagree with Etsy’s reasoning that using a fictitious name in place of placeholder text is less confusing. I can see customers getting confused by seeing strange names. “Oh look, this mug says Mr. Anderson is the best teacher. It’s a nice design but none of my children’s teachers are named Anderson”
I agree, but still preferable to having to order an actual mug with 'Mr Anderson' on it to photograph for your thumbnail. I would probably make the mockup for 'Mrs Teacher' and add text to the thumbnail with an arrow saying 'your teacher's name here'
I interpret "custom" and "personalized" as two different things but how I understood the explanation in your video is that they are one in the same? In my opinion "custom" means a graphic tee that is available in different colors. Then "personalized" would be that same graphic tee available in different colors but you are able to personalize with adding your name. So in my opinion, yes that makes sense for Etsy to ask that "personalized" items have an original picture available and not just "your text here". In that example the buyer should order one "custom" graphic tee with their name added to it. Allowing potential buyers to see a more accurate depiction of how the graphic tee would look after it has been "personalized". My two cents anyway.
So for POD listenings , do i chose "I did" since i designed the print, and then add production partner, or do I choose "another company or person" and then in production partner info section I chose .."i design everything myself" thanks
I probably have 200+ personalized listing that have [YOUR NAME] on the mockup. I know I have to change all of these. Is there a certain date these need to be changed by before Etsy starts removing them or whatever they are going to do, or is this change already in place and they need to be changed now?
@Luxera-t4z Yes that's what I understood. I created one sample took a few images of and add them to my actual listing on Etsy along with a few of the mockups from Printify
Could you use an image of the final product and edit the image with a place holder name so it’s not a wasted physical item? Etsy should put another area of the listing the notes that name is personalized or changed somehow. Though could confuse customers if there is a name already on an item. They may think the item/listing is specific to another person. And not customizable due to customer common sense or poor attention span.
When you look at a custom/personal listing, it does give the seller space to say which part is customized and If you think people need more clariification you can always use the supporting images to show what's being customized.
@@brandcreators no I got that. But I wonder if the product itself is digital, and you just slap a “your design here”. It is the finished product after all. Anyways, I gotta read through it.
What if I use a finished product that has "your text here" printed on? 😅 I would have something like this made by the production partner and take some photos of that product 🤔
For digital download designs, such as clipart or SVGs, can the design be placed on a shirt mockup for the first image? This will provide a good visualization of how the design would look when applied to a shirt for example.
It should be of the product the customer is going to receive. If you're just selling the SVG, I wouldn't have the main image be of a t-shirt...since that isn't what the customer is going to get and could be confusing for them. You can use the supporting images to show those types of things though
@@brandcreators I just checked with Etsy and they replied telling me it is still allowed to use a shirt mockup design as the first photo for your digital product listing. As long as the designs are your own.
When it comes to mockups for personalized items it seems like Etsy’s issue has more to do with the aesthetics of how it looks to the scrolling customer. And to be honest, IMO, the way some sellers add the “your text here” doesn’t look great. I wonder if they would consider allowing the “your text here” if that was done as a design? As in creating a design as you would normally, but have the text read “your text here”. Or maybe do the above but instead have the text read ‘Personalized’.🤷♀️ I think it’s the way some sellers just slap a flat your text here which doesn’t translate very well what the printed item would look like. Also, looking at a sea of that flat un-integrated YTH, when searching ‘personalized’, Etsy starts to look like one of those print on demand companies for corporate clients. Maybe they just don’t want the site to look like an actual POD site. 🤷♀️
I get the problem with 'Name and photo here' on a blank product but if you have a photo and are just using placeholder text for a name then 'Name here' or 'Chris' both mean absolutely nothing to an end user whose name is 'David'. It's a ridiculous requirement.
It actually makes a huge difference when you look at the pictures. What many sellers were doing were putting an ugly white block over the customization area instead of showing what a finished product would look like. Showing what the finished product will look like in the main image makes Etsy search results a bit more uniform and gives a consumer an idea of what the product will truly be when they get it... Even if their name isn't Chris :-)
I sell digital greeting cards. I generate ai mockups of blank greeting cards and replace those with my greeting cards. Is that allowed? I don’t sell physical cards.
What if the product is customized images,let’s say a dog image. How would it be possible for a seller to know what sort of dog they should use as the mock up since each customers owns different kind of dogs ??
You would likely use a more popular breed. Customers aren't really confused as they know what dog they own and have an obvious place in the listings to indicate the breed they own. Additionally, you can still use the additional image slots to show where it would be custom, other breeds, etc
I hated the way they worded this. It’s like you read it and it says “you’re good to go except for the section above” and then the section above sounds like it negates everything they said below. It’s like “did they even proofread this?” The way I read it now and someone confirmed with Etsy is that you can use a mockup that has the name of a potential buyer (I.e. the personalized mockup should look like a finished product)
You need to show an image of a finished product in the first image slot. You can use the supporting images to clarify, if you think something needs to be clarified
This is confusing. In the finished product mock-up do not use (text here, name here, etc), they want the name Susan instead. The mug show the picture don’t list the text -on the mug.
But is it clear as Crystal, that we can use an AI generated mock up if it looks exactly like the shirt, before I add my image? And use it as the main image.
The first photo needs to be an actual photo of the design. So order one just for the first photo. The other pictures can use the computer generated ones. It’s only the first pic has to be a real one.
I make it simple, if someone else took a picture like a customer - that customer holds the right to this photo - and you can not use it legaly without his permission.
I BOUGHT A MOCKUP ON ETSY FROM A SELLER AND THERE COLORS WERENT EVEN RIGHT. IM ABOUT TO MESSAGE THEM. BECUASEI DONT WANT NO ISSUES BECUASE OF THEM.THEY LEGIT SOLD ME A SKU WITH COLORS LISTING THAT DONT GO WITH THE SHIRT. AND BECUASE IM SUPER THOROGH I WENT ON THE COMPANY SITE THAT MAKES THE TSHIRT AND SEEN IT
I think your interpretation is accurate regarding the first image requirement as it is written. However, I can also see the AI bots going through and removing those listings. For now, I would make a finished product mockup and use graphics to indicate on the image that it can be personalized. Then use the standard customization/personalization images for support. If you use a mockup in that first image, over time I would also try to get a customer’s permission to use their photograph(s) of the finished product as your listing image. Or order one yourself and use it. Especially for listings that are doing extremely well for you, to avoid the AI bots removing all mockup images as listing images. I’m not an attorney but I work in an adjacent field and I suspect copyright laws are why the customized/personalized POD have been segregated from fully designed POD. It is a little goofy on the surface that they’re being treated entirely differently but it makes sense from a legal perspective. The buyer adding their personalization own the copyright to that customization or are claiming that they own the photograph(s) they’re uploading. And they own copyright of all photographs of the physical item they receive. They don’t want custom things in “designed by” because sometimes those listings are the entire item being designed by the buyer. So all customization POD listings with even just a name customization are now in “sourced by.” From Etsy’s perspective, you’ve now created an informal design partnership with your buyer. So there’s additional requirements, including getting permission to use their photograph(s) in your listing. In my opinion, while this is confusing, Etsy needed to make the distinction between POD items that are fully designed by sellers and are jointly designed with customers. Especially if they’re going to claim to be the marketplace for creators. While this is a lot for sellers to sort out and change on their personalized listings, it should also make the platform look nicer. Which I’m sure is also part of why the listing image requirements have been dramatically changed.
Why bother it will change by 4th Quarter. 😆 It shouldn’t be this complicated. Thanks guys. BTW… it is niche like quiche; not nitch like witch. No, not acceptable for both. 😂
Again with the ridiculousness of Etsy. I think someone is paid to come up with those rules and they’re trying to be clear or come up with a rule. Like who cares if it says « your text here » or « custom text » why are they even coming up with those rules? It does not illustrate an end product because we can’t know what customization every customer will have. I can only send the customized item once I create it after they purchase. So stupid
After nearly a year of POD, I have come to the conclusion that Etsy and Printify are run by a bunch of inexperienced, unprofessional morons. Meanwhile those of us trying to create a viable, sustainable business are at the mercy of inexperienced, unprofessional and immature rule setters. This is totally upside down and -- DEAR GOD, BRING SOME SANITY to Etsy and Printify!
I hated the way they worded this. It’s like you read it and it says “you’re good to go except for the section above” and then the section above sounds like it negates everything they said below. It’s like “did they even proofread this?” The way I read it now and someone confirmed with Etsy is that you can use a mockup that has the name of a potential buyer (I.e. the personalized mockup should look like a finished product)
When I read the personalized/customized section, it was clear to me that I if using POD, I CAN use a mockup, but the first image must NOT include placeholder text on the item. I can use a mockup showing a name on the item instead of "your text here". People are making this more complicated than necessary and causing drama for no reason.
Totally agree! Unnecessary drama, imop. ❤
To avoid confusion, Etsy should use photos of Do and Don't, like they do with their other categories.
How difficult would it be for Etsy to show printed examples in screenshots with "allowable," "not allowable" in their instructions so we wouldn't have to go through this nonsense? Not difficult at all.
That would solve a lot of problems!
They expect so much from us sellers and deliver so little to us
Well of course. They wouldn't be able to pick and choose when they enforce it if it were made more clear.
Makes me feel better. Thank you guys. I actually add a pretend name, I pick friends names 😂 I use a few like this so they get an idea of what it looks like with a name etc. relieved!
Just want to add, my supporting image sometimes says ‘any name’ but the first image will be personalised with an actual name. Never had a problem x
As far as personlized items, ot is a little fuzzy. What I hear is:
Photos trump mockups. If you can use a photo especially for the first image, do it. (Photos preferred serms to be the general advice anyways.)
I think you can use a mockup for the first image of a customized or personalized POD product but it had to loom like the finished product. In the images that follow I think you can use "your text here" type images to make it clear what vis customizable.
Thank and your teams, both of you, for this clarification.
I don't agree with their decision regarding "Your Text Here" because if a person is looking for a personalized product, "Your Text Here" is far more likely to grab their attention than an example of a finished product, like "Ninth House Construction." They might think the product is a reference to something and just scroll past it, not reading the title that specifies the item is personalized. Most people don't read, they just look at the pictures.
Evet doğru çok sık güncelleme yapıyorlar ve bazen şöyle oluyorum; kahretsin keşke daha fazla değişiklik yapmayı bıraksalar 😢
What about shops that sells mockups and have “ your design here “ on the shirt for example. Do they now have to redo all listings 😮😮😮
the prohibition of using generic text seems to be applicable only to the 1st image or unauthorized buyers' images
I appreciate how you and Chris explain updates, helpful hints, and expertise. I look forward to your videos.
Agree! As soon as I saw the new rules I assumed exactly what you are saying - mockups are fine for personalised items (even for the first image), Etsy just doesn't want placeholder text on the main image. Any other interpretation would make no sense at all unless Etsy was trying to discourage customisable POD items.(Which seems very unlikely).
However, Etsy are still muddying the water on this issue 🙄 (see Pam Duthie's recent video.)
As a new seller, I am about to list personalised items for the first time, and I'm going with the logical interpretation. Mockup of a 'real' item for the first image - i.e. no placeholder text. Other images can then be mockups where the design includes text like 'Your Name Here'.
I made an example for the first image and then the video I used “your image, photo design” here. That’s the way I understood it.
As a customer I usually bypass the ones with placeholder text. So when I design I add names. Or words. Etc.
I'm making digital dowlodable files to sell on Etsy, clipart design or teardrop earring design, how to showcase those since the product that my client receive is a file with images not printed on anything yet?
Not really sure how this applies to digital download files. Should the 1st pic be the digital download file (with watermarks so it can't be copied) then mock ups after that? There is no physical product to photograph.
Thank you, how about adding the real "photo" or "text" but writing on the main mockup on the side " add your name"? " custom text" etc? Can you please update when you have an answer from the legal team?
I agree (after finally dusting off my confused brain). For the mockups that I sell or use, I'll put examples prior to showing one with "Your Design Here". That is usually last, if at all. It's just not appealing for customers and after seeing it from both sides (as a seller and a buyer) it makes more sense to use an example of the expected finished product.
That's it, I'm just putting "Chris" for all of my mockups - works both ways 😀
What about the in store customization that POD providers facilitate for the end customer? They add their name and can see in real time the change that is made to the end product. Finish editing all options, (or delete the unwanted parts) evaluate the outcome on the product and then place the order. My POD provider has this in place and all is automatic. They are also integrated with Etsy, so I think this particular requirement is not applicable to all POD product designers by default. Just inferior POD providers that do not offer in store personalization.
Your interpretation is how we all want it to be, but Etsy's wording is confusing & it sounds like they want a finished end product REAL photo. I hope you're right!! I have been doing my custom listings this way, with a mocked up finished design" example as you've explained.
I make wood signs and take pictures of my finished product. I have experimented with two listings by copying the finished product and putting it on a background mock-up that I purchased. I don’t have beautiful spots in my home that are decorated perfectly. So the photo of the finished product is my photo, but it’s placed on a different background. Does this seem okay?
Thank you!!!! Watching other RUclipsrs give us the doom and gloom with an inaccurate interpretation was really stressful. You guys nailed it!
Hello there,
I hope you’re doing well! I have a quick question about using mockups for digital printouts. My shop has a lot of products, but I don’t have the budget to print and frame everything for photos.
Is it okay to use mockups as the initial images in my shop and is it okay to use mockups in general?
I’d really appreciate your advice on this!
Thanks
And how about art prints that I create myself (no POD company)?
Thank you for the video.
Question: We work without POD - meaning without external production partners.
We produce our prints on T-shirts ourselves here in our company.
Are we allowed to use mockups from Placeit if they show the finished textile with the layout?
If the items you're making fall into one of the exceptions you could use mockups. If not...you should be using real photos.
@@brandcreators Thank you for your reply.
We do not produce custom layouts with names etc., but ready-made layouts.
Thank you! Always valuable content.
I make my own mock ups and print my own products thus making me my own POD..
I had received the email but I am not sure how to go about it.
can we get the links to those policy pages?
Hi Guys, Thanks for your video, very helpful. Thank you!!! I have a burning question about the use of listing images. At the moment I'm using an image that I bought from CF. If I have understood correctly things have changed now. I will now need to make an actual photo of my product (digital download) to use as my first listing photo in my shop? (I have a Greeting Card shop, selling only Digital Downloadable cards!!). If this is the case, does this mean I will have to change all the current listing photos of all my existing products? If yes, I'm a bit concerned as what will happen to the algorithm that we as sellers have built over time? As it is recommended to NOT"change" listings that are selling? Hope you can take away my concerns. Thanks a lot! regards Ellen
How about mockups for digital SVGs? Can you use a mockup to display how the SVG will look on a t-shirt for example?
You can in the supporting images, the main image must represent the product they're going to get.
@@brandcreators thank you so much for taking the time to answer my question!
Thank you so much for your video! I have a quick question: I sell t-shirt png designs and for my main listing photo I always use a real life model mockup of a girl with a white t-shirt with my png design on it, so my customers could visualize what my product would actually look like on a t-shirt. Is this compliant with the new Etsy terms in your opinion?
The way I read it, I could use a computer-generated image into which I could insert my customized product using Photoshop?
Hello, how about stickers? What category does it fall? I'm using POD and designed it myself. Ty
They would be print on demand.
I have the same understanding regarding custom products. I disagree with Etsy’s reasoning that using a fictitious name in place of placeholder text is less confusing.
I can see customers getting confused by seeing strange names.
“Oh look, this mug says Mr. Anderson is the best teacher. It’s a nice design but none of my children’s teachers are named Anderson”
I agree, but still preferable to having to order an actual mug with 'Mr Anderson' on it to photograph for your thumbnail.
I would probably make the mockup for 'Mrs Teacher' and add text to the thumbnail with an arrow saying 'your teacher's name here'
@@emmamountcastle5544 having a callout like that is a good idea
I agree. Your text here is clear and concise
I interpret "custom" and "personalized" as two different things but how I understood the explanation in your video is that they are one in the same? In my opinion "custom" means a graphic tee that is available in different colors. Then "personalized" would be that same graphic tee available in different colors but you are able to personalize with adding your name. So in my opinion, yes that makes sense for Etsy to ask that "personalized" items have an original picture available and not just "your text here". In that example the buyer should order one "custom" graphic tee with their name added to it. Allowing potential buyers to see a more accurate depiction of how the graphic tee would look after it has been "personalized". My two cents anyway.
So for POD listenings , do i chose "I did" since i designed the print, and then add production partner, or do I choose "another company or person" and then in production partner info section I chose .."i design everything myself" thanks
No. Your production partner is creating the product, so you would select "someone else" and list yourself as the designer
I probably have 200+ personalized listing that have [YOUR NAME] on the mockup. I know I have to change all of these. Is there a certain date these need to be changed by before Etsy starts removing them or whatever they are going to do, or is this change already in place and they need to be changed now?
The new image policy is already in effect
Vela will get a fair bit of use! 🤔
What if it is a digital file? How is that going to work?
So, this is confusing as a newbie. Can or can’t I use purchased mockups for my t-shirt and hoodie designs?
You can use mockups that accurately represent the product
Do we need to change the mockups for even our previous listings as well?
Only if they have placeholder text in first image (thumbnail)
My understanding that the 1st image has to be the actual finished piece like a sample with a real image. Every image after that can be a mock up...
So are you implying buying samples to snap with my camera for personalised items? 🫤
@Luxera-t4z Yes that's what I understood. I created one sample took a few images of and add them to my actual listing on Etsy along with a few of the mockups from Printify
Could you use an image of the final product and edit the image with a place holder name so it’s not a wasted physical item? Etsy should put another area of the listing the notes that name is personalized or changed somehow. Though could confuse customers if there is a name already on an item. They may think the item/listing is specific to another person. And not customizable due to customer common sense or poor attention span.
When you look at a custom/personal listing, it does give the seller space to say which part is customized and If you think people need more clariification you can always use the supporting images to show what's being customized.
No, you CAN use a mockup but NOT placeholder text. Watch the video
Can you still use “your design here” or similar for digital products?
The mockup needs to be of the finished product (in the first image slot). You should be able to show more things like that in the supporting slots
@@brandcreators no I got that. But I wonder if the product itself is digital, and you just slap a “your design here”. It is the finished product after all. Anyways, I gotta read through it.
What if I use a finished product that has "your text here" printed on? 😅 I would have something like this made by the production partner and take some photos of that product 🤔
For digital download designs, such as clipart or SVGs, can the design be placed on a shirt mockup for the first image? This will provide a good visualization of how the design would look when applied to a shirt for example.
It should be of the product the customer is going to receive. If you're just selling the SVG, I wouldn't have the main image be of a t-shirt...since that isn't what the customer is going to get and could be confusing for them. You can use the supporting images to show those types of things though
@@brandcreators I’ve been selling on Etsy since 2019. All my designs are on mockups over 600+ designs. 🤦♀️
@@brandcreators I just checked with Etsy and they replied telling me it is still allowed to use a shirt mockup design as the first photo for your digital product listing. As long as the designs are your own.
@@wendy2241 thank you so much for checking!
When it comes to mockups for personalized items it seems like Etsy’s issue has more to do with the aesthetics of how it looks to the scrolling customer. And to be honest, IMO, the way some sellers add the “your text here” doesn’t look great.
I wonder if they would consider allowing the “your text here” if that was done as a design? As in creating a design as you would normally, but have the text read “your text here”. Or maybe do the above but instead have the text read ‘Personalized’.🤷♀️
I think it’s the way some sellers just slap a flat your text here which doesn’t translate very well what the printed item would look like.
Also, looking at a sea of that flat un-integrated YTH, when searching ‘personalized’, Etsy starts to look like one of those print on demand companies for corporate clients. Maybe they just don’t want the site to look like an actual POD site.
🤷♀️
I get the problem with 'Name and photo here' on a blank product but if you have a photo and are just using placeholder text for a name then 'Name here' or 'Chris' both mean absolutely nothing to an end user whose name is 'David'. It's a ridiculous requirement.
It actually makes a huge difference when you look at the pictures. What many sellers were doing were putting an ugly white block over the customization area instead of showing what a finished product would look like. Showing what the finished product will look like in the main image makes Etsy search results a bit more uniform and gives a consumer an idea of what the product will truly be when they get it... Even if their name isn't Chris :-)
I sell digital greeting cards. I generate ai mockups of blank greeting cards and replace those with my greeting cards. Is that allowed? I don’t sell physical cards.
What if the product is customized images,let’s say a dog image. How would it be possible for a seller to know what sort of dog they should use as the mock up since each customers owns different kind of dogs ??
You would likely use a more popular breed. Customers aren't really confused as they know what dog they own and have an obvious place in the listings to indicate the breed they own. Additionally, you can still use the additional image slots to show where it would be custom, other breeds, etc
I hated the way they worded this. It’s like you read it and it says “you’re good to go except for the section above” and then the section above sounds like it negates everything they said below. It’s like “did they even proofread this?”
The way I read it now and someone confirmed with Etsy is that you can use a mockup that has the name of a potential buyer (I.e. the personalized mockup should look like a finished product)
Some people who do personalized items show the shirt but shows your text here.. it must say a name on it
How do we show customers what areas are customisable?
You need to show an image of a finished product in the first image slot. You can use the supporting images to clarify, if you think something needs to be clarified
I would add text to the thumbnail saying PERSONALISED and 'your text here' or 'your name here' with an arrow pointing to the relevant place.
What do you think about using a mockup for digital worksheets and workbooks? Or make my own mockups using my own pics?
As usual, Etsy is making everything more confusing than need be. And worrying about the wrong things.
I wonder if cassey johnson is aware of this. She has these types of personalized mockups in her shop.
This is confusing. In the finished product mock-up do not use (text here, name here, etc), they want the name Susan instead. The mug show the picture don’t list the text -on the mug.
But is it clear as Crystal, that we can use an AI generated mock up if it looks exactly like the shirt, before I add my image? And use it as the main image.
If it meets the requirements for mockups (it accurately reflects the end product and you own the rights to it), you can use mockups.
Keep it simple ETSY!,
The first photo needs to be an actual photo of the design. So order one just for the first photo. The other pictures can use the computer generated ones.
It’s only the first pic has to be a real one.
Incorrect. Watch the video. You CAN use a mockup for the first image, but it can't have placeholder text.
I'm surprised people STILL have the nerves to put up with this.
Personalized means that the first picture has to say Johnson Family Vacation 2024 or whatever not just Custom text here
Printify offers tons of mockups. Why not just use those?
You absolutely can :-)
I make it simple, if someone else took a picture like a customer - that customer holds the right to this photo - and you can not use it legaly without his permission.
I BOUGHT A MOCKUP ON ETSY FROM A SELLER AND THERE COLORS WERENT EVEN RIGHT. IM ABOUT TO MESSAGE THEM. BECUASEI DONT WANT NO ISSUES BECUASE OF THEM.THEY LEGIT SOLD ME A SKU WITH COLORS LISTING THAT DONT GO WITH THE SHIRT. AND BECUASE IM SUPER THOROGH I WENT ON THE COMPANY SITE THAT MAKES THE TSHIRT AND SEEN IT
It seems to me that Etsy wants to earn more money from the sellers. Etsy wants sellers buy their products too at least samoles.
I think your interpretation is accurate regarding the first image requirement as it is written. However, I can also see the AI bots going through and removing those listings. For now, I would make a finished product mockup and use graphics to indicate on the image that it can be personalized. Then use the standard customization/personalization images for support. If you use a mockup in that first image, over time I would also try to get a customer’s permission to use their photograph(s) of the finished product as your listing image. Or order one yourself and use it. Especially for listings that are doing extremely well for you, to avoid the AI bots removing all mockup images as listing images.
I’m not an attorney but I work in an adjacent field and I suspect copyright laws are why the customized/personalized POD have been segregated from fully designed POD. It is a little goofy on the surface that they’re being treated entirely differently but it makes sense from a legal perspective. The buyer adding their personalization own the copyright to that customization or are claiming that they own the photograph(s) they’re uploading. And they own copyright of all photographs of the physical item they receive.
They don’t want custom things in “designed by” because sometimes those listings are the entire item being designed by the buyer. So all customization POD listings with even just a name customization are now in “sourced by.” From Etsy’s perspective, you’ve now created an informal design partnership with your buyer. So there’s additional requirements, including getting permission to use their photograph(s) in your listing.
In my opinion, while this is confusing, Etsy needed to make the distinction between POD items that are fully designed by sellers and are jointly designed with customers. Especially if they’re going to claim to be the marketplace for creators. While this is a lot for sellers to sort out and change on their personalized listings, it should also make the platform look nicer. Which I’m sure is also part of why the listing image requirements have been dramatically changed.
I wonder if they used their ai to come up with this policy and just skimmed through with people for their touch ups
Why are so many people commenting without watching the video 😫
So basically Etsy is going to put all their mockup sellers and buyers out of business with this?
No...you can use mockups.
Why bother it will change by 4th Quarter. 😆 It shouldn’t be this complicated. Thanks guys. BTW… it is niche like quiche; not nitch like witch. No, not acceptable for both. 😂
Both ways are considered correct in English :)
They have too many rules for most sellers to be able to understand
The only rules you really need to know are the ones that pertain to your specific product type. Is there a particular place you're confused?
Again with the ridiculousness of Etsy. I think someone is paid to come up with those rules and they’re trying to be clear or come up with a rule. Like who cares if it says « your text here » or « custom text » why are they even coming up with those rules? It does not illustrate an end product because we can’t know what customization every customer will have. I can only send the customized item once I create it after they purchase. So stupid
you said NICHE twice and both wrong. man, this is a lost cause for me but I don't give up. 🤣🤣🤣
Both NITCH and NEESH are correct :)
After nearly a year of POD, I have come to the conclusion that Etsy and Printify are run by a bunch of inexperienced, unprofessional morons. Meanwhile those of us trying to create a viable, sustainable business are at the mercy of inexperienced, unprofessional and immature rule setters. This is totally upside down and -- DEAR GOD, BRING SOME SANITY to Etsy and Printify!
I hated the way they worded this. It’s like you read it and it says “you’re good to go except for the section above” and then the section above sounds like it negates everything they said below. It’s like “did they even proofread this?”
The way I read it now and someone confirmed with Etsy is that you can use a mockup that has the name of a potential buyer (I.e. the personalized mockup should look like a finished product)