As a broke college student with a creative streak, I decided to start a simple t-shirt business. Here's my pipeline for success: Crafted Threads for the design bundle, Amazon for a budget-friendly heat press (or borrow one like I did!), and campus events for my marketplace. Now I’m selling witty shirts that are covering my coffee habit AND my textbooks. It’s been a game changer.
After becoming a parent, I wanted something creative and flexible to do during nap time. I started with a Crafted Threads design bundle, ordered a Cricut from Amazon, and made parent-themed shirts just for fun. Turns out, other parents LOVE custom t-shirts! Selling them at community meet-ups has been an amazing way to connect with others and make some extra money on the side. Highly recommend this setup!
Absolutely believe it takes about 50+ listings. I thought I was getting good at about 10 😂. Now at 70 and I’m already laughing looking back. I’ve come so far. I still know I have a way to go but I wouldn’t be surprised if just one person liked and bought something. Crickets. I even turned on ads at only $2 a day 😂. Just to really understand what people would find interest in. Most of my best (in my opinion 😑) listings are within the past month. I’m saying to myself I need patience and continue designing and researching for now. Im definitely figuring out Pinterest too. I got to say I really really enjoy designing.
Nice going! I agree it must take patience for sure. I'm only just at the starting line with all this - would you mind if I ask, could you say what your biggest mistakes and realizations have been about making bad listings & then better listings?
My shop opening fee was $29 🤨. I have kept an expenses spreadsheet and between a Canva subscription, mock-ups, and shop set up, I’m coming in at around $250 to get up and going.
Etsy can definitely have its challenges, but it also offers incredible opportunities for sellers. I believe it’s all about understanding the platform, being realistic about the costs and using the right strategies catered to your platform of choice to succeed. 😊
Love your content. Can you PLEASE do a series of Shopify tutorials!?!?!?! I have had etsy for 1.5 yrs, 3k sales. Opened a shopify 2 months ago but need some step by step.
Thanks for the video! While you gave a great overview of general startup costs ($50-200) and fees, I noticed you didn't mention the upfront production costs we need to pay Printify before getting paid by Etsy. This plus the 90-day reserve for new sellers can really impact cash flow. Would love to see a follow-up video specifically about managing these upfront costs! Still super helpful info about the profit margins and not needing ads though 👍
When you are in Printify, setting up a listing, what should we put the profit margin at? it fills it in at 40%. Should we keep that? Change it to be higher or lower? This is W/O Printify Prem. I'm new to this. I've made a few sales so far but sometimes the item price seems pretty high, so this always confuses me when I see others listed so much less. I also get the loss leader that makes it up pop up less but when its all done, do you shoot for a 40% profit or more of a 20 to 30? What is realistic.
Hi Heather, Do you have any videos on the methods you use to track Etsy shop expenses and income? Also, could you let me know which tool you use for that-do you use a spreadsheet, or is it something else? Thanks!
Hey! I have been researching POD for the last couple weeks and your videos and tips are the absolute best. I do have a question....what type of laptop do you use for designing? I have a older MAC. Was thinking it was time for a newer one and maybe add an ipad? Thanks so much and now I have to get back to watching your videos! lol
I know this sounds really crazy because I started my Etsy shop in Aug 2023 and I just learned that the PNGS I’ve purchased and used for some of my t-shirts using Printify POD. I feel so stupid because I didn’t realize that a lot of the png designs can’t be used in conjunction with a third party, POD. I’ll be deleting about 20 listings out of 475. I hadn’t heard anyone mention this before with all the videos on RUclips that I’ve watched. You did say in the very beginning that you need to create your own designs. I get it now!
What about the fee to register your name with the IRS and if it's a DBA in Florida you have to put out a newspaper listing and register it with sunbiz which all this is not cheap especially if you open more than one shop because you have to do this with everyone
Also - I’ve found all of these videos that help calculate profit aren’t taking into account all the fees. I was totally unaware of the percentage of the shipping total fee Etsy charges for each item.
Not the best time to start selling wrapping paper. I started my Etsy Business in October and currently have 80 listings in wrapping paper. Sales were great. But not when you see out of stock for all items. And now you need to look for alternatives. Such a nightmare and its only December 11. This is the second time Printify has had out of stock with only 1 other production company available. Its been so much delisting and such a headache that you have to think of maybe not using a POD.
When a customer buy one of your product and your using etsy and they send to the product to the customer does etsy pay me for the sale or how does that work Sent from my iPhone
Don't do it! Hang on to your money! I started a shop two years ago -- almost 1,000 sales and fantastic reviews. It was more than a full-time job to develop this shop. Now, guess what? I haven't made any money out of it! Paying for ads has eaten any profit I might have had. And, guess what? If you're not paying for ads, nobody will know your shop exists. And all the baloney about SEO, E-rank, Sales Samurai is just that: baloney. Here's who makes money out of you opening an Etsy POD shop: Etsy, Printify, E-Rank, Sales Samurai, and, sorry, all the RUclips gurus. So keep your money, your time, and your sanity, and figure something else out. Spend that money and time on education, certification, etc. Or pretty much anything else! You're welcome!
greeting cards is nothing new. What it would be new is your originality and genuine and unique design on it. Like you could take a pine tree photo or watercolor something for Valentine's Day. Making a sale is the hardest part.
Hmmm, to be honest, this product seems to be on a downtrend, and data from various tools shows it’s not as hot as it was in 2022 and 2023. Better start looking for other potential products, like ceramic ornaments or briefs =)))
Hey there! Printify is the best for POD(in my opinion) - in this video I was referencing to the best marketplace/platform to sell on, not the POD company. Hopefully this makes more sense! :)
As a broke college student with a creative streak, I decided to start a simple t-shirt business. Here's my pipeline for success: Crafted Threads for the design bundle, Amazon for a budget-friendly heat press (or borrow one like I did!), and campus events for my marketplace. Now I’m selling witty shirts that are covering my coffee habit AND my textbooks. It’s been a game changer.
After becoming a parent, I wanted something creative and flexible to do during nap time. I started with a Crafted Threads design bundle, ordered a Cricut from Amazon, and made parent-themed shirts just for fun. Turns out, other parents LOVE custom t-shirts! Selling them at community meet-ups has been an amazing way to connect with others and make some extra money on the side. Highly recommend this setup!
Absolutely believe it takes about 50+ listings. I thought I was getting good at about 10 😂. Now at 70 and I’m already laughing looking back. I’ve come so far. I still know I have a way to go but I wouldn’t be surprised if just one person liked and bought something. Crickets. I even turned on ads at only $2 a day 😂. Just to really understand what people would find interest in. Most of my best (in my opinion 😑) listings are within the past month. I’m saying to myself I need patience and continue designing and researching for now. Im definitely figuring out Pinterest too. I got to say I really really enjoy designing.
Nice going! I agree it must take patience for sure. I'm only just at the starting line with all this - would you mind if I ask, could you say what your biggest mistakes and realizations have been about making bad listings & then better listings?
My shop opening fee was $29 🤨. I have kept an expenses spreadsheet and between a Canva subscription, mock-ups, and shop set up, I’m coming in at around $250 to get up and going.
Thanks for keeping it real unlike most etsy gurus on YT. Cheers happy holidays
I think this is the first video I’ve seen that wasn’t completely against Etsy. That is good to hear!
Etsy can definitely have its challenges, but it also offers incredible opportunities for sellers. I believe it’s all about understanding the platform, being realistic about the costs and using the right strategies catered to your platform of choice to succeed. 😊
Truth
I love your knowledge I’m going to set up my store once I finished listen to your info in my email
All I need is mockups because the ones I use on kittle don't gain me traffic but I don't want to pay using place it
I’m absolutely loving this breakdown.
Thanks for sharing this with everyone. Such a brilliant video!
This video is packed with so much valuable information.
Hello 😊 Can you make a video about the GPSR regulation on Printify ? Thanks
Love your content. Can you PLEASE do a series of Shopify tutorials!?!?!?! I have had etsy for 1.5 yrs, 3k sales. Opened a shopify 2 months ago but need some step by step.
I thoroughly loved watching this.
Great video! Keep doing what you do.
Thanks for the video! While you gave a great overview of general startup costs ($50-200) and fees, I noticed you didn't mention the upfront production costs we need to pay Printify before getting paid by Etsy. This plus the 90-day reserve for new sellers can really impact cash flow. Would love to see a follow-up video specifically about managing these upfront costs! Still super helpful info about the profit margins and not needing ads though 👍
When you are in Printify, setting up a listing, what should we put the profit margin at? it fills it in at 40%. Should we keep that? Change it to be higher or lower? This is W/O Printify Prem. I'm new to this. I've made a few sales so far but sometimes the item price seems pretty high, so this always confuses me when I see others listed so much less. I also get the loss leader that makes it up pop up less but when its all done, do you shoot for a 40% profit or more of a 20 to 30? What is realistic.
This is seriously amazing! Thanks.
Can you suggest me some POD platforms for hawaiian products?
My website is selling Hawaiian Shirts and I am using Merchize. The Merchize company is ok.
Hi Heather, Do you have any videos on the methods you use to track Etsy shop expenses and income? Also, could you let me know which tool you use for that-do you use a spreadsheet, or is it something else? Thanks!
Hey! I have been researching POD for the last couple weeks and your videos and tips are the absolute best. I do have a question....what type of laptop do you use for designing? I have a older MAC. Was thinking it was time for a newer one and maybe add an ipad? Thanks so much and now I have to get back to watching your videos! lol
Getting your store up and adding products is honestly the simplest step.
I know this sounds really crazy because I started my Etsy shop in Aug 2023 and I just learned that the PNGS I’ve purchased and used for some of my t-shirts using Printify POD. I feel so stupid because I didn’t realize that a lot of the png designs can’t be used in conjunction with a third party, POD. I’ll be deleting about 20 listings out of 475. I hadn’t heard anyone mention this before with all the videos on RUclips that I’ve watched. You did say in the very beginning that you need to create your own designs. I get it now!
What about the fee to register your name with the IRS and if it's a DBA in Florida you have to put out a newspaper listing and register it with sunbiz which all this is not cheap especially if you open more than one shop because you have to do this with everyone
Also - I’ve found all of these videos that help calculate profit aren’t taking into account all the fees. I was totally unaware of the percentage of the shipping total fee Etsy charges for each item.
Noob here - 2 Questions - Why are there 2 processing fees? And - Listing fee is only 1 time, not with every shirt sold, right?
Not the best time to start selling wrapping paper. I started my Etsy Business in October and currently have 80 listings in wrapping paper. Sales were great. But not when you see out of stock for all items. And now you need to look for alternatives. Such a nightmare and its only December 11. This is the second time Printify has had out of stock with only 1 other production company available. Its been so much delisting and such a headache that you have to think of maybe not using a POD.
When a customer buy one of your product and your using etsy and they send to the product to the customer does etsy pay me for the sale or how does that work
Sent from my iPhone
Don't do it! Hang on to your money! I started a shop two years ago -- almost 1,000 sales and fantastic reviews. It was more than a full-time job to develop this shop. Now, guess what? I haven't made any money out of it! Paying for ads has eaten any profit I might have had. And, guess what? If you're not paying for ads, nobody will know your shop exists. And all the baloney about SEO, E-rank, Sales Samurai is just that: baloney. Here's who makes money out of you opening an Etsy POD shop: Etsy, Printify, E-Rank, Sales Samurai, and, sorry, all the RUclips gurus.
So keep your money, your time, and your sanity, and figure something else out. Spend that money and time on education, certification, etc. Or pretty much anything else! You're welcome!
I'm planning to sell greeting cards on Etsy for Valentine's Day. Do you think it has potential?
greeting cards is nothing new. What it would be new is your originality and genuine and unique design on it. Like you could take a pine tree photo or watercolor something for Valentine's Day. Making a sale is the hardest part.
Since greeting card is not something new, I think you can sell it as a combo with other gifts such as UVLed or couple shirts
@@miadu1801 Oh, that's sound great! I am also considering selling these products but have not found a reputable supplier yet. Do you have any ideas?
Hmmm, to be honest, this product seems to be on a downtrend, and data from various tools shows it’s not as hot as it was in 2022 and 2023. Better start looking for other potential products, like ceramic ornaments or briefs =)))
You are awesome, thank you for this detailed. Which Print On Demand website is good for etsy
Merchize
@@TeeWalt-w8l thanks i am fulfilling my product on Merchize it is really great.
There are so many options for this question. Depends on your goals to choose the best one. You can consider some names like Printify or Merchize.
@@TeeWalt-w8l How long does it take for Merchize to make and deliver the goods?
Last year, you said that Printify's platform was the best.
Hey there! Printify is the best for POD(in my opinion) - in this video I was referencing to the best marketplace/platform to sell on, not the POD company. Hopefully this makes more sense! :)
The 1st youtube person ive seen that stated correctly that you can not start completely free
Just wishing for more views=sales.
no its not
The clip of Walter made me giggle
Haha! Yes, we were hoping someone would catch that. 😂