What is Etsy? Nowadays, Etsy is becoming increasingly popular as a business model. By utilizing a cost-effective and efficient POD (Print-on-demand) approach, entrepreneurs can take advantage of Etsy's extensive network of buyers to sell personalized products.
In this article, we would like to go over everything that is related to Etsy and guide you on the way to finding out the answer to the question “What is Print On Demand Etsy?”, so that you can take advantage of Etsy to grow your profit with the global business type Print On Demand.
What is Etsy?
Etsy is an online shopping platform that caters to small businesses and artisans who specialize in selling vintage or handmade goods. The platform began in Brooklyn, New York, and quickly expanded across the United States and into Europe.
Unlike its competitors Amazon and eBay, Etsy stands out for its focus on quality and the uniqueness of the items sold. Early on, the company's editorial team prioritized promoting artistic work rather than mass-produced products.
As a result, Etsy has created a thriving creator economy, with millions of sellers using the platform as a side job to sell handmade jewelry or homeware. In some cases, these sellers have been able to turn their Etsy business into a full-time career.
Is selling on Etsy worth it in 2023?
Short answer: Totally Yes. During Q4, there was a significant increase in revenues of 12.6%, reaching $807 million, while GMS (Gross Merchandise Sales) remained a high rate, reaching $4.0B. As you can see from the positive reported numbers, it is evident that there are still high hopes of a slew of profitable businesses on Etsy, and you can absolutely become one of those.


Setting up an online store on this platform is a fast, affordable, and effortless way to showcase your handmade products and integrate a shopping cart feature. Compared to creating a website, this option involves minimal risk. Within a few hours, you can create a polished and professional-looking store, display multiple items for a small fee, and avoid domain and hosting expenses.
What are the main Etsy markets worldwide between 2015 and 2022?
The majority of the countries on the list are English-speaking, with about 75% of total shops being from the US, followed by the United Kingdom, Germany, and Canada. Etsy has been most prominent in these countries since its launch in 2005, which was 11 years ago. However, as the platform grew and international shipping became more accessible and cost-effective, more sellers from other countries joined Etsy.

What is Print On Demand Etsy?
To answer the question "What is Print On Demand Etsy", we would like to Print on demand
Etsy is a form of dropshipping, where the seller partners with a supplier to create customized white-label products such as mugs, t-shirts, and tumblers. These products are sold under the seller's brand name once an order is placed. This means that the seller doesn't have to incur any production costs or hold any inventory that may or may not sell. Payment for the product is only made after the product has been sold.
Print On Demand Etsy typically includes fulfillment services, which means that the seller doesn't have to manage the packing, shipping, or inventory management processes. Every stage of the process, from printing to packaging and shipping, is handled by a third-party fulfillment service.
Who are Etsy Print On Demand partners?
In terms of Etsy Print On Demand partners, the numbers on the list would go on and on. So you'd better just focus on the top 5 names we mention below.
1. Printify
Printify is a company that boasts the largest network of print providers since 2015. It provides access to over 100 locations and offers various shipping options with different prices, allowing you to choose the best option for your business.
2. Printful
Printful operates differently from Printify, with a network of fulfillment centers in North America and Europe, as well as partner facilities in Japan and Australia. Approximately 80% of the products are shipped from the location where the product was purchased, resulting in lower shipping prices and faster delivery times.
3. CustomCat
CustomCat, with more than 20 years of experience in art production, can ship over 40,000 items in a day within the USA. It offers a diverse selection of 350 products in clothing, housewares, and accessories, and is well-equipped for printing.
4. Merchize
Merchize operates a large facility in Vietnam and provides direct-to-garment, cut & sew, heat transfer sublimation, UV printing, and laser cutting services. It provides easy management for marketplaces like Etsy, Amazon, or Google Shopping and automatically synchronizes orders, fulfills them, and tracks shipments.
5. Gelato
Gelato has been well-known for its wall art prints, photo books, calendars, greeting cards, flyers, brochures, folders, letterheads, and roll-up banners since 2007. With print providers in over 33 countries, including the US, UK, NZ, Germany, India, China, and Russia, Gelato has over 100 locations to choose from.
The Pros and Cons you should know when starting your business on Etsy
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How to sell Print on demand on Etsy?
If you want to start your own print-on-demand (POD) business on Etsy, follow these steps:
- Go to the Etsy homepage and click "Sell on Etsy", then "Open your Etsy shop".
- Enter your email address, sign up with Google or Facebook, and create a password. Click "Register" and "Open your Etsy Shop" to access the Shop Manager.
- Set up your Shop preferences by selecting your preferred language, country, and currency. Choose your selling type and aspirations for your shop and click "Save and continue".
- Choose a unique shop name that doesn't include spaces, numbers, or accented letters. If your preferred name is already taken, choose from the available options.
- Add at least 10 items to your shop. Click "Add a listing" and provide details such as photos, title, category, description, price, quantity, and shipping costs. Click "Preview" or "Save and continue" when you're done.
- Choose your payment preferences and enter your bank account and contact information. Click "Save and continue".
- Set up billing to pay for any charges accrued through Etsy, such as advertising or shipping labels. Click "Open your shop" to complete the process.
How to be successful with your Etsy shop?
Now you have got the answer to "What is Etsy? What is Print On Demand Etsy?". It is evident that Etsy is one of the greatest sources for those who want to make money online. However, do you know that there are many Etsy shop owners still fail to make a penny? Why is that?
It's worth noting that many shops on Etsy that make over $100,000 annually are selling items that may not be classified as handmade. Regardless of whether an item is handmade or not, there are strategies for expanding an Etsy shop and increasing sales. The secret to success is to focus on dominating a smaller market rather than trying to grab a small share of a larger market. Once you've identified the niche you want to target on Etsy, examine your competitors on the platform to get an idea of your earning potential. This method will give you a more accurate estimate of how much money you can make on Etsy.
Conclusion
So conclusively, Etsy can be a beneficial platform for entrepreneurs who possess the appropriate product and marketing skills. While not all business owners may prosper on Etsy, it is achievable to achieve success by selling exceptional products, executing effective marketing strategies, and providing exceptional customer service. However, building a thriving Etsy business requires a significant amount of time and effort, so entrepreneurs should consider whether they are willing to commit their time and energy to this endeavor. Printerval is also a promising marketplace for business owners to start their businesses. Join us now!
If you find our article helpful and want to dig more into this lucrative industry, you might also want to read these articles from Printerval.