Walk through Etsy in 2025 and you’ll see it everywhere: T-shirts, mugs, necklaces, wall prints — all looking “handmade,” yet most never touched by the seller. They’re powered by print on demand (POD). You design it; a partner prints and ships it after each order.
Why does this matter? Because Etsy is massive: 95.5 million active buyers and counting. Combine that audience with POD’s no-inventory model, and you’ve got one of the lowest-risk, highest-potential ways to start an online shop today.
This guide shows you exactly how to sell POD on Etsy: what it is, why it works, the best niches, the top POD companies, and how to set up your own profitable store.
What Is POD on Etsy?
At its core, Etsy POD means you create a design, upload it to products (shirts, mugs, jewelry, etc.), and when someone buys, a POD partner like Printful or Printify handles the production and shipping.
Etsy fully allows POD as long as:
- Your design is original.
- You disclose your production partner in the listing.
It’s handmade creativity without the boxes of inventory. You bring the art — they bring the logistics.
Why Etsy Works for POD Sellers
Selling POD on Etsy isn’t just easy — it’s strategic.
- Built-in audience: Etsy buyers already come looking for unique, giftable products. Nearly 44% of all Etsy sales are gifts.
- Low barrier: No monthly fees. You only pay Etsy’s listing, transaction, and processing fees after a sale.
- Marketplace visibility: Etsy is its own search engine. Optimize your titles, tags, and descriptions, and your products surface in front of ready-to-buy shoppers.
- Trust: Many buyers prefer Etsy’s familiar checkout over an unknown website.
For beginners, it’s the perfect testing ground.
Best POD Niches on Etsy in 2025
Choosing the right niche is the difference between selling a few items and building a real business. Here’s where the demand is strongest:
Apparel
- Always the biggest POD category.
- Personalized t-shirts, hoodies, and sweatshirts dominate.
- Hot trends: vintage graphics, seasonal designs (holidays, weddings, events).
Jewelry
- A booming niche, especially for gifts.
- Etsy jewelry sales grew 16% in the 2024 holiday season.
- ShineOn leads with message card necklaces, engraved bracelets, and birthstone rings.
Home Décor & Wall Art
- Etsy’s Home & Living is its top sales category.
- Wall art, throw pillows, and personalized signs thrive.
- Eco-friendly fabrics and recycled paper are increasingly in demand.
Stationery & Digital Products
- Digital printables have nearly 100% profit margin after Etsy’s small fees.
- Planners, journals, calendars, and instant downloads (invitations, art prints) are booming.
Pet Products
- Collars, bandanas, portraits, and seasonal accessories (Halloween, Christmas).
- Pet personalization is evergreen — owners spend freely here.
Top POD Companies That Integrate with Etsy
Choosing your partner is about more than price — it shapes your margins, shipping, and branding.
| POD Company | Strengths | Best Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| Printful | Premium quality, custom branding | Apparel & accessories |
| Printify | 850+ products, lower costs | Variety & experimentation |
| Gelato | Global reach, eco-friendly network | International sellers |
| Gooten | Analytics, strong scaling options | Experienced sellers |
| ShineOn | Jewelry specialist, free gift boxes | POD jewelry on Etsy |
| Awkward Styles | Affordable, discounts with Pro Plan | U.S.-based sellers |
Many shops mix and match: Printful for apparel, ShineOn for jewelry, Printify for niche items. Etsy allows multiple production partners per shop.
How to Set Up a POD Store on Etsy (Step by Step)
- Create your shop – Choose a memorable name, set up payments.
- Connect a POD partner – Authorize Printful, Printify, etc. as production partners.
- Design products – Upload your artwork into their mockup generator.
- Optimize listings – Use keyword-rich titles, clear descriptions, and all 13 tags.
- Set pricing – Account for POD base costs, shipping, and Etsy fees.
- Launch & test – Start with a few listings, order samples, refine.
Every listing costs just $0.20 for four months. From there, Etsy’s built-in traffic does the heavy lifting — if your designs are strong.
Pricing & Profitability
How much does Etsy charge?
- $0.20 listing fee
- 6.5% transaction fee (on product + shipping)
- ~3% + $0.25 processing fee
- 12–15% Offsite Ads fee (if Etsy ads drive the sale)
What are typical Etsy POD profit margins?
- 25–50% on most POD items
- ~20% average across shops
- 60%+ on jewelry & digital products
- As low as 15% in crowded niches like generic shirts
Quick tip: Always run your numbers in an Etsy profit calculator before launching a product. Don’t underprice just to compete — Etsy shoppers pay more for originality.
Marketing Your Etsy POD Shop
How to get sales on Etsy POD?
Etsy SEO (Your #1 Tool)
- Put main keywords at the start of your title.
- Use all 13 tags.
- Fill out attributes (color, size, occasion).
- Write natural descriptions — first 160 characters matter most.
Photos & Mockups
- Upload 7–10 product photos.
- Include lifestyle shots + size charts.
Outside Traffic
- Pinterest: Evergreen, visual traffic that compounds.
- TikTok & Reels: Viral-ready short videos.
- Etsy Ads: $1–5/day budgets can give listings the push they need.
Reviews & Service
- Fast responses = Etsy’s “Star Seller” badge.
- Reviews boost both conversions and ranking.
Conclusion
Etsy POD blends creativity with scalability. You design once, and fulfillment partners handle the rest — while Etsy delivers millions of buyers already primed for unique, personal items.
If you:
- Choose the right niche,
- Pick the right POD partners,
- Price with profit in mind,
- And market smartly…
…you’ll have a shop that doesn’t just survive, but grows.
What are you waiting for? 2025 is the year to launch your first Etsy POD product. The tools are ready, the audience is huge, and the risk has never been lower.
FAQ
What is Etsy POD?
It’s selling products on Etsy that are printed and shipped by a POD partner, not pre-made by you.
What are the best POD niches for Etsy in 2025?
Apparel, jewelry, home décor, digital printables, and pet products.
What are the best POD companies for Etsy sellers?
Printful, Printify, Gelato, Gooten, ShineOn (for jewelry), and Awkward Styles.
How much does Etsy take from POD sales?
Roughly 10–12% in fees, plus optional ad costs.
Can you sell digital POD on Etsy?
Yes — printables, stickers, templates, and more. High profit margins and no shipping.
Does Shopify Etsy integration matter for POD sellers?
Some sellers run Shopify stores alongside Etsy for diversification, but Etsy alone is enough for most beginners.
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