How to Sell Shirts on Etsy: 5 Simplified Steps

Got an idea for T-shirt designs? Want to turn it into money? Selling shirts on Etsy might just be the perfect opportunity you’ve been looking for!

The question is, how to sell shirts on Etsy? It might feel overwhelming to figure out everything from scratch. Therefore, in this comprehensive guide, we will guide you through all the necessary steps to make your shirt-selling journey on Etsy the easiest. The opportunity is there and waiting for you to grab it, so let’s dive in. 

What is Etsy?

First things first: What is Etsy, and why should you care? Etsy is a global online marketplace connecting more than 90 million buyers with sellers offering unique, handmade, or vintage products. Think of it as a digital craft fair with a global reach. If you’re an artist, designer, or just someone with a flair for creativity, Etsy is the ideal place to showcase your work – especially shirts. 

Why sell shirts on Etsy?

There are a lot of eCommerce platforms for shirt business owners to start selling. However, Etsy is an ideal place for all small creators and businesses for several reasons: 

• • Well-known for creative products: Founded in 2005, Etsy soon became a popular name in selling creative products. As a result, it now has more than 90 million buyers who seek handmade, crafts, and digital designs all over the world on Etsy. This saves you time and effort to find the customers.
  • Trust and reputation: Etsy has built a strong reputation as a big company and a trustworthy marketplace. This significantly helps your customers to become less skeptical (especially when buying online has so many potential risks). As a result, customers are more likely to buy from you.
  • Small initial fee: If your budget is quite humble, investing in Etsy is an effective way to save your money. Etsy only requires you $0.20 per listing and a 6.5% transaction fee. This is quite affordable in comparison with other platforms such as Amazon or Redbubble.
  • Supportive community: Etsy sellers are part of a community that values craftsmanship and creativity. You’ll find plenty of support and resources to help your business thrive.
  • Rapid growth: According to Statista, it generated revenues worth 2.7 billion U.S. dollars, up from the 2.6 billion generated in the previous year. This predicts the trend to grow even more in the following years, opening a huge landscape for new sellers.

With these advantages, Etsy is definitely a top choice to sell shirts in the long run for any enthusiast seller.  

How to sell shirts on Etsy: Step-by-Step

Does the information above make you feel excited about the journey of learning how to sell shirts on Etsy? Let’s explore the 6 important steps: 

1. Research from A to Z the shirt-selling market on Etsy

Before you jump in, take a moment to get to know the landscape. Selling shirts on Etsy isn’t just about putting your designs out there and waiting for someone to buy them. More importantly, you must understand your products and the person who’s buying them. Here are several aspects you need to focus on when doing research: 

• • Market demand: Start by researching what types of shirts are in demand. Are graphic tees trending? Is there a niche for eco-friendly materials? To know what is trending, there are several ways:
    • • Use Google Trends: Type in some terms such as “Shirt”, and select the time span and the location, then you can see the Interest over time for that term. Also, check the “Related topics” and “Related queries” to find more ideas.
      • Use Etsy’s search function: You sell on Etsy, so it is best to see what’s hot and identify gaps in the market you could fill.

• • Target audience: Who is your ideal customer? Are they young adults, eco-conscious consumers, or pop culture enthusiasts? Consider their demographic characteristics: age, gender, income level, material status, ethnic origin, and education level.
  • Competitors: Have a look at other fellow sellers on Etsy who also sell shirts. Here are the list of factors you need to examine from these competitors:
    • • Identify their strong points and weaknesses.
      • (IMPORTANT) Find out what shipping vendors they are using, and read the reviews to find which one is the most cost-effective with good services.
      • (Optional) How they promote their Etsy store, learn from their tactics, and implement them for your store.

It is recommended to target a specific niche that is not too competitive and can complement your strengths. Choosing a good niche from the start can build a strong foundation for your journey of learning how to sell shirts on Etsy. 

2. Prepare your shirt to sell

Now that you’ve got a good sense of the market and your target audience, it’s time to prep your product. Some crucial steps to turn the ideas into real products are: 

• • Design your shirts:

Whether you’re a skilled graphic designer or someone with a good idea, your t-shirt designs need to stand out. Tools like Canva or Adobe Illustrator can help you create eye-catching designs. Thus, you can use these tools to create mockups, making it easier to visualize the products in real life.

Pro Tips: Think simple and take it easy, no matter if you are a beginner or an experienced designer. The design does not always need to be glamorous or super creative to attract customers. However, it should be unique, memorable, and represent your brand. Make them something people will be proud to wear!

You will sell these shirts for profit, so it is important to note that all the designs must be yours to avoid any Intellectual Copyright Infringement. Otherwise, you might not be able to sell on Etsy or even commit to legal problems in the future. 

 

• • Select the materials and size: 

As a shirt seller on Etsy, you must pay close attention to the fabric used for your shirt (polyester, cotton, etc.) and the size variations of your product. Throwback to your target audience and consider the average body size (for example, the US size might be different from the Asian size). 

• • Find a supplier: 

You can buy the machines and materials to produce the shirts yourself. However, if you’re not printing the shirts yourself, you’ll need a reliable supplier. Look for suppliers who offer high-quality materials and printing services. Companies like Printful or Printify integrate seamlessly with Etsy, making it easy to get started. 

3. Set up your Etsy shop

Setting up your shop is like setting the stage for your business. Here’s how to make it shine: 

• • Create an Etsy Account: Open the gateway to the marketplace by signing up for an Etsy account if you haven’t already. You can also log in with a Google, Facebook, or Apple account.
  • Click “Sell on Etsy”: On the top right bar, there is a small avatar icon. Click on it to open a drop-down menu and select “Sell on Etsy”. This will start your shirt shop. 

From here, Etsy will guide you through the five onboarding steps that you just need to finish one by one: 

• • Choose your Shop Preference:  Kick things off by selecting your shop’s language, country, and currency. Remember, the language setting is a one-time choice, so choose wisely!
  • Name your shirt store: Pick a shop name that’s catchy, memorable, and reflects your brand and what you sell. It should give customers an idea of what to expect. Need inspiration? Check out our list of 200+ Etsy shop name ideas!
  • Add your first listing: Add at least one listing to officially open your shop doors. For now, you can fill in the basic details as we will dive deeper into the tips and tricks for useful listing in the next step.
  • Decide how you’ll get paid: To do this seamlessly, learn about Etsy Payments. Additionally, you will want to set up your payment account, declare the type of seller you are, and add bank account information. Setting up an account might be slightly different based on one’s location.
  • Provide billing information: Get your card ready to add to the Etsy account. Actually, you will also need a credit card to pay for your fee on Etsy. Add a credit or debit card to cover the fees of Etsy: the listing fee, the transaction fees, and the payment processing fees.

Want more detailed guidance to start on Etsy? Check out this blog on How to sell on Etsy for beginners: 12 easy steps! 

4. Start listing your shirts to sell on Etsy

Your shop is ready, and now it’s time to list your products: 

• • Title and Description: Craft a compelling product title and description that highlights what makes your shirt unique. Use keywords strategically to boost your listing’s visibility.  Use free tools like Keywordtool.io, Alura Keyword Finder, or Etsy’s suggestions on the search bar to find the keywords to include in your title and description.
  • Pricing: Set a competitive price. Research what similar shirts are selling for and find a sweet spot that covers your costs and Etsy fees while appealing to buyers. Make sure your profit margin is at least 40-50%, whatever pricing method you use:
    • • Value-based pricing: Price your products based on how much the buyers believe they are worth.
      • Cost-plus pricing: Add a specific fixed percentage (a “markup”) on the cost of the product.
      • Competitor-based pricing: Use the same price benchmark as your competitors to sell your shirt.

  • Photos: Invest in high-quality photos that show off your shirts from different angles. Avoid the excessive decorating elements to highlight the shirt in the center. It’s a good idea to showcase the image of a real-life model wearing the shirt to help customers imagine wearing your designs.
  • Tagging: Use all 13 tags to expand the chances your customers find you on the platform. Ensure the tags you use are relevant.

Listing a product on Etsy is like writing a dating profile for your shirt. You want it to look its best and tell a story that makes people swipe right – or in this case, click “Add to cart.” 

5. Promote your Etsy shirt shop

With your shirts listed, it’s time to let more customers know about your store and your products. Below are the easiest and most effective ways to promote your Etsy shop: 

• • Social media: Upload content frequently on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook. They are great avenues to present your designs in front of the audience and drive them to Etsy. They will get your business into the limelight and keep people engaged by sharing behind-the-scenes content and running promotions.
  • SEO optimization: Implement Etsy SEO strategies to optimize your listings for search. This includes the addition of relevant keywords, tags, and categories that help customers locate your products.
  • Etsy paid advertising: Consider investing in Etsy Ads or social media advertising to reach a wider audience. You’ll be able to send customers who have a very high intent to buy shirts if you target properly.
  • Loyalty programs: Encourage satisfied customers to leave reviews with a reward exchange. Positive reviews can boost your shop’s credibility and attract more buyers. 

5 Tips for creating a competitive Etsy T-shirt business

You have just gone through the 5 steps on how to sell shirts on Etsy. Now you have established your shirt store. However, success on Etsy doesn’t happen overnight, but by following these below tips, you can stay ahead of the competition: 

• • Stay current:

Keep an eye on trends and adapt your designs to what’s popular. This keeps your offerings fresh and relevant. Remember the very first step you took when learning how to sell shirts on Etsy? It was doing research. This should not happen only once. Instead, researching the market needs to be an ongoing process, because the world is changing day by day. 

• • Provide excellent customer service: 

Exceptional customer service can set you apart from other sellers. According to research from Salesforce, if the company provides excellent customer service, 75% of consumers will come back to the business, even after making a mistake. Therefore, make sure to respond to inquiries quickly, resolve issues professionally, and go the extra mile to make your customers happy. 

• • Give bundle deals:

One extremely effective tactic is to offer discounts for bulk purchases or bundle deals. Many successful sellers on Etsy implement this method and witness more items being sold per order. This encourages customers to buy more, increasing your overall sales, and increasing the average order value. 

• • Release limited edition: 

FOMO (Fear of missing out) is a wonderful psychological tactic to skyrocket your shirt selling on Etsy. Create a sense of urgency by offering limited edition designs. This can drive demand and make your products more desirable. 

• • Expand your product lines: 

Once your Etsy store gets bigger and more stable over time, consider expanding your product types on Etsy such as digital downloads. Utilize your shirt design to resell for customers who are interested. To learn how to expand your store, take a look at the guidance on How to sell digital downloads on Etsy in 8 steps. 

A final thought on how to sell shirts on Etsy: Get ready & sell!

You have the steps, the tips, the tools-everything that is considered important to know along the way while learning how to sell shirts on Etsy is right in your hand. It’s about time to take action now.

Selling shirts on Etsy can be quite rewarding. Whether you’re a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting out, this is your main “lighthouse” that will put you on the right track. Remember, do it with a pinch of creativity and strategy. Just keep in mind, that the venture of knowing how to sell shirts on Etsy and actually making it a reality is a marathon, not a sprint. From idea to sale, you need to be consistent.

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