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Starting the new year with a strong $10,100 in revenue demonstrates the potential of Etsy print on demand businesses.
If this is the first of my income reports, it is important to note the dramatic drop from November ($21K) and December ($28K) to January’s $10K.
Depending on your niche, the fourth quarter of the year will typically be your highest in terms of revenue due to the holidays. Then, there is a steep decline in sales in January.
You should know that revenue and sales will always be up and down. Don’t believe anyone that says they get a certain reliable and consistent amount each month. It is not true of Etsy print-on-demand and it is not true in most entrepreneurial endeavors.
In a recent post, I broke down my profit margin. I want readers to know that my take home is NOT $10K. You have to subtract the costs of production and shipping from each item.
Also, you have to take into account refunds and returns and exchanges. However, my typical profit margin is 45%. Which means my total profit is 45% of the revenue I generate or, for this month, about $4,545.
Then, don’t forget you pay taxes on that profit!
Key Strategies That Worked
Product Variations
I’ve found success in maximizing my most popular designs by creating strategic variations. For apparel items that perform well, I add design variations such as placing a smaller version on the front pocket while keeping the main design on the back.
Many times, when a customer requests to put something on the back or front of a piece of clothing, I will take that as a sign that the market wants this! This type of data is so important and should not be dismissed.
This simple strategy has proven effective in increasing sales without requiring entirely new designs.
Just make sure to increase your price, as Printify charges more when you have designs on the front, back, sleeve, or collar.
Focus on Top Performers
Following the 80/20 principle, I’m concentrating on the 20% of products that generate most of my sales. This approach allows me to create targeted variations and improvements of proven sellers rather than constantly developing new concepts.
It can be time-intensive to keep creating new designs and researching new keywords. If you have sales in your store, you can save time and energy by focusing on what is already selling.
Leveraging AI for Design
To also save time, AI has become an invaluable tool in my design process, but it’s important to understand its role correctly. I don’t simply copy and paste AI-generated designs onto my products.
I focus on crafting and manipulating the output to create unique, beautiful-looking graphics that align with my customer’s aesthetic.
Business Expansion: Shopify Integration
Why Shopify?
Platform diversification is crucial for long-term business stability. While Etsy remains my primary platform, recent investments in a Shopify store represent a strategic move toward building an independent sales channel.
Investment in Professional Development
I recently invested approximately $2,000 in professional Shopify development, including:
- Expert consultation
- Custom design implementation
- Essential apps for store optimization
Focus on Conversion Optimization
Etsy is AMAZING because you don’t have to really bring traffic to your store. Although there are a ton of folks out there spouting that advice, Etsy brings you all the traffic you need! You don’t need to waste money on Facebook or Instagram ads in order to get traffic. I don’t do any of that for my Etsy store.
That is NOT the case with Shopify.
Before driving traffic to the Shopify store, I prioritized creating a conversion-optimized shopping experience. This strategic approach ensures that when I begin marketing efforts, the store will be ready to convert visitors effectively.
I’ll share more of that journey here and in my newsletter as it develops.
Be sure to sign up below for behind the scenes look, and free coaching and shop audit sessions that are exclusively announced on my newsletter.
Looking Forward
The print-on-demand landscape continues to evolve, and staying adaptable while focusing on proven strategies remains key. My focus for the coming months includes:
- Further expanding successful product variations
- Optimizing the new Shopify store
- Continuing to refine AI-assisted design processes
Key Takeaways for POD Sellers
- Don’t be discouraged by post-holiday sales decreases; focus on year-over-year growth
- Maximize existing successful designs through thoughtful variations
- Invest in platform diversification while maintaining focus on current revenue streams (only once you have sales on Etsy)
- Use AI as a tool for enhancement rather than replacement of creative processes
Remember that success in print on demand comes from consistent effort and strategic adaptation to market changes.
Are you a print-on-demand seller? Share your January 2025 experiences in the comments below!
The Best SEO and Design Tools for an Etsy Shop:
These are the only tools I use for my shop!
Canva: Canva is the most amazing tool. It is user friendly, and always improving! The tools that Canva has have evolved so much since I first started using it in 2022–for the better. I use it almost everyday. I use it to create designs, to edit AI designs, and to create product mockups.
Midjourney: Midjourney is an AI image tool that blows my mind every time I use it. It takes some time to get the prompts down. Once you play with it, you will get better at creating images and art to include on your print on demand products.
E-Hunt: E-Hunt is fantastic for competitor research and some light keyword research. My favorite aspect of E-Hunt is the Chrome extension that allows you to see the sales amount for an individual item on Etsy. Check out this article to see an example.
eRank: eRank is an SEO data tool that also allows you to search the competition and will also give you key words for your Etsy listing. It is also a low cost tool that will help you find low competition and highly searched niches.
Printify: Printify is a print-on-demand (POD) service that allows individuals and businesses to create and sell custom-designed products without needing to manage inventory or handle fulfillment. I put my designs on products offered by Printify. When an item sells, Printify prints and ships to my customer.
Looking for more information on getting sales on Etsy? Check out these articles:
EtsyHunt Review: A Tool for Etsy Print on Demand Sellers
Side Hustle: Can You Really Make $2200 a Month on Etsy?
Quarterly Etsy Income Report: Get Sales On Etsy (Q1 2024)
Quarterly Etsy Income Report: Over $18,000 in Three Months (Q2 – 2024)
Etsy Print on Demand Income Report: August 2024 ($13K+)
Etsy Print on Demand Income Report: September 2024 ($12K+)
Etsy Print-On-Demand Income Report for October 2024 ($11K)
Etsy Print on Demand Income Report: November 2024 ($21K+)
Etsy Print on Demand Income Report: December 2024 ($28K)
