How to Make Money Selling Printables

Are you ready to turn your creativity into cash? Imagine making money while doing what you love.

Selling digital printables can turn that dream into a reality. Last year, I decided to shift my business focus from online courses to digital printables.

It was a really tough decision and a lot of BIG changes in pursuit of not only simplifying my business (you can read all about it here) but also getting back to a place where I can be excited to create again.

Depending on when we found each other online, you may or may not know about my other website, Frugal Fanatic.

It is where I started my online journey. It was a hobby that turned into a six-figure business with affiliate offers, sponsored content, ads, and mini-products.

One thing I enjoyed most about that business though was blogging and making printables. It was fun for me to connect with my readers while still being creative.

Frugal Fanatic was my primary site until I branched out and started my Addi Ganley website with online courses.

Having two separate websites and businesses has been exhausting 😩

I am always being pulled in a different direction and have to neglect one or the other.

Instead of feeling that constant pull and push with my businesses I have decided to combine them together to simplify everything and open up a new shop.

I really struggled with this decision because Frugal Fanatic is like my baby 👶

I didn’t want to give up the name and change everything I have built since 2011, but combining my two sites has allowed me the creative freedom and release a lot of the stress I have around these two websites.

I have received a ton of questions and email replies asking if I could share how to make money selling printables so without further ado, here you go!

What Are Digital Printables?

Digital printables are versatile and downloadable products that customers can print at home or at their local print shop. This means you are essentially creating a digital PDF file that they can download and then print at home.

Digital products can range from planners, wall art, greeting cards, stickers, worksheets, and so much more. These printables are incredibly popular because they provide convenience and customization to buyers.

Where to Begin?

Before you start, you want to do your research. You do NOT want to waste your time creating products that people don’t want to buy. I see this happen time and time again.

Someone starts creating digital products and gets very disappointed when they don’t make any sales. You have to have a good foundation to get started.

Doing research first will help you identify your target audience's preferences, needs, and pain points. This knowledge allows you to create printables that resonate with your potential customers and address their specific requirements.

1. Find Your Niche: Identifying a niche is vital in the world of printables. Consider what you're passionate about, whether it's wedding planning, home organization, or inspirational quotes. Your niche will help you target a specific audience. I have seen other people look for profitable niches and then go with it, but I do recommend that you find something that inspires you so that it is still fun to do.

2. Create High-Quality Designs: The heart of selling printables is in your designs. Invest time in creating high-quality, unique, and eye-catching printables that stand out in a crowded market. Keep in mind that your customers will be printing these products, so you want them to be high-quality and not grainy. Plus, you want to set yourself apart from other digital product creators.

Take some time playing around with different printables until you find your personal style. It will evolve over time, but you want your designs to be clear, unique, and professional.

I personally create printables using Adobe Illustrator and Canva.

If you need help creating printables in Canva, check out our step-by-step Canva guide.

Start thinking about the type of digital products you want to create. Here are some ideas:

• Ebooks and Guides: Write and sell ebooks or comprehensive guides on various topics, from self-help and cooking to business and personal development.

• Printable Planners: Create and sell printable planners for daily, weekly, monthly, or yearly organization, including budget planners, fitness journals, and meal planners.

• Templates: Offer graphic design templates for social media posts, presentations, or branding materials that can be customized by customers.

• Printable Artwork: Design and sell printable artwork, including wall art, posters, and illustrations for home decor and artistic expression.

• Printable Games and Puzzles: Create and sell printable games, puzzles, and educational materials for entertainment, learning, or team-building activities.

• Checklists and Cheat Sheets: Develop and sell digital checklists, cheat sheets, and quick reference guides to simplify complex tasks or processes.

• Personal Development Resources: Develop self-improvement and personal development resources, including journals, affirmations, and goal-setting templates.

• Printable Educational Materials: Create digital educational materials, worksheets, and study guides for teachers, homeschoolers, and students.

How to Start Selling Your Printables

Once you have done your research, picked a niche, and know what kinds of printables to create, it’s time to set up your shop.

You can read more about why I chose Shopify and how it compares with features and functionalities to Etsy.

I decided to use Shopify for my online shop. There are other options, but this one felt right for me when I was getting started since I already had an established blogging audience and social media presence. Plus they offer a trial period where you can get 3 months of Shopify for just $1!

You do not want to just throw up a product in your shop without taking the time to optimize the listing with keyword-rich titles, descriptions, and appealing visuals.

You can also check out the competition to determine the right price for your printables. Consider the time and effort you put into creating them, as well as the market demand. You can experiment with different pricing strategies to see what works best for your products.

How to Market Your Printables

Marketing your digital printables effectively is essential for making sales. Here are the top 5 ways to promote your digital printables:

1. Optimize Your Online Store or Website - Ensure your online store or website is user-friendly, visually appealing, and easy to navigate. Use high-quality images, clear product descriptions, and customer testimonials. Implement SEO strategies to improve your site's search engine visibility.

2. Leverage Social Media - Use popular social media platforms like Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook to showcase your printables. Post engaging content, create visually appealing graphics, and include links to your products. Run targeted ads to reach potential customers. I personally prefer Pinterest. Check out my post on How to Boost Traffic to Your Shopify Store Using Pinterest. When I shifted my business focus I also stopped using my social media accounts.

3. Email Marketing - This one is key! Build and maintain an email list of potential customers interested in your products and services. Send out regular newsletters with exclusive offers, updates, and informative content related to your digital printables. Email marketing is a powerful way to nurture leads and convert them into customers. This is what you will do to capture the email addresses of people who visit your shop. I use Convertkit. They offer a free plan for up to your first 1,000 subscribers.

4. Content Marketing - Create valuable content related to your printables, such as blog posts, video tutorials, or free resources. You can also use social media like TikTok or Instagram to provide valuable content to your target audience. Content marketing can help establish you as an authority in your niche and attract organic traffic to your website or store.

5. Collaborations and Affiliates - Partner with influencers, bloggers, or affiliates in your niche. Collaboration can help you reach a wider audience and gain credibility. Affiliates can promote your products in exchange for a commission on each sale they generate.

6. Customer Reviews and Testimonials - Social proof will help to sell your printables. Encourage satisfied customers to leave reviews and testimonials. Positive feedback can boost your credibility and persuade others to make a purchase.

Do I need to have design experience to create printables?

While design experience is helpful, you can start with basic design tools and gradually improve your skills. There are also many online resources and tutorials available. If you need help, check out my Canva Guide.

Selling digital printables has been a really fun journey for me. I am constantly adding new products to my shop. It’s been a little over a year now and I do not have any plans of shifting my business model again at this time.

Please let me know if you have any questions about how to make money selling printables in the comments below.