How to Make Printables to Sell on Shopify: A Step-by-Step Guide

n the age of digital products, selling printables on Shopify is a fantastic way to generate passive income. Whether you’re a designer, an entrepreneur, or just someone looking for a creative side hustle, printables offer an easy-to-start business with minimal costs. This guide will walk you through how to create, list, and sell printables on Shopify effectively.

Why Sell Printables on Shopify?

Low Startup Costs: No need for inventory or shipping.
Passive Income Opportunity: Create once and sell repeatedly.
Scalability: Expand your offerings without additional production costs.
Global Reach: Sell to customers worldwide instantly.

Step 1: Choose Your Printable Niche

Before you start designing, consider what types of printables you want to sell. Popular printable categories include:

Planners (daily, weekly, monthly, goal-setting planners)
Budget trackers
Wall art prints
Invitations & greeting cards
Business templates (invoices, contracts, social media planners)
Educational worksheets
Coloring pages

Research Your Market

Use tools like Google Trends, Etsy, and Pinterest to explore trending printable ideas. Check competitors to see what’s selling well and how you can differentiate your products.

Step 2: Design Your Printables

You don’t need to be a professional designer to create stunning printables. Several user-friendly design tools can help you get started:

Canva (great for beginners with free templates)
Adobe Illustrator (for more advanced design work)
Affinity Designer (one-time purchase alternative to Adobe)
Procreate (for hand-drawn and artistic prints)

Design Tips:

Use high-resolution (300 DPI) settings for print quality.
Save files in PDF, PNG, or JPG format.
Ensure proper sizing (e.g., A4, Letter, 8×10 inches for wall art).
Make your designs unique and appealing to your target audience.

Step 3: Set Up Your Shopify Store

1. Create a Shopify Account

Sign up for a Shopify plan that suits your needs. Shopify offers a 3-day free trial and various pricing options. Click here to start your Shopify store.

2. Select a Theme

Choose a clean, professional Shopify theme that highlights digital products. Some good options include:

Debutify
Dawn (free)
Minimal

3. Install a Digital Downloads App

Since printables are digital products, you’ll need an app that allows customers to download files after purchase. Recommended apps include:

Shopify Digital Downloads (free)
SendOwl
Easy Digital Products

Step 4: Upload Your Printables

Go to Products > Add Product in your Shopify dashboard.
Add a catchy title (e.g., “Minimalist Weekly Planner Printable PDF”).
Write an SEO-optimized product description using relevant keywords.
Set a price (most printables range from $2 to $20 depending on complexity).
Upload the printable file (PDF, PNG, or ZIP if multiple files).
Add product images (mockups work well to showcase your printables in use).

Step 5: Optimize for SEO and Marketing

SEO Optimization

Use relevant keywords in your product title and description.
Add alt text to images.
Create blog content related to printables to drive organic traffic.

Marketing Strategies

Pinterest: Create visually appealing pins linking back to your store.
Instagram & TikTok: Share videos showcasing how your printables can be used.
Email Marketing: Offer free printables to build an email list.
Facebook Groups: Promote in niche communities where printables are popular.

Step 6: Automate & Scale Your Business

Once your Shopify store is up and running, consider automating tasks to maximize efficiency:

Use automated delivery apps like SendOwl.
Outsource marketing tasks if needed.
Continuously add new printable designs to expand your product range.

Try Shopify!

Final Thoughts

Selling printables on Shopify is a lucrative, low-investment business model. With the right niche, high-quality designs, and an effective marketing strategy, you can build a profitable online store and generate passive income. Start designing today and watch your printable business grow!

Have Questions?

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