Etsy is a seller-favorite for money-selling shirts. You’ll find rare, custom pieces that only you can find on Etsy. Making it the perfect place to start selling shirts.
But unlike other eCommerce giants. Its STRICT POLICY can sometimes be a pain in the head. Not just for creative custom t-shirt manufacturers but for every seller, too. Disobey even just one rule. And expect serious consequences for your Etsy shop.
No worries, though! You’ll know in a few seconds how to sell shirts on Etsy the right way. I’ve curated 9 steps that are VERY EASY to follow. No sugarcoats or anything.
Offer Etsy customers your own t-shirt designs. Standout in a marketplace full of creativity!
Keep reading!
Table of Contents
Why Sell Shirts On Etsy?
Etsy marketplace is home to MILLIONS of active buyers.
The platform had a total of 95.1 million buyers around the world as of 2024. I’ll leave it to your imagination how HUGE your pool of potential customers could be!
Etsy’s user-friendly interface is another reason that’s worth mentioning. We’ve read a lot of feedback from many Etsy sellers. Most, if not all, have praised how easy it is to sell on Etsy.
All the tools you need to create a STANDOUT Etsy storefront are readily available. I’m not the only one who loves the customizable Etsy shop layouts. It’s every seller’s dream!
Aspiring business owners like you can tailor your Etsy store. According to your brand identity.
Etsy, as your selling platform is rewarding on its own. Even more rewarding if you have the right shirt to sell.
How To Sell Shirts On Etsy? (Step by Step Guide)
Let me warn you. There’s just as many sellers as there are customers inside Etsy. It’s never gonna be easy to stand out. Nor compete with other Etsy sellers.
Unless…you know how to do it and the right t-shirt to sell. And that’s what you’re about to learn in this EASY 9-step guide!
Step 1: Pick a niche market
The very first thing you need to figure out is who you are selling your shirts to. And no, you’re not picking the type of shirt to sell JUST YET at this stage.
Picking a niche market is basically just narrowing down who your target audience is. Cause obviously, you can’t sell to all 92 million buyers on Etsy!
Ideally, your target audience should SHARE the same interests and hobbies as you. It’ll be much easier to choose the type of t-shirt you’re gonna be selling later on.
Let’s say you’re a dog lover. Pet owners are most likely your CORE AUDIENCE.
Step 2: Research the market
Researching the market is simply trying to UNDERSTAND your customers better. It’s the easiest way to get into their heads and know what they really want.
Etsy is a GO-TO for anything custom. So, suppose pet owners are your target audience. Custom pet t-shirts could be a perfect choice to sell.
Now, what exactly do you need to research?
There are three things you need to look at:
- Popular or best-selling shirts
- Price points
- How well your competitors are doing
Recommended Reading: Upgrade Your Style with T-Shirt Neck Types
Step 3: Choose the type of shirts to sell
On Etsy, t-shirt sellers can only sell high-quality shirts they’ve designed or made.
That’s right—Etsy doesn’t allow you to resell mass-produced shirts.
You gotta be involved with either the design process or the manufacturing process. Don’t act like a RETAILER or middle-man as you’re bound to be flagged by the platform.
So, when choosing a shirt design—make sure you own the designs you sell. Either create the design yourself or buy the rights to include others’ graphics in your tees!
A much simpler solution is to allow customers to PERSONALIZE their shirts. Within the styling you offer, of course.
For example, other Etsy shirt stores primarily sell vintage-style custom tees. So, even if customers can reach out to these stores. And, say, customize the tees to include their dog’s pics. EVERY shirt will still look vintage.
Step 4: Find suppliers
Suppliers are the BACKBONE of your Etsy store. So you gotta take this step as seriously as possible.
There are usually two kinds of Etsy t-shirt suppliers:
- Print-on-demand suppliers who will print designs on your behalf
- Private-label clothing manufacturers that will provide blank shirts for you to print/design
Our recommendation?
Opting for the POD route. This way, you can design shirts digitally. Then, when an order comes in, your supplier will PRINT and DELIVER the shirt to your customer.
Oh, and yes—you pay per print. No need to INVEST thousands of dollars in stock. Plus, you can release unlimited designs at no additional cost!
Just make sure that your supplier provides:
- Top-quality shirts
- High-quality t-shirt printing services
- Reliable customer support
Pro tip: Check the supplier’s EXPERIENCE to get a better view of what they’re capable of!
Step 5: Set up your Etsy store
Setting up an Etsy account is absolutely free! The process is simple. No upfront cost requirements.
Simply head over to Etsy.com/sell. Once there, click the “Get Started” button to create a seller account.
Note that there are a few things you need to keep in mind as an Etsy shop owner.
First, you need a professional photo. Customers tend to buy from a shop that looks professional and credible.
Second, include a shop description. You want your store to pop up first in buyer’s searches. Shop descriptions with relevant keywords help you RANK HIGHER in Etsy search results.
And third, think of an Etsy shop name that’s EASY to remember.
Step 6: Build a brand identity
Brand identity is the SOUL of your business. It’s what makes your Etsy shop stand out in a sea of sellers. So, yeah, you gotta nail this if you want people to REMEMBER you.
What is it, exactly?
It’s the complete vibe of your brand—how it looks, feels, and connects with your audience.
The same way Apple feels premium. Nike’s all about being sporty. And McDonald’s provides convenience.
Brand Identity is made up of:
- Your logo: The face of your brand. It’s the first thing customers notice.
- Colors: Colors set the tone of your brand’s vibe. Fun? Elegant? Bold? Choose wisely.
- Packaging and presentation: This should include your logo and colors, too!
- Consistent visuals: Everything on your Etsy store should SCREAM your business’ vibe.
Our advice?
Keep it AUTHENTIC. People shop on Etsy for unique, relatable brands. Your identity should tell a story—YOUR story.
Step 7: Create your product listings
Product listings can either make or break a sale. They’re as close as customers get to seeing the products online. So, you gotta make your listings represent your t-shirts in the best possible light.
Use high-quality, original photos. Ones you’ve taken or your supplier has taken for you. These images must HIGHLIGHT the best qualities of your products.
Note: Using AI is possible, but Etsy requires you to disclose this info.
Of course, though, listings aren’t all about the pics. Pictures are just half the equation. Put EXTRA EFFORT in your product descriptions, too. Write them to perfection, but keep them concise!
One glance at the description. And customers should be able to convey exactly what you’re selling.
Last but not least, update the TAGS!
This is HOW customers will find your shirts from the OCEAN of millions of shirts. It’ll boost the visibility of shirts significantly. So, add all relevant tags to your listing!
Step 8: Price Your Shirt
Let’s be real—pricing is the MOST essential part of selling on Etsy. Get this wrong, and you’re either losing money or scaring off buyers.
Here’s the rule of thumb for pricing your shirts:
Start by factoring in EVERYTHING. The material costs, shipping fees, Etsy’s cut, etc. Then, set your prices in a way that you still have room for profits!
How much should you profit?
We recommend a profit margin of 50% or more. If you’re spending $10 to create and ship a shirt, sell it for at least $15!
Make sure to also check how much competitors are charging. You wanna stay COMPETITIVE—not way cheaper or more expensive than other stores.
Pro tip: Remember that prices are not locked in. You can adjust them accordingly as your Etsy store takes shape.
Sapna Shah, eCommerce-Manager
Step 9: Promote your Etsy Store
Running a new store means promoting is a MUST.
Nobody can buy from you if they don’t know your store exists. So, you gotta put your brand name out there!
Start with the basics:
Etsy ads. They are not free. But they’re highly effective for boosting visibility, especially for new shops.
Social media. Use platforms like Facebook And Instagram to share your products online. These platforms help drive more traffic to your store than you can imagine.
Got more time for a new read. I’ve written an entire article on how you can start selling t-shirts on Pinterest.
Only start promoting once you’ve optimized your stores and listings, though, okay? Pics, descriptions, branding, etc. It should LOOK polished. Nothing turns off customers more than stores that appear in PAID ADS. Yet, appears very unprofessional.
As always, keep experimenting to see what works best for your shop. JUST NEVER STOP promoting. Even billion-dollar companies like McDonald’s still spend MILLIONS on advertising.
Key Tips for Launching a Competitive T-Shirt Store on Etsy
Choosing Etsy as your selling platform means you’ll face tough competition. Without the right strategy, your own online store will drown in the sea of generic sellers.
Here are a few tips to make sure you launch a COMPETITIVE t-shirt business.
Find your unique selling point (USP)
Your USP is what makes your Etsy shop unique. It can be anything from quality, price, and services you offer.
Finding your USP is what gets customers drawn into your store.
- Do you offer services that other sellers don’t offer?
- Are your personalized shirts eco-friendly?
- Do you offer hand-made and eye-catching designs?
Those are just a few things you can reflect on when finding your USP.
Customers COMPARE their options before buying. Even I do, too. So, that’s your job, to give them a reason to pick your shirts over someone else’s.
Make your t-shirt as unique as it can be
Etsy is a place for unique items.
Customers who flock to the site aren’t looking for something generic. They’re there to find items that are not easily found anywhere else.
So, make your t-shirts stand out as much as possible. If you choose to sell embroidered pet t-shirts, for example. A good unique addition is embroidered patches to complement the design.
Another way to make your shirts unique is to offer FREE customization of the buyer’s pet initials.
Expert Tip: Whenever you plan to add unique additions to your products or services. Research if your competitors are ALREADY OFFERING something similar.
Divya Mullick, Apparel Designer
Offer outstanding customer service
The KEY to a competitive Etsy business isn’t just the product alone. It’s the entire customer experience you offer.
Customers usually tend to buy from a store with good customer service. NOT because of the product itself.
One way to turn a one-time buyer into a loyal purchaser is to be as responsive as possible. After all, customers don’t like waiting. They like timely responses—the KEY to winning their hearts.
So, do not just beat competitors with your product listings. Steal their customers with your services as well!
Pro tip: Good customer service can also be your USP. Always prioritize customers above everything. And expect repeat purchases coming your way.
People Also Ask About How To Sell Shirts On Etsy
1. Is Etsy a good place to sell t-shirts?
Absolutely, especially if you want to sell custom t-shirts. In fact, Etsy is for selling unique, personalized, and vintage items. Custom shirts are one of the money-selling t-shirts on Etsy. However, Etsy DOES NOT allow you to sell any trademarked fonts or trademarked brands.
2. How much would it cost me to sell on Etsy?
Etsy charges a $0.20 listing fee for every shirt you list on your store. Apart from that, Etsy also takes 5% each time you make a sale. And a processing fee payment that depends on your location.
3. Does Etsy allow dropshipping?
Fortunately, Etsy does not offer drop shipping services. Except for craft and party supplies. Even reselling isn’t allowed. Again with the EXEMPTION of craft and party supplies, vintage items, and gift baskets.
4. Is selling on Etsy profitable?
Yes. A unique shirt design and an Etsy store is all you need. A vintage shirt on Etsy can cost around $21-$350. Imagine if you have 5 vintage shirts that cost $350. That’s over fifteen grand of profit for you!
Conclusion
Selling custom products like t-shirts on Etsy is undeniably a profitable business venture. Etsy serves as a PLATFORM for someone who’s creative. But has an entrepreneurial spirit by heart. Feel free to omit or add more steps if you think they’re appropriate for your journey.
If you need a more personal guide navigating Etsy. Give JaceApparel a call. Our lines are always open to help you every step of the way!
Sources:
- mailchimp.com – The importance of USP
- etsy.com – Etsy house rules on prohibited t-shirts to sell