Ultimate Guide To Selling Digital Downloads

All my best tips and ideas for how to add printables to your business. Since I started selling digital downloads on Etsy, my own website and Shopify I have made 100s of dollars a month! Here are all my best tips and ideas for how to create printables to sell online that will help add other products to add passive income to your business!

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Let’s talk about printables – those fun, functional digital downloads that can actually bring in real money every month. Since starting my journey with digital products on Etsy, Shopify, and my own website, I’ve made hundreds of dollars each month, without constantly adding new listings or running big promotions. Yep, this is one of those rare “set it and forget it” opportunities that truly can work.

So, whether you’re brand new or already running a creative biz, this updated post breaks down everything I’ve learned about how to sell printables online, what platforms to use, how to create products, and how to turn them into an evergreen income stream.

Why I’m Still Talking About Printables (Even After Moving On)

Although I’ve shifted my focus to my Artsy Fartsy webiste these days, I didn’t want to gatekeep everything I’ve learned. Printables have been a major part of my online business success, and this post spills the tea – from startup tips to platform breakdowns and more!

Digital Downloads: The Basics

So what exactly are digital downloads? Basically, they’re products that your customers can purchase, download, and use without you having to ship a thing. Here are just a few types:

Printable planners, stickers, and workbooks
SVG files and graphic designs
Party decor and invitations
Excel spreadsheets and meal planners
Digital patterns and templates
Ebooks and guides

If you’ve got a computer and a little creativity, you can create something to sell!

Where to Sell Printables

So you’ve got your first printable (or ten!) ready to go – now what? It’s time to get those beauties out into the world and start making sales! There are several platforms where you can sell digital downloads, each with its own perks and quirks. Whether you’re looking for built-in traffic, full control over your shop, or something in between, here are the best places to sell your printables and what you need to know about each one.

1. Etsy

Etsy is my favorite place to sell printables. Why?

Built-in audience
Handles payment, product delivery, and even some retargeting ads
Easy setup

I’ve had very few customer service issues and made hundreds each month – even when I wasn’t actively adding new products. And don’t miss the opportunity to let your listings stay live and work while you sleep.

2. Shopify

I used Shopify for a while and it worked fine, but it’s best if you have a plan to drive traffic. Unlike Etsy, there’s no built-in audience, so you’ll be in charge of marketing and tech. Also, expect more customer service since you’re managing the platform entirely.

3. Your Own Website + Email List

Selling directly through your site or email provider (like Kit) works great if you already have a list. You keep more of the profit, and it integrates nicely into content marketing strategies. Traffic is 100% on you, but if you’re blogging or growing a list, this is a smart long-game move!

Evergreen vs. Trend-Based Products

One of the BEST things about printables is that they can be totally evergreen – meaning they sell for years without needing updates.

Evergreen Example: Undated planner pages your customers can reuse year after year.

Non-Evergreen Example: A 2026 calendar that’s out of date in a few months.

That said, trendy products CAN make great money if you're willing to update them or hop on trends fast. Decide how passive you want this to be and build your strategy accordingly.

Additional resource: What is evergreen marketing?

How to Come Up With Printable Ideas

Coming up with printable ideas doesn’t have to be overwhelming – or require some kind of creative lightning bolt from the sky. In fact, chances are you already have golden content sitting on your computer right now! Whether it’s a worksheet you whipped up during a busy week or a checklist you made for your own sanity, those little tools can turn into real products that people are excited to buy. Here are some of my favorite ways to brainstorm printable ideas that are useful, sellable, and totally aligned with your business.

1. Start With What You’ve Got

Already made a worksheet or workbook for yourself or your clients? That’s a product! Many of my first products were just things I’d created for myself that I uploaded and sold.

2. Check the Market

Use sites like CraftCount or Etsy’s own categories to see what’s selling well. Don’t copy – but DO get inspired. See what customers are actually buying.

3. Ask Your Audience

Use surveys, emails, or social media polls to ask your audience what they want. One simple question can spark your next bestseller!

How to Make a Printable (Even If You’re Not Techy)

1. Start Simple

Use Word, PowerPoint, or Google Docs to create worksheets or planners. Then just Save As PDF. Boom, instant printable.

2. Use Canva

Canva is a free, beginner-friendly design tool that makes creating beautiful printables easy. Tons of templates to start from and customize.

3. Advanced Options

If you’re more experienced, you can design in Photoshop, Illustrator, or even create fillable PDFs.

Ways to Make More Money From Each Printable

Don’t stop at one $3 product! Here are ways to increase your income:

Bundle: Group related items into a higher-ticket package.
Upsell: Mention related products at the end of your download.
Email List: Offer a coupon in exchange for their email address and keep marketing to them.
Raise Prices: Start offering $15–$25 planners instead of only $2 items.
Add Bonuses: Include videos, checklists, or visual examples.

Delivery Tips for Digital Products

Make sure customers know how to access your product:

Provide clear instructions
Use simple file types (like PDFs or JPGs)
If using .zip files, tell them how to unzip it

Customer confidence = fewer questions + more repeat buyers.

Reviews & Social Proof

Encourage happy customers to leave reviews! Add reminders in your follow-up email or right inside the product file. Social proof makes a HUGE difference on Etsy and Shopify.

Selling Even If Others Offer Freebies

Let’s talk about the elephant in the Etsy shop: Why would someone pay for your printable when there are a million free ones floating around the internet? It’s a totally valid question – and one that holds a lot of people back from ever getting started. But here’s the truth: people absolutely WILL pay for your product… if it solves their problem better, looks more polished, or saves them time. Free doesn’t always mean better – and your printable can stand out in a sea of freebies. Here’s how to position your products so they’re worth every penny (and then some!)

Yes, there are free printables everywhere. Here’s how to compete:

Be better: Make yours more helpful, prettier, or easier to use.
Build a community: Sell to people who know and trust you.
Offer guarantees: A 100% satisfaction guarantee can ease buying hesitation.
Market smarter: Don’t just rely on the platform – use Pinterest, your email list, or even YouTube to drive traffic.

Selling Digital Downloads FAQs

Do I need a license to sell printables? Nope – but you do need to make sure you're not using copyrighted fonts or graphics. Check all licenses on commercial assets you use.

Can I use Canva templates to sell? Yes! Canva’s free and Pro accounts both offer commercial use, as long as you’re adding your own original content.

Is Etsy the best platform? For beginners – yes. They bring the traffic, handle delivery, and make setup simple. But don’t rule out selling on your site too!

Can I sell printables without a website? Absolutely! You can start with just an Etsy shop or even deliver via email. A website is nice, but not necessary.

What if someone steals my printables? Unfortunately, theft happens – but it’s rare. Add copyright notices and make your files non-editable PDFs. Most scammers want easy targets.

Wrap-Up: Start Small, Grow Smart

Selling printables doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Start with what you know, use simple tools, and get your products listed. As you grow, you’ll learn what your audience wants – and how to make more passive income doing what you love.

If I can make a few hundred bucks a month (without a ton of effort), so can you.

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