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!