Digital printables are flexible 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, murals, greeting cards, stickers, worksheets and more. These printables are incredibly popular because they provide convenience and customization to buyers.
Where to start?
Before you get started, 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 it happen time and time again.
Someone starts creating digital products and gets very frustrated when they don’t make sales. You need to have a good foundation to start with.
Researching 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 meet their specific requirements.
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Find your place: Locating a niche is crucial in the world of printables. Think about what you love, whether it’s wedding planning, home organization, or inspirational quotes. Your niche will help you target a specific audience. I’ve seen other people look for profitable niches and then follow it, but I recommend finding something that inspires you so it’s still fun to do.
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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. Additionally, you want to stand out from other digital product creators.
Spend 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 with 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:
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E-Books and Guides: Write and sell e-books or comprehensive guides on a variety of topics, from self-help and cooking to business and personal development.
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Printable Planners: Create and sell printable planners for daily, weekly, monthly, or yearly organization, including budget planners, fitness journals, and meal planners.
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Standards: Offer graphic design templates for social media posts, presentations or branding materials that can be customized by clients.
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Printable Artwork: Design and sell printable artwork including wall art, posters and illustrations for home decor and artistic expression.
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Printable Games and Puzzles: Create and sell printable games, puzzles and educational materials for fun, learning or team building activities.
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Checklists and cheat sheets: Develop and sell digital checklists, cheat sheets and quick reference guides to simplify complex tasks or processes.
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Personal Development Resources: Develop self-improvement and personal development resources, including journals, affirmations, and goal-setting templates.
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Printable Educational Materials: Create digital learning materials, worksheets, and study guides for teachers, homeschoolers, and students.
How to start selling your prints
After you’ve done your research, picked a niche, and figured out what kind of printables to create, it’s time to set up your store.
You can read more about why I chose Shopify and how it compares to Etsy’s features and functionality.
I decided to use Shopify for my online store. There are other options, but this one felt right for me when I started, as I already had an established blogging audience and social media presence. In addition, they offer a trial period where you can get 3 months of Shopify for just $1!
