Sell custom products without inventory
How much can you make on Etsy? With over 86.6 million active buyers, this marketplace offers a massive opportunity for anyone looking to build a side hustle or a full-time online business.
Earnings vary widely. Some Etsy sellers make a few hundred dollars a month, while top sellers bring in $10,000 or more. Your potential to make money with an Etsy shop depends on your niche, pricing strategy, and marketing efforts.
Whether you want to earn extra income or reach total financial independence, start by understanding the real figures and what affects them.
Let’s dive in.
Key takeaways
- High earning potential: Median Etsy revenue sits around $574 a month, but top-tier sellers generate over $10,000 monthly – with the elite 1% reaching $50,000.
- Massive audience access: Your Etsy shop gains exposure to a resilient base of 86.6 million active buyers, who collectively drove over $2.7 billion in gross merchandise sales (GMS) in Q3 of 2025.
- Profit-first pricing: Aim for profit margins between 40% and 50%. This secures profit even after Etsy fees, which typically take 12-13% of each sale, but can reach 20% with offsite ads.
- Scalability via automation: Using production partners for custom products lets you scale without inventory risk. Features like our Automated Personalization streamline operations for high-demand niches.
- Patience pays off: It typically takes 30 to 60 days for a newer shop to land its first sale, and 3 to 6 months of consistent effort to build a reliable Etsy income.
How much does the average Etsy seller make?
The short answer: Most Etsy sellers earn a median of about $574 per month in revenue. But that number hides a massive range. Some shops earn pocket money, while others pull in six figures a year.
There’s no fixed salary for an average Etsy seller, as the platform hosts everyone from casual hobbyists to professional brands. How much you make depends on the time you invest, your product quality, and how well you market your store.
Average monthly income ranges for Etsy sellers
Here’s a clear picture of what Etsy shops earn, broken down based on seller experience and commitment level.
- Beginner sellers: For those just starting an Etsy account, earnings typically range from $50 to $500 per month. During this stage, newer shops focus on learning Etsy search optimization and creating their first few product listings.
- Full-time sellers: Many sellers who treat their shop like a serious Etsy business earn between $2,000 and $7,000 a month. This level of average Etsy income usually requires a diverse product range and consistent marketing efforts.
- Top sellers: The top Etsy shops often bring in $10,000 to over $50,000 monthly. These sellers use brand recognition and high-volume selling strategies to maintain their position.
Real Etsy seller income examples
Real-world results show what’s possible when sellers commit to growing their Etsy shop. For example, Cassiy Johnson, a known expert in the Etsy print-on-demand space, shared how she scaled her business to generate thousands of dollars in monthly Etsy profit by focusing on trending apparel and smart SEO.
So, how much do people make on Etsy? It ranges wildly – but these examples prove the ceiling is high for sellers who treat it as a real business, not just a hobby.
How much profit do Etsy sellers keep after fees?
Etsy fees can add up – but they’re not as steep as you might think. Base fees (listing, transaction, and payment processing) typically take about 12-13% of each sale. However, with offsite ads or other optional costs, total fees can exceed 20%.
Here’s a quick breakdown of what you’ll pay:
| Fee Type | Amount | Description |
| Listing fees | $0.20 | Per item, renewed every four months or upon sale |
| Transaction fees | 6.5% | Taken from the total sale price (including shipping) |
| Payment processing fees | 3% + $0.25 | Standard rate for the US via Etsy Payments |
| Offsite ads | 12%–15% | Only charged if a sale comes from Etsy’s external ads |
Example Calculation:
If you sell a custom t-shirt for $30 (including shipping):
- Listing fee: $0.20
- Transaction fee (6.5%): $1.95
- Processing fee (3% + $0.25): $1.15
- Total Etsy fees: $3.30
- Revenue after fees: $26.70
If your production cost was $12, your Etsy profit is $14.70, a 49% margin.
Tip
Want to run the numbers for your own products? Try our Etsy calculator to see exactly how much you’ll keep after fees.
What affects how much you can make on Etsy?
Product niche selection
Your niche determines your competition and demand. High-volume niches like apparel or home decor attract more buyers, while micro-niches often have higher profit margins thanks to specialized appeal.
Pricing and margins
To keep a healthy yearly profit, you must price for growth. This means accounting for the cost of goods, Etsy fees, and your time. Aim for margins that let you reinvest in Etsy ads to drive higher sales.
Listing quality and SEO
Your product listings must be optimized with relevant keywords to rank well. Use all 13 tags and write descriptions that answer every question a buyer might have.
Traffic sources and conversion rate
Once your listings are optimized, the next step is getting eyes on them. Etsy search provides organic visits, but using social media or offsite ads can lead to more sales. A high conversion rate depends on product quality and how well you meet your target audience’s needs.
Customer experience and reviews
Positive reviews are the backbone of a successful Etsy store. They build trust with potential buyers and tell Etsy’s algorithm that your shop is reliable, leading to better rankings.
Operational efficiency
The more you automate, the more you earn. Using production partners for fulfillment lets you scale without increasing your workload, so you don’t get bogged down in manual tasks.
Is selling on Etsy worth it? Pros and cons.
Etsy is an excellent place to start and grow a business. However, to make it profitable, you need to learn how to sell on Etsy and consider all the pros and cons.
Pros:
- Easy to start: With a simple setup and straightforward interface, your Etsy store will be up and running in no time.
- Global reach: With millions of people browsing the platform daily, Etsy provides an unmatched opportunity to reach a wide audience of potential buyers organically. That visibility can translate to more money for your business.
- Low startup costs: Open an Etsy store and start selling products with minimal financial investment – no need to build your own standalone website.
- Built-in marketing tools: Etsy offers several promotional features to support your marketing efforts. You’ll have access to a customizable storefront, social media integrations, and targeted advertising options.
Cons:
- Increased competition: A packed marketplace means sharing the audience with many other Etsy shops. You’ll need to stand out with custom products, top-notch customer service, and captivating branding.
- Multiple fees: Etsy fees are generally small, but they add up. Use an Etsy calculator to price products with these fees in mind.
- Limited customization: While Etsy offers some customization for your product listings, it’s limited compared to having your own standalone website.
- Limited accessibility: If you’re from a country that isn’t yet eligible for Etsy Payments, you won’t be able to open a store.
Tip
Learn more on our blog: Is selling on Etsy worth it?
What sells best on Etsy right now?
Personalized products
Personalized apparel, accessories, mugs, home decor – custom products are some of the strongest sellers on Etsy. Using Etsy print-on-demand services like Printify makes this easy.With Printify’s Automated Personalization, customers enter their custom details directly on the Etsy page, and the print-ready file is generated automatically. It’s a massive time-saver for any Etsy business.
Handmade items
Whether you’re good at knitting, painting, or woodwork, Etsy is the perfect place to sell handcrafted creations. Keep up with seasonal trends to ensure your listings stay in demand.
Digital products
An easy way to expand is to sell Canva templates on Etsy or other digital downloads. These have zero shipping costs and high profit margins.
Vintage items
Whether it’s retro clothing or antique furniture, Etsy is a top marketplace for vintage goods. Curating a collection with a story helps you stand out and command higher prices.
How to make money on Etsy with Print on Demand?
1. Create your Etsy shop
Head to Etsy and register for an account. You’ll need to create your first listing manually to launch. Ensure you link your bank account and set up your billing details correctly.
2. Create a Printify account and connect to Etsy
Sign up for a free account on Printify. From your dashboard, select Add a new store and Connect to Etsy. Grant access to sync your products.
3. Design and publish custom products
Choose from over 1,300 items in our Catalog. Create your designs and publish them with a few clicks. They’ll appear as drafts in your Etsy store, ready for your final approval. For a deep dive, see how to start a print-on-demand business on Etsy.
4. Optimize and market your listings
Use high-quality photos and relevant keywords. Promote your items through Etsy ads and social media to attract more buyers.
5. Start selling online and making money
With Printify handling fulfillment and shipping, you can focus on growing your brand. Making money gets a lot easier with a trustworthy partner by your side.
FAQ
Yes – many successful sellers reach $10,000 in monthly Etsy revenue. This typically requires a high-demand niche, such as custom products, and a strong SEO strategy. Scaling with production partners helps you handle high order volumes without burning out.
The top Etsy shops often change, but stores like CaitlynMinimalist and PlannerKate are consistently among the highest earners. These shops prove that Etsy can support large-scale business growth when you combine brand recognition with thousands of optimized listings.
Yes, making money on Etsy is realistic for anyone willing to put in consistent effort. While many Etsy sellers start as a side hustle, focusing on product quality and niche selection can lead to a sustainable online business. Success isn’t guaranteed, but it’s achievable with a clear strategy.
For most sellers, the first sale happens within the first 30 to 60 days. However, building a consistent Etsy income usually takes 3 to 6 months of regular activity – updating product listings, refining your SEO, and driving traffic to your store.
To see higher sales quickly, focus on improving your conversion rate through great photos and competitive pricing. Additionally, invest in Etsy ads to get an immediate visibility boost. Expand your product range to capture a wider target audience.
For an average shop, we recommend maintaining a minimum profit margin of 40% to 50% to ensure you stay profitable after all Etsy fees and production costs. To simplify your math and save time, use our Etsy Calculator to set retail prices that meet your financial goals.
Final thoughts on starting an online business with Etsy
Starting an Etsy shop is a rewarding way to pursue entrepreneurship. How much can you make on Etsy? It depends on your dedication, the products you choose, and your ability to adapt to the market.
By using platforms like Printify to streamline fulfillment, you can focus on what matters most: growing your brand and sales.
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