Top custom products – Business ideas for Etsy and Shopify

Custom products are among the fastest-growing categories in eCommerce – and they’re especially profitable on eCommerce sales platforms like Etsy and Shopify.

Building your own store to create a strong brand? Joining an existing marketplace as a high-value merchant? There's never been a better time to start.

In this guide, we’ll explore the top custom product business ideas for Etsy and Shopify. Compare the two platforms and discover how to turn your ideas into income using Printful’s tools for fulfillment, branding, and growth.

The dominance of custom products in eCommerce

Custom products are a rapidly growing segment of the retail industry. Whether it’s niche apparel, made-to-order home goods, or pet accessories, buyers are actively searching for items that match their style, interests, or identity – and merchants can capitalize on that more than ever.

Why this works:

• Demand for unique, made-for-me items continues to grow
• Platforms like Etsy and Shopify have lowered the barrier to entry
• Merchants can tap into trends without holding inventory

The custom printing market is projected to reach $41.9 billion by 2025, driven by rising demand for apparel, home decor, and accessories that reflect personal identity and creativity.

As more consumers seek products that feel unique to them, the appetite for niche, customized items keeps expanding across eCommerce.

To meet that demand without taking on inventory risk, sellers are turning to the print-on-demand model – a market expected to generate $12.96 billion by the end of 2025. 

It’s a scalable, accessible approach that lets anyone launch a custom product business on Etsy or Shopify and ship directly to customers through automated fulfillment.

Print on Demand (POD) lets you start small and grow at your own pace. There’s no need to invest in bulk inventory, buy equipment, or worry about shipping logistics. You can test ideas quickly, pivot when needed, and focus on building a brand that connects with your audience.

“We decided to start an eCommerce business because we could start with very little cash. Using the print-on-demand model, we could test numerous designs without spending money on buying stock.”

– GearBunch, a Printful merchant that’s generated over $10 million in gross revenue using this model

Whether you're creating apparel, accessories, or digital-ready designs, POD gives you the flexibility to experiment and scale – without limits.

Choosing the right platform: Etsy vs Shopify

Not sure which platform to start with? The good news is that both Etsy and Shopify support custom product businesses – especially when paired with Print on Demand. But they cater to different selling goals, experiences, and growth stages. 

Here's how they compare side by side.

Etsy vs Shopify: Feature comparison

Who is Etsy best for?

If you're just getting started, Etsy offers a faster path to launch with minimal overhead.

Its built-in search engine and engaged buyer base help you test custom products without running your own marketing. This makes it ideal for side hustlers, creators of personalized gifts, or anyone seeking a popular Etsy shop idea in a well-defined niche market.

Who is Shopify best for?

Shopify is the go-to platform if you’re building your own store and want full creative and operational control.

It’s perfect for growing brands, especially those leveraging custom print-on-demand products to scale up. If your goal is to create a seamless, on-brand experience that can evolve over time, Shopify offers the infrastructure to support that vision.

11 custom product business ideas for Etsy and Shopify

Custom apparel

Custom apparel is a staple among the best Etsy shop ideas and remains one of the top custom product business ideas for Etsy and Shopify.

Using Printful, sellers can offer products like custom t-shirts, custom hoodies, and premium options like embroidery to suit any niche. These products are affordable to produce and easy to brand. Start by targeting a clear audience and build a consistent, cohesive catalog.

Niche examples:

• Funny graphic tees for back-to-school season

• Streetwear for fashion lovers with intricate designs

• Relationship-themed apparel for families and couples

Focus on high-demand designs that connect emotionally. Use optimized Etsy listings and design curated Shopify product pages to attract repeat customers with similar interests.

Custom tech accessories

Tech accessories blend functionality with personalization. Printful’s custom phone cases, custom laptop sleeves, and printed earphone cases are lightweight, giftable, and easy to sell. These are perfect for sellers wanting to tap into visually expressive, daily-use products.

Niche examples:

• Astrology-themed laptop sleeves

• Pet portraits on phone cases for animal lovers

• Motivational quotes for productivity-focused entrepreneurs

Use social media to showcase how your designs look in real life and bundle accessories with other products to increase average order value.

Personalized drinkware

Drinkware products like custom mugs, personalized tumblers, and water bottles remain a popular Etsy shop idea. These personalized items are giftable, affordable to ship, simple to customize, and fit perfectly into nearly any niche.

Niche examples:

• Pet lover mugs with illustrated animal breeds

• Bridesmaid proposal tumblers with custom names

• Niche hobby mugs (e.g., “Knitting Fueled by Coffee”)

List these under custom gifts, offer name personalization where relevant, and optimize for gifting keywords like “personalized gift” or “funny mugs for friends.”

Engraved jewelry and keepsakes

Custom jewelry and engraved accessories offer strong emotional appeal. Printful’s accessory options, like custom headbands or keepsakes like custom notebooks, make it easy to launch a niche collection. These are high-perceived-value items with relatively low startup costs.

Niche examples:

• Special occasion jewelry for couples and loved ones

• Laong-distance friendship bracelets with coordinates

• Anniversary gifts with initials and special dates

Use elegant product photos and focus on messaging that aligns with sentimental occasions, like weddings, birthdays, or anniversaries.

Custom kids and baby products

Custom baby clothing and personalized kids’ gear are perfect Etsy shop ideas for small business owners in the parenting space.

Use Printful to start a kids’ clothing line, with custom toddler-teen apparel and custom blankets to launch a charming and practical store aimed at families.

Niche examples:

• Personalized baby bodysuits for first birthdays

• Matching sibling sets for family photos

• Milestone blankets with name and age markers

Target Shopify and Etsy buyers looking for gifts, and promote through social media posts where parents share milestone moments.

Personalized pet products

 The pet category is one of the most versatile Etsy shop ideas, perfect for selling a custom pet bandana and custom pet bowl. Pet lovers are emotionally invested and love novelty items that showcase their furry friends.

Niche examples:

• Keepsake items with pet portraits and names

• Personalized designs for matching owner-pet apparel sets

• Holiday accessories for dogs and cats

Use pet portraits and lifestyle photos in your listings for eye-catching pet lover gifts. Promote via social media marketing and target pet communities and influencers.

Digital downloads

Digital downloads are one of the best online business ideas for those seeking passive income. You can sell digital art, printable planners, and digital stickers with no inventory or shipping required.

Niche examples:

• Budget planners for freelancers

• Printable games and decor for baby showers

• Digital art prints with positive affirmations

Optimize your digital files for SEO and Pinterest, and update regularly. With just free design software and an internet connection, you can generate passive income from content that’ll never run out of stock.

Personalized printable goods

These digital products include editable text fields that customers can personalize before printing. Great for sellers who want to skip fulfillment logistics with a more personalized gift angle.

Niche examples:

• Custom chore charts for families

• Editable wedding signs and invitations

• Personalized classroom materials for teachers

This scalable business model is a hit with Etsy sellers because it’s low-risk and fits many seasonal and life events. Set it up once and keep an eye out for trends to market accordingly.

Custom home decor

Using Printful, sellers can design wall art, custom canvas prints, and custom pillows that elevate any space. Home decor is ideal for Etsy and Shopify stores focused on gifting or interior style.

Niche examples:

• Minimalist quote prints for modern apartments

• Illustrated family portraits as home gifts

• Pet-themed throw pillows for animal lovers

List products under the home and living category and show mockups in real spaces. Follow the home decor market to create products that pair well with gifting occasions, like housewarming parties.

Seasonal and event-based products

 Holiday and milestone-themed products are in high demand and convert well when tied to emotion and timing. Offer custom ornaments, event t-shirts, personalized mugs, or any other best-selling holiday products for seasonal success.

Niche examples:

• Custom gifts for weddings and bridal parties

• Holiday-specific apparel or decor

• Back-to-school gear with personalization

Stay ahead using Google Trends and market research, and optimize listings around seasonal themes and keywords, like Christmas or Valentine’s Day. This is one of the most profitable eCommerce product segments when done right.

Footwear and wearable accessories

Stylish accessories like custom socks, printed shoes, and custom tote bags let sellers tap into niche style preferences. These products help diversify your store and attract potential customers through eye-catching design.

Niche examples:

• All-over print shoes for anime or comic fans
• Tote bags with empowering slogans for activists
• Occasion-based socks for groomsmen or holidays

Use Printful’s Design Maker and mockup tools to create cohesive sets. Focus on brand storytelling and showcase your designs on social media to maximize reach.

How Print on Demand simplifies custom product selling

Print on Demand lets you launch and run a store without upfront inventory or production risk. It’s the fastest way to test custom product ideas and grow a brand on Etsy or Shopify.

Get started in 5 simple steps:

1. Create a free Printful account
   
   

2. Connect your Etsy or Shopify store
   
   

3. Design custom products using our Design Maker
   
   

4. Set your prices and publish listings
   
   

5. Start selling with automated fulfillment

You focus on designing and marketing, Printful handles the rest – shipping products straight to your customers worldwide.

Get started

To summarize

Whether you're planning to start your own Etsy store or launch a custom brand on Shopify, there’s no shortage of custom product business ideas worth testing.

From personalized jewelry to handmade pottery, success depends on matching great design with a clear product category and a well-defined target audience.

Pair smart social media marketing with well-optimized Etsy listings or Shopify product pages. Don’t forget to provide excellent customer service to keep buyers coming back.

Start your own business and sell on Etsy or Shopify with Printful. Turn a simple idea into your next success story with automated fulfillment and no inventory risk.