Get Started
Printful Blog logo
Creative services
Photography services

Blog / Beginner's handbook / 15 Best Things to Sell on Etsy in 2025

Beginner's handbook

Printful Blog

Master the art of ecommerce

Launch your own print-on-demand business

Sign up with Printful

No upfront fees • No order minimums • 393 premium products

Printful Blog

Blog / Beginner's handbook / 15 Best Things to Sell on Etsy in 2025

Beginner's handbook

15 Best Things to Sell on Etsy in 2025 [+Research Tips]

15 Best Things to Sell on Etsy in 2025 [+Research Tips]
Sandra Ķempele

By Sandra Ķempele

15 min read

If you’re just starting your online business and wondering what to sell on Etsy—you’ve come to the right place. 

Etsy is a global marketplace known for items that customers may not find anywhere else, like handmade goods, jewelry, vintage items, and personalized gifts. If you’d like to sell custom products, you can sell a wide range of items on Etsy.

Another great thing about this marketplace is that it allows sellers to turn their creativity into a business, providing a platform where unique products can find the right audience. With millions of shoppers actively searching for distinctive, high-quality items, there’s plenty of opportunity to stand out and build a successful Etsy store.

Excited to learn more about the best things to sell on Etsy? Let’s explore the top picks! 

Valuable read:

The 15 best things to sell on Etsy

Etsy is well-known for shops selling handmade items like craft supplies and wedding invitations, and in recent years, the Etsy marketplace has seen a rise in demand for customized clothing, like t-shirts and hats. So, let’s look at Etsy’s top product categories in detail.

1. Custom t-shirts 

T-shirts are a go-to item in most people’s wardrobes, so it’s no surprise there’s an interest in original designs to stand out. With so many t-shirt styles, colors, and sizes available, you can easily offer various options to suit different customers’ needs. 

Custom t-shirts have become increasingly popular as branding tools for businesses and sports teams. But for individual shoppers, t-shirts with pop culture references and social causes are among the best-selling items. And we’re not just saying that—in 2024, the global custom t-shirt market exceeded $5B, and it’s expected to continue growing.

Just take a look at Up2ournecksinfabric, one of the best-selling Etsy shops in the apparel category, which has made over 400,000 sales so far. Its product listings include custom t-shirts, hoodies, kids’ clothing, and other custom clothes, often bundled together as offers for the whole family.

Need some inspiration to start designing? Check out our blog post with 50 t-shirt design ideas.

Source: Up2ournecksinfabric

Source: Up2ournecksinfabric

2. Embroidered items

If you’re thinking about selling custom-printed items on your Etsy store, adding embroidered products is one surefire way to expand your product catalog. While creating an embroidery file comes with stricter limitations on what you can and can’t do with your designs, the upside is that embroidered products often sell at a premium price due to their durability and high-end look.

When it comes to product choice, embroidery offers plenty of options as well. You can sell custom hats, tees, hoodies, tote bags, or even embroidered patches if you want to provide a more affordable option to your customers. Etsy sellers often add personalization options, like embroidered initials or custom names.

For inspiration, check out ShopatBash, an Etsy shop with more than 300,000 sales. The shop focuses on personalized gifts, party favors, and similar items, and its listings include embroidered products like totes, sweatshirts, and even robes.

3. Artwork and prints

Many people look for beautiful pieces to decorate their homes or office spaces on Etsy.

If you’re a photographer, using canvas or posters to display your work is an excellent product fit. Wall art is a bold interior choice perfect for a one-of-a-kind statement piece. Landscape photography and personalized portrait canvases are among the bestselling items on Etsy. Plus, there are plenty of niche markets to explore, from abstract wall art and pop art to vintage photography.  

With artwork, you can sell physical prints or go for digital downloads too. Many of the successful Etsy shops in this category offer both digital art pieces and physical artwork, often providing options for sizes, frames, and other features.

Check out LazyBeamArte, where the artist monetizes their work in multiple ways. They offer custom designs at a premium price, artwork prints as a mid-range yet accessible choice, and postcards and even coloring sheets as budget-friendly options.

4. Stickers

Custom stickers can be super versatile and appeal to a broad range of people, making them a popular product to sell on Etsy. They’re a fun way to show off personality and add flair to cherished personal items like water bottles, laptops, and even bikes! 

Etsy shop owners also pay attention to bullet journal and planner trends, which have become increasingly popular. As a result, stickers have become a top choice to personalize notebooks and organize to-do lists.

Stickers are cheap and easy to make. There's no need to worry about heavy packaging or high shipping fees. With all these perks, it’s no wonder sticker sales keep growing—in 2024, the global stickers market size was valued at $4.6B, and it’s expected to increase by another $3B by 2027.

stickers on a bike

Read more:

5. Digital downloads

We already mentioned digital downloads as a great choice for artists who sell printable wall art, but digital items can go beyond that. Etsy is one of the most popular online marketplaces for customers who want to make handmade clothes and need patterns. You could also sell digital planners, to-do lists, and even invoice templates for other small business owners.

Although digital products typically have lower prices than physical ones, digital downloads can become highly profitable items in the long run. Once you’ve created your listing, you can sell it as many times as you wish without incurring additional production costs.

For example, take a look at WillowLanePaperie, a top Etsy seller in the paper and party supplies product category. The store, which has made more than 250,000 sales and earned nearly $2M so far, offers various customizable and downloadable wedding and event templates.

Minimalist Who knows the Bride the Most Game, Modern Bridal Shower Game, Printable How well do you know the Bride, TEMPLETT, WLP-PAL 5717 image 1

Source: WillowLanePaperie

6. Handmade jewelry

Why not sell your own handcrafted items? Handmade jewelry is a standout category on Etsy, offering shoppers unique options that can’t be found in mainstream stores. The global handmade jewelry market size exceeded $156B in 2024, with Etsy mentioned as one of the key players in this top-selling category.

This segment includes everything from necklaces and bracelets to earrings and rings crafted from diverse materials like metal, glass, leather, and ceramics. Personalized items, such as custom-engraved pendants or birthstone rings, particularly resonate with customers looking for meaningful gifts.

When selling handmade jewelry on Etsy, presentation and detail are key. Take high-quality photos that capture the intricacy and color of each piece, and add thorough descriptions.

Sharing the story of how the jewelry is made, the source of your materials, or the inspiration behind your collections can create a deeper connection with customers. This engagement is often what distinguishes successful Etsy shops, turning occasional buyers into repeat customers who value the craftsmanship and narrative behind the jewelry.

a pair of earrings with leaves

Source: SilkPurseSowsEar

7. Vintage items

Selling vintage clothing on Etsy taps into the sustainable fashion trend, appealing to buyers looking for unique, quality pieces with a rich history. 

Ideal items include retro dresses, classic outerwear, vintage t-shirts, and designer pieces from iconic brands. Source your inventory from thrift stores, estate sales, and flea markets to find items worth selling at low costs. When listing vintage items, ensure your descriptions are detailed, noting the era, condition, and unique features. 

a woman in a dress

Source: EvaVintageShop

Selling vintage clothing on Etsy allows you to tap into a niche market that is passionate about fashion and sustainability. With the right strategy, you can turn your love for vintage into a profitable business that also contributes to reducing the fashion industry’s environmental impact. With the secondhand apparel market valued at $230B in 2024, there’s plenty of opportunity to create a successful Etsy shop catering to style-savvy shoppers looking for eco-friendly options.

8. Wedding supplies

Etsy has a large, engaged audience interested in unique wedding accessories and bridal party items, making it a suitable platform for selling items like custom wine tumblers, personalized robes, bridesmaid proposal boxes, engraved jewelry, decorative cake toppers, and more.

Many shoppers turn to Etsy specifically for these unique details that can’t be found in mainstream stores, making it an ideal marketplace for creative wedding-related products.

Another advantage of selling wedding supplies on Etsy is the potential for upselling and cross-selling. Brides and grooms often order multiple items for their wedding party, decorations, and even thank-you gifts for guests. Additionally, customers who have a great experience with your Etsy store may return for anniversary gifts, baby showers, or other celebrations. With a strong focus on branding and customer service, wedding-related sellers can build a steady stream of orders and a loyal customer base.

If you want some inspiration, look no further than ModParty, a highly successful Etsy store that has made nearly 2 million sales and almost $27 million in estimated revenue. The store offers personalized accessories for brides and bridesmaids, flower girl gifts, bridal shower supplies, and pretty much anything else related to weddings and parties you could think of.

9. Kids and baby clothing

With baby clothes, you can always count on a steady demand for new items. What’s an especially popular item? Baby onesies! They’re the equivalent of t-shirts for adults, but the difference for you as a seller lies in your design choices and target audience. 

To start designing, brainstorm ideas that suit kids, such as animals, ABCs, and colorful patterns. Equally, consider the parents shopping for baby clothing and include funny puns they might enjoy, like this ’90s music onesie, “Ice Ice Baby.”

If you’re looking for proof that kids and baby clothing are a profitable Etsy niche, consider the fact that the top-selling Etsy shop in the entire apparel category, pintsizedapparelshop, is dedicated to kids’ clothing. In 6 years of selling online on Etsy, they’ve made over 576,000 sales and maintain a nearly pristine review rating of 4.8 stars.

10. Phone cases

Did you know that the average American checks their phone 344 times a day? Naturally, our phones are always somewhere in sight, and so are the phone cases. Why choose a plain and boring phone case when you can have one that’s quirky and cool? Plenty of people agree—the global phone case market exceeded $11.5B in 2024.

People love expressing themselves through phone cases, whether with a bold, colorful design or by adding customized text. With many different phone models available, there’s a large market for custom phone cases

Customers might get multiple phone cases to keep this must-have accessory fresh. So, start with a sample offer, identify your best-selling items, and design a collection around them.

etsy custom phone case

Source: thecatchingrainbows

11. Candles

If you’re in the home decor market, you know that Etsy shoppers appreciate cozy items that double as chic interior pieces. But not all customers are ready to make big purchases. That’s where candles come in.

Candles are practical and help create a relaxed home environment. But, with customized print labels, candles can become cute additions to home decor or personal gifts for loved ones.

Here are a few ideas for cute candle prints:

If you enjoy a good pun, you might even say this product category is on fire. The global candle market is expected to surpass $11.5B in 2025 and is projected to grow steadily in the future.

12. Craft supplies 

Etsy is a thriving marketplace for craft enthusiasts, making it an ideal platform to sell craft supplies. These products cater to a wide audience, from amateur crafters to professional artists, fueling their passion for creating handmade items. Popular craft supplies on Etsy include specialty yarns, original beads, custom fabric prints, scrapbooking materials, and jewelry-making kits.

To stand out in the crowded craft supplies niche on Etsy, focus on offering items that can’t be found at standard retail outlets. Consider catering to specific trends in the crafting community, such as sustainable and eco-friendly materials or supplies for popular techniques like macramé and pottery.

If you’re an aspiring Etsy shop owner who wants to enter the craft supply product category, one of the best examples to learn from is the Beadboat1 store, which has made more than 2 million sales since 2014. They sell products like beads, chains, connectors, stones, pendants, and anything else customers might need to create their own handmade jewelry.

Premium One Pound Crystal Crystals Medium Tumbled Stones Beautiful Mix Chakra Stones Natural Carnelian Rose Quartz Green Aventurine 1 lb image 1

Source: Beadboat1

13. Bags

The vast range of bag styles and designs means you can offer customers various options, from fanny packs and clutches to backpacks and tote bags. Offering a collection of items that fit well together helps attract repeat customers who enjoy your style. 

What’s trendy right now? Crossbody bags! They’re seeing a 61% year-on-year increase in searches, based on this Etsy marketplace insights report. The trend connects to the ’90s nostalgia fad currently in high demand for accessories, like bags, jewelry, and hair pieces.

Both crossbody bags and backpacks see a rise in demand when the back-to-school season hits, so plan ahead which items to sell and when’s the best time for a new product release.

14. Mugs

Coffee and tea lovers are big fans of mugs and often swear by having an extensive mug collection. So why not start selling mugs with designs that celebrate the hot drink morning ritual? Check out this stylized coffee mug with funky colors and a game-like design that boasts +3 points for energy and +1 point for health and speed! 

To dig deeper, think of how most people use mugs. For example, they often bring mugs to the office, so try selling job-specific designs like this computer programmer mug

Plus, if you sell mugs, you can easily expand your store with coasters as well!

Read more: 37 Mug Design Ideas to Sell and Gift

15. Pet supplies

Pet supplies are another great category to sell on Etsy. Pet owners love to spend money on their furry friends, always seeking unique, high-quality products. From custom pet tags and collars to personalized beds and clothing, Etsy allows you to sell items that cater to different pets’ personalities and needs. And with more people treating their pets like family, the demand for custom pet products is steadily increasing.

Selling pet supplies on Etsy also provides the opportunity to build a loyal customer base. Pet owners often love to spoil their pets and are likely to return for new products as their pets grow or change. Custom items, like personalized pet portraits or engraved collars, can encourage repeat business and strengthen the bond with customers.

Take a look at the Etsy seller AmyEngravedGifts, whose store has made over 320,000 sales in just three years, with pet collars among its best-selling products.

Free Entgraved Dog Tag,Double Side Silent Collar Tag,Custom Collar Tag,Personalized Cat Tag,Cat ID Tag,Dog ID Tag,Dog Name Tag,Pet Name Tag image 1

Source: AmyEngravedGifts

Researching trending items on Etsy is key to launching a new store—you need to ensure there’s a demand for the products you’d like to offer. But it’s not a one-and-done type of thing because you also need to stay on top of the latest trends once you’ve launched your shop to keep it fresh and relevant.

Let’s look at some ways you can find out what items are trending on Etsy in your chosen niche.

Etsy’s Trends section

The Trends section on Etsy is a fantastic resource for spotting popular and emerging items. This section is updated regularly to highlight what’s currently trending in the Etsy marketplace. It’s a great starting point for sellers looking for inspiration or trying to match their products to what customers love.

a screenshot of a website

Source: Etsy

Whether it’s a particular color, style, or product category, the Trends section gives you a snapshot of what’s gaining traction on the platform. This can help you tap into current interests and give your shop an edge by offering exactly what Etsy shoppers are looking for.

You can also look at the Etsy Seller Handbook, which provides valuable tips on how to succeed on Etsy, as well as regular trend reports.

The Etsy search bar is another handy tool for finding trending items. When you start typing a keyword related to your niche, Etsy suggests related searches (similar to other search platforms like Google). These suggestions are based on data showing what other shoppers are searching for the most. Using Etsy searches in your research, you can see which keywords are trending and get a sense of the items people are interested in.

This can give you ideas for expanding your product line or tweaking your listings to fit in with trending searches. Monitoring these suggestions regularly is an easy way to stay in tune with what’s hot on Etsy.

Social media platforms

Social media is one of the best ways to discover what’s trending, both on Etsy and in the beyond. Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok are platforms where users often share products they’ve discovered, including Etsy finds. Keeping up with popular hashtags like #EtsyFinds or #EtsyShop will help you see what’s currently getting attention from shoppers. You can also follow influencers specializing in showcasing Etsy shops or product trends.

By staying active on these platforms, you can catch emerging trends early and adapt them to your shop.

Google Trends is another useful tool for identifying trending products. By entering search terms related to your niche, you can track how interest in specific products is evolving over time. If you notice a steady increase in search volume for a particular item, it could be a sign that it’s gaining traction, not just on Etsy but in the broader market as well.

Let’s say you want to sell handmade products on your Etsy store, but you’re not sure if you should focus on handmade necklaces or bracelets. You can look up the interest in each product separately to gauge whether there is any demand at all.

Google Trends also lets you compare the popularity of different search terms over a given period. In this example, we can see that interest in necklaces is slightly higher than for bracelets.

a graph with red and blue lines

Source: Google Trends

Your competitors

One of the simplest ways to identify trending items is by looking at what your competitors are doing. Check out successful Etsy shops in your niche and pay attention to their top-selling items. You’ll often notice patterns, like popular product variations, colors, or styles, that can clue you in on what’s trending. While you shouldn’t copy other sellers, you can definitely learn from them.

For example, if you’re selling handmade jewelry and see that personalized name necklaces are all over Etsy, it might be time to offer your own take on this trend. Tracking your competitors’ listings and bestsellers will help keep your shop competitive and in line with what’s currently popular.

Ready to start selling on Etsy?

Over 81 million active users turn to Etsy to buy exemplary items. The Etsy marketplace is vast, so expect other online sellers to offer similar things. 

To set yourself up for success, ensure your Etsy business sells high-quality items and authentic designs. Pick a low-competition niche and start connecting with your audience to gather feedback. Next, learn how to optimize your listings using Etsy SEO and market your own Etsy shop to stand out from the competition. 

Customers love seeing creativity and original ideas, so don’t hold back! Try out trending products and styles, experiment, and enjoy the ups and downs of running an Etsy business. Below, we’ve answered frequently asked questions to help you get started. Good luck and have fun!

Read also:

FAQs

Starting a business on Etsy is an excellent way to turn your hobby into a side hustle and earn money online.

Create a free Etsy account and set up a shop. Next, add item listings and take high-quality photos of your products. Create detailed descriptions for each item and set a fair price. Finally, promote your Etsy store to increase visibility and drive sales.

You can start by setting up a free account, but there are some Etsy fees when listing and selling items online. When you list an item for sale, you’ll be charged a small listing fee ($0.20). Plus, when you make a sale, Etsy will take a 5% commission fee of the total item cost. Additionally, there might be some processing fees for Etsy payments. Setting up an Etsy shop is an affordable way to start your online business despite these costs.

Etsy is a platform that enables small business owners and independent creators to sell their handmade goods, vintage finds, and custom items to a global market. While Etsy itself is not a small business, it provides a place for small business owners to reach customers around the world. By providing a global platform for selling online, Etsy’s online marketplace has made it easier to reach a wider audience and compete with larger retailers.

To set yourself up for success, create original, premium-quality products and market them to a niche audience. Optimize your product listings with relevant keywords, clear product descriptions, and attractive photos for increased shop visibility. Finally, market your shop through social media and blogs to attract new customers. Consistency and dedication to your craft are crucial to building a successful Etsy shop.

Yes, you can sell clothes on Etsy. Etsy is a popular platform for independent designers and people selling customized clothing. You must own the copyright of your designs, and you will need to connect production partners like Printful to your Etsy store. With the right strategy and marketing, Etsy can be a suitable platform for selling clothes and building a successful online business.

The most popular items on Etsy vary significantly, as the platform features a diverse range of products. Some top-selling categories on Etsy are home decor, handmade jewelry, clothing, craft supplies, and digital downloads. Other popular items are personalized gifts, party favors, and artwork. Successful Etsy shop owners sell high-quality, original, and visually appealing products.

Personalized items, handmade crafts, vintage goods, and digital products like printable art and templates sell well on Etsy. These items cater to Etsy’s niche market that appreciates unique, custom, or handcrafted products.

It’s recommended that you start with at least 20 items in your Etsy shop. Having a larger number of listings can help improve your visibility in search results, attract more shop visitors, and give customers a better sense of your brand and range of products.

author

By Sandra Ķempele on Mar 11, 2025

Sandra Ķempele

Guest author

Sandra is a freelance writer and educator with a background in art and communication. She holds an MA in Art Museum and Gallery Studies, and in her free time enjoys reading, museum visits, and outdoor adventures.

Sandra is a freelance writer and educator with a background in art and communication. She holds an MA in Art Museum and Gallery Studies, and in her free time enjoys reading, museum visits, and outdoor adventures.