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If you’re starting your online business and wondering what to sell on Etsy in the UK, you’ve come to the right place.
Etsy is a global marketplace beloved by UK shoppers for items they can't find on the high street, like handmade goods, unique jewellery, vintage treasures, and personalised gifts. It’s the perfect platform to turn your creativity into a business, connecting your unique products with the right audience.
And the best part? With a print-on-demand partner like Printful, you can start selling custom products with zero upfront stock costs. Our UK fulfilment centre means your orders reach your UK customers in just a few days, with no customs headaches.
Excited to find the best things to sell on Etsy? Let’s explore the top picks for the UK market!
Best things to sell on Etsy
Etsy is famous for shops selling handmade items like craft supplies and wedding invitations. In recent years, the marketplace has seen strong demand for customised clothing, like t-shirts and jumpers.
Let's look at the Etsy top sellers and find your next winning product.
1. Custom t-shirts
Source: Up2ournecksinfabric
T-shirts are a staple in everyone's wardrobe, so it’s no surprise there's a massive interest in original designs that help people stand out. With so many styles, colours, and sizes available, you can easily offer a huge range of options.
Custom clothing has become a popular choice for everything from local businesses and sports clubs to hen and stag dos. For individual shoppers, t-shirts with cheeky British humour, pop culture references, and designs supporting social causes are among the best-selling items on Etsy. The global custom t-shirt market is already worth billions, and it’s only getting bigger.
2. Embroidered items
If you're thinking about selling printed items in your Etsy shop, adding embroidered products is a reliable way to expand your product catalogue and add a premium touch. While embroidery designs have a few more rules, the final result looks high-end and is incredibly durable, meaning you can often sell these items for a higher price.
Embroidery offers plenty of product options. You can sell custom hats, tees, custom hoodies, tote bags, or even embroidered patches as a more affordable option. Many UK Etsy sellers offer personalisation, like embroidered initials or names, which are perfect for gifts.
3. Artwork and prints
So many people turn to Etsy to find beautiful pieces to decorate their homes and offices. If you’re a photographer or illustrator, you can sell art online easily.
Wall art is a fantastic way to make a statement. Prints of landscapes, abstract cityscapes, or even personalised portraits on custom posters are all popular choices. You can explore a wide range of niches, from minimalist line art to bold, colourful pop art. You can offer physical prints, which we can fulfil for you right here in the UK, or digital downloads for customers to print themselves.
4. Stickers
Custom stickers are incredibly versatile and appeal to a huge range of people, making them one of the easiest things to sell on Etsy. They’re a fun way to show off personality and add a bit of flair to laptops, water bottles, and notebooks.
UK shoppers love stickers for personalising their planners and bullet journals. They’re affordable to produce and post, so there’s no need to worry about heavy packaging or high shipping fees with Royal Mail. It's a simple product with massive potential.
5. Digital downloads
Source: WillowLanePaperie
We've already mentioned digital art, but the world of digital products goes much further. You could sell digital sewing patterns, customisable wedding invitation suites, planners that include UK bank holidays, or even invoice templates for other small business owners and sole traders.
Although digital products typically have lower prices, they can become highly profitable in the long run. Once you create the file, you can sell it an unlimited number of times with no extra production costs.
6. Handmade jewellery
Source: SilkPurseSowsEar
Handmade jewellery is a standout category on Etsy, offering shoppers unique pieces they won't find anywhere else. The market for handmade jewellery is enormous, and Etsy is one of the key players.
This category includes everything from necklaces and bracelets to earrings and rings, crafted from materials like metal, glass, and ceramics. Personalised items, like custom-engraved pendants or birthstone rings, are especially popular with customers looking for meaningful gifts. When selling jewellery, high-quality photos and detailed descriptions are essential to show off your craftsmanship.
7. Vintage items
Source: EvaVintageShop
Selling vintage clothing and homeware on Etsy taps into the growing trend for sustainable shopping. UK buyers are actively looking for unique, quality pieces with a story.
You can source fantastic inventory from car boot sales, charity shops, and flea markets. When listing vintage items, make sure your descriptions are detailed, noting the era, condition, and any unique features. Selling vintage is a great way to turn a passion for thrifting into a profitable business that's also good for the planet.
8. Wedding and event supplies
Etsy has a huge, engaged audience looking for unique wedding accessories, making it the perfect place to sell items for hen and stag parties, weddings, and anniversaries. Think personalised robes, bridesmaid proposal boxes, engraved cufflinks, and custom cake toppers.
Many shoppers come to Etsy specifically for these unique details. Plus, there's massive potential for upselling. Couples often order multiple items, and if they have a great experience, they'll come back for anniversary gifts or other celebrations.
9. Kids and baby clothing
Parents and gift-givers are always on the lookout for adorable and unique baby clothes. One of the most popular items? The babygrow! It’s the t-shirt of the baby world, offering a perfect canvas for your designs.
Brainstorm ideas that appeal to kids, like cute animals or colourful patterns. Also, think about the parents buying the clothes – funny puns and sweet slogans they'll appreciate are always a hit.
10. Phone cases
Source: thecatchingrainbows
In the UK, the average person checks their phone dozens of times a day. Our phones are always with us, so why settle for a boring case?
People love expressing themselves through their phone cases, whether it’s with a bold, colourful design or a personalised touch. With so many different phone models on the market, there's a huge audience for custom phone cases. You can create your own unique designs using our free Product Creator and sell them without ever holding any stock.
11. Candles
For those in the home decor market, candles are a brilliant product. They're an affordable way for customers to add a cosy, chic touch to their home.
With custom-printed labels, a simple candle can become a thoughtful, personal gift. Think about designs for specific occasions: wedding anniversaries, thank-you gifts for teachers, or candles themed around star signs. Scents inspired by the British countryside or seasonal events like Christmas and Bonfire Night are also great niche ideas.
12. Craft supplies
Source: Beadboat1
Etsy began as a marketplace for crafters, so it's no surprise that craft supplies are a top-selling category. These products cater to a wide audience, from hobbyists to professional artists. Popular supplies include specialty yarns, unique beads, custom-printed fabrics, and DIY jewellery-making kits.
To stand out, focus on offering supplies that can’t be found in standard retail shops. Consider catering to specific trends like sustainable materials or kits for popular crafts like macramé and pottery.
13. Bags
From tote bags for the weekly "big shop" to stylish backpacks and crossbody bags, you can offer a wide range of options to your customers.
What’s trending right now? Crossbody bags and bum bags are seeing a huge rise in popularity, thanks to 90s nostalgia. Tote bags are always in demand, especially those with funny or eco-conscious slogans. Backpacks see a spike in demand around August as the back-to-school season kicks off in the autumn.
14. Mugs
Brits love a good cuppa, so it's no surprise that mugs are one of the best-selling items on Etsy. Tea and coffee lovers often have a favourite mug, and many even have a whole collection.
Why not start selling mugs with designs celebrating the ritual of a morning brew? Think about mugs with witty British humour, references to TV shows like The Great British Bake Off, or designs for specific professions. Mugs make fantastic, easy gifts for almost any occasion.
15. Pet supplies
Source: AmyEngravedGifts
The UK is a nation of animal lovers, making pet supplies a fantastic category to sell on Etsy. Pet owners love to spoil their furry friends with unique, high-quality products. From custom pet tags and collars to personalised beds and food bowls, the possibilities are endless.
With more people treating their pets like family, the demand for custom pet products is booming. Items like personalised pet portraits or engraved collars can encourage repeat business and help you build a loyal customer base.
How to find trending items for Etsy UK
Research is key to launching a successful shop. You need to know there’s demand for your products. But it’s not a one-off task; you have to stay on top of the latest trends to keep your shop fresh and relevant.
Etsy’s trends section
Source: Etsy
The Trends section on Etsy is a goldmine for spotting what's popular. It’s updated regularly to highlight what’s currently trending in the marketplace, from colours and styles to specific product categories. It’s a great starting point for inspiration.
Etsy search bar
The Etsy search bar is another simple but powerful tool. When you start typing a keyword, Etsy suggests related searches based on what other shoppers are looking for. This gives you direct insight into what’s in demand right now.
Social media platforms
Platforms like Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok are brilliant for trend-spotting. Search for hashtags like #EtsyUK or #UKSmallBusiness to see what’s getting attention from British shoppers. Following UK-based influencers in your niche can also help you catch emerging trends early.
Google Trends
Source: Google Trends
Google Trends is another excellent free tool. You can enter search terms related to your niche and filter the results by "United Kingdom" to track interest over time. This helps you spot rising trends not just on Etsy, but in the wider UK market.
Your competitors
Take a look at what successful Etsy shops in your niche are doing. Pay attention to their top-selling items, and you'll often notice patterns in popular styles, colours, or product types. You should never copy, but you can definitely learn from their success.
Ready to start selling on Etsy?
Millions of active shoppers in the UK use Etsy to find unique items. It’s a busy marketplace, so to set yourself up for success, focus on high-quality items and authentic designs.
Pick a niche you're passionate about and connect with your audience to gather feedback. Learn how to optimise your listings with Etsy SEO and market your shop to stand out. From there, your creativity is the only limit. Try out new t-shirt printing designs, experiment with different products, and enjoy the journey of running your own Etsy business.
Good luck!
FAQs
Starting on Etsy is a great way to turn your hobby into a business. First, register as a sole trader or limited company with HMRC. Then, create a free Etsy account and set up your shop. Add your product listings with high-quality photos and detailed descriptions, set your prices in GBP (£), and then promote your shop to drive sales.
You can set up your shop for free, but there are some fees. Etsy charges a small listing fee (around £0.16) for each item. When you make a sale, Etsy takes a transaction fee. You'll also need to consider payment processing fees. Despite these costs, it’s a very affordable way to start an online business, especially if you're using Print on Demand and don't have to buy stock. You'll also need to be aware of the UK's VAT (Value Added Tax) thresholds and register with HMRC if your turnover exceeds them.
Yes, absolutely! Etsy is a hugely popular platform for independent designers and people selling customised clothing. You just need to own the copyright for your designs and partner with a production company like Printful to handle the fulfilment.
Some of the top-selling categories in the UK are personalised gifts, handmade jewellery, unique home decor, custom clothing, wedding supplies, and digital downloads. Products that tap into British culture, humour, and seasonal events like Christmas and Bank Holidays always do well.
It’s a good idea to start with at least 10-20 items. Having a good number of listings helps improve your shop's visibility in search results, makes your shop look more professional, and gives customers a better sense of your brand. You can always add more as you grow.
Printful is an on-demand printing and fulfillment service that helps businesses create and ship custom products.
