Boosting Sales on Etsy with Printify's Design Variations
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Understanding the Challenge
- Creating Product Drafts on Printify
- Offering Different Design Options for Phone Cases
- Adding More Design Options for Phone Cases
- Creating Mock-ups for Phone Cases
- Syncing Listings and Orders with Printify
- Adding a Third Variation for T-Shirts
- Managing Variations for T-Shirts
- Ensuring Smooth Shipping Process
- Conclusion
Introduction
In this article, we will explore how to create listings on Etsy using Printify that offer different design options on the same product. Many sellers have encountered difficulties when attempting to include multiple design choices in their listings, especially when their products already have varying variations. We will discuss step-by-step instructions on how to overcome these challenges and successfully provide customers with a variety of design options within a single listing.
Understanding the Challenge
Understanding the limitations imposed by Etsy is crucial when it comes to creating listings that offer different design options. Etsy only allows for two product variations per listing. This can make it challenging to include multiple design options on the same product, especially if the existing variations are already taken by other attributes. However, with Printify, there are ways to work around these limitations and provide customers with a diverse range of design options.
Creating Product Drafts on Printify
Our first step is to create product drafts on Printify for each design option we want to offer. By ensuring that the variations for different phone models are the same on each draft, we can effectively provide customers with various design choices. This involves copying the first draft and creating different design options using Printify's built-in patterns or custom designs.
Offering Different Design Options for Phone Cases
Using phone cases as an example, we will explain how to offer different design options within the same listing. Starting with a print-on-demand phone case option, such as the Tough Case from Spoke Custom Products, we can offer different design choices across various phone models. This involves creating product drafts on Printify, selecting the appropriate phone models, and customizing the design options for each draft.
Adding More Design Options for Phone Cases
To expand our offerings, we can duplicate the initial draft and edit the design to add more options. By duplicating the draft, we can carry forward the existing phone models and simply change the design. It's important to name each draft so that it is easy to identify later. We recommend not publishing these drafts but instead saving them as drafts to obtain SKU numbers.
Creating Mock-ups for Phone Cases
To enhance the visual representation of our design options, we suggest creating mock-ups for each phone model. Downloading mock-up images from Printify and utilizing design software like Canva or Photoshop can help combine multiple design options onto a single mock-up image. This allows you to showcase the variety of design choices within the limitations of the ten images allowed per listing.
Syncing Listings and Orders with Printify
Once the drafts are ready, we can publish them as drafts on Etsy. While the listings do not need to be fully published, having them as drafts enables automated order submission and synchronization with Printify. It's essential to copy the SKU numbers from each draft and paste them into the corresponding Etsy listing. This ensures that all orders are accurately processed and fulfilled by Printify.
Adding a Third Variation for T-Shirts
In situations where the product already has two variations, such as t-shirts with size and color options, adding a third variation for design choices can be a bit trickier. However, the same principles apply. Creating product drafts on Printify, naming and saving them as drafts, and then editing the variations on Etsy to include the design options can help overcome this challenge.
Managing Variations for T-Shirts
As we edit the existing variations on Etsy to include design choices, we need to customize the color variation by adding the design information. This ensures that customers can select both the color and design options when making a purchase. It's crucial to update the prices, quantities, and SKU numbers for each combination, even though it may require some manual work.
Ensuring Smooth Shipping Process
When offering different design options within the same listing, there are no shipping issues to consider, as all the products are the same. You can simply use your existing shipping profile for the listing without complications. This allows for a streamlined shipping process and avoids any complexities that may arise in combination listings with different product types.
Conclusion
By following these step-by-step instructions, you can overcome the limitations set by Etsy and create listings that offer different design options on the same product. Printify proves to be a valuable tool in achieving this, providing a seamless integration with Etsy and enabling automated order processing. With a little creativity and attention to detail, you can enhance the customer experience and expand your product offerings on Etsy.
Highlights
- Overcoming Etsy's limitations and providing different design options on a single product listing
- Creating product drafts on Printify and customizing design options for various phone models
- Utilizing mock-up images to visually showcase the range of design choices
- Syncing listings and orders with Printify for automated order submission and fulfillment
- Adding a third variation for design choices on products already having two variations
- Managing variations and SKU numbers to ensure accurate order processing
- Smooth shipping process without complexities in shipping different products
- Enhancing the customer experience and expanding product offerings on Etsy
FAQ
Q: Can I offer more than three design options within a single listing?
A: While it is technically possible to offer more than three design options, it may create additional work and variations. We recommend sticking to three or four options to balance simplicity and customer choice.
Q: Do I need to publish the drafts on Etsy for the synchronization to work?
A: No, you don't need to publish the drafts on Etsy. The synchronization with Printify works even if the listings are set as drafts, ensuring automated order processing without affecting your live listings.
Q: How can I manage the SKU numbers for all the variations?
A: It can be time-consuming to copy and paste SKU numbers for multiple variations. We recommend opening Printify and Etsy in separate windows or on dual monitors to facilitate the process. This way, you can easily access and update the SKU numbers for each design option.
Q: Can I use these techniques for other product types, not just phone cases and t-shirts?
A: Absolutely! The principles discussed in this article can be applied to various product types as long as the limitations of Etsy's variations are considered. Whether it's mugs, tote bags, or apparel, you can offer different design options within a single listing by following a similar approach.