Learn what's new in Canva/Etsy/Printify!

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Etsy Updates
   1. Thumbnail Image Updates
   2. Share and Save Program
   3. Etsy Purchase Protection
   4. 24/7 Support
   5. Keeping Etsy Special
3. Canva Updates
   1. Creating Square Thumbnail Images
   2. New Magic Features
   3. Branding Updates
4. Printify Updates
   1. More Colors for Gildan Sweatshirt
   2. Prints on Sleeves
   3. Brand Inserts
   4. Neck Labels
   5. Gift Messages
5. Updates for Mockup Store

Etsy Updates

Etsy is one of the most popular platforms for selling print-on-demand products, and they have recently made some updates that you need to know about.

Thumbnail Image Updates

One of the recent updates on Etsy is the change in thumbnail image display. Previously, the thumbnail images used to be rectangles, but now they are displayed as squares. This means that if you have old listings with images that don't fit well into a square, you may need to go back and edit the listings. Going forward, it is recommended to create thumbnail images that are already in a square format.

To create a square thumbnail image, you can use Canva. Start by creating a new design in Canva with a custom size of 3,000 by 3,000 pixels. Upload your mockups or designs onto the canvas and set the image as the background. This will crop the image into a square. You can then adjust the image to be centered and zoom in if needed. By cropping the image before posting, you won't need to update the thumbnail or make any additional adjustments on Etsy.

Share and Save Program

Etsy has introduced a new program called Share and Save. This program is for sellers who promote their own links anywhere on the internet, such as sending it to friends and family or sharing it on social media platforms like Pinterest. When someone clicks on your unique link and makes a purchase, you will save 4% on Etsy fees because you brought the traffic.

To sign up for the Share and Save program, go to Etsy, navigate to the Marketing section, and click on Share and Save. You can sign up for the program and copy your unique link to promote your Etsy store. Additionally, you can also copy individual listing links to share specific products.

Etsy Purchase Protection

Etsy has enhanced their Purchase Protection program for sellers during the holiday season. Normally, the Purchase Protection covers up to $250 for qualifying issues. However, during the holiday season, Etsy will increase the coverage to up to $500 for refunds on qualifying orders.

Qualifying issues for purchase protection include cases where a buyer never received their package, the item arrived after the estimated delivery date window, the item arrived damaged, or if the item doesn't match the listing description and photos. However, it is important to note that the buyer needs to open a case against your shop for the protection to apply. Etsy will review the case and determine if it qualifies for the purchase protection coverage.

While the enhanced purchase protection can be useful for sellers, it is important to note that print-on-demand sellers who use platforms like Printify may already have protections in place for damaged items through their print providers. Therefore, it is advisable to communicate with your customers and guide them on the appropriate actions to take in case of any issues.

24/7 Support

Etsy is now offering 24/7 support for sellers. They have improved their help center to provide live support for most topics. Over 80% of all chats are answered within one minute, and nearly 90% of requests are resolved within 24 hours. In addition, Etsy has established a dedicated process for sellers who experience account suspensions. This streamlined process allows sellers to quickly file an appeal and have a specialized agent review their case, making it easier to resolve account suspension issues.

Keeping Etsy Special

Etsy is committed to maintaining its uniqueness as a destination for unique, handmade, and creative items. They are working hard to keep items that violate their policies off the platform and taking down listings that are already in violation. This includes removing items that infringe on copyright, ensuring that sellers are creating their own unique designs that add value to the platform, and using production partners that are disclosed on listings to comply with Etsy's handmade policy.

Canva Updates

Canva, a popular graphic design tool, has introduced some new features that can enhance your design process. These updates include creating square thumbnail images, new "Magic" features, and branding updates.

Creating Square Thumbnail Images

As mentioned earlier, Etsy now displays thumbnail images as squares. To ensure that your designs fit well into the square format, you can use Canva to create perfectly-sized square images. Start by creating a custom-sized design in Canva with dimensions of 3,000 by 3,000 pixels. Upload your mockups or designs onto the canvas and set the image as the background. Canva will automatically crop the image into a square. You can then adjust the positioning and zoom level of the image to achieve the desired look. By incorporating this step into your design process, you can ensure that your thumbnail images are optimized for Etsy listings.

New "Magic" Features

Canva has introduced new "Magic" features that can enhance your design capabilities. These features are mainly designed for photos and allow you to make edits to non-editable images. For example, if you have a graphic that you downloaded from websites like Creative Fabrica, which is not editable, you can use Canva's Magic features to customize and modify the design.

One of these features is the Magic Eraser, which allows you to delete specific elements or text from a design and replace them with your own content. Another feature is the Grab Text tool, which attempts to identify and edit the existing text within a non-editable image. These Magic features can be useful in personalizing non-editable designs and making them your own.

Canva's Magic features also include the Magic Expand button, which uses artificial intelligence (AI) to fill in gaps in an image and generate realistic results. This can be particularly useful when trying to fit an image into a specific area or when adding graphics to complete a design. While the AI may not always produce perfect results, it offers several options that you can choose from to find the most realistic outcome.

Branding Updates

Canva has introduced new branding features that allow you to customize your designs with your own branding elements. One of these features is the ability to add brand inserts to your packaging. By enabling this feature in your Canva store settings, you can include custom inserts in your packages for an additional cost. These inserts can include your social media information, requests for reviews, or discount codes for future purchases. Brand inserts can help create a cohesive branding experience for your customers and drive engagement.

Another branding update in Canva is the option to add neck labels to your designs. Instead of having a tag in the back with the brand name, you can now incorporate your own logo on the inside of the shirt. This adds a personalized touch to your products and enhances your branding. It is worth noting that there is an additional cost associated with adding neck labels, and it may not be necessary for every print-on-demand seller. The decision to include neck labels should be based on your branding strategy and customer preferences.

Printify Updates

Printify, a popular print-on-demand platform, has made some updates that can benefit sellers. These updates include more color options for certain products, the ability to print on sleeves, new branding features, and the option to include gift messages.

More Colors for Gildan Sweatshirt

Printify's print provider, Monster Digital, now offers more color options for their Gildan 18,000 sweatshirt. This is great news for sellers who offer this item, as it allows for more customization and variety. It is worth noting that some sizes may be temporarily out of stock, but restocking is expected for the Q4 season. Monster Digital is known for keeping stock all year round, ensuring that sellers have a steady supply of products to fulfill orders.

Prints on Sleeves

Printify has introduced the option to print on the sleeves of certain items, particularly the Gildan 18,000 sweatshirt. Printing on sleeves has become popular on Etsy, with many sellers adding cute words or designs to the sleeves of their products. Now, with this update from Printify, sellers can offer this customization option to their customers. When creating a design in Printify, you can choose to add graphics or text to the sleeves of the selected item. This feature allows for more creative and unique designs, further enhancing the appeal of your products.

Brand Inserts

Printify has introduced brand inserts, allowing sellers to include custom inserts in their packaging. Brand inserts can be effective in enhancing the branding experience for customers and building brand loyalty. For an additional cost, sellers with Printify Premium can include one custom insert in every package. The insert can be used to provide information about social media accounts, request reviews, or offer discounts for future purchases. This feature allows sellers to create a personalized touch and leave a lasting impression on customers.

Neck Labels

Another branding update from Printify is the option to include neck labels in your products. Instead of having a standard brand tag in the back, you can now add your own logo or branding element on the inside of the shirt. This adds a professional and branded touch to your products. The cost of adding neck labels varies depending on whether you have Printify Premium or not. It is important to consider your branding strategy and customer preferences before deciding whether to include neck labels in your products.

Gift Messages

Printify now supports gift messages for certain print providers, including Dion, Monster Digital, Swift Pod, PrintClever, and Printy Choice. With this update, sellers can enable gift messages on eligible orders. However, it is worth noting that gift messages are only available for supported print providers. If you sell a variety of products that are not supported by the gift message feature, enabling it may lead to confusion for customers who are unable to leave gift messages. Therefore, it is advisable to use this feature if you primarily sell items from the supported providers mentioned above, to ensure a smooth customer experience during the gift-giving season.

Updates for Mockup Store

If you have purchased the Whole Shop Bundle from the mockup store, there are some updates that you should know about. The bundle now includes over 500 mockups, and there are new Christmas-themed mockups available for use in your holiday designs. If you haven't checked out the Whole Shop Bundle yet, there is a link provided in the description for you to explore the various mockups available.

Highlights

• Etsy has updated thumbnail images to squares, requiring sellers to edit old listings and create square thumbnail images going forward.
• Etsy has introduced the Share and Save program, allowing sellers to save 4% on Etsy fees when someone clicks their unique link and makes a purchase.
• Etsy has enhanced their Purchase Protection program for sellers during the holiday season, increasing coverage to up to $500 for qualifying orders.
• Canva offers new features such as creating square thumbnail images, Magic features for photo editing, and branding options.
• Printify has expanded color options for the Gildan 18,000 sweatshirt, introduced prints on sleeves, and added branding features like brand inserts and neck labels.
• Printify now supports gift messages for eligible orders.
• The mockup store has over 500 mockups available, including new Christmas-themed mockups for holiday designs.

FAQ

Q: Can I edit my existing thumbnail images on Etsy to fit the new square format? A: Yes, it is recommended to edit your old listings to ensure that your images fit well into the square thumbnail format. By using Canva, you can easily create square thumbnail images and edit them as needed.

Q: How can I sign up for Etsy's Share and Save program? A: To sign up for the Share and Save program, go to Etsy's Marketing section and click on Share and Save. You can then sign up for the program and obtain your unique link to promote your Etsy store.

Q: Do I need to open a case against my shop to use Etsy's Purchase Protection? A: Yes, in order to use Etsy's Purchase Protection, the buyer needs to open a case against your shop. Etsy will review the case and determine if it qualifies for the increased coverage during the holiday season.

Q: Are the new Canva Magic features available for all users? A: The new Canva Magic features are gradually being rolled out to all users. If you don't have access to these features yet, they should be available to you soon.

Q: Can I include brand inserts and neck labels in my Printify products? A: Yes, if you have Printify Premium, you can include brand inserts in your packaging and add neck labels to your products. There is an additional cost associated with these branding features.

Q: Which print providers on Printify support gift messages? A: Dion, Monster Digital, Swift Pod, PrintClever, and Printy Choice are the print providers on Printify that support gift messages. However, it is important to note that gift messages may not be available for all products, so it is recommended to check the compatibility before enabling this feature.

Q: What updates are there for the mockup store? A: The mockup store now offers over 500 mockups, and new Christmas-themed mockups are available for holiday designs. The Whole Shop Bundle provides access to all these mockups for users.