A global online marketplace dedicated to handmade items that come directly from someone who put their heart and soul into making something special. There’s a lot to love about Etsy. Not the least of which is supporting small businesses around the world. As apparel decorators, we know that selling on Etsy can be challenging, but here are some tips for creating Etsy-worthy products using custom heat transfers to drive sales.
Advantages of Heat Transfers
Capitalize on custom heat transfers! There’s tips and tricks galore when it comes to ordering from various transfer vendors and getting the most bang-for-your-buck, but here are few that will help your Etsy shop without question:
Gang Sheets – Place multiple images onto a single sheet and cut them apart before application. Many times, you can gang up different images, meaning you can complete multiple jobs with just a single order. Shop around, different suppliers will offer different gang sheet sizes.
Color Change/Wash – Order transfers in different sets of colors without placing multiple orders. You can order at a higher price break, keeping your price per sheet lower while offering more options. This option is usually offered at a nominal additional fee.
Variety of Options – Custom transfers are sold in a variety of options, from low-quantity to high-volume and single-color to full-color. There’s sure to be an option to satisfy any Etsy-worthy budget and need.
Unique options like a color wash provide Etsy sellers with the opportunity to order multiple color ways while maintaining higher quantities with a lower price per sheet.
top product picks for Etsy-worthy merch:
➤ Howard Multi-Purpose - Traditional screen print look and feel
➤ Howard Hot Peel - Super soft feel on cotton tees and sweats
➤ Vintage Wash - Retro, vintage look and feel with transparent, bleed-through appearance
➤ Puff - Dimensional look and feel with raised ink
➤ colorVIBE Hybrid - Full-color option with limitless design possibilities and application versatility
Stocking Holiday Inventory
Holidays are a huge selling opportunity on Etsy! Utilizing custom heat transfers for your Etsy shop provides the unique ability to control your inventory without being left with overstock at the end of a holiday season. Apply your transfers as they’re sold and if needed, simply re-order.
Custom transfers provide a controlled selling environment for Etsy shops during unpredictable holiday seasons.
Profit from Moment Merch
Etsy is an ideal platform for apparel decorators to sell “moment merch”, or merchandise that’s considered to have a fleeting lifespan. Take advantage of the fast turnaround service that’s available from various custom transfer vendors to be the first to offer of-the-moment, Etsy-worthy merchandise.
More Than Just Shirts
While the pages of Etsy can be flooded with graphic tees, don’t be afraid to offer more unique items to stand apart from the crowd. Custom heat transfers can be applied to a wide range of items beyond the scope of the basic tee: totes/bags, jackets, hats, wall art, towels, pillows, and more. By offering less competitive items, you’ll be able to adjust your profit margins accordingly.
Consider offering unique items in your Etsy shop, including coasters. These were printed with colorVIBE Hybrid full color transfers.