PrintTech

Selling Print On Demand on Etsy - Do's and Don'ts

"People come to Etsy to discover items that they might not find anywhere else. Your design and production process should lead to the creation of a unique item that would not exist without you, the designer."

When you push a PrintTech product from Lockerstock to Etsy, the product is listed in Etsy's "Handmade" category.

"This item is handmade with production assistance" As a seller it is important, and your responsibility, to know and understand Etsy's policies about what is and isn't allowed to be listed in the Handmade category. 

This is a short summary to help get you started.

Please see our other article Etsy Help Resources for links to Etsy's policies. Etsy's Terms of Use.

Selling Handmade Items

"Everything listed as handmade must be made and/or designed by you, the seller. You may also have shop members that help you run your business, as long as you, the seller, are making and/or designing your items." You must be the "maker" and/or the "designer."

TIP: This means you cannot use free or purchased designs, put them on products, and list them on Etsy. Only items with your own designs can be listed on Etsy.

Simple customization, such as selecting colors, shapes, or choosing from ready-made options is not considered design on Etsy.

Read Etsy's full Handmade Policy here. 

Reselling

Reselling is prohibited.

“Reselling” is selling an item that you, the seller, did not make or design. Read the full policy on reselling here. 

Manufacturing AKA Production Partners

Read the full policy on Manufacturing here. 

"Using Production Assistance
You may work with a production partner (also referred to as a “manufacturer”) to help produce handmade items you sell through Etsy or Etsy Studio. However, you must be a designer."

When you're in Etsy and you setup a Production Partner, there are options:

• I design everything myself
• I design everything, but get technical help (e.g. CAD, pattern making, etc.)
• I collaborate with my shop members to design my products
• I have an idea, and work with independent designers to realize it
• I collaborate with my production partner to design my products
• I contract with independent designers and have rights to their work

Etsy may interpret You as the Seller is the Designer in flexible terms. 

"If you are using production assistance, you, the seller, must be the designer of those items."