How To List Digital Products On Etsy

Introduction.

If you’re creating digital products—things like printables, planners, templates, or art prints—and you’re wondering how to actually sell them, Etsy is a great place to start.

It’s one of the most popular online marketplaces for handmade, vintage, and digital goods. And digital products, in particular, are booming on Etsy right now.

They’re easy to set up, there’s no need to ship anything, and once a listing is live, it can keep earning money over and over again.

But here’s the thing: listing a digital product on Etsy isn’t quite the same as listing something physical.

There are a few specific steps you need to follow to make sure everything runs smoothly—for you and your buyers.

This guide will walk you through how to list a digital product on Etsy, step by step.

I’ll also share a few tips that helped me when I was figuring this out for the first time, so you don’t have to learn the hard way. I’ve kept it simple, practical, and based on real experience.

Why Sell Digital Products on Etsy?

Let’s start with why this is even worth your time.

1. No inventory, no shipping

Once you create your digital file—like a wedding invitation template or a budget planner—you can upload it once and sell it an unlimited number of times. No printing, no packaging, no post office runs.

2. Passive income potential

Your shop can make sales while you’re asleep, on vacation, or working on your next product. Some Etsy sellers make thousands a month just from digital items.

3. Massive audience

Etsy had over 95 million active buyers in 2024 (source). That’s a lot of potential customers already searching for products like yours.

What You Can Sell as a Digital Product

There are so many ideas here. If you’re still brainstorming, here are a few digital products people sell on Etsy:

• Printable wall art
• Canva templates (for resumes, social media posts, business cards, etc.)
• Digital planners
• Wedding invitations
• Coloring pages
• eBooks
• Journals and trackers (habit, budget, fitness)
• Logo kits
• Lightroom presets
• Clip art or graphics

If you can make it on a computer and someone can download and use it—chances are, it can work.

How Do I List a Digital Product on Etsy?

Here’s exactly how to do it, even if you’re starting from scratch.

Step 1: Create an Etsy Seller Account

Go to etsy.com/sell and sign up. You’ll enter your details, pick your shop name (you can change it later), and set your currency and country. Nothing too complicated here.

Step 2: Prepare Your Digital Files

Etsy allows up to five digital files per listing (each up to 20MB). If your product includes multiple files or larger files, you can combine them into a ZIP folder or link to a cloud drive like Google Drive or Dropbox via a PDF.

Tip: Always include a PDF “read me” file if your product needs instructions. Make sure it’s clear and simple.

Step 3: Design a Strong Product Listing

This is key. The better your listing looks and sounds, the more likely it is to sell.

a. Title

Use searchable keywords. For example, instead of “My Awesome Planner,” go for something like:
“Printable Weekly Planner | Digital Download PDF | A4 A5 Letter Sizes”
Use up as much of the 140-character space as possible.

b. Photos

Upload high-quality mockups of your product in use. Use free tools like Canva or Placeit to create these. Etsy allows up to 10 photos—use them all if you can.

c. Description

Write like you’re talking to someone. Explain what the product is, what’s included, and how to use it.

Here’s a simple format:

• What it is

• What’s included

• How to use it

• File format and sizes

• Licensing info (for personal or commercial use?)

• Contact info for support

Keep it honest and clear.

d. Tags

You can add up to 13 tags. Use all of them. Think of what your buyer would type into the search bar. Use phrases like:

• digital budget planner

• printable habit tracker

• minimalist wall art
  Use long-tail keywords for better results.

e. Pricing

Look at similar listings in your niche. Most digital downloads range from $2 to $20, depending on how much is included.

f. Quantity

Even though it’s a digital item, set the quantity to a large number like 999—this just tells Etsy it’s available.

g. Type

Make sure you select “Digital” under type. Etsy will then prompt you to upload the files.

h. File Upload

Upload your files—PDFs, ZIPs, or whatever formats you’ve created. Make sure they open properly before you hit publish.

What Happens After You List It?

Once your product is live, people can find it, buy it, and Etsy will automatically deliver the file to them.

You’ll get an email every time someone makes a purchase, and you can track sales in your Etsy dashboard.

No shipping, no back and forth. Just passive income.

Tips That Actually Help

1. Use SEO tools for Etsy

Try free tools like EtsyHunt or eRank to research keywords and track what’s trending.

2. Create collections

Group your products into sets or themes. For example, if you sell planners, offer a “Productivity Bundle” with 3-5 items for a slightly higher price.

3. Keep your branding consistent

Use the same fonts, colors, and voice across all your listings. It helps build trust and makes your shop look more professional.

4. Offer value

If you’re stuck on pricing, ask yourself: “Would I pay for this?” Think about the time you save your customers. A well-designed planner can save hours of someone’s week.

5. Add instructions

Even if something seems obvious to you, it might not be for your buyer. A simple “How to use this” PDF can cut down on customer questions and refunds.

FAQs

Do I need a business license to sell on Etsy?

That depends on your country and local laws. Etsy doesn’t require it, but you may still need to register depending on where you live.

Can I sell Canva templates or PLR content?

Yes, but make sure you follow the license terms. For Canva templates, you need to use Canva Pro and offer templates that follow Canva’s allowed usage guidelines. Don’t just resell their free templates.

How do I protect my digital files?

You can’t stop downloads entirely, but you can watermark your product images and use license agreements to set clear rules.

Can I update a file after someone buys it?

Yes. You can upload a new version, and Etsy will email previous buyers with access to the new file.

Final Thoughts

Selling digital products on Etsy is one of the easiest ways to start an online business. You don’t need inventory, there’s barely any overhead, and once a product is live, it can keep making sales passively.

But like anything, it takes some work up front. Focus on creating quality products, optimizing your listings, and understanding what your customers need.

And once you get the hang of it, there’s a lot of room to grow.

What kind of digital product are you thinking about listing first?