Etsy vs. Shopify: Which is Better for Selling Printed Products?
If you’re selling DTF-printed apparel, tote bags, mugs, or custom products, you’re probably wondering:
💡 Should I sell on Etsy or build my own store with Shopify?
Both platforms offer great opportunities for selling baskılı ürünler (printed products), but they work differently.
📌 Etsy is an online marketplace where customers actively search for unique and customized products.
📌 Shopify is an e-commerce platform that allows you to build your own branded store and sell directly to customers.
So, which one is better for your business?
Let’s explore the advantages of selling printed products on Etsy and Shopify so you can make the best decision for your brand.
1. Selling Printed Products on Etsy: The Pros
✔ Instant Access to a Large Audience
✅ Etsy has over 96 million active buyers looking for unique and customized products.
✅ You don’t need to spend money on ads to attract customers.
✅ Perfect for small businesses looking for quick sales.
✔ Easy to Set Up and Start Selling
✅ No need for a website or coding skills—just create a shop and start listing.
✅ The marketplace format makes it easier for new sellers.
✔ Built-In Trust and Credibility
✅ Etsy is a trusted marketplace with a strong reputation.
✅ Customers already trust Etsy, which increases conversion rates.
📌 Best for:
- New sellers testing their printed products.
- Artists and designers who want to sell without managing a full store.
- Businesses looking for organic traffic without heavy marketing.
🚀 Pro Tip: Use high-quality images and SEO-friendly product descriptions to improve your Etsy search ranking.
2. Selling Printed Products on Shopify: The Pros
✔ Full Control Over Your Brand
✅ You own your store, branding, and customer experience.
✅ No competitor ads on your page, unlike Etsy.
✅ You can create a strong brand identity with a custom domain.
✔ More Profits, Less Fees
✅ No listing fees like Etsy ($0.20 per product on Etsy).
✅ You only pay a fixed monthly subscription instead of per-sale fees.
✅ You can price your products without marketplace restrictions.
✔ Scalable for Growth
✅ Shopify is best for businesses looking to scale.
✅ You can integrate email marketing, retargeting ads, and automation tools.
✅ Ideal for businesses that want to build long-term customer loyalty.
📌 Best for:
- Sellers who want to create a long-term brand.
- Businesses planning to scale beyond marketplaces.
- Entrepreneurs who want full control over pricing, design, and marketing.
🚀 Pro Tip: Use email marketing, social media, and paid ads to drive traffic to your Shopify store.
3. Etsy vs. Shopify: Key Differences for Printed Product Sellers
| Feature | Etsy | Shopify |
|---|---|---|
| Store Setup | Fast, easy, no coding required | Requires customization, but full control |
| Traffic | Built-in audience (96M+ buyers) | You bring your own traffic |
| Competition | High (other sellers appear on your page) | No competitor ads on your store |
| Customization | Limited | Full control over branding & design |
| Marketing | Etsy promotes listings, but with limits | You handle SEO, ads, and email marketing |
| Fees | $0.20 per listing + 6.5% transaction fees | Monthly subscription, lower long-term fees |
| Scalability | Best for small businesses & startups | Best for long-term growth & brand building |
📌 Which one is better?
✔ If you want fast sales with built-in traffic → Etsy.
✔ If you want full control & higher profits → Shopify.
✔ If you want both → Start on Etsy, then expand to Shopify!
4. Why Many Sellers Use Both Etsy and Shopify
Many successful print-on-demand brands start selling on Etsy, gain customer reviews, and then launch their Shopify store.
✔ Best Strategy: Sell on Both Platforms
✅ Etsy for Discoverability – Attract customers who are already searching for printed products.
✅ Shopify for Brand Growth – Build customer loyalty on your own platform.
✅ Cross-Promotion – Use Etsy sales to grow your email list and drive traffic to Shopify.
📌 Example Strategy:
1️⃣ Start selling your top designs on Etsy.
2️⃣ Collect customer emails and encourage them to visit your Shopify store.
3️⃣ Offer exclusive Shopify-only collections to increase direct sales.
🚀 Pro Tip: Use a "Shop Our Full Collection" button on Etsy to direct traffic to your Shopify store.
5. Which Platform Should You Choose? (Final Recommendation)
| Goal | Best Platform |
|---|---|
| Fastest way to start selling? | Etsy ✅ |
| Full control over branding? | Shopify ✅ |
| Lower initial costs? | Etsy ✅ |
| Better for scaling a brand? | Shopify ✅ |
| Easiest for beginners? | Etsy ✅ |
| Higher profit margins? | Shopify ✅ |
| Best strategy? | Start on Etsy, expand to Shopify ✅ |
🚀 Best approach: Use both Etsy and Shopify to maximize sales and brand growth.
Final Thoughts: Etsy or Shopify for Printed Products?
📌 Key Takeaways:
✔ Etsy is great for quick sales with built-in traffic but has higher fees and competition.
✔ Shopify is better for brand control and higher profit margins but requires more marketing effort.
✔ Using both platforms together is the best strategy for long-term success.
🚀 Want to start selling printed products online? Choose the platform that fits your business goals and strategy!