Here is a checklist of steps we will need to go through in setting up a POD shop on Etsy. It is possible to also sell print-on-demand on other marketplaces such as Teepublic, Zazzle, Merch by Amazon, etc., but for this challenge, we will focus on getting set up on Etsy.
Step 1: Create a new email address (this isn't mandatory but it's good practice if you want to keep clean lines of separation between all things POD and everything you're doing with selling on Etsy)
Step 2: Subscribe to your graphic design tool of choice - I recommend Canva but in the beginning I created a few designs using a phone app called Word Swag. I stopped using this app and ended my listings that had designs I created with it because I reached out to the app developer and asked if designs created using their app were okay to sell commercially and I never got a response. I didn't want to get slapped with a lawsuit down the road so I decided to not use those designs anymore. Please note that if use Canva you'll need to use the Pro account so you can download your designs with a transparent background which is essential with POD.
Step 3: Decide on your niche - you can tackle this one of two ways >> Pick one topic to focus on and create multiple products based on that topic OR pick one product and to focus and create designs for multiple audiences on that one product. Watch the "Strategies for Selecting a POD Niche" video for more detailed instructions on how to do this. This video is available only to monthly podcast supporters.
Step 4: Find inspiration for designs >> Create those designs >> Prep the designs for uploading to POD sites
Step 5: Upload the designs to products on the POD sites
Step 6: Add the items to your Etsy shop - Steps 5 and 6 are simultaneous because we will be using platforms that are integrated with Etsy
Step 7: Create additional mockups in PlaceIt
Step 8: Upload the additional mockups to Etsy listings