How To Use Etsy Print on Demand as a Holiday Side Hustle
As a digital nomad, I’m always curious to find out about new ways to create income streams that don’t tie you down to one location. Recently, I came across the idea of using Etsy Print on Demand (POD) to create custom holiday gifts as a side hustle, and it seems like a really interesting opportunity for those of us who want to keep things flexible while on the road. Last year, I created a digital printable planner on Etsy, though I think the holiday season could lend itself well to print-on-demand specifically, holiday gifts.
I haven’t tried it yet myself, but the concept is simple and feels like something worth exploring. If you’re someone who enjoys being creative and is looking for an extra income stream you can do from anywhere, this could be a great opportunity to explore.
What is Etsy Print on Demand?
Print on Demand Etsy is a service where you can upload your custom designs and have them printed on various products like t-shirts, coffee mugs, and more. Once someone places an order, a print-on-demand company handles everything from production to shipping. As a digital nomad, this means you don’t need to worry about inventory, packing, or shipping – you can manage it all from your laptop while you’re anywhere in the world.
Why Print on Demand Could Be Ideal for Digital Nomads
From what I’ve seen, this type of side hustle could work really well for people who live a location-independent lifestyle. Here’s why:
Low startup costs: You don’t need to deal with much in terms of upfront costs. All you need is an idea, a design tool (like Canva), and WiFi.
Hands-off fulfillment: You don’t have to physically manage any products or handle the shipping – your print-on-demand partner takes care of all that, allowing you the freedom to focus on travel and other projects. This right here is the key, in my opinion, to freeing up your time.
Work from anywhere: Whether you’re in a cozy cafe in Prague or chilling near the beach in Bali, you can easily manage your Etsy store with just a laptop and WiFi. This is my kinda work!
Exploring the Creative Side
If you’re into design or even just dabbling in creativity, the fun part of this side hustle would be coming up with custom holiday gifts. Since it’s the holidays, people love buying personalized and unique items, which opens up a lot of possibilities. Whether you’re thinking of traditional holiday themes or creating something totally different, the design options seem endless.
You don’t need to be a professional designer to get started either. Tools like Canva and Adobe Photoshop or Express are user-friendly and accessible. I personally love Canva because it’s cloud-based, so I can work on designs from anywhere online without having to deal with downloading software.
What You Could Create with Print-on-Demand
When it comes to the holiday season, consider creating custom cards, calendars, t-shirts, sweatshirts, and hats. The options are endless - you just need to design, set it all up on Etsy, and sell.
These products are simple to design and make perfect holiday decorations and gifts. And yes, I recognize that it is still September - though apparently Shopify released data back in early August that showed that people were already shopping for holiday decorations, ornaments, and advent calendars.
Setting Up Your Shop and Automating the Process
Once your designs are ready, setting up your Etsy shop seems like a pretty straightforward process. You’ll need to create engaging product listings with clear photos and descriptions. Be sure to incorporate SEO, using keywords like "custom holiday gift" or "personalized Christmas gift" will help your products get found in Etsy’s search results. Get specific and don’t be afraid to stuff your listing and description with relevant keywords.
Why This Could Be the Perfect Side Hustle for Nomads
While I haven’t personally launched an Etsy Print on Demand store yet, the more I look into it, the more it seems like an ideal side hustle for digital nomads. It’s creative, low-maintenance, and scalable – plus, it doesn’t require you to be in one place or manage physical products. You can create your designs once, and let the print-on-demand system handle the rest, while you continue exploring new cities, beaches, or mountains.
If you’re like me and always on the lookout for new opportunities to create additional income streams while living the nomad lifestyle, Etsy Print on Demand might just be something worth considering.