Guide to Opening a T-Shirt Etsy Shop

Did you know that Etsy had 81.9 million active buyers in 2020? That number increased by a whopping 35.55 million from 2019 to 2020.

If you're a clothes designer, creating an Etsy T-shirt shop is a great way to sell your products. The platform continues to grow, but many people still don't fully understand how Etsy works. And failing to understand this can be detrimental to your business.

Continue reading to learn how to sell t-shirts on Etsy.

Why Sell Your T-Shirts on Etsy?

You really can't overlook Etsy if you're starting your own t-shirt brand. It's important to create your own website at some stage, but Etsy's online marketplace already attracts millions of visitors who trust and value the site. It's a great way to get exposure if you're just getting started.

If you're not a web designer, selling your products on Etsy will save you a major headache. Become a seller, and your store is ready to go.

Etsy also has community boards that are maintained by engaged, passionate, and helpful sellers looking to grow their businesses. It's a great place to seek advice and connect with other sellers.

Various types of craft entrepreneurs cut their teeth on Etsy. They use the platform to develop their business and gather customers before moving on to their own site.

If you're looking for exposure, Etsy is fantastic. For further reach, you should also consider selling your t-shirts on Instagram.

How Etsy Works

Opening a shop on Etsy doesn't cost a dime. However, sellers do have to pay fees for listing and selling items on the website.

It's easy to set up an Etsy account, and it costs only $0.20 to post each listing. Each listing remains active for four months or until the item is sold.

Etsy takes a 5% commission on the total item cost on each sale, including postage and gift wrap fees. If the payment currency is different from the listing currency, Etsy will take a 2.5% conversion fee.

The e-commerce site also charges a payment processing fee of 3% + $0.25 per transaction for US sellers. These rates vary in other countries.

Etsy is user-friendly and very convenient. You can get your online t-shirt shop set up in no time.

How to Open an Etsy Shop

Now you understand how the e-commerce site works, and it's time for us to walk you through the process of setting up your own Etsy t-shirt shop. 

1. Create an Account

Begin by registering an Etsy account. Check your email inbox for a confirmation email and follow the instructions to confirm your account. You will be able to choose a username, a profile photo, a bio, and more.

2. Set Shop Preferences

Let's get down to business. Open your store by choosing the "Sell on Etsy" option, and then you will have the opportunity to choose your language, country, and currency. Note that you will incur a 2.5% conversion fee if your shop currency and bank currency are different.

3. Choose Shop Name

Now it's time to choose your shop name. It must be between 4 and 20 characters and cannot include spaces or special characters. The name must be available on the site, and it cannot commit trademark infringement.

If you're struggling to think of a good shop name, browse shops on Etsy for inspiration. Try to avoid anything generic.

If your chosen shop name is unavailable, consider adding words like "studio," "boutique," "shop," or "design" to the end.

4. Set up Your Storefront

Ensure you have a professional shop icon, cover photo, profile photo, and banner.

Manage the arrangement of listings, and you'll also have the option to add a shop announcement. This is a great way to alert shoppers to important information about your shop or a forthcoming sale.

There is an "About" section where you can tell prospective shoppers the story of your business. Here, you can also include your various social media handles.

Visit the "Shop Policies" section to outline your policies for shipping, returns, payments, and exchanges.

5. Add T-Shirts Product Listings

Get those t-shirts for sale. You can add a maximum of 10 photos per item, and Etsy recommends posting at least five from various angles.

Include a descriptive title and detailed product descriptions for each t-shirt. Remember to use all 13 available tags, because this is how customers will find your product.

6. Configure Shipping, Payment, and Billing

Set your shipping prices and inform buyers about processing times. Include the weight and size of each item, and Etsy will give you the option to calculate shipping prices for you.

Choose your accepted payments and add a credit card of your own to set up billing.

Tips for Selling T-Shirts on Etsy

If you want to succeed, develop an Etsy business plan. Get to know the platform, identify your target audience, and research your competitors. And don't forget to do some keyword research.

After your business plans are complete, take the time to establish a brand strategy. When dressing up your Etsy shop, you want your branding to reflect the values of your business.

Promote your Etsy shop on social media, engaging with other brands to cross-promote each other's products.

Think carefully about your pricing. You can get high-quality blank t-shirts at low prices. But the expenses can add up during printing and shipping, so you should account for all of this when setting your t-shirt price on Etsy.

To make your customer feel special, consider including inserts in your packaging, such as thank you cards or stickers. Include your social media accounts, a handwritten note, and discount codes for future purchases.

Open Your Etsy T-Shirt Shop Today

Well, what are you waiting for? Now you know how the marketplace works and how to sell t-shirts on Etsy like a pro.

There are notable fees, but it's a fantastic online store platform for beginners, setting you on the right path to success.

Did you find this article about starting an Etsy t-shirt shop helpful? Well, don't leave us before reading our excellent guide on how to start your own t-shirt brand.