Digital printables are versatile, downloadable products that customers can print at home or at their local print shop. This means you are essentially creating a digital PDF file that they can download and then print at home.
Digital products can range from planners, wall art, greeting cards, posters, worksheets, and more. These printers are very popular because they offer convenience and customization to buyers.
Where to start?
Before you get started, you want to do your research. You don’t want to waste your time creating products that people don’t want to buy. I see this happen over and over again.
Someone starts creating digital products and feels very disappointed when they don’t make any sales. You should have a good foundation to start.
Doing your research first will help you identify your target audience’s preferences, needs, and pain points. This knowledge allows you to create printable materials that resonate with your potential customers and meet their specific requirements.
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Find your niche: Identifying a specialty is vital in the world of printed materials. Think about what you’re passionate about, whether it’s wedding planning, home organizing, or inspirational quotes. Your niche will help you target a specific audience. I’ve seen other people look for profitable niches and then move on, but I recommend that you find something that inspires you so that it can still be fun to do.
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Create high-quality designs: The heart of selling printed materials is in your designs. Invest your time creating high-quality, unique, eye-catching prints that stand out in a crowded marketplace. Keep in mind that your customers will be printing these products, so you want them to be high quality and not grainy. Additionally, you want to set yourself apart from other digital product creators.
Take some time to experiment with different printed materials until you find your personal style. It will evolve over time, but you want your designs to be clear, unique, and professional.
I personally create printed materials using Adobe Illustrator and Canva.
If you need help creating printables in Canva, check out our website Canva step-by-step guide.
Start by thinking about what kind of digital products you want to create. Here are some ideas:
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Electronic books and guides: Write and sell e-books or comprehensive guides on various topics, from self-help and cooking to business and personal development.
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Printable planners: Create and sell printable planners for daily, weekly, monthly or yearly organization, including budget planners, fitness journals and meal planners.
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Templates: Provide graphic design templates for social media posts, presentations, or branding materials that clients can customize.
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Printable artwork: Design and sell printable artwork, including wall art, posters, and illustrations for home decor and artistic expression.
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Printable games and puzzles: Create and sell printable games, puzzles and educational materials for entertainment, learning or team building activities.
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Checklists and cheat sheets: Develop and sell digital checklists, cheat sheets, and quick reference guides to simplify complex tasks or processes.
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Personal development resources: Develop self-improvement and personal development resources, including journals, affirmations, and goal-setting templates.
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Printable educational materials: Create digital learning materials, worksheets, and study guides for teachers, homeschoolers, and students.
How to start selling your printed materials
Once you’ve done your research, chosen the right niche, and know what types of print materials to create, it’s time to set up your store.
You can read more about why I chose Shopify and how it compares in features and functionality to Etsy.
I decided to use Shopify For me Online store. There are other options, but this one worked for me when I started out as I already had a blogging audience and social media presence. Plus, they offer a trial period where you can get it 3 months of Shopify for just $1!