Designing and Selling Customized Printables: Creative Tips for Bloggers

Creating and selling custom printables is a savvy move for bloggers looking to cash in on creativity. With minimal costs and sky-high potential, these digital downloads are in demand. From daily planners to bold wall art, or educational tools that make a teacher’s job easier, printables turn your skills into income. Why do they sell so well? People love speed and simplicity—download, print, done. And with endless uses, they speak to just about everyone: parents wrangling chores, hosts throwing chic parties, or anyone needing practical solutions with style.

Knowing what sells cuts the guesswork. Planners and trackers—whether for fitness or budgets—are constant winners. Educational printables like flashcards or worksheets? Parents and teachers grab them fast. Party supplies, from invitations to banners, stay hot, especially when customizable. Modern wall art or seasonal quotes are home décor hits. Meanwhile, business templates for invoices and social graphics keep small entrepreneurs coming back.

Targeting the right buyers gets your designs clicked faster. Parents need tools to keep life (and kids) organized. Teachers love anything that saves prep time. Event planners can’t resist sleek, adaptable invites. And small business owners? Templates that make life simpler are non-negotiable. Focused products and clear audiences create consistent results.

Eye-catching design plus smart functionality equals sales—real sales. But, where do you even begin if you’re fresh to design or just brushing up? Start with the right tools.

Best platforms for polished, professional printables:

• Canva: New to graphic design? Canva’s free templates and simple drag-and-drop system make it a no-brainer.
• Adobe Illustrator: A pro’s dream. Think total customization, from vectors to seamless control over layouts.
• Procreate: iPad artists, this is your MVP. Perfect for custom, hand-drawn vibes that stand out.

Test them all. Figure out what feels natural. Then stick to it.

Keep your designs functional and user-friendly:

• Stay consistent: Same font families, same color palette. This isn’t the time to get “wild.”
• Prioritize readability: Skip elaborate fonts. Pair anything fancy with clean, simple typefaces.
• Make colors work: Complementary shades grab attention, pastels feel trendy—just keep the vibes fresh.
• Think usability: Keep spaces open where shoppers will jot things. Too cluttered? It’s a no-go.

Last but huge: Be legal! Use commercial licenses for fonts, graphics, or templates you didn’t create. Don’t skip the research—it’s easier than trouble later. Need free options? Public domain or Creative Commons work—just double-check terms. This is business. Play it smart.

Once you’ve perfected your designs, it’s time to pick where to sell them. Starting a shop doesn’t need to be stressful—keep it simple but intentional.

Here are three solid platforms:
Etsy: Great for handmade or digital products. It’s beginner-friendly and attracts tons of traffic.
Shopify: Ideal if you want total control over your shop’s features and design.
Gumroad: Streamlined, easy to use, and works well with blogs or social media for direct sales.

Your product listings are huge. Treat them like your product’s billboard:

• Titles that pop: Use clear, keyword-rich phrases like “custom wall print” or “40-page workbook.”
• Photos that convert: Show off styled mockups to showcase real-life use.
• Details buyers need: File types, dimensions, color options—get specific.

Pricing is tricky. Don’t undercut yourself, but keep it approachable for your audience.

And don’t skim on SEO. Keywords in titles, descriptions, and tags are non-negotiable. For promotion, Pinterest is a goldmine. High-quality pins with clear keywords can drive serious sales. Take time to design sharp, scroll-stopping visuals.

Once your shop is live, it’s all about getting eyes on it. Social media should be your top priority, especially platforms that love visuals like Instagram and Pinterest. Post styled pics of your printables in action—think clean desks with planners or aesthetic wall calendars. Interact with followers. A like, comment, or tag keeps people coming back.

Team up with creators who match your style. Maybe an event planner, homeschool influencer, or teacher blogger? Offer a freebie for them to try—it could expand your audience fast.

Don’t forget email. A simple free download (like a mini version of your printable) gets people to subscribe. From there, share updates, discounts, and tips to keep them invested.