Etsy Dropshipping: A Comprehensive Guide to E-Commerce Success

by | Dec 9, 2023 | Ecommerce Tricks

Etsy is a third-party online marketplace that is highly suitable for e-commerce sellers of handmade products. With continuous development, you can sell various types of products on Etsy, such as clothing, jewelry, and more. In 2022, approximately 7.47 million sellers used the Etsy platform to sell goods, with over 96 million active Etsy buyers worldwide.

What is Etsy dropshipping

Etsy Homepage

There is currently no specific explanation of Etsy dropshipping on the market, but it is not difficult to see from the composition of this keyword that Etsy dropshipping can be interpreted as utilizing the dropshipping model to sell products in an Etsy store. In this process, you are not required to deal with inventory or fulfill orders; your responsibility lies in designing the product, while everything else is handled by your supplier.

The rules of dropshipping on Etsy

Etsy does not have specific policies or rules explicitly allowing sellers to use dropshipping services. However, one can infer such guidelines from Etsy’s known product rules. The following rules can be considered as Etsy’s implicit dropshipping rules.

1. Items sold on Etsy must fall within the handmade, craft, or vintage categories.

2. All products must be designed and produced by the seller, and the store cannot operate solely for resale. Resale is only permitted in the vintage and craft categories.

3. It’s crucial to identify production partners. Handmade items produced with production partners must adhere to Etsy’s handmade policies, and sellers are obligated to transparently share production partner information on relevant listings.

If you are using a third-party manufacturer or a print on demand (POD) service like JetPrint to dropship your items, it’s important to include this information in your Etsy listing description.

4. Etsy merchants are not allowed to use AliExpress and Amazon for dropshipping. This means that syncing products from AliExpress and Amazon to Etsy is not permitted.

5. Etsy listings may not be created for the purpose of sharing referral codes, posting job ads, or engaging in similar activities that do not involve offering physical or digital goods for sale.

The types of dropshipping on Etsy

Dropshipping from AliExpress to Etsy

Etsy prohibits direct shipping from AliExpress and running your store. This violates the rule that all items must be handmade, individually designed, or vintage. AliExpress items are primarily mass-produced, often from factories or manufacturers, conflicting with Etsy’s emphasis on unique, handmade items.

Dropshipping from Amazon to Etsy

Similar to AliExpress, Etsy prohibits direct shipping from Amazon and running your Etsy store. Amazon’s products also breach Etsy’s rules concerning handcrafting, unique design, and vintage items, as most of Amazon’s products come from factories.

Using the services of a print-on-demand company

You can use print-on-demand products and sell them on Etsy because these products are uniquely designed by you, and you won’t find the same product on the market. This complies with Etsy’s product regulations.

It is worth mentioning that you need to indicate in the product details that this product is produced and delivered by a print-on-demand company. Doing so will prevent your store from receiving warnings.

How to dropship print-on-demand products on Etsy

Print on demand (POD) has become a popular option for Etsy sellers looking to offer personalized and unique products without the hassle of managing inventory. Here’s a step-by-step guide to get you started on your journey to dropshipping print-on-demand products on Etsy:

Register a JetPrint account

Go to JetPrint’s registration page to create your account. Signing up is typically easy; you just need to enter basic details to set up your account. This registration process can often be completed in a matter of seconds.

Connect your Etsy account with JetPrint

JetPrint integrates with Etsy

Once your JetPrint account is activated, seamlessly integrate it with your Etsy shop. Look for the option to connect to Etsy in your JetPrint account. Follow the prompts step by step to connect JetPrint to your store. During the connection process, you’ll need to authorize some permissions in the store to JetPrint.

Follow the tips in this article to add JetPrint as your production partner in your Etsy admin.

JetPrint Production Partners

Design your products

Once you’re connected and set up, design any product you want. Consider current trends and incorporate your own unique design to make your product stand out in the Etsy marketplace.

Publish to your listing

Once your design is ready, publish it to your Etsy listing via the integrated JetPrint system. Ensure your product descriptions and tags are optimized for Etsy’s search algorithm to maximize visibility. When setting your price, choose a profitable amount and select the shipping method you want to use (currently, we offer three shipping methods). Note that you can only choose one shipping method for the products you sync.

FAQ

Does Etsy allow dropshipping?

Yes, Etsy does allow dropshipping. However, it’s essential to follow the rules outlined in this article when conducting dropshipping on the platform to ensure compliance with Etsy’s guidelines.

Is dropshipping on Etsy worth it?

Yes, it can be worth it. Etsy boasts significant traffic, reducing the need for hefty advertising fees to generate clicks and orders.

What dropshipping products are best for selling on Etsy?

The most successful dropshipping products on Etsy are undoubtedly those that are personalized and original. Etsy, with its core focus on handcrafting and uniqueness, thrives on offerings that stand out. Consider products that can be customized, allowing buyers to add a personal touch, as this aligns well with Etsy’s marketplace ethos.

Does Etsy allow multiple production partners?

Etsy does not specify the number of production partners, meaning there is no limit to the number of production partners you can add.

0 Comments
Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *