12 Best Things to Sell on Etsy in 2026

Have you considered transforming your creativity into a source of income? Etsy is a leading online marketplace, attracting more than 96 million active buyers around the world. Whether you’re a seasoned creator or just starting your entrepreneurial journey, learning how to effectively sell on Etsy can greatly boost your success.

So, what are the best things to sell on Etsy? In this post, we’ll highlight 12 of the most popular and profitable items on the platform, along with actionable tips to enhance your Etsy strategy and help your shop thrive in a competitive market.

The 12 Best Things to Sell on Etsy

Etsy has long been recognized for its wide range of handmade goods, including craft supplies and wedding stationery. In recent years, the platform has also experienced growing interest in custom apparel such as t-shirts and hats. Below is a list of 12 top-selling items on Etsy:

1. Custom T-shirts

Clothing remains one of the most lucrative product categories on Etsy, with many successful sellers achieving strong profits through customized apparel. The platform offers a vast selection of options for women’s, men’s, and children’s fashion.

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T-shirts, a wardrobe essential for many, continue to attract buyers looking for unique and creative designs. With the variety of styles, colors, and sizes available, sellers can easily cater to a wide range of preferences.

Custom t-shirts have also gained traction as promotional items for companies and sports teams. For individual buyers, designs featuring pop culture themes or social messages are among the most popular. As the global apparel industry is expected to reach $1.84 trillion by 2025, the demand for distinctive clothing shows no signs of slowing down.

2. POD

Print-on-demand (POD) remains one of the most popular and beginner-friendly product categories on Etsy in 2025. With POD, sellers can offer custom-designed products without holding inventory or managing fulfillment. Items are produced and shipped only after a customer places an order, which significantly reduces upfront costs and operational risk.

POD products perform especially well on Etsy because buyers value personalization, originality, and niche-focused designs. From text-based quotes to illustrations and trend-driven graphics, POD allows sellers to quickly adapt designs to seasonal demand, viral trends, or specific audiences.

3. Digital Downloads

Digital downloads are increasingly popular among online sellers — and for good reason. They eliminate the need for shipping, inventory management, and physical materials, while offering instant delivery to customers. Etsy is an ideal marketplace for showcasing these products, whether you specialize in printable artwork, planners, or social media templates.

While digital products usually have lower price points than physical goods, they can be highly profitable over time. Since there are no manufacturing or shipping expenses, your profit margins remain high, and each listing can be sold repeatedly without additional production costs. This allows you to experiment freely and expand your catalog with minimal risk.

For instance, WillowLanePaperie, a leading Etsy shop in the paper and party supplies category, has achieved over 250,000 sales and nearly $2 million in revenue by offering customizable, downloadable templates for weddings and special events.

4. Home Decor

As more people spend time at home, interest in home decor items on Etsy continues to grow. Buyers are drawn to distinctive pieces that express their individuality and taste, making this a profitable niche for sellers. Frequently sought-after products consist of printable wall art, throw pillows, furniture, clocks, and wallpaper.

Since many customers enjoy personalizing their living spaces, providing options for customization can be an effective strategy for increasing sales.

5. Handmade Jewelry

Handmade jewelry serves to commemorate significant events, convey personal sentiment, and enhance personal style, contributing to its status as a top-performing category on Etsy. The global market for these items was reported to be over $156 billion in 2024, with Etsy noted as a significant platform within this sector.

This product segment encompasses a wide range of items, including necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and rings, which are fabricated from various materials such as metal, glass, leather, and ceramics. Customized options, like engraved pendants or birthstone-adorned rings, are often sought after by shoppers for their value as personalized gifts.

Success in selling handmade jewelry on Etsy often comes down to presentation and attention to detail. Use high-quality photos that highlight each piece’s craftsmanship and color, and provide detailed, accurate descriptions.

Telling the story behind your creations—how they’re made, where materials come from, or what inspired the designs—helps build a stronger connection with buyers. This personal touch often sets thriving Etsy shops apart, turning one-time customers into loyal supporters who appreciate both the artistry and the story behind the jewelry.

6. Bath and Beauty

The bath and beauty category on Etsy features a wide assortment of products and is highly competitive. Sellers in this space can choose to offer individual ingredients or finished goods marketed as natural or organic. It is important to note that Etsy enforces specific policies concerning organic claims, so sellers should ensure full compliance before listing in this category.

7. Pet Accessories

Pet accessories are a popular and fast-growing niche among pet enthusiasts. If you enjoy designing creative and functional items for pets, this category offers great potential for building a thriving Etsy shop. From fashionable collars for dogs to interactive toys for cats and personalized gear that highlights each pet’s individuality, there are many ways to attract buyers.

Pet owners are consistently willing to invest in distinctive, high-quality items for their pets, and as more people view pets as family members, interest in custom pet products continues to rise.

Selling pet accessories on Etsy also allows sellers to cultivate repeat customers, as pet owners frequently look for new and updated products to keep their companions happy and well cared for.

8. Wedding Supplies

Etsy attracts a highly engaged audience seeking distinctive wedding accessories and bridal party gifts, making it an excellent platform for offering products such as personalized wine tumblers, custom robes, bridesmaid proposal boxes, engraved jewelry, and decorative cake toppers.

The global wedding market is expected to reach approximately $646.65 billion by 2032, and Etsy plays a significant role in this growing industry. The platform provides couples with a space to find handcrafted, customized pieces that reflect their personal stories. Many buyers turn to Etsy for these one-of-a-kind items that are not available in mainstream retail stores, creating strong demand for creative, wedding-themed products.

Selling wedding supplies on Etsy also presents valuable opportunities for upselling and cross-selling. Couples often purchase multiple items for their wedding party, event décor, and guest gifts. Moreover, satisfied customers may return for future milestones such as anniversaries, baby showers, or other celebrations. By focusing on consistent branding and excellent customer service, sellers in this niche can cultivate repeat business and build long-term customer loyalty.

9. Vintage Items

Etsy stands out as one of the few online marketplaces that truly values vintage items. It offers a treasure trove for buyers seeking distinctive pieces and provides sellers with an opportunity to breathe new life into pre-owned goods. Selling vintage clothing on Etsy aligns with the growing sustainable fashion movement, attracting customers who appreciate quality, individuality, and items with historical charm.

Popular categories include retro dresses, timeless outerwear, vintage t-shirts, and designer apparel from well-known labels. Sellers can build their collections by sourcing from thrift stores, estate sales, and flea markets, often finding valuable pieces at affordable prices. When creating product listings, it’s important to include detailed descriptions that specify the item’s era, condition, and defining characteristics.

Selling vintage apparel on Etsy opens doors to a passionate niche community that values both style and sustainability. With careful curation and effective branding, sellers can transform their passion for vintage fashion into a profitable venture while helping reduce waste in the fashion industry. Given that the secondhand clothing market reached an estimated $230 billion in 2024, there is significant potential for success in catering to eco-conscious, fashion-forward buyers.

10. Baby Products

Baby and children’s apparel consistently ranks among the top-selling categories on Etsy, appealing to shoppers seeking both everyday outfits and special-occasion wear. Cute options like humorous onesies, matching sibling sets, and personalized designs make popular gifts and essential wardrobe pieces.

When developing designs, focus on themes that resonate with children—such as animals, alphabets, or bright, playful patterns—and consider what will appeal to parents as well, including clever or lighthearted sayings.

Offering customized designs is an excellent way to meet this steady demand. With creativity and attention to detail, personalized baby clothing can quickly become a best-selling product in your Etsy shop.

11. Phone Cases

Given that mobile phones are frequently used and often in view, protective cases represent a steady market. This presents a significant opportunity to create and sell custom designs on platforms like Etsy. Instead of a standard case, many consumers seek options that express their personal style. Custom phone cases fulfill this demand by combining device protection with a means for self-expression.

The variety of phone models in use further broadens the potential customer base, and individuals may purchase multiple cases to suit different occasions. A practical approach for sellers is to begin with a limited selection, identify the most popular designs, and then expand the product line based on those findings.

12. Craft Patterns and Templates

This category has grown rapidly in recent years, especially as more people have embraced creative hobbies at home. These products appeal to a wide range of customers—from casual hobbyists to experienced artists—by supporting their passion for making handmade creations. Popular craft supplies on Etsy include specialty yarns, unique beads, custom-printed fabrics, scrapbooking materials, and jewelry-making kits.

Craft patterns and templates are also in high demand, particularly among do-it-yourself enthusiasts. Providing detailed guides for knitting, crocheting, sewing, or embroidery can attract customers interested in crafting their own items. Patterns for fashionable pieces such as clothing, home décor, and gift accessories can be especially profitable.

To differentiate your shop in the competitive craft supplies market, focus on offering products that are hard to find in traditional stores. You can also appeal to current trends in the crafting community by featuring sustainable materials or supplies for popular techniques like macramé or pottery.

How to Decide What to Sell on Etsy

Conducting market research on Etsy's popular items is a critical first step for a new store, as it helps verify that a market exists for your products. However, this research should not end at launch. Maintaining a successful store requires an ongoing awareness of evolving trends to ensure your product line remains fresh and competitive.

Here are several methods to discover what is currently trending in your chosen Etsy category.

Etsy’s Trends Section

Etsy’s Trends section is a valuable tool for identifying both popular and up-and-coming products. It’s updated frequently to showcase what’s currently in demand across the marketplace, making it an excellent resource for sellers seeking inspiration or aiming to align their products with buyer preferences.

From trending colors and styles to specific product types, this section offers a quick overview of what’s capturing shoppers’ attention. Using these insights can help you stay relevant and give your store a competitive advantage by offering products that reflect current interests.

Etsy Search Bar

The Etsy search bar is a practical way to identify trending products. By entering a keyword related to your niche, the platform displays autocomplete suggestions generated from frequent searches by other users.

By analyzing these search suggestions, you can identify popular keywords and understand what types of items buyers are currently looking for. This insight can help you refine your product listings or develop new offerings that align with market trends. Regularly checking these suggestions is a simple and effective way to stay up to date with what’s currently popular on Etsy.

Etsy’s Seller Handbook

The Etsy Seller Handbook offers a wealth of guidance, covering topics such as product photography, pricing, marketing, and shop management. It’s a valuable resource for sellers who want to learn best practices and gain insights directly from Etsy’s experts. Taking the time to read through it can help you improve your shop and strengthen your overall selling strategy.

Google Trends

Google Trends is an external tool that can help identify products with growing consumer interest. By entering relevant search terms, users can observe how public interest in those topics has changed over a specific period. A consistent upward trend in search volume for an item may indicate its increasing popularity within the general market, beyond a single platform.

For example, if you’re considering selling handmade jewelry but can’t decide between necklaces or bracelets, you can use Google Trends to analyze the interest in each option. This helps you determine which product has stronger potential demand.

A key feature of Google Trends is the ability to compare the search popularity of multiple terms simultaneously. In this scenario, the data could reveal whether search interest for "handmade necklaces" is greater than for "handmade bracelets" over a selected timeframe.

Social Media

Social media is an excellent source for spotting current and emerging trends, both on Etsy and in the broader marketplace. Platforms such as Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok are popular spaces where users share their favorite products, including unique Etsy finds. Following trending hashtags like EtsyFinds or EtsyShop can help you identify which items are attracting shopper interest. You can also follow influencers who highlight Etsy stores or trending products.

Staying engaged on these platforms lets you spot new trends early and adjust your offerings to stay aligned with what’s gaining popularity.

The Competition

A straightforward way to spot trending products is by observing what other successful sellers in your niche are offering. Take a look at their top-performing listings and note any recurring themes, such as popular styles, colors, or product variations. These patterns can provide valuable insight into current market trends. While it’s important not to replicate others’ work, you can draw inspiration and apply similar ideas in your own unique way.

How to Make a Successful Etsy Shop?

Let’s explore some key strategies for increasing sales on Etsy that can help improve your shop’s visibility and draw in more potential customers.

• Offer Exceptional Products: Focus on creating high-quality, distinctive, and well-crafted items. Think about what makes your products unique and how they stand out from others in your category. 
• Increase Product Variety: Expand your range by offering different designs, colors, or related product types within your niche. A diverse selection can attract a broader audience and increase your sales opportunities.
• Enhance Your Photography: Use clear, professional-looking images to present your products effectively. Ensure good lighting, uncluttered backgrounds, and capture your items from multiple angles to help shoppers understand what they’re purchasing. For more detailed guidance, explore Etsy’s resources on product photography.
• Use Etsy SEO: Implement Etsy SEO strategies to improve your product visibility. Incorporate relevant keywords into your titles, descriptions, and tags so that your listings appear in searches made by potential buyers.

Ready to Sell on Etsy with Tapstitch?

Etsy boasts more than 81 million active buyers who come to the platform in search of standout products. Given the platform’s large scale, it’s common to encounter other sellers offering comparable items.

To position your Etsy store for success, focus on Tapstitch’s high-quality products with original designs. Choose a niche with lower competition, and start engaging with your target audience to collect valuable feedback. From there, master Etsy SEO to optimize your product listings and invest in promoting your shop to stand out from rivals.

Shoppers appreciate creativity and unique concepts, so don’t hesitate to experiment. Test out trending products and styles, embrace the trial-and-error process, and savor both the challenges and rewards of running an Etsy business. Below, we’ve addressed some frequently asked questions to help you get started. Best of luck, and enjoy the journey!

FAQs

What sells best on Etsy?

Top-performing products on Etsy often change with trends and seasonal demand. However, certain categories consistently see strong interest, such as handmade jewelry and goods, customized or personalized items, beauty and self-care products, home décor, crafting materials, and vintage merchandise.

Can I sell clothes on Etsy?

Yes! You can sell print-on-demand (POD) clothing on Etsy, but there are important rules to follow so your shop stays compliant with Etsy’s policies.

How much does it cost to start a business on Etsy?

Etsy doesn’t charge a large upfront subscription just to open a shop, but you do pay small fees for listing items and a combination of percentage-based fees when you sell something. Optional services and advertising can add extra costs if you choose to use them.

Is it profitable to have a shop on Etsy?

Having an Etsy shop can be profitable, but outcomes differ from seller to seller. Sellers focusing on niche handmade, personalized, or vintage goods can turn a profit by controlling fees and production costs, pricing strategically, and optimizing listings. While startup costs are relatively low, fees and ongoing effort mean profits are not guaranteed.

What items can I make to sell on Etsy?

If you want products that are simple to offer, print-on-demand options such as T-shirts, hoodies, sweatpants, or jackets can be a practical choice. You focus on creating original designs, while Tapstitch manages manufacturing and delivery.

Best Things to Sell on Etsy: Conclusion

Etsy offers many possibilities for sellers with creative ideas. By concentrating on products that are in demand, customizable, and distinctive, you can reach a wide range of shoppers with different interests. This applies whether you choose established categories such as handmade jewelry, vintage goods, or baby items, or more specialized areas like bath and beauty or pet products. Emphasizing what makes your offerings unique is an important part of building a successful shop.

Keeping an eye on trends, providing personalization options where appropriate, and aligning your products with the preferences of Etsy’s audience can help strengthen your shop’s appeal.