What Sells Best on Etsy in 2025?
Real data from 100,000+ successful Etsy shops reveals the most profitable categories and products.
Last updated: January 2025 • 25 min read
Quick Answer (If You Are in a Hurry)
The top 5 best-selling categories on Etsy in 2025 are:
- Digital Products (printables, templates, SVG files) - Highest profit margins, no inventory
- Print-on-Demand (custom t-shirts, mugs, tote bags) - Low startup costs, scalable
- Personalized Gifts (custom jewelry, engraved items) - Premium pricing, high demand
- Wedding Items (invitations, decor, gifts) - Big budgets, emotional purchases
- Home Decor (wall art, throw pillows, candles) - Evergreen demand, repeat customers
Keep reading for detailed analysis, profit margins, startup costs, and how to succeed in each category.
Table of Contents
- How We Analyzed the Data
- Top 10 Best-Selling Categories
- Digital Products (Highest Margins)
- Print-on-Demand Products
- Personalized Gifts
- Wedding Items
- Home Decor
- What is Trending in 2025
- What NOT to Sell on Etsy
- How to Choose Your Niche
- Your Action Plan
How We Analyzed the Data
This guide is based on real data from multiple sources:
- 100,000+ active Etsy shops analyzed for sales velocity and revenue estimates
- Etsy Trending Searches data showing what buyers are actively searching for
- Marmalead keyword data revealing search volume and competition levels - learn more in their trend analysis guides
- Seller community surveys from profitable 6 and 7-figure Etsy shops
- Etsy official reports on category performance and growth trends
We focused on three key metrics:
- Sales Volume - How many units sell per month
- Profit Margin - Revenue minus product costs, platform fees, and shipping
- Barrier to Entry - Startup costs, skill requirements, time investment
Top 10 Best-Selling Categories on Etsy (Ranked)
| Rank | Category | Avg Profit Margin | Startup Cost | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Digital Products | 85-95% | $0-$100 | Low |
| 2 | Print-on-Demand | 30-50% | $0-$50 | Low |
| 3 | Personalized Gifts | 50-70% | $200-$1,000 | Medium |
| 4 | Wedding Items | 60-75% | $100-$500 | Medium |
| 5 | Home Decor | 40-60% | $100-$500 | Medium |
| 6 | Jewelry | 30-50% | $200-$1,500 | High |
| 7 | Stickers & Decals | 60-80% | $50-$200 | Low |
| 8 | Craft Supplies | 25-40% | $100-$1,000 | Medium |
| 9 | Bath & Beauty | 50-70% | $200-$800 | Medium-High |
| 10 | Clothing & Accessories | 30-50% | $300-$2,000 | High |
*Profit margins include all costs: materials, labor, platform fees (6.5%), payment processing (3%+$0.25), and shipping. Startup costs assume basic equipment and initial inventory/supplies.
1. Digital Products (Best Profit Margins)
Digital Products
Print-at-home files, templates, digital art, planners
85-95%
Profit Margin
Why Digital Products Dominate
- Zero marginal cost - Create once, sell infinitely
- No inventory - Never run out of stock or deal with shipping
- Instant delivery - Etsy automatically delivers files after purchase
- Scalable - One product can generate passive income for years
- Low startup cost - Just a computer and design software (many free options)
Top-Selling Digital Products
1. Printable Wall Art
Average price: $4-$12 per file | Bestsellers earn: $3,000-$15,000/month
What sells: Motivational quotes, nursery prints, minimalist art, vintage botanical prints, trendy aesthetic designs
Pro tip: Sell in bundles (3-pack, 6-pack) to increase average order value. Offer multiple sizes in one download.
2. Digital Planners & Templates
Average price: $8-$25 per template | Bestsellers earn: $5,000-$20,000/month
What sells: Budget planners, meal prep templates, wedding planning kits, content calendars, business invoice templates
Pro tip: Create editable templates with Corjl (easiest) or for Google Sheets/Notion - buyers love formats they can customize.
3. SVG Cut Files
Average price: $3-$8 per file | Bestsellers earn: $2,000-$10,000/month
What sells: Holiday designs (Christmas, Halloween), monogram frames, funny sayings for shirts, seasonal decor files
Pro tip: Target Cricut and Silhouette users. Include multiple file formats (SVG, PNG, DXF, EPS).
4. Printable Party Decorations
Average price: $6-$15 per kit | Bestsellers earn: $2,000-$8,000/month
What sells: Birthday banners, baby shower games, bachelorette party signs, holiday decorations, photo booth props
Pro tip: Create themed bundles (complete party kits) and charge premium prices.
How to Start Selling Digital Products
- Choose your niche (wall art, planners, SVG files, etc.)
- Use design tools: Corjl (easiest for editable templates), Adobe Express, or Affinity Designer
- Research bestsellers in your niche for inspiration (do not copy)
- Create your first 10 products (volume matters for discoverability)
- Optimize for SEO using Marmalead keyword research
- Price competitively: $5-$10 for singles, $12-$20 for bundles
2. Print-on-Demand Products (Easiest to Start)
Print-on-Demand
T-shirts, mugs, tote bags, phone cases, home decor
30-50%
Profit Margin
Why Print-on-Demand Works
- Zero upfront inventory - Products only created after customer orders
- No fulfillment headaches - POD partner prints, packs, and ships
- Low risk - Test designs without investing thousands in inventory
- Massive catalog potential - Easily scale to hundreds of designs
- Focus on design - You create art, partner handles logistics
Top Print-on-Demand Products for Etsy
1. Custom T-Shirts
Typical pricing: Sell for $22-$35 | Cost: $10-$15 | Profit: $7-$20 per shirt
What sells: Funny slogans, niche hobbies (dog mom, teacher life, nurse humor), vintage retro designs, inspirational quotes
Pro tip: Micro-niches dominate. "Goldendoodle Mom Shirt" outperforms "Dog Mom Shirt".
2. Coffee Mugs
Typical pricing: Sell for $16-$25 | Cost: $8-$12 | Profit: $4-$13 per mug
What sells: Profession-specific (nurse, teacher, engineer), funny office humor, personalized name mugs, holiday designs
Pro tip: Bundle with coasters or create matching sets for higher order values.
3. Tote Bags
Typical pricing: Sell for $18-$28 | Cost: $8-$14 | Profit: $6-$14 per bag
What sells: Eco-friendly slogans, aesthetic minimalist designs, book lover quotes, teacher appreciation, grocery shoppers
Pro tip: Highlight "reusable" and "eco-friendly" in titles - sustainability sells.
🚀 Recommended POD Partner
Printify is the top choice for Etsy POD sellers. Integrates directly with Etsy, offers 850+ products, and competitive pricing. Free to start.
Start with Printify (Free) →3. Personalized Gifts (Premium Pricing)
Personalized Gifts
Custom jewelry, engraved items, monogrammed products
50-70%
Profit Margin
Why Personalization Sells
- Premium pricing - Customers pay 2-3X more for personalized items
- Emotional value - Gifts feel more thoughtful and special
- Lower returns - Custom items cannot be easily returned
- Less price competition - Unique products are harder to compare
- Repeat customers - Buyers return for multiple occasions
Top Personalized Products
1. Custom Name Jewelry
Average price: $25-$80 | Material cost: $5-$15 | Profit: $15-$65
What sells: Name necklaces, initial bracelets, birthstone rings, family tree pendants, coordinates jewelry
Pro tip: Offer bundle deals - "matching mother-daughter necklaces" at premium pricing.
2. Engraved Cutting Boards
Average price: $40-$90 | Material cost: $10-$25 | Profit: $20-$65
What sells: Family name boards, recipe engravings, wedding date boards, housewarming gifts
Startup cost: Laser engraver ($300-$3,000) - high barrier but excellent margins.
3. Personalized Pet Products
Average price: $20-$50 | Material cost: $5-$15 | Profit: $10-$35
What sells: Custom pet portraits (digital art), engraved pet tags, personalized pet blankets, memorial items
Pro tip: Pet owners are passionate spenders - they will pay premium for quality.
4. Wedding Items (Big Budgets, High Emotion)
Wedding Items
Invitations, decor, favors, signs, gifts
60-75%
Profit Margin
Why Wedding Products Are Lucrative
- Large average orders - Brides buy multiple items per shop
- High budgets - Average wedding costs $30,000+ (US), Etsy seen as "affordable"
- Emotional purchases - Less price sensitivity
- Evergreen demand - 2.3 million weddings per year in US alone
- Upsell opportunities - Matching sets, custom additions
Top Wedding Products
1. Digital Wedding Invitations (Templates)
Price: $8-$30 per template | Cost: $0 | Profit: 100%
What sells: Editable templates (use Corjl), minimalist designs, rustic styles, elegant florals
Pro tip: Create matching sets (invitation + RSVP + details card + thank you) for $50-$80.
2. Wedding Signs
Price: $30-$150 each | Cost: $8-$30 | Profit: $20-$120
What sells: Welcome signs, seating chart signs, bar menu signs, directional signs, "pick a seat not a side"
Materials: Wood, acrylic, foam board - offer customization for premium pricing.
3. Groomsmen & Bridesmaid Gifts
Price: $25-$60 per gift | Orders typically: 5-10 pieces | Total order: $125-$600
What sells: Personalized flasks, engraved pocketknives, custom robes, monogrammed tumblers
Pro tip: Offer bulk discounts (buy 5+ get 10% off) but keep margins healthy.
5. Home Decor (Evergreen Demand)
Home Decor
Wall art, throw pillows, candles, planters, shelves
40-60%
Profit Margin
Why Home Decor Works
- Evergreen market - People always redecorate
- Seasonal opportunities - Holiday decor drives massive spikes
- Repeat customers - Buyers refresh decor 2-3X per year
- Gift market - Popular for housewarming, weddings, holidays
- Instagram-worthy - Visual products get organic social media exposure
Top Home Decor Products
1. Canvas Wall Art (POD or Handmade)
Price: $30-$120 depending on size | Profit: $15-$60
What sells: Abstract art, boho designs, minimalist line art, motivational quotes, nature photography
Pro tip: Offer in sets of 2-3 for gallery wall displays.
2. Handmade Candles
Price: $18-$35 per candle | Cost: $4-$8 | Profit: $10-$27
What sells: Soy candles, luxury scents, aesthetic jars, seasonal collections, personalized labels
Startup cost: $200-$500 for supplies and containers to start.
3. Throw Pillows & Covers (POD)
Price: $25-$45 | Cost: $12-$20 | Profit: $10-$25
What sells: Boho patterns, seasonal designs (fall, Christmas), funny sayings, minimalist geometric
Pro tip: Bundle with matching blankets or create seasonal collections.
What is Trending on Etsy in 2025
Beyond evergreen categories, these trends are seeing explosive growth in 2025:
🔥 2025 Trending Products
1. AI-Generated Art & Designs
Sellers using AI art tools (Midjourney, DALL-E) to create unique designs for POD and digital products. Controversial but massively profitable.
Disclosure required: Etsy now requires sellers to disclose AI-generated content.
2. Sustainability & Eco Products
Reusable items, zero-waste kits, upcycled decor, plastic-free alternatives. "Sustainable" keyword searches up 156% year-over-year.
3. Cottagecore & Grandmillennial Style
Vintage-inspired decor, floral patterns, cozy aesthetics, handmade quilts, embroidered items. Driven by younger generations embracing nostalgia.
4. Digital Products for Small Businesses
Social media templates, editable business kits (Corjl), invoice templates, branding packages. Boom in solopreneurs and side hustlers creates demand.
5. Pet Products (Still Growing)
Custom pet portraits, personalized pet gifts, pet memorial items, elevated pet accessories. Pet ownership at all-time high, spending follows.
What NOT to Sell on Etsy
Some categories look promising but have fatal flaws. Avoid these:
❌ Categories to Avoid
1. Mass-Produced Items from AliExpress
Why avoid: Against Etsy TOS (must be handmade or vintage). Risk of shop suspension. Cannot compete on price with Amazon. Etsy buyers expect unique, handmade quality.
2. Trademark/Copyright Infringement Products
Why avoid: Disney, Marvel, NFL logos, popular TV show quotes - instant DMCA takedowns. Risk of legal action and permanent shop closure. Not worth it.
3. Ultra-Competitive Categories (Without Differentiation)
Examples: Generic beaded bracelets, basic resin jewelry, generic "live laugh love" signs. Why avoid: Millions of identical listings. Impossible to rank without massive ad spend. Race to bottom on pricing.
4. Products with High Return/Damage Rates
Examples: Glass items, complex electronics, food items with short shelf life.Why avoid: Shipping damage kills margins. High return rates hurt rankings. Customer complaints damage reputation.
5. Regulated Products (Without Proper Licensing)
Examples: Cosmetics (FDA regulations), medical devices, children toys (safety testing).Why avoid: Liability risk. Regulatory compliance expensive and complex. Risk of lawsuits.
How to Choose Your Niche (Decision Framework)
Do not just chase trends. Choose a niche using this framework:
The 5-Factor Niche Evaluation
Rate each potential niche on these 5 factors (1-10 scale):
- Passion/Interest - Can you create content in this niche for 2+ years without burning out?
- Profit Margin - Can you achieve 40%+ profit after all costs?
- Market Demand - Are people actively searching and buying? (Use Marmalead to verify)
- Competition Level - Can you differentiate or find sub-niches with less competition?
- Startup Feasibility - Can you start with under $500 and reasonable time investment?
Scoring: 40+ total = Excellent niche | 30-39 = Good niche | Below 30 = Look for better options
Example: Evaluating "Personalized Pet Portraits"
| Factor | Score | Reasoning |
|---|---|---|
| Passion/Interest | 8/10 | If you love art and animals - sustainable long-term |
| Profit Margin | 9/10 | Digital portraits: $40-$80 price, minimal cost |
| Market Demand | 9/10 | 12,000+ monthly searches, emotional purchase |
| Competition Level | 5/10 | High competition, but art style differentiation possible |
| Startup Feasibility | 10/10 | Just need iPad + Procreate ($350 total) or free tools |
| TOTAL | 41/50 | Excellent Niche ✓ |
Your Action Plan: Getting Started This Week
You have the data. Now here is your step-by-step launch plan:
Week 1: Research and Validation
- Choose 3 potential niches from this guide that interest you
- Use the 5-Factor Framework to evaluate each one
- Sign up for Marmalead free trial and validate search demand
- Research top 20 shops in your chosen niche - analyze their bestsellers
- Calculate realistic profit margins based on pricing and costs
- Make final niche decision
Week 2: Shop Setup and First Products
- Open your Etsy shop (follow Etsy setup wizard)
- Write compelling shop About section (use tips from Etsy SEO 2025 guide)
- Create your first 5-10 products (minimum for discoverability)
- Take high-quality photos (use phone + natural lighting)
- Write SEO-optimized titles and descriptions using Marmalead keywords
- Set competitive pricing (check competitor averages, aim for middle of pack)
Week 3: Optimization and Launch
- Complete all listing attributes and categories (do not skip any fields)
- Set up shop policies and shipping profiles
- Enable free shipping on orders $35+ (ranking boost)
- Create shop announcement and sections
- Add shop banner and profile photo (brand consistency)
- Launch! Share with friends and family for initial reviews
Month 2-3: Scale and Refine
- Add 10-20 more products (more inventory = more visibility)
- Review Etsy Stats weekly - identify which products and keywords drive traffic
- Update underperforming listings with new keywords/photos
- Test Etsy Ads on your top 3 best-converting listings ($5/day budget)
- Encourage reviews from happy customers
- Consider expanding to related sub-niches
🚀 Master Etsy SEO to Maximize Sales
Having great products is only half the battle. You need to rank in search to get discovered. Marmalead shows you exactly what keywords to target, how much competition you face, and how to optimize for ChatGPT shopping (the fastest-growing discovery channel).
Try Marmalead Free (No Credit Card) →Final Thoughts: Success is About Execution
You now know what sells best on Etsy in 2025. But knowledge without action is worthless.
The sellers who succeed are not necessarily the most talented or creative. They are the ones who:
- Start before they feel ready - Your first products will not be perfect. Launch anyway.
- Focus on volume early - 20 decent listings beat 5 perfect ones. More products = more chances to rank.
- Obsess over SEO - Best product in the world does not matter if no one finds it. Master keyword research.
- Test and iterate - Try different products, styles, keywords. Double down on winners, cut losers.
- Stay consistent - It takes 6-12 months to build momentum. Most sellers quit at month 3. Do not be them.
Pick your niche. Create your first products. Optimize for search. Launch this week.
The Etsy sellers making $5K, $10K, $20K+ per month all started exactly where you are now. The difference? They took action.