Top Items to Sell on Etsy: Profitable & Trending Products for 2026

Wondering what to sell on Etsy in 2026? Whether you're just starting out or looking to expand your existing shop, choosing the right products is the single most important decision you'll make.

As the founder of Prose & Pause, a digital products shop specializing in minimalist planners and printables, I've learned firsthand what sells on Etsy and what doesn't. After years of testing different product types, optimizing listings, and studying marketplace trends, I'm sharing the insights that have helped my shop succeed.

With over 90 million active buyers and $13+ billion in annual sales, Etsy remains the go-to marketplace for unique, handmade, and creative products. But competition is fierce—there are over 7 million active sellers on the platform.

In this guide, I'll break down the most profitable product categories on Etsy, share specific product ideas within each niche, and reveal strategies for standing out in crowded markets.

💡 Quick Tip: Before choosing products, understand your costs. Use our free Etsy Fee Calculator to see your true profit margins after all fees—including Etsy's ~10% cut.

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What Makes a Product Sell Well on Etsy?

Before diving into specific categories, let's understand what separates bestsellers from items that sit in your shop for months:

Key Factors for Etsy Success

1. Uniqueness: Products you can't easily find on Amazon or in big-box stores
2. Personalization potential: Items that can be customized with names, dates, or messages
3. Gift appeal: Products people buy for others (birthdays, weddings, holidays)
4. Problem-solving: Items that solve a specific pain point
5. Visual appeal: Products that photograph well and stand out in search
6. Profit margins: Items where you can price competitively while still earning worthwhile profit

The Sweet Spot: The best Etsy products combine 3-4 of these factors. A personalized wedding gift that's visually stunning and can't be found elsewhere? That's a winner.

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Top 10 Best-Selling Categories on Etsy in 2026

Based on marketplace data, seller insights, and trend analysis, here are the categories driving the most sales on Etsy right now:

1. Digital Downloads & Printables

Why it's hot: Zero inventory, instant delivery, unlimited sales potential, and increasingly high demand for planners, templates, and digital art.

Profit margin: 80-95% (after Etsy fees and initial creation time)

Best-selling digital products:

• Planners & organizers: Daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly planners remain perennial bestsellers
• Wall art printables: Minimalist quotes, botanical prints, nursery art
• Wedding stationery: Invitation templates, save-the-dates, seating charts
• Business templates: Invoice templates, social media templates, resume designs
• Educational printables: Homeschool worksheets, kids activities, learning games
• Notion templates: Productivity systems, habit trackers, project planners
• SVG files: Cut files for Cricut and Silhouette crafters

Pro tip: Bundle related printables together for higher average order values. A "Wedding Planning Bundle" with 15 templates can sell for $29-49 vs. $5-7 for individual items.

Marketing angle: Digital products perform exceptionally well on Pinterest. Learn how to avoid common Pinterest marketing mistakes that could limit your visibility, and read our latest take on whether Pinterest is still worth it for Etsy sellers in 2026.

2. Personalized & Custom Jewelry

Why it's hot: Jewelry with names, initials, birthstones, or custom engravings commands premium prices and has strong gift appeal.

Profit margin: 50-70% for handmade; higher for print-on-demand jewelry

Best-selling jewelry types:

• Name necklaces: Script names, block letters, vertical designs
• Birthstone jewelry: Rings, necklaces, and bracelets with family birthstones
• Initial jewelry: Minimalist initial pendants and rings
• Coordinate jewelry: Pieces engraved with special location coordinates
• Memorial jewelry: Pet memorial, angel wing, and remembrance pieces
• Couples jewelry: Matching bracelets, split-heart necklaces, promise rings
• Zodiac jewelry: Constellation necklaces and zodiac sign pendants

Key insight: Jewelry buyers on Etsy expect personalization. If you're selling jewelry without customization options, you're leaving money on the table.

3. Wedding & Event Items

Why it's hot: Weddings are one of the few remaining events where people prioritize unique, personalized items over mass-produced goods.

Profit margin: 40-60% for physical items; 80%+ for digital templates

Best-selling wedding products:

• Invitation suites: Full sets including invitations, RSVPs, details cards, envelopes
• Day-of signage: Welcome signs, seating charts, table numbers, bar menus
• Favors: Personalized candles, seed packets, keychains, bottle openers
• Bridal party gifts: Robes, proposal boxes, personalized hangers, tote bags
• Guest books: Alternative guest books, fingerprint trees, Polaroid albums
• Cake toppers: Custom name toppers, acrylic designs, figurines
• Veils & accessories: Handmade veils, hair pieces, wedding jewelry

Seasonal tip: Wedding products see peak demand from January-June (engagement season through wedding season). Plan inventory accordingly.

Related reading: If you're creating wedding products, organize your Pinterest boards strategically. Check out our wedding Pinterest board names guide for ideas that attract brides-to-be.

4. Home Décor & Wall Art

Why it's hot: Home décor has massive search volume and appeals to a wide demographic. The "Instagram-able home" trend continues to drive purchases.

Profit margin: 40-60% for handmade; 70%+ for print-on-demand

Best-selling home décor:

• Canvas wall art: Abstract art, nature photography, statement quotes
• Macramé: Wall hangings, plant hangers, table runners
• Personalized signs: Family name signs, address plaques, kitchen quotes
• Candles & holders: Soy candles, unique vessels, minimalist holders
• Planters & vases: Geometric planters, face vases, propagation stations
• Throws & pillows: Boho throw blankets, custom pillows, cushion covers
• Clocks & mirrors: Unique timepieces, decorative mirrors, statement pieces

Trend alert for 2026: Sustainable and eco-friendly home décor continues to grow. Products made from recycled materials, upcycled items, and sustainably sourced materials command premium prices.

5. Personalized Gifts

Why it's hot: Gift-givers want something unique and thoughtful. Personalized items feel more special than generic gifts.

Profit margin: 45-65%

Best-selling personalized gifts:

• Photo gifts: Custom photo albums, memory books, photo tiles
• Engraved items: Cutting boards, wine glasses, pocket knives
• Custom portraits: Pet portraits, family illustrations, couple drawings
• Name items: Personalized puzzles, books with child's name, custom maps
• Memory gifts: First dance song prints, custom star maps, anniversary timelines
• Baby gifts: Personalized blankets, name puzzles, growth charts

Occasion breakdown: Plan your product calendar around gift-giving occasions:

• Valentine's Day (February)
• Mother's Day (May)
• Father's Day (June)
• Graduation season (May-June)
• Back to school (August-September)
• Holiday season (November-December)

6. Craft Supplies & Tools

Why it's hot: Selling to other crafters is a proven Etsy strategy. Crafters are repeat buyers who value quality materials.

Profit margin: 30-50%

Best-selling craft supplies:

• Beads & findings: Gemstone beads, unique clasps, quality chains
• Fabric & patterns: Specialty fabrics, sewing patterns, quilting bundles
• Stamps & dies: Clear stamps, cutting dies, embossing folders
• Yarn & fibers: Hand-dyed yarn, specialty fibers, macramé cord
• Resin supplies: Molds, pigments, inclusions, bezels
• Stickers for crafting: Journaling stickers, planner stickers, scrapbook elements
• Digital patterns: Crochet patterns, embroidery designs, woodworking plans

Business model tip: Craft supplies have lower margins per item but higher repeat purchase rates. Focus on building customer loyalty and subscription-style purchases.

7. Stickers & Paper Goods

Why it's hot: Low cost to produce, lightweight shipping, high demand from planner communities, bullet journal enthusiasts, and journalers.

Profit margin: 60-80%

Best-selling stickers:

• Planner stickers: Functional stickers, decorative kits, monthly themes
• Laptop & water bottle stickers: Die-cut designs, pop culture references, aesthetic bundles
• Journaling stickers: Vintage ephemera, washi stickers, clear stickers
• Seasonal stickers: Holiday themes, seasonal collections, limited editions
• Kids stickers: Reward stickers, educational stickers, character designs
• Business stickers: Thank you stickers, packaging stickers, branded labels

Scaling strategy: Sticker businesses scale exceptionally well. Once you have winning designs, production becomes efficient and repeat customers become your growth engine.

8. Vintage & Antique Items

Why it's hot: True vintage (20+ years old) has no competition from mass production. Each item is genuinely unique.

Profit margin: Highly variable (50-300%+ depending on sourcing)

Best-selling vintage categories:

• Vintage clothing: 90s fashion, designer pieces, band tees, denim
• Vintage home décor: Mid-century furniture, glassware, pottery
• Collectibles: Pyrex, Fire-King, vintage Pyrex, advertising items
• Vintage jewelry: Estate jewelry, costume jewelry, designer pieces
• Vintage books & ephemera: First editions, vintage magazines, postcards
• Vintage toys: Retro games, collectible figurines, nostalgic items

Sourcing tip: Estate sales, thrift stores, auction sites, and yard sales are your inventory sources. The best vintage sellers develop keen eyes for underpriced treasures.

9. Clothing & Accessories

Why it's hot: Fashion is one of Etsy's largest categories. Custom and handmade clothing commands premium prices.

Profit margin: 40-60% for handmade; 20-35% for print-on-demand

Best-selling clothing items:

• Graphic tees: Niche humor, pop culture, vintage-style graphics
• Handmade dresses: Linen dresses, cottagecore styles, vintage reproductions
• Accessories: Handmade bags, hair accessories, scarves
• Kids clothing: Matching family outfits, personalized items, organic basics
• Pet clothing: Dog bandanas, cat bow ties, pet costumes
• Custom embroidery: Personalized jackets, embroidered sweatshirts

Print-on-demand consideration: Services like Printful or Printify handle production and shipping, letting you focus on design. Margins are lower but so is your time investment.

10. Art & Illustrations

Why it's hot: Original art, prints, and illustrations appeal to buyers seeking unique pieces that mass retailers can't offer.

Profit margin: 70-90% for prints; variable for originals

Best-selling art products:

• Digital art prints: Downloadable art in various sizes
• Physical prints: Giclée prints, photography prints, illustration prints
• Original paintings: Unique pieces with higher price points
• Commissioned work: Custom portraits, pet paintings, house illustrations
• Art prints for kids: Nursery art, educational art, character illustrations
• Seasonal art: Holiday prints, seasonal collections

Multiple revenue streams: Smart artists sell the same artwork multiple ways—original painting, limited edition prints, open edition prints, and digital downloads.

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Profit Margin Comparison by Category

Understanding typical margins helps you price products correctly. Remember that Etsy takes approximately 10% in combined fees on standard sales (more with Offsite Ads).

Category	Typical Margin	Notes
Digital Downloads	80-95%	Highest margins, no COGS after creation
Stickers	60-80%	Low production costs, lightweight shipping
Art Prints	70-90%	Print-on-demand reduces margins to 30-50%
Jewelry	50-70%	Material costs vary significantly
Personalized Gifts	45-65%	Customization takes time
Home Décor	40-60%	Shipping costs can eat into margins
Wedding Items	40-60%	Higher prices offset lower margins
Clothing	40-60%	Print-on-demand: 20-35%
Craft Supplies	30-50%	Volume sales compensate
Vintage	50-300%+	Depends entirely on sourcing ability

Important: These are margins before Etsy fees. After Etsy's cut, expect your net margin to be 8-12% lower. Learn about all Etsy seller fees to price accurately.

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Emerging Trends for 2026

Stay ahead of the competition by watching these growing trends:

1. AI-Assisted Custom Products

Products that use AI for personalization—like custom portraits, AI-enhanced designs, or generated patterns—are growing rapidly. Buyers appreciate the unique results AI can help create.

2. Sustainability & Eco-Friendly Products

"Sustainable" and "eco-friendly" search terms continue to grow year-over-year. Products made from recycled materials, plastic-free packaging, and zero-waste alternatives command premium prices.

3. Pet Products

The pet industry shows no signs of slowing. Pet portraits, custom pet merchandise, and personalized pet accessories are thriving categories.

4. Nostalgia & Y2K Aesthetic

90s and early 2000s nostalgia continues to influence design trends. Products with retro aesthetics, vintage-inspired designs, and nostalgic references perform well.

5. Wellness & Self-Care

Journals, meditation aids, aromatherapy products, and self-care gift sets align with the ongoing wellness movement.

6. Customizable Digital Tools

Notion templates, Canva templates, and other customizable digital tools for productivity and business are rapidly growing categories.

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How to Stand Out in Competitive Categories

Choosing a profitable category is just the first step. Here's how to differentiate in crowded markets:

1. Niche Down Specifically

Instead of "wedding invitations," sell "rustic barn wedding invitations with wildflower designs." Specificity helps you rank for long-tail keywords and attract your ideal customer.

2. Perfect Your Photography

Product photography is the #1 factor in Etsy click-through rates. Invest in:

• Consistent, bright lighting
• Lifestyle context shots
• Multiple angles
• Scale references
• Detail close-ups

3. Optimize for Etsy SEO

Use all 13 tags, write keyword-rich titles, and create detailed descriptions. Research what successful competitors use and find gaps you can fill.

4. Offer Exceptional Customization

Go beyond basic personalization. Offer font choices, color options, and design variations. More options = more perceived value.

5. Build a Brand Story

Why do you create what you create? Share your story, your process, your values. Buyers connect with makers, not faceless shops.

6. Provide Outstanding Service

Fast shipping, beautiful packaging, and responsive communication turn one-time buyers into repeat customers and review-leavers.

7. Leverage Social Media Traffic

Don't rely solely on Etsy search. Drive your own traffic through Pinterest, Instagram, and TikTok. Wondering if it's worth the effort? Read our analysis of Pinterest and Etsy in 2026. Need ideas? Our 30-day content calendar for digital product creators gives you a month of ready-to-use posts.

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Starting Your Etsy Shop: Practical Considerations

Before choosing your products, consider these practical factors:

Startup Costs by Category

Category	Typical Startup Cost	What You'll Need
Digital Downloads	$0-200	Design software, fonts, stock photos
Stickers	$200-500	Printer, vinyl, cutting machine optional
Jewelry	$300-1,000	Materials, tools, packaging
Home Décor	$500-2,000	Materials, equipment varies by product
Vintage	$200-1,000	Sourcing capital, cleaning supplies
Clothing (POD)	$0-100	Design software only
Art Prints	$100-500	Printing setup or POD account

Business Registration

Once you're selling regularly, you'll need to register your business properly. Our NAICS codes guide for Etsy sellers helps you choose the right business classification for taxes, loans, and registration.

Understanding Your Fees

Etsy fees add up quickly. For every sale, expect to pay:

• Listing fee: $0.20
• Transaction fee: 6.5%
• Payment processing: ~3%
• Offsite Ads: 12-15% (if applicable)

Learn more about how much Etsy takes from sellers and factor these into your pricing from day one. The Offsite Ads fee can be particularly significant—up to 15% on qualifying sales.

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Common Mistakes When Choosing Products

Avoid these pitfalls that trip up new sellers:

1. Copying Bestsellers Exactly

If you make the exact same product as a shop with 50,000 sales, you won't outrank them. Find your unique angle.

2. Ignoring Profit Margins

A product that sells for $15 with $10 in materials and $3 in shipping isn't viable after Etsy's ~10% cut.

3. Starting Too Broad

Opening with 200 products in 15 categories dilutes your brand and makes optimization impossible. Start focused.

4. Underestimating Time Investment

Making handmade products takes time. Calculate your hourly rate before committing to labor-intensive items.

5. Overlooking Shipping Costs

Large, heavy, or fragile items cost more to ship. Factor this into your pricing strategy.

6. Not Validating Demand

Before investing in inventory, validate that buyers actually want your product. Research search volume and competitor sales.

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Getting Your First Sales

The hardest sales to get are your first 10. Here's how to build momentum:

1. Nail Your Listings

Complete, optimized listings with great photos rank better and convert higher. Not sure what "good" looks like? Use our benchmark guide on what a good Etsy conversion rate is in 2026 to evaluate performance by niche.

2. Price Competitively (Initially)

Consider lower introductory prices to generate sales and reviews. Raise prices once you have social proof.

3. Promote Off-Platform

Don't wait for Etsy search traffic. Share on social media, tell friends and family, post in relevant communities.

4. Run a Star Seller Program

Hit Etsy's Star Seller requirements (quick shipping, good reviews, responsive messaging) for a visibility boost.

5. Leverage Etsy Ads (Carefully)

Start with a small daily budget ($1-5) to test which products convert. Scale what works.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the most profitable thing to sell on Etsy?

A: Digital downloads consistently offer the highest profit margins (80-95%) since there's no ongoing production cost after initial creation. However, "most profitable" also depends on your skills, time investment, and ability to differentiate in your chosen category.

Q: How much money can I realistically make on Etsy?

A: Earnings vary dramatically. Most Etsy sellers earn under $1,000/year, while top sellers make six or even seven figures annually. Your results depend on product selection, pricing, marketing effort, and time investment. Treat it like a real business for business-level results.

Q: Should I sell handmade or digital products?

A: It depends on your skills and goals. Digital products scale infinitely but require upfront design work. Handmade products have ongoing production time but may command higher prices. Many successful sellers do both.

Q: How do I know if a product idea is viable?

A: Research existing competition—some competition validates demand, but too much makes it hard to stand out. Check search volumes using Etsy's search bar autocomplete. Look at competitor reviews and sales counts. Test with a small initial listing before full commitment.

Q: What's the best category for beginners?

A: Digital downloads and stickers are beginner-friendly due to low startup costs and no inventory management. However, the "best" category is one that matches your skills and interests—you'll need sustained motivation to build a successful shop.

Q: How many products should I start with?

A: Start with 10-20 well-optimized listings in a focused niche. Quality beats quantity. Once you understand what sells, expand strategically.

Q: Do I need expensive equipment to start?

A: Not necessarily. Digital product sellers need only design software (Canva is free). Print-on-demand requires no equipment. Handmade product equipment varies—start with what you have and upgrade as you earn.

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Conclusion: Finding Your Profitable Niche

Success on Etsy isn't about finding the "perfect" product category—it's about finding the right match between market demand, your skills, and your passion.

Key takeaways:

1. Digital products offer the highest margins but require design skills and marketing effort
2. Personalization is key across almost every category—buyers come to Etsy for unique, customized items
3. Understand your costs before pricing—use our Etsy Fee Calculator to know your true profit
4. Niche down specifically rather than competing broadly
5. Stand out through quality, story, and service—not just price
6. Drive your own traffic through social media marketing

The best-performing Etsy sellers treat their shops like real businesses: they research their market, understand their costs, optimize continuously, and market actively.

Choose a category that excites you, validate demand, and start creating. Your first sale is closer than you think.

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Related Resources

• Complete Etsy Fee Breakdown for 2026 — Understand exactly how much Etsy takes from every sale
• Etsy's Offsite Ads Fee Explained — Learn how the 12-15% advertising fee works
• NAICS Codes for Etsy Sellers — Choose the right business classification for taxes
• Etsy Fee Calculator — Calculate your exact profit after all fees
• Pinterest Marketing Mistakes to Avoid — Drive traffic to your Etsy shop without paying for ads
• 30-Day Content Calendar for Creators — Ready-to-use social media ideas to promote your products

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Sources

This guide references industry research and trusted resources:

• 15 Best Things to Sell on Etsy in 2026 – Printful
• 7+ Best-selling items on Etsy for 2026 – Printify
• Best Selling Items on Etsy 2026: Find 20+ Profitable Categories – AdNabu
• Top Etsy Trends 2026: Products to Sell and Emerging Ideas – eRank
• Etsy Seller Handbook – Official Etsy resource for sellers

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Last Updated: January 26, 2026
Category: Etsy
Reading Time: 12 minutes

Ready to start your Etsy shop? Use the product ideas in this guide as inspiration, then take action. The best time to start selling was yesterday—the second best time is today.