If you’ve ever dreamed of making passive income online but feel stuck because you can’t design or draw, here’s some good news: you don’t need to be an artist to sell digital prints on Etsy.
In fact, thousands of people with zero design background are making hundreds — even thousands — of dollars every month by selling things like wall art, printable quotes, planner pages, and more.
So how are they doing it?
Let’s break it all down step-by-step. By the end of this guide, you’ll know exactly how to set up your own digital Etsy shop — even if your artistic skills stop at stick figures.
Why Sell Digital Prints on Etsy?
Selling digital products is one of the smartest side hustles right now — especially on Etsy. Here’s why:
- No inventory
- No shipping or packaging
- You create it once and sell it forever
- 100% profit after the initial work
Digital prints are perfect for this. People are always looking for affordable, beautiful wall art, motivational quotes, calendar templates, planners, and holiday decor they can download and print instantly.
And Etsy has a built-in audience of over 90 million active buyers. You just need the right product in front of the right person.
But I Can’t Draw… Can I Still Do This?
Yes. A thousand times yes.
With the rise of AI design tools and user-friendly platforms like Canva, you can create professional-looking digital prints without touching a pencil or Photoshop.
Even better? There’s a powerful tool that can take things to the next level — we’ll talk about that soon.
Step 1: Choose Your Niche (This Is Where Most People Mess Up)
Before you start designing anything, pick a niche — a specific audience or theme you’ll focus on. This helps you stand out and attract the right buyers.
Here are a few profitable digital print niches on Etsy:
- Minimalist wall art
- Motivational or spiritual quotes
- Nursery prints for babies/kids
- Printable planners and journals
- Seasonal holiday decor (e.g., Christmas, Halloween)
- Wedding signs and bridal shower games
- Digital affirmations for mental health
Pro Tip: Go to Etsy and search terms like “printable wall art” or “digital planner.” Filter by “Bestseller” and “Top Reviews” — see what’s trending.
Step 2: Create Your Designs (Without Drawing Anything)
Now here’s the magic part. You can design beautiful printables using:
💻 Canva
Canva is the go-to for beginners. It’s drag-and-drop, free to use, and comes with thousands of pre-made templates you can customize.
Search for:
- Wall art templates
- Planners
- Instagram quotes (resize to fit print dimensions)
Customize fonts, colors, and layouts. You can even use Canva’s free graphics and illustrations for commercial use — just double-check the license.
🤖 Using AI to Create Digital Art (Even Better)
If you want to create truly original digital art, consider using AI design tools that generate stunning visuals for you.
There’s one in particular that’s turning heads — and it’s not loud in the streets yet, but top sellers are already using it quietly.
✨ Meet Artistly AI
Artistly AI lets you create studio-quality digital illustrations with just a few words of description.
Type something like “golden sunset over mountains in watercolor style” — and Artistly gives you downloadable high-res art ready to sell.
No drawing. No Photoshop. No creative block.
You can instantly generate:
- Abstract wall art
- Watercolor animals
- Fantasy landscapes
- Retro illustrations
- Quotes with stylish visuals
It’s like having a pro artist working for you 24/7 — but without paying commissions.
👉 Try Artistly AI here (quietly): Artistly AI
Step 3: Prepare Your Files for Etsy
People love digital art because they can download and print it easily.
Your job is to deliver high-quality, easy-to-use files. Here’s how:
🔹 Export as High-Resolution JPEG or PDF
300 DPI (dots per inch) is standard for printing.
🔹 Offer Multiple Sizes
This makes your listing more appealing. Include standard frame sizes like:
- 5×7 in
- 8×10 in
- 11×14 in
- 16×20 in
- A4 or A3 (for international buyers)
Use a size guide or templates to resize quickly in Canva or Photoshop.
🔹 Zip It Up
Put all versions of your file into a ZIP folder for easy download on Etsy.
Step 4: Set Up Your Etsy Store (Takes Less Than an Hour)
If you don’t have an Etsy account yet, go to Etsy.com/sell and create one.
Then:
- Pick a Store Name
Something short, memorable, and niche-friendly. - Add a Logo and Banner
Use Canva to create these for free. - Set Shop Preferences (Currency, Language, etc.)
Etsy will guide you through each step.
Step 5: Create Your First Listing
Here’s how to make a listing that stands out and sells:
🧠 Title
Include keywords like “Minimalist Wall Art Printable” or “Motivational Quote Digital Download.”
🖼️ Images
Upload mockups showing your art in frames, on walls, or in homes. You can create these in Canva or with free mockup sites like Smartmockups.
📝 Description
Explain what the buyer is getting, how to download, and how to print. Include sizing info.
📁 Upload Files
Etsy allows five digital files per listing. If you have more, upload a ZIP file.
💵 Set a Price
Most digital prints sell between $2.99 and $8.99. Bundles can go higher.
Step 6: Drive Traffic to Your Listings
Etsy gives you some traffic, but don’t rely on that alone.
Promote your shop like a smart digital hustler:
Post your designs with links to your Etsy store. Pinterest is gold for printable art.
✅ TikTok / Instagram Reels
Show your process using Artistly AI or Canva. People LOVE behind-the-scenes content.
✅ Etsy SEO
Use keywords in your title, tags, and description. Example keywords:
“boho wall art,” “printable nursery decor,” “modern abstract print.”
✅ Offer Promotions
First-time buyer discounts, bundles, or “Buy 2 Get 1 Free” deals work well.
Step 7: Rinse and Repeat
Once you’ve uploaded a few designs, don’t stop. The real money comes from volume and consistency.
The top sellers on Etsy have 50 to 500+ listings.
Set a goal to upload 5 to 10 new designs per week. Use tools like Artistly AI to generate content faster without burning out.
How Much Can You Make?
Digital Etsy sellers report:
- $200–$500/month with just 10–20 listings
- $1,000–$5,000/month with 100+ listings and good SEO
- Some full-time sellers make $10,000+/month with bundles and promotions
Your growth depends on your effort, niche, and consistency.
Final Thoughts: You Don’t Need to Be a Designer to Make Money with Digital Prints
If you’ve been hesitating because you think you’re not “creative enough,” it’s time to stop overthinking.
You now have tools that can do 80% of the work for you — you just need to start.
📌 Choose a niche
🎨 Use tools like Canva and Artistly AI to create high-quality designs
🛒 Upload and optimize your Etsy listings
🚀 Promote and scale
And the best part? Once your shop is set up, it keeps making money while you sleep.
So no — you don’t need to draw. You just need the blueprint.
Ready to Start Selling Digital Prints?
👉 Try Artistly AI and start designing your first print today:
Artistly AI
It’s time to stop scrolling Etsy and start earning on Etsy.