Crickets to Cha-Chings, Episode 204: "Sell These Now Says Dori of Your Etsy Bestie (Digital + POD)"

Podcast Date: September 15, 2025
Host: Julie Berninger (Gold City Ventures)
Guest: Dori ("Your Etsy Bestie")
Theme: The hottest Etsy trends and actionable product ideas for digital and print-on-demand (POD) sellers, with advice on staying the course as a creative entrepreneur.

Episode Overview

In this episode, host Julie Berninger is joined by Dori of "Your Etsy Bestie" to discuss the five current must-sell trends on Etsy, spanning handmade, digital, and print-on-demand products. Dori shares industry insights, concrete product ideas, and encouragement for Etsy sellers—new and seasoned—who might feel impatient on their journey. The conversation is practical, motivational, and filled with real-world examples.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Dori's Multi-Passionate Entrepreneurial Journey

Timestamp: [00:09]-[03:25]
Dori recounts her Etsy experience dating back to 2007, having experimented with all types of shops from handmade products to print-on-demand and digital goods.
She embraces being "multi-passionate" and encourages diversifying income streams, but cautions about chasing trendy success without patience.
Quote:

"One of the biggest mistakes I see... is that they give up before they're successful because everyone's made it look like Etsy and Print on Demand and Printables is all this overnight success. And just with anything it takes time to build." (Dori, [01:41])
Julie reinforces the need for patience by referencing the "J curve" and a story of a seller who took 12 months to reach 100 sales but eventually became a full-time Etsy shop owner ([04:06]).

2. Trend #1: Leopard Print Everything

Timestamp: [05:18]-[08:49]
Leopard print is a cross-category bestseller, with high demand in digital downloads, apparel, home decor, and more.
Profitry research shows multiple top-selling listings—simple leopard print PNGs, varsity lettering, and even home goods—moving fast.
Julie humorously shares her own leopard art buying experience for an Airbnb ([07:27]).
Quote:

"You can put leopard on anything and you can't go wrong, probably. And I don't see, I don't see leopard going out anytime soon." (Dori, [07:49])
Sub-trend: Espresso/brown backgrounds appearing in leopard print designs, with color variety and continued popularity beyond children to adult decor and fashion ([08:27]).

3. Trend #2: Puff Embossed/Tone-on-Tone Apparel

Timestamp: [08:59]-[13:54]
Puff (raised/embossed) sweatshirt designs, especially monochrome, are exploding in sales—even for relatively new listings.
In print on demand, tone-on-tone (matching thread and garment color) is the workaround since true puff isn't widely supported. For handmade sellers, puff vinyl or screen print transfers are viable.
These designs are classic, often personalized, and avoid trademark headaches by focusing on generic team/school spirit themes.
Quote:

"This listing is only three months old and has almost $14,000 in monthly revenue and 30, almost $33,000 in total revenue in three months..." (Dori, [09:13])

"The things that I see on Etsy that sell tenfold over, just everything else, is classic designs, minimalist, simple, timeless... Simple sells, and it really does." (Dori, [14:12])

4. Trend #3: Cropped Apparel

Timestamp: [14:05]-[17:44]
Cropped hoodies and tees are highly in-demand, trending into fall. Patterns, digital files (for sewing/crochet), and finished POD items are all viable.
Combining trends multiplies opportunity, e.g., cropped + puff embossed.
Product recommendations for sellers: Bella Canvas (cropped and sponge fleece) and Gildan for sweatshirts. For tees, Comfort Colors is currently preferred due to the "oversized boyfriend" trend.
Light moment: Julie reflects humorously on being 38 weeks pregnant and the impracticality of cropped tops ([16:07]).

5. Trend #4: Digital Planners

Timestamp: [18:02]-[21:07]
Digital planners (and printable versions) are booming, driven partly by the adult ADHD/ADD trend and broad organizational needs.
Variations—daily planners, wedding planners, 'brain dumps', teacher planners, and more—allow sellers to cater to different audiences and seasons (e.g., back-to-school, New Year).
Quote:

"All of your time is spent just creating it one time and, and then it's passive from there. So I mean you can't go wrong with digital planners." (Dori, [19:37])

6. Trend #5: Personalized Baby Products (Books, Blankets, Sweaters, etc.)

Timestamp: [21:07]-[26:23]
Personalized baby books are a "million-dollar idea," with bestsellers earning nearly a million dollars over several years.
Opportunity exists across handmade, POD, and digital—think books, crocheted sweaters (with script names), baby blankets, and more.
Personalization is core to Etsy's appeal and can increase average order value as buyers bundle gifts.
Quote:

"If you're looking for a niche to get into on Etsy, you cannot go wrong with personalized and baby anything." (Dori, [24:56])

7. Bonus Tips: Broadening Personalization + SEO Strategies

Timestamp: [26:23]-[28:49]
Products like tumblers can multiply their reach with customizations tailored to specific events or recipient types (e.g., graduation, bridesmaids, teachers).
SEO is about “casting a wide net”—the more unique, targeted listings for different customer segments you have, the more likely you are to get found.
Pets (cat, dog) are also huge in the customizable space, rivaling baby-related keywords ([26:32]).
Quote:

"The more raffle tickets you have in your bowl...the more chance you have at winning. It's kind of the same thing when it comes to your SEO and your customer segments on Etsy..." (Dori, [27:24])

8. Giftability and Apparel: Who's Buying Customized Products?

Timestamp: [28:49]-[30:22]
With apparel, buyers are often gifting unique items as much as shopping for themselves—customization increases the gift appeal.
Dori estimates it's close to 50/50, but custom items are likely skewed toward gifts.

9. Where to Find Dori (“Your Etsy Bestie”)

Timestamp: [30:22]-[30:49]
Dori is most active on TikTok (@youretsybestie) and also on Instagram under the same handle.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On patience & success:
"You could be doing a very good, lucrative thing. You just might need some direction and strategy or some help with your trends or your designs...so sticking with it is a huge part of it." (Dori, [02:19])
On current product trends:
"Leopard everything is all the rage right now...you can put leopard on anything and you can't go wrong..." (Dori, [07:49])
On minimalism & classic design:
"Simple sells, and it really does." (Dori, [14:12])
On personalization as a breakthrough strategy:
"If you have the ability to do anything customized or personalized, that's really one of the simplest ways to break through on Etsy..." (Dori, [26:02])
On SEO and market segmentation:
"The more you can reach, the more fish. So it's like casting your net wide, you're gonna catch more fish." (Dori, [27:24])

Timestamps of Key Segments

[00:09] Dori’s Etsy journey & business philosophy
[03:25] The importance of persistence (“J curve” and "iceberg" analogies)
[05:18] Trend #1: Leopard print—digital and physical products
[08:59] Trend #2: Puff embossed/tone-on-tone apparel and customizations
[14:05] Trend #3: Cropped apparel and bestselling POD brands
[18:02] Trend #4: The boom in digital planners and organizational printables
[21:07] Trend #5: Personalized baby products and high-value listings
[24:56] Personalization opportunities and bundling for higher order value
[26:23] Bonus: Pets and personalization; SEO tips for Etsy categories
[28:49] Apparel - self-purchase vs. giftability
[30:22] Where to find Dori online

Conclusion

Dori delivers practical, data-backed advice for Etsy sellers—both those focused on digital and print-on-demand products and hands-on makers. The conversation emphasizes patience, trend awareness, and the persistent value of personalization and classic design. Throughout, both Julie and Dori keep the tone supportive, witty, and action-oriented, making this episode especially valuable for Etsy entrepreneurs looking to level-up their shops in 2025.

Crickets to Cha-Chings, Episode 204: "Sell These Now Says Dori of Your Etsy Bestie (Digital + POD)"

Episode Overview

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Dori's Multi-Passionate Entrepreneurial Journey

Timestamp: [00:09]-[03:25]
Dori recounts her Etsy experience dating back to 2007, having experimented with all types of shops from handmade products to print-on-demand and digital goods.
She embraces being "multi-passionate" and encourages diversifying income streams, but cautions about chasing trendy success without patience.
Quote:

"One of the biggest mistakes I see... is that they give up before they're successful because everyone's made it look like Etsy and Print on Demand and Printables is all this overnight success. And just with anything it takes time to build." (Dori, [01:41])
Julie reinforces the need for patience by referencing the "J curve" and a story of a seller who took 12 months to reach 100 sales but eventually became a full-time Etsy shop owner ([04:06]).

2. Trend #1: Leopard Print Everything

Timestamp: [05:18]-[08:49]
Leopard print is a cross-category bestseller, with high demand in digital downloads, apparel, home decor, and more.
Profitry research shows multiple top-selling listings—simple leopard print PNGs, varsity lettering, and even home goods—moving fast.
Julie humorously shares her own leopard art buying experience for an Airbnb ([07:27]).
Quote:

"You can put leopard on anything and you can't go wrong, probably. And I don't see, I don't see leopard going out anytime soon." (Dori, [07:49])
Sub-trend: Espresso/brown backgrounds appearing in leopard print designs, with color variety and continued popularity beyond children to adult decor and fashion ([08:27]).

3. Trend #2: Puff Embossed/Tone-on-Tone Apparel

Timestamp: [08:59]-[13:54]
Puff (raised/embossed) sweatshirt designs, especially monochrome, are exploding in sales—even for relatively new listings.
In print on demand, tone-on-tone (matching thread and garment color) is the workaround since true puff isn't widely supported. For handmade sellers, puff vinyl or screen print transfers are viable.
These designs are classic, often personalized, and avoid trademark headaches by focusing on generic team/school spirit themes.
Quote:

"This listing is only three months old and has almost $14,000 in monthly revenue and 30, almost $33,000 in total revenue in three months..." (Dori, [09:13])

"The things that I see on Etsy that sell tenfold over, just everything else, is classic designs, minimalist, simple, timeless... Simple sells, and it really does." (Dori, [14:12])

4. Trend #3: Cropped Apparel

Timestamp: [14:05]-[17:44]
Cropped hoodies and tees are highly in-demand, trending into fall. Patterns, digital files (for sewing/crochet), and finished POD items are all viable.
Combining trends multiplies opportunity, e.g., cropped + puff embossed.
Product recommendations for sellers: Bella Canvas (cropped and sponge fleece) and Gildan for sweatshirts. For tees, Comfort Colors is currently preferred due to the "oversized boyfriend" trend.
Light moment: Julie reflects humorously on being 38 weeks pregnant and the impracticality of cropped tops ([16:07]).

5. Trend #4: Digital Planners

Timestamp: [18:02]-[21:07]
Digital planners (and printable versions) are booming, driven partly by the adult ADHD/ADD trend and broad organizational needs.
Variations—daily planners, wedding planners, 'brain dumps', teacher planners, and more—allow sellers to cater to different audiences and seasons (e.g., back-to-school, New Year).
Quote:

"All of your time is spent just creating it one time and, and then it's passive from there. So I mean you can't go wrong with digital planners." (Dori, [19:37])

6. Trend #5: Personalized Baby Products (Books, Blankets, Sweaters, etc.)

Timestamp: [21:07]-[26:23]
Personalized baby books are a "million-dollar idea," with bestsellers earning nearly a million dollars over several years.
Opportunity exists across handmade, POD, and digital—think books, crocheted sweaters (with script names), baby blankets, and more.
Personalization is core to Etsy's appeal and can increase average order value as buyers bundle gifts.
Quote:

"If you're looking for a niche to get into on Etsy, you cannot go wrong with personalized and baby anything." (Dori, [24:56])

7. Bonus Tips: Broadening Personalization + SEO Strategies

Timestamp: [26:23]-[28:49]
Products like tumblers can multiply their reach with customizations tailored to specific events or recipient types (e.g., graduation, bridesmaids, teachers).
SEO is about “casting a wide net”—the more unique, targeted listings for different customer segments you have, the more likely you are to get found.
Pets (cat, dog) are also huge in the customizable space, rivaling baby-related keywords ([26:32]).
Quote:

"The more raffle tickets you have in your bowl...the more chance you have at winning. It's kind of the same thing when it comes to your SEO and your customer segments on Etsy..." (Dori, [27:24])

8. Giftability and Apparel: Who's Buying Customized Products?

Timestamp: [28:49]-[30:22]
With apparel, buyers are often gifting unique items as much as shopping for themselves—customization increases the gift appeal.
Dori estimates it's close to 50/50, but custom items are likely skewed toward gifts.

9. Where to Find Dori (“Your Etsy Bestie”)

Timestamp: [30:22]-[30:49]
Dori is most active on TikTok (@youretsybestie) and also on Instagram under the same handle.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On patience & success:
"You could be doing a very good, lucrative thing. You just might need some direction and strategy or some help with your trends or your designs...so sticking with it is a huge part of it." (Dori, [02:19])
On current product trends:
"Leopard everything is all the rage right now...you can put leopard on anything and you can't go wrong..." (Dori, [07:49])
On minimalism & classic design:
"Simple sells, and it really does." (Dori, [14:12])
On personalization as a breakthrough strategy:
"If you have the ability to do anything customized or personalized, that's really one of the simplest ways to break through on Etsy..." (Dori, [26:02])
On SEO and market segmentation:
"The more you can reach, the more fish. So it's like casting your net wide, you're gonna catch more fish." (Dori, [27:24])

Timestamps of Key Segments

[00:09] Dori’s Etsy journey & business philosophy
[03:25] The importance of persistence (“J curve” and "iceberg" analogies)
[05:18] Trend #1: Leopard print—digital and physical products
[08:59] Trend #2: Puff embossed/tone-on-tone apparel and customizations
[14:05] Trend #3: Cropped apparel and bestselling POD brands
[18:02] Trend #4: The boom in digital planners and organizational printables
[21:07] Trend #5: Personalized baby products and high-value listings
[24:56] Personalization opportunities and bundling for higher order value
[26:23] Bonus: Pets and personalization; SEO tips for Etsy categories
[28:49] Apparel - self-purchase vs. giftability
[30:22] Where to find Dori online

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204. Sell These Now Says Dori of Your Etsy Bestie (Digital + POD)

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Summary

Crickets to Cha-Chings, Episode 204: "Sell These Now Says Dori of Your Etsy Bestie (Digital + POD)"

Episode Overview

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Dori's Multi-Passionate Entrepreneurial Journey

2. Trend #1: Leopard Print Everything

3. Trend #2: Puff Embossed/Tone-on-Tone Apparel

4. Trend #3: Cropped Apparel

5. Trend #4: Digital Planners

6. Trend #5: Personalized Baby Products (Books, Blankets, Sweaters, etc.)

7. Bonus Tips: Broadening Personalization + SEO Strategies

8. Giftability and Apparel: Who's Buying Customized Products?

9. Where to Find Dori (“Your Etsy Bestie”)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Timestamps of Key Segments

Conclusion

Summary

Crickets to Cha-Chings, Episode 204: "Sell These Now Says Dori of Your Etsy Bestie (Digital + POD)"

Episode Overview

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Dori's Multi-Passionate Entrepreneurial Journey

2. Trend #1: Leopard Print Everything

3. Trend #2: Puff Embossed/Tone-on-Tone Apparel

4. Trend #3: Cropped Apparel

5. Trend #4: Digital Planners

6. Trend #5: Personalized Baby Products (Books, Blankets, Sweaters, etc.)

7. Bonus Tips: Broadening Personalization + SEO Strategies

8. Giftability and Apparel: Who's Buying Customized Products?

9. Where to Find Dori (“Your Etsy Bestie”)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Timestamps of Key Segments

Conclusion