Podcast Summary:

How to Sell Your Stuff on Etsy
Episode 207 | Make More Money Selling These POD Products – with HeatherXStudio
Host: Lizzie Smiley
Guest: Heather (HeatherXStudio)
Release Date: November 13, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode dives deep into the latest trends, strategies, and practical advice for making more money on Etsy with Print on Demand (POD) products as we head into 2026. Host Lizzie Smiley interviews Heather from HeatherXStudio, a top 1% Etsy seller and coach, who surprises with her data-backed insights on what products are emerging as bestsellers. The conversation covers what’s hot for this holiday season, important predictions for 2026, pricing strategies, niche market opportunities, and powerful productivity tools for Etsy sellers of all stages.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Hottest Print on Demand Products for the Holidays (08:22–11:55)

Ornaments:
- "Ornaments sell just so well in the holiday season." (Heather, 08:53)
- Sell year-round, with strong sub-niches: new homeowners, maternity, pregnancy reveals.
- Product tip: Acrylic (glass-like) ornaments trending higher than ceramic; print quality is often better.
Cutting Boards:
- "Cutting boards are very big. It’s like multiple millions of dollars the market has on Etsy." (Heather, 10:19)
- Both engravable wood and printed glass cutting boards are popular, with high profit margins ($15+/sale).
- Stained glass style graphics are a current hot trend.
Custom Wrapping Paper:
- Solid seasonal performer; “last-minute” personalized gifts.
Market Insights:
- These categories are less saturated than apparel, and offer solid year-over-year growth.

2. Pricing Strategies for POD Products (12:01–17:22)

Ornaments: Don’t compete strictly on price with handmade sellers (who can undercut on cost). Instead, confidently price for profit and focus on quality.
- Ceramic: Production cost ~$4–$5, recommend listing at $14.99.
- Acrylic/Glass: Higher production cost (~$10), recommend $19.99+.
- "Don’t be afraid to price higher... customers will attribute your price to the quality and the end result." (Heather, 13:59)
Apparel: Aim for "middle-of-the-market" median pricing to balance perceived quality and sales volume.

3. Product Deep-Dives:

Cutting Boards (17:39–19:08):
- Printify now supports both engraved wood and glass cutting boards.
- Glass cutting boards allow vibrant designs—stained glass effect is trending.
- Higher profit per sale compared to t-shirts; fewer sales needed for the same income.
- "The profit margin for glass cutting boards is insane. Even for engravable cutting boards, you can easily have well over $15 profit per sale." (Heather, 18:21)
Phone Cases & Tech Accessories (29:33–37:44):
- Heather’s experiment: 100 phone case listings → 20+ orders in 30 days, scaling to 100+ sales/month.
- Lower competition, rapidly growing market, and entry point for new sellers.
- "Is phone cases the new product I should design for? ...I saw so much success in phone cases." (Heather, 32:14)
- Tech accessories and home decor are set to be leading print on demand categories in 2026.

4. Shifts in POD Market: Apparel vs. Everything Else (26:33–38:08)

Apparel still sells, but competition is fierce and discovery tougher for new entrants.
Home décor and tech accessories (e.g., phone cases, drinkware, cutting boards) are less saturated, more profitable, and where new sellers find faster success.
"For some sellers, going into t-shirts is just not it right now." (Heather, 35:26)
38% of Etsy’s Q4 2024 sales were home décor. (36:53)

5. Effective Market Research & Tools (19:16–25:02)

Profit Tree:
- Budget-friendly all-in-one profit and data tracker; integrates with Printify, calculates real-time profit, expenses, and ad ROI.
- Includes “Etsy Radar” Chrome extension for real-time marketplace trends and sales stats directly in search results.
- "I was just blown away… this is so cool to see in the past week." (Heather, 24:25)
Compared to higher-priced monthly tools, Profit Tree is recommended for new and budget-conscious sellers.

6. Mockups for Newer POD Product Types (40:07–44:41)

New Products, New Mockup Needs:
- Find distinctive mockups on Etsy (e.g., shop “Impavi Mockups”).
- Custom mockups: Use Canva, Kittl, or AI (ChatGPT) for unique images.
- Etsy’s algorithm favors distinctive main thumbnails—avoid using the same popular mockups as everyone else.
- "AI images come out beautifully… I was so against AI for the longest time… But now… they are just out of this world." (Heather, 45:06)
- Avoid mockups with fingers/hands, as AI still sometimes struggles with realism.

7. Getting Started & Mindset (47:23–54:08)

Open your shop now—shop age increases trust in Etsy’s algorithm, and startup fees always rise.
Action over perfection: First listing can be “garbage”—just get started.
- "Your first listing, you’re probably going to delete or deactivate… might as well just get it over." (Heather, 50:03)
Focus on consistent output, not instant results:
- Daily/weekly listing uploads over months build momentum.
- Quality and quantity both matter, but don’t compare your output to veteran sellers—just move forward!
- "Focus on output and not something that’s out of your control—the listings you create matters most." (Heather, 53:25)
Overcome “Perfectionitis”: Don’t get stuck in the learning phase—take imperfect action.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On the future of POD:
“We are at a stage of a new era of print on demand.” (Heather, 08:13)
On diversifying away from apparel:
"Home decor is a big one that you can break into… so much less saturated." (Heather, 36:39)
"For someone new coming to the table, this is just so fascinating." (Lizzie, 39:05)
On Profit Tree:
"Profit Tree...was the easiest setup I've ever done. I just integrated my Etsy shop and Printify, and it pulled the data automatically." (Heather, 23:52)
On taking the leap:
"The best time to start something new is yesterday. The second best time is today—this moment now." (Heather quoting another podcast, 48:19)
On perfectionism:
"Perfectionitis is just the tendency to not do anything because you feel like it's never going to be perfect enough." (Heather, 51:39)
On her story and mindset:
"The down payment [for our home] was money that I made from print on demand... you can make a life out of this." (Heather, 64:38)

Key Timestamps for Important Segments

08:22 – Top 3 trending holiday POD products
12:01 – Ornaments: pricing & profit margin advice
17:39 – Cutting boards: types, trends, high profits
19:16 – Using Profit Tree for real data and analytics
26:33 – 2026 predictions: market shifts away from apparel
29:33 – Heather’s phone case experiment, results, and process
36:44 – Home decor market stats; why shift focus from apparel
40:07 – Challenges & tips for mockups for new POD products
47:23 – How and why to start your Etsy shop now; overcoming perfectionism
64:38 – Real-life impact: buying a home with POD profits

Action Steps & Tips for New and Growing Etsy POD Sellers

Start early: Even if you’re not ready to go live, open your shop and post a simple listing to gain Etsy trust.
List consistently: Focus on consistent uploads—aim for at least a listing per week to create momentum.
Diversify out of apparel: Explore home décor, tech accessories, and other less saturated categories for higher chances of success.
Invest in the right tools: Budget-friendly, real-time market tracking like Profit Tree can help you make data-based decisions from day one.
Be unique in your presentation: Use distinctive mockups; avoid the “sea of sameness” for better algorithm placement.
Accept imperfection: Launch before you’re ready; your first attempts don’t need to be flawless.
Utilize educational resources: Start with free content (Heather’s crash course, Lizzie’s guides), and invest in focused courses when ready.

Resources Mentioned

Heather’s Links:
- heatherxstudio.com (site, free Print on Demand crash course)
- YouTube: HeatherXStudio
- New “Mega Seller Programs” focused on tech accessories/home décor (details in episode links)
Productivity Tools:
- Profit Tree (with Etsy Radar Chrome extension)
- Canva, Kittl for mockups and backgrounds
Recommended Mockup Shop:
- Impavi Mockups (for tech accessories)
Book Mentioned:
- The Perfectionist's Guide to Losing Control by Katherine Morgan Schafler
Podcast & Educational Offers:
- Lizzie’s Six Figure Secrets beginner Etsy course (discount code in episode)
- Weekly Trends & Opportunities Report (Lizzie’s membership)
- Heather’s retiring Print on Demand Academy (final chance offer)

Episode Tone and Closing

The conversation is supportive, practical, and sprinkled with humor and empathy, reflecting both Lizzie and Heather’s accessible style. The hosts emphasize that while success with Etsy and print on demand is absolutely possible, it requires staying up to date, being willing to pivot, persistence through imperfect action, and choosing the right product markets. They close with gratitude, encouragement, and actionable next steps for sellers at any stage.

“You can do things and make a life out of this… Print on Demand and Etsy changed everything.”
—HeatherXStudio (64:44)

Podcast Summary:

Episode Overview

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Hottest Print on Demand Products for the Holidays (08:22–11:55)

Ornaments:
- "Ornaments sell just so well in the holiday season." (Heather, 08:53)
- Sell year-round, with strong sub-niches: new homeowners, maternity, pregnancy reveals.
- Product tip: Acrylic (glass-like) ornaments trending higher than ceramic; print quality is often better.
Cutting Boards:
- "Cutting boards are very big. It’s like multiple millions of dollars the market has on Etsy." (Heather, 10:19)
- Both engravable wood and printed glass cutting boards are popular, with high profit margins ($15+/sale).
- Stained glass style graphics are a current hot trend.
Custom Wrapping Paper:
- Solid seasonal performer; “last-minute” personalized gifts.
Market Insights:
- These categories are less saturated than apparel, and offer solid year-over-year growth.

2. Pricing Strategies for POD Products (12:01–17:22)

Ornaments: Don’t compete strictly on price with handmade sellers (who can undercut on cost). Instead, confidently price for profit and focus on quality.
- Ceramic: Production cost ~$4–$5, recommend listing at $14.99.
- Acrylic/Glass: Higher production cost (~$10), recommend $19.99+.
- "Don’t be afraid to price higher... customers will attribute your price to the quality and the end result." (Heather, 13:59)
Apparel: Aim for "middle-of-the-market" median pricing to balance perceived quality and sales volume.

3. Product Deep-Dives:

Cutting Boards (17:39–19:08):
- Printify now supports both engraved wood and glass cutting boards.
- Glass cutting boards allow vibrant designs—stained glass effect is trending.
- Higher profit per sale compared to t-shirts; fewer sales needed for the same income.
- "The profit margin for glass cutting boards is insane. Even for engravable cutting boards, you can easily have well over $15 profit per sale." (Heather, 18:21)
Phone Cases & Tech Accessories (29:33–37:44):
- Heather’s experiment: 100 phone case listings → 20+ orders in 30 days, scaling to 100+ sales/month.
- Lower competition, rapidly growing market, and entry point for new sellers.
- "Is phone cases the new product I should design for? ...I saw so much success in phone cases." (Heather, 32:14)
- Tech accessories and home decor are set to be leading print on demand categories in 2026.

4. Shifts in POD Market: Apparel vs. Everything Else (26:33–38:08)

Apparel still sells, but competition is fierce and discovery tougher for new entrants.
Home décor and tech accessories (e.g., phone cases, drinkware, cutting boards) are less saturated, more profitable, and where new sellers find faster success.
"For some sellers, going into t-shirts is just not it right now." (Heather, 35:26)
38% of Etsy’s Q4 2024 sales were home décor. (36:53)

5. Effective Market Research & Tools (19:16–25:02)

Profit Tree:
- Budget-friendly all-in-one profit and data tracker; integrates with Printify, calculates real-time profit, expenses, and ad ROI.
- Includes “Etsy Radar” Chrome extension for real-time marketplace trends and sales stats directly in search results.
- "I was just blown away… this is so cool to see in the past week." (Heather, 24:25)
Compared to higher-priced monthly tools, Profit Tree is recommended for new and budget-conscious sellers.

6. Mockups for Newer POD Product Types (40:07–44:41)

New Products, New Mockup Needs:
- Find distinctive mockups on Etsy (e.g., shop “Impavi Mockups”).
- Custom mockups: Use Canva, Kittl, or AI (ChatGPT) for unique images.
- Etsy’s algorithm favors distinctive main thumbnails—avoid using the same popular mockups as everyone else.
- "AI images come out beautifully… I was so against AI for the longest time… But now… they are just out of this world." (Heather, 45:06)
- Avoid mockups with fingers/hands, as AI still sometimes struggles with realism.

7. Getting Started & Mindset (47:23–54:08)

Open your shop now—shop age increases trust in Etsy’s algorithm, and startup fees always rise.
Action over perfection: First listing can be “garbage”—just get started.
- "Your first listing, you’re probably going to delete or deactivate… might as well just get it over." (Heather, 50:03)
Focus on consistent output, not instant results:
- Daily/weekly listing uploads over months build momentum.
- Quality and quantity both matter, but don’t compare your output to veteran sellers—just move forward!
- "Focus on output and not something that’s out of your control—the listings you create matters most." (Heather, 53:25)
Overcome “Perfectionitis”: Don’t get stuck in the learning phase—take imperfect action.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On the future of POD:
“We are at a stage of a new era of print on demand.” (Heather, 08:13)
On diversifying away from apparel:
"Home decor is a big one that you can break into… so much less saturated." (Heather, 36:39)
"For someone new coming to the table, this is just so fascinating." (Lizzie, 39:05)
On Profit Tree:
"Profit Tree...was the easiest setup I've ever done. I just integrated my Etsy shop and Printify, and it pulled the data automatically." (Heather, 23:52)
On taking the leap:
"The best time to start something new is yesterday. The second best time is today—this moment now." (Heather quoting another podcast, 48:19)
On perfectionism:
"Perfectionitis is just the tendency to not do anything because you feel like it's never going to be perfect enough." (Heather, 51:39)
On her story and mindset:
"The down payment [for our home] was money that I made from print on demand... you can make a life out of this." (Heather, 64:38)

Key Timestamps for Important Segments

08:22 – Top 3 trending holiday POD products
12:01 – Ornaments: pricing & profit margin advice
17:39 – Cutting boards: types, trends, high profits
19:16 – Using Profit Tree for real data and analytics
26:33 – 2026 predictions: market shifts away from apparel
29:33 – Heather’s phone case experiment, results, and process
36:44 – Home decor market stats; why shift focus from apparel
40:07 – Challenges & tips for mockups for new POD products
47:23 – How and why to start your Etsy shop now; overcoming perfectionism
64:38 – Real-life impact: buying a home with POD profits

Action Steps & Tips for New and Growing Etsy POD Sellers

Start early: Even if you’re not ready to go live, open your shop and post a simple listing to gain Etsy trust.
List consistently: Focus on consistent uploads—aim for at least a listing per week to create momentum.
Diversify out of apparel: Explore home décor, tech accessories, and other less saturated categories for higher chances of success.
Invest in the right tools: Budget-friendly, real-time market tracking like Profit Tree can help you make data-based decisions from day one.
Be unique in your presentation: Use distinctive mockups; avoid the “sea of sameness” for better algorithm placement.
Accept imperfection: Launch before you’re ready; your first attempts don’t need to be flawless.
Utilize educational resources: Start with free content (Heather’s crash course, Lizzie’s guides), and invest in focused courses when ready.

Resources Mentioned

Heather’s Links:
- heatherxstudio.com (site, free Print on Demand crash course)
- YouTube: HeatherXStudio
- New “Mega Seller Programs” focused on tech accessories/home décor (details in episode links)
Productivity Tools:
- Profit Tree (with Etsy Radar Chrome extension)
- Canva, Kittl for mockups and backgrounds
Recommended Mockup Shop:
- Impavi Mockups (for tech accessories)
Book Mentioned:
- The Perfectionist's Guide to Losing Control by Katherine Morgan Schafler
Podcast & Educational Offers:
- Lizzie’s Six Figure Secrets beginner Etsy course (discount code in episode)
- Weekly Trends & Opportunities Report (Lizzie’s membership)
- Heather’s retiring Print on Demand Academy (final chance offer)

Episode Tone and Closing

“You can do things and make a life out of this… Print on Demand and Etsy changed everything.”
—HeatherXStudio (64:44)

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Ep 207 | Make More Money Selling These POD Products – with HeatherXStudio

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Summary

Podcast Summary:

Episode Overview

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Hottest Print on Demand Products for the Holidays (08:22–11:55)

2. Pricing Strategies for POD Products (12:01–17:22)

3. Product Deep-Dives:

4. Shifts in POD Market: Apparel vs. Everything Else (26:33–38:08)

5. Effective Market Research & Tools (19:16–25:02)

6. Mockups for Newer POD Product Types (40:07–44:41)

7. Getting Started & Mindset (47:23–54:08)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Key Timestamps for Important Segments

Action Steps & Tips for New and Growing Etsy POD Sellers

Resources Mentioned

Episode Tone and Closing

Summary

Podcast Summary:

Episode Overview

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Hottest Print on Demand Products for the Holidays (08:22–11:55)

2. Pricing Strategies for POD Products (12:01–17:22)

3. Product Deep-Dives:

4. Shifts in POD Market: Apparel vs. Everything Else (26:33–38:08)

5. Effective Market Research & Tools (19:16–25:02)

6. Mockups for Newer POD Product Types (40:07–44:41)

7. Getting Started & Mindset (47:23–54:08)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Key Timestamps for Important Segments

Action Steps & Tips for New and Growing Etsy POD Sellers

Resources Mentioned

Episode Tone and Closing