Hey there! In this blog post, I’ll be discussing 5 easy digital printable ideas that you can sell and potentially turn them into a lucrative business in 2024. Whether as your primary source of income or just a rewarding side hustle.
I will be explaining in detail the whole process from creating the product to selling it. So by the end of this blog you will gain as much knowledge as needed to start a digital printable business and turn it to one of your passive income generators.
If you do not want to do all the expensive and stressful work of setting up a blog, it’s okay since I will be sharing the alternatives places where you can sell your digital printables.
Why are digital printables a perfect idea to add into your passive income in 2024? Simply because once you design a product, it can be bought and downloaded as many times as possible.
Making money through digital printables has never been easier. But you need to know how as statistics show, many people are losing money by starting an online store or subscribing to different graphic design platforms without grasping how they can actually benefit from them.
I have taken the liberty to save you time and money by explaining in detail more about the digital printable business and what you can do for free.
I have divided the blog into four parts. Read, understand, apply and start making money online with your digital printables now.
The content that I will cover in this blog
- What are digital printables.
- The advantages of selling digital printables.
- Examples of digital printables you can sale.
- How to create free digital printables.
- Where to sell your digital printables.
1. What are digital printables?
Digital printables refer to digital files or content designed for electronic distribution and printing. These are files that a customer buys, downloads then prints.
Digital printables can come in various formats, such as PDF, JPEG, PNG, and they are often created for purposes such as arts, crafts, education and organization.
How they work is a customer pays for whatever digital product you decide to sell and once payment is confirmed, the product is shipped to them via the email they have provided. And they can download and print it. It’s as simple as that.
2. The advantages of selling digital printables
- You only need to make the product once and there is no end to how many times you can resell it.
- You do not need inventory hence saves storage space.
- Low overhead costs in manufacturing and distribution.
- Your customers won’t face additional expenses like shipping, eliminating any restrictions on their purchases.
- Instant gratification for your customers as they get the digital printables as soon as the payment is complete.
- Due to the nature of digital products, refunds are typically not permitted, meaning once a sale is made, it is final
3. & 4. Examples of digital printables you can sale and How to create them
Later on, I’ll compile a longer list of digital printables that you can choose from. However, in today’s blog post, I will only focus on 5 digital printables products and explain in detail how you can create and where you can sell them.
Digital printable product one – Calendars
You can either create from scratch or find a ready made calendar template from a graphic website, then redesign it to fit what is trending or what you think your niche would be interested in buying.
As a beginner, you can use free graphic design apps such as Google slides or canva.
During your creation process, consider factors such as images, color scheme, theme, the orientation (landscape or portrait) and the overall aesthetic.
You can make the design as a one year per page or one month per page, however you see fit. Below is an example of a one year per page calender I quickly made on canva.
Two things to remember-
- This product is seasonal, meaning its demand is limited to a specific time of the year.
- The selling price of your calendar is contingent on the level of effort and creativity you invest in its creation.
Digital printable product two- E-courses
I love this as it is easy to make, why so? Because e-courses rely mostly on what you know best. Meaning if you are good at a specific subject, you are most likely to create a course surrounding that area.
If you are a beginner I would advise you to write your e-course either on google doc, pages or canva.
The reason I recommend starting with the most straightforward platforms for creating your e-course is that, as a beginner, it’s crucial to dedicate ample time to developing your content ideas.
Instead of getting bogged down by figuring out the intricacies of a platform or worrying about the impending expiration of a free trial, you can focus on refining your course concept without unnecessary distractions and struggles.
Now to the actual writing of the e-course.
1st step – Define your course content
Outline the main topics that you will be covering in your e- course, this will make the chapters flow easily from the beginning to the end.
2nd step – Create the modules
This is the stage where you elaborate on your main topics. Additionally, you can determine whether your course will include supplementary printable materials.
Offering the e-course together with these supplementary printables as a bundled package has the potential to increase your sales.
3rd Step: Create your e-course layout
When devising the format for your content, consider the preferences of your target audience. Opt for simple and easily readable fonts, as some may not translate well when printed.
Keep the design straightforward so as to enhance the reading experience. Always aim for a font size that strikes a balance between readability and aesthetics which will cater well to the comfort of your audience.
Remember, simplicity not only facilitates printing but also contributes to a more enjoyable reading process.
4th Step- Make your e-course readily downloadable
After completing the writing and thoroughly proofreading it, offer the course in a downloadable PDF format, this provides the purchaser with the convenience of accessing the content offline.
5th Step: Come up with the cover.
If graphic design or photoshop skills aren’t your forte, I suggest using Canva once again.
Explore their collection of covers and select one that suits your preference then replace the existing images with your own or utilize free-to-use stock photos, available on platforms like Pexels.
Be sure to carefully review the terms associated with the chosen photos to avoid any potential copyright issues. Canva’s user-friendly interface makes it a practical choice for creating visually appealing covers without the need for advanced design skills.
Tip. make your cover appealing and easy to read – you want to stand out from your competitors.
Finally, compile the two, and there you have your first e-course. Remember to update it as time goes by.
Digital printable product three – Kids coloring books
Again we can use Canva as there are already made templates that you can recreate and give them your touch.
The options for making coloring books for kids are endless, pick a theme and the age you want your e-coloring book to target. Then, brainstorm ideas and try not to make the pages too repetitive.
The themes may include, transportation, domestic animals, wild animals, nature, vegetables, numbers, fantasies for example unicorns and fairies. Here is an example of both wild and domestic theme book made in canva.
Digital printable products four and five – Motivational wall art
These are high-resolution digital files that customers can download, print, and frame for their homes or offices. I will combine the two because they can either be done as a stand alone or together but basically the process is similar. So I will call the combined product ‘a printable wall art with a motivational quote. Here is the process.
Step 1 – Define your niche:
Consider narrowing down your focus to a specific niche or theme within the art or motivational genre.
Step 2 – Research Quotes or Art examples:
Both should align with your chosen niche also ensure that they both have a broad appeal. So that your market is a bit larger.
Step 3 – Design Elements:
Use graphic design tools like Adobe Photoshop or Canva, to create visually appealing designs. Consider using a consistent color palette and font style for a cohesive look.
Step 4 – Layout and Composition:
Experiment with different layouts and compositions. Incorporating illustrations, patterns, or minimalist designs to enhance the visual appeal of your wall art and motivational quote.
Step 5 – Sizing and Resolution:
Determine the standard sizes, for example, 8×10 inches or 11×14 inches. Ensure that your designs are of high resolution (at least 300 dpi) for quality printing.
Step 6 – File Format:
Save your designs in widely compatible file formats like JPEG or PDF. PDF is preferable for maintaining print quality, and it allows you to embed links or additional information. Always remember to flatten your designs before exporting them.
5. Where to sell your digital printables
a) Amazon kindle direct publishing
Whether you specialize in art prints, planners, or other digital creations, Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) platform makes it easy to bring your ideas to a global audience.
Pros
Wide Reach: Kindle is a popular platform with a massive user base, providing your digital printables with exposure to a vast audience.
Easy Publishing Process: KDP offers a user-friendly publishing process, making it relatively simple for creators to upload and sell their digital printables.
Automatic Updates: If you need to make changes or updates to your digital printables, it’s relatively easy to do so through the KDP platform.
Kindle Unlimited: Enrolling your digital e-courses in Kindle Unlimited allows subscribers to access your content for free, providing an additional income stream based on the number of pages read.
Cons
Limited File Formats: KDP has specific file format requirements, and not all digital printable formats may be supported. Ensure your files comply with Amazon’s guidelines.
Pricing Constraints: Amazon sets pricing constraints based on factors such as file size, which may limit your flexibility in pricing your digital printables.
Competition: The marketplace on Amazon is highly competitive, with numerous digital products available. Standing out may require effective marketing efforts beyond the platform.
Termination of accounts: Sometimes they are hard on low content digital sellers meaning your account may be shut down.
b) Etsy
Etsy is a popular e-commerce platform specifically designed for handmade and vintage items but it also has a market for digital printables.
c) Gumroad
A straightforward platform that allows creators to sell digital products directly to their audience. It’s easy to set up, and you can customize your storefront.
d) Shopify
Shopify is a comprehensive e-commerce platform that enables you to create an online store where you can sell digital products.
If your digital printables are educational in nature, Teachers Pay Teachers is a dedicated platform for educators to buy and sell teaching resources.
f) Creative Market
Creative Market is a marketplace for various digital products, including fonts, graphics, and templates. It’s an excellent platform for selling creative assets.
g) Sellfy
Sellfy is a platform designed for selling digital products. It allows you to set up an online store quickly and includes features like customizable storefronts.
h) PayHip
PayHip is a user-friendly platform that lets you sell digital products directly to your audience. It supports various file types and also offers customizable storefronts.
i) Envato Market
Envato Market is a large marketplace for digital goods, including digital printables. It’s known for its diverse range of products.
j) Paddle
Paddle is a platform that helps you sell digital products, handles transactions, and manages licenses. It supports various file types and integrates with different platforms.
k) SendOwl
SendOwl is an e-commerce platform designed for selling digital products. It includes features like secure digital product delivery and payment processing.
Before choosing a platform, consider factors such as fees, customization options, payment processing, and the type of digital printables they support. Each platform has its own strengths and may cater to different niches, so choose the one that aligns best with your business goals. Remember to also read the terms and conditions before you commit to any platform.
There you have the A-Z of creating and selling your digital printables. Feel free to ask any questions or leave any comment below.
All the best in your passive income journey.
A recommended read.https://nje.rfl.mybluehost.me/staging/2041/how-to-become-a-virtual-assistant-in-2024/