How to Make Simple SVGs to Sell on Etsy

When you’ve looked into ideas for what to sell online, odds are you’ve come across the idea of making SVGs to sell on Etsy.

Creating simple SVGs to sell on Etsy can be a great way to earn some extra income. SVG files are one of the easiest things to sell on Etsy because you have an unlimited supply once you create the first one.

Also, SVG files are downloadable, which means that you don’t have to worry about filling orders and shipping.

What are SVG Files?

Before you get started, let’s explore what an SVG file is.

SVG stands for Scalable Vector Graphics according to Adobe. The image within a file is based on mathematics, allowing the user to shrink or enhance the image without losing any of the image’s quality.

This is one thing that makes an SVG file so ideal. You can save an image the size of a stamp, but you can use that data to create much larger images, like the size of a poster or even a billboard.

The graphic’s quality does not deteriorate because the image markers are linked through mathematics.

You can often identify an SVG file because the document name ends in the “.svg” extension.

Where would I use SVG Files?

You can use SVGs for things like website icons and company logos. You can also use SVGs for infographics and illustrations.

When it comes to arts and crafts, you often use SVG files in cutting machines like Cricut and Silhouette.

Where can I sell SVG Files?

Etsy is a popular platform for selling SVG files, as it has a large community of crafters and DIY enthusiasts who are always on the lookout for new designs.

Etsy is a great place to start and make money selling SVG files. Beginners will find Etsy easy to use, while more experienced SVG sellers will find the large customer base appealing.

Because Etsy is well established, it handles the delivery of your digital files with ease. Once those files are uploaded, they can be purchased by an Etsy user at any time and you don’t have to do anything else.

In addition to Etsy, creative sites and online marketplaces are other places to sell SVG files. You will find with those platforms a customer base that’s familiar with using SVG files and is always looking for new and creative images to use in their designs and artwork.

Creative Fabrica and Hungry Jpeg are some of the more well-known places to sell your SVG files.

Another option, according to Design Twits, is Creative Market. The blogger says CM, as it’s known, is the best place to sell if you’re a craft designer, especially if you have great designs.

Creative Market is very selective in the designers it chooses. Buyers know they will get quality every time they make a purchase and that the designs meet the site’s standards.

What are some of the Most Popular SVGs on Etsy?

Because Etsy is such a large and varied marketplace, you can find virtually any SVG type on the site. When it comes to the most popular of those SVGs, you will find that your options are also varied.

We looked on Etsy to try and track down the most popular SVGs. We found a wide assortment of colors, styles, and messages.

Holiday and Seasonal Themed SVGs

People are always looking for SVGs that they can use to make cute gifts for various holidays such as Christmas, Halloween, Easter, and Valentine’s Day. In addition to traditional holidays, cut files for seasonal designs such as Summer, Fall, Winter, and Spring are also very popular on Etsy.

Quotes and Phrases

Crafters love creating unique items that have inspirational quotes, funny sayings, or even motivational phrases.

Family-themed wording like “World’s Greatest Aunt” and “Best Uncle” appear to sell well on Etsy.

Before creating an SVG with a slogan or phrase, make sure to check if is trademarked. You can simply type into Google: “is the saying xxxx trademarked?“

Monograms and Personalized Designs

Customized SVG files with monograms, names, or other personalized details are also very popular SVG cut files. Many crafters use them to make gifts for weddings, baby showers, or other special occasions.

Children Themed SVGs

SVGs are also very popular for do-it-yourself events, especially ones involving children.

There are dinosaur SVGs, emojis, and animals. You can find princess themes and sports themes.

Of course, these are just a few examples, and there are many other types of SVG files that can be successful on Etsy.

The key is to create designs that are high-quality, unique, and appealing to your target audience.

What Programs can I Use to Make SVG Files to Sell?

To make your own SVG files, you need to start with software that will help you make the files.

Free SVG Software

There are many free SVG software options available if you want to learn how to make simple SVGs to sell on Etsy.

Inkscape is our preferred free tool due to the fact that it’s free, intuitive for beginners, and is an open-sourced software that is well maintained.

Inkscape was first developed in 2003, so developers have had a lot of time to grow and refine the software. You will get professional-grade vector graphics software at a beginner’s price.

SVG Software That Costs Money

One of the most popular and expansive software available is Adobe Illustrator. It has tools for beginners, and advanced designers, and many other bells and whistles. It also comes at a price. Adobe charges a monthly fee for the use of its Illustrator program.

Adobe’s Photoshop software will also allow you to create SVGs, but like Illustrator, there’s a monthly fee to use the program.

Other software you can purchase to make SVG files includes Corel DRAW, which provides a free trial, but costs money after the trial expires.

You can also use Affinity Designer, which includes a one-time fee.

In addition to the software listed above, some sellers are creating SVG files in Canva to sell in their Etsy shop.

In order to use Canva to create SVG files, you have the Canva Pro version. This can be a great alternative if you are already paying for the site to use to create printables or other digital downloads or digital products.

How do I Create an SVG File?

Once you’ve determined which program you will use to create your SVG file, it’s time to get to work.

Making an SVG is no different than making any other graphic or image. The only difference is the way that you save the file.

Once your design is laid out the way you like it, you will need to save the file as an SVG.

Every program has a slightly different way of doing this, but I’ll discuss how to do it in a few more popular software programs.

How to Create an SVG File in Adobe Illustrator

Using Adobe Illustrator, you will export your designs in the file formats of an SVG.

Adobe has an entire walkthrough that can help you, but I’ll outline the basics.

Start by choosing File, then “Export.” Adobe will ask you what type of file you want to export; select “SVG.”

If you want to only export part of your graphic, then you would select the part that you want to export, click “File,” then “Export Selection,” and then “SVG.”

How to Create an SVG File in Corel DRAW

Corel DRAW has its own walkthrough for creating an SVG file.

The basic process is similar to Adobe Illustrator. Click “File” and then “Export.” Corel DRAW will ask you to choose a folder to export the file. Once you have selected the location to save your file to, choose “SVG” under the “Save as type” list.

Type in a file name and click “Export.”

You will choose the SVG version in the “Compatibility” list box.

Corel DRAW will also ask you to choose an “Encoding method,” and you have the option to decide how you want to export the text. There are also styling options to choose from.

Again, you can find further details in Corel’s help section.

How to Create an SVG in Inkscape

Creating an SVG in Inkscape has approximately the same steps.

Click “File” and then select “Export as.” Choose “SVG” and find a location to save your file. Name your file and then export it.

How can I Make SVG Files for Cricut?

SVG files are essential for making anything with a Cricut machine. That’s because the mathematics within the file tells the machine how to cut and where to cut.

Use Cricut Design Space to Make SVG Files

The simplest way to make an SVG file to use in Cricut is to use the Cricut Design Space.

When you use the Design Space, you can rest assured that the file you’re creating will work in a Cricut machine because you’re using Cricut software to create it.

However, while Cricut Design Space is the simplest way to make an SVG file to use in Cricut, it is not the easiest way to create SVG files.

Use Inkscape to Make SVG Files for Cricut

An easier way to make SVG files for Cricut is to use Inkscape or another design software.

When you use design software to create SVG files, the creation process is pretty much the same no matter which software you use.

Then, all you have to do is save the file as an SVG.

Once you have the SVG, you can upload it into Cricut Design Space to use with your Cricut machine.

How do I Open an SVG file?

Before you start selling your SVG files or uploading them to Cricut, you want to make sure they work. That means you have to open them first.

Any software able to create SVG files should be able to open them as well. You can open the files in any software listed above, such as Adobe Illustrator, Corel DRAW, or Inkscape.

According to How to Geek, virtually all modern web browsers will also allow you to open an SVG. If you don’t have design software, use Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Firefox, or Safari to look at your SVG file.

What are Some of the Other Best Things to Sell on Etsy?

SVG cut files sell well on Etsy and are a great way to begin setting up your passive income stream. In addition to SVGs, there are 2 other options that we think are great to include in your online business.

Printables, Digital Artwork, Etc.

Printables, digital artwork, and digital files are among the top-selling categories on Etsy. This includes everything from party games, fonts, clip art images, and SVGs.

Digital files sell well on Etsy in part because of their instant download ability. The minute the order is placed, Etsy sends an email that allows the buyer to download the digital file.

Digital files are also well priced—usually no more than $5, which is a perfect price point for all shoppers.

From a seller’s standpoint, printables and other digital artwork are among the best things to sell on Etsy. That’s because you’re not selling a tangible item. You have an unlimited supply of the item, and fulfillment of the sale is instantaneous. Usually, you don’t have to do any work after making a sale.

You can learn how to make printables to sell on Etsy with our E-Printables course.

Stickers

According to the blog LitExtension, one of the best-selling items is stickers because of their versatility. Stickers aren’t just for decorations or arts and crafts for kids.

Stickers can also be used for scrapbooking, decorating notebooks, postcards, and greeting cards. Stickers are useful in day planners and year planners. They’re also just fun to collect.

Conclusion

Whether you’re designing a graphic for yourself or selling to a broader public, SVG files are handy for creative crafting.

You expand them to fit your needs and it is simple to create files small enough to transfer to buyers with ease without losing the quality of the graphic.

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