How to Upload Digital Files to Etsy
- Last updated on: August 21, 2023
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As an Etsy seller, you may already know that digital files and printables are some of the best items to sell on the platform. But if you’re new to selling digital files, you might be wondering how to upload them to your Etsy shop and sell them successfully.
In this post, we’ll guide you through the process of creating a digital listing on Etsy, uploading your digital files, and offering tips to ensure your buyers are satisfied with their purchases. Whether you’re a seasoned Etsy seller or a beginner, this post will help you navigate the world of uploading and selling digital files on Etsy.
What Kinds of Digital Products are on Etsy?
Etsy handles two types of digital download products: instant downloads and made-to-order downloads.
Instant downloads are premade files that are ready to download the minute someone purchases your file. The majority of digital download products fall into this category.
Made-to-order downloads are exactly as they sound. These are downloads that will be made to the buyer’s specifications after they purchase your listing and then sent to the customer upon completion.
How do I Create a Digital Listing for my Etsy shop?
Before you can create a listing for your digital products, you will need to have created the file itself.
Here are a few things to consider to ensure your buyer will be satisfied with their purchase.
Printable Size and Quality
To provide your customers with plenty of options, it’s best to create multiple printable sizes before listing them in your Etsy shop.
When deciding on sizes, keep in mind the standard paper sizes in your customers’ countries to make it easier for them to print and use your printables.
It’s essential to have a resolution of at least 300 dpi to ensure high-quality prints, which you can achieve by exporting your files as PDFs of the highest quality.
To simplify the process, begin by creating your printables in larger sizes and then scale them down as needed without compromising the quality. For instance, if you’re designing art prints, start with a 20″ x 16″ printable and then scale it down to 10″ x 8″ or any other sizes you wish to offer.
CMYK or RGB?
Did you know that the color mode you are using when creating printables matters? Check out this blog post: The Ultimate Guide: CMYK or RGB for Printing to learn more!
Labeling Your Printable Files
When you save your printables, make sure that they are clearly named. You want to make it as easy as possible for the buyer to identify which printable they need.
If, for example, you’re selling to buyers in the United Kingdom, then you might name your printable and then include the size, such as A1, A2, A3, and so on.
Similarly, if you’re selling printables in the United States, the file name might include the size.
Other Digital Product Tips
Before listing your printables in your Etsy shop, it’s important to do a test print to make sure that the final product meets your expectations.
Check that the printable is the correct size and has a resolution of at least 300 dpi. This way, you can guarantee that your customers will receive high-quality prints and be satisfied with their purchase.
In addition, it’s a good idea to include detailed instructions with your digital download files. This includes formatting instructions, printing instructions, and instructions on using the printables once they’re downloaded.
By including clear instructions, you can make the printing process as seamless as possible for your customers. There should also be detailed download instructions for every buyer.
How do I Upload Digital Download Files to Etsy?
When you are creating your digital download listing, you will want to be sure to select the box that says digital file with the ‘type’ section. This will make the digital files box appear toward the bottom of your listing image.
Under the “Digital Files” section of the listing, click “Upload files.” You can choose up to five files to upload and they cannot be larger than 20MB each.
Etsy accepts many different types of files, and they serve different purposes depending on what you’re selling.
What are the Best File Types for Etsy Digital Downloads?
When it comes to digital downloads, it’s essential to choose the right file type for your niche. To determine which file types are most commonly used in your industry, search for similar products on Etsy and take note of the file types they offer.
Be sure to pay close attention to items with an Etsy bestseller badge as they can provide valuable insights into what works best.
In general, the most commonly used file types for digital products include .pdf, .jpg, .png, .svg, .jpeg, .gif, and .doc.
However, it’s important to consider the specific needs of your customers. For example, if you’re selling art prints or wedding invitations, you may need to offer higher-quality file formats such as TIFF or EPS.
It’s also worth noting that some printing services may only accept certain file types. If you believe that your customers may need professional printing services, consider offering your printable files in a format that is widely accepted, such as JPG.
By doing so, you can make it easier for your customers to get their files printed professionally and ensure their satisfaction with your product.
How do I Add Files to a Made-to-Order Digital Listing?
For made-to-order digital listings, you will not be able to add files until someone has purchased that listing and you have created their digital product.
When you’re ready to upload their files, you will go to your ‘Orders & Shipping’ section within the shop manager of your Etsy account. You will be able to see the ‘New’ incomplete item.
You will find the orders you need to fulfill under the ‘New’ tab. Select the order you want to complete and check the box next to it. Click ‘Complete order’.
When the screen loads, you will have the option to add a message for your buyer. Below it is the ‘upload file’ section. This is where you will upload your digital product files.
Click the “Upload file” button. Similar to Etsy’s rules on instant download listings, you can upload up to five files. The maximum size is 80 MB in total.
Once your files are uploaded, click “Complete order”.
How do I Change the Digital File Attached to an Etsy Listing?
Occasionally, you may accidentally attach the wrong file to your digital listing and need to replace it with the correct one. Fortunately, it’s easy to do so on Etsy.
To begin, simply click the trash can icon next to the file you want to remove. Then, click the “Upload files” button to add the new file.
It’s worth noting that you can use this method to change files in an instant digital listing even after you’ve published or saved the listing. However, keep in mind that Etsy requires you to attach at least one file before you can save or publish your instant digital listing.
By following these steps, you can quickly and easily update your digital listings on Etsy as needed.
Etsy File Size Rules
Offering high-quality digital downloads is a great way to provide value to your customers, but it’s important to keep in mind that these files can be quite large. As a result, there are certain limitations on the size and number of digital files you can offer per listing on Etsy.
You can upload up to five digital files per listing. According to Etsy, each file can be a maximum size of 20 MB.
How to Upload Files to Etsy Over 20MB
There are a few ways to get around this limitation.
Using a File Server
If you are trying to upload massive files, consider using a file-sharing tool like Dropbox. You can upload your files to Dropbox, which will not only help you get around the file size limit that Etsy imposes, but it will also get around the limit on the number of files you can upload to Etsy for a single listing.
Dropbox offers free accounts. When you get a free account, you can upload up to 2 GB of data for free, which should be enough space to serve your purposes.
If you choose to upload your files to a third-party file-sharing site, you will need to upload a PDF to your digital download listing on Etsy.
The PDF should include links to each of the files you uploaded to your file-sharing site for the digital download listing on Etsy. It should also include detailed instructions on how to retrieve the files and what to do with them once they’re downloaded.
Uploading Zip Files to Etsy
Zip files are another way to get around Etsy’s five-file limit per listing. Zip files are collections of files compressed together to make a single, smaller data file. The smaller size makes the data easier to transport from one place to another. With a zip file, you can group several digital items in a single file and then upload them as one.
You do not need to worry about data loss when using a zip file. When the buyer purchases the digital download and receives the zip file, they can unzip it and receive the files within without any data quality loss. You will want to be sure that you provide clear directions on how to unzip the files for the buyer to access their purchase.
How to Compress Files
If you decide that you want to use zip files in your Etsy listings, you’ll need to create the zip files. This is known as compressing files.
How to Create a Zip File on a Mac
- To create a zip file on a Mac, CTRL+click the file or folder you want to compress. Then, choose “Compress” from the shortcut menu.
- If you are compressing a single file, the zip file will save with the file’s name followed by .zip. If you are compressing a collection of files, the zip file will save as “archive.zip.”
How to Create a Zip File in Windows
- To zip a file in Windows, right-click the folder that you want to compress and point to “Send to.” A new menu will open, and you will select “Compressed (zipped) folder.” You will create a new, zipped folder.
How to Upload Digital Files using the Etsy Seller’s App
To upload digital files for digital listings using the Etsy Seller’s app, first, open the app on your mobile device and go to your Shop Manager. Select the listing you want to add digital files to and click on “Edit Listing”. Scroll down to the “Digital Downloads” section and click on “Add Files”.
Choose the file or files you want to upload from your device’s file manager and wait for them to upload. You can add up to five files per listing, and each file can be up to 20 MB in size. Once the files are uploaded, add any necessary information such as title, description, and pricing.
How to Download Etsy Digital Files
After a buyer purchases a digital download from your store, they will receive an email from Etsy notifying them that their digital download is ready to download.
Sometimes buyers may misplace or lose the email and turn to the seller for help. To access the digital files and download them, the buyer simply needs to log into their Etsy.com account.
From there, they can click on “Your Account” and go to “Purchases and Reviews.” This is where they can see all of the purchases they made on Etsy.
Next to the item they ordered from you will be a “Download Files” link. Clicking on this link will take the buyer to a downloads page where they can download all the files attached to the order.
Alternatively, many sellers choose to directly send the buyers the files when they receive a message from the, so that’s another option to keep in mind.
Etsy has detailed instructions about how to download digital items that you can always refer your customers to.
Final Thoughts
Selling digital downloads on Etsy can be a profitable business, but it requires attention to detail and knowledge of the platform’s rules and limitations, especially in terms of uploading your digital files. Offering a variety of sizes and formats for your digital downloads can increase your chances of making a sale.
It’s important to pay attention to image quality, file types, and size limitations when creating and uploading digital files.
Additionally, including instructions and providing excellent customer service can lead to positive reviews and repeat customers.
Finally, understanding how buyers can access and download their digital files is crucial to ensuring customer satisfaction. By following these tips, you can create a successful Etsy digital download shop.
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