Selling printables on Etsy is one of the easiest ways to start an online business with low costs and big potential. From coloring pages to planners, thousands of people are turning simple digital products into steady streams of income.
But here’s the best-kept secret: you don’t always have to design everything from scratch. That’s where PLR printables come in. In this guide, we’ll show you exactly how to use PLR printables in your Etsy shop to save time, create products faster, and grow your profits.
What Are PLR Printables?
PLR stands for Private Label Rights. It’s a special type of license that allows you to:
- Edit and customize digital products
- Rebrand them with your own name, colors, and logo
- Sell the finished version in your Etsy shop
For example, if you buy a PLR kids activity pack, you can open it in Canva, change the fonts and colors, maybe swap in new clipart, and then resell it as your own unique product on Etsy.
This means you don’t have to spend hours designing every page—you get a head start with professional templates that you can make your own.
Why Use PLR Printables for Etsy?
Running an Etsy shop takes more than just listing a few products. You need fresh ideas, seasonal content, and high-quality designs to keep your shop growing. PLR printables help you do that without burnout.
1. Save Time
Instead of creating every design from scratch, you can start with a ready-made template and edit it to fit your shop’s style.
2. Increase Product Variety
With PLR, you can add more products to your shop quickly—coloring pages, activity packs, worksheets, planners, and more.
3. Stay Ahead of Trends
Because you can edit PLR, it’s easy to jump on trending holidays or niches. Just add your branding and you’re ready to sell.
4. Lower Costs
Hiring a designer for every printable can be expensive. PLR gives you affordable access to editable designs.
How to Use PLR Printables in Your Etsy Shop
Now let’s break it down step by step so you can confidently use PLR printables in your Etsy store.
Step 1: Choose the Right PLR Printables
Not all PLR is created equal. Look for:
- High-quality designs (clean, professional, kid-friendly if that’s your niche)
- Editable formats (Canva is easiest for most Etsy sellers)
- Clear licenses (make sure resale is allowed)
At PLR Fairy, we focus on kids PLR printables—coloring pages, activity packs, seasonal crafts—because they sell well on Etsy and are always in demand.
Step 2: Customize Your PLR
This is where you make the product your own. Even small edits help you stand out. Try:
- Changing fonts and colors
- Adding your logo or shop name
- Swapping out clipart or illustrations
- Mixing two PLR packs together to create something new
Example: Take a PLR unicorn coloring page and combine it with a PLR activity sheet to create a “Unicorn Activity Pack.”
Step 3: Export as a Sellable File
Etsy buyers expect a finished product. Export your final design as:
- PDF (most common for printables)
- JPG/PNG (if you’re selling posters or wall art)
Make sure the file is high resolution and easy for your customer to print at home.
Step 4: Create an Etsy Listing
Your product is ready, now it’s time to sell! Here’s how to make your listing stand out:
- Title: Use all 140 characters and include keywords. Example: “Unicorn Coloring Pages Printable, Kids Activity Sheets, Fun Digital Download for Girls”
- Tags: Use all 13 Etsy tags, mixing long-tail (e.g., “kids unicorn coloring book”) and broad (e.g., “coloring pages”).
- Description: Explain what’s included (number of pages, size, file type). Add a call to action like “Instant Download—Print at Home Today!”
- Mockups: Use Canva or Placeit to create lifestyle images showing your printable in use.
Before finalising your title and tags, use [eRank](affiliate link). It’s the easiest way to check keyword competition, track trends, and find high-converting keywords for your Etsy listings.
Step 5: Market Your Product
Don’t just rely on Etsy search. Share your PLR-based printables on:
- Pinterest (great for moms & teachers)
- Instagram or TikTok (short videos of printables being used)
- Your email list (offer a freebie to get subscribers)
Example: Turning PLR Into a Profitable Etsy Product
Let’s say you grab a PLR Fairy kids Christmas activity pack.
- Open it in Canva.
- Change fonts to match your shop style.
- Add a new cover page with your branding.
- Combine with a few pages from another PLR set.
- Export as a PDF with 15 activity pages.
- Create an Etsy listing: “Christmas Activity Pack for Kids | Holiday Printable Games & Coloring Pages.”
In less than an hour, you’ve created a seasonal bestseller—without starting from scratch.
Tips for Success With PLR on Etsy
- Always Edit Your PLR: Selling as-is lowers your brand value.
- Bundle Products: A set of 10 coloring pages sells better than 1 page.
- Focus on Niches: Kids activities, holidays, and educational printables do especially well.
- Stay Seasonal: Christmas, Easter, Halloween, Valentine’s Day printables are always popular.
- Check Etsy Trends: Use tools like eRank or EverBee to see what customers are searching for.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- ❌ Uploading PLR without any edits.
- ❌ Ignoring the license terms.
- ❌ Using poor-quality mockups that don’t show your printable well.
- ❌ Forgetting SEO—if your title and tags don’t have keywords, buyers won’t find you.
Final Thoughts
Using PLR printables in your Etsy shop is a smart way to grow your business without the stress of designing everything from scratch. With a little editing and creativity, you can turn ready-made PLR templates into unique, professional products that sell.
At PLR Fairy, we make it easy with a wide range of kids PLR printables—from coloring books to seasonal activity packs—so you always have fresh content to add to your shop.