Shoud You Sell Digital or Physical Art on Etsy?
How to Sell Digital Wall Art on Etsy (But Why You Should Actually Sell Physical Prints Instead)
Etsy is flooded with thousands of digital downloads, including printable wall art. It's easy to see why: they’re cheap to produce, there’s no inventory, and they’re delivered instantly. But here’s the truth most sellers don’t realize—you’re probably leaving a LOT of money on the table by only selling digital.
In this post, we’ll cover:
- How selling digital wall art on Etsy actually works
- Why it’s more complicated than it seems
- The downsides of digital-only shops
- Why selling physical prints is far more profitable
- How to do it all hands-free using a print-on-demand partner like PrintShrimp
What Is Digital Wall Art on Etsy?
Digital wall art is a downloadable file (usually a JPG or PDF) that the buyer prints themselves. They get instant access to the file after purchase and can print it at home, at a local print shop, or through an online service.
Most Etsy sellers offer these in a range of sizes—A4, 8×10", 11×14", 16×20", etc.—bundled in one zip folder. They often include a “size guide” image in the listing and use styled mockups to show how the print will look framed on a wall.
The Truth: Selling Digital Wall Art Is More Work Than You Think
Selling digital files should be passive, but in practice, many sellers spend hours setting up listings properly:
- Each listing needs multiple files to cover standard frame sizes and ratios.
- You need to include size guides and mockups.
- Many customers are confused about how to print the file—and you’ll spend time answering messages.
- If you offer custom digital prints, you’re essentially doing made-to-order work manually.
- Etsy doesn’t automatically deliver zipped files over 20 MB. Large files must be hosted elsewhere and links sent manually.
Why Digital Products Often Earn Less Than Physical Posters
Most digital prints are sold at low prices—typically £2–£8 per file. Even if you sell 100 in a month, you’re only making a few hundred pounds before fees. Digital products become a race to the bottom, especially as sellers bundle thousands of files for a few dollars.
Compare that to physical prints:
- 16×20" physical prints can sell for £15–£25
- 24×36" premium posters might go for £30–£40
- Customers often buy multiple prints at once when they see professional, framed mockups
Physical prints = higher perceived value, higher price, higher margins. And you don’t need to print or ship a thing yourself.
Why Print-On-Demand Is a Better Model (and Still Passive!)
With a print-on-demand service like PrintShrimp, you upload your artwork once, and we handle everything else:
- ✅ Automatic order processing
- ✅ Professional printing on high-quality paper
- ✅ Quality packaging and global shipping
- ✅ Tracking numbers + fast dispatch
- ✅ Customer service if something goes wrong
PrintShrimp offers better profit margins than other POD platforms—some sizes can earn you £15–£25 profit per sale, even after Etsy fees.
We support all the best-selling poster sizes for Etsy:
- A5 to A0 for UK/EU sizes
- 8×10", 16×20", 24×36" and more for US sizes
- Square options (12×12", 20×20", etc.) for gallery walls
PrintShrimp is built specifically to help Etsy sellers scale quickly, affordably, and globally.
Top Reasons to Sell Physical Prints Over Digital
- More money per sale – Digital files cap at £1–£5. Physical posters sell for £20–£40.
- People prefer ready-made – Many buyers don’t want to print themselves.
- Less refund risk – Physical prints deliver a clear, tangible product.
- No zip/download issues – Avoid customer confusion over file extraction.
- Higher trust and brand value – Physical products feel “real.”
- Easier to bundle and upsell – Customers love gallery wall sets.
- Print-on-demand is easy – No printer, packaging, or courier hassles.
- Far less setup – Resize at sale point; list en masse without download links.
Still Want to Offer Digital? Use It as a Bonus
If you’ve already made digital versions, you can offer both:
- Let buyers choose digital or physical
- Offer a free digital file with every physical print
- Use Etsy’s “Digital” category to attract keyword shoppers, then link to your physical listings
- Bundle both options in one listing with variants
Ready to Make More? Join PrintShrimp
If you’re serious about making money selling wall art on Etsy, stop relying on cheap digital downloads. With PrintShrimp, you can:
- Upload your artwork once
- Let us print and ship it for you
- Keep your business hands-free
- Make real margins
Whether you’re selling travel prints, boho art, abstract pieces, or minimalist quotes, we’ve got the tools and fulfillment network to help you scale.
👉 Learn more and apply today at printshrimp.com