What Type of Posters Sell Well on Etsy?

What Types of Posters Sell Well on Etsy?

Etsy is one of the best places to sell posters online—but knowing what kind of posters to sell can make all the difference between a struggling shop and one that thrives. Below are some of the most popular (and profitable) niches in the print-on-demand poster space, each with tips, examples, and important do’s and don’ts.

1. Travel Prints

Travel prints are one of the most in-demand poster types on Etsy. Whether it’s a vintage-style ski resort, a dreamy Italian coastline, or a bold graphic city map, people love to decorate their homes with reminders of where they’ve been—or where they dream of going.

Why it works: Travel is emotional. Posters evoke memories and make great gifts.

Tips for success:

• Do build collections by region (e.g. Europe, Africa, US National Parks).
• Do keep typography clean—city name, country, coordinates, etc.
• Do offer a range of sizes from 5×7" to A1.
• Don’t use trademarked airline logos, maps, etc.
• Don’t rely on overdone cities only (Paris, London)—think lesser known spots too.

Pro tip: Your breakthrough listing might not be Paris—it might be “Ljubljana, Slovenia Poster” or “Vermont Fall Foliage Print.”

2. Art Prints (Public Domain)

Using famous artworks in the public domain is a powerful way to tap into timeless demand with little design skills needed. Artists like Van Gogh, Henri Matisse, William Morris, Picasso, and Klimt are all top sellers—and their work is free to use if used correctly.

Why it works: Recognisable names that customers search for, often to decorate stylish, elegant spaces.

Tips for success:

• Do use high-res scans from trusted sites like The Met, Rijksmuseum, or RawPixel.
• Do place artwork within your own design layout.
• Do create bundles (e.g. 3× Van Gogh sunflowers, or a Matisse triptych).
• Do present them in modern mockups so they look fresh and relevant.
• Don’t use artists not in the public domain (e.g. Yayoi Kusama).

Pro tip: Combine art prints with your own design skills—overlay quotes, reframe the layout, or pair them with modern elements for something unique.

3. General Quotes & Home Decor Prints

This niche is broad—but that’s also the point. It allows you to develop a cohesive design style and apply it to many themes: kitchen prints, bathroom quotes, motivational sayings, nursery decor, and more.

Why it works: Giftable, shareable, and often impulse buys. They can fit any room in the house.

Tips for success:

• Do find a design style and stick with it across your shop (e.g. minimalist black-and-white, handwritten font with soft colors, retro typography).
• Do separate listings by room type or occasion.
• Do add frames to your mockups even if you don’t sell them framed.
• Don’t use overused quotes unless your visual style is truly original.
• Don’t rely only on English—try listing bilingual versions if it fits your audience.

Pro tip: Combine trending topics with this niche. For example, “clean girl aesthetic” home prints or “spicy kitchen quotes” work great.

4. Animal Prints

Cute, funny, or stylish animal posters are always in demand—especially as gifts. Think regal dogs in suits, cats in kimonos, or quirky highland cows.

Why it works: Taps into people’s love for pets, humour, and visually distinct decor.

Tips for success:

• Do explore popular breeds—black cats, golden retrievers, bulldogs.
• Do use AI tools (e.g. Midjourney) to generate stylised pet art (remember to upscale).
• Do look at trending combos like “Japanese art style + animal” or “vintage Victorian dog.”
• Don’t use copyrighted characters (no Simba, Snoopy, etc.).
• Don’t overcomplicate the design—simplicity often works better in wall art.

Pro tip: Bundle animals by theme—“Farmhouse Animal Prints” or “Funny Cat Bathroom Set.”

5. Movies and Music Posters

This niche is powerful but risky. Original movie posters or album art are copyrighted—yet there’s huge demand.

Why it works: Fans love to show their passion through decor.

Tips for success:

• Do create inspired designs—minimalist lyrics, abstract takes on scenes.
• Do explore less mainstream fandoms (indie films, cult albums).
• Don’t use film titles, quotes, or lyrics without permission—they are copyrighted.
• Don’t assume “everyone does it” means you won’t get caught; bans are real and permanent.

Pro tip: If you enter this niche, be strategic. Run ads, scale fast, and accept the risk of potential bans.

6. Be Creative – The Possibilities Are Endless

While the above are the most popular poster niches, the real magic happens when you get creative. Posters are versatile, low-cost to produce, and high-margin. This gives you room to experiment and find your unique lane.

Other poster niche ideas:

• Bible verse posters and faith-based prints
• Patent prints (vintage inventions, sports gear, musical instruments)
• Custom maps or coordinates
• Sports-themed prints (teams, players, quotes)
• Definition prints (humorous or sentimental words)
• Custom illustrations and commissions

Tips for success:

• Do test a variety of ideas early to find your “sticky” products.
• Do pay attention to Etsy search trends and tags.
• Do build collections, not one-offs—help customers buy more.
• Don’t be afraid to blend niches (e.g. Travel + Quotes, Art + Religion).
• Don’t overthink it—some bestsellers are the simplest designs!

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re starting your poster shop from scratch or looking to scale, choosing the right niche—or better yet, the right combination of niches—is key. The best shops don’t just focus on one type of poster. They build a consistent brand across several collections that reflect a style, a personality, or a mood.

Be strategic, get inspired, and above all—be original. That’s what separates the top 1% of poster sellers from the rest.

🎯 Want to learn how to start selling posters with PrintShrimp? We’re the print-on-demand provider built just for poster sellers. Visit printshrimp.com to get started.