How to Stay Compliant with Print on Demand on Etsy
How to Declare a Production Partner on Etsy (For Print-on-Demand Sellers)
If you’re selling posters or any print-on-demand products on Etsy, correctly declaring a production partner is one of the most important steps in setting up your listings.
Many new sellers overlook it, misunderstand it, or assume it doesn’t matter — but it really does. Etsy requires full transparency, and filling in this section properly keeps your shop compliant, builds trust, and prevents unnecessary account issues later.
This quick guide breaks down:
- What a production partner is
- Why POD sellers must declare one
- What Etsy does (and doesn’t) show publicly
- Exactly what PrintShrimp sellers should write
- How to stay compliant without harming your brand
Let’s dive in 👇
💡 What Is a Production Partner?
A production partner is any company that helps you physically make or fulfil the item you sell.
For Etsy, that includes:
- Printers (PrintShrimp, Printify, Printful, local labs…)
- Framing companies
- Embroidery companies
- T-shirt printing services
- Any fulfilment organisation that creates your physical item
If someone else prints, frames, packages, or ships the final physical product, Etsy considers them part of the “making” process.
⚠️ POD Sellers MUST Declare a Production Partner
Even if:
- You designed the artwork yourself
- You handle customer service
- You manage all listings, marketing, and branding
If the product is physically made by someone else, Etsy requires disclosure.
Skipping this step can lead to:
- ❌ Listing deactivation
- ❌ Shop warnings
- ❌ Trust issues with Etsy
- ❌ Penalties for “misrepresentation”
Better to be transparent from the start.
👀 What Etsy Shows Publicly
This is the part sellers often misunderstand:
✔ Etsy DOES publicly show your production partner name.
Whatever name you enter (“PrintShrimp”, “Poster Fulfilment Lab”, “Professional Printer”, etc.) will appear in the “Production partners” section of your listing.
Buyers can see:
- The partner name
- The partner location (country only)
- The short description of why you work with them
This means your wording and naming choice matter.
📝 What to Enter When Adding Your Production Partner
When you add a production partner in your Etsy shop settings, Etsy asks for:
1. Partner Name
⚠️ This is publicly shown.
You can declare the partner name exactly (“PrintShrimp”) or use a more general label like “Local Print Shop.” Both are allowed.
2. Location
Choose the country the product is printed in.
For PrintShrimp: UK, US, EU, CA, or AUS depending on fulfilment.
3. What They Do
Select:
- Printing
- Packaging
- Shipping
4. Why You Work With Them
Select:
👉 “I don’t have the equipment or skills to make this item entirely by myself.”
5. Public Description
This appears publicly on your listing, so keep it professional and simple.
✔ The Correct Production Partner Description for PrintShrimp Sellers
Recommended wording:
“I design all artwork myself and work with a professional production partner who prints and ships my posters. This allows me to offer high-quality prints with fast, reliable domestic delivery.”
Alternative wording (if you don’t want to name PrintShrimp directly):
“This item is printed and fulfilled by a professional commercial print studio to ensure consistent high quality and fast shipping.”
Both are fully compliant.
📦 Will Declaring a Partner Hurt Your Shop?
No — not at all.
Most buyers don’t mind and many actually appreciate the transparency.
What matters most are:
- The quality of the product
- Fast and reliable delivery
- Accurate listing images
- Strong reviews
- Clear communication
Declaring a production partner does not reduce your SEO, search ranking, or visibility.
🎯 Final Tips for POD Sellers on Etsy
- ✔ Adding a production partner is required
- ✔ The partner name is shown publicly
- ✔ Choose wording that is transparent but brand-safe
- ✔ Keep descriptions simple and professional
- ✔ You can reuse the same partner across all listings
Do it once — stay compliant forever.