The Right Way to Set Up Poster Variations

Etsy Variations Explained: How to Use Them Properly for Posters

If you're selling posters or print-on-demand products on Etsy, you’ll quickly encounter Variations — the dropdown menus customers use to select sizes, frames, formats, or options.

Used correctly, they make buying easier and your listing cleaner.
Used incorrectly, they confuse customers and damage conversions.

This guide breaks down exactly how poster sellers should use variations — simply and effectively.

🎨 What Are Etsy Variations?

Variations are selectable options customers choose before adding an item to their cart.

For poster sellers, the most common variation is:

✔ Poster Size

But Etsy variations can also include things like frame type or finish — as long as you offer them.

📏 The Most Important Variation for Poster Sellers: Size

For 99% of sellers, the only variation you need is:

✔ Poster Size

For example:

• 5×7"
• 8×10"
• 11×14"
• 16×20"
• 24×36"
• A4
• A3
• A2

Customers expect to choose size, and Etsy handles this really well with a clean dropdown.

🚫 Don’t Add Sizes Using the “Width / Height” Section

Etsy gives you two places where sizes could go:

1. ❌ The “Width” and “Height” attributes at the bottom of the listing
2. ✔ Variations (the correct place)

Many beginners accidentally enter sizes into the Width and Height fields at the bottom of the listing — this is wrong.

Why?

• These fields are not clickable by customers
• They don’t create dropdowns
• They don’t give you price variations
• They don’t make the listing interactive
• They don’t connect to Etsy’s Variation system
• Etsy may reject some size combinations

✔ You MUST add poster sizes in the Variations section, not the attributes section.

This ensures:

• Customers can choose size before checkout
• You can set different prices per size
• Etsy understands what you're offering
• The listing remains clean and professional

🛑 Avoid Overcomplicating Variations

Just because Etsy allows two variations doesn’t mean you should use both.

For posters:

• Size = essential
• Second variation = optional

A second variation is only useful if you genuinely offer a second physical option, such as:

• Frame choice (black, white, oak)
• Material (poster vs canvas — only if you actually offer these)
• Format (horizontal vs vertical — rare but possible)

If you do not offer multiple physical product types, keep things simple.

Too many variations can lead to:

• ❌ Confusion
• ❌ Wrong orders
• ❌ Lower conversions
• ❌ More customer messages
• ❌ Etsy errors

🎯 Should You Use Variation Photos?

Variation photos change when a customer selects a different variation (e.g., framed vs unframed).

They are great if:

• You offer framed prints
• You offer different product styles

They are NOT needed for sizes.

A poster does not visually change at A3 vs A2 inside a mockup — it's the same artwork.

Using variation photos for size variations only complicates things.

🖼 Should You Add Other Variations?

Only if they make sense and physically change the product.

Good examples:

• Frame type
• Material type
• Version of the artwork (ONLY if visually different)

Bad examples:

• Using variations to sell multiple unrelated designs
• Adding text options you don't actually offer
• Adding made-up options to increase keywords

These mistakes can get listings flagged or confuse customers.

🧮 Price Changes for Variations

Etsy lets you set a different price for each variation.

For posters, this is perfect:

• Smaller sizes = lower price
• Larger sizes = higher price

Customers expect this, and Etsy builds it directly into the dropdown.

🏁 Final Recommendations for Poster Sellers

Keep it simple.

• ✔ Use ONE variation: Poster Size
• ✔ Add all your sizes in the Variations section, NOT the Width/Height attributes
• ✔ Only add a second variation if you genuinely offer a second physical option
• ✔ Avoid variation photos unless the product visually changes
• ✔ Keep the buying experience clean and easy

Simplicity = more conversions.

🚀 Want More Etsy Support?

PrintShrimp prints posters domestically in the UK, US, EU, CA & AUS — fast dispatch, tracked shipping, and high-quality prints.

For more Etsy help, join our free Skool community where we cover:

• Variations
• SEO
• Listing photos
• Customer service
• Poster design
• Scaling your shop