When it comes to running an Etsy shop business, one of the most important decisions you'll need to make is whether to sell hand-made items or print-on-demand items. Both have their own unique advantages and disadvantages, so it's important to carefully consider your options before making a decision.

First and foremost, hand-made items are truly one-of-a-kind. They're made with care and attention to detail, and they have a personal touch that can't be replicated by machines. This can be a huge selling point for customers who are looking for something unique and special. In addition, hand-made items are often seen as higher quality than mass-produced items, which can help justify a higher price point.

However, there are some downsides to selling hand-made items as well. They can be time-consuming and labor-intensive to make, which can limit your output and make it difficult to scale your business. In addition, hand-made items are more prone to errors and imperfections, which can lead to customer complaints and returns.

On the other hand, print-on-demand items are much easier to produce in large quantities. They're also much more consistent in terms of quality, since they're made by professional printers rather than at home by hand. This can make it easier to keep up with demand and scale your business over time.

They are also only made after you already have the order (paid for by the customer) so no stock to keep, and the printer posts the item directly to your customer - so you never have to handle, pack or post the item.   And of course it's not just cheap t-shirts and mug - Printful for instance has a range high quality and eco-friendly shirts, but also leggings,  hoodies, hats & caps, mugs, travel mugs, glassware, towels & blankets, pillows & pillowcases, wall art (posters and canvas) and so much more.

I have personally used Printful for the last 4 years for my own print-on-demand items and have always found their quality great - never had a customer problem with their item, and they have always been very helpful when the occasional problem occurred.

See the Full Printful Range and Prices Here!

However, print-on-demand items lack the personal touch that hand-made items have.

Ultimately, the decision of whether to sell hand-made items or print-on-demand items comes down to your personal preferences and business goals. If you're looking to create unique, high-quality products that stand out from the competition, hand-made items might be the way to go. However, if you're looking to scale your business quickly and produce products at a lower cost, print-on-demand items might be a better fit.

Whatever you choose, make sure to do your research and carefully consider the pros and cons before making a decision.  You can, of course, do both!