Print on Demand Game-Changing Updates (May 2024): Printify, Etsy, Kittl, and Canva Updates 🚀📈

 

Introduction 🎉

The print on demand industry has been rapidly evolving, with platforms like Printify, Etsy, Kittl, and Canva continuously introducing new features and updates to enhance the user experience and streamline the production process. As we enter May 2024, it's crucial for POD sellers to stay informed about the latest changes to leverage them for business growth. In this article, we'll dive into the game-changing updates from these leading platforms and explore how they can benefit your print on demand business. 🎨💼

Printify Updates 🖨️

Economy Shipping 🚚💸

Printify has introduced a new shipping option called Economy Shipping, which offers significant cost savings compared to standard shipping. With Economy Shipping, you can save around 75 cents per item, making it an attractive choice for budget-conscious sellers. However, it's important to note that Economy Shipping takes 4 to 8 business days for delivery, compared to 2 to 5 days with standard shipping.

Shipping Option	Cost Savings	Delivery Time
Standard Shipping	-	2-5 business days
Economy Shipping	75 cents per item	4-8 business days

Consider your customers' expectations and the nature of your products when deciding between standard and Economy Shipping. 🤔💡

New Products 🆕🛍️

Printify has expanded its product offerings, giving sellers more options to create unique and appealing designs. Some of the highlighted products include:

• Comfort Colors 6030 garment dyed pocket tee 👕
• Glass sipper glasses 🥃
• Denim jacket 🧥

These additions to the product catalog open up new possibilities for sellers to cater to different niches and preferences. For example, the Comfort Colors tee is perfect for creating trendy and stylish designs, while the glass sipper glasses can be used for personalized gifts or event merchandise. 🎁🎉

Manually Adding Gift Messages 🎁📝

Printify has made it easier for sellers to accommodate customers who forget to add gift messages during the order process. With the new manual gift message feature, sellers can now add or edit gift messages post-order by following these simple steps:

1. Edit the order ✏️
2. Go to the "Calculate Shipping" page 🚚
3. Add or modify the gift message 🎁

 

This improvement enhances the customer experience and allows sellers to provide a more personalized touch to their products. Consider promoting this feature during holiday seasons or for special occasions like birthdays and anniversaries. 🎂🎉

Layout Changes 🎨🖌️

Printify has redesigned its design page layout to make it more user-friendly and intuitive. One of the notable changes is the new location of the print area size information. Sellers can now find the print area size by clicking on the information button within the design interface. This update streamlines the design process and ensures that sellers have easy access to crucial information when creating their designs. 🎨💡

Etsy Updates 🛍️

$15 Fee for Opening a New Etsy Shop 💸🆕

Etsy has implemented a $15 fee for opening a new shop on the platform. The rationale behind this fee is to strengthen the onboarding process for new sellers and maintain a safe and trustworthy community. However, this change has led to some issues with accidental suspensions of new shops. If your shop is suspended, you can file an appeal and contact Etsy support to resolve the issue. Be prepared to provide relevant information and follow the resolution process outlined by Etsy. 🚨📋

Scammers Targeting New Etsy Shops 🎯🚫

New Etsy shops have become a target for scammers, making it essential for sellers to be vigilant. To identify official Etsy messages, look for the "From Etsy" badge in your inbox. These messages will appear in a separate section, distinguishing them from regular conversations. As a best practice, avoid clicking on links in messages from unknown senders and regularly check your spam folder to ensure you don't miss any important communications. If you're unsure about a message's authenticity, contact Etsy support for clarification. 🔍🚨

Updates to Etsy's Prohibited Items Policy 🚫🗳️

Etsy has updated its prohibited items policy to focus on political activism, violence, and hate. The platform now prohibits items that feature violent or degrading language towards protected classes. However, selling political niche items is still allowed, as long as they don't contain nasty or offensive content. When creating designs for the political niche, be mindful of Etsy's guidelines and ensure your products align with the platform's values. If you're unsure whether your design crosses the line, err on the side of caution or seek guidance from Etsy support. 🤔🗳️

Gift Teasers 🎁🎉

Etsy has introduced a new feature called Gift Teasers, which aims to enhance the gift-giving experience for customers. With Gift Teasers, customers can send a sneak peek of their gift to the recipient via email, building anticipation and excitement. Sellers can encourage customers to use this feature by:

• Promoting it in product descriptions 📝
• Including a note about Gift Teasers in order confirmation emails 📧
• Showcasing examples of Gift Teasers in product photos or social media posts 📷

By leveraging Gift Teasers, sellers can create a more engaging and memorable experience for their customers, potentially leading to increased customer satisfaction and loyalty. 😊👍

Using Mockups in Etsy Listings 📷🎨

Etsy has clarified its stance on using mockups in product listings. Sellers are allowed to use mockups as long as they accurately represent the final product. However, Etsy recommends using real product pictures whenever possible to provide customers with the most accurate representation of the item they're purchasing. If you choose to use mockups, ensure they are of high quality and closely match the actual product. Consider investing in professional product photography or gradually replacing mockups with real images as your business grows. 📸💼

Kittl Update 🐱🎨

Introduction to Kittl 🐱👋

Kittl is a design software specifically created for the print on demand industry. Unlike Canva, which serves a broader audience, Kittl is tailored to meet the unique needs of POD sellers. With Kittl, you can:

• Access a wide range of templates, graphics, and tools
• Create stunning designs for your products
• Streamline your design process for POD 🎨💼

Multiple Artboards Feature 🖼️🎨

One of the standout features of Kittl is the Multiple Artboards feature, which allows you to:

• Work on several designs simultaneously within a single project
• Create designs for different products or variations of the same design
• Streamline your workflow and keep your designs organized
• Save time and effort in the long run ⏰💡

Customizable Templates for Various Niches 🛍️🎨

Kittl offers a vast library of customizable templates designed for various niches, making it easy for sellers to:

• Create professional-looking designs without starting from scratch
• Target specific niches like gift market, home decor enthusiasts, or fashion-savvy customers. 
• Modify colors, fonts, and elements to match your brand and style 🎨🎁

Unique Features Compared to Canva 🆚🎨

While Canva is a popular design tool, Kittl offers some unique features that set it apart:

• Built-in mockup generator to preview your designs on various products like t-shirts, mugs, and posters.
• Visualize how your designs will look on the final product
• Make adjustments and ensure customer satisfaction
• Seamless integration with popular POD platforms
• Export your designs directly to your chosen platform with just a few clicks 🖱️💼

Canva Update 🎨

Tagging Feature for Improved Organization 🏷️🗂️

Canva has introduced a new tagging feature that allows users to organize their designs more effectively. With this update, you can:

• Assign tags to your designs based on categories, themes, or any other criteria that suit your needs
• Tag your designs by niche, holiday, or product type, making it easier to find and reuse them in the future
• Manage a large volume of designs more efficiently
• Collaborate with team members more seamlessly

The tagging feature is especially handy when:

• Working with a vast library of designs
• Trying to locate specific designs quickly
• Sharing designs with team members or clients
• Organizing designs for different projects or campaigns

This new feature is a game-changer for designers and marketers who want to streamline their workflow and improve their productivity. 🏷️👥

Examples of Tags for Efficient Searching 🔍🏷️

To make the most of Canva's tagging feature, consider using descriptive and relevant tags for your designs. Some examples of tags you might use include:

• Niche tags: Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, Christmas, etc. 💝👩‍👦🎄
• Product tags: t-shirts, hoodies, phone cases, etc. 👕🎽📱
• Design style tags: minimalist, vintage, bold, etc. 🎨🖌️
• Color tags: black and white, pastel, neon, etc. 🖌️🎨

By using a combination of these tags, you can create a well-organized library of designs that's easy to navigate and search. This efficiency can save you time and streamline your design process, allowing you to focus on creating new designs and growing your business. ⏰💼

Conclusion 🎉

The print on demand industry is constantly evolving, and staying up-to-date with the latest updates from platforms like Printify, Etsy, Kittl, and Canva is crucial for the success of your POD business. By leveraging these game-changing updates, you can:

• Improve your production process 🚀
• Enhance customer experience 😊
• Create stunning designs that set your products apart 🎨

As we've seen, these updates can help you in various ways:

• Printify's Economy Shipping and new product offerings can help you save money and expand your product range 💸🛍️
• Etsy's updates to its prohibited items policy and gift teaser feature can help you navigate the platform's guidelines and create a more engaging customer experience 🎁📋
• Kittl's POD-focused design tools and templates can streamline your design process 🎨💡
• Canva's tagging feature can help you organize your designs more efficiently 🏷️🗂️

To stay ahead in the POD industry, it's essential to:

• Keep an eye out for future updates 👀
• Adapt your strategies accordingly 🧠💡

By staying informed and embracing change, you can build a thriving print on demand business that stands the test of time. 📈🎉

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the new shipping option introduced by Printify? 

A: Printify has introduced Economy Shipping, which offers cost savings of around 75 cents per item compared to standard shipping, but takes 4 to 8 business days for delivery. 🚚💸

Q: What are some of the new products available on Printify?

A: Printify has added new products like the Comfort Colors 6030 garment dyed pocket tee, glass sipper glasses, and denim jackets to their product catalog. 👕🥃🧥

Q: How can sellers add gift messages to orders on Printify? 

A: Sellers can now add or edit gift messages post-order by editing the order, going to the "Calculate Shipping" page, and adding or modifying the gift message. 🎁📝

Q: What changes has Etsy made to their shop opening fees? 

A: Etsy has implemented a $15 fee for opening a new shop on the platform to strengthen the onboarding process for new sellers and maintain a safe and trustworthy community. 💸🆕

Q: How can sellers identify official Etsy messages? 

A: Official Etsy messages will have a "From Etsy" badge in the inbox and appear in a separate section from regular conversations. 📧✅

Q: What updates has Etsy made to its prohibited items policy? 

A: Etsy now prohibits items that feature violent or degrading language towards protected classes, but selling political niche items is still allowed as long as they don't contain nasty or offensive content. 🚫🗳️

Q: What is the Gift Teasers feature on Etsy? 

A: Gift Teasers allow customers to send a sneak peek of their gift to the recipient via email, building anticipation and excitement for the gift. 🎁🎉

Q: Can sellers use mockups in their Etsy listings? 

A: Yes, sellers can use mockups in their Etsy listings as long as they accurately represent the final product. However, Etsy recommends using real product pictures whenever possible. 📷🎨

Q: What makes Kittl different from Canva for POD sellers? 

A: Kittl is specifically designed for the print on demand industry, offering features like a built-in mockup generator and seamless integration with popular POD platforms. 🐱🎨

Q: How can sellers use Canva's new tagging feature to organize their designs? 

A: Sellers can assign tags to their designs based on categories, themes, or other criteria, making it easier to find and reuse designs in the future. This feature is especially useful when managing a large volume of designs or collaborating with team members. 🏷️🗂️