This article is an absolute goldmine if you’re looking to start a side hustle on Etsy and build your digital empire.
I regularly update it with new ideas as well as how easy these ideas are to make, so be sure to bookmark it!
Digital downloads are not only trendy, easy to make, and can generate a seriously steady stream of income, but you only need to create them once to sell them over and over again! Win-win.
And no, before you panic, this niche is by far from saturated!
To create this list, I’ve pulled data from Etsy, Pinterest Trends as well as E-rank, an Etsy SEO tracker.
Digital Downloads to Sell On Etsy That Are Easy to Make
1) Social Media Templates
Why It’s Hot:
Everyone wants their social media to look polished and professional.
Instagram influencers, small business owners, and bloggers are always on the hunt for eye-catching templates that align with their brand – and they’re often willing to pay a pretty premium for them.
Most in Demand Right Now:
- Instagram Story & Main Feed Post Templates
- Pinterest Pin Templates
- Instagram Reel Covers
- Social Media Content Calendars
- Instagram Highlight Covers
How to Make:
Use Canva or Adobe Illustrator to design templates for Instagram posts, stories, Pinterest pins, and Facebook covers.
Make them easy to edit, with placeholders for text and images, so your customers can customize them with ease.
Ease to Make: 4/5
Related: Real Ways to Find High Paying Virtual Assistant Clients
2) Printable Wall Art
Why It’s Hot:
With more people decorating their homes and offices, printable wall art has become a go-to for affordable and easy décor.
You can create anything from motivational quotes, abstract art, botanical prints, to cute animal illustrations.
Most in Demand Right Now:
- Boho & Abstract Line Art
- Botanical & Nature Prints
- Inspirational Quotes & Typography Art
- Mid Century Modern Prints
- Personalized Family Name or Initial Prints
How to Make It:
Use design tools like Adobe Illustrator, Canva, or Procreate to create your artwork.
Save your design in high-resolution PDF or JPEG formats, and offer multiple sizes so customers can print the artwork to fit different frames.
Ease to Make: 4/5
3) Planner Inserts
Why It’s Hot:
Planners are all the rage for staying organized, and personalized inserts make them even more functional.
These inserts can include daily schedules, meal planners, budget trackers, or fitness logs.
Most in Demand Right Now:
- Daily and Weekly Planning Inserts
- Habit Trackers
- Budget and Finance Tracking Inserts
- Meal Planning
- Goal Setting Inserts
How to Make It:
Design templates in programs like Adobe InDesign, Microsoft Word, or Canva.
Make sure your designs are neat, easy to print, and aesthetically pleasing. Offering both A4 and US Letter sizes will cater to a global market.
Ease to Make: 4/5
4) Digital Stickers
Why It’s Hot:
Digital stickers are popular among bullet journal enthusiasts and digital planners. They add a fun, personal touch to notes and planners.
Most in Demand Right Now:
- Self Care & Wellness Themed Stickers
- Minimalist Icons & Labels e.g. reminder stickers to stay hydrated, to do lists etc
- Seasonal & Holiday Stickers
- Cute & ‘Kawaii’ Stickers e.g. cute characters, pastel colors, soft lines etc
- Hobby Based Stickers
How to Make It:
Create your sticker designs in Procreate or Adobe Illustrator.
Save each sticker as a PNG file with a transparent background, and bundle them into a zip file for easy downloading.
Ease to Make: 3/5
Related: How to Make Stickers that Sell Like Crazy Online (Even if You Can’t Draw!)
5) Wedding Invitations
Why It’s Hot:
Couples are always looking for unique, beautiful, and customizable wedding invitations that don’t break the bank.
Digital wedding invitation templates are a perfect solution.
Most in Demand Right Now:
- Minimalist Designs
- Boho & Rustic Styles
- Watercolor Illustrations
- Modern Geometric Patterns
- Elegant Monograms & Family Crests
- Dark Gothic Themed
- Destination and Travel-Inspired Designs
- Vintage and Art Deco Designs
How to Make It:
Design invitation templates using Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, or Canva.
Make sure to include editable text fields so customers can personalize their invitations or offer the service yourself for an additional fee.
Offer various themes and styles to appeal to different tastes.
Ease to Make: 4/5
6) Resume Templates
Why It’s Hot:
A well-designed resume can make all the difference in a job search.
People are willing to invest in a polished, professional template that stands out.
Most in Demand Right Now:
- Minimalist & Clean Designs
- Modern Professional e.g. Corporate or Tech Focused
- Creative & Graphic Heavy Templates for Creative Industries
- Infographic Resume Templates
- Functional/Skills Based Templates
How to Make It:
Create your resume templates using Microsoft Word, Adobe InDesign, or Canva.
Include different styles (modern, minimalist, creative) and make sure they’re easy to customize. Provide detailed instructions on how to edit the templates.
Ease to Make: 3/5
7) Calendars
Why It’s Hot:
Calendars are a staple for organization, and having a beautifully designed calendar can brighten up any workspace.
People love buying printable calendars they can download instantly and print at home.
Most in Demand Right Now:
- Goodnotes, OneNote or Notability Digital Calendars
- Printable Wall Calendars
- Hobby or Interest Themed Calendars
How to Make It:
Design monthly, weekly, or yearly calendar layouts in Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, or Canva.
Offer different styles, such as minimalist, floral, or themed calendars (like a pet-themed calendar for animal lovers).
Ease to Make: 4/5
Related: Digital Products with the Highest Profit Margin
8) Printable Greeting Cards
Why It’s Hot:
Printable greeting cards are perfect for last-minute gift-givers or those who prefer something a little more personalized.
They’re great for birthdays, holidays, thank you notes, or any special occasion.
Most in Demand Right Now:
- Minimalist Greeting Cards
- Boho & Floral Cards
- Vintage & Retro Cards
- Personalized & Customizable Cards
- Funny or Quirky Cards
How to Make It:
Use Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, or Canva to create your card designs.
Save them as PDFs or JPEGs and offer different sizes that fit standard card envelopes.
Ease to Make: 4/5
9) Digital Planners
Why It’s Hot:
As more people go paperless, digital planners are gaining popularity.
They’re eco-friendly, customizable, and can be used on tablets and smartphones.
Most in Demand Right Now:
- Daily Digital Planners
- Undated Digital Planners
- Goal Setting and Productivity Planners
- Student Digital Planners
- Wellness and Self-Care Planners
How to Make It:
Create digital planner layouts using Adobe InDesign, Keynote, or GoodNotes.
Include sections for daily planning, goal setting, and habit tracking. Make sure the planners are interactive, with clickable tabs and links.
Ease to Make: 3/5
Related: How I Make $10,000 a Month Selling Printables on Etsy
10) Fonts
Why It’s Hot:
Fonts are an essential element for designers, bloggers, and anyone who loves creating digital content. Unique, hand-lettered fonts are especially popular.
Most in Demand Right Now:
- Serif Fonts
- Sans-Serif Fonts
- Handwritten or Script Fonts
- Modern and Geometric Fonts
- Vintage and Retro Fonts
How to Make It:
If you have a knack for typography, use font-creation software like FontForge or Glyphs to design your fonts.
Offer different styles (handwritten, bold, serif, sans-serif) and include different commercial use licenses for buyers.
Ease to Make: 3/5
11) Coloring Pages
Why It’s Hot:
Coloring isn’t just for kids anymore! Adult coloring books have become a popular way to relax and relieve stress.
Printable coloring pages are a big hit on Etsy.
Most in Demand Right Now:
- Mandala Designs
- Floral and Botanical Illustrations
- Animal and Wildlife Themes
- Inspirational Quotes and Affirmations
- Abstract Patterns and Geometric Designs
How to Make It:
Create intricate or fun designs using Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, or hand-draw them and scan them into digital files.
Themes can include mandalas, floral patterns, animals, or motivational quotes.
Ease to Make: 5/5
12) Printable Checklists
Why It’s Hot:
Everyone loves a good checklist, whether it’s for packing, cleaning, meal prepping, or daily tasks.
Printable checklists help people stay organized and on top of their responsibilities.
Most in Demand Right Now:
- Daily To-Do Lists
- Grocery Shopping Lists
- Meal Planning Checklists
- Habit Tracking Checklists
- Project and Task Management Checklists
How to Make It:
Design clean, easy-to-use checklists in Canva, Adobe Illustrator, or Microsoft Word.
Provide different themes and formats to suit various needs, like travel packing lists, grocery lists, or to-do lists.
Ease to Make: 5/5
Related: 23 Hobbies That Make Money: Build Your 6 Figure Business!
13) Recipe Cards
Why It’s Hot:
Foodies and home cooks love keeping their favorite recipes organized.
Printable recipe cards are a great way to do that, and they can also be a cute gift idea.
Most in Demand Right Now:
- Classic Recipe Cards
- Meal Prep Recipe Cards
- Family Recipe Cards
- Holiday and Seasonal Recipe Cards
- Diet-Specific Recipe Cards (e.g., Keto, Vegan)
How to Make It:
Create stylish recipe card templates in Adobe Illustrator or Canva. Include space for the recipe title, ingredients, instructions, and any personal notes. Offer different designs, such as vintage, modern, or floral.
Ease to Make: 5/5
14) Printable Worksheets for Kids
Why It’s Hot:
With more parents homeschooling or supplementing their kids’ education, printable worksheets are in high demand.
They’re a great way to provide educational activities at home.
Most in Demand Right Now:
- Educational Worksheets (e.g., math, reading)
- Handwriting Practice Sheets
- Coloring and Activity Pages
- Printable Puzzles and Games
- Learning and Craft Project Templates
How to Make It:
Design fun and educational worksheets using Canva or Adobe Illustrator.
Topics can include math practice, alphabet tracing, coloring sheets, or science activities. Make sure they’re age-appropriate and engaging.
Ease to Make: 4/5
Related: 12 Real Ways for Teachers to Make Good Money in the Summer
15) Business Card Templates
Why It’s Hot:
Entrepreneurs and small business owners are always looking for stylish business cards to make a great first impression.
Digital templates allow them to customize and print their own cards.
Most in Demand Right Now:
- Minimalist Business Cards
- Modern and Geometric Business Cards
- Vintage and Retro Business Cards
- Bold and Colorful Business Cards
- Professional and Elegant Business Cards
How to Make It:
Use Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, or Canva to design professional business card templates.
Offer a variety of styles and include instructions on how to customize them with personal details.
Ease to Make: 4/5
16) Printable Party Decorations
Why It’s Hot:
From birthday parties to baby showers, people love throwing themed parties.
Printable decorations like banners, cupcake toppers, and favor tags can make any event more festive.
Most in Demand Right Now:
- Banners and Garlands
- Cake Toppers
- Cupcake Wrappers and Toppers
- Party Invitations
- Table Tents and Place Cards
How to Make It:
Create party decoration designs in Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, or Canva.
Provide templates for different themes (unicorn, nautical, jungle) and offer them in various formats for easy printing and cutting.
Ease to Make: 3/5
17) Printable Invitations
Why It’s Hot:
From birthday parties to bridal showers, invitations set the tone for any event.
Printable invitations are a cost-effective and customizable option for party planners.
Most in Demand Right Now:
- Wedding Invitations
- Birthday Party Invitations
- Baby Shower Invitations
- Holiday and Seasonal Invitations
- Bridal Shower Invitations
How to Make It:
Design invitation templates in Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, or Canva.
Include editable fields for event details and offer different styles to suit various occasions, such as birthdays, weddings, and baby showers.
Ease to Make: 4/5
18) Printable Quotes
Why It’s Hot:
Motivational and inspirational quotes are a hit on social media and as home decor. People love printing them out to frame or hang on their walls for daily inspiration.
Most in Demand Right Now:
- Inspirational Quotes
- Motivational Quotes
- Self-Care and Wellness Quotes
- Family and Friendship Quotes
- Home Décor and Kitchen Quotes
How to Make It:
Use typography design in Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, or Canva to create visually appealing quote prints.
Experiment with different fonts, colors, and layouts to create unique pieces. Offer a range of quotes, from motivational to funny.
Ease to Make: 5/5
Related: How to Make Good Money on Maternity Leave: 17+ Tried and Tested Ways!
19) Budgeting Sheets
Why It’s Hot:
With more people taking control of their finances, budgeting sheets are a popular tool to help manage money.
Printable budgeting sheets can help people track their income, expenses, and savings.
Most in Demand Right Now:
- Monthly Budget Trackers
- Expense Trackers
- Debt Repayment Planners
- Savings Goals Sheets
- Income and Expense Worksheets
How to Make It:
Design simple and effective budgeting templates using Excel, Google Sheets, or Canva.
Include sections for income, expenses, and savings goals. Offer different styles, such as monthly budget planners or yearly financial overviews.
Ease to Make: 4/5
20) Printable Journals
Why It’s Hot:
Journaling is a popular activity for self-reflection, goal setting, and stress relief.
Printable journals allow people to create their own personalized journaling experience.
Most in Demand Right Now:
- Daily Planners and Journals
- Gratitude Journals
- Fitness and Wellness Journals
- Travel Journals
- Creative Writing and Art Journals
How to Make It:
Design journal pages with prompts, space for writing, and decorative elements. Use Adobe InDesign, Illustrator, or Canva. Themes can include gratitude journals, travel journals, or wellness journals.
Ease to Make: 4/5
Related: 20+ Best Side Hustles To Start With Little Or No Money
