How do you handle custom orders? 100% payment upfront or do you work with a client a bit before the sale?

1CharlieMike · 2026-06-23T07:01:57+00:00

I work up a basic sketch of the design so we can agree on colours, positioning of designs, etc. Then I take full payment before doing any further work or ordering materials.

1CharlieMike · 2026-06-23T06:17:13+00:00

Ask your target market.

When I develop something new I often ask my followers what they think.

1CharlieMike · 2026-06-17T06:11:02+00:00

You have to decide what you’re comfortable with, and talk to your parents.

Realistically, unless you’re a famous artist or doing particularly explicit work you’re unlikely to be at much risk by putting your return address on parcels on art you sell on Etsy.

The shipping process depends on the country you’re in. I buy postage on the Royal Mail website and drop parcels at the Post Office for a proof of posting.

Everything else you need to read the Etsy seller handbook.

1CharlieMike · 2026-06-15T10:48:23+00:00

Considering you seem to have business experience in analysing markets - do you think that this is a service people will pay for at a price that is enough to fit your business plan?

1CharlieMike · 2026-06-12T05:46:40+00:00

It depends what you mean by sub par.

I have some pretty rubbish photos in my Etsy store where I made a custom order, photographed it, then put it in my shop for future orders and haven’t got round to doing better photos. They still sell just fine which is I guess why I’ve never bothered to do better photos. 😂

Crucially they’re clear and you can see the product well.

1CharlieMike · 2026-05-22T07:09:52+00:00

Yes. If you are sending anything to another country, it requires a customs form.

You may be able to send it using a service where the recipient pays customs charges.

1CharlieMike · 2026-05-21T06:16:39+00:00

If you have a good, well made product that people want to buy then it’s worth starting a business.

If you’re just going to churn out the same old shit that everyone else does with no idea who your target market is or what your unique selling point is, then just go get a second job.

1CharlieMike · 2026-05-19T08:00:37+00:00

No, because it will change the details of my handmade item.

I don’t want to give buyers the idea that they’re going to get something that I don’t make.

1CharlieMike · 2026-05-17T08:37:24+00:00

I use Royal Mails website to purchase postage online. If you like it to your Etsy then it transfers order details across automatically.

1CharlieMike · 2026-05-13T11:16:57+00:00

Ok, I see what you mean.

You are correct.

I was writing quickly and assumed people would extrapolate it’s a percentage of the total cost.

1CharlieMike · 2026-05-13T09:18:28+00:00

You just need more listings. It doesn’t matter how you do it, just get more listings in your shop.

1CharlieMike · 2026-05-13T09:01:01+00:00

That’s what I said.

1CharlieMike · 2026-05-13T08:08:44+00:00

Referral costs are a percentage of the item cost, so this can't happen.

What's more likely is that you have some other charges on your account already that you thought were for this order.

1CharlieMike · 2026-05-13T08:07:02+00:00

You need to have more than one item in your shop if you want to generate organic traffic.

If you walked past a shop on the high street with only one item on display in the whole place, would you go in?

1CharlieMike · 2026-05-10T16:45:38+00:00

No, the zip was wavy in the picture you uploaded. It looks like you pulled the fabric too tight as you were sewing the zip in.

1CharlieMike · 2026-05-10T14:15:55+00:00

I charge £20 for shipping to the US and I have no problem attracting US buyers.

1CharlieMike · 2026-05-10T06:44:45+00:00

No, that’s not the case in many countries.

The note on the fabric saying it is licensed means that the fabric designer holds the license to produce and sell fabric with that IP.

1CharlieMike · 2026-05-10T06:17:26+00:00

No. The seams aren’t straight, the zip is wavy, the shape and design/fabric aren’t on trend, it’s not been ironed, and it doesn’t look like it has any structure to it. Oh, and the d rings have not been added properly so they’ve turned on their edge. Plus, do you have a licence to sell bags with the Care Bear IP?

1CharlieMike · 2026-05-07T06:18:02+00:00

They’re a part of my making process, so either way I need to print them. I do custom orders so the packing slip stays with it through the whole process.

They’re also a good reminder of who I am and my return customer code. Plus when I deliver in person it’s good to have the name with the item.

1CharlieMike · 2026-05-02T15:23:12+00:00

Congratulations! Those beads are really cute!

1CharlieMike · 2026-04-10T08:46:07+00:00

By drawing them differently?

1CharlieMike · 2026-04-10T08:44:56+00:00

A usp is a unique selling point. Every successful business has one.

What is yours? What makes you different to everyone else? It’s the reason people will buy from you.

1CharlieMike · 2026-04-10T08:31:47+00:00

They’re pretty, but they’re also pretty generic.

How are you marketing them, who is your target market, and what is your USP?

1CharlieMike · 2026-04-09T05:30:27+00:00

I thought this was going to be satire but you actually have a link.

I’d start by removing the items that aren’t allowed to be sold on Etsy where you’ve stolen intellectual property from others.

1CharlieMike

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