How to Run a Successful Etsy Drop Shipping Store Using Print on Demand

In this video tutorial, we will guide you through the process of setting up and running a successful Etsy drop shipping store using print on demand. By utilizing this method, you can fully automate your store and eliminate the need for manual tasks. Although the software for automation is free, you will require tokens and have to pay for listing fees on Etsy. However, our script will handle everything for you, from creating listings to designing and uploading products.

Step 1: Choosing a Niche

Before getting started, it is crucial to select a niche for your store. For the purpose of this tutorial, we will focus on one product - square posters. To identify a profitable niche, we will employ a search operator in Google that filters listings on Etsy with a specific number of reviews. By including the search operator "site:etsy.com listing" and "item reviews 100 to 100,000," we can find products that have received a substantial number of reviews. Additionally, by adding the search term "in title:poster," we can narrow down our results to posters only.

To conduct niche research, you can replicate this process on Printify, a print-on-demand platform. Simply visit the Printify catalog section and search for potential products using specific keywords. For example, you can explore categories like tech accessories or rugs and mats. By modifying the search term in the catalog to match your niche, you can find suitable products to sell.

Step 2: Assessing Print Providers

Once you have identified a potential product on Printify, the next step is to evaluate print providers. Click on a few products that match your niche and examine their ratings. Look for print providers with high ratings and prefer those located in the US if you intend to sell in that market. It is also worth noting whether the products are American-made, as this can positively impact customer satisfaction.

Step 3: Using the Automation Script

To automate the process of creating listings on Etsy, we have developed a script that leverages the stable diffusion technology. Please note that the version used in this tutorial is not yet suitable for commercial use, but we will update the script as soon as the commercially viable version becomes available.

To access the script, you can visit the GitHub repository named "printify-automation" by Income Stream Surfer. Once you open the repository, you will find the necessary instructions for installation and usage. To begin, install Visual Studio Code and git SCM on your system. Clone the repository using the git clone command and the provided repository link. This will enable you to access the script on your local machine.

Next, open the cloned folder in Visual Studio Code, and in the terminal, navigate to the folder you created for the printify automation. Following the instructions in the readme file, you will need to obtain an OpenAI key for the stable diffusion technology. Create an account on the OpenAI platform, generate an API key, and copy it.

You will also need an API key from beta.dreamstudio.ai. Sign up on the Dreamstudio platform, navigate to the API key section, and create a new secret key. Copy the API key, ensuring you include the required quotation marks.

Back in Visual Studio Code, locate the specific lines in the script where you need to make changes. Update the title generator function to reflect your product niche. For example, if you are selling vertical matte posters, replace the existing term with "Vertical Matte Poster."

Remember that the current version of the script utilizes the stable diffusion technology, which may not be optimal for commercial use. However, we will provide an updated version once it becomes available.

How to Generate Clickable Titles for Posters

In this article, we will walk you through the process of generating clickable titles for posters using a custom function. This function will replace the existing title for cork back coasters with a more appropriate one for vertical matte posters.

Understanding the Function

The function we are using in this process serves as a tool in the backend. While some background knowledge is required, following the steps outlined in this article should minimize any difficulties you may encounter.

1. Review and Modify Title

   • Locate the function responsible for generating titles.
   • Replace the current "cork back coasters" title with "vertical matte poster" to align with our desired product.
   • Save the changes by pressing Ctrl+s.

2. Generate a Compelling Description

   • Navigate to the function responsible for generating a description.
   • Update the description to reflect the details of the vertical matte poster with theme information.
   • Save the changes.

3. Generate Relevant Tags

   • Proceed to the function that generates relevant tags.
   • Customize the tags to match the characteristics of a vertical matte poster.
   • Save the changes.

4. Generate the Image Using Stable Diffusion

   • Utilize the function that generates the image using stable diffusion.
   • Note that the current version of stable diffusion has limited commercial use but can still be tested and understood. It is advisable to wait for future versions that allow commercial use.
   • Upscale the image from 512x512 to 2048x2048, considering the printing requirements for posters.

Installation and Setup

Before running the script, make sure you have the necessary packages installed. If this is your first time running the script, follow these steps:

1. Install Python: Download and install the latest version of Python, which should include Pip.

2. Install Required Packages: Use Pip to install the following packages - openai, pillow, pandas, etc.

   pipinstallopenai
   pipinstallpillow
   pipinstallpandas
   

3. Run the Script: In your terminal, navigate to the appropriate directory using the cd command. Then, execute the script to upscale and create the images.

   pythonupscale_create_images.py
   

   Note: The script's function will run using the current version of stable diffusion, which may not produce the best quality images. If you observe unsatisfactory results, it is recommended to wait for updates allowing commercial use.

4. Creating Image Variations

   • Create a CSV file with the desired details for the images, such as tags or themes.
   • Insert the necessary details, ensuring creativity and variety.
   • The script will generate different image variations based on the information provided in the CSV file.

5. Test with Dream Studio AI API (Optional)

   • For research purposes only, you can experiment with a better version of stable diffusion by accessing the Dream Studio AI API.
   • Copy the specific code for this version and run the upscale_create_images.py script, following the same steps as before.
   • Emphasize that this version is not approved for commercial use and should only be used for testing purposes.

To conclude, this article demonstrates the process of generating clickable titles for posters using a custom function. By following the provided steps and understanding the concepts involved, you can optimize your poster designs for better engagement and sales.

How to Upscale and Upload Images with Printify API

If you're looking to upscale and upload images for your products on Printify, this article will guide you through the process step by step. Pay close attention to the instructions and you'll be able to do thousands of products per hour.

Generating an API Token

1. Go to Google and search for "Princify API".
2. Scroll down on the API page and click on "Generate Token".
3. Give the token a random name and click "Generate".
4. Copy the generated token to your clipboard.

Upscaling and Uploading Images

1. Open the upscaleuploadimages.py script.
2. Paste the API token from the clipboard into the code where it says "your principle key".
3. Scroll down to the comment that says "find your shop ID" and paste the following curl command: curl -X GET "https://api.principle.com/shops.json" -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_SECURITY_KEY".
4. Save the script.

Creating a New Store on Printify

1. If you don't have a store on Printify, click on "Add a New Store" and select "Etsy".
2. Create an Etsy account if you don't have one already.
3. Connect your Etsy store to Printify.

Finding the Variant ID

1. Remember the two numbers in the URL for the specific product you want to work with.
2. Use the curl command again to get the product details: curl -X GET "https://api.principle.com/products/{product_id}.json" -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_SECURITY_KEY".
3. Look for the word "vertical" in the response to identify the correct variant. Note down the variant ID.

Changing the Print Object

1. Open the upscaleuploadimages.py script again.
2. Replace the placeholder values with the variant ID, product ID, and print provider ID.
3. Modify the description of the product to match your needs.
4. Save the script.

Setting the Price

1. Determine the recommended price for your product.
2. Adjust the price in the script accordingly.

Uploading the Images

1. Run the upscaleuploadimages.py script.
2. Check your Printify store to see if the product has been successfully created.

Additional Information

• If you encounter any issues during the process, make sure to check that your account is in good standing with Printify.
• Consider using the Printify API documentation for more detailed information on each step.
• It's worth noting that this process can be complex, especially when working with different variants and print providers.
• If you find this manual process too time-consuming, consider requesting or developing a specialized tool.

  Fixing Image Resolution for Printify on Etsy

In this article, we will discuss how to fix image resolution issues when using Printify on Etsy. We will also explore the limitations of using tags on the Printify API for Etsy and why Shopify may be a better option for more control over your store.

Image Resolution and Scaling

When uploading images to Printify, it is important to ensure that the resolution is suitable for printing. In the author's case, they realized that the image they had selected was not suitable for their chosen product, a square poster.

To resolve this issue, the author suggests using the "scale" option available in the Printify settings. By increasing the scale to 1.5 or even 1.7, they were able to avoid white spaces on the printed poster. Although it may cut off a portion of the image, the entire poster will be utilized.

Limitations with Printify and Etsy

While Printify offers automation and ease of use for most aspects of the printing process on Etsy, the author discovered a limitation with the use of tags. Unfortunately, it seems that Printify's API does not support automatic tagging for products listed on Etsy.

This limitation is not exclusive to Etsy, as the same issue may arise when integrating Printify with Shopify. It is important to note this if tagging is a crucial aspect of your product listings.

Choosing between Shopify and Etsy

The author recommends considering Shopify as an alternative to Etsy, especially if having more control over your store is important to you. With Shopify, you have greater flexibility and can potentially avoid limitations like the one mentioned with Printify and tags on Etsy.

While Printify is compatible with both platforms, keep in mind that each has its own unique features and limitations. Choose the platform that best suits your specific requirements and business goals.

By following this tutorial, you can establish a successful etsy drop shipping store using print on demand. by conducting niche research, assessing print providers, and employing our automation script, you can streamline the process and maximize your store's potential. keep in mind that continuously researching and keeping up with market trends and customer preferences is essential for long-term success in the drop shipping business.
and Additional Information In conclusion, the author highlights the ease and automation of the Printify service, with the exception of tags when using the Printify API on Etsy. They encourage using their affiliate link for Printify or sharing the video to support their work. Additionally, the author offers a YouTube membership option for those interested.

Lastly, the author reminds readers to wait until stable diffusion Excel is available for commercial use and emphasizes the importance of adjusting prices appropriately for each product's production cost.

We hope that this article has provided valuable insights and guidance for your print-on-demand Etsy drop-shipping business. Stay tuned for more content from the author in the future.