How to Sell Journals on Etsy Using Canva — The Etsy Strategist (2024)

Selling journals on Etsy can be a fun and profitable side hustle, especially when you harness the power of Canva to create eye-catching designs. Whether you're a seasoned Etsy seller or just starting, this guide will walk you through how to sell journals on Etsy using Canva, from designing to printing.

Why Should You Sell Journals on Etsy Using Canva?

• Unleash your creativity: Thanks to Canva’s drag-and-drop interface and professionally designed templates, you don’t need to be a graphic designer to create stunning journals.

• Cost-effectiveness: Canva offers a plethora of free resources, making it a budget-friendly option for sprucing up your journals.

• Save time: With Canva, you can design quickly and efficiently, giving you more time to focus on other aspects of your business.

Types of Journals to Sell on Etsy: 5 Ideas

When it comes to creating journals, the possibilities are endless. Here are some ideas to inspire your next Canva designs:

Habit trackers

Habit tracker journals are incredibly popular for those looking to build new habits or maintain existing ones. Design pages with grids or charts where users can log daily habits like water intake, exercise, reading, or meditation.

Goal planners

Goal planner journals help users set, track, and achieve their personal or professional goals. Design pages with goal-setting templates, milestone trackers, and motivational quotes to keep users inspired.

Travel journals

For the wanderlust-filled souls, travel journals can be a hit. Include sections for itinerary planning, packing lists, daily travel logs, and spaces for pasting photos or keepsakes.

Gratitude journals

Encourage positivity and mindfulness with gratitude journals. Design pages with prompts for daily reflections, space for writing about things people are thankful for, and inspirational quotes to boost motivation.

Art and sketch journals

Art and sketch journals cater to the creatively inclined. Opt for quality paper suitable for various mediums and include blank or lightly guided pages for freeform drawing and painting.

How to Sell Journals on Etsy Using Canva: A Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Create Your Canva Account

First things first, sign up for a Canva account. It's your gateway to countless design possibilities. If you're planning to dive deep into design, consider upgrading to Canva Pro for additional features and assets.

Step 2: Understand Your Market

Before you start designing, take a moment to understand your audience on Etsy. What are they looking for in a journal? This knowledge will be invaluable as you start to shape your journal designs.

Step 3: Design Your Journal Covers

Now, the fun begins! Choose a journal template in Canva or start with a blank canvas. Customize your design with a mix of images, illustrations, fonts, and colors. The key is to create a cover that not only looks great but also resonates with your target market.

Step 4: Print Your Designs

Once your design is ready, it's time to bring it into the real world. You can either:

• Outsource to a professional printer: Partnering with a local print shop or an online printing service such as MOO or Vistaprint can provide access to professional-grade printing technology and a wider range of customization options, ensuring a high-quality finish for your journals.

• Print the journals yourself: If you have a reliable home printer that can handle efficient, high-quality printing, consider printing and binding the journals yourself. This gives you full control over the printing process, from selecting the perfect paper to adjusting the print settings for each design.

• Use a print-on-demand service: This option eliminates the need for upfront investment in printing equipment and materials. Services like Printful or Printify specialize in handling everything from printing to shipping, offering a hassle-free way to get your journals into the hands of customers.

Psst: scroll down for more details on these three printing options!

Step 5: Set Up Your Etsy Shop

If you’re new to Etsy, set up your shop by following Etsy’s guidelines. This includes filling out details like shop policies and shipping information. Make sure your shop reflects the uniqueness of your brand.

Step 6: List Your Journals

The listing is where you showcase your journals to potential buyers. Take high-quality photos that highlight your journal's features. Write compelling product descriptions and price your journals competitively.

Step 7: Promote Your Journals

Don't just rely on Etsy’s traffic. Use social media, blogs, or even YouTube to promote your journals. Share your story, the design process, and anything that connects you with your audience.

Step 8: Manage Your Orders and Customer Service

Stay on top of your orders and provide exceptional customer service. A happy customer is more likely to return and recommend your shop to others.

Step 9: Analyze and Adapt

Lastly, keep an eye on your shop’s performance. Use Etsy’s analytics to understand what works and what doesn’t. Be ready to tweak your designs, promotional strategies, or even pricing based on this feedback.

How to Print Your Journals

Printing your journal designs is a critical step in ensuring that the physical product matches the creative effort you put into your Canva designs.

There are three main routes you can take: outsourcing the printing, handling it yourself at home, or using a print-on-demand service. Let's explore the options.

Outsource printing

Outsourcing your printing needs to a professional service can be a great way to ensure high-quality results without the need for personal equipment or expertise.

Pros:

• Professional quality: Outsourced printing generally offers higher quality results due to professional-grade equipment.

• Large volume handling: Capable of handling large orders efficiently, which is ideal for scaling up your business.

• Variety of options: Access to a wide range of paper types, binding styles, and finishes.

• Save time: Frees up your time to focus on design and marketing, as the printing process is handled by the service.

Cons:

• Higher cost: Can be more expensive than printing at home, especially for smaller orders.

• Less control: Limited control over the printing process and turnaround times.

• Minimum order requirements: Some services may require minimum order quantities, which can be a drawback for small businesses or limited edition journals.

• Shipping considerations: Additional shipping time and costs from the printer to you, and then to the customer.

If you go this route, make sure to:

• Choose the right service: Look for print-on-demand services that specialize in journal printing. Consider factors like print quality, cost, turnaround time, and shipping options.

• Conduct a quality check: Request samples to check the quality of their printing and paper. This step will help you understand what your customers will receive.

• Customization options: Some services offer additional customization options like different paper types, binding styles, and cover finishes. Choose options that align with your brand and product range.

Print at Home

Printing at home gives you complete control over the production process and can be cost-effective for small-scale operations.

Pros:

• Full control: Complete control over the printing process, paper quality, and finishing.

• Cost-effective for small runs: Economical for small quantities, as there are no minimum order requirements.

• Quick turnaround: Ability to fulfill orders quickly without waiting for an external printer.

• Personal touch: Adds a personal element to the product, which can be appealing to customers.

Cons:

• Limited by equipment: Quality and size of the journals are limited by the capabilities of your home printer.

• Time-consuming: Printing, cutting, and binding journals at home can be very time-consuming.

• Ink and material costs: High cost of ink and quality paper can add up, especially for high-volume printing.

• Scaling challenges: Difficult to scale up production for larger orders.

To print your journals at home effectively, keep these tips in mind:

• Invest in a good printer: A high-quality printer (like the Canon PIXMA Pro 100 or Epson EcoTank ET-2800 if you’re on a budget) is essential for producing professional-looking journals. Research printers that handle high-resolution printing and can accommodate different paper sizes and types. For a roundup of the best printers for Etsy stores, check out this guide.

• Choose quality materials: Select the right type of paper for your journals. The paper weight and finish can significantly impact the look and feel of your product.

• Test and tweak: Experiment with different print settings to find the best results. Consider factors like color accuracy and ink usage.

• Consider the time factor: Printing at home can be time-consuming, especially if you're handling large orders. Make sure you have the capacity to meet demand without compromising on quality.

Print-on-Demand

Print-on-demand services offer a convenient solution for selling journals on Etsy, especially for sellers who prefer not to handle the printing and shipping processes themselves. These services take care of everything from printing to shipping directly to your customers, making it a great option for entrepreneurs who want to focus more on design and less on logistics.

Pros:

• No upfront costs: No need to buy printing equipment or hold inventory, reducing initial investments.

• Scalability: Easy to scale up, as the printing company handles large order volumes.

• Automated fulfillment: Integration with Etsy can automate the order-to-shipment process.

• Wide range of products: Opportunity to expand product offerings beyond journals without additional overhead.

Cons:

• Higher per-item cost: Generally more expensive per unit compared to bulk printing.

• Limited customization: Options for customization might be limited based on the capabilities of the print-on-demand service.

• Dependency on third-party: Reliant on the service's reliability, quality, and turnaround times.

• Profit margin concerns: The higher cost per item can impact profit margins, especially if competing with lower-priced items on Etsy.

To effectively utilize print-on-demand for your journal business, consider the following tips:

• Choose the right print-on-demand service: Research and select a print-on-demand service that specializes in journal printing and has a good reputation for quality and reliability. Look for services that offer integration with Etsy to streamline your sales process.

• Understand the quality and options available: Different print-on-demand services offer various levels of quality and customization options. Understand the types of paper, printing quality, binding options, and cover materials available. Some services may also offer additional features like embossing or custom inserts.

• Design with print-on-demand constraints in mind: When designing your journals in Canva, keep in mind the specifications and limitations of your chosen print-on-demand service. This includes understanding the print area, bleed requirements, and any color limitations.

• Order samples: Before you start selling, order samples of your journals. This will help you to assess the quality of the printing, paper, and binding. It’s important that the final product meets your standards and expectations.

• Factor in costs and pricing: Print-on-demand generally costs more per item than bulk printing. Make sure you understand all the costs involved, including shipping, and price your journals accordingly to maintain a healthy profit margin.

Selling Journals on Etsy Using Canva: 7 Tips for Success

Design with the journal user in mind

When creating your journal designs in Canva, always keep the end user in mind. Consider what makes a journal both functional and appealing. Are your customers looking for simplicity and space, or do they prefer guided prompts and decorative elements? Tailor your designs to suit these preferences.

Diversify your journal types

Offer a variety of journal types to cater to different interests. This could include bullet journals, gratitude journals, travel diaries, or even specialized journals like gardening or recipe trackers. Each type of journal can have a unique design that appeals to a specific audience.

Pay attention to detail

Details matter in journal design. This includes not just the cover, but also the layout of the pages inside. Use Canva to create distinctive, user-friendly page layouts that enhance the journaling experience.

Offer customization

Customization can set your journals apart on Etsy. Offer personalized covers, where customers can add their names or specific designs. Use Canva to create templates that easily adapt to custom requests.

Showcase your journals creatively

Your product photos should not only display the journal but also suggest how it can be used. Stage photos that show the journal in use, with writing, sketches, or alongside journaling accessories. This can make your listing more appealing and relatable.

Keep up with trends and seasons

Journal preferences can change with trends and seasons. Stay up-to-date with current design trends, and update your Canva designs accordingly. Seasonal journals, like for the New Year, back-to-school, or holiday-themed, can attract customers looking for timely products.

Use feedback to refine designs

Feedback from customers is invaluable. Use it to refine your designs and product offerings. If customers are repeatedly asking for a specific type of journal or feature, consider how you can incorporate this feedback into your future Canva designs.

How to Sell Journals on Etsy Using Canva: Common Questions