To sell posters on Etsy with print on demand, you prepare your design in a single aspect ratio (for example 2:3, 3:4 or 4:5) at a resolution that reaches 300 DPI at the largest size, offer the sizes as a Size variation in one listing, state clearly whether the poster is framed, and list it with mockups that show the print in a room. When an order comes in, your production partner prints the poster and ships it directly to the buyer; on Etsy you need to declare this partner as a production partner in your shop settings. In this guide we explain size selection, file preparation, listing setup and the photos that drive sales step by step.
Printed poster or printable?
Wall art is sold on Etsy in two ways. With a printable (digital download), the buyer downloads the file and prints it themselves; there is no shipping, but the buyer handles print quality and paper. A printed poster is a physical product: the buyer expects a finished, printed item, and the price includes printing and shipping. The two appeal to different buyers; someone who wants to hang it right away, does not want the hassle or is buying a gift usually chooses the printed poster.
In the print on demand model you hold no stock: the poster is printed only when an order arrives. If you are curious about the digital side, see our guide Selling printables on Etsy; you can also offer the same design in both formats in separate listings.
Aspect ratio and size selection
The most common mistake in poster sales is trying to adapt the design separately for every size. Instead, first choose an aspect ratio; all sizes in the same ratio can be printed from one file without cropping.
- 2:3 ratio: 4×6, 8×12, 12×18, 16×24 and 24×36 inches. Common for photo prints.
- 3:4 ratio: 6×8, 9×12, 12×16 and 18×24 inches.
- 4:5 ratio: 8×10 and 16×20 inches. Frequently seen in ready-made frames in the US.
- ISO A series (about 1:1.41): A4 (21×29.7 cm), A3 (29.7×42 cm), A2 (42×59.4 cm). Buyers in Europe are used to these sizes.
A large share of Etsy buyers are in the US; use inch sizes in the title and variation names and add the centimeter equivalents to the description. Which sizes can be printed is determined by your production partner's catalog; only offer sizes that are in the catalog.
Resolution: how many pixels do you need?
The general standard for paper printing is 300 DPI. To find the required pixel count, multiply the print size (in inches) by the DPI:
- 18×24 inches, 300 DPI: 5,400 × 7,200 pixels.
- 24×36 inches, 300 DPI: 7,200 × 10,800 pixels.
- A3 (≈ 11.7×16.5 inches), 300 DPI: about 3,508 × 4,961 pixels.
Prepare the design for the largest size you offer; scaling down to smaller sizes does not lose quality, scaling up does. Because large posters are viewed from a few steps away rather than up close, some production partners may accept a lower DPI at the largest sizes; still, follow the minimum in your partner's file guidelines. The details of the calculation are in our guide What DPI do you need for printing?
Do not place text or important details too close to the edge: small shifts can occur at the edges during printing and trimming, and a frame also covers part of the edge. Keep the important part of the design away from the edges.
Which designs sell as wall art?
- Typography and quotes: short, personal phrases for kitchens, kids' rooms and offices.
- Minimal line drawings and abstract compositions: sets with matching color palettes for living room decor.
- City and map posters: skylines, coordinates and keepsake themes like "where we first met".
- Nursery sets: animal figures, letters, numbers.
- Gallery wall sets: collections of 3 or 6 posters in the same style.
To find the sub-niche that suits you, use the method in our guide How to find an Etsy niche. Reproductions of famous paintings, movie posters, and designs with brands and characters carry copyright and trademark risk; only sell images you created yourself or have the right to use.
Listing setup: size variation and frame statement
Offer all sizes in one listing as a Size variation and set the price per size. Etsy lets you add variations for up to 3 attributes per listing; if needed, you can add paper type or a frame option as a second attribute (only if your production partner offers them). For the setup steps, see How to add variations on Etsy.
A frame statement removes the most common reason for returns. If the mockup shows a frame but the product is only a poster, say so clearly both in the first line of the description and in one of the photos: "Poster print only, frame not included." Also add the paper type, the printing method (based on the information your partner provides) and how the poster is packaged to the description. For description structure, see How to write an Etsy product description.
Photos: show the poster in a room
With wall art, buyers want to see how the item will look in their own home. Etsy recommends listing photos of at least 2000 pixels, and you can add 20 photos and 2 videos per listing. Recommended order:
- Main image: a mockup showing the poster in a realistic room such as a living room, bedroom or office.
- Close-up: a design image where colors and details are clearly visible.
- Size comparison: an image showing how different sizes look next to a piece of furniture.
- Frame information: an image with the "frame not included" note.
- Set image: for gallery wall sets, all pieces shown together.
For mockup preparation see Creating product mockups, and for photo rules see Etsy product photos.
Declare your production partner on Etsy
Under Etsy's definition, print on demand companies are production partners. You add the partner in Shop Manager via Settings > Partners you work with > Add a new production partner; the form asks for the partner's name (or a descriptive title), location and how you work together. You then select this partner on the relevant listings. Owning the design and declaring the partner correctly are important for compliance with Etsy's creativity standards.
Title and tag examples
Put what the product is and its style at the start of the title: "Minimalist Line Art Poster, Abstract Wall Art Print, Living Room Decor, Unframed". In tags, try combinations of room, style and use such as "wall art print", "living room poster", "nursery wall art", "gallery wall set", "boho wall decor" and "unframed print". The detailed method is in our guide How to write Etsy tags.
Common mistakes
- Offering sizes in different ratios from one file, which leads to cropping in print.
- Using a small image for a large poster; blurriness and jagged edges in print.
- Showing a frame in the mockup without stating that the frame is not included.
- Leaving sizes or paper types that are not in your catalog open in the variations.
- Not declaring the production partner in your shop settings.
Poster design and listings with Printmeet
With Printmeet you can create designs with AI, remove backgrounds and generate mockups of your products. You can send the finished product to your Etsy shop and follow orders and shipping status from the dashboard; production is done by our production partners in the US. Check the product catalog to see which sizes are offered for posters. For the full workflow, see the how it works page.
Frequently asked questions
Which sizes should I offer when selling posters on Etsy?
First choose an aspect ratio and offer the sizes in that ratio: for example 9×12, 12×16 and 18×24 inches for 3:4, or 8×10 and 16×20 inches for 4:5. Only list sizes that are in your production partner's catalog and add the centimeter equivalents to the description.
What DPI do I need for poster printing?
The general standard for paper printing is 300 DPI. For an 18×24 inch poster, that means about 5,400 × 7,200 pixels. Prepare the design for the largest size you offer and check the minimum in your partner's file guidelines.
Do I need to add a production partner when selling print on demand posters?
Yes. Etsy defines companies that print on demand as production partners. You add the partner in Shop Manager under Settings > Partners you work with and select it on the relevant listings.
Can I show a frame in the mockup?
You can; but if the frame is not included with the product, state this clearly at the start of the description and in one of the photos. Otherwise the buyer will expect a framed item and may request a return.