If you want to make money by being creative, here’s how to make money selling SVG files online!
It’s no surprise that digital products are taking the world by storm. After all, it’s a win-win for all parties involved. From the buyer’s perspective, digital products are convenient and affordable. They are easy for retailers to produce with very low overhead compared to physical products.
One type of digital product that has become very lucrative in recent years is SVG files. So if you enjoy graphic design, this could be a great way to earn some extra money – or even a full-time income!
Here we break down what SVG cut files are, how you can easily create them, and how to start making money selling them online.
What are SVG files?
SVG stands for Scalable Vector Graphic, but is also known as a cut file. In short, it is an image file created using a markup language called XML that allows it to be enlarged or reduced without losing quality. They’re perfect for things like logos, illustrations, and icons because they look great at any size. They can also be optimized for search engines and are relatively small files.
This is in contrast to raster (or bitmap) file formats such as PNG and JPEG, which are made up of pixels and have a fixed resolution. Increasing the size of bitmap graphics has an impact on image quality.
Because SVGs are so versatile, they are very desirable to crafters because they can use a single file to create anything they need. For example, SVGs are often used to make things like:
This is the market to target when you create SVG graphics to sell!
How to create an SVG
The first step is to create graphics to sell in your store! Here are the steps to create these assets.
Do some market research for inspiration
Before you start designing, it’s wise to do some market research to get an idea of what’s selling well and what’s in demand.
The easiest way to do this is to do some searching on Etsy. If you type in one word, Etsy will give you tons of search suggestions that indicate what other people have searched for.
For example, if you enter “pet,” one of the suggestions is “pet stockings.” You can take this as inspiration to create designs suitable for dog Christmas stockings. You can then create an SVG text design that says “Puppy’s First Christmas”.
Another option is to invest in a tool like Erank, which shows you daily and monthly trends on Etsy. For example, one of the current trends that Erank shows on Etsy is the “gift”. You can use this information to create artwork for holiday tags and Christmas gifts.
In this detailed article, you can learn more about Etsy SEO (Search Engine Optimization) and how to use it as a small business owner.
Software options for creating graphics
Now that you have some ideas for what graphics to create, it’s time to let your creative side run wild! You can create graphics using any graphic design software, including Procreate, Canva, Inkscape, Affinity Designer 2, or Adobe Illustrator. (It is not recommended to use Canva elements to create SVGs unless you read and fully understand their content license agreement, which is complex.)
If you wish, you can create text-only designs using fonts that are free for commercial use. At Font Squirrel, you’ll find plenty of usable fonts ready for download.
Alternatively, you can create your own SVG designs from scratch using a tool like Inkscape to avoid potential copyright infringement.
Inkscape is free downloadable software compatible with Mac or PC and allows you to easily create graphics from scratch, even if you don’t have much design experience. It has a lot of features and takes some time to learn how to use them effectively, but it’s an excellent choice for beginners on a budget!
Convert graphics to SVG files
There are several ways to transform a graphic into an SVG file. The best method is to use Inkscape, but you can use several programs.
For example, you can use Canva if you have a professional account, but make sure you select “transparent background” in the export menu before downloading.
Another option is Adobe Illustrator, which has the most options but is more expensive.
How to make money selling SVG files on Etsy
There are many marketplaces where you can sell your SVG files, including:
However, Etsy is one of the best places to start because it’s easy to set up a store and there’s a huge market of buyers to tap into.
Here’s how to set up your store and make your first SVG sale!
Create your store
Creating a shop on Etsy is easy. After creating an account and updating your profile, go to etsy.com/sell to open your shop. You will be prompted to choose a unique store name and display window setup.
Use Canva to create a simple banner and logo, then fill out the About section to let potential buyers know what your store is all about.
Specify grouping and price
You can sell a single SVG file, but remember that most SVGs are listed under $5, sometimes even under $1. Many successful Etsy sellers create SVG packs with similar themes, such as:
- Vacation suggestions
- Text suggestions
- Monogram designs
Packages like these can sell for $10 to $20, depending on how many files it contains. Etsy only allows you to upload five items per listing, so if you’re selling the SVG as a package, create a zip folder and copy all your items into it so you can upload them as one item.
Decide on licensing
It is essential that you include license terms in your SVGs because you want to ensure that your graphics are not misused. In particular, you’ll want to be specific about what buyers can do with your product.
For example, can buyers use your design to create their own designs and sell products commercially? Or is he only allowed to use them for personal use? Keep in mind that you may charge more if you offer a commercial license.
It’s up to you how you want to license your product, but it’s a good idea to be as specific as possible to avoid confusion when purchasing your products.
Create records
To list your items for sale, go to your Store Manager and create a new listing.
You will first be asked to upload photos and thumbnails. You’ll want to prevent people from stealing your original designs, so use Canva to make a copy of your images and use your logo to add a “stamp” watermark. Then download it as a Jpeg and use it as a thumbnail image.
Next, you need to add a name. Use the Etsy search bar and start typing words related to your product to find terms to include in the title.
For example, if you have a Christmas-themed SVG pack with funny sayings and you search for “Christmas,” you’ll see “Christmas SVG Files for Cricut” and “Christmas SVG Funny,” which might be terms you want to include in your title.
Help people find your SVG
From there, there are many options you can choose to help people find your listing, including the subject, room, and color scheme of your SVGs. These are optional, but please fill them out as much as possible to increase the chances of your listing being found on the market.
Under record details, select “digital item” as the record type. Next, you’ll be asked to add a few tags that describe your listing.
You can add up to 13 tags to each item, so tag wisely! Your tags will help buyers find your goods.
You will also be asked to indicate the quantity and price. Since this is a digital product, you only need to insert a large amount. You can always increase the inventory number, but it will cost $0.20 each time you relist.
Attach your file
Last but not least, there is a section at the bottom called “Digital Files” where you will upload your SVG files.
Click save and continue. If this is your first listing, Etsy suggests adding at least ten listings to improve your shop’s visibility, but you can start with one if that’s all you have. It will also guide you through the steps to set up how you will be paid and billed for your enrollment.
And that’s all! Once active, your listing will last for four months and will automatically relist for $0.20 after each sale.
Etsy has a huge internal market of buyers, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t promote your store externally!
There are many ways to do this, but here are some cost-effective ways to get the word out about your business.
1. Use social media
Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Pinterest can help you share information about your store and your products. Make sure you use hashtags to increase the reach of your posts.
2. Implement SEO
Optimize your store for search engines so that people looking for products like yours can easily find you. You can do this by choosing a descriptive name for your products, using tags, using keywords, refreshing your listings, and getting backlinks to your product page.
3. Use Etsy’s own tools
Etsy has several tools to help you promote your products to a wide customer base.
For example, you can invest in Etsy Ads and create campaigns to target people who have shown interest in similar items or who have visited your store before.
Etsy also offers Pattern, a subscription website that serves as another channel to promote your products alongside your Etsy shop. It allows you to set up a website that automatically imports listings from your store. The service comes with a one-month free trial. After that it costs $15 per month.
The benefits of Pattern include the ability to create additional content that supports your brand, such as contact pages, galleries, and events. You can also create your own branded email addresses and integrate them with other marketing tools like Google Adwords or Pinterest. Other features include Etsy buyer reviews and blog posts.
Sell high quality SVG files online
Remember that selling SVG designs is a great way to create a new passive income stream as a designer or crafter, but it can take some time to build your branding and graphics inventory. But with time and effort, you can turn your creative passion into a lucrative business.
Once you’ve made your first sale, consider expanding your business and expanding to other platforms. There’s no ceiling to how much you can make with digital products, so don’t be afraid to see where your creativity will take you!
What other questions do you have about making money with SVG files? Ready to start your SVG business? Be sure to grab Holly’s free business plan template.
Originally published on December 12, 2022. Content updated on December 2024.
