Etsy seller rules: What you need to know to sell art online

When you sell art on Etsy, an online marketplace where makers, artists, and small businesses sell handmade, vintage, and custom goods. Also known as a craft-focused e-commerce platform, it connects buyers looking for unique pieces with creators who want to turn passion into income. But if you’re new to selling on Etsy, the rules can feel confusing—or even overwhelming. It’s not just about uploading photos and hitting publish. There are real policies around what you can sell, how you price it, how you ship it, and what happens if you break the rules.

Etsy isn’t just a storefront—it’s a community with strict boundaries. For example, you can’t sell mass-produced items labeled as handmade. If you’re printing posters from a design you found online, that’s a violation. The platform wants handmade goods, items made or assembled by the seller using their own hands, tools, or equipment. Also known as artisan-made products, these are the backbone of Etsy’s identity. That means if you’re painting portraits, sculpting ceramics, or creating digital art prints you designed yourself, you’re in the clear. But if you’re dropshipping or reselling factory-made items, you’re risking account suspension.

Then there are the fees. Etsy charges $0.20 per listing, which lasts four months. When you make a sale, they take 6.5% of the sale price plus payment processing fees. You also pay for shipping labels through them. These aren’t hidden costs—they’re built into how Etsy works. Many artists forget to factor them in and end up losing money. And don’t assume you can ignore taxes. Etsy reports sales to tax authorities in many countries, including the U.S. and EU. You’re responsible for collecting and paying sales tax where required.

Intellectual property matters too. If you use a character from a movie, a brand logo, or someone else’s artwork—even if you change it a little—you’re opening yourself up to a copyright claim. Etsy removes listings fast when they get complaints. One takedown can lead to a warning, then a shop suspension. If you’re inspired by a style, fine. But copying someone else’s exact design? That’s a red flag.

Shipping and communication rules are just as important. You have to set realistic processing times. If you promise a delivery in 3 days but take 2 weeks, buyers leave bad reviews. And if you don’t respond to messages within 24–48 hours, Etsy flags your shop for poor customer service. These aren’t suggestions—they’re part of your seller performance score, which affects how often your listings show up in search.

And yes, Etsy bans certain categories outright. No alcohol, weapons, medical devices, or items that promote hate. Even if you think your art is "edgy," if it crosses into offensive territory, it gets pulled. Your shop can be shut down permanently for repeated violations, even if you didn’t mean to break the rules.

What you’ll find below are real guides from artists who’ve been through it all. How to price your art so you actually profit. How to photograph your pieces so they stand out. How to handle customer complaints without losing your cool. How to avoid the most common mistakes that get new sellers banned. These aren’t theoretical tips—they’re lessons learned from people who sold their first painting on Etsy and now run full-time businesses.