No More Mockup Mishaps: Solutions for Etsy Sellers

Six months into the widespread closure of Etsy stores due to Mockups, questions, and confusion still surround this topic.

This video cuts through the chaos, explaining the real reasons shops were being closed and why this is still happening today. Follow along as I provide tips on how to avoid this and how to make sure your listing(s) are accurately set up.

If you have any questions, please leave them below. Thank you for watching!

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Chapters:
0:00 - Intro
0:40 - Etsy’s Response to Mockups
3:24 - Examples of Mockups & What Not To Do
6:37 - How to Add a Production Partner to Listings
11:05 - Adding Unique Mockups to Your Listings
12:24 - Outro

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Disclaimer: Please note that the shops and listings in this video are only for educational purposes.

[jjaxsonjjames]

I’m so glad you talked about this because it is something that drives me crazy. It’s not only the YT “gurus” getting this wrong but you hear it in so many FB groups where ppl are saying you have to use the print provider mock-ups or else you will get shut down. That is blatant false information so I hope more people get this message.

[tx]

Having started an apparel company in 1997, it was so hard to get exposure, so we had to WORK HARD to get sales....Sadly, now, and with AI making mockups that don't represent the product and the expectation of having to do little work, it's no wonder shops get closed....It's not rocket science, work hard and don't misrepresent....Great videos George....

[purrincessnatsu]

Thank you George, again a great video! :)

[europeanliving]

George can you go into more detail on a graphic designer making a mock-up please, I am in Ireland 😃

[anag]

Great content as usual! Thanks 😊

Just a suggestion there’s not a lot videos about Etsy policies. Now I know things are occasionally changing, but maybe making a video about basic policies would be smart.

[NewsTrendWeekly]

Great info and so important. Thx George.

[cifeticiofiti]

Thank you for this great video! I create mockups, and I have tons of products at home, which allows me to design as closely as possible to the actual products. Let me tell you - there's no way for someone to distinguish between B+C and Gildan solely based on a good and realistic mockup. The difference lies in softness, texture, and thickness, but these nuances are not visible in the mocks. So, if I were to die in this war, I would be collateral damage, and it sucks

[KaiWenFranklin]

Thank you so much for the information.

[europeanliving]

Thanks, George, am in the process of setting up my shop and had heard bits and pieces around mockups and was looking for clarification so as not to break any Etsy rules.

[NbMaster]

How do you get a graphics designer to create a mockup foe a product that neither of you have??? Where do you find them???

[lunazamoracreative]

This was helpful. I would have never guessed any of that. So many things will trip up any seller. I think I’m going to ditch POD and just sell digital.

[badejong]

Thank you for this eye-opener... I have some work to do.. 👍

[jcarlin]

A great video - thanks. Would you consider a video expanding further on commissioning a designer to create a bespoke mockup. Thanks

[fancyflamingoxo]

I totally understand The Great Mockup Debacle of 2023. However I have two things I’d like your personal opinion on. Do you put that your photo is a mockup or representation of the actual product in your listing description? Even if you’ve put your production partners in the right place in Etsy.

I also struggle with sites like Placeit and a few others -even Etsy sellers. If you can find non AI generated mockups that look good, the shirt, mug, whatever may look very similar but they don’t disclose the exact product that was photographed. Etsy technically says it has to be an image of the product. So….if it looks really close is that good enough or breaking TOS.

Right now I struggle for good mockups because I won’t use anything that doesn’t disclose the exact product. I use manufacturer images and models and put them on my own backdrops and they are okay….but…they are not top tier lol.

Thanks for your videos! Just found your channel and love your straight forward info.

[cubbeezx]

Thanks for the helpful video! When using AI to create an original design which is then modified/adjusted by myself, I am curious your thoughts on answering the question around “ I created the desgn myself” or “ I created the design myself but received technical help”. Thanks for your time!

[midnightplace]

Hi! Thank you for your straight foward videos. Do you have any affiliate links we can use to show our appreciation. Thank you!

[dianadonnelly]

Thanks for another great video. Is it an issue on Etsy to sell personalized jewelry. Personalized necklaces are a popular item in my niche. I know there was an issue with sellers and the card inside being the only thing personalized but I wondered if ownprint who has a direct link with Etsy would be ok

[HomesickMac]

Exactly what I was looking for, because I've had a designer create some great illustrations that I'll be using to print on clothes and sell. I see there is an option to state that I contracted them, and also an option to state that I own that work. I bought it from them. But there's a catch, what if I want to give them a share of possible sales which is just my gesture of gratitude and support? Is ghere a way that Etsy automatically pays them abcertain procent of every sale? That's I guess and additional administrative thing they'd need to do so I'm just wondering..

[MerleneForde]

Hi George, Great video. Here is my question: I print in house for now, but when the business pick up, I will use printify, they are already link to my shop. However, how do I list my products. I am using similar mock ups from etsy, like everyone else. Should I list a print shop in my area, for a production partner, with similar zip codes, because when etsy send the packaging slip it will have this zip code. or if I list a shop from printify, the zip code will be different. SO HELP how do I fill out this going now and going forward, so I donot get flag. I don't have your email, or I would have sent an email. Merles

[phil-unique-knacks]

When you enter in a production partner for the shop/listing, is that Printify or the actual fulfillment provider such as SwiftPOD or Monster Digital? If its the fulfillment provider then how do you handle it if you use the Printify Choice Network? And do you recommend using that option or not?