Step 1: Download the Free Clipart

Grab your freebie, download Affinity Designer from the Serif website (free trial available) and design a cupcake topper. Follow along with the help of this tutorial. The graphics are different but the idea is the same!

Here are more ideas what you can design with this free clipart set from the Library: 

• Party favor tags
• Birthday banners
• Thank-you cards
• Memory game cards

The soft watercolour style creates a warm, joyful atmosphere — and it’s gender-neutral, perfect for any little adventurer.

Step 2: Craft With Your Kids

Invite your kids to help cut, glue, and assemble the decorations. It’s a beautiful way to:

• Spark their creativity

• Make them feel part of the celebration

• Enjoy quality time together before the big day

Even busy moms can fit this in during quiet moments after school or on a Sunday afternoon.

Step 3: Take the First Step Toward a Side Hustle

In the Safari Lounge I teach moms how to design printables using clipart like this, set up their shops, and build steady income from their creativity. The clipart are inside the Safari Lounge together with templates and workshops.

Your child’s birthday is the perfect reason to start creating — and maybe even your first step into a flexible, fun business that fits your life as a mom.

Download your free Savanna Dreams Clipart Add-On here and explore more clipart kits, templates, and beginner tutorials inside the Safari Lounge

Step 1: Start With What You Love

A side hustle shouldn’t feel like another chore. Begin with the things that light you up — the crafts, colors, or celebrations that make your heart happy.

Ask yourself:

• Do I enjoy planning birthday parties or holiday décor?
• Do I love drawing, painting, or designing little things on the computer?
• Do I often create printable checklists, games, or cards for my family?

These passions are the seeds of your future products.

Tip: Inside the Safari Lounge, you’ll find themed clipart kits that can spark new ideas and help you design even if you’re not confident about drawing.

Step 2: Create Your First Simple Product

Start small — you don’t need a full shop on day one. Choose one easy product, like:

• A set of printable cupcake toppers (those above are in the Library , for free - if you want a look!)
• A coloring page
• A birthday invitation template
• A seasonal wall art design

Use software like Affinity Designer or Microsoft PowerPoint (both beginner-friendly) and combine your design with ready-made clipart to save time.

In the Safari Lounge, you’ll get both the clipart and the templates for Affinity Designer (there is a free trial on the Serif website)  to jump-start this step.

Step 3: Sell on a Beginner-Friendly Platform

Once your design is ready, upload it to a marketplace such as:

• Etsy – perfect for party printables, wall art, and home décor
• Teachers Pay Teachers – great if your products are educational
• Your own website or blog, once you’re ready for more control

Keep your pricing simple, and remember: your first product is a milestone, not a masterpiece.

Step 4: Grow at Your Own Pace

The magic of a printable business is that your products can sell again and again without extra work. As you add more items, your shop can quietly earn while you focus on family time.

Set a gentle schedule that works for you:

• One new product a week or every two weeks
• A monthly theme (e.g. Halloween, Christmas, spring parties)
• Batch your design time while the kids are napping or at school

The Safari Lounge includes video classes that guide you through building a system, so your business grows steadily without burnout.

Step 5: Celebrate Every Little Win

Every download, every sale, and every “Wow, you made this?!” is worth celebrating. Your side hustle isn’t just about income — it’s about creativity, confidence, and carving out something that’s truly yours.

With patience and consistency, your kitchen-table hobby can blossom into a full-fledged brand.

Your creativity is more powerful than you think. You don’t need a business degree, a big budget, or endless free time — just the willingness to start, even small.

Ready to take your first step?
Join the Safari Lounge today and unlock:

• Beginner-friendly design tutorials
• Ready-to-use clipart kits
• Printable templates
• A supportive community of creative moms

Why Baby Printables Are a Great Side Hustle

Baby-related products are evergreen. Every year, thousands of parents celebrate baby showers, first birthdays, and monthly milestones. That means there’s always demand for:

• Baby shower invitations
• Printable party games
• Nursery wall art
• Monthly milestone cards
• Birthday decorations

Unlike physical products, printables are digital downloads. You create them once, and they can sell again and again without extra effort. That’s what makes them such a powerful passive income stream.

Step 1: Pick Your Niche

The world of baby printables is wide, so it helps to narrow your focus. Some profitable niches include:

• Baby showers (games, invitations, signs)
• Nursery decor (watercolor animals, safari themes, dinosaurs)
• Milestone cards (monthly baby photos, first year)
• Birthday party printables (cake toppers, banners, thank-you cards)

Example: My cute dinosaur theme can work across baby showers, nurseries, and birthdays — giving you plenty of products from one design set.

Step 2: Gather Your Tools

You don’t need fancy software to get started. Here are beginner-friendly tools:

• Affinity Designer (free trial available) – follow along in my workshops to get your first printables done
• Safari Lounge Designer Classes – affordable source to get clipart bundles (all in the same style!), templates and workshops

That's it!

Step 3: Create Your First Product

Start simple! A great beginner product is a baby shower game bundle or a set of milestone cards. For example:

• Baby Shower Bingo
• Guess the Sweets
• Monthly “1–12 Months” cards

Keep the design consistent with your chosen theme (e.g., dinosaurs, safari animals, or woodland animals, you can find all inside the Safari Lounge Designer Class - and samples for FREE in the Library). Add easy-to-read text and fun illustrations. Make sure your files are high-quality (300 DPI, PDF or PNG with transparent background, ready to print).

Step 4: Set Up Your Etsy Shop

• Open your Etsy seller account.
• Create a shop name that reflects your niche (e.g., “Tiny Dino Printables” or “Safari Baby Co.”).
• Upload your designs with clear product photos/mockups (use styled nursery mockups to make them look real). Here is a GREAT course to learn more about creating mockups*, saves 100s of Dollars and many headaches to find the right ones!
• Write a clear, keyword-rich title (e.g., “Dinosaur Baby Shower Games – Cute Printable Bingo & Party Bundle”).
• Add 13 optimised tags (think: “baby shower game,” “printable bingo,” “dino birthday”).

Step 5: Market With Freebies

Step 6: Grow Your Business

Over time, your shop can grow into a steady income stream — even while you’re busy raising little ones.

Final Thoughts

Selling baby printables on Etsy is one of the most beginner-friendly side hustles for moms. You don’t need to be a professional artist — you just need an eye for cute, on-trend designs (and if you don't already have them, you can definitely learn that in the Safari Lounge!) and the willingness to learn. With tools like Affinity Designer, affordable clipart from the Safari Lounge Designer Classes, and platforms like Etsy, you can start small and grow into a thriving creative business.

 Want to see how easy it is? Download my free Dinosaur Birthday Printable to inspire your first design — and imagine how many moms would love your creations too!

Step 1: Recognize Your Strengths as a Printable Creator

You may not think of yourself as a designer, but if you’ve ever:

• Made planner pages, kids’ games, or party decor
• Designed labels for your pantry or gifts
• Crafted home decor from digital downloads

…you’re already creating printables! Your natural creativity and attention to detail are exactly what makes you a great fit for this.

Tip: You don’t need a design degree or expensive software to get started. Many successful printable sellers start with PowerPoint or Affinity Designer!

Step 2: What Kind of Printables Should You Sell?

Printables are everywhere—planners, homeschool resources, pantry labels, reward charts, art prints, wall calendars, gift tags, games, even decor. The key is finding your sweet spot where:

• Your interests intersect with

• What people are already buying

You might ask yourself:

• Do I love organizing and planning? ? Create planners or goal trackers.

• Am I a homeschooler or teacher? ? Design educational printables.

• Is home decor my thing? ? Offer art prints, labels, banners, and seasonal sets.

Your hobbies can become product ideas—and your style is what makes them stand out.

Step 3: Gather Your Tools (Don’t Overthink It)

You can start your printable business with just a few simple tools:

• Design software (PowerPoint or Affinity Designer)
• A site to sell on (your blog, Etsy, Gumroad, or even email)
• A PDF export option (to turn your designs into ready-to-print files)

Don’t worry about being perfect—what matters is getting started and learning as you go.

Want step-by-step guidance on using these tools? The Safari Lounge Designer Classes walk you through the entire process—from design basics to launching your first product.

Step 4: Make Your First Product (Keep It Simple)

Choose a small project to begin, like:

• A daily planner

• A pantry label set

• A printable summer banner

• A kids’ reward chart

Design it. Save it as a PDF. Package it with a cover image and instructions—and you have your first product! 

Starting small gives you momentum, builds confidence, and teaches you what your audience wants more of.

Step 5: Grow with Strategy & Support

Once you’ve made your first printable, what’s next?

• Add it to a shop or marketplace

• Promote it on Pinterest or social media

• Start building an email list

• Learn how to batch, bundle, and brand your products

This is where many moms get stuck—but you don’t have to do it alone.

The Safari Lounge Designer Classes are here to guide you step-by-step through this journey. From design tools to product strategy, you’ll get the skills, confidence, and support to grow your own creative business—without the overwhelm.

Final Thoughts: Your Creativity is Enough

You already have what it takes to succeed in the printable world: creativity, care, and curiosity. Don’t let tech overwhelm or imposter syndrome hold you back.

Just start. One printable. One project. One moment of courage.

And if you’d love support from someone who’s been there, the Safari Lounge Designer Classes are waiting for you—with tools, tutorials, and a creative community cheering you on.

I tried it all. I focused on SEO (which is quite successful). I focused on backlinks. I focused on Facebook and Instagram. I posted my products in forums and in different galleries - actually that was something I did back in 2010 when Digidesignresort was just new. That was just the way you did advertising those days. And then I somehow "lost" it. I didn't jump on the social media train and then I had a hard time to get on it. And I still do. Until I figured a way which suits me and the time I can devote to my business.
Maybe that sounds like you as well? You are creating beautiful printables, you add them to your store(s) and then... you forget about them. Then they might sell a few times (or not) but you move on. You create the next resource, add it and then it results in the same drama - you sell it a few times and you go on. That's not really motivating.
Maybe you figured: You need to do something differently. 

I did a lot of research online but more often than not I only found the common suggestions: do SEO, post on social media. And yes, I guess that is what works but there are more questions that come up: What social media platform should I post on? And how can you use your time more effectively to make, after all, the most sales?

The answer is, unfortunately, easy. You need an advertising plan and stick to it. And that's also exactly what differentiates someone successful from someone who is not, the advertising part.

I believe it's a combination of three things you actually should do - beside actually having a great product:

SEO, Pinterest and Email Marketing

I believe in efficiency. I cannot spend my entire day posting on Instagram (or any other social media platform). It might be effective to build a community and such when I finally get to that 10,000 followers but that has to come second or even third because I also need time to create new printables and maintain my website aka write blogposts. So that's why I decided to focus this year on three things: SEO, Pinterest and Email Marketing.
These three make a good team. Because: You create blogposts for your website anyway so you can optimise them to let Google know what your posts are about. This brings in free clicks, new visitors and hopefully people which want to settle into your universe and sign up for your email list.
That's definitely one thing to do: You write a blogpost and then wait for Google to pick it up and send you traffic. That works, yes, but that's just a piece of the puzzle.

What if you'd make sure that another platform will also send you consistent traffic?
That might be a game changer! And that's where Pinterest comes into play. Actually Pinterest is, as you have most probably read in each blogpost about Pinterest, not a social media platform but a search engine. Therefore by adding pins there consistently we are leveraging that platform as a traffic source in the same way we do with Google. And, as a result, it will also send us consistent traffic - without posting 24/7 and burning out.

Pinterest is a platform where you post a pin and link it back to your website and then you post another pin to the same blogpost (or another) and another to the same. See how that goes? Sure, of course you don't post the same image again and again. But you can link to the same URL without being banned. And that is what you do to get consistent traffic from Pinterest: You link to your blogposts again and again. And then you write a new, optimised post and you do the same.

In best case when people come to your website you also offer them a lovely freebie they cannot resist and then you are in touch with them because they give you their email address and you can send them new content and offers whenever you want.

You see, that's the easy equation: Blogposts, SEO optimised, then an additional source (Pinterest) - which also brings in consistent traffic - and then email marketing which helps you to stay in touch with your people.

Easy peasy and no need to read 100 blogposts (just like I did) to get the same answer again and again.

Actually this results in some more questions and new problems... How do you optimise a blogpost effectively? How do you create Pins for Pinterest? And once done what do you need to keep in mind when posting them? And, what kind of freebie do you give your peeps to make them sign up for your emails? And, once they have signed up, what emails do you send them?

You see: Questions over questions! But we will get them all sorted!

So, what's the Number One Thing you need to do for your Success as a Teacherpreneur?

You need that "plan" in your head, actually, as Allan Dib says "a business system*". What we talked about today is really valuable. It's your path to success. You need blogposts. You need to optimise them for Google so it can send you traffic. And then you need to leverage another source of traffic so you do not solely rely on Google. In our case that is Pinterest because that also allows you to get consistent traffic.
And, in the end, to stay in touch with your peeps you need email marketing. And that's it. That's, in short, your business blueprint.

Sure, later in the game, when all that is running more or less automatically, you can add a social media platform to build a community there. And yes, then Instagram makes sense for sure! Or you might start a Facebook Group - all good ideas but they shouldn't be anything to start with.

You first need to build a foundation and once done you can add more parts to your equation.

BTW: I also have a lovely freebie for you when you join my email list: The Seasonal Printable Planner! It's an eBook which gives you all (or nearly all) events and holidays throughout a year as well as tons of ideas for digital products and a blog planner. If you use this Seasonal Printable Planner you can easily add the blogposts you need throughout the year, the products you need to create and, in the end, the sales and events you need to set up!

So you don't need a design background to sell designs?

Here in Germany we have baker shops everywhere. The owner of the shops, the baker actually, proudly sells bread, rolls and cake. They have learned for years to perfect their profession. They went to school, they earned a diploma and they proudly call themselves baker because they have learned all the insides out. They know what to add to the pastry to make it extra tasty. They know what to add to the bread to make it healthy. Because they have learned it. 
Why I'm telling you this?
Well, I keep asking myself why someone should be able to create digital products - in this case printable - without having learned the basics of design. Maybe a housewife can bake a wonderful and tasty cake (I know they can because my mum does the most wonderful cakes!) but they'd most probably never have the idea to open a baker shop because there are many things they might have not learned and might not know because they are not professional bakers.
So why do people think that they can open a printable shop on Etsy or on TeacherspayTeachers and sell printable without having learned the basics of design?

Watch my tutorial and see how I create these Affirmation Cards and learn why I have done it in that way and not differently. Try it, it's free - you can find the template in the Library.

Can anyone sell Printable?

Definitely! And yes, you can do that as well, even if you do not have a graphic design education. But what I want to say is: Take the time to learn the basics of your new profession. I think it's worth it if you know what you do and why you do it this way and not in another way.
I agree it's easier to grab some templates in Canva and start throwing some products together, export them and start selling. But hey, aren't you taking proud in the products you create? And if you do you want them to look great. You don't want them to look like anyone else's product.
You don't need to become an Illustrator and draw all graphics you use yourself. I get it, that's not for everyone!
You also don't need to visit a University for three years and earn a graphic design degree to sell printable. But how about learning the basics of design and using them to create appealing Printable you can be proud of?

Take pride in your work. No matter if you are a housewife and you can master to clean the windows (hey, I'm really not good at that...) or if you are a car mechanic you can be proud of what you've learned. And, if someone else wants to learn your profession, she shouldn't just get a template and start taking over your work and work self-employed in that profession. She should rather take the time to perfect her skills, doesn't she?

Learning Skills is worth it

So I believe that it's well worth it to learn some skills bevor you have a business. You never want to be overwhelmed. You never want that others tell you how to do it better or, even worse, not sell because your work looks unprofessional and "like anyone can do it". Take pride in your work. Learn what you need, use your new skills and then build your business.
No, it doesn't take you years to perfect your skills but it will take you a bit to get a hang of it.

So why the Safari Lounge Designer Classes are different

I created the Safari Lounge Designer Classes the first time in 2009. And even those days I wanted my students to learn how to design (and not just throw something together). I wanted them to know about the basic principles of design (maybe not everything inside out they don't need because we had a goal to archive). And I wanted them to know why they do what.
And until today the Safari Lounge Designer Classes have this goal. The aspiring designer should not just throw something together because programs like Canva exist and they can. I want them to create a product knowing what they do, knowing how they can make it look appealing. 

I believe in the long-run the designer will profit from this approach. She knows what she does and why she does it and because of that she will build a sustainable business.

Will it be without any effort?
Definitely not. Is it without any effort to become a baker or a mechanic? A good housewife? I don't think so. But with the help of a teacher, some effort and good instructions it's doable and that is what counts. 

Will it take forever to set up the business?
Definitely not. If you work through the classes for two weeks and practise, ask questions and practise even more you can have your first products ready and start adding them to your shop. With pride. With knowledge. And without just throwing things together "somehow". 

So does it take more effort to be a member of the Safari Lounge Designer Classes?
I hope so! I don't want you to throw your business together somehow but to set up a sustainable business for years to come - because you know what you do and you take pride in it.

Are you dreaming of a digital product based business? Don't dream any longer. You can use what you have and start with not much more than $100!

Today we add more value to our products. Adding an eBook, a video tutorial and of course the material customers need they have the feeling that they got a lot more than "just" a graphic set. And actually they get a result because they know how to use what they bought.
I remember that I got a lovely looking brush set for Procreate and when I finally had it I was super disappointed: What should I do with it? There were so many brushes and I just didn't know what to use them for. You see - adding more value to your product most probably will make your customer buy faster and be happier with her purchase. After all it's nothing you really need if you spend money on that, it's "just" for your pleasure (except you have a commercial use license of course). Therefore we need to give our customers a good reason to buy!

So let's pretend we want to create digital graphic sets just as Lisa does. What do we need for that?

Creating Graphic Sets with eBooks and Video Tutorials

Now that we know that it is important to think of additional value for our products (you learn more about that in the Safari Lounge Designer Classes) we need to figure what materials we need to create these products. It's important for a business to know which assets they need to produce their products.

So let's pretend we want to create something like Lisa's "Vintage Tales". Of course I don't want you to copy her product, I just want you to get a feel for the material and tools you need.

According to the her website the following files are included:

• 9 x Sketchers and Shaders (Procreate Brushes)
• 8 x Wet Brushes (Procreate Brushes)
• 5 x Texture Brushes (Procreate Brushes)
• 10 x Texture Stamps (Procreate Brushes)
• 5 x Premium transformative canvases (scanned files?)
• 5 x Vintage-look color palettes (Procreate Color Palettes)
• 1 x Inspiration Booklet (PDF)
• TUTORIAL: Brush overview and tips! (Video, most probably hosted on YouTube, set to private)

So once analyzed I know what I need for this kind of product the following material:

Of course this will vary if you create other products. For example: If you create online courses you need a lot more. Then you must have a camera, lights, a table, a memory card and so on. You see: Different business models require different assets.
That's why it's so important to decide upfront what (a) business model you want to have and (b) if you have all the required assets and, if not, if you can get/rent or purchase them.

Although I'm happy to link all the products I use I believe right now please keep in mind that this varies from year to year. I might need a new iPad or get some other templates than those I use now.
It also depends what you are happy with and what you can work with so feel free to exchange the products.

For many digital products you do not even need an iPad. You can create digital products on your computer screen with the matching program as well. Of course then you cannot create Procreate brushes but maybe you want to create brushes for Affinity Designer or Photoshop? That works just fine on the computer!

Here an example of a digital product I'm working on. This one is super simple, it actually is for a Teacher or Student Appreciation Gift. It's also perfect for card holders. Besides allowing my customer to customise the product (exchanging the names) I'll also add a tutorial about how to do that as well as the flattened file. You can find the set here in the Pepper Printable Club

So basically this means that you hardly have to invest any money as long as you have a computer or an iPad. You might need the one or other program but even those are not really expensive. 
Having said that I guess that's one of those businesses you can start for about $100.

You will need more money once you want a website and at the one or other point you definitely should want one!

So what's holding you back? Please let me know in the comments below.

If you’re a mom looking to make extra income or transition into full-time resource creation, selling printables on Etsy, Teachers Pay Teachers (TpT) or your own website printables are a fantastic way to share your expertise. Expertise doesn't only mean that you have earned a Master Degree in designing but also your expertise as a mom of a little one exploring the world of reading, counting and more.
But no matter where you are coming from one of the biggest challenges for new and even experienced sellers is coming up with fresh product ideas that moms need for homeschooling, their own home or just for fun afternoons.

Creating a high-quality, in-demand resource takes more than just an idea—it requires research, planning, and a deep understanding of your audience. In this guide, we’ll explore how to generate new product ideas that are both useful for moms and profitable for you as a seller.

1. Identify Gaps in the Market

One of the best ways to find a winning product idea is to look for gaps in the market—those areas where moms need resources but aren’t finding them. Here’s how you can uncover these opportunities:

• Explore Etsy Products or TpT Bestsellers: Look at top-selling products in your niche and read customer reviews. Are the customers asking for modifications, updates, or additional features?
• Check Q&A Sections: Many potential buyers ask questions before purchasing. This can give insights into what’s missing from existing resources.
• Browse Social Media & Facebook Groups: Join groups for your niche and take note of the challenges they mention.
• Observe Your Own Experience: If you’ve ever struggled to find the right resource, chances are other moms or teachers have, too!

Example: You notice that many kindergarten teachers struggle to find fine motor skills worksheets that aren’t overly complicated. You could create a set of simple pre-writing activities that bridge the gap between tracing and writing letters. Mom's can do them at home with their kids and teachers adapt them for early finishers.

2. Find Trending Topics on DIY and Mom Blogs

Education, DIY and decoration trends shift constantly, and keeping up with them can give you a competitive edge. Here’s how to stay ahead:

• Follow matching Blogs & Websites: Websites like Heyletsmakestuff (a huge, highly frequented site for DIY and SVGs), TeacherspayTeachers and small mom blogs help you to stay up to date - look what they write about on their blog and search from there.
• Look at Curriculum Changes: If a state updates its math standards, there may be a need for new, standard-aligned resources.
• Check Pinterest Trends: Teachers and moms alike use Pinterest for homeschooling and classroom inspiration, and it’s a great place to see which teaching topics are trending.
• Use Google Trends: Search terms like “sight words activities” or “STEM challenges” to see if they’re increasing in popularity.

Example: If you notice that social-emotional learning (SEL) is a growing trend in education, you could create SEL journal prompts or calm-down corner visuals.

3. Improve & Expand Existing Products

You don’t always have to create something entirely new—sometimes, improving or expanding on existing products is just as valuable.

• Create Differentiation Levels: If a popular resource only includes one difficulty level, make one that includes modifications for different learning styles.
• Offer a Thematic Twist: If sight word games are popular, make a seasonal version (e.g., “Fall-Themed Sight Word Bingo”).
• Bundle & Upsell: If you have multiple similar resources, offer them in a bundle at a discounted price.

Example: If you’ve already created some task cards, make a Google Slides version to appeal to moms and teachers using digital classrooms. Or: If there is a popular resource about teaching students how to make sentences with who? what? and where? - why not include a when? or with whom? - there are ways to give teachers as well as moms more options!

4. Use Keyword Research to Find What your Audience  is Searching For

TpT or Etsy are search-driven platforms, meaning the right keywords can make or break your product’s success.

How to Find Good Keywords for Product Ideas:

• TpT and Etsy Search Bar: Type in a broad term like “scavenger hunt” and see what autocomplete suggests.
• Pinterest & Google Autosuggest: Type a term into the search bar and note what related phrases appear.
• Analyse Competitor Titles & Descriptions: Look at the words top sellers use in their product listings.
• SEO Tools Like Ubersuggest: Find low-competition, high-volume keywords related to your niche.

Example: Instead of just listing a product as “Phonics Worksheets,” you might find that “Short Vowel CVC Word Practice” is a more search-friendly and specific keyword.

That's just keyword research in a nutshell. If you need more help have a look at the Safari Lounge Designer Classes where we do this in depth based on TpT's suggestions! But of course you can adapt this strategy to other platforms as well.

5. Ask Your Audience What They Need

If you already have a following, an email list, or social media presence, use it to ask your people directly what they need.

• Create a Poll on Instagram Stories: Ask followers to vote between two resource ideas.
• Send an Email Survey: Ask your people what they need most and what gaps they struggle with.
• Check Your Reviews: If customers love a product but request a different version, that’s a great next product idea!

Example: You poll your audience and discover they want interactive notebook versions of your existing science worksheets. That’s an easy next product!

Bonus Tip

The main reason moms, dads and grandmas buy printable resources is that it saves them TIME. If you think your product is to easy and can be made with just a few clicks think twice: If you are short on time you most likely spend a few Dollars rather than creating the resource yourself. It doesn't just save you a lot of time upfront it also helps you tremendously on a rainy afternoon because you know what you do next! As a mom I might have another profession on my plate rather than being there for my kids but I want to give my best when homeschooling and make sure that my kids learn everything they need. I can easily assure that when I have a PDF created by a teacher based on the curriculum! Is it worth the money? I bet!

How to Turn Ideas Into Profitable Products

Action Steps:

• Research what mums need using TpT, Etsy, social media, and reviews.
• Follow trends on other websites to stay ahead.
•  Use keyword research to create products that your people are actively searching for.
• Expand existing products instead of always starting from scratch.
• Ask your audience what they want, then give it to them!

The best-selling TpT products aren’t just creative—they solve real classroom problems. Start observing, researching, and brainstorming today, and soon you'll have a list of profitable TpT product ideas that teachers can’t wait to buy!

Would you like a step-by-step product planning template to help you organize your ideas? Sign up for the newsletter and I'll send you access to the Library where you can download a printable version

Seasonal printables are a goldmine for digital product sellers. They cater to the cyclical nature of us women, wives and mums constantly looking for fresh, engaging resources for holidays, seasons, and special events. The beauty of seasonal printables? They have the potential to bring in consistent sales year after year, with the same products returning to the spotlight during each relevant period.

In this guide, we’ll explore how to create seasonal printables that not only sell but become evergreen assets in your store, at least once per year. From brainstorming ideas to designing resources and marketing them effectively, we’ll cover everything you need to know to make seasonal printables a cornerstone of your business.

Why Seasonal Printables Are a Smart Investment

1. Recurring Demand: Seasonal printables align with mom's planning schedules, ensuring high demand at the same time every year.
2. Emotional Connection: Holidays and seasons evoke excitement, making themed resources more appealing to moms and kids alike. When we come e.g. close to Christmas we feel that we have done "our job". The the year is calming down - and Christmas is coming up where we all love to spend our time at home with our family and friends.
3. Diverse Niches: There’s a wide range of seasonal opportunities, from major holidays to smaller observances like Earth Day or the 100th Day of School. If you are not familiar with these holidays or if you are afraid to miss the one or other take a look at my FREE Seasonal Planner you can find here.

Key Seasons and Holidays to Target

Here’s a year-round breakdown of popular seasonal opportunities for creating printables:

• Winter: Christmas, New Year’s, Valentine’s Day, and winter-themed activities (e.g. snowman math, winter reading logs, an advent calendar). You can be pretty creative in combining these things! How about a Gingerbread Write the Room activity?
• Spring: Easter, St. Patrick’s Day, Earth Day, Mother’s Day, and spring projects.
• Summer: End-of-year awards, summer learning packs, summer outside games, scavenger hunts, 4th of July, and back-to-school prep.
• Fall: Halloween, Thanksgiving, fall-themed activities (e.g., pumpkin writing prompts, autumn math centers).

Please note - these are just some! There are definitely many more and don’t forget smaller observances like Dr. Seuss Day, Pi Day, or Teacher Appreciation Week. These niche events can set your store apart.

How to Create Seasonal Printables That Stand Out

1. Solve a Problem or Fill a Need

• Focus on what moms are searching for during specific seasons. For example:
  • Christmas: Low-prep holiday crafts or themed math activities.
  • Valentine’s Day: Writing prompts or kindness activities.
• Pro Tip: Visit  Pinterest, Etsy and mom Facebook groups to research trending topics and keywords for each season.

2. Add a Fresh Twist to Common Themes

• Avoid creating the same resources everyone else is making. Instead:
  • Combine themes (e.g., "Snowman Multiplication Puzzles").
  • Add unique elements like a digital component using Google Slides.

3. Incorporate Engaging Visuals

• Use seasonal colors, clipart, and fonts to make your printables visually appealing. Often women and moms can't resist because of the pure cuteness of things (at least that's how I am ).
• Be consistent with branding—include a professional, cohesive look that matches your other products.

4. Include Multiple Differentiation Options

• Provide different versions (e.g., simpler worksheets for younger kids, challenge tasks for advanced learners, wall art in different sizes as well as planners in A4 or letter size - based on the audience you are designing for).
• Add both color and black-and-white options for printing flexibility.

Tips for Marketing Seasonal Printables

1. Plan Ahead

• We all shop for seasonal resources weeks in advance. Upload your printables 1-2 months before the holiday or season to make sure it has time to rank and you have time to advertise it properly. For example: If you advertise on Pinterest it also needs some time to rank your pins. So planning ahead is crucial!
• Use a calendar to track key seasonal trends and plan your launches ahead.

2. Use Seasonal Keywords

• Optimise your titles and descriptions with seasonal keywords like "Halloween Wall Art" or "Valentine's Day Cards".
• Include holiday and season names, but also think creatively about related terms moms might search for.

3. Promote on Social Media and Pinterest

• Seasonal content is highly shareable! Pin images of your printables with eye-catching designs and descriptive captions like, "Keep your kids engaged this Halloween with fun math puzzles." will get attention!
• Create Instagram Reels or TikToks showcasing how your printables can be used at home.
• I'd also highly recommend to show your product in action. Don't make the mistake (just like I did) to create a product, add it to whatever store and then jump to the next. You do not build momentum this way. This is then more a kind of hope than strategical marketing. The better way is to really use your product. Let your kids color the letters, let them do the tasks. Or if necessary, do it yourself and film short sequences.

4. Offer Bundles

We already talked about bundles and why they are so valuable in this post. Have a look at it and write a note next to your computer - they are crucial to increase your sales!

• Combine multiple seasonal printables into bundles to encourage larger purchases. For example:
  • A “Fall Activities Pack” with Halloween, Thanksgiving, and general autumn resources.
  • A “Holiday Writing Prompts Bundle” featuring prompts for Valentine’s Day, Easter, and Christmas.
  • Creating Bundles is one of the best advices to give. Anyone loves a good deal! I can't say how often I have purchased a bundle instead of a single product just because it was a good deal and so worth it

5. Create Freebies to Attract Buyers

• For each new product offer a small seasonal freebie that matches your product (e.g., a single worksheet or activity) to build trust and drive traffic to your store.
• Include a link to the full product in the freebie’s description. That's a great way to advertise your product for years to come!

Examples of High-Impact Seasonal Printables

Winter:

• “Holiday Math Mystery: Solve the Reindeer Riddles”
• “Snowflake Cutting Templates for Fine Motor Skills”

Spring:

• “St. Patrick’s Day Reading Comprehension Passages”
• “Earth Day Recycling Sort: Hands-On Science Activity”

Summer:

• “Back-to-School Icebreaker Task Cards”
• “4th of July Reading Bingo”

Fall:

• “Halloween Escape Room: Spooky Science Challenge”
• “Pumpkin Life Cycle Worksheets with Coloring Pages”

Long-Term Benefits of Seasonal Printables

1. Evergreen Products: Once created, seasonal printables can generate recurring income every year with minimal updates. So even if you start designing for a holiday just around the corner, no worries - your future self will thank you for that.
2. Increased Store Visibility: Seasonal resources often attract high traffic, introducing more buyers to your store. 
3. Cross-Selling Opportunities: Seasonal products can lead buyers to explore your non-seasonal offerings, especially if things fit all together.

Seasonal printables are a powerful way to grow your customer base while keeping your product offerings fresh and exciting. By tapping into holidays and seasonal themes, you can create resources that meet mum's needs while generating consistent, year-round sales. Start planning your next seasonal product today—and watch as it becomes a repeat bestseller year after year!

Whether it’s a spooky Halloween activity or a heartfelt Valentine’s Day prompt, seasonal printables offer endless opportunities to engage mums and kids alike. What seasonal printable will you create next?

In case you need help: Join me in the Safari Lounge and we can brainstorm together!

Creating Teaching Resources for Teachers Pay Teachers

Creating engaging and visually appealing resources for Teachers Pay Teachers (TPT) can be a rewarding experience. But crafting materials that stand out and sell well requires more than just solid educational content—it also requires eye-catching visuals. Clipart is one of the most important elements in making your resources both professional and appealing to students and teachers alike. But where do you find quality clipart, and how can you use it effectively? This guide will walk you through everything you need to know.

Why Clipart Matters in TPT Products

Clipart can transform your TPT resources from ordinary to extraordinary. Well-chosen visuals help clarify instructions, create thematic cohesion, and make your products more engaging for students. In addition, high-quality visuals can enhance your product's presentation on the TPT marketplace, making your listings more attractive to potential buyers.

Understanding Clipart Licensing

Before diving into where to find clipart, it’s crucial to understand clipart licensing. When you purchase or download clipart, you are not buying ownership of the image but rather a license to use it under specific conditions. Always check the licensing agreement for each clipart set to ensure that you are using it correctly. Here are some common terms to be aware of:

• Personal Use: You can use the clipart for your own projects but not for anything you plan to sell.
• Commercial Use: You can use the clipart in products you intend to sell, such as TPT resources. Make sure to check if there are any additional conditions for commercial use.
• Credit Required: Some clipart creators require you to give credit in your product or on your product page.
• No Derivatives: You cannot alter the clipart in any way (e.g., changing colors, adding details) if this clause is present.

When choosing clipart, be sure to read the full licensing agreement to ensure compliance with the artist's terms.

Where to Find Quality Clipart for TPT Products

Finding the right clipart can be a time-consuming process, but it's well worth the effort. Sure, if you enjoy drawing you can create them yourself. Then you have nothing to do with any licensing. You can do it with Procreate or Affinity Designer, I have comprehensive courses for both, in case you want to learn how to draw things yourself. 
If not - here are some of the best places to find high-quality clipart for your TPT products:

1. Teachers Pay Teachers (TPT) Clipart 
   TPT itself has a vast collection of clipart, created by fellow teachers and designers. You can search for clipart directly on the platform, filtering by price, subject, and even licensing terms. One of the benefits of using TPT for clipart is that many artists create sets specifically designed for educational resources, so you know they’ll work well in your products.
   Tips:
   • Look for bundles that include multiple clipart sets at a discounted price.
   • Check if the artist offers free samples to see if their style fits your needs before purchasing larger sets.
   • Pay attention to the file types provided (e.g. PNG, SVG) to ensure compatibility with your software - usually this is not an issue though because PNG, SVG and JPG are the common formats any graphic program can handle.
2. Creative Market 
   Creative Market is a marketplace where designers sell digital assets, including clipart, fonts, and graphics. It’s a great place to find unique and high-quality clipart. Many designers on Creative Market offer educational-themed clipart or customizable vector images.
   Tips:
   • Sign up for the Creative Market newsletter to receive free downloads each week, which often include clipart sets. (Note: If there are freebies they are often for personal use only so please check out the license.)
   • Search by specific terms like "teacher clipart" or "school clipart" to find relevant items more quickly.
   • Pay attention to the number of items in each clipart set—sometimes a set with a higher price might offer significantly more images, making it a better value.
   • If you can: Purchase all your clip arts from one designer so you have a cohesive style in your products.
3. Etsy 
   Etsy is a treasure trove for handmade goods, but it’s also a great place to find digital products, including clipart. Many small artists and independent creators sell clipart on Etsy, often at affordable prices. You can find everything from watercolor illustrations to hand-drawn doodles, perfect for adding a personal touch to your TPT products.
   Tips:
   • Be sure to check the licensing details in each Etsy listing, as they vary widely from seller to seller.
   • Use the "Instant Download" filter to ensure you can access your clipart immediately after purchase.
   • Don’t forget to read reviews and check for sample images to ensure the quality of the clipart before buying.
4. Pixabay and Unsplash 
   If you're looking for free clipart, Pixabay and Unsplash are excellent sources. While these platforms are better known for stock photos, they also offer free clipart and vector images that can be used for commercial purposes. Just make sure to double-check the licensing for each image to ensure it's allowed for use in your TPT products.
   Tips:
   • Search specifically for vectors or illustrations to avoid wading through too many photographs.
   • Even though the images are free, many creators appreciate attribution, so consider giving credit if you can.
5. Creative Fabrica 
   Creative Fabrica is a digital marketplace geared specifically toward crafters, educators, and designers. They offer a subscription service that provides access to an extensive library of fonts, clipart, and graphics, many of which are perfect for TPT products.
   I'd highly recommend using Creative Fabrica. After all it's an affordable investment in your business and you can create products all year long for a really small fee!
   Tips:
   • Consider investing in a subscription if you regularly create new products, as this gives you unlimited access to their assets.
   • Keep an eye out for their frequent sales and bundles, which can offer great value for TPT creators.

You see: There are many places where you can find clipart. But I personally only recommend Creative Fabrica or TPT itself. Why? Creative Fabrica has a HUGE library for an affordable price. And you'll for sure be able to find not just clipart but also fonts and backgrounds to create your products. 

Sure, I also recommend my Safari Lounge Designer Classes where you do not only find tons and tons of graphic sets for any purpose (without worrying about licensing too much) but also classes where I show you how to use the material to create resources.

Best Practices for Using Clipart in TPT Products

Once you’ve found the right clipart, using it effectively in your products is key. Here are some best practices to consider:

1. Maintain Consistency 
   Try to use clipart from the same artist or within the same style throughout a single resource (or, even better, in all your products). Consistency in visuals helps create a cohesive look and feel, making your product appear more polished and professional.

2. Balance Visuals with Content 
   While clipart enhances your resource, be careful not to overdo it. Too many visuals can clutter the page and distract from the educational content. Use clipart strategically to highlight important sections or to break up text-heavy pages.

3. Keep Accessibility in Mind 
   Make sure your clipart choices don’t interfere with readability. For example, avoid placing busy images behind text or using colors that make it difficult to read. If you’re using clipart to indicate instructions, ensure that it is clear and easily understood by students of all abilities.

4. Credit the Artist 
   If required, be sure to credit the clipart artist appropriately. Many clipart creators provide a credit link or statement that you can copy and paste into your resource. This not only ensures you’re complying with licensing terms but also supports the artist community.

5. Optimize File Sizes 
   Large image files can slow down downloads and make your TPT resources cumbersome to use. Optimize your images by resizing them appropriately and compressing files if necessary, without sacrificing quality. This ensures your products remain user-friendly.

6. Layering and Editing 
   Depending on the licensing terms, you may want to layer or slightly edit clipart to suit your resource’s design. For example, you could layer text over an image or change the color scheme to match your branding. Be cautious and respectful of the artist’s work, and always check if such alterations are allowed under the licensing agreement - and use clipart from other artists if not because you need some kind of freedom to create resources that match your brand.

7. Test Print
   If your resource is printable, make sure to test print it to see how the clipart appears on paper. Colors can look different on screen versus print, so ensure your clipart maintains its quality and clarity when printed.

Final Thoughts

Finding and using clipart for your TPT products (you do not only have to sell them on TPT) is a creative process that can elevate your resources and increase their appeal in the marketplace. By understanding licensing, knowing where to find quality clipart, and following best practices for its use, you can create visually stunning and effective educational materials that will resonate with both teachers and students.

Remember, clipart isn’t just about making your product look good—it’s about enhancing the educational experience. Choose images that complement your content, clarify concepts, and engage your audience. With the right clipart and careful design choices, your TPT products can stand out in a crowded marketplace.

Happy creating!

Why selling Printables is a GREAT idea

When I first started my online business ventures in 2006 (oh yeah, it's that long ago!) I wanted to have a website selling digital scrapbooking kits. I wanted to sell digital scrapbooking kits because I figured that I could sell those over and over again without having to store inventory at home. 
And although I moved away from scrapbooking kits I still think that this reason is also a great one to sell printables from the comfort of your home. I also sell SVGs, eBooks and Online Course and all of these things have one thing in common: They are digital products.
You do not need a large upfront investment.
You do not need any special machines and such to create printables except your printer (to try them out).
You do not need to print 100s of items bevor you have even sold one.

So how do you get started?

What you need to start your Printables Business

First things first. Make sure you have everything you need. And really, that's not much:

Basically, that's all. Sure you might want Corjl if you sell custom designs. You can link Corjl from your listings and people can try it out and if they purchase they can customise and download their file from there. But this does not apply to you if you don't want to sell customisable files. Or you might want to invest into a fancy research tool - you can but you don't have to. We can start with what I mentioned above.
Once you have what you need what is the next step?

If you wanna try out if designing Printables is something for you sign up for my newsletter and get access to the Library. You cannot just download and use my Printables for your family fun but you also get tutorials about how to create them. It's a great way to try out this business model and see if you enjoy it!

And if you know you do - jump into the next steps!

1. Research: Begin by researching the Etsy marketplace to understand what types of printables are popular and in demand. Explore successful shops selling similar products to get insights into pricing, presentation, and marketing strategies.
   Pro-Tip: "Track" shops you've found. Write down the number of sales they have on the one day and check back on the next day. Do that for a week or two and you get an impression how much they are selling.
2. Create Your Products: Develop a range of high-quality printables that cater to your target audience's needs and interests. This could include digital art, planner inserts, greeting cards, invitations, wall art, and more. Use graphic design software like Adobe Illustrator or Affinity Designer to create your designs. So far I'm not a huge fan of Canvas. There are so many tools which are -right now- not yet included. Yes, you can somehow put your Printables together with it... but well... there is a lot missing. I guess it will chance in the future because they just bought Serif and the Affinity Programs but right now my recommendation is to use a "real" design program. I know many, many websites recommend something else. Still, for me this skill is an investment into a sustainable business. You can still use the free version of Canva to create pins and Instagram posts.
3. Set Up Your Etsy Shop: Sign up for an Etsy seller account and set up your shop. Choose a catchy and descriptive shop name, create a compelling shop banner and logo, and write an engaging shop description that highlights what sets your printables apart.
   Pro-Tip: If you need help with your shop banner and logo - there are packages on Etsy you can buy and which will help you to create your banner and logo in no time. You can always change them later, it's just something to get started!
4. List Your Products: Take clear, high-resolution photos of your printables (or use mockups to create great product photos) and create compelling product listings. Write detailed and keyword-rich titles and descriptions that accurately describe your products and include relevant tags to improve discoverability.
   Pro-Tip: Look a the shop descriptions of your competition. What do they highlight? What keywords do they use? What Tags are they using? You can find out all that and more just looking at their listings. Sure you can always purchase a subscription for a tool like Marmelade, eRank or Alura but you don't have to.
5. Pricing: Determine your pricing strategy by considering factors such as material costs (which are obviously none to really not much!), time invested, and market demand. Research competitor pricing to ensure your prices are competitive while still allowing for a reasonable profit margin.
   Pro-Tip: Pick one of your products which is in high demand and sell it with low to no profit. Yeah, you read this right Why should you do that? It gets people into your shop and they might add another piece to their shopping card because they got the desired one for a bargain!
6. Digital Delivery: Decide how you will deliver your printables to customers. Etsy offers digital download options, allowing customers to access their purchased files immediately after payment. Ensure your files are formatted correctly and include any instructions or usage rights. If you sell huge files (with huge I mean more than 100mb divided into 4 downloads) you need to store your files e.g. in Google Drive or in a Dropbox Folder and send your customers a PDF over Etsy with the link to download their file(s).
7. Promote Your Shop: Utilise social media platforms, email marketing, blogging, and other promotional channels to drive traffic to your Etsy or Website shop. Engage with your audience, showcase your products, and share behind-the-scenes content to build brand awareness and attract potential customers.
8. Provide Excellent Customer Service: Deliver exceptional customer service by promptly responding to inquiries, processing orders efficiently, and addressing any issues or concerns that may arise. Positive reviews and satisfied customers can lead to repeat business and referrals.
9. Analyse and Adapt: Monitor your shop's performance using Etsy's analytics tools and adjust your strategies accordingly. Pay attention to which products are selling well, where your traffic is coming from, and how customers are interacting with your shop to optimize your sales efforts.
10. Stay Informed: Keep up to date with Etsy's policies, trends in the printable industry, and best practices for selling online. Join Etsy seller communities, participate in forums, and seek out educational resources to stay informed and continuously improve your Etsy shop.
11. In best case: Build your own shop and website in the background so you can switch any time to your website if something happens to your Etsy shop and: You might want to do that in future anyway as Etsy can get expensive if you sell a lot. Also: Capture Email addresses from day one by always offering your customers a link to your website and to the place where they can get a freebie for subscribing to your newsletter.

Please note: If you decide to go for an e-Commerce business model it's totally fine. Millions of people do that. But: Please be aware that each month you have to start from scratch. There is no recurring billing attached to this business model. You have to excite your people again and again to make sales. Don't get me wrong: No matter which business model you have you always have to do that. But with a recurring payment model attached it gets easier to pay your bills.
What does that mean for you?
You could figure if - for your business - it would make sense to offer a subscription model. Maybe you could offer people something which makes them want to pay for your service month after month.
I get it though: This is als a tough business model and requires time and dedication. But it's possible, no question!
I found some memberships online where people purchase a subscription for a place where they can download everything for a small monthly fee. 

There are a lot of different ways you can make money from Printables. Just to mention another one - you could create seamless patterns and use those to create fabric on Spoonflower or Notebooks on Amazon. You can also sell them as digital paper sets on Etsy. You see: Designing Printables means you have infinite options to sell them!

You can start learning about selling and creating printables for free in the Safari Lounge Designer Classes. Test my courses, download the resources and enjoy the community - it's all on me for 7 days!