Start with what the buyer receives.
Decide the artwork, print sizes and file formats included in the purchase. Write that list before making your listing images or description. A preview showing several frames should not imply that every frame size is included.
Use JPG or PNG for raster image files, or PDF when you want to supply a defined page size. Ask your intended printer which formats it accepts. A ZIP archive groups files for download; it does not improve their resolution or print quality.
Keep editable originals, research, proofs and private notes in your seller archive. The buyer package should contain the finished files and the instructions needed to use them.
Check the upload limits.
Etsy currently allows up to five files, with a maximum of 20 MB per file, for an instant digital download. Supported formats include JPG, PNG, PDF and ZIP. Check Etsy’s digital listing guidance before uploading; platform rules can change.
Keep filenames clear before upload because buyers see them. Etsy limits names to 70 characters using letters, numbers, periods, underscores or hyphens. For example: Botanical-01-A4.jpg.
If an archive is too large, review what it contains and split it logically where the upload limits allow. Avoid reducing image quality simply to squeeze an oversized collection into one file.
A small buyer package, explained.
Here is an example for one poster design whose print files need two ZIP archives. Inkla groups files into archives that fit the upload limit, so the number of archives depends on the files you export.
buyer-downloads/ Artwork-1.zip Artwork-2.zip Printing-Guide.pdf
- Artwork archives: the selected print sizes and formats, split across the ZIPs. Buyers should download every archive to get the complete set. The numbers identify archive parts, not separate designs.
- Printing guide: instructions that help the buyer choose the right file and print it.
Inkla Main 0.1.0 prepares up to four artwork archives and a printing guide for the digital buyer package. It uses a conservative per-file size limit below 20 MB. Always inspect the final export yourself before uploading.
Include instructions someone can follow.
A printing guide should answer the questions a buyer is likely to have after downloading:
- Which artwork and sizes are included?
- How do they extract the ZIP archive and choose a file?
- Should they print at actual size, and what happens if they select “fit to page”?
- Does the file include a border, and could the printer add one?
- Where can they contact the seller for help?
Explain that paper, screen settings and printers affect colour. If a buyer uses a print service, tell them to confirm the service’s requirements. Your instructions should describe the files you supplied, rather than promise identical results from every printer.
Run a final buyer check.
- Extract every archive into a fresh folder. Open every image and PDF, not just the preview thumbnail.
- Match the files to the listing. Check the number of designs, sizes, formats and whether the offer is digital only.
- Check dimensions and detail. Use the print size guide to compare the intended size with the pixel count.
- Check filenames and file sizes. Remove duplicates, unfinished versions and working material.
- Read the guide as a buyer. Verify the instructions and your support details, then make a test print.
Use the buyer folder from your Inkla export.
The full seller export also contains folders such as masters/, print-files/, listing/ and support/, plus START-HERE.txt and PREVIEW.html. Keep that package for your own work. Upload the files from buyer-downloads/ for a digital product.
Ready for your final review. Inkla checks the export package and prepares the buyer files. You upload them to Etsy, check the listing and attachments, then publish from your shop.
See how Inkla Studio works. Inkla Studio is made by CTRLED Labs Ltd and is not affiliated with Etsy.