How To Create a Custom Order on Etsy? Best Practices in 2025

This complete guide shows you how to create a custom order on Etsy to sell personalized or made-to-order products in 2025. You'll discover three proven methods to make custom orders on Etsy: using Teeinblue, Etsy's personalization box, and private custom listings. Each method includes clear instructions and use cases. You'll also find practical tips to help you offer orders efficiently and choose the best method for your store.

What Are Etsy Custom Orders?

The custom order creation process on Etsy starts when a buyer requests to personalize a product. This could be adding a name, selecting a location, or asking for a completely new design.

As a seller, you can then receive these requests through different methods, such as Etsy Messages, personalization fields, or Etsy’s third-party tools like Teeinblue. After that, you need to communicate with the buyer to finalize the design. Once confirmed, you complete the order and choose the appropriate shipping method to deliver the custom product.

Custom orders on Etsy differ from regular listings in several key ways. Custom product listings feature more diverse and complex components, such as personalization boxes for text input, "Request Custom Order" buttons on shop homepages, and detailed instruction sections explaining customization options. This requires additional communication steps between you and your customers.

While custom-made orders require more effort and time than standard listings, they often command higher prices due to their personalized and unique nature. As a result, they can provide you with better profit margins and significantly increase overall sales. The increased complexity allows you to build stronger customer relationships and differentiate your store from competitors.

How to Create a Custom Order on Etsy in 3 Ways

You can create custom orders on Etsy through three effective methods. These include using third-party tools like Teeinblue, adding personalization boxes to product listings, and creating private custom listings. Each method serves different business needs and order complexities. This section provides step-by-step guides for each method to help you choose and implement the best approach for your shop.

Method 1: Create a Personalized Product on Etsy with Teeinblue

Best for: Etsy sellers who generate high order volume and want to sell multiple and complex options. It is also ideal for those who offer personalized products with live preview and want to speed up the setup and selling process.

Teeinblue stands out as a top-rated third-party app for Etsy personalization, providing you with comprehensive customization solutions. It provides a wide range of personalization options, including custom text, maps, photo uploads, cliparts, and more. With Teeinblue, buyers can personalize products with a real-time preview. In addition, the tool can automatically generate high-resolution files that are ready for downloading and printing.

Specifically, Teeinblue offers the simplest and fastest personalization workflow to create a personalized product on Etsy. Below are the key steps to help you set it up effortlessly.

Step 1: Connect Teeinblue with Etsy Shop

If you're new to Teeinblue, you can register at the landing page of Teeinblue for Etsy. If you already have a Teeinblue account, simply connect your Etsy shop from the Teeinblue portal. The integration process takes just a few minutes and requires basic shop authentication.

Step-by-step guide showing how to connect Teeinblue with Etsy for current active users

Step 2: Create a Customizable Design

You can create a customizable design with multiple layers, such as images and text. Then, you can add various personalization options like custom names, photos, maps, dates, and more using Teeinblue's intuitive editor.

Teeinblue's interface for designing and adding personalization options

Step 3: Connect Customizable Design to an Etsy Listing

In Teeinblue, you can choose an existing Etsy listing first, then connect it with the design you created in Step 2. Once linked, simply launch the personalized product without making any additional settings in the Etsy admin.

Connecting a customizable design to an existing Etsy product listing in a few clicks

There's an essential tip you need to know: Add clear personalization instructions or steps directly in the Etsy listing. This will guide buyers on how to customize your products and reduce order mistakes.

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Step 4: Send Customers a Link for Personalization

After buyers purchase Etsy products, you can send them a link via email to personalize the item they selected. Buyers can then customize their products with a real-time preview, ensuring they see exactly what they'll receive.

You can customize the email content right in Teeinblue to fit your brand and message

Step 5: Get a Print-ready File Instantly

When buyers submit their customization, you will automatically receive a high-quality, print-ready file for each personalized order from Teeinblue. You can then download the file and use it for multiple purposes, including printing, fulfillment, or quality control.

Complete customization design without manual effort

Teeinblue is developing a feature to automate the process of sending orders to print-on-demand providers. This will help you streamline your print-on-demand workflow. Stay tuned for future updates that will further enhance your order management efficiency!

Method 2: Add Etsy Personalization Box on Etsy Listings

Best for: Sellers offering simple customizations like names or short messages.

You can use Etsy's built-in personalization feature to allow buyers to customize products directly on your listing page. This feature lets you add a simple personalization box to any product listing. Buyers can then type in the box custom details such as names, dates, or messages.

Here's the step-by-step guide on how to add a personalization box to an Etsy product:

• Step 1: Sign in to Etsy and open Shop Manager.
• Step 2: Go to Listings and select the product you want to personalize.
• Step 3: Under Inventory and Pricing, toggle the Personalization option to On.
• Step 4: In the Instructions for Buyers field, add a message to guide customers on what details to include, such as names, dates, engravings, or pattern preferences.
• Step 5: If personalization is not required, check the box for Personalization is optional.
• Step 6: Click Apply to save changes.

Etsy's built-in personalization box settings in Shop Manager

You can also set personalization for multiple Etsy listings to save time and maintain consistency across your shop. For multiple listings, first check the boxes for the listings you want to update. Then use the Editing options menu to choose Edit personalization and apply the same settings to all selected listings at once.

When a buyer requests a personalized item via this method, the request will appear on your Orders page, and you'll also receive an email notification. Review the buyer’s instructions carefully, then create the personalized design accordingly. If needed, send a preview to the customer via Etsy Messages to confirm the details before proceeding.

Method 3: Set Up Private Custom Listings on Etsy

Best for: Sellers handling occasional or very specific requests.

To create a private custom listing, start by enabling the “Request Custom Order” option in your shop settings. When you receive a request, you can reply through Etsy Messages and use the “Make a custom listing” button to create a listing with tailored details. This method gives you maximum flexibility for handling unique orders that don’t fit your standard listings.

Here are the steps to enable the "Request Custom Order" feature:

• Step 1: Go to the Shop Manager on Etsy.
• Step 2: Go to Settings > Options.
• Step 3: Select Enabled under Custom order requests.
• Step 4: Select Save at the bottom of the page.

After enabling custom order requests, the “Request Custom Order” button will appear on your shop homepage, making it easy for potential customers to contact you.

Once you receive a buyer's request, follow these steps to create a custom private listing:

• Step 1: Check the buyer's message: When a buyer sends a custom request, you'll get a message notification. Go to Shop Manager > Messages > Custom Requests to view it.
• Step 2: Confirm the details: Chat with the buyer to confirm personalization, quantity, timeline, and pricing.
• Step 3: Create the custom listing: In the message thread, click "Make this a custom order" and then click "Build the custom order." Then, add product details, images, price, and shipping.
• Step 4: Publish the listing: Click Publish to create the private custom listing.

The process of setting up private custom listings through Shop Manager

Which Is the Best Method to Sell Customized Products on Etsy?

The best method to implement Etsy personalization depends on your specific needs and business model. Here's which type of seller is suitable for each method:

• Personalize products with Teeinblue: This is for Etsy sellers who generate high order volume and want to sell multiple and complex options. It's also ideal for those who offer personalized products with live preview and want to speed up the setup and selling process.
• Use Etsy's personalization box: This is a suitable feature for sellers offering simple customizations like names or short messages.
• Add private custom listings: This method is ideal for sellers handling occasional or very specific requests.

Here's a detailed comparison of the three methods:

Top Tips for Offering Custom Orders on Etsy

Managing custom orders effectively is crucial for maintaining customer satisfaction and streamlining your workflow. Here are the top tips for managing custom orders successfully:

• Set clear personalization guidelines in Etsy listing: Use the listing description and images to explain exactly what buyers should include, such as name, date, or design preferences. This helps to avoid vague or incomplete requests.
• Pin key messages in Etsy Messages for easy reference: Use the pin feature to highlight important details in conversations, like personalization info, buyer approval, or deadlines. This makes it easier to find them later if needed.
• Take advantage of Etsy's Quick Replies to respond faster: Save templates for common messages, such as instructions for submitting personalization, turnaround time, or the revision policy. It helps you save time and stay consistent.
• Request buyer approval before finalizing: Send a preview or mockup for confirmation before proceeding to production. This is especially important for highly customized items.

FAQs - Create a Custom Order on Etsy 2025

1 - How can sellers let buyers personalize products directly on Etsy?

You can enable Etsy's built-in personalization box for simple text-based customization. Alternatively, you can create custom private listings according to buyers' requests. The personalization box allows immediate customization on the product page, while private listings require more detailed communication through Etsy Messages.

2 - What's the difference between Etsy's personalization box and private custom listings?

The personalization box appears directly on the product page. A private custom listing requires buyers to message you via the "Request Custom Orders" button on your shop homepage. Creating private custom listings often takes more time and effort, as it involves back-and-forth communication to clarify details.

3 - What's the simplest way to offer Etsy personalization?

By using an Etsy product personalizer like Teeinblue, you only need to design, add personalization options, and connect with an Etsy listing. You can also automatically receive a high-resolution file that is ready for printing or downloading. This streamlined approach saves time while providing professional results.

Learning how to create a custom order on Etsy starts with choosing the right method for your business needs and customer base. Whether you use Teeinblue for complex personalizations with live preview, Etsy’s built-in personalization box for simple customizations, or private custom listings for unique requests, each approach offers distinct advantages. Ready to transform your Etsy shop with powerful personalization features? Join the Teeinblue Global Community for Print-on-demand Personalization and master how to create a custom order on Etsy that drives both sales and customer satisfaction.

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