Print-on-demand (POD) is an industry giant, offering small businesses and individual artists the chance to widen their market share via custom ordering. Many Etsy sellers offer some sort of POD item in their shop, whether that be art prints based on their hand painted pieces, digital creations added to mugs, or even socks with clever phrases or graphics.
With POD, the possibilities are endless. So, how can you learn which types of items are popular with shoppers? Using a blend of research tools can make this task easier and more efficient, leaving you more time to create new designs and art to feature on the products.
Check Out eRank’s Monthly Trends
To kick off your POD research, head to eRank’s Monthly Trends. It lets you explore the most popular Etsy search terms across major categories—including those specific to POD. With 15 months of historical data for each category, you can easily spot patterns in search volume and understand how interest in certain keywords rises and falls over time.
Use the middle “Category” drop-down menu to select from a variety of POD industries such as mugs, shirts, stickers, and more.
The “Search Trend” column on the right helps you understand whether a keyword is consistently popular or just experiencing a temporary spike. It also shows the average number of searches each term has received over the past 12 months, giving you helpful context for long-term interest.
Using this tool not only offers keyword ideas but also provides insights into popular materials or aesthetics. For tote bags, leather and canvas are currently the most popular material searches, while shoppers are also looking for cute and grunge bags. In fact, a quick search on Etsy for the keyword “canvas tote bag” shows that many of those listings are popular now!
💡While researching, click the star next to any keyword to add it to a eRank Keyword List. To learn more about using Keyword Lists, check out Harnessing the Power of Keyword Lists.
Go Straight to the Source
Since POD sellers must purchase products directly from their providers, reviewing each platform’s bestseller lists such as Printify’s Bestsellers and Printful’s Bestsellers can offer valuable insight into current trends. These lists can help you spot what’s popular across different industries and also highlight which products have the highest quality or customer ratings. It’s a smart way to find top-performing items you’ll feel confident offering in your shop.
At present, t-shirts appear to be the bestseller on Printify. So, let’s take a look at the Monthly Trends keywords for POD shirts on Etsy.
eRank’s Monthly Trends shows that several styles are trending that could fit a variety of niches. Pickles, cat, baseball, nurse, and graduation are all within the top 25 keywords and have a wide range of potential.
Optimize Your Etsy Shop and Listings for POD Items
Once you decide on the types of products that you want to sell and have the designs ready, take the time to optimize your listings and give them a good polish before clicking that activate button.
Below are a few eRank articles and resources to help you.
🚀 Photography and mockups are important to catch the eyes of shoppers and influence their purchase decisions. Read more about creating and styling your mockups in our Mockups for Your Print on Demand Etsy Listings article.
🚀 Ensure your listings are following Etsy’s best practices by using eRank’s Listing Audit tool. Learn the process with Audit Your Draft Listings with eRank
🚀 Learn how to Add Personalization to Etsy Listings with Printify, if that is something you are interesting in offering to your buyers.
🚀 If you’re an Etsy shop that has traditionally been solely handmade or physical items, read our recent Combine Handmade and Print-on-Demand: a Hybrid Approach blog article to learn how you can incorporate POD listings into your shop, while sticking to your brand and niche.
Turn Research into Results
Finding trending POD products doesn’t have to be a guessing game. By combining research tools like eRank’s Monthly Trends with insights from your POD provider’s bestseller lists, you can identify what’s working right now and what has long-term potential. This gives you the confidence to design intentionally, list strategically, and connect with what Etsy shoppers are actually searching for.
As the 2025 year progresses, take time to research POD thoughtfully, create designs that reflect both trend and originality, and optimize your listings for visibility and conversion. With the right tools and a little creative strategy, you’ll be well-positioned to continue growing your POD shop and make the most of the second half of the year.
For more POD trending ideas, check out our latest YouTube Video Learn What’s Trending and Bestsellers for POD in 2025!
