Etsy Seller Interview with Kat of Katsillustration

How Katsillustration got started

Introduce your Etsy shop and tell us your story. How did you begin and decide on what to sell on Etsy, and how do you create your products?

I am Kat, the owner of Katsillustration; my Etsy shop is a fresh and colorful collection of bright art prints, unique greeting cards, stylish stationery, and fun accessories. With celebration at their core, my products are created to spread joy and add a touch of fun to everyday moments.

I create all my designs myself from my home studio in Leeds, Yorkshire, and began my Etsy journey in 2016 after leaving a full-time job to pursue a career as an illustrator. My first products were prints, cards, and tea towels, all inspired by my love of reality TV and designed as humorous gift ideas for fellow fans. I tend to create products inspired by things I personally love, such as television, travel, cocktails, and the nineties.

Currently, my product range includes bright and bold art prints which I mostly print at home myself. I have to outsource the larger sizes as my printer isn't big enough. I create colorful greeting cards and gift wraps, which I send to a professional printer for a perfect finish. My stickers and keyrings are all handmade too, and I’m always looking out for new products that I think would make fun gifts.

Favorite items

What are your favorite items? What makes these so special? Why do you think these items might be selling well?

My favorite items are currently my Festival coloring book which I created in lockdown as a way to travel the world from home. It features 30 pages inspired by epic festivals from around the world. It is a wonderful tool to teach kids about global celebrations and makes a great escape for adults alike.

At the moment, my bestsellers are the die-cut sticker sets. I print and cut them all myself with the help of a Cricut machine. They make brilliant little gifts and are light enough to mail to friends and loved ones without costing the earth. Each pack is inspired by a different TV show and features hand-drawn illustrations of the characters and humorous quotes.

Getting sales on Etsy

How long did it take for you to earn your first sale and how do you currently attract customers to your Etsy shop?

It took a few weeks to get my shop up and running and to start promoting it, but once I started sharing my work on social media and engaging with potential customers, the sales started coming in. I can remember being very nervous when I invested in 50 tea towels, but luckily they all sold out quite fast.

I currently attract customers to my Etsy shop by using a variety of strategies. First and foremost, I focus on creating high-quality, unique pieces that stand out in the crowded marketplace. I also make sure to optimize my product listings with descriptive titles and detailed descriptions, as well as high-quality photos that showcase the beauty and detail of my work.

I also use social media to connect with potential customers and share my work with a wider audience. Instagram has been particularly helpful in driving traffic to my Etsy shop, as I can share behind-the-scenes glimpses of my creative process and interact with customers in a more personal way.

Managing Katsillustration

How do you manage your shop? Are you running solo or do you have any team members? What tools or services do you use to run your shop and how do you handle fulfillment?

Yes, it's just me running Katsillustration - I create all of the artwork, manage the shop, and handle shipping and fulfillment. To manage my shop, I use a combination of tools and apps that help me streamline my workflow and stay organized. I use Photoshop to create graphics for my social media and marketing materials, and I also use the social media planner within Meta to keep me on track with regular social media posts. 

When it comes to shipping and fulfillment, I use the Etsy shipping labels feature to create and print shipping labels directly from my shop dashboard. I also use recycled and eco-friendly packaging materials whenever possible to reduce my environmental impact. Handling shipping and fulfillment can be a lot of work, but I take pride in making sure that my customers receive their orders in a timely and professional manner with a little something extra in there to brighten their day.

The future of Katsillustration 

What goals do you have for your shop in the future?

More products! I am currently working on my second coloring book, which is inspired by 90s romantic comedies. I have some new notebooks coming out very soon and lots of new card designs. I am also expanding my sticker packs with lots of blasts from past 90s television shows.

Advice for new sellers

What’s your advice for a new seller starting an Etsy shop?

Experiment! Try out your ideas; Etsy is a brilliant place to test new designs and products. Be unique and different; stop comparing yourself to others. There is room for everyone to be creative and have fun. Always be kind and polite to your customers. I have heard sellers complain but my customers are brilliant and I believe in treating them well. Throw in a little extra—a sticker or postcard—and let them know how much they mean to you.