How SubPressions 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?
Hello, I am Christina, and my company is Sub Pressions LLC. I enjoy selling on Etsy with other creative minds. I have a sign shop with a large-format printer. Most of my time was spent waiting for prints to finish or changing material. I decided to use my down time for something fun. I started placing photos on lighter cases and making stickers to cover lighters for family and friends; they were a hit. My sister told me about Etsy, so the rest is in the past.
Favorite items
What are your favorite items? What makes these so special? Why do you think these items might be selling well?
I enjoy putting my graphic design skills to work making custom Photo Lighter wraps. But I love seeing and hearing the finished product and the reviews people upload.
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?
I waited to launch until I had something that looked like a shop, so maybe 10 products. People seemed to like the designs, so my first sale was in about a week. I got excited and started sharing on Facebook and trying to bring more traffic. I also paid for Etsy ads that helped sales.
Managing SubPressions
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?
To manage my shop, it is just me in the shop, so when I am on vacation, I do place it in vacation mode. Most cherished app: I don’t think I could have done without Quick Books. With all of the fees, shipping, and everything else, it is confusing but makes it much easier. Shipping was something I was scared of in the beginning, but when I launched, I started with one product. Same size, just different graphics, until I got used to the shipping. Started slow and learned through videos.
The future of SubPressions
What goals do you have for your shop in the future?
I would like to design new products, maybe ship them, and help others like me grow.
Advice for new sellers
What’s your advice for a new seller starting an Etsy shop?
Take your time with your listings; don't rush them. Add your products and put them in draft mode until you get about 5–10, then launch them at the same time. Make sure you have great photos; you only have one chance to impress them until they scroll past your listing.
