How to Research Trending Niches for Printables: A Guide to Finding Profitable Ideas

The printable design market is packed with potential, but understanding trending niches can make all the difference when it comes to building a sustainable, successful business. By identifying popular themes and assessing market demand, you can create printables that are not only popular but also profitable. This guide will walk you through the key strategies for finding trending niches in the printable industry.

1. Start with General Trends in Printables

To begin your research, start broad. Identify larger trends within the world of printables by observing social media platforms, forums, and marketplaces.

  • Pinterest: This platform is invaluable for spotting trends. Search terms like "popular printables" or "printable ideas" and explore what has high engagement, repins, and saves.
  • Etsy: Browse categories related to your printable designs and look at bestsellers or recently popular items.
  • Instagram & TikTok: Hashtags like #printableplanner, #DIYprintables, and #printableart can provide insight into what is popular and trending.

By starting with these platforms, you’ll have a solid foundation of general trends that can then be refined into niche ideas.

I usually start with Pinterest. Not only but also because of the bubbles - they give a lot of information about what is trending. Just look at my screenshot:

Here you can see that templates are a big thing but then also wedding, vintage book covers and books for toddlers. With this one search for printable ideas I also find quilt patterns and December calendars.

It looks like printables for organization are as popular as pins for "activities for kids". At this time (or maybe do some more research) is a good time to decide for a niche. Organization could be one but also printables for kids - what is your favorite?

Once you have identified that niche go ahead and dig deeper. Use Google Trends to see when what is popular. Also, don't forget to grab my Seasonal Printable Planner (it's free).

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2. Use Google Trends for In-Depth Keyword Analysis

Google Trends is an excellent tool for diving deeper into specific niches. Enter keywords related to the printables you're considering and see how they perform over time.

  • Identify Patterns: Use terms like "printable planners," "wall art printables," or seasonal themes like "Christmas printables." Notice which topics are seasonal vs. evergreen.
  • Refine by Region: Google Trends allows you to filter by region, which can be helpful if you’re targeting a specific audience.
  • Spot Emerging Trends: Keep an eye on the "related queries" section for terms that are rapidly gaining interest but may not yet be saturated in the market.

Google Trends can reveal if a topic is climbing in popularity, giving you the opportunity to ride the wave of an emerging trend.

3. Analyze Competitors on Etsy and Other Marketplaces

To understand how saturated a niche is, research competitors on Etsy, Creative Market, or similar platforms where printables are sold.

  • Examine Bestsellers: Look for items that are consistently listed as “Bestseller” or “Popular.” This can indicate a reliable demand for certain themes.
  • Review Tags and Descriptions: Study the keywords and descriptions used by successful sellers to understand what’s drawing traffic and purchases.
  • Assess Saturation: If a niche appears highly saturated, consider if you can bring a unique twist to stand out. For instance, if "meal planners" are popular, you might create “meal planners for busy families” or “vegetarian meal planners” as a unique sub-niche.

Analyzing competitors can inspire ideas on how to differentiate your printables within a trending category.

4. Leverage Social Media Insights and Hashtags

Social media can help you gauge what topics are resonating with audiences and receive instant feedback on your printable ideas.

  • Instagram: Search hashtags like #printableplanner or #printablewallart to see what’s being shared and liked by potential customers.
  • Facebook Groups: Join groups for printable designers, Etsy sellers, and DIY crafters. Monitor what topics or product ideas are being discussed.
  • TikTok: Video content showing “DIY printables” or “Etsy printable business tips” can reveal popular themes that users are currently interested in purchasing or creating.

Social media insights can be especially useful for spotting trends early, as they tend to appear here before they become mainstream.

5. Identify Seasonal and Evergreen Opportunities

When designing printables, it’s beneficial to balance both seasonal and evergreen products to ensure consistent sales.

  • Seasonal Printables: Products like holiday decor, event invitations, and seasonal planners are in demand at specific times of the year. You could create printables for Valentine’s Day, summer activities, back-to-school organization, or Christmas.
  • Evergreen Printables: These are popular all year round, such as budgeting templates, meal planners, and self-care journals. They appeal to a broad audience and provide a steady stream of sales.

Keeping a mix of both types of products allows you to benefit from seasonal spikes while maintaining consistent sales year-round.

Choosing a Niche That Works for You

Finding a trending niche is only the first step. For long-term success, choose themes that resonate with your personal interests and strengths. This will make creating printables enjoyable, and you’ll be more likely to produce unique, high-quality work that stands out. By using tools like Pinterest, Google Trends, and social media insights, you’ll be able to identify both seasonal and evergreen niches that are profitable and exciting to create.

With consistent research and a creative approach, you can become a successful printable designer in today’s competitive market.

Make it a priority to find a product you enjoy creating. Creating things you personally don't like or use won't make you happy in the long-run. So it's much better to choose something you use yourself. I, for example, enjoy creating printables for teachers (and therefore kids teachers can use at school). So you find a lot of printables at my store which teach "something" but also give you an enjoyable time with your kids.

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