Printables on Etsy are awesome. I discovered them several months ago when I wanted to make gifts for some of my family and friends. I can’t draw or paint, but I know my way around a computer. I found some cool designs on Etsy that I downloaded and printed on t-shirt transfer paper. Then, I ironed the designs onto tote bags. Voila! They loved their gifts and couldn’t believe I made them.

Here are 5 ways you can save money and time with digital downloads from Etsy sellers. (Some of these links are affiliate links, which means I make a small commission if you click and buy anything. No extra cost to you.

#1 T-shirts

Buy a digital design on Etsy to use on T-shirts. You can buy t-shirt transfer paper from any office supply or craft store. Then, print the design onto the paper and iron it onto a plain t-shirt. Because you downloaded it, make as many as you want! Here’s a Harry Potter design from Instant Iron-Ons.

#2 Tote Bags

Decorate a canvas tote bag with a digital design. Plain tote bags are available at craft stores in a variety of sizes. Then, use the same iron-on process on the tote bag as you did for t-shirts. This quote from MiniPress would look great on a book bag.

#3 Cards

Printable cards are a great way to save money. Plus, you can print them at the last minute, if you need to. This green and silver birthday card that features a snake crest can be printed over and over again.

#4 Invitations

You can find a truckload of great printable invitations on Etsy. Many of them are customized not only for occasions, but also for your favorite fandom. Here’s an absolutely adorable printable Star Wars invitation from Paper Willow Designs. Once you buy it, you can make as many as you want, as often as you want.

#5 Planners

Getting organized is tough. That’s why planners — and everything they come with — are so popular. You can buy, download and print just about anything you can think of when it comes to planners, pages, stickers and dividers. I recently dipped my toe into the pool of printable planners. Check out this red and gold geeky planner in my shop.

Now you can have all the things at a fraction of the cost, and without wasting time at stores.

What do you think? I’d love to know how you use printables. Let me know in the comments!