Etsy Shop Startup Cost Calculator

Plan your initial investment realistically. See itemized costs for launching an Etsy shop and calculate how many sales you need to break even.

Configuration

$

Lighting, backdrop, props

$
$
$

Logo, business cards, stickers

$

Monthly tools (enter first month)

Break-Even Analysis

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$

Startup Cost Summary

Total Investment

$335.00

Required Minimum

$230.00

Sales to Break Even

28

Cost Breakdown

Listing Fees

$0.20 per listing x 25 listings

$5.00

Photography Setup

Lighting, backdrop, props (can use phone camera to start)

$75.00

Packaging Supplies

Boxes, mailers, tape, tissue paper, thank you cards

$75.00

Initial Inventory

Materials or items to sell

$150.00

Branding Materials

Logo design, business cards, stickers

$30.00

Tools & Subscriptions

Mockup generators, SEO tools, etc.

$0.00

Total Startup Cost

$335.00

Break-Even Timeline

At 2 sales/week

4 months

At 5 sales/week

2 months

At 10 sales/week

1 months

New Etsy shops typically see 1-3 sales per week in the first few months while building reviews and search visibility. Consistent listing and optimization can accelerate this.

Etsy Launch Checklist

  • Complete shop profile and policies
  • Add professional-looking product photos
  • Write detailed, keyword-rich descriptions
  • Set up shipping profiles
  • Enable Etsy Payments
  • Create at least 10-15 initial listings
  • Set competitive prices (check competitors)
  • Prepare packaging and shipping supplies

Etsy Seller Essentials

  • Good product photography is the #1 factor for Etsy success
  • Etsy ads can help new shops get initial visibility
  • Use all 13 tags and optimize titles for search
Etsy Seller Handbook has free guides

What New Etsy Sellers Should Know

Starting an Etsy shop can range from nearly free (using existing supplies and a smartphone) to several hundred dollars for a more professional setup. The right investment level depends on your product type and goals.

Bootstrap ($0-50)

Use your phone for photos, repurpose packaging materials, and start with just a few listings to test the market.

Standard ($100-300)

Basic lighting for photos, proper packaging supplies, 20-30 initial listings, and a small inventory investment.

Professional ($300-500+)

Professional photography setup, branded packaging, larger initial inventory, and potentially paid tools.

Cost estimates are based on typical seller experiences. Actual costs vary by product type, quality standards, and existing equipment. Etsy fees are subject to change. Visit Etsy's official fee page for current rates.