If you’re selling on Etsy like me, you know how important it is to create great designs.
The right design can make people stop, look, and buy.
But here’s the problem: a lot of design tools cost money, and if you’re just starting out, that can be a big expense.
That’s why I was excited when I found Kittl.
Let me tell you, Kittl is one of the best tools for print-on-demand!
I had used Canva before for POD, but I found it confusing to understand their rules for commercial use.
Then I found Kittl, and everything became easier.
And what I like most, is that you can use it for free!
Yes, free!
But is the Kittl free plan enough for print-on-demand?
I asked myself the same question.
Now I want to share what I learned, so you can decide if Kittl is right for you.
What SHOULD YOU Know
- Kittl is free and can be used for print-on-demand projects, making it a great tool for selling on Etsy.
- The free plan gives you access to many features, like illustrations and fonts, that are perfect for creating designs.
- You can use Kittl for commercial work, but you must give credit (attribution) when you share or sell your designs.
- The free plan is enough for basic products like T-shirts and small prints, but if you need higher resolution or more control, you can upgrade to the pro plan for $15 a month.
- You can make money with the free plan, but it’s important to put in the work by creating good designs and running your shop well.
What Makes Kittl Different?
Why not just stick with Canva when creating designs?
That means everything in Kittl – from the fonts to the illustrations – is made to help you create designs for things like T-shirts, mugs, and other products you can sell on Etsy.
When I first tried Kittl, I was unsure.
Would the free plan actually work for my Etsy shop?
But after playing around with it, I realized it’s more than just a basic tool.
Kittl lets you use a ton of features that are perfect for designing products.
You can also sell those products and make money!
On the free plan, you have access to a lot of assets – from illustrations to fonts – that you can use in your commercial projects.
This is a huge win because other platforms sometimes charge extra for these features.
Kittl gives you these tools for free.
It’s not just a basic tool for beginners. It has the quality and features you need to make your shop look professional.
Is the Free Plan Really Enough?
When I started using the free plan, I was worried it wouldn’t be good enough.
I thought maybe the designs would look low-quality, or I wouldn’t be able to use them for print.
But that wasn’t true.
- The free plan does have some limits.
For example, you can’t download high-resolution files unless you upgrade.
If you need really high-quality prints, like posters or large items, you might have to pay for the pro plan. But if you’re just making things like T-shirts, small prints, or digital products, the free plan works fine.
One thing you need to do is give credit to Kittl. This is called “attribution.”
When you download your design, Kittl gives you a message that tells you exactly what to say.
It’s easy to copy and paste.
This might sound like a hassle, but it’s really simple. And hey, it’s free!
So giving credit is a small price to pay.
I used the free plan to create designs for my shop. And I made T-shirts, digital prints, and even stickers.
My customers were happy with the products, and I didn’t have to spend any money on design software. I only upgraded to the pro plan later because I wanted higher-resolution downloads and a few more features.
But I honestly could have stuck with the free plan for a while.
Should You Upgrade?
Do I really need to upgrade?
It depends on what you need.
If you’re happy with the basics and don’t mind giving credit, the free plan could be perfect for you.
But if you want more control over your designs like higher resolution or more advanced features, you might want to consider upgrading.
The pro plan costs around $15 a month, which isn’t too bad if you’re making sales.
For me, the upgrade was worth it.
I sell a lot of digital products, and I wanted the best quality possible.
The pro plan also gives you full commercial rights, so you don’t need to worry about giving credit.
This was important to me because I wanted to keep my shop looking super professional.
But if you’re just getting started, you might not need to upgrade right away.
Can You Make Money with the Free Plan?
The big question is: can you really make money using the free plan?
The answer is yes!
I know because I did it. I made designs for my Etsy shop, sold products, and earned money without spending a cent on design tools.
The free plan gave me what I needed to get started.
Of course, you need to put in the work.
Just using Kittl won’t make your shop successful.
You need to come up with great designs that people want to buy.
You need to take good product photos and write clear descriptions. But once you’ve got those things down, Kittl can help you bring your ideas to life.
So, It’s Your Turn
If you’re selling on Etsy and looking for a free way to create designs, Kittl is worth trying.
The free plan gives you access to great tools, and you can use those tools to create products that sell.
Sure, there are some limits, but for most people starting out, it’s more than enough. And if you ever need more, you can always upgrade later.
Don’t let the fear of paying for software stop you from creating.
Kittl lets you start designing for free, and that’s a huge opportunity.
Recommended Tools For Etsy
Design Nexus newsletter – Get simplified Etsy tips and modern marketing strategies — plus a free Digital Product Starter Kit!
Creative But Fine newsletter – This is your source if you want more detailed guides about Etsy and graphic design.
I have made an entire section of helpful and mostly free tools you can use to build a successful online business on Etsy. See the tools here.
Kittl – A go-to place for any person, who wants to make money with print-on-demand on Etsy.
Creative Fabrica. They have millions of cheap graphics that can elevate your t-shirt design.
Vectorizer – This tool transforms your image into a vector with seconds. scalable without losing the quality.
Disclosure: Some of the links above may contain affiliate partnerships, meaning, at no additional cost to you, NechEmpire may earn a commission if you click through to make a purchase.
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