If you’ve ever dreamed of turning your classroom creations into income, you’ve probably wondered: Should you sell your teacher resources on Etsy or Teachers Pay Teachers (TPT)?
It’s a great question – and one that I get all the time from teachers, tutors, or homeschooling moms ready to start their online business. Both TPT and Etsy can be profitable, but they work very differently.
I’m going to break down the pros and cons of each so you can decide where to sell your teacher resources and start building a business that fits your goals.
Disclaimer: This post isn’t sponsored by Etsy or TPT. It’s based on my own experience and the results of thousands of teacher sellers I’ve coached.
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you) if you choose to purchase through them. I only share products I truly love and recommend!
Why Deciding Where to Sell Your Teacher Resources Matters
Selling online isn’t one-size-fits-all – you have to decide what the best platform is for you. The best platform for you depends on:
- What you’re selling (digital downloads, printables, classroom decor, or physical items)
- How much time you want to spend marketing
- Who your ideal buyer is (teachers, parents, or homeschool families)
Let’s dive into how Etsy and TPT compare – so you can make the smartest choice for your business.
Selling Your Teacher Resources on Teachers Pay Teachers (TPT)
Teachers Pay Teachers is (hands down) the #1 marketplace for educators, designed specifically for selling digital lesson plans, classroom games, worksheets, and digital resources.
Pros of Selling on TPT
- Built-in teacher audience: Millions of educators search here every month.
- Easy file delivery: Upload your resource once – TPT handles all transactions automatically and customer service.
- Search-friendly setup: Your resources appear when teachers search by subject, grade, or keyword.
- Less setup time: You don’t need a website or fancy branding to get started.
Cons of Selling on TPT
- Marketplace competition: You’re sharing this digital space with thousands of other sellers.
- Commission fees: TPT takes a percentage of each sale, but you can sign up for a premium seller account to lessen these fees. You can learn more about those fees here. (Link will be added when the podcast episode is posted)
- Limited customization: You can’t fully personalize your storefront like you can on Etsy.
| Pros of Selling on TPT | Cons of Selling on TPT |
| Built-in teacher audience – Millions of educators search here every month. | Marketplace competition – You’re sharing the platform with thousands of other sellers. |
| Easy file delivery – Upload your resource once; TPT automatically handles payments, delivery, and customer support. | Commission fees – TPT takes a percentage of each sale (a premium account lowers fees). |
| Search-friendly setup – Resources appear in search results by subject, grade, and keyword. | Limited customization – You can’t fully personalize your storefront design. |
| Less setup time – No need for a website or fancy branding to get started. |
Teachers Pay Teachers is best for classroom teachers, homeschool parents, and curriculum creators who want to sell digital educational resources quickly and easily.
If you need ideas of what kinds of digital products to create, make sure to listen to this podcast episode where I tell you how to create 20 types of profitable digital resources for your TPT store!
Selling Your Teacher Resources on Etsy
Etsy is a popular online marketplace best known for handmade goods, but digital products like classroom decor, printable posters, and educational templates sell really well, too.
Pros of Selling on Etsy
- Creative flexibility: You can sell both physical and digital items.
- Customizable branding: You control your store’s look and can create customized categories.
- Large global audience: Millions of shoppers visit Etsy every day.
- SEO potential: You can attract buyers searching for printable classroom decor or teacher gifts.
Cons of Selling on Etsy
- Less targeted audience: Most shoppers aren’t teachers looking for lessons – they’re primarily searching for gifts.
- Listing fees: You pay a small fee each time you list or renew an item.
- You handle customer service: You’ll manage messages, refunds, and questions yourself.
| Pros of Selling on Etsy | Cons of Selling on Etsy |
| Creative flexibility – Sell both physical and digital classroom items. | Less targeted audience – Most shoppers aren’t looking for lesson plans or teacher resources. |
| Customizable branding – You control your store’s visuals, categories, and layout. | Listing fees – Etsy charges a small fee every time you list or renew an item. |
| Large global audience – Millions of shoppers browse Etsy daily. | You handle customer service – You’ll manage refunds, questions, and tech issues yourself. |
| SEO potential – Great for reaching buyers searching for printables, teacher gifts, or classroom decor. |
Etsy would be best for sellers who want to sell teacher-themed products (like classroom decor, bulletin boards, or teacher gifts) or have the opportunity to expand beyond the teacher audience.
Etsy vs. TPT: Which One Helps You Sell Your Teacher Resources Faster?
If your goal is to sell teaching materials – like lessons, activities, worksheets, or assessments – TPT wins hands down.
Here’s why I think TPT is the best place to sell your teacher resources:
- The audience is already made up of teachers that are ready to buy.
- You don’t have to explain what your product is or how to use it.
- The platform takes care of payments, delivery, customer service, and tax collection for you.
However, if you also want to sell teacher lifestyle products, Etsy might be a great second platform after you’ve established your TPT store.
Many successful sellers start on TPT, then repurpose their best designs for Etsy once they understand what sells.
What Would I Do If I Were Starting Today?
If I were you and just getting started selling your teacher resources, I would start with TPT first.
Overall, Teachers Pay Teachers is faster, easier, and you’ll learn what teachers actually buy before expanding to other platforms. Once your TPT store is generating steady income, consider Etsy as a secondary income stream for decor and non-curricular products.
I actually have a recent podcast that details what I would do if I were to start a TPT store from scratch. Be sure to listen here!
After you check out that episode, don’t stop there – I also have a free training where I walk you through everything step by step.
You’ll learn how to start your TPT store, create products that teachers are searching for, and set up your business to grow from day one.
For more tips and daily encouragement, make sure you’re following me on Instagram.
