How to Sell Stationery Online and Actually Make Money

Want to know how to sell stationery online—and actually make a profit? You’re not alone. Thousands of designers dream of turning their love of paper goods into a real business, but very few know how to do it profitably.

The truth is: people still buy beautiful, custom stationery. From wedding invitations and notepads to holiday cards and thank-you notes, the demand is there. But making money with your online stationery shop takes more than just great design—it requires smart pricing, the right products, and a streamlined way to fulfill orders.

In this guide, we’ll explain how to sell stationery online successfully based on industry data, trends, and what we’ve learned at PrintsWell after decades of helping designers grow real, revenue-generating brands.

The Stationery Industry by the Numbers

In 2023, the global stationery industry was valued at $24.1 billion and is expected to grow steadily at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.2% through 2030, according to Grand View Research.¹ While a lot of that includes school and office supplies, a significant portion comes from the “paper goods” and “social stationery” categories—like greeting cards, wedding invitations, notepads, and personalized products.

In the U.S. alone, the custom wedding stationery market continues to thrive, with over 2.1 million weddings expected in 2025, according to The Wedding Report.² Even in our digital culture, couples still want keepsake-worthy invitations. And holiday cards aren’t backing down either. As a $1.5 billion industry, millions of Americans still send holiday cards each year.

So, stationery is still a thriving business. But to ensure you can sell and profit from what you design, you need to get clear on what you sell, how you sell it, and who you partner with.

What Types of Stationery Sell Best Online?

Not all stationery products are created equal. Some are seasonal. Others are saturated. And some are steady earners year-round. Here's a breakdown of the most profitable product lines in the online stationery market, along with why they perform well in e-commerce settings:

Wedding Invitations and Save-the-Dates

• Average price point: $4–$7 per invite (custom designs are priced much higher).
• Profitability: Clients typically order in bulk (50–200+) and are willing to pay for quality and personalization.
• Why they sell online: Many couples browse inspiration on Pinterest and shop from marketplaces like Etsy or Zola. Digital previews, photo uploads, and ease of ordering custom designs make online shopping more convenient than visiting local print shops.
• Peak season: January–June (wedding planning season).

Holiday Cards

• Average price point: $2–$4 per card.
• Profitability: Medium-high. Cards are usually ordered in quantities of 25–100, and personalized photo cards are still the most popular option.
• Why they sell online: Consumers love to upload family photos, utilize pre-made templates, and personalize messages—all from the comfort of home. Online shops also offer fast turnaround during the busiest season of the year.
• Peak season: October–December.

Notepads, Journals, and Personalized Stationery Sets

• Average price point: $10–$25 for notepads; $20–40 for boxed sets.
• Profitability: Steady and evergreen. Great for gifting and personal use.
• Why they sell online: Personalized stationery makes simple, yet thoughtful gifts. E-commerce platforms allow customers to browse themes (e.g., floral, minimalist, monogram, professional) and easily preview personalization.
• Peak season: Year-round, with an uptick in Q4 (October–December) for holiday gifting.

Baby Announcements and Shower Invitations

• Average price point: $2.50–$4.50 per card.
• Profitability: Moderate, but reliable.
• Why they sell online: Parents and party planners rely on online shops for quick turnaround, customizable templates, and bulk ordering options.
• Peak season: Varies, but strong throughout the year.

Thank You Cards and Greeting Cards

• Average price point: $3–$6 per card.
• Profitability: Depends on volume—these are typical add-on products or subscription items.
• Why they sell online: Many buyers look for themed sets, personalization, or designs that reflect their personality—something big-box stores don’t always offer. Online stores can offer a wider selection and niche options.
• Peak season: Q4 and post-wedding season.

5 Ways to Sell Stationery Online

Now that you know what sells, it’s time to learn how to best sell your product online. Here are the five areas you need to master if you want to turn your stationery designs into a profitable online business.

Build Your Brand

In the stationery industry, good design is a must. What sets profitable stationery brands apart is a clear, cohesive brand experience. Think of Giddy Paperie, a successful example from Shopify’s blog. They’ve built a recognizable style with watercolor art and unique messaging.³ Customers know what to expect, and they enjoy their experience and interaction with the brand.

That’s why great branding isn’t just about how your product or website looks. It’s about solving your customers’ problems, meeting their needs, and connecting with them on an emotional level. Your ideal customer isn’t just buying a card—they’re looking for a way to express themselves and relate with you. Keep that in mind as you design and market your products.

How it works: Use words and designs that reflect your customer’s values, whether that’s modern minimalism, Southern charm, or luxury vintage. In other words, learn how to speak their language. Emotional connection equals higher sales.

Price for Profit

One of the biggest mistakes new stationery sellers make is underpricing. If you're hand-lettering every piece or offering unlimited revisions for $2 a card, you're not running a business—you’re maintaining a very expensive hobby.

To price your products well, start by calculating:

• Cost of materials and printing
• Time spent designing or customizing
• Packaging and shipping costs
• Marketplace fees (Etsy, Shopify, etc.)
• Your desired profit margin

According to a recent survey by The Stationery Studio, most profitable sellers aim for a 50–60% gross margin.⁴ Gross margin is the amount of money you keep after covering the direct costs of producing your product. In simple terms, it’s your selling price minus what it costs you to make and ship the product. It shows how much profit you’re making before you pay for things like marketing, website fees, or your own time.

Pro tip: Using a partner like PrintsWell for fulfillment keeps your costs more predictable, which makes it easier to price with confidence.

Choose the Right Sales Channels

While you don’t need to sell your product everywhere, there are a few channels that have proven more successful than others. Here are two options for online sellers:

• Etsy: Great for reaching buyers already looking for stationery. But with over 4.3 million active sellers, competition is cutthroat, and fees can eat into your profits.⁶
• Your own website (Shopify, Squarespace, etc.): Offers full control and branding, but requires you to drive your own traffic. Long-term, this is the most profitable path.

Note: Some of the top stationery designers use a hybrid model. For example, they sell custom work from their website, list ready-made cards on Etsy, and use a white-label partner for fulfillment.

Make Ordering Easy—and Memorable

We’ve all abandoned a shopping cart because it was too clunky or confusing. Don’t let your customers have this same experience. Whether you’re customizing wedding suites or selling boxed thank-you notes, your process should be simple and enjoyable.

It should be clear, so customers know exactly what happens after they place an order. Don’t make them guess. It should be quick, with as few clicks as possible from product selection to checkout. Decrease the amount of effort it takes a customer to buy something. It should be personalized, giving customers the ability to preview their customizations in real time. And it should be delightful, from the product photos on your website to the unboxing experience when their order arrives.

Note: You want your customers to love your brand, not just like your product, and that starts way before they even receive what they ordered.

Market Smarter, Not Louder

You don’t need to dance on TikTok or buy ads on every website your customers frequent, but you do need a strategic marketing plan. Here’s a simple framework to start with:

• Email Marketing: Still one of the highest ROI channels. Collect emails and send regular updates, launches, and promotions.
• Search Engine Optimization (SEO): Optimize product listings with keywords your audience is searching for (“personalized notepads,” “modern wedding invitations,” etc.).
• Social Media: Platforms like Instagram and Pinterest are essential for visual discovery in our digital world. Use them to showcase product photos, behind-the-scenes content, customer testimonials, and seasonal promotions. Instagram is great for building community; Pinterest drives long-term traffic and holiday and wedding-related searches.
• Customer Referrals: Include share cards or promo codes in your packaging to encourage repeat and referral business.

Hot stat: According to Litmus, email generates an average ROI of $36 for every $1 spent.⁵ If you’re not collecting emails, you’re leaving money on the table.

How to Sell Stationery Without Stress

Selling stationery online isn’t a get-rich-quick scheme. It’s a real business. But with the right products, pricing, and partners, it can be profitable—and incredibly fulfilling.

So, whether you’re sketching your first design or wanting to increase sales in your existing shop, follow these quick tips, be strategic, and take advantage of the tools available to you! With tools like PrintsWell in your corner, you can focus on designing beautiful, meaningful paper goods, while we handle the rest:

• Printing (from wedding suites to notepads)
• Fulfillment (we ship to your customers with your branding)
• Wholesale pricing (so you earn real margins)

Discover how PrintsWell helps stationery designers actually grow their business, without managing shipping stress. Learn more about everything we offer.

Sources

1. Grand View Research. "Stationery Products Market Size Report, 2023–2030."
2. The Wedding Report. "U.S. Wedding Industry Forecast."
3. Shopify. "Giddy Paperie: Artist Designs Her Dream Career with Paper Products."
4. The Stationery Studio. "Pricing and Profitability Insights for Stationery Sellers."
5. Litmus. "2023 State of Email ROI Report."
6. Etsy, Inc. "Quarterly Business Update - Seller Stats."