How to Declare a Production Partner on Etsy (For Print-on-Demand Sellers)
If you’re selling posters or any print-on-demand products on Etsy, correctly declaring a production partner is one of the most important steps in setting up your listings.
Many new sellers overlook it or assume it doesn’t matter — but it really does. Etsy requires full transparency, and filling in this section properly keeps your shop compliant, builds trust, and prevents unnecessary account issues later.
💡 What Is a Production Partner?
A production partner is any company that helps you physically make or fulfil the item you sell. For Etsy, that includes printers like PrintShrimp, framing companies, or any fulfilment organisation that creates your physical item. If someone else prints, packages, or ships the final physical product, Etsy considers them part of the “making” process.
⚠️ POD Sellers MUST Declare a Production Partner
Even if you designed the artwork yourself and handle all the marketing, if the product is physically made by someone else, Etsy requires disclosure. Skipping this step can lead to:
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❌ Listing deactivation
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❌ Shop warnings or suspensions
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❌ Penalties for “misrepresentation”
👀 What Etsy Shows Publicly
Etsy does publicly show your production partner name. Whatever name you enter (“PrintShrimp”, “Professional Printer”, etc.) will appear in the “Production partners” section of your listing. Buyers can see the partner name, the partner location (country), and a short description of why you work with them.
📝 What to Enter When Adding Your Production Partner
When you add a production partner in your Etsy shop settings, follow these steps:
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Partner Name: This is publicly shown. You can use “PrintShrimp” or a more general label like “Professional Print Studio.”
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Location: Choose the country the product is printed in (For PrintShrimp: UK, US, EU, CA, or AUS).
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What They Do: Select Printing, Packaging, and Shipping.
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Why You Work With Them: Select: “I don’t have the equipment or skills to make this item entirely by myself.”
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Public Description: This appears publicly, so keep it professional.
✔ Recommended Wording for PrintShrimp Sellers
Option A (Transparent):
“I design all artwork myself and work with a professional production partner who prints and ships my posters. This allows me to offer high-quality prints with fast, reliable domestic delivery.”
Option B (General):
“This item is printed and fulfilled by a professional commercial print studio to ensure consistent high quality and fast shipping.”
📦 Will Declaring a Partner Hurt Your Shop?
No — not at all. Most buyers actually appreciate the transparency. What matters most to customers is the quality of the art, fast delivery, and strong reviews. Declaring a production partner does not reduce your SEO, search ranking, or visibility.
🎯 Final Summary
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✔ Adding a production partner is required by Etsy.
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✔ The partner name is publicly visible on your listing.
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✔ It keeps your account compliant and safe.
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✔ Use professional wording to build buyer trust.
