Etsy vs Teachers Pay Teachers for Educational Printables

Two marketplaces, different buyers

Teachers Pay Teachers (TPT) is a marketplace specifically for educational resources. Teachers buy from other teachers. The audience is highly targeted: K-12 educators, homeschool parents, tutors, and school administrators.Etsy is a general marketplace where educational printables compete alongside wedding invitations and wall art. The audience is broader: parents, homeschoolers, tutors, and some teachers.

The key difference: TPT buyers are almost exclusively educators who know exactly what they need. Etsy buyers are a mix of educators and parents who are browsing more broadly.

Fee comparison

TPT Standard plan (free): 45% commission on non-promoted sales. You keep 55%. On a $10 product, you keep $5.50.TPT Premium plan ($59.95/year): 20% commission. You keep 80%. On a $10 product, you keep $8.00.Etsy: 12-13% effective fee rate. On a $10 product, you keep about $8.60. See our [full fee breakdown](/blog/etsy-fees-explained-what-you-actually-keep).

TPT's free plan is brutal. 45% is nearly half your revenue. The Premium plan at $60/year is reasonable, but even at 20% commission, Etsy takes less per sale.

What sells on each

Better on TPT: - Lesson plans and unit plans - Classroom activities and games - Test prep materials - Subject-specific worksheets (aligned to standards like Common Core) - Bulletin board sets and classroom decor - Teacher planners and grade booksBetter on Etsy: - Printable worksheets for parents (not standards-aligned, general learning) - Homeschool curriculum packets - Flashcards and learning games - Kids' activity pages (coloring, mazes, connect-the-dots) - Educational wall art and posters

The dividing line: if it references specific grade levels, standards, or classroom use, TPT is the natural home. If it's general learning content for kids, Etsy has a bigger audience.

Can you sell on both?

Yes, and many educational product sellers do. The same worksheet pack can be listed on both platforms. TPT reaches teachers. Etsy reaches parents and homeschoolers. Different buyers, no cannibalization.

The main adjustment: TPT listings should reference standards, grade levels, and classroom applicability. Etsy listings should focus on parent-friendly language and general learning outcomes.

My recommendation

If you create standards-aligned classroom resources, start on TPT. The audience is more targeted and willing to pay for curriculum-specific content. Add Etsy later for the parent/homeschool market.

If you create general educational printables (not tied to specific standards), start on Etsy. Broader audience, lower fees, more flexibility.

For the complete guide to selling educational printables, see [best printables to sell on Etsy](/blog/best-printables-to-sell-on-etsy). For all the product categories beyond education, check [25 digital product ideas](/blog/digital-product-ideas-that-sell). And for fee math, use our [Etsy fee calculator](/tools/etsy-fee-calculator).