Etsy Insights: What's trending for back to school

Hi everyone,

I’m Dayna, Etsy’s Trend Expert. Back-to-school is a fresh-start moment for families, students, and educators, and shoppers are looking for items that feel practical, personal, and meaningful.

Based on 2025 data, “school” search traffic peaked the week of August 28. Here are a few areas to watch as you plan inventory and refresh relevant listings.

Personalized gifts and accessories

Personalized backpacks and school accessories are among growing searches this season, with school backpack searches up +79% and personalized tees up 33% year over year.* Shoppers aren't just looking for practical items, they want products that feel made for their kid. If you offer personalization, now is a good time to make sure that's front and center in your listings. And if you haven't tried our new custom options fields yet, they make it easier to capture exactly what buyers need upfront, so orders move faster with less back-and-forth.

Paper goods and keepsakes

First-day-of-school traditions are becoming an even bigger part of the season. Searches for first-day signs are up +7% year over year,* and newer formats like flags, banners, and pennant flags are gaining momentum fast. Families are looking for ways to mark the special moment with something personal.

Teacher gifts

Shoppers are looking for thoughtful, personalized gifts for the start of the school year. Searches for personalized teacher gifts are up 17% year over year,* with interest in items like classroom supplies, personalized stationery, and other useful gifts.

Dorm decor

College shoppers are looking for small-space decor, organization, wall art, and desk accessories that feel personal and useful. Searches for desk decor are up +135% year over year.* You can highlight dimensions, materials, and setup ideas to help shoppers envision your products in their dorms.

Featuring Etsy shops Polkaheim, EverTruePennants, ColorWorkedStudios, PhoenixCove

We hope this has inspired some great ideas that help showcase your creativity. Let us know what you want to get started on in the comments!

*Based on aggregated global Etsy search data comparing June 1, 2025 – September 30, 2025 to June 1, 2024 – September 30, 2024. Past performance and trends do not guarantee future sales.

Featuring Etsy shops Polkaheim, EverTruePennants, ColorWorkedStudios, PhoenixCove

daynaisom

Admin

Resident Trend Expert

Posted 3 weeks ago · Edited 2 days ago·Last reply 4 days ago

96 comments

Vibes404

·4 days ago

I also designed personalized kawaii pixel art gifts, bookmarks, and ornaments for teachers; this really helped me.

SONGSENSE

·6 days ago

This really helps! I make personalized mystery bags for kids and personalized mystery bundles for women. Some of my tags and descriptions. I’m also working on making a video! Wish me luck! Never done it before.

TaiaAtelier

·1 week ago

Gracias por esta información tam valiosa. Estoy intentando conseguir ventas y esto me da ideas.

MWAtelierScrunchies

·1 week ago

Thank you so much for this information! Maybe I will add back to school bags to my shop!

FunityDtfHome

·2 weeks ago

Thank you 😊 💛

SpringBlossomLoft

·2 weeks ago

Thank you for sharing this information! Much appreciated!

TinyNameDHRCo

·2 weeks ago

Thank you for sharing these insights!

My ESA embroidery fonts are helping a lot of customers with custom school names too.

Personalized backpacks and uniforms are definitely trending this season.

Wishing everyone a successful back-to-school! 💛

MikosTreasuresStore

·2 weeks ago

Such a great roundup! Wishing everyone a successful back-to-school season. 📚

theprimechoice

·2 weeks ago

Thank you for sharing these trend updates! Focusing on personalized and functional designs is definitely key for back-to-school shoppers this year. For anyone exploring unique gift ideas or personalized options, feel free to check out our latest addition: Featured Etsy Listing. Best of luck to all shop owners this season!

MemoryStoreDesign

·2 weeks ago

Thank you 😊

JadeSpiritJewelry

·2 weeks ago

appreciate your this kind of sharing and thanks

XovoDigitalStudio

·2 weeks ago

Appreciate

NATALYartUKRAINE

·2 weeks ago

Thank you for this helpful and insightful article! I have now read it for the second time and found many useful ideas that I can apply to improve my listings and adapt them to the suggested trends. I really appreciate the valuable information!

EleganzWear

·2 weeks ago

appreciate your this kind of sharing and thanks

KabirrugsDesigns

·2 weeks ago

I'm proud that every rug in my shop is made to order by hand. As a small rug maker, I focus on quality instead of mass production. Every order helps me improve my craft, and seeing customers happy with a handmade rug makes all the hard work worth it. Thank you, Etsy, for giving small makers like me this opportunity. ❤️

PinkBowByShakeriaaa

·2 weeks ago

Thank you😊

InfraDesignHub

·2 weeks ago

Thanks

Kartsuitforyou

·2 weeks ago

Great information thanks a lot

SoBeCeramic

·2 weeks ago

Thank you for the information and guidance :)

HeritageLeatherHouse

·2 weeks ago

appreciate your this kind of sharing

LittleCrystalLover

·2 weeks ago

Is there going to be a 2026 edition?

PaleAndTones

·2 weeks ago

Great information

DigiVibesStudios

·2 weeks ago

Great insights, thank you ❣️

MillenniumManDesigns

·2 weeks ago

This is awesome thanks for sharingb

SparkneststudiosCo

·2 weeks ago

Thank you

ReSINcoveryOfficial

·2 weeks ago

Thank you! :)

DiamondDTF

·2 weeks ago

thank you very much!

UnicCreativeHouse

·2 weeks ago

Thank you 👍

Anshalsaddlery

·2 weeks ago

thanks

JacketVerseShop

·2 weeks ago

Thank you 🙏

CalmKiddoPrints

·2 weeks ago

Thank you

EmmaIvyshop

·2 weeks ago

Thankyou ❣️

InkSoulLab

·2 weeks ago

Thank you so much 🤍

KreatioMonika

·2 weeks ago

Very nice, it's a good idea, thank you!

EllensCreativeGifts

·2 weeks ago

Nice tip, thank you!

AntiqueAuraGems

·2 weeks ago

Thank you so much

uniqueandyoursgifts

·2 weeks ago

Great information!

PIXELPALETTETHEMEART

·2 weeks ago

Thank you for this helpful insight! Very useful for planning my listings.

DigitalConfidense

·2 weeks ago

Thanks

DigitalConfidense

·2 weeks ago

Thanks

ShahzainFashionGems

·2 weeks ago

Need to sale please

ByMarcDesign

·2 weeks ago

Indeed, sales of our personalized backpacks have seen a remarkable 200% increase, a trend also observed with our tumblers.

GoldenRoyalDesigns

·2 weeks ago

Great advice!!!

starnesdesign

·2 weeks ago

Thanks for all the trending suggestions. All very helpful!

entropiiDESIGN

·2 weeks ago

Interesting article. Thanks

TheSmartBigBear

·2 weeks ago

Thank you for sharing! Such a good info!

avnnijewels

·2 weeks ago

Thank you

BloomCraftClub

·2 weeks ago

Thank you

TheQuietSigns

·2 weeks ago

Thank you! Some of my content is geared towards the anxiety kids have leading up to the new school year, as well as school refusal - so hopefully that can help some families!

ShenoasTwistedTees

·2 weeks ago

Thank you for sharing!

MatassaHairExtension

·2 weeks ago

Thank you! I’m new here

BeeBeeWorld

·2 weeks ago

Thank you. This is good information.

VibeteesShopUS

·2 weeks ago

Thanks

CFsugarandspice

·2 weeks ago

Thank you!

MisskayCreative

·2 weeks ago

Hi Everyone! I'm new here. Looking for Button Badge Community here 🥰

https://misskaycreative.etsy.com/

ItsDprint

·2 weeks ago

Thank you very much. Is this only in relation to the US market? Would be nice to see articles related to the UK market as well 😊

GypsyClayCottage

·2 weeks ago

Thank you so much, retired art teacher here! Love creating back to school style clay earrings in my shop! Been with Etsy for 2 years now!

WonderColoringCrafts

·2 weeks ago

Thanks 👍

TrieuTienKindCo

·2 weeks ago

Tks u for sharing

ARDesignig

·2 weeks ago

Im new here

CraftiviaPrints

·2 weeks ago

Thank you

BUSHRABEAUTYSTORE

·2 weeks ago

Thank you so much

I am new here!

LushPalettica

·2 weeks ago

Hi everyone and thank you Dayna ✨

https://www.etsy.com/shop/LushPalettica?ref=shop_profile&listing_id=4537012986

MaremmaStudio

·2 weeks ago

Thank you so much!

I’m new here 😍🫂

Primehide2

·2 weeks ago

Hi I AM PRIMEHIDE

NATALYartUKRAINE

·2 weeks ago

Thank you for sharing these inspiring ideas! I especially love the suggestions for thoughtful teacher gifts and dorm room decor. As an artist, I believe that small original handmade artworks can make meaningful and unique gifts or bring a personal touch to a small space. For example, an original floral painting can brighten a teacher’s workspace or add a little beauty and warmth to a student’s room. 🌸🎨

I’d be happy to see more people discover the joy of giving and receiving original handmade art!

https://natalyartukraine.etsy.com/listing/4529257422

MKCARPETSS

·2 weeks ago

https://mkcarpetss.etsy.com

maverickson

·2 weeks ago

Trends are fine for some. What about doing something on heirloom, classic, traditional, items that are not trendy?

DoodlePetalsCo

·2 weeks ago

thankyou

PixelCheckMate

·3 weeks ago

Thank you

ZinoshyCreations

·3 weeks ago

Thank you.

MLVDigitalEventDecor

·3 weeks ago

Thank you for helping us!

ZenMuseArt

·3 weeks ago

Your sharing is great, we can get ready for the back-to-school season.

JuzerKphotography

·3 weeks ago

Thanks for the update

DIGITALSTUDIObyQURAT

·3 weeks ago

Thank you so much

MLVDigitalSolutions

·3 weeks ago

Thank you!

lidyakilimrug

·3 weeks ago

thank you

RazarugsArt

·3 weeks ago

Thanks great

arkwoodartIN

·3 weeks ago

Thanks great

MintVectors

·3 weeks ago

Thank you for your kind research data, which is very helpful for every shop owner

LoveTheRug

·3 weeks ago

Thanks For Your Efforts But Our Category Is Handmade Rug Thanks Alot

Simrakaviro

·3 weeks ago

Thank You! for sharing much good trend

PlannerHarbour

·3 weeks ago

i thinks shops you share are not getting much sales that can b a role model for anyone

FurnishedMarbleSink

·3 weeks ago

These trend updates are always useful. They provide valuable insight into how buyer interests are changing over time.

Thank you :)

MarbleAtelierHome

·3 weeks ago

Thanks for sharing these trend insights. It's always helpful to learn more about what Etsy shoppers are looking for throughout the year :)

LuxuryTrueWoodDesign

·3 weeks ago

Create a warm and functional student room space with handcrafted solid wood furniture and decor. From compact desks to rustic shelving and timeless wood details, each piece is designed to maximize small spaces while adding a natural character. Durable materials, meticulous craftsmanship, and versatile designs make it easy to create a personalized study and living space that feels like home.

Thanks for the information. :)

butamsenlik

·3 weeks ago

Thank you for sharing these insights. The growth in desk decor and personalized teacher gifts is especially interesting. I’m currently developing back-to-school digital products, including clipart and printable resources, so this gives me a much clearer direction for upcoming collections.

I’d also be interested to know whether Etsy is seeing stronger demand for classroom printables or teacher planner resources this season.

MuhuriNatural7

·3 weeks ago

Thanks, great insight.