Custom Product Specifications

[CelticSourdough]

Hey folks!

I'm planning on selling a custom product, where the buyer will specify which opinions they would like to go into it.  I'd like to be able to have it so that they have to make the options add up to 100% for the final product.

Say for instance it was a custom sweater, where they have the option to choose the percentage of colors that will go into the sweater, with the options being blue, red, purple, orange, green, yellow, black, and white. How can I set this up so that the final percentages of each color MUST add up to 100% before they can place the order?

[NanaLetha]

Use variations 

[CelticSourdough]

Yes, but they need to have them all add up to 100%.

[PlatypusDream]

That doesn't sound possible with Etsy's current framework.

[NativeTrailsandTails]

Usually,  they can only pick one choice per variation. I think you are trying to make it too complicated. I would just list about four or five common color combinations that go together well like option 1)Blue, Green, Yellow, option 2)Red, Yellow, Black, etc. Then you could make the personalization box optional and in your instructions say something like, "If you would like a certain percentage of a particular color, leave a comment here." If you make them make too many choices or it is complicated to understand what you are getting at, many people will leave without buying at all because it was too much work for them to decide.

Give them some pictures of the item made with one of your color options, and link them to each option that features those color combinations.

[CelticSourdough]

Thank you, but this is not a standard part of what I sell.  It is meant to be a custom product.

[VintageRescueSquad]

You can't do that on etsy with the way it's all set up. What you can do is set up a custom "sweater" option, and explain carefully what you need, and they would have to convo you to discuss.

You're making it way too complicated.

[CelticSourdough]

That's the thing - it's NOT complicated. It's no different than ordering an omelet at a restaurant. Only they need to specify the percentage of each "ingredient".  What's so complicated about that?

[VintageRescueSquad]

I disagree. The average buyer will not think like this. They need to discuss it. 

Regardless, there's no way to make them add it up to 100% automatically. You can have them fill out the "personalization" box with percentages, but you may need to contact them if it doesn't add up.

[CelticSourdough]

Whether you agree or disagree on whether this is too complicated for the customer has absolutely zero bearing on my question. I just need to know how to achieve it.

[GlassyFields]

I'll ask my resturant friends when was the last time someone ordered an omelet like this:

80% eggs

5% cheese

5% tomatoes

3% onions

3% peppers

3% mushrooms

1% olives

[TastefulArtisan]

*never mind...self deleted

[Adorabilities]

It's too complex for Etsy's listing system. What you're proposing cannot be done here. The best you can do is to explain what you'd like in the item description, make the personalization field mandatory,  and ask for the information there.

[nineteen27]

so you want the customer to be able to order this way:

3% yellow.

1% red.

19% green

9% blue.

6% orange.

29% purple.

18% pink.

6% black

9% white.

[CelticSourdough]

Exactly

[Adorabilities]

Just curious -- have you sold somewhere that had such a possibility? I've set up products on many different venues and have never seen anything that would allow percentages to be used. It might be possible on Shopify with some kind of paid app.

[CelticSourdough]

Similarly, but not to this extent. I don't think it was possible back then, but that was 6 years ago. And I was on Shopify.

[TinLizziAntiques]

OP, I detest variations in any catalogue or listing beyond size or fabric. Keep it simple, as the old marketing motto says. Don't make the buyer move on to a shop who will have simple listings. 

[GlassyFields]

most of my business is custom requests

it's rare when a custom request doesn't require discussion

that's what makes it custom

I do get a lot of custom color requests ... I ask for a picture ... I get pictures of yarn, fabric, landscapes, my own listings. people's heirlooms, pets, etc.

[CelticSourdough]

Nevermind.  Nobody seems to get the fact that I'm not asking whether or not you approve of what I'm trying to do.  I just need to know how to do it, or if it's not possible. That's all. If I needed/wanted additional commentary, I'd ask in an Etsy Facebook group.

[TBQSC]

I see you are selling sourdough starters, yum!  Are you wanting to create custom listings where the buyer chooses which percentage of ingredients they want in their sourdough starter?  That could either be a pass or fail experiment.  How would the buyer even know if the product they received really has the exact percentage of ingredients they custom ordered?  Might be too complicated with so many variables.  Wishing you best of luck! 

[BagmakerSupply]

@CelticSourdough: What you want to do is not possible on Etsy - it is not baked into the way listings are set up. The best you could possibly do on Etsy currently is to set up predefined variations of colors with percentages.