Digital Download - Finished product or A supply or tool to make things

[CreateWithVerity]

When you're selling a digital download do you list the product as a finished product or a supply or tool to make things?

With the move to gifts being the highlight, I'm wondering if there's a benefit now to the latter. 

Tehcnically it's a finished product, I don't offer editable templates, but they have to print themselves. 

Just a thought.. 

What do others do? 

[NanaLetha]

It all depends on what it is. I sell instant download crochet patterns so I list them as a craft supply.

[TinTeddy]

There are different types of digital downloads.

Artwork, spreadsheets and invitations are all examples of handmade finished products.

Clip art, knitting patterns and svgs are examples of craft supplies.

Of course, things can be both handmade products AND craft supplies.  In this case, one chooses which ever category seems most logical.

An editable template is only a craft supply if it is designed specifically for crafting (as per Etsy rules).  I had a quick look at your shop and couldn't see any craft supplies.

[Amaradorn]

If all the buyer has to do is print it then I consider that to be a finished product. 

[GlitterCatStudios]

But they print them, for the most part, in order to create physical photo albums. Isn't that by definition a tool?

[YinVivoWeddings]

Ah yes, I was there when Etsy was making a decision if selling digital downloads aka pdfs were legit and it was a big discussion with sellers back then... some felt digital downloads weren't handmade, while pdfs are a product you can deliver, as part of work in progress with handmade products (like us) or as a final product. Artisan products are designed firstly... so the design process is part of it, and a file is meant to be used by the buyer. The unfortunate side effect is some shops became "vending machines" by selling simple designs for downloading at a dollar or a few dollars. 

[CreateWithVerity]

Thanks for all your answers! I'm leaning more towards them being a finished product now as they just need printing. 

[NoFrogsAllowed]

@CreateWithVerity 

It totally depends on what you sell.  You sell a finished product.  They print it and use it.  A poster or a photo would be the same, you print it and hang it or whatever.  I sell cross stitch patterns.  They are definitely a tool or supply.  Printing them does you no good, you have to go another step further like stitch them  and then you can hang what you made on the wall or send it to someone. 

[GlitterCatStudios]

But digital printable scrapbooking papers are a tool used to create and put together physical photo albums for the most part. If they were downloading them to use as web-page backgrounds, photography backgrounds, giftwrap or junk journal pieces, then I could see your point.

I wish Etsy would clarify this one little nitpicky opinion on the listings menus.

[GlitterCatStudios]

I have the same question, because every time I go to list one of my digital printable scrapbook pages, I sit there for 10 minutes, agonising over how I should list it, knowing full well that whatever I choose *may* affect the way that Etsy lists them within their sorting algorithm.

And I see from all the responses, that we are still no closer to a legitimate answer. *sigh*

[GlitterCatStudios]

Okay, I found this from the House Rules:

Craft Supplies are tools, ingredients, or materials whose primary purpose is for use in the creation of an item or special occasion. 

Seems to me that according to their definition, digital printable scrapbook papers such as what I design, would be considered a tool, since they are then used in another step of creating a final product, i.e., a physical photo album.

But it looks as if your digital downloads are a finished product within themselves, so I hope this has cleared it up for both of us.

[YinVivoWeddings]

@GlitterCatStudioswasn't talking to you hun. Looks like OP got my message.

[GlitterCatStudios]

So? This is a PUBLIC forum, in case you didn't read that.

And don't call me "hun". You don't know me and never will, and I don't like your condescension.