Made by versus designed by

[PetraSlayDesign]

I handmake everything in my shop myself and most of my products are labeled correctly as "made by me". But I noticed that several of my personalizable items ( with different colors) are only labeled as "designed by me". I make everything myself, I do not have a production partner or send my design out to have someone else make it. I have tried to correct this issue several times in my listings, but it will not change and shows incorrectly as "designed by me" only. Why is that?

[zeynNY]

I just randomly checked my listings after seeing your post, and unfortunately, my products are also tagged incorrectly as "designed by me." This is quite upsetting and misleading for potential buyers. I'm afraid it might discourage them.

I just finished chatting with an Etsy agent, and they informed me that unfortunately, neither we nor Etsy can currently make changes to this tag. It might take months for them to fix the issue or grant us the ability to edit it ourselves.

They provided a link to a survey that only takes about 5 minutes to complete. Please fill it out when you have a moment

Survey: https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/7878278/Etsy-Feedback-8733265084

[MyOrganisedHome]

If you look at the title of that in the browser tab you’ll see it’s labelled ‘Seller Deflection Survey’.

I’m not sure Etsy really wants to hear from us.

[PetraSlayDesign]

yes i did the survey after talkin to chat

[ArtDollsbyJD]

In light of this I suggest adding to FAQ and anyplace else you can think of to say you design and make your items.

I really don't think the buyers are going to care or even understand the difference even if Etsy pushes this issue.   

[MyOrganisedHome]

I agree buyers won’t care at first, the issue is if Etsy uses Made By vs Designed By as search categories.

Plus they state that Designed By is for those who use a production partner. And Etsy might start penalising shops they believe have failed to disclose their production partners.

[NoFrogsAllowed]

Here is where the problem lies with Etsy's designations.  If I create a pattern and sell it as a physical item then it is "made by," but if I sell the exact same pattern as a digital download it is classified as "designed by" and according to Etsy's own definition that means made with a production partner.  A pattern that has been created entirely by the seller should not be lumped in with a mug that a seller has a production partner slap a design (that they stole off the internet) on, just because they choose to sell it digitally instead of physically for both buyer and seller cost and convenience.  

A digital pattern should be "made by" just like its physical counterpart or they both should be supplies.

[PieceByNumberQuilts]

@NoFrogsAllowed   There are, as of sometime today, new options on the listing form for digital items.  You are asked to specify how the item was created (I'm paraphrasing here):

1) created entirely by me

2) compiled and presented by me

3) created with the help of AI

Only Etsy knows how these designations will be used, and if they'll help unravel the conundrum that people like you and I are in as creators of original digital content.  But since they're so new, I wanted to mention it.

[NoFrogsAllowed]

@PieceByNumberQuilts 

Unfortunately, if it does have the desired effect, it will only be going forward.  We would still have to go back and edit all of our previous listings.  

[NancyQstudio]

Etsy is aware that there is a problem with handmade items which can be personalized.  This is one of the areas they are working on.  I'd give it some time.  

[PetraSlayDesign]

Was that something you was told by Etsy, or did you hear this somewhere?

[AMillionTomorrowsCo]

They should have fixed their issues with testing prior to rolling this mistake out live and upsetting everyone. Typical Etsy crap. Almost all my items are handmade and personalized.  Every single one says Designed by. I don't have any production partners.  

[BellesHearts]

It's awful! I have some products that are classified as 'designed by' whereas they should be 'made by': I cut the branches from my trees, cure them, slice them, prepare them, hand burn custom/personlised designs on them, paint them...if this isn't 'made by' then I don't know what is? I'm so upset and angry and the years of work I have put in, to be disregarded, yet reselling & dropshipping is ok?????