How do I use print-on-demand for phone cases while shipping other Etsy items myself?

Hi! The cleanest way to mix POD phone cases with your self-shipped stickers/packs is to treat phone cases as their own “made to order + ships separately” product line: give them their own Etsy listing templates, their own processing profile and shipping profile, and be super upfront (in the first lines of the description and a listing photo) that phone cases are printed and shipped by a production partner and may arrive separately from your in-house items.

Here’s a simple setup that keeps buyers from getting confused:

1) Listings (keep POD and self-ship separate)

• Create a separate shop section like “Phone Cases (Made to Order)” so buyers instantly understand it’s different from your stickers/packs.
• Add one listing photo that says something like: “Printed & shipped by our production partner. If you order stickers too, they’ll arrive separately.”
• In the first 2–3 lines of the description (before the long details), repeat the same expectation: separate shipment, different processing time, different packaging.

2) Processing times (use a dedicated processing profile for POD)

• Set up a POD processing profile that matches your provider’s typical production window (and give yourself a little buffer for peak seasons).
• Keep your sticker/pack processing profile as-is.
• If you ever combine POD + handmade in one listing via variations (not my favorite for clarity), only do it if you can assign different processing profiles per variation and your photos/descriptions make it unmistakable what ships when.

3) Shipping profiles (separate shipping profiles = fewer surprises)

• Make a dedicated POD phone case shipping profile (pricing, carrier/service level, upgrades) that matches what your POD partner actually uses.
• Keep your self-fulfilled shipping profiles separate.
• In your message to buyers (order confirmation/auto message), add one line: “Items may ship separately and you’ll receive tracking for each package.”

4) Customer expectations (set it once, everywhere)
Where to communicate it so customers actually see it:

• Listing photo (best visibility)
• First lines of the description
• Shop FAQ (e.g., “Do items ship together?”)
• Shop announcement (optional, but helpful)

Also, be prepared for this: if someone buys a phone case + stickers, they may expect one package. You can prevent most disappointment by using the exact phrase “ships separately” and “separate tracking” consistently.

5) Production partner disclosure
Since the phone cases are being printed/shipped by a POD company, make sure you add them as a production partner on Etsy for those listings. That’s normal for POD and helps keep everything transparent.

POD companies that are solid for phone cases (iPhone + Android options)

Quality can vary by case style and by print method, so the “best” move is to pick 1–2 providers and order samples of the exact case type you’ll sell.

My usual shortlist for reliable POD phone cases:

• Printful – Generally consistent print quality and fulfillment. Strong on iPhone + Samsung options, multiple case styles (e.g., tough/clear/snap depending on model availability). Good if you want fewer moving parts.
• Printify – Huge catalog, and you can often get iPhone, Samsung, and sometimes Google Pixel options depending on which print provider you choose inside Printify. Great for model coverage, but quality and ship times depend heavily on the specific provider—samples are a must.
• Gooten – Known for “tough” style cases (dual-layer options) and good iPhone/Samsung coverage. Another good contender if you want a more curated accessories lineup.

If Android coverage (Samsung + Pixel especially) is a top priority, Printify is often the easiest way to get broader model coverage—but again, choose your specific print provider carefully and sample first.

If you tell me (1) what country you mainly ship to (US-only vs international) and (2) whether you want slim, tough, clear, or MagSafe-style cases, I can suggest the most practical setup for your exact product mix and how to word the “ships separately” note so it doesn’t hurt conversions.