Should I sell digital art prints and clay items in one Etsy shop?

Hi! Mixing digital downloads and physical clay items in one Etsy shop usually won’t “hurt Etsy SEO” by itself—Etsy ranks individual listings based on the shopper’s query and each listing’s performance. The real question is whether the two product types feel like they belong under one clear brand and whether they attract the same buyer, because that’s what affects clicks and conversion (which does impact how well listings perform).

If your clay items naturally match your art style (same characters, aesthetic, colors, “cute desk decor,” portrait keepsakes, etc.), I’d keep them in one shop and position it as one cohesive brand: “illustrated gifts + handmade mini decor.” Customers often love buying a digital portrait and a physical add-on (magnet, keychain, photo holder) from the same creator.

If the clay items are a totally different vibe (e.g., minimalist wedding portraits as downloads, but quirky food-shaped clay keychains), or you want a different brand name/voice/pricing strategy, then a second shop can be cleaner—especially if you think each category would appeal to different audiences and you don’t want your shop home page to look split.

A simple way to decide (quick checklist)

• Same target customer + same aesthetic? One shop.
• Different audience/brand direction? Separate shops.
• Will you want separate shop names, logos, packaging, and social content? Separate shops.
• Do you want to cross-sell bundles (portrait + clay holder), or make it easy for fans to browse everything? One shop.

If you keep one shop (recommended for most sellers starting this transition)

• Use Shop Sections like “Digital Downloads,” “Custom Portraits,” and “Handmade Clay Gifts.”
• Make your listings crystal clear: “Digital download (no physical item shipped)” vs “Physical item ships to you.”
• Set up separate shipping profiles and processing times for clay items, and keep your digital listings set as instant download/custom digital delivery as appropriate.
• Consider a consistent naming/keyword approach so your shop feels intentional (e.g., “custom portrait,” “illustrated,” “handmade gift,” “desk accessory,” etc.), but keep SEO focused per listing—don’t cram “digital” keywords into physical listings or vice versa.
• Add a short line in your shop announcement/FAQ explaining you offer both digital art and handmade clay accessories so nobody’s surprised.

If you go separate

• Do it when you’re confident the clay line will be a real “thing” (enough listings to look full, consistent photos, branding, packaging, and a steady restock plan). A second shop with 3–5 items often feels unfinished and can be harder to grow.

If you tell me your art style/theme (cute, minimalist, pet portraits, wedding portraits, fandom-inspired, etc.) and what your clay items look like, I can give a clearer “one shop vs two” recommendation and even suggest how to position the brand so it feels cohesive.