Personalization

Personalization is Etsy’s built-in field for buyer-supplied custom info. You enable it on a listing, write a prompt (“Enter the name to engrave”), and the buyer types their input at checkout. The text shows up on the order with the rest of the line items.

Limits to know

• 256 characters per personalization field, no exceptions.
• One personalization field per listing. You can’t have separate “name” and “date” prompts as distinct fields.
• The buyer types free text - you can’t restrict to a dropdown or validate format.

How buyers use it (and misuse it)

• They miss the field entirely if it’s optional. Set “Required” if production depends on the input.
• They type names with typos. Always confirm via Etsy message before producing.
• They paste line breaks that mangle your downstream workflow.

Personalization vs. variations

• Use a variation when the choice is from a fixed list (size, color, scent).
• Use personalization when the input is unique to the buyer (name, monogram, custom date).

Personalization for digital downloads

Etsy’s auto-delivery doesn’t act on personalization input. If a buyer personalizes a digital file, you receive the order with their input but Etsy delivers the original (un-personalized) template. You then manually send the customized file via Etsy message - or use a third-party tool (Corjl, Templett) that takes the personalization input and delivers a custom file.