Etsy Seller Guide 2026

How to CreateReserved Listings

Reserved listings let you create custom-priced items for specific buyers. Whether you're holding an item, fulfilling a custom request, or offering a loyal customer a special deal — this guide shows you exactly how to do it right.

Create Custom Order ListingsHold Items for BuyersSet Custom PricingPrevent Wrong PurchasesProfessional CommunicationStreamlined Workflow

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📋Quick Answer: What Is a Reserved Listing on Etsy?

A reserved listing is a regular Etsy listing created specifically for one buyer. Etsy doesn't have an official "reserve" or "private" feature — sellers create reserved listings manually by:

1. Creating a new listing with the custom details and price

2. Titling it clearly (e.g., "Reserved for Sarah - Custom Portrait")

3. Sharing the direct link with the intended buyer via Etsy Messages

4. Deactivating after purchase to keep your shop clean

Key point: Reserved listings are still technically public. The naming convention and direct link sharing ensure the right buyer finds them, but determined shoppers could stumble upon them.

Reserved Listing Stats

5-10 min

Typical setup time

$0.20

Listing fee per reserved listing

40-60%

Repeat customer rate for custom sellers

48-72 hrs

Recommended purchase window

5 Situations Where Reserved Listings Make Sense

Not every order needs a reserved listing — here's when they're worth the effort

Custom Orders with Unique Pricing

Standard listings have fixed prices. When a buyer requests modifications — different size, material, or personalization — you need a listing with the agreed-upon custom price. **Example:** Your standard wooden sign costs $45. A customer wants larger dimensions with rush shipping. You create a reserved listing for $85 reflecting their specific requirements.

Holding Items for Buyers

Sometimes buyers need time to complete a purchase. They might be waiting for payday or confirming details with someone else. A reserved listing shows other shoppers the item is spoken for. **Example:** A buyer loves your vintage lamp but asks you to hold it until Friday. You relabel the listing "Reserved for Sarah" so others know it's unavailable.

Repeat Customer Discounts

Loyal customers deserve special treatment. Reserved listings let you offer exclusive pricing without publicly advertising discounts that could undercut your brand. **Example:** A customer has ordered five times. You create a reserved listing with 15% off as a thank-you, sent only to them.

Wholesale or Bulk Orders

Bulk orders require custom pricing that doesn't fit standard quantity tiers. Reserved listings handle wholesale deals cleanly. **Example:** A boutique wants 50 units at a bulk discount. You create a single reserved listing for the entire order at the negotiated wholesale price.

Multi-Part Custom Projects

Complex custom work — where scope might change during the project — benefits from reserved listings you can update as work evolves. **Example:** A customer wants custom pet portraits. You start with a deposit listing, then create the final payment listing once they approve the sketch.

How to Create a Reserved Listing on Etsy

Follow these 6 steps to set up your reserved listing correctly

Finalize Details with Your Buyer

Before creating the listing, confirm everything via Etsy Messages.

• Exact item specifications (size, color, material)
• Final price including any customization fees
• Shipping costs and estimated timeline
• Any special instructions or requests
• Save this conversation — it's your documentation if issues arise

Create a New Listing

Go to Shop Manager → Listings → Add a listing.

• Upload photos of the item (or sample photos for custom work not yet created)
• Fill in the description with the agreed specifications
• Set the exact agreed-upon price
• Set quantity to 1 (for single reserved items)

Title It Clearly

Use a title format that identifies the buyer and prevents confusion.

• "Reserved for Jessica - Custom Portrait - 11x14 Canvas"
• "RESERVED - Wedding Sign for Amanda - Custom Order"
• "Custom Order for Mike - Do Not Purchase Unless You're Mike"
• Include "Reserved" or "Custom Order" prominently
• Adding "Do Not Purchase" can help prevent accidental purchases

Use Strategic Tags

Choose tags that won't attract random shoppers.

• "reserved listing"
• "custom order reserved"
• "do not purchase"
• "held for customer"
• "[buyer name] order"
• Avoid your usual high-traffic keywords that might bring in unintended buyers

Send the Link to Your Buyer

Copy the listing URL and send it via Etsy Messages.

• Copy the full listing URL from your browser
• Send a message with the link and clear instructions
• Request purchase within 48 hours to secure production slot
• Ask if they have any questions before purchasing

Deactivate After Purchase

Once your buyer completes checkout, clean up your shop.

• Go to Shop Manager → Listings
• Find the reserved listing
• Click the three dots → Deactivate
• Deactivating (rather than deleting) preserves the listing for your records

Reserved Listing Title Formulas That Work

Clear naming prevents wrong purchases and helps your buyer find the listing

1: [RESERVED] - [Item] for [Buyer Name]

"RESERVED - Custom Portrait for Jessica Smith"

2: Custom Order for [Name] - [Item] - Reserved

"Custom Order for Mike - Wooden Sign - Reserved"

3: Reserved for [Name] - [Item] - Do Not Purchase

"Reserved for Amanda - Wedding Invitation - Do Not Purchase"

4: [Item] - RESERVED for [Name] - Private Listing

"Pet Portrait - RESERVED for Sarah - Private Listing"

5: HOLD for [Name] - [Item] - Custom Order

"HOLD for Chris - Engagement Ring Box - Custom Order"

Pro Tip: Put "Reserved" or "Custom Order" at the beginning of your title. Etsy shows the first 55 characters in search results, so front-load the important information.

Reserved Listing Description Template

Copy and customize this template for your reserved listings

⚠️ THIS IS A RESERVED LISTING ⚠️

This custom order is reserved for [BUYER NAME].

If you are NOT [BUYER NAME], please DO NOT purchase this listing.
It is a custom item made to specific requirements and is not
available for general purchase.

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

If you ARE [BUYER NAME]:
Thank you! Click "Add to cart" to complete your purchase.

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

ORDER DETAILS:
[Describe the custom specifications here]

• Size: [size]
• Material: [material]
• Color: [color]
• Personalization: [details]

PRICING BREAKDOWN:
• Base item: $XX.XX
• Customization fee: $XX.XX
• [Rush fee if applicable]: $XX.XX
• Shipping: $XX.XX
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
TOTAL: $XX.XX

PRODUCTION TIME: [X days/weeks]
ESTIMATED SHIP DATE: [Date]

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

Questions? Contact me through Etsy Messages.

Looking for something similar? Browse my shop or message me
for a custom order quote!

How to Price Reserved Listings

Include all costs to avoid disputes

Cost Components

**Base Item Cost** — Start with your standard item price
**Size upgrades:** +15-50%
**Material upgrades:** +20-100%
**Extra personalization:** +$5-$25
**Complex modifications:** +$15-$50+
**1-3 day rush:** +50-100%
**4-7 day rush:** +25-50%
**1-2 week rush:** +10-25%
**Shipping** — Calculate actual cost based on weight and dimensions

Example Calculation

**Custom Wooden Sign Example:**
Standard 12x18 sign: $45.00
Size upgrade to 18x24: +$18.00
Rush (5-day turnaround): +$15.00
Custom wood stain color: +$8.00
Gift wrapping: +$5.00
Shipping (Priority Mail): +$12.50
**Reserved Listing Total: $103.50**

Important: Always get written agreement on price via Etsy Messages before creating the listing.

Message Templates for Reserved Listings

Professional communication builds trust

Template 1: Responding to Custom Order Request

Hi [Name]!

Thank you for your interest in a custom order!

To give you an accurate quote, I need a few details:
1. What size are you looking for?
2. Do you have color preferences?
3. What personalization do you need?
4. When do you need this by?

Once I have these details, I'll send you a quote. If you
approve, I'll create a reserved listing just for you.

Looking forward to working together!
[Your name]

Template 2: Sending the Reserved Listing

Hi [Name]!

Great news — your reserved listing is ready!

Here's what we agreed on:
• Item: [description]
• Customizations: [list them]
• Total price: $[XX.XX] (includes shipping)

Your direct link: [PASTE URL HERE]

Please complete your purchase within the next [48-72] hours
so I can get started on your order.

Let me know if you have any questions!
[Your name]

Template 3: Payment Reminder

Hi [Name]!

Just a friendly reminder that your reserved listing for
[item] is still waiting for you!

Direct link: [URL]

I'll keep this reserved until [date/time]. After that,
I'll need to make the slot available for other orders.

Let me know if you need more time or have any questions!
[Your name]

Template 4: After Purchase Confirmation

Hi [Name]!

Thank you for completing your purchase! I'm excited to
start working on your custom [item].

Here's what happens next:
• Production begins: [date]
• Estimated completion: [date]
• Shipping: You'll receive tracking once it ships

I'll send you a progress update [when appropriate, e.g.,
"when the sketch is ready" or "halfway through"].

Thanks again for your order!
[Your name]

How to Prevent the Wrong Person from Buying Your Reserved Listing

It happens — here's how to minimize the risk

The Problem: Reserved listings are publicly visible. Other shoppers can find them through search, browsing your shop, or direct links.

Strategy	How It Helps
Use clear "RESERVED" in title	Immediately signals item isn't for general purchase
Add "Do Not Purchase" warning	Creates psychological barrier
Use obscure tags	Keeps listing out of common searches
Add warning in description	Explains the item is custom/reserved
Set quantity to 1	Limits damage if wrong purchase happens
Send link + deactivate quickly	Minimizes exposure window

If the Wrong Person Buys:

Contact them immediately via Etsy Messages
Explain the situation — it's a custom item reserved for another buyer
Offer a full refund and apologize for the confusion
Process the cancellation through Etsy's order cancellation flow
Update your listing with clearer warnings for next time

Most buyers understand and appreciate the honesty. Handle it professionally and they may become customers later.

Reserved Listing Best Practices

Common Mistakes to Avoid

❌Don't Do This

•Don't create the listing before agreement — Get written confirmation of price and details first
•Don't use popular tags — Avoid your usual high-traffic keywords that attract random shoppers
•Don't leave old listings active — Deactivate reserved listings that weren't purchased after the deadline
•Don't skip the description warning — Always include a clear "this is reserved" message
•Don't forget shipping costs — Factor shipping into your total price to avoid surprises
•Don't ignore mistaken purchases — Handle wrong-buyer situations immediately and professionally
•Don't delete the message history — Keep your Etsy Messages as documentation of agreed terms

✅Do This Instead

•Get written agreement first — Confirm all details and price via Etsy Messages before creating the listing
•Use clear naming — Include "Reserved," buyer's name, and item description in the title
•Itemize your pricing — Show the breakdown so there's no confusion about what costs what
•Set time limits — Give buyers 48-72 hours to complete purchase
•Send the direct link — Don't assume they'll find it by browsing your shop
•Follow up politely — One reminder after 24-48 hours is reasonable
•Deactivate promptly — Remove or deactivate the listing immediately after purchase

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about creating reserved listings on Etsy.

No. Etsy doesn't offer a private, hidden, or reserved listing option. All published listings are publicly visible and searchable. "Reserved listings" are a seller workaround using clear naming conventions, direct link sharing, and buyer communication.

You can't make an Etsy listing truly private. The best approach is to: (1) use clear "Reserved for [Name]" titling, (2) use obscure tags, (3) share the direct link with your buyer immediately, and (4) deactivate the listing right after they purchase.

Send a polite reminder after 24-48 hours. If they still don't purchase by your agreed deadline, deactivate the listing and let them know it's no longer reserved. You can offer to recreate it if they're ready later.

Yes. Reserved listings are regular Etsy listings, so the standard $0.20 listing fee applies. All other fees (transaction fee, payment processing) also apply when the item sells.

Communicate a specific timeframe — typically 48-72 hours for standard orders. For complex custom work or higher-priced items, up to one week may be appropriate. Always agree on the timeframe with your buyer before creating the listing.

Yes. You can update the title, description, price, photos, and other details at any time before the buyer completes checkout. If you change the price, communicate the update to your buyer.

For expensive or time-intensive projects, deposits are smart. Create a separate deposit listing (e.g., "50% Deposit for Custom Portrait - Non-Refundable"). Collect the deposit first, then create a final balance listing when the work is ready.

Always use Etsy Messages. This keeps everything documented within Etsy's platform, which protects both you and the buyer. Copy the full listing URL from your browser and paste it directly in the message.

Calculate actual shipping costs based on the item's weight and dimensions. Include shipping in your quoted total price, or set up an accurate shipping profile. Don't estimate — weigh the packaged item.

For custom work that doesn't exist yet, use sample photos or mockups that represent what you'll create. For specific items you're reserving, use actual photos of that exact item.

Research Your Custom Pricing Strategy

InsightAgent helps you analyze competitor pricing, understand what similar sellers charge for custom work, and find the right price point for your reserved listings.

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