Lightroom Presets Guide 2026

How to Sell Lightroom Presetson Etsy

Turn your photo editing skills into passive income. Lightroom presets are one of the most profitable digital products on Etsy, with over 4 million search views and high profit margins. Learn how to create, package, and sell presets that customers love.

Passive IncomeHigh Profit MarginsNo Inventory NeededGlobal MarketplaceLow CompetitionInstant Delivery

📸Quick Answer: Can You Sell Lightroom Presets on Etsy?

Yes, Lightroom presets are one of the most profitable digital products on Etsy.

Why Presets Sell Well:

  • - 4M+ monthly preset searches
  • - High profit margins (90%+)
  • - Instant digital delivery
  • - No inventory or shipping
  • - Create once, sell forever

Typical Pricing:

  • - Budget packs: $5-15
  • - Standard packs: $15-30
  • - Premium collections: $30-50
  • - Bundle deals: $40-100
  • - Mega collections: $50+

Key to Success: Niche down with a specific style, create stunning before/after previews, and include both desktop and mobile versions.

Why Sell Lightroom Presets on Etsy?

The opportunity for photographers and digital creators

Passive Income

Create presets once and sell unlimited copies without additional work

High Margins

Digital products have near 100% profit margins after initial creation

Growing Demand

Photo editing popularity continues to rise with social media growth

Low Barrier

Start selling with just Lightroom and your editing skills

6 Steps to Sell Lightroom Presets on Etsy

Your complete roadmap from creation to sales

1

Create Your Signature Presets

Develop a cohesive preset collection with a distinct style.

  • Choose a niche (moody, bright, vintage, wedding, travel, etc.)
  • Edit 10-40 sample images to develop your signature look
  • Focus on consistency across different lighting conditions
  • Test presets on various photo types to ensure versatility
2

Export and Package Professionally

Prepare your presets for seamless customer delivery.

  • Export as .XMP (desktop) and .DNG (mobile) formats
  • Create organized ZIP files with clear folder structure
  • Group 10-15 presets per pack around a cohesive theme
  • Include both desktop and mobile versions when possible
3

Set Up Your Etsy Shop

Create a professional storefront that builds trust.

  • Choose a memorable shop name reflecting your brand
  • Design cohesive branding (logo, banner, colors)
  • Write an engaging "About" section with your photography background
  • Set clear policies for digital product sales
4

Create Eye-Catching Listings

Optimize your listings for maximum visibility and conversions.

  • Create stunning before/after comparison images
  • Write keyword-rich titles (e.g., "Moody Portrait Lightroom Presets")
  • Use all 13 tags with relevant search terms
  • Include detailed descriptions with compatibility info
5

Price for Profit

Set competitive prices that reflect your value.

  • Research competitor pricing in your niche
  • Factor in Etsy fees (6.5% + $0.20 + payment processing)
  • Offer bundle deals for multiple preset packs
  • Consider introductory pricing to build reviews
6

Provide Outstanding Support

Build reputation through excellent customer service.

  • Include clear PDF installation guides (desktop + mobile)
  • Respond to customer questions within 24 hours
  • Follow up to ensure successful installation
  • Update presets for new Lightroom versions

Lightroom Presets on Etsy: The Numbers

4M+
Monthly Searches
$8-$50
Typical Price Range
90%+
Profit Margins
23+
Active Competitors

Preset Pricing Strategy

How to price your Lightroom presets for profit

Budget Tier

$5-15

5-10 presets per pack

  • - Entry-level collections
  • - Single style focus
  • - Good for building reviews

Standard Tier

$15-30

10-15 presets per pack

  • - Most popular price point
  • - Desktop + mobile versions
  • - Cohesive themed collections

Premium Tier

$30-50+

20+ presets per pack

  • - Comprehensive collections
  • - Multiple variations
  • - Professional quality

Remember to factor in Etsy fees: 6.5% transaction fee + $0.20 listing fee + payment processing

Preset Selling Best Practices

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Don't Do This

  • Create generic, unfocused collections — specificity sells better than variety
  • Skip quality testing — poor results lead to refund requests and bad reviews
  • Ignore customer questions — fast support builds reputation and repeat buyers
  • Underprice your work — race-to-bottom pricing attracts difficult customers
  • Copy competitor styles exactly — develop your unique editing signature
  • Forget mobile users — many buyers edit exclusively on smartphones
  • Neglect listing optimization — keywords and tags drive organic traffic

Do This Instead

  • Niche down your preset style — stand out with a focused aesthetic rather than generic collections
  • Create stunning before/after images — visual proof is essential for preset sales
  • Include multiple file formats — support both desktop (.XMP) and mobile (.DNG) users
  • Write detailed installation guides — reduce support requests and improve reviews
  • Use seasonal marketing — promote fall presets in autumn, wedding presets in spring
  • Build your brand on social media — share transformations on Instagram and TikTok
  • Test on various image types — ensure presets work across different lighting and subjects

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about selling Lightroom presets on Etsy.

Income varies based on niche, marketing, and product quality. Part-time sellers typically earn $100-500/month, while dedicated sellers with strong branding report $1,000-5,000/month. Top preset creators have achieved six-figure annual revenues through Etsy and their own websites.
Include multiple formats for maximum compatibility: .XMP files for Lightroom Classic (desktop), .DNG files for Lightroom Mobile, and optionally .LRTEMPLATE for older Lightroom versions. This ensures customers can use your presets regardless of their setup.
Most successful packs contain 10-15 presets around a cohesive theme. This provides enough variety without overwhelming customers. Budget packs may have 5-10, while premium collections can include 20-40+ presets with variations.
While not strictly required, photography knowledge helps you create presets that deliver consistent, appealing results across different image types. Understanding exposure, color theory, and editing workflow improves preset quality significantly.
Research competitors and price based on value. Entry-level packs (5-10 presets) sell for $5-15, standard packs (10-15 presets) for $15-30, and premium collections (20+ presets) for $30-50. Factor in Etsy fees when setting prices.
Wedding presets, travel/adventure, portrait/lifestyle, moody/dark aesthetic, bright and airy, film emulation, and seasonal packs consistently perform well. Niche-specific presets (real estate, food, newborn) can command higher prices with less competition.
While perfect protection is impossible for digital products, you can: watermark preview images, monitor marketplaces for unauthorized resales, include terms of use, and build a brand that customers want to support legitimately.
Include: before/after comparison images, compatibility information (desktop/mobile), number of presets in pack, installation instructions preview, system requirements, and clear descriptions of the style/mood. Use all 13 Etsy tags with relevant keywords.
Etsy automatically delivers digital files after purchase. Upload your preset ZIP file to the listing, and customers receive instant download access. Include a PDF with installation instructions for both desktop and mobile versions.
Yes! Export your mobile presets as .DNG files. Many sellers create presets on mobile and include both mobile (.DNG) and desktop (.XMP) versions. Mobile-only preset packs are also popular with smartphone photographers.

Etsy's policies and fees may change. Digital product delivery is handled automatically through Etsy's platform. This guide is for informational purposes only. Results vary based on product quality, marketing efforts, and market conditions.

Ready to Sell Lightroom Presets?

InsightAgent helps you find profitable preset keywords, analyze competitor pricing, and optimize your listings for maximum visibility on Etsy.