What are Printables?

When you’re a mom, trying to keep up with the latest trends can feel like a full-time job. There’s always something new to learn! So when I heard about printables, I had to find out what they were. Turns out, they’re pretty handy…read on to find out why!

As a mother, my life revolves around a major component-time. I need time for my family, myself, my work, and to run my home. 

My time weighs heavily on how much of it I can organize, so I guess you can say another major component weighs heavily on how effectively my mind can organize my time. I guess that is why a lot of us mothers find ourselves losing not only our time but our minds, lol!

So, for me finding a way to better manage my time that also allows me to manage my home was a no-brainer. See what I did there? hehe.

That is why printables became a big part of my life.

Although, I cannot take credit for the wonderful introduction of printables into my life (Thank you, Suzi!), I can tell you I was not going to let these little jewels stay neatly nestled all to myself. 

I knew If I, being a work-from-home mother, struggling to find the time to work, care for a family, entertain myself and my children, and take care of a home, then there had to be others struggling to do the same.

Thus, begin my journey to start Missy Printable Design.

So maybe you have stumbled to my page because you too have heard someone else talking about printables.

Maybe, your friend has told you how printables have changed their life. Or, maybe you see all the people claiming to make money with printables here and there and you are wondering what are printables and can you make money with them?

What are Printables? 

black sd card adapter on white device
Photo by Fernando Arcos on Pexels.com

Now let’s say for some reason or another, for which there are many valid reasons, you do not know what a printable is. So just for the sake of those who do not let’s explain it a little bit.

A printable (or Print for short) is a digital product in the form of a PDF, JPEG, or PNG (or whatever format you get) that you acquire for free or purchase.

Then you can download and print it straight from your phone, computer, or tablet/iPad an unlimited amount of times(although sometimes this is not the case) for personal use(and sometimes commercial use is given).

Printables come in different variations from graphics and coloring pages, to planners and calendars. Here is a list of some of the most popular types of printables that people often sell online.

  • Calendar Planners.
  • Project Planners (i.e. DIY home repair)
  • Meal Planners.
  • Financial Planners.
  • Diet and/or fitness planners.
  • Trackers (i.e. weight loss)
  • Coloring pages(for kids and adults)
  • Stickers (i.e. planner stickers)

Why Should I Use Printables? 

There are plenty of reasons why a person may choose to use printables. My top reasons for using printables are because a.) they help me manage my time, b.) help me entertain me and my family, c.) help me better run my household, and d.) they are very convenient. A few other reasons are that they are:

  • Easy. They are super easy because you simply print the file straight to your printer or use a printing service.
  • Fast. You can instantly download them to your computer, phone, or tablet/iPad.
  • Convenient. No need to wait days or weeks for the items to ship.
  • Cheap. Many printables come at very inexpensive prices.
  • Reusable. You can print the item you have downloaded as many times as you need.
  • No loss. Save the file to your computer and access it whenever you need it. However, if you lose your computer you may lose your file, hehe.
  • Green’. Only print what you need so no wasted trees.

How Do Printables Help You Manage Your Time? 

pointing on a arm of a clock
Photo by cottonbro on Pexels.com

So now that you understand what are printables, or at least I hope I did a good enough job explaining them and why I started using them, let’s move on to the reason why you may want to use them to manage your time.

As I was discussing earlier, being a mom can be pretty hectic and relies heavily on time management. My poor old brain just isn’t what it used to be so relying on my brain to remember things like appointments, important dates, or even school meetings has just gotten much more difficult.

So, that is why I use my handy, dandy notebook!

I write it down and tack it on the wall, lol. This gal isn’t putting it in a notebook to forget I wrote it down but to each his own. Not saying you got to do that but the point is boy, do planners come in handy.

How Do Printables Help You Entertain Your Family? 

Do you ever try to have a dinner party with a bunch of grown folks all while entertaining a house full of kids? I tell you, buddy, it ain’t gonna happen. Whip out a bunch of coloring pages on the other hand and boy them kids can go to town.

The same thing with a road trip, the kids will ask you a million questions but pack a goodie bag with healthy snacks, some sweets, some games, and printable coloring pages, and it is a whole different trip. 

My daughter and I love, and I mean love, to sit around in the evenings coloring together, We have so many coloring pages – notebooks full. 

The possibilities are endless when it comes to printables and a family. You can find free printable games, coloring pages, scavenger hunts or even educational activities that will keep your little ones busy while you get things done. And hey, it might even give you a few moments of peace and quiet.

So go ahead and add some printables to your arsenal of parenting tools and see how they can help entertain and educate your family at the same time. From road trips to family game nights, printables are a great way to bring everyone together and create fun memories that will last a lifetime. And who knows, you may even discover a new favorite activity or game along the way!

How Do Printables Help You Educate Your Children?

Aside from entertaining your family, printables can also serve as a valuable educational tool. With the wide variety of printable activities available online, you can easily find ones that align with your child’s interests and learning goals.

For younger children, many preschool and kindergarten printables focus on basic concepts like colors, shapes, numbers, and letters. These colorful and interactive worksheets can help reinforce these concepts in a fun and engaging way.

For older children, there are printable activities that cover a range of subjects such as math, science, history, and geography. These resources can be used as supplements to their regular schoolwork or as review materials to keep their skills sharp during school breaks.

Printables also offer a hands-on approach to learning, which can be especially beneficial for visual and kinesthetic learners. Instead of just reading or listening to information, children can actively participate in activities that reinforce what they have learned.

Where Can You Find Printable Activities?

Thanks to the internet, there are countless websites and blogs dedicated to providing free printable activities for children of all ages. Some popular sources include Pinterest, TeachersPayTeachers, and Education.com.

Additionally, many educational publishers and companies also offer printables on their websites as a way to promote their products or services. These printables may be limited in availability or require a subscription fee, but they often offer high-quality materials that are well worth the investment.

You can also create your own printables using various software and design programs. This allows you to customize activities specifically for your child’s learning needs and interests.

Tips to find the best Printable

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Photo by Caio on Pexels.com

One of the best things about printables is – they are easy to find. I mean all you have to do is type printable in the search bar and you will find thousands of printables to choose from. 

However, like all products, when searching for the printable that is best for you there are a few things you want to look at before making a final decision.

  • Be willing to test different printables out
  • Remember you have to use the items to benefit from them
  • Choose the right size and layout to fit your needs
  • Choose a style that works for you
  • When picking a planner be sure to look for any extras you may need

If you are looking for a binder planner be sure to pick the right preferences.

If you are unsure, ask questions before you make your final decision.

Tips for Making the Most Out of Printable Activities

  1. Start with your child’s interests and learning needs in mind. Choose printables that align with their age, skill level, and areas of interest.
  2. Take advantage of the customization options available when creating your own printables. This allows you to tailor activities to fit your child’s specific needs and preferences.
  3. Don’t be afraid to mix and match different types of printables. Use a combination of worksheets, games, and other activities to keep your child engaged and interested.
  4. Set aside dedicated time for using printables each day or week. This helps establish a routine and ensures that your child is consistently exposed to educational materials.
  5. Utilize printable activities as a supplement to traditional learning methods. They can be a great way to reinforce concepts and provide additional practice outside of school.
  6. Involve your child in the selection process. Let them choose which printables they want to work on, as this can increase their motivation and engagement.
  7. Don’t limit yourself to just academic topics when using printables. There are many options available for developing social skills, fine motor skills, and more.
  8. Keep track of your child’s progress and adjust the difficulty level as needed. As they improve their skills, you can gradually increase the complexity of the printables.
  9. Make learning fun by incorporating hands-on activities and games with your printable materials. This helps break up the monotony of traditional worksheets.
  10. Don’t forget to have fun and be creative! Printables are a versatile tool that can be used in various ways to support your child’s learning journey. Experiment with different approaches and find what works best for your child.

Common Questions/FAQ About Printables 

Can you make money with Printables?

One of the easiest ways to make money with a blog is by providing your own products that you can sell. A printable is one of the easiest items to sell on your blog because then your customers can download them digitally and you do not have to worry about shipping. There are many other ways to sell printables as well from Etsy, to Shopify, and KDP. So yes, you can make money selling printables.

How do you create Printables?

There are many different software programs available that allow you to make printables. One of the easiest and most preferred programs is Canva. However, if you are looking for a more advanced way to make printables, a lot of designers use PowerPoint. I myself go between the two. You can find templates online for both programs as well as many tutorials to help you.

Where can I sell Printables online?

You can sell printables on your own blog or Shopify. For those who have less experience with SEO and gaining things like organic traffic, or do not want to invest time in advertising, you can sell your printables on Etsy.

The Last Thing You Need to Know about Printables

Printables are more than just digital products. They can provide the user with fast, easy, convenient products that can be used as many times as needed. 

There are many products to choose from and many different products to make. 

If you are looking to buy a printable or even looking to make it yourself, the options are endless. You can find printables for daily planners, meal plans and grocery lists, budgeting worksheets, educational activities for kids, party decorations, and so much more.

The best part about printables is that they can be customized to fit your needs and preferences. Whether it’s adding your own personal touch or creating a specific design for a certain event or holiday, the possibilities are endless.

So why not tap into this market and start creating your own printables? With the right tools and resources, you can easily turn your creativity into profit. Plus, with the increasing demand for digital products, there has never been a better time to start selling printables online.

So whether you’re an experienced designer or just starting out in the world of digital products, printables are a great option to add to your product line. Start exploring the world of printables and see where it takes you!

Happy creating!

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