The 8th annual Etsy Design Awards are your opportunity to put your work in front of judges, buyers, press, and the wider Etsy community. Finalists and award winners will be announced during the holiday season to help shoppers discover awe-worthy handmade and vintage products with the most compelling stories to tell. Whether you’ve been selling for years or just opened your shop, we’d love to see what you’re creating.
So, what are you waiting for? This year’s Grand Prize Award Winner could be you!
Enter your submission
Submissions will be open from July 14, 2026 at 12:01am ET through August 3, 2026 11:59pm ET.
Read on to learn more about this year’s competition and explore tips for perfecting your listing.
Prizing
This year, we’ll recognize 150 finalists, creating more opportunities for sellers to be discovered. New this year: sellers can apply with any item.
Here’s an overview of what award winners will enjoy:
1 Grand Prize Etsy Design Award Winner
Chosen by Trend Expert Dayna Isom Johnson and Lisa Bühler
- $25,000 USD cash prize
1 People’s Pick Etsy Design Award Winner
Voted on by the Etsy community
- $5,000 USD cash prize
13 Additional Etsy Design Award Winners
Chosen by Trend Expert Dayna Isom Johnson and Lisa Bühler
- $1,500 USD cash prize for each of these 13 additional award winners
All award winners will also receive:
- Winner Shop Badge
- Features on Etsy’s marketing channels, including social media, Etsy Journal, email, and an Editors’ Picks page
All 150 finalists will receive:
- $100 USD Etsy Gift Card
- Finalist Shop Badge
- $50 USD in Etsy Ads credits
- 50 listing credits
- Promotion on Etsy’s marketing channels, including social media, Etsy Journal, email, and an Editors’ Picks page
Enter now
Meet the judges
Meet the judges who will be selecting this year’s standouts:
Grand Prize Award and Category Award judges
- Dayna Isom Johnson has been with Etsy for over a decade! Etsy Trend Expert and longtime Etsy Design Awards judge, Dayna keeps her finger on the pulse of the hottest trends in our community and beyond, constantly seeking out original decor, accessories, gifts, and more from the sellers you need to know.
- Lisa Bühler is the founder and CEO of Lisa Says Gah, the independent fashion brand she started in San Francisco in 2015. Built on the belief that getting dressed should feel expressive, Lisa Says Gah creates clothing that feels like wearable art, designed to be loved for years and make you want to say “Gah!” out loud.Eleven years later, Lisa continues to lead the brand’s creative vision. Known for original prints, artist collaborations, and a cool, nostalgic point of view, Lisa Says Gah remains proudly independent and founder-led, with retail stores in San Francisco and Los Angeles.
How to enter
Ready to submit your item? Complete your entry in just three steps.
Step One: Take a moment to confirm that you are eligible to apply. Please review the full Submission Terms before entering.
Step Two: Next, double-check that your shop is in great shape. Below are some helpful ways to make it stand out from the rest. Note that your item must have at least three photos, and your shop must have four or more listings.
Step Three: Submit the item that best represents your shop.
Enter now
Tips for perfecting your submission
Here are a few best practices to keep in mind before submitting your listing:
- A strong item submission. Choose the item that best represents your work. It should be original, innovative, high quality, serve a purpose, and showcase a point of view that’s all your own. Look for an item that feels distinctive and memorable.
- Great photos and a video of your item. Here are some things to keep in mind:
- Your listing should have high-quality imagery with a strong aesthetic to show off your branding and tell a cohesive story.
- Include at least five photos from various angles. Better yet, use all 20 photo spots and add a listing video to highlight what makes your item unique.
- You’re not required to include a listing video, but if you don’t have one, you’ll need to submit a video of your item with your application, whether it’s of your process, your studio, or otherwise sharing your item’s story.
- Find more insights on lighting, shooting, and editing your photos and videos on the Seller Handbook.
- An optimized listing and shop. Make sure the listing you’re submitting—and your shop—are set up for success. - For your listing: Create a clear, descriptive listing title that makes sense and contains relevant keywords; use all 13 available tags, and include an item description with clear, compelling language.
- For your shop: Make sure you have four active listings, complete your shop policies, and consider expanding your shipping reach and reviewing your shipping options.
- Share your story. We want to hear about you, the maker or curator behind your shop, so make sure you share it in your About section. Share what inspires your work and how your shop came to be. Read How to Craft a Compelling About Section for more tips.
Additional resources:
- Learn how three former finalists picked which listing to submit—and what they learned by participating in previous years of the competition in this seller case study.
- Get to know the Winners of Etsy’s 2025 Design Awards! Feast your eyes on all the creative genius on display in last year’s top designs, and discover the people—and the passion—behind the products.
- Looking for some help? Peer to peer listing critiques are a great way to get feedback before you enter.
- Head to @EtsySuccess to hear from previous Etsy Design Award winners and stay up to date with the latest tips and information.
FAQs
Q: What are the Etsy Design Awards?
A: The Etsy Design Awards is Etsy’s global awards program. Honoring the work of sellers from around the world and across multiple categories, The Etsy Design Awards celebrate Etsy’s global community of creative entrepreneurs and shines a spotlight on their unique talents. From 150 finalists, one seller will be crowned the Grand Prize Etsy Design Award Winner and one seller the People’s Pick Award Winner, while 13 others will be given additional Etsy Design Awards.
Q: When does the application for the Etsy Design Awards open?
A: Application to enter the Etsy Design Awards open July 14, 2026 at 12:01am and close August 3, 2026 at 11:59pm.
Q: Are sellers around the world able to apply?
A: To be eligible to submit an item for consideration, Etsy sellers must be a legal resident of the fifty (50) United States, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Japan, Lithuania, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, or Vietnam. Visit our submission terms for more information on eligibility. Visit our submission terms for more information on eligibility.
Q: Why are there no categories this year?
A: Based on seller feedback, items from any category can be submitted this year—making it easier for more sellers to participate. Simply submit the item that best represents your shop and the work you’re most proud of. Finalists will be selected from all submissions, and categories will only be assigned later as part of the judging process.
Q: Can I submit more than once?
A: You may submit once for each of your shops. We recommend choosing the item that best represents your talents.
Q: Can I edit my submission?
A: Yes, you’ll have a chance to review your submission, but you must complete your submission when you start it. You won’t be able to save it or return to it. If you want to make any changes after submission, you can email Etsy Support, and they’ll assist you.
Q: What are the submission dates?
A: Submissions will be open from July 14, 2026 at 12:01am ET until August 3, 2026 11:59pm ET. Finalists will be notified in early-to-mid September and award winners will be announced in November 2026.
Q: What criteria must I meet in order to apply?
A: To qualify for an eligible submission, you must meet the following criteria:
- Your shop has at least four listings.
- Your submitted item has a minimum of three photos.
- You’re the owner of the shop and are submitting yourself (please don’t enter on another shop’s behalf).
- You’re only submitting one submission per shop.
- Your shop and items comply with Etsy Guidelines and Etsy Seller Guidelines.
- To remain eligible after applying, your shop will need to be open (and not in vacation mode) for the entirety of this campaign, until December 31, 2026.
- If your item is vintage or one of a kind, we require that you put this item on hold from the time you enter until finalists are announced in September. If your vintage or one-of-a-kind item sells during this period, your submission becomes null and void.
Submission Terms | Terms of Use | Privacy | Interest-based ads | Enter now
Words by Katy Svehaug
Katy Svehaug is a Senior Content Strategist at Etsy.
