Why passepartout aren't available on Etsy listings

We understand it can be frustrating when you want to offer your customers the full range of customization options available on Printumo, but find that certain choices aren't available when you add products to Etsy. This article explains why paper types and passepartout (border) options aren't offered as variants on Etsy listings, and provides alternatives to help you still serve your customers' needs.

What You Need to Know

The limitation with paper and passepartout options on Etsy is due to a fundamental platform restriction, not a choice made by Printumo. Etsy only allows 2 variant types per listing, and we must use both of those slots for the essential size and frame options that customers expect.

Understanding Etsy's Variant System

Every Etsy listing can have a maximum of two variation types. For example:

• Variation 1: Size (8x10, 11x14, 16x20, etc.)
• Variation 2: Frame Type (Unframed, Black Frame, White Frame, etc.)

Once these two variation slots are filled, Etsy's platform prevents sellers from adding any additional options like paper type or passepartout choices.

What is Passepartout?

For customers unfamiliar with the term, passepartout (also called a mat or border) is a decorative border that frames artwork within a picture frame. It's typically a colored or white border made of cardboard or similar material that sits between the artwork and the frame glass, creating visual space around the image and enhancing the overall presentation.

Passepartout serves both aesthetic and protective purposes:

• Visual enhancement: Creates breathing room around artwork and adds professional presentation
• Protection: Prevents artwork from touching the frame glass
• Customization: Available in various colors and widths to complement different art styles

How This Affects Your Etsy Listings

Current Variant Setup

When Printumo adds your products to Etsy, we automatically use both variant slots for:

1. Size Options: All available print sizes (8x10, 11x14, 16x20, 24x36, etc.)
2. Frame Options: Unframed prints, black frames, white frames, and any other frame styles

What's Not Available as Variants

Due to Etsy's two-variant limit, we cannot offer these as selectable options:

• Paper types: Premium paper, fine art paper, canvas material options
• Passepartout/border options: Different mat colors, border widths, or border styles
• Additional customizations: Any other product variations beyond size and framing

This means customers browsing your Etsy listings will see your artwork with our standard paper type and without passepartout options, even though these features are available when ordering directly through Printumo.

Alternatives and Workarounds

While we can't offer paper and passepartout as Etsy variants, here are ways to still provide these options:

Custom Order Requests

For passepartout/border options:

1. Include in your product description that custom passepartout options are available
2. Encourage customers to message you before ordering to discuss border preferences
3. Process custom orders through Etsy's custom listing feature
4. Handle fulfillment by placing a custom order in your Printumo dashboard

Example description addition:

"Need a custom mat/border (passepartout) for this print? Message me before ordering to discuss color options, border widths, and pricing for professional matting services."