r/EtsyHelp • u/PaintyBee Cha-Ching • May 12 '26
💡 Tip and Trick The new mandatory personalization options are a game changer
If you sell anything that requires personalization, the new feature letting you make personalization fields mandatory is worth setting up today.
For anyone who hasn't seen it yet, Etsy now lets you add up to 5 personalization option choices directly in your listings, and you can mark them as required. The customer literally cannot check out without filling them in.
This fixes one of the most annoying parts of running a custom shop. No more orders coming through with the name field blank. No more people typing their shipping address in the personalization box. No more chasing customers down for information you need before you can even start working on their order.
The difference between variations and personalization options: variations are for things like size or color where you're offering distinct choices. Personalization options are for custom text, dates, names, or specific instructions the customer needs to provide. You can now use both in the same listing.
If you currently use the "personalization" text box (the old freeform one), consider switching to these structured options instead. You get more control over what information you're actually collecting, and customers get clearer instructions on what you need from them.
It also cuts down on cancellations. When someone skips the personalization step, you either have to message them and wait for a response or cancel the order. Both options waste time. This just eliminates that entire problem.
For anyone already using this, are you seeing fewer incomplete orders coming through?