There’s long been confusion about how to bring custom products to life. Should you print them yourself or let a print-on-demand platform handle it?
For creators and entrepreneurs, the choice between print-on-demand vs. do-it-yourself printing isn’t always obvious.
Both options offer creative freedom, but the path you choose can affect everything. It affects costs, profits, and the amount of time you spend managing orders.
So, how do you decide which one fits your goals between print-on-demand vs. do-it-yourself?
This guide breaks it all down. It compares print-on-demand vs. DIY so you can confidently choose which fits your goals and skills.
Let’s get into it!
What Is Print-on-Demand (POD)?
Print-on-demand (POD) is a unique business model where products are only printed after a customer places an order. That means no upfront inventory, bulk printing, and shipping hassles.
You don’t need to buy machines or worry about packaging. Print on demand is a hands-off, low-risk way to sell custom products online.
How It Works
The print-on-demand process is simple, streamlined, and beginner-friendly. Here’s how it works:
- Upload your design: Create your artwork using tools like Canva, then upload it to a POD platform
- Choose a product: Select what you want to sell, like phone cases, AirPods covers, and more
Image via Podbase
- Publish to your store: Sync your POD account with ecommerce platforms like Shopify, Etsy, or TikTok Shop
- Customer orders: When someone buys, the order details go straight to the POD provider with no manual work needed
- Printing and shipping: The platform prints the product, packs it professionally, and ships it directly to your customer
Benefits for Beginners
Print-on-demand is one of the easiest ways to launch a product-based business, especially for beginners. It’s a smart way to make money that lets you focus more on creativity.
Here are some benefits for beginners using POD:
- No upfront inventory
- Low startup costs
- Simple setup
- No equipment needed
- Hands-off fulfillment
- Built-in design tools
- Wide product selection
- Great for testing ideas
Who Should Use Print on Demand?
Print-on-demand is ideal for selling custom products without handling inventory, equipment, or shipping yourself.
It’s perfect for creatives and beginners seeking low-risk, low-cost way to sell without handling logistics.
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- 10 Low-Cost Business Ideas to Start in 2025
- 11 Money-Making Hobbies That Can Earn You Money This Year
What Is Do-It-Yourself (DIY) Printing?
DIY printing means complete control - you create, print, and ship every product yourself. From equipment and design to packaging and delivery, you handle it all.
This hands-on approach demands time, money, and effort, but offers total creative freedom.
Required Tools and Setup Costs
DIY printing needs upfront investment in tools, supplies, and space. Costs range from hundreds to thousands of dollars, depending on the products.
You’ll also need time to learn how to use the equipment, troubleshoot printing issues, and manage logistics as orders grow.
Here's what you typically need for DIY printing:
- Design software (Canva, Photoshop, Illustrator)
- Printing equipment (heat press, inkjet printer, sublimation printer)
- Blank products (phone cases, T-shirts, laptop sleeves, etc.)
- Packaging materials (boxes, labels, bubble wrap)
- Workspace (a clean, safe area for production)
- Storage space (for inventory and equipment)
- Cutting tools (e.g., Cricut or Silhouette machines)
Pros of Full Control
If you value craftsmanship and unique styles, here’s what DIY offers:
- Creative freedom: Customize every detail
- Higher profit margins: No third-party fees or fulfillment cuts
- Faster response times: Handle urgent orders or changes instantly
- Brand uniqueness: Stand out with handcrafted, limited-edition designs
- Hands-on quality checks: Inspect each product before you ship it
- Custom experience: Add handwritten notes, unique packaging, or special touches
Who Should Consider DIY?
DIY printing works best for creators who are ready to invest serious time, effort, and money into their business.
You should consider DIY platforms that offer printing if you enjoy hands-on work and full creative control.
Also Read:
- Print-on-Demand: Your Complete Beginner’s Guide
- Best Print-on-Demand Niches: How to Find Profitable Ideas
Print-on-Demand vs DIY: Side-by-Side Comparison
Stuck between choosing print-on-demand vs. do-it-yourself printing? The factors below can help you decide:
Cost to Start
When comparing print-on-demand vs. do-it-yourself printing, consider the initial cost. POD requires little to no upfront investment. Some platforms are free or under $100.
However, you’ll need $500 to $3,000+ for DIY printing, machines, supplies, and workspace setup.
Time Investment
The time investment between print-on-demand vs. do-it-yourself printing is something to consider. Launching with POD is fast, you can start in hours.
DIY takes time. You’ll need to set up equipment, test prints, and organize production.
Quality Control
When it comes to quality control between print-on-demand vs. do-it-yourself printing, there are differences.
POD quality depends on the platform, so you can’t inspect each item. Whereas, DIY gives you full control to review each product before shipping.
Profit Margins
POD has moderate profit margins after platform fees.
DIY offers higher margins per sale, but only after covering startup and ongoing costs.
Scalability
When comparing the scalability of print-on-demand vs. do-it-yourself printing, POD is easy to scale. You can add designs without extra labor.
DIY gets harder to scale, and more orders mean more manual work and material restocking.
Logistics & Shipping
POD handles fulfillment and delivery for you.
DIY means packing, shipping, and handling customer service on your own.
The table below compares print-on-demand vs. do-it-yourself printing side by side:
Also Read:
- What Must an Entrepreneur Assume When Starting a Business?
- Smart Ways to Make Money as an Artist in 2025
What AI Tools Can Help?
AI tools can speed up every step of your creative process, from brainstorming designs to fulfillment.
ChatGPT – Prompt-Based Design Ideas
ChatGPT can help you brainstorm product ideas and create engaging product descriptions for your designs.
Simply type in a prompt like “Give me 10 design ideas for eco-friendly phone cases for Gen Z buyers.” In seconds, you’ll get concepts you can turn into real designs:
MidJourney or DALL·E – AI Image Generation
MidJourney and DALL·E are excellent AI tools for creating artistic and product-friendly images. You just need to describe what you want in a few words.
The screenshot below shows the result of this prompt, “A pastel cartoon of a cat holding a laptop, in 3D style” on DALL·E:
Podbase + AI – Automate Listing and Fulfilment
Once your designs are ready, Podbase makes it easy to turn them into products without inventory.
Here’s how it works:
- Upload your AI-generated designs
- Select tech accessories
- Podbase handles printing, packing, and shipping
- Use AI writing tools to auto-generate product titles and descriptions
You can even connect Podbase to your Shopify store to sync listings and order.
Also Read:
Which Model Is Right for You?
The best model between print-on-demand vs. do-it-yourself printing depends on your interests:
Hobbyists & Artists
POD lets you sell your work without managing shipping. You get to focus on your art and test designs without pressure.
Small Business Owners
DIY gives you full control over branding, quality, and profit. Although it takes time and effort, it's best for niche products and long-term scaling.
Side Hustlers
POD is great if you're testing ideas or want passive income with low startup costs. You can launch quickly, work flexibly, and earn without major startup costs.
Also Read:
Why Podbase Is a Smarter Print-on-Demand Alternative
Podbase is perfect for creators and growing brands that prioritize quality, control, and creativity.
Here’s what makes Podbase the smarter choice:
Zero Inventory, Low Risk
With Podbase, you don’t need to invest upfront or stockpile products. You only pay when a customer places an order, making it a low-risk way to start.
High-Quality Products with Better Margins
Podbase offers premium products and competitive pricing, so you keep more from every sale. You control your profit margins without compromising product quality.
With competitive pricing and high standards, you protect your brand’s reputation and earn more from every sale.
Built-In AI Design Features
Podbase uses AI automation to simplify order management, customer communication, and design quality checks.
Our easy mockup tool and built-in AI catch design issues early, ensuring sharp, print-ready results.
Also Read:
- How to Sell Podbase Print-on-Demand Products on Etsy: Step-by-Step Guide
- How to Start a Shopify Store with Podbase: The Ultimate Guide for Success
Final Verdict: POD or DIY in 2025?
As the saying goes, create more and manage less-that’s how today’s makers stay ahead.
When it comes to print-on-demand vs. do-it-yourself printing, your choice depends on what you enjoy most.
Print-on-demand helps you focus on designing and selling, without worrying about shipping or inventory. But if you love handling every detail-from printing to packaging-DIY printing might suit you better.
So, when you're weighing the pros and cons of print-on-demand vs. do-it-yourself?, here’s the bottom line:
Print-on-demand is profitable business model with little to no upfront investment, making it a perfect low-risk option.
So ask yourself, do you want to spend more time making or managing? If you want to make one, then start with Podbase and build your store in minutes.\
Saulius Meilutis is the CEO of Podbase, helping creators and entrepreneurs monetize their ideas with print-on-demand. He shares insights on eCommerce, growth, and building lean online businesses.
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