Want to start an online business but don’t want to invest in inventory or startup costs? A print-on-demand business model is one of the easiest ways to make that possible.
With this business model, you can sell custom products that are made only when ordered.
This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about print-on-demand businesses. We’ll also teach you how to launch your business smoothly.
What Is Print on Demand?
Simply put, print on demand is a way to sell custom products without buying stock upfront. You create your design, select a product, and upload it to a POD platform for online listing.
When someone orders, the item gets printed and shipped without the hassle of your handling, packing or storing. The print on demand site handles the necessary things on your part.
You don’t pay anything until a customer makes a purchase, which makes it low-risk and beginner-friendly.
It's perfect for artists, creators, or anyone trying unique business ideas without involving huge startup costs. You can run it from home and scale it slowly, one order at a time.
With the market set to hit $75.3 billion by 2033, now is a good time to jump in.
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How Does Print on Demand Work?
We’ll break down exactly how the POD business works. From design to delivery, making it simple for you to understand how your ideas become a thriving online business.
Step 1: Create a Design
Start by designing something people will want to wear or use.
You can use free tools like Canva or more advanced ones like Photoshop. Keep it bold, simple, and suited to your niche.
Step 2: Select Your Products
Pick products that fit your brand and show off your design in the best way.
You can choose from best-selling items like T-shirts, hoodies, mugs, or phone cases.
Step 3: List Products
Upload your design to a print-on-demand platform like Podbase and apply it to your chosen products. Then, write a product title and description, set your pricing, and publish it to your online store.
Step 4: Market Your Product
You can market your products using social media, ads, or influencer shoutouts. Focus on where your ideal customers spend time online. The more traffic you drive, the more sales you can make.
Step 5: Customer Makes a Purchase
When a customer buys a product, you get paid automatically through your connected payment system. Common options include PayPal, Stripe, Shopify Payments, and Square.
Step 6: The Order Is Sent to the Print-on-Demand Provider
The platform receives the order with all necessary details. This includes the product, design, and shipping address.
Everything is handled for you and you can simply put your ideas to work while earning profits.
Step 7: Print, Pack, and Ship
Your provider prints the design on the chosen product. They carefully pack it and ship it to the customer. You can monitor the entire process from your store dashboard.
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Pros and Cons of Print on Demand
Print on demand is a great way to start a low-risk online business with minimal upfront costs. It’s easy to launch and scale, making it ideal for creators or side hustlers. Here are some key benefits:
- No Inventory Needed: Starting a POD business does not need storage or inventory. Products are made only after a customer places an order.
- Low Startup Cost: You only pay when there is an order. So, there is no need to stock up and buy items to set up a store.
- Hands-Off Fulfillment: There is no need to worry about logistics. The POD company handles printing, packing, and shipping for you.
Even though the POD business is very beneficial, print on demand also has a few downsides to consider. While it's convenient, there are limitations when it comes to control and profit margins:
- Lower Profit Per Item: Product fulfillment or platform fees can eat into your earnings, which lowers your profit margin per product.
- Less Control Over Quality: Since you're depending on third-party fulfillment, you have limited control over the quality of products.
- Longer Shipping Times: Delivery can take longer compared to holding your own stock.
How to Start a Print-on-Demand Business
Starting a print-on-demand business is simple when you follow the right steps. To begin, focus on three key areas: niche, product range, and selling platform. Once these things are in place, you can confidently launch your store and start selling.
Your niche defines who you will be selling to and what your brand is all about. Choosing the right niche and products helps attract the right buyers. You also need the right platform so your store runs smoothly. Here's how to set it all up:
1. Choosing a Niche
First, you need to choose a profitable niche that your audience will have and has higher demand. This makes it easier to create POD designs people actually want to buy. Avoid niches that are too broad or overly saturated.
You can use tools like Google Trends to check niches with steady demand. For instance, you can check what people are searching for under the print-on-demand category.
See what styles, themes, or messages are popular and performing well. Let that data guide you toward creative ideas that will generate profit.
2. Picking Products
Next, decide on the products you want to sell. POD platforms provide several options like T-shirts, phone cases, tech based products, wall art, and more. Take time to explore and understand what other brands in your niche are offering.
Use this insight to pick items that reflect your brand’s style and audience interests. You can begin with a small list of well-made products. Then, watch out for customer feedback and grow your collection gradually.
3. Connecting to a Platform
Lastly, you must sign up for a reliable POD platform that fits your needs and budget. You can compare their product catalogs, shipping times, and integrations with ecommerce platforms.
Choose one that supports your ideal products, offers good customer support and integrates easily with your online store.
Once you’ve picked a POD platform, create a free account and connect it to your online store. If you're using Shopify or Etsy, the setup is straightforward through built-in integrations. Then, upload your designs, choose products, write titles, and set prices.
Now that you know the basics, let's explore the top POD services you can choose from.
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5 Most Popular Print-on-Demand Sites
Not all print-on-demand sites offer the same features, quality, or speed. Some focus on global reach, while others offer unique products or fast fulfillment.
To make your search easier, we’ve rounded up five top POD platforms worth exploring.
1. Podbase
Podbase offers the highest profit margins in the tech accessories category. It also has the fastest fulfillment times among major competitors.
One of Podbase’s biggest strengths is its huge phone case catalog. This includes niche models like Xiaomi, OnePlus, and Google, which many print-on-demand services don’t support.
Even better, Podbase integrates with Shopify, WooCommerce, and Etsy, which gives you flexibility in where you sell. It also offers features like live order tracking, branding tools, and professional product mockups.
If you're figuring out how to make money with print on demand, Podbase is a smart choice. You get fast shipping, unique products, and higher profits.
2. Printify
Printify is popular for its catalog of more than 1,000 customizable print-on-demand products. Plus, it works with a global network of print providers.
The platform includes a beginner-friendly design tool that helps preview products before launch. You can run multiple stores from one Printify account and link to Shopify, Etsy, and more.
You only pay when you make a sale, so there’s little risk upon starting. Printify also lets you choose print providers based on location, pricing, or ratings. With this, you can offer faster shipping by picking print partners closest to your target customers.
3. Printful
Another platform great for print-on-demand dropshipping is Printful. It offers several products, including apparel, accessories, home decor, and more. With over 430 items, you’ll find plenty of options to fit your store’s niche.
Printful’s built-in Mockup Generator allows you to preview designs for your product listings. Use the Design Maker tool to customize white-label products. You can customize packing slips, labels, and inserts for a more branded customer experience.
Even more, Printful supports various printing methods to match your product style and budget. You can choose between DTG, embroidery, or all-over printing for different items.
4. Gelato
Gelato is a global print-on-demand platform with production partners in over 30 countries. If you want to grow internationally, Gelato’s tools can help you scale with ease.
With more than 140 print partners, your products are made closer to where your customers live. That means faster shipping times and fewer delays — something your buyers will definitely appreciate.
Gelato also offers completely free design tools, so you can create without spending extra. You can test different looks and products before adding them to your store. Need design inspiration? Gelato provides access to millions of Shutterstock images and graphics.
5. Zazzle
Zazzle is a great platform for selling unique, on-demand gift ideas. It focuses on customizable products like cards, mugs, shirts, and party supplies. You can design items and sell directly to millions of buyers on the Zazzle Marketplace.
You earn royalties when someone purchases your design. Plus, you have control over how much you make per sale. For physical products, the royalty ranges from 5% to 50%. On the other hand, you can earn up to 99% for digital products.
One of Zazzle’s biggest perks is its generous 30-day return policy for customers. This policy makes customers feel more confident in their purchase and helps increase overall sales.
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Print-on-Demand Business Tips
Starting a print-on-demand business might be exciting, but success takes strategy. These simple, proven tips will help you start and scale your ecommerce business.
1. Focus on Niche Designs
A niche is a specialized group defined by shared interests or identity. Creating designs that speak directly to their passion makes your products feel personal. Niche audiences are usually more loyal and willing to support small brands. There’s less competition when your products target a narrow market.
2. Invest in Mockups
Use high-quality mockups to present your products professionally. This will help customers see how the product will look before they decide. Great mockups can make a big difference in how your products are perceived.
3. Test, Then Scale
Avoid launching many products at once. Begin with a few designs and track which ones sell best. Look at the data — what’s getting clicks, added to carts, and purchases. Once you find what works, invest more in those winners. This way, you avoid wasting money on products that don’t perform.
4. Optimize Product Descriptions
Product descriptions help people understand what they’re buying. Use simple words to explain the product’s size, colors, and features. Include keywords your audience might search online. This can improve both your search rankings and sales.
5. Promote on Social Media
Social media can help you connect directly with your audience. Post often to stay on people’s minds and grow brand awareness. Share photos, behind-the-scenes content, and happy customer reviews. The more people see your brand and connect with it, the more likely they are to buy.
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Tips for Creating Designs
Unique and different designs translate to more sales in your print-on-demand business. To create eye-catching product designs that your audience will love, follow the tips below.
1. Understand File Specifications
Every platform has rules for image size, format, and resolution. Ignoring these rules may result in poor-quality prints or product rejections.
Each product may have different design requirements, so read the guidelines carefully. Follow file size limits to avoid upload errors or compression issues. You can also use design templates provided by the platform whenever they’re available.
Upload high-resolution files to ensure your designs print clean and sharp. Most platforms recommend a minimum of 300 DPI for clear print results.
Also, save your files in PNG format with a transparent background. Make sure to check bleed areas, print areas, and safe zones before uploading.
2. Find Design Ideas
To discover great design ideas, start by checking what’s trending on social media platforms. You can browse Amazon, Etsy, and Redbubble to discover top-selling print-on-demand products.
For instance, Etsy has a section for most-loved categories. You can study the products there to inspire your own designs.
Also, tools like Pinterest and Instagram can help you spot popular design themes. Keep an eye on holidays, seasons, and popular events as they offer timely design ideas.
Aside from these, you can read product reviews on competitor listings to learn what your customers want. Another tip is to check Google Trends to track hot topics people are searching for.
Most importantly, never copy the designs as it may cause legal and copyright issues. Always add your own unique, personal twist to every design.
3. Hire a Freelancer
If you can't design, hire a freelance designer to bring your product ideas to life.
You can find skilled creatives on platforms like Fiverr, Upwork, or 99designs. For instance, on Fiverr, you can hire designers for a range of budgets.
Look for designers who have experience with print-on-demand formats and understand file specifications. Before hiring, review their portfolio to ensure their style matches your vision.
When working together, explain who your target audience is and what message each design should communicate. You can also share inspiration images or sample ideas to guide their creative process.
Don’t forget to provide specific file requirements so the final design works seamlessly on your chosen platform.
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Start Selling Print-on-Demand Products
Starting a print-on-demand business is low-risk and beginner-friendly. You create designs, choose products, and sell without holding inventory. A print provider handles printing, packing, and shipping after each sale. This means you can focus more on creativity and marketing, not logistics.
As the print-on-demand market keeps growing, the tools and platforms are getting better. With the right POD strategy and niche, you can build a strong online business.
Focus on defining your niche, creating creative designs, and getting your marketing game on point. Stick with the tips in this guide to help you launch and scale your POD business.
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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.
