What Is A Print On Demand Business?

Everyone is in search of making money online and the difficulty lies in finding an opportunity that is worth your time and effort. Print on demand is no stranger to the online money make scene as it’s been around for quite some time and continues to gain traction.

The key is to tap into a niche where there’s a growing demand for it and add your unique designs to the products in hope that it runs smoothly from there. But, it isn’t as easy as that! So, what is a print on demand business exactly?

There are many moving parts involved within this industry to make it run efficiently and in this article you will find out the steps to start a print on demand business, lists of popular print on demand services, strategies to implement for a successful venture, common mistakes to avoid and if it’s worth your investment.

What Is Print On Demand?

Print on Demand (POD) is an eCommerce business model that lets people create and sell custom merchandise without having to deal with the hassle of inventory management and shipping. 

The products you create are shipped through third party suppliers who handle the production and fulfillment for you. Let’s take a look at the history of print on demand.

It dates all the way back to around 220 AD in China, during the Tang Dynasty. They would apply a pattern to an area of fabric by folding the textile a few times and securing it through two blocks. If we fast forward to the 20th century, printing on paper became a popular thing with the likes of digital inkjet printing.

This was a massive leap in the industry as you could draw out the smallest details using different shades. This technology led to further developments such as screen printing, direct-to-garment printing, heat transfer printing and sublimation printing.

How Does It Work?

Print on demand services create products only when someone places an order. This means there’s no extra stuff sitting around and being thrown away. Also, you only have to pay the company that makes your prints after a customer buys something. That’s why you don’t need any money upfront to start using print on demand.

Here are a few techniques for printing patterns on customizable items like t-shirts:

1. Screen Printing – This technique involves creating a stencil (screen) for each color in the design and then the ink is pushed through the screen onto the t-shirt, one color at a time.
2. Direct-to-Garment (DTG) Printing – Similar to how an inkjet printer works on paper, DTG printers apply the ink directly onto the fabric of the t-shirt. It’s usually used for detailed patterns and complex designs.
3. Heat Transfer Printing – A technique where you print the design onto transfer paper and then use heat to transfer the ink onto the t-shirt.
4. Sublimation Printing – Basically you transfer a design onto special sublimation paper and then use heat and pressure to transfer the ink onto the t-shirt.

Here’s the process of starting a print on demand business:

• Customizing Your Product – As a print on demand entrepreneur, you’ll collaborate with a print provider to create white-label products such as t-shirts, mugs and more. White-label products are basically no-name products that can be branded and sold by different companies as if they created it. This lets businesses offer their products without starting from scratch all over again as they’ll serve as blank canvases for all your designs and ideas.
• Setting Up Your Store – Once you have your designs ready, you’ll need to establish your online store so potential customers can buy your products. There are many platforms you can do this through such as Shopify or Squarespace. 
• Listing and Marketing – After setting up your store, it’s time to list your items and start marketing. In order to do this, you’ll need to showcase your products through striking imagery and engaging descriptions. The better your images and descriptions are the higher the chance of sales. You can use social media platforms such as Facebook or Instagram to promote your merchandise. 
• Order Fulfillment – When someone decides to place an order, the print provider takes care of the production and shipping process. It’s in their hands to make sure that the right products reach the customer.

Who Can Benefit From The Print On Demand Business?

Artists and Designers

Print on demand benefits independent artists and designers as they can showcase their work with a minimal financial risk. If you’re a visual artist such as a painter, illustrator or graphic designer, you can make use of print on demand by transforming your art onto products like prints, canvases or apparels. 

In return with your partnership with POD services you get to earn an income without managing inventory or logistics. This gives you the freedom to express yourself creatively and focus on the thing that matters to you the most, your art. If you have a large following on social media, you can promote your work over there to increase your sales. 

If you’re a fashion designer, you can capitalize on print on demand by showcasing your unique clothing designs to the market. Whether it’s a custom t-shirt or printed fabrics, you are offered the opportunity to bring your vision to life. There’s also a niche for sustainable fashion if you want to go down that route as POD offers to put your designs on eco-friendly apparel to reach conscious consumers.

Artists who specialize in creating patterns for textiles or home decor can use the POD platforms to create custom wallpapers or any other items. There is pretty much an opportunity for every interior space.

Small Businesses And Start ups

POD services offer business and start ups a cost-effective way to bring products to the market and test new ideas. A small apparel start up selling customized clothing can leverage POD by offering a wide range of designs without the need to invest in large quantities. This can help you decide what apparel works and what doesn’t with customer feedback so there’s less stock unsold. 

If you’re a start up that offers personalized gifts that are more niche such as custom accessories or home decor items, you can bring new products to the market quickly. An example would be personalized pet accessories for owners who are looking for unique gifts for their pets. 

For an eco-friendly start up business, you can partner with print on demand providers that are in the conscious merchandise scene who offer eco-friendly products to a selected audience. This can be from biodegradable phone cases to organic cotton clothing, POD lets these businesses fulfill orders sustainability that align with their brand values. 

eCommerce Entrepreneurs

eCommerce entrepreneurs that function within niche markets such as personalized gifts or seasonal merchandise can utilize print on demand to quickly introduce new items to their store. For instance, an entrepreneur specializing in custom skull products can collaborate with a print on demand provider to offer a range of custom-designed skull-themed products like mugs, apparel and even home decor. 

If you’re an entrepreneur who is looking to drop limited edition products like streetwear, you can collaborate with artists and influencers to create exclusive collections and have POD services handle the fulfillment for you.

Content Creators and Authors

The print on demand (POD) model provides content creators and authors with a bucket full of opportunities to publish and distribute their work with greater control over the product process to reach a wider audience. 

Aspiring authors can self-publish their books, whether they are fiction, non-fiction, poetry or any niche genre. Authors can bring their work to life without dealing with the financial risks that come with traditional publishing models. For instance, you can sell your paperback and hardcover edition of your work only when a customer places an order which means you’ll save a lot of money without holding onto inventory.

A content creator can sell educational material like workbooks or instructional guides on the POD platform that can help students access their resources digitally from anywhere in the world.

It doesn’t stop there, content creators can transform their digital artwork into art books, graphic novels and prints which can cater to those who appreciate it. There’s pretty much a market for anything as there is someone out there that is interested in what you have to offer.

Getting Started with Print On Demand: Step By Step Guide For Launching Your Business

Researching is the first step to launching your own print on demand business. You can start by taking a look at popular stores like Shopify, Printify, Gelato and see how things are set up over there to give you an understanding of what to expect.

Consider factors such as: 

• Product Variety –  Look at the different types of products each platform offers such as things like clothes and accessories. Thinking about what kinds of things you want to sell can help you pick a platform that fits your goals and the things your customers would like.
• Quality – Check how good the products are from each platform. This means looking at how well they’re made and what materials they use. 
• Pricing – Take a close look at how much it costs to use each platform such as things like making the products, delivery, and profit margins. Understanding these costs can help you figure out how to price your products and make your business operate efficiently.
• Integration – See how well each platform works with other tools you might want to use, like Shopify and WooCommerce. It can make running your online store smoother if they work well together.

Next up, is design selection. Everyone is attracted to things that are pretty, may it be people or products. So making your merchandise appealing to the eye is the secret to having greater success. Here are a few things you should consider:

• High-Quality Designs – Look for ways to make your products as attractive as possible and focus on quality rather than quantity. 
• Pick Designs Your Customers Can Resonate With – Try to pick designs that your target audience will really like by keeping their interests in mind.
• Using Design Tools – You can use tools for making designs to create unique and attractive artwork. There are lots of software and resources out there to help you make something really special such as Adobe Creative Cloud and Canva. 
• Collaborate With Designers – You could also work with designers to make custom designs just for your business. They can bring a new perspective and help you make designs that stand out. You can hire a freelancer who can do the work for you on platforms like Upwork and Fiverr.

We move onto store setup. Setting up your online store on the print on demand platform you picked is an exciting step for every entrepreneur. It depends what you platform you choose but here’s a guide on setting up your store on Etsy:

• Create Your Account – Visit Etsy and sign up for a seller account. 
• Set Up Your Shop – Once you’re logged in, click on “Open Your Etsy Shop” and begin the process to set up your account. There will be a few questions you’ll need to answer as well as choosing your shop language, country and currency.
• Add Your Listings – After you have set up your shop, you can now add products you want to sell. You can write descriptions for your products at this step.
• Customize Your Shop – Personalize your shop by adding a store log, completing the “About” section to briefly explain who you are and what you’re selling.
• Set Payment and Shipping Options – Complete your payment information and configure your shipping settings for a smooth transaction process for your customers.
• Promote Your Shop – Now it’s time to market your store through social media, email marketing or any other way people can find out about your Etsy store. A good tip would be to make sure your store looks nice and easy to navigate through so potential customers would want to shop again with you.

To get people to visit your store and buy your stuff, you’ll need to market your store and to do this you can:

• Create And Run Ad Campaigns – There are many print on demand marketing strategies you can and one of them is ads. Ads help increase the visibility of print on demand services by driving traffic to your store. Google ads are a good way to promote your business.
• Use Social Media – You can post about your products on social media sites like Facebook and Instagram to let your audience know about what you’re selling.
• Email Marketing – You can also send emails to let people know about your store.
• Collaborate With Popular Accounts – Find people with a large following on social media and ask them to talk about your products or store on their platform to get more eyes on your business. 

What Are The Costs Of Print On Demand?

The costs that are associated with print on demand revolve around product creation, marketing and platform fees. Here are the costs you’ll need to watch out for:

1. Product Costs –  This is the base cost such as blank products, printing fees and any other customization fees.
2. Platform Fees – Depending on which print on demand service you choose, you’ll need to cover the subscription fees, transactions fees and any other charges.
3. Marketing Expenses – Budget for ads, social media promotions and any other marketing strategy that involves showcasing your products to an audience to drive sales.

Print On Demand Facts And Statistics

Global Market Growth

The print on demand market was worth around $5 billion in 2023 and is expected to grow to around $43 billion by 2032. This means there’s a huge demand for personalized and unique products that is ever-growing. The reason for this could be due to the cost-efficiency nature of POD as there’s no need for inventory storage. 

Social Media Influence

Social media has a massive impact on your decision to make a purchase. With influencers marketing products that end up going viral, there’s a strong chance for increased visibility and sales. This means that having a strong social media presence can help print on demand businesses reach more potential customers. 

Environmentally-Friendly Choices

Many consumers care about the environment. In fact, 49% of consumers say they would pay more for products from a sustainable brand. This is great news for print on demand businesses that focus on creating eco-friendly and sustainable products. 

Technological Advancements

People are using technology more to make custom products. In 2023, the global market for 3D printing, which is a technology used to create custom items, was worth around $20 billion and is expected to reach $56 billion in 2028. This means that there’s a growing interest in creating unique products using advanced technology.

Pros And Cons Of Print On Demand

Print on demand is a great way to make money online but it isn’t a flawless business model to get into. It has it’s good qualities as well as negatives. Let’s start with some pros:

• No Upfront Investment – This is one of the best reasons to get into the print on demand business as you don’t have to have a huge bucket full of cash lying around to get started. You’re not holding onto any inventory or in need of any expensive printing system. This makes it an ideal business to get into for those on a tight budget as well as it being a low risk.
• Setup Is Quick – All you have to do is setup your online account on your chosen platform and upload your designed products to sell. This can be done in minutes as long as you have products ready.
• Freedom To Express Yourself – You can design your products any way you like which means you can tap into your creativity and not worry about the logistics side of the things. There have been people who found success designing mugs, pillows, blankets and more. So, it’s a business where product design is limited only by your imagination.

Let’s take a look at some of the cons:

• Low Profit Margins – There’s a higher cost per item because print-on-demand services typically involve producing single items or small batches, which can result in higher production costs. There are also material and labor costs that are involved which lower your profit margins.
• Limited Control Over Production And Quality – You have less control over the production process and product quality compared to traditional manufacturing, as print on demand relies on third-parties for printing and fulfillment services.
• Shipping Times And Costs – Print on demand products have longer shipping times and higher shipping costs which can affect customer satisfaction and potentially lead to negative reviews. This is just the nature of this business model, especially for international orders.

Strategies For Success In Print On Demand Business

• Selecting A Niche – Find a niche to target where your products can appeal to an audience in search for the products you are going to sell. The aim is to find an untapped niche that is in demand but has low supply.
• Quality Designs – Create unique and visually appealing designs that set you apart from the competition. Having quality designs is effective because it can differentiate your brand, captivate your audience, and show professionalism.
• Customer Engagement – Build a strong relationship with your customers by offering them solid customer service and respond to any questions they have in a quick and polite manner.
• Monitor Your Sales Performance – Keep an eye out on your sales data, customer feedback as well and market trends so you can adapt your strategies for continuous success. This could be a little complex to learn so I would suggest studying it in more detail. Here are some of the best print on demand courses you can enroll in.

Mistakes To Avoid In The Print On Demand Business

Here are some mistakes you should avoid when starting a print on demand business.

• Not Ordering Product Samples – This could turn into a costly mistake that can also tarnish your reputation. It’s important to order product samples to check out the accuracy of your printed products in real life so you can see if you’re satisfied with it. 
• Quantity Over Quality – If you’re going for the quantity approach, some print on demand platforms may ban your account for excessively uploading a number of designs too quickly. Focusing on quality designs will help you keep your account safe as well as produce high-quality products for your customers.
• Underestimating Marketing and Design – Customers seek high-quality designs and failing to meet these needs can put your business to a stop as you’ll end up receiving negative reviews. Marketing is just as important as the more eyes there are on your products, the more sales, especially in a competitive market like this one.
• Expecting Immediate Sales – One common mistake beginners make is expecting immediate sales. It takes time for a print on demand business to get up and running which requires consistent effort. Patience is key in building a strong customer base and any successful business owner will tell you that.

Top Print On Demand Services

There are many print on demand services you can choose from online but picking the right platform is important for your success. After conducting a thorough ‘print on demand platform comparison’ research, here are some of the top print on demand services that you can choose from:

Printful

Printful is a company that started in 2013 and currently has over 200,000 customers from all over the world. It originated from a business called StartupVitamins that sold posters, clothes and other things and their focus is using machines to print and send things for small online businesses such as logos and designs.

They also work for big online stores such as Shopify and Etsy and it’s become one of the most trustworthy businesses for people who want to sell their own things.

Printify

Printify is a company that started in 2015 in Latvia. Their aim is to connect people with product makers from all over the world. It has many options to choose from and it’s a great place for people who want to make and sell their own custom-designed items. It has over 500,000 sellers using their services.

Redbubble

Redbubble started all the way back in 2006 in Australia and their aim is to help artists sell their art. It currently has over 700,000 artists from all over the world and they encourage people to sell their art on things like clothes, posters and stickers. 

Teelaunch

Teelaunch is a company that was launched in 2015 that helps artists and business owners make their own custom-designed products. They have a pretty easy website to use where you can personalize and sell things such as clothes or home decorations. 

The delivery is super quick and they’ve been around for many years, having helped lots of businesses along the way. 

Print On Demand Success Stories

Print on demand has had quite a number of individuals turn their creative ideas into successful businesses. Here are a few inspiring success stories: 

Famous In Real Life Store

Mike Pasley is the owner of this store and came into the industry with marketing and graphic skills as he graduated with a Master of Science degree in entrepreneurship from the University of South Florida. He used his background to create and launch a successful online business that sells t-shirts, hoodies and other apparel with funny prints.

His advice to aspiring entrepreneurs out there is to listen to your customers and always be on the lookout for the next idea as trends change so quickly. He recommends The Lean Startup by Eric Ries and Extreme Ownership by Jocko Wilink to find success in the print on demand industry as they teach you life lessons. 

Afro Unicorn Store

April Showers runs this print on demand store and comes from a hard-working background as she was a single mother who ran a few unsuccessful businesses such as real estate and insurance before she found tremendous success in the print on demand industry. 

Afro Unicorn is one of the most successful print on demand stores out there selling unique unicorn designs that represent African American women and children. Her products are available on big stores such as Walmart, Target and Amazon with 500 licensed partners worldwide. 

Her advice to newcomers who are just about to start their print on demand journey is to embrace your early failures and challenges as there are valuable lessons in them. She believes anything is possible with the right mindset so always remain positive.

Passion Fruit Store

Liz Bertorelli started Passion Fruit with a goal all the way back in 2013 and it was to get a French Bulldog. Yes, that’s right! An adorable dog. She ended up finding so much success that she could fill a street full of French Bulldogs!  

Passion Fruit is a leading and proud LBGTQ+ Canadian print on demand apparel store that celebrates pride with a wide range of clothing and accessories. Liz’s advice to people starting their own business is to remain calm and cultivate patience as it took Passion Fruit four years to gain traction. She says if you believe in a cause, use strong messages and images on customized apparel to get the message heard.

These are just some of the success stories related to the print on demand business and as you can see people from different backgrounds and lifestyles are finding ways to create a successful business online. It takes a lot of time and effort but Mike, April and Liz serve as examples that it can be done. 

What’s The Difference Between Print On Demand And Traditional Inventory Models? 

The main difference between print on demand (POD) and traditional inventory models is how the products are produced and managed:

Print On Demand (POD)

• Products are customized only when an order is placed.
• You don’t hold any inventory and there are only minimal upfront costs which means you have a lower financial risk.
• You can test new designs and products without having to spend a lot of money.

Traditional Inventory Models

• A bulk production is required as well as storing the products in advance.
• There’s an upfront investment needed for inventory which leads to a higher financial risk and potential for stock being unsold.
• Since you are committing to large product runs, you have limited flexibility for testing new products and designs.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What type of products can I sell through print on demand?

Print on demand services offer a wide range of products including clothing, accessories, home decoration, art, and much more.

How can I make sure that the quality of printed products with print on demand services is high?

You can request sample products before production to determine the print quality, material and durability.

How can I effectively market print on demand products to drive more sales?

This comes down to marketing and how you use social media to your advantage. You can collaborate with influencers, target your ads and build a strong presence to attract potential customers.

What are the profit margins in the print on demand industry?

Profit margins in print on demand depend on your product type, pricing strategies and designs. There isn’t a concrete answer but an average would be around 15-30%.

What Is The #1 Alternative To Print On Demand?

Print on demand is a great way to make money online but the thing is it requires a lot of work to be done upfront without a guarantee of success. What makes it even more difficult is that in order to make money, a huge volume is required which means you’re constantly working to meet your financial targets.

However, the number one alternative to print on demand in my personal opinion is the Digital Rental Method.

With the Digital Rental Method you pretty much create a digital asset and rent it out online which is similar to how print on demand works where people create custom products without having to keep an inventory. Both of these business models earn money digitally.

The difference is that once you have created a single digital asset, which takes about 3 months or so to do, you can potentially earn up to $10k each month without having to continuously work and pump out volume like with print on demand. This is because you’ve generated passive income with the Digital Rental Method.