What Is Print on Demand and How To Start a Business 

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Picture your illustrations gracing t-shirts, your artwork displayed on posters, or your emblem stamped on backpacks and water bottles. What if you could also transform your manuscripts into a self-published volume? Print-on-demand makes it simple to create or personalize everyday products and offer them for sale online.

In this article, we’ll dive into the print-on-demand model—a method that’s surged in popularity lately. Keep reading for crucial advice on starting your own print on demand venture, plus recommendations for top-notch print-on-demand platforms.

What is print on demand?

Print on demand is a fulfillment approach where you, the creator, supply the designs for items like apparel, accessories, or home accents, and a third-party partner only manufactures them once an order comes in. As soon as someone buys your product, the provider handles printing, packaging, and delivery—so you never have to invest in or keep stock on hand.

Typical offerings include things like shirts, mugs, posters, and even self-published books. Because you don’t front the cost of large batches, this setup lets you experiment with various designs and products without committing a lot of capital up front.

You can use a print-on-demand service to:

• Validate a new business concept or product line without investing in upfront inventory

• Turn your YouTube channel or fan community into a revenue stream with custom-branded gear

• Cater to specific audiences—think CrossFit devotees, French bulldog lovers, or any niche group with unique items

• Manufacture limited runs of merch to support an event or boost brand visibility

• Offer themed products tied to holidays or current cultural moments

• A/B test various designs and items to discover which ones resonate most with your audience

How print on demand works

Using a print-on-demand service is straightforward. Here’s how it typically works:

1. Create a design

Begin by crafting an eye-catching graphic. Within your print-on-demand platform’s design suite, develop a logo, illustration, or pattern that suits the item you plan to sell.

For example, you might place a trendy meme print on a tee or stitch an original sketch onto a tote bag. Keep your audience’s tastes in mind to ensure your design truly connects.

2. Choose products

Then, explore the print on demand catalog and pick the products you want to customize. Most platforms carry a diverse assortment—from apparel and accessories to stationery and home décor—so you can find the perfect canvas for your designs.

3. List products for sale

Once your designs are finalized, add them to your e-commerce site. Craft concise, compelling product descriptions, determine your pricing strategy, and upload high-quality images that clearly display each item.

Design your storefront with a clean layout and intuitive navigation so shoppers can quickly locate and explore your offerings.

4. Customer makes a purchase

When someone chooses to buy one of your items, they complete the purchase by checking out through your online store.

5. Order is sent to the print-on-demand company

Once payment is confirmed, the order details are transmitted to your print-on-demand provider. If you’ve integrated your store with their platform, this handoff happens automatically—no manual intervention needed.

6. Fulfillment and Delivery

Your print-on-demand partner handles production—printing or crafting your item—then securely packages it and ships it straight to the buyer. Many services also manage returns, allowing customers to send back unwanted items directly to the provider.

Pros and cons of print on demand

Print-on-demand operates like dropshipping, making it an easy-to-launch online venture. Here are some of its benefits:

• Speedy setup: You can create a design and have it live for purchase within minutes.

• Zero inventory burden: Since products are only made after they’re sold, you avoid upfront stock costs and storage hassles.

• Outsourced logistics: Your print-on-demand partner handles all packing and shipping.

But there are a few trade-offs to keep in mind:

• Higher per-unit price: Without bulk orders, each item comes at a premium cost.

• Less say in shipping: You may not control postage fees or personalize the unboxing experience.

• Design limitations: Complex or highly specialized print jobs aren’t always supported by POD services.

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Getting started with print on demand

Now is the perfect moment to explore Print on demand. Whether you’re designing hoodies for your social media community, crafting branded tote bags to boost your visibility, or rolling out fresh custom merchandise in your online shop, POD has solidified its place as an efficient production and sales method.

Thanks to Shopify’s ecosystem, you can plug print on demand apps straight into your store. Every time a customer checks out, the order is instantly routed to your POD provider for manufacturing and delivery.

Plus, integrating a POD app means adding new products to your catalog is as simple as a few clicks—no manual uploads required.

4 Popular Print on Demand services

Selecting the right print-on-demand partner comes down to the products they offer, how quickly they ship, and the prices you’ll pay. After all, rock-bottom shipping fees won’t matter if your customers wait weeks for delivery. 

Do your homework—use search engines and review sites to compare options—and kick off your shortlist with these four top print-on-demand platforms:

1. Printful

Printful is a popular choice among print on demand sites because of its wide selection of high-quality products and brands (Gildan and American Apparel). It comes with an easy-to-use mockup generator and options for adding your own branding to the unboxing experience.

2. Printify

Printify is another print on demand service that features a large selection of t-shirts, hoodies, and popular products. It also has an international vendor network with a number of white label products, such as jewelry, shoes, and water bottles.

3. Gooten

Like Printify, Gooten offers a wide range of products that you can customize, including several that are unique to Gooten, such as calendars and dog beds.

4. Lulu

Lulu Direct is a self-publishing platform for printing and distributing your own books and ebooks. It offers a selection of book sizes, binding types, and paper stock to build your own book product.

Check out more of the best print-on-demand companies and sites.

Tips for starting with print on demand

While leveraging a POD service spares you from juggling inventory, it introduces its own set of challenges. 

To help you navigate this model successfully, here are some key best practices for any print-on-demand venture.

Always order samples

To guarantee the standard of your offerings—even when a third party fulfills them—always request sample products. By placing a trial order through your storefront, you can evaluate everything from site navigation to the unboxing experience.

Many providers, such as Printful, extend discounts on sample purchases so you can confirm your designs without overspending. Beyond quality checks, these samples double as excellent photo subjects for your website and social media channels.

Create mockups of your products

While actual samples are great for authentic photos, mockups help shoppers picture your items in real life. Most POD platforms include mockup tools that let you display your designs on models, styled scenes, or flat-lay presentations. 

If you’re looking for a standalone solution, PlaceIt offers an intuitive mockup generator for both images and short videos—perfect for showing off your products in action.

Be strategic about shipping

Even though fulfillment is handled by your POD partner, you’re still responsible for managing customer expectations and keeping them informed about their order’s journey.

Choose a provider that offers clear, up-front shipping details and stays on top of updates—but remember, buyers will reach out to you first if anything goes awry. 

Factor production lead times into your delivery estimates, and spell out the full timeline—printing plus transit—on a FAQs or dedicated Shipping information page so shoppers know exactly what to expect.

Find a niche audience

Because print on demand typically yields slimmer profit margins, it’s crucial to position your brand with intention. Defining a clear, specialized audience not only reduces your customer acquisition expenses but also boosts your bottom line.

By catering to a specific niche, you’ll find it simpler to attract and engage loyal followers.

Creating designs when you’re not a designer

You don't need to be a professional designer to create compelling designs for your print on demand products. While design is vital to success, there are several effective ways to get original artwork, even if you're not a full-time creative. 

The key is understanding fundamental design principles, which will empower you to either produce your own unique visuals or collaborate seamlessly with experienced designers.

Understand file specifications

When getting designs ready, especially if you're working with a designer, the most crucial step is understanding file specifications. Always tell your designer that the artwork is for printing. This means the design needs to be saved at a resolution of 300 dots per inch (dpi). The image dimensions you upload should also match the exact size of the product's printing area.

It's important to remember that print specifications can vary based on the printing method. If you're unsure, just provide the designer with the specific print specifications for the product, and they'll know exactly what's needed.

Most of the time, you'll be uploading a PNG or PSD file. A key tip to remember: if your design has a transparent background, the color of the product itself will show through as the background color.

Find design inspiration

One of the trickiest parts of kicking off a print-on-demand venture, especially if you're not a designer yourself, is simply figuring out what to design. Your product's target audience will largely dictate this, but there are plenty of places to find creative sparks.

You can scout for design inspiration on social media platforms like Pinterest and relevant subreddits, or really, anywhere your potential customers hang out online. Keep an eye out for content, messages, or styles that click with your ideal buyers. Just be super careful not to directly copy or infringe on anyone else's creations.

Social media is also a fantastic spot to test out your concepts. You can easily create a mini focus group by:

• Sharing designs with your personal network.
• Using Instagram's Poll and Question stickers to get feedback.
• Posting a design idea to a relevant subreddit.

Partner with a designer

Ideally, you're either a designer yourself or have a design connection you can team up with. But if not, don't sweat it! That's where outsourcing comes in handy.

Platforms like Behance or 99designs are great places to find designers who can create exactly what you need, especially if you give them clear instructions. Here's how to ensure your design project goes smoothly:

• Define Your Audience: Let your designer know who the product is for and its purpose. Sharing your website can also help them understand your brand better.
• Be Specific About Your Vision: From your initial request through any revisions (you should get at least one or two), be overly communicative about what you're looking for. Provide detailed feedback at each stage.
• Offer Inspiration: Give them examples of designs you like or past work that resonates with you. This provides a solid starting point for their creative process.

Design, sell, and grow

Print on demand offers an accessible entry point for new entrepreneurs and anyone looking to validate an idea without significant upfront investment. There's a vast array of blank products available, and endless design possibilities to go with them.

If your print-on-demand product takes off, you have the option to transition to managing your own inventory, or you can keep leveraging these services while exploring new avenues to expand your customer base. The biggest perk of the print-on-demand model is its flexibility, which frees you up to concentrate on scaling your business.

Print On Demand Q&A 

1. What is POD and how does it function?

Print-on-Demand (POD) is a fulfillment model where products (like t-shirts, mugs, or posters) are manufactured only after a customer places an order. You upload your design to a POD platform, they handle printing, packaging, and shipping—so you never hold inventory.

2. Can you make money, and what’s the earnings potential?

Yes. You set your own retail price above the base cost, so every sale yields profit. Earnings vary widely—beginners often make $100–$500/month, while top sellers can pull in $5,000+/month by optimizing designs, marketing, and niches.

3. How to Master Print On Demand?

Master POD in three simple steps:

1. Follow Our in-depth blog tutorials to nail Useful Insights and basics.

2. Get A Complete 5 Hours Step By Step Roadmap from Our Guide.

3. Leverage the Our Weekly Insights, Guides, Templates and News Send to you every week when you Purchase Our Guide

Join Over 500+ Print on Demand Creators Now

4. What is the Best Site for Print On Demand?

Printful is the top choice for most sellers:

• Seamless Integrations: Connects instantly with Shopify, WooCommerce,    Etsy and more.

• Product Variety: 200+ items—from apparel to home décor.

• Global Fulfillment: Print centers in North America, Europe, and Australia cut shipping times.

• Built-In Tools: Free mockup generator, branding options (pack-ins, custom labels) and design editor.

• No Minimums: Pay only when you sell—zero upfront inventory costs.

Start Earning With Printful Now!!

5. How much money or technical skill do I need to start?

Budget: $0–$50 to set up (free POD account + optional design tools). Paid ads or premium mockup software add cost later.

Skill: Basic computer literacy. For design you can use free tools like Canva or hire freelancers. Integrations with Shopify/WooCommerce require minimal technical setup steps—no coding needed.