High Profit Print On Demand Products: Go Beyond T-Shirts for Bigger Margins

 

Beyond T-Shirts: High-Profit Margin Print On Demand Products You're Overlooking

Print on demand started booming with T-shirts and it’s easy to see why. They're simple, popular and familiar to sellers and buyers alike. 

But sticking only to T-shirts means missing out on products that can bring in higher profit margins and less competition.

There are plenty of overlooked POD options that offer better earnings and fresh opportunities to stand out. If you want to boost your POD business beyond the basics it’s time to explore these untapped products. 

You’ll not only diversify your lineup but also find ways to price with more confidence and increase your profits. 

For a handy resource try our Profit Margin Pricing Tool to see how these alternatives stack up financially.

Why Look Beyond T-Shirts in Print On Demand?

If you’ve dipped your toes into print on demand, chances are T-shirts were your first product. They’re the go to choice for many sellers largely because they’re simple to design and have broad appeal. 

But here’s the thing: the market is flooded with T-shirts. The result? Fierce competition, squeezed profit margins and a tough race to stand out.

Looking only at T-shirts is like fishing in a crowded pond. Sure you'll catch something if you're patient but wouldn’t you rather go where the fish are plentiful and less fished? 

It makes solid business sense to seek out high margin print on demand products beyond the apparel category. These alternatives often have less competition and can command better prices.

Saturation in Apparel Means High Competition

T-shirts have been the backbone of print on demand for years. While demand remains so does an overwhelming number of sellers selling almost identical items. 

When everyone’s offering the same product with similar or even the same designs it drives prices down and cuts into your profits.

• Increased competition means you need bigger marketing budgets just to get noticed.
• Price wars become common making it harder to sustain a reasonable profit.
• Customers grow tired of seeing the same options everywhere, lowering the chance they’ll buy from you.

If you’re relying solely on T-shirts you’re essentially swimming against a strong current. Changing course and exploring new product types lets you find calmer waters.

The Business Case for High Margin Alternatives

The goal of any POD business is to turn designs into dollars with solid profit. High margin products let you price fairly while enjoying a bigger slice of the sales pie. 

Here's why you want to consider branching out:

• Higher Per-Unit Profit: You can charge more for unique or premium products without scaring buyers off.
• Less Price Sensitivity: Customers tend to value specialized items more than generic T-shirts.
• Opportunities for Branding: New product types can showcase your creativity differently and make your brand stick.
• Reduced Competition: Focusing on overlooked POD products helps you avoid saturated markets.

For example printing on premium mugs, custom home decor or niche accessories can bring profit margins of 60% or higher. 

This kind of margin gives you maneuvering room for ads, discounts and still walking away ahead.

Want to know if print on demand is still a viable way to make money? Is print on demand profitable? covers many key points about staying profitable amid growing competition.

Exploring beyond the basics is not just about making money it’s about carving out a space where your brand feels fresh and customers stay interested. The print on demand market is growing and evolving. 

Positioning yourself with the right products can take your business to the next level.

Photo by Jakub Zerdzicki

High-Profit Margin POD Products You’re Probably Missing

If you’re ready to push your print on demand business past the usual T-shirts and mugs you’re in the right place. 

Some products bring in bigger profits simply because they offer unique appeal and less crowded markets. 

These overlooked options don’t just let you charge more they open doors to fresh creativity and customer connection. 

Here’s a snapshot of five high margin POD products you might be missing, each with its own perks and standout features.

Print On Demand Wall Art and Posters

Wall art is a fantastic way to diversify. Unlike apparel wall art comes with less direct competition and carries a higher perceived value by default. 

Unique sizing options let you offer everything from small prints to statement pieces that fill a room. 

Throw in framing upgrades like wood, metal or even floating frames and suddenly your product becomes a centerpiece not just decoration.

Personalization is another game changer here. Think custom name prints, quotes or even personalized photo collages. 

Customers love turning their space into something truly theirs and they’re willing to pay a premium for it.

You can learn how to boost your margins by selling print-on-demand wall art from sources like the comprehensive Best Margins on Print-on-Demand Wall Decor guide which covers everything from production to fulfillment efficiency.

Creating and selling wall art also taps into the booming home decor trend allowing you to price more confidently and avoid the crowded T-shirt battlefield.

Custom POD Jewelry and Accessories

Jewelry and accessories hit a sweet spot in the POD market. They can command premium prices because of their perceived value and emotional connection. 

When you offer a finely printed necklace, bracelet or even rings and earrings with personalized engraving or printed designs you tap into a gift-buying impulse that's hard to match.

With POD jewelry, you’re not just selling a product you’re offering a keepsake. This gives you more room to charge higher prices. Plus you can mix in trends like minimalism, boho-chic or even fandom-inspired pieces for niche appeal.

Services like Ownprint’s print on demand jewelry let you create, pack and ship without inventory hassle perfect for keeping costs low while maintaining quality.

Starting with custom jewelry can significantly increase both your average order value and overall profits.

Personalized Pet Products

Pet owners are the ultimate enthusiasts and they don’t hesitate to splurge on anything that makes their furry friends happier or more stylish. 

From custom pet beds and bowls to apparel like hoodies and bandanas personalized pet products combine functionality with emotional appeal.

These items often carry a higher price tag because personalization adds a layer of exclusivity. You can offer unique designs featuring pet names, breeds or even quirky graphics that pet lovers identify with instantly.

Looking at what’s trending print on demand pet products are a growing segment. Printify’s guide to the top POD pet products explains how you can jump into this lucrative niche with everything from cozy beds to pet tags.

This category’s strength lies in pet owners’ willingness to spend more for what feels custom made.

Niche Tech Accessories

Tech accessories are everywhere but the most profitable tend to be the ones that balance everyday utility with personalization. 

Custom phone cases, mousepads and laptop sleeves let people express themselves while protecting their devices.

These are highly sought-after because they’re practical yet personal two factors that boost perceived value. Plus tech accessories are relatively small and lightweight making shipping simpler and less costly which helps improve margins.

Platforms like Podbase specialize in print on demand tech accessories with fast fulfillment and no inventory risk giving you a ready path to add these niche items to your store.

With a growing number of gadgets in use every day, tech accessories remain a smart, scalable option for print on demand sellers wanting premium pricing.

Home Decor and Unique Household Items

Last but not least, home decor items such as pillows, blankets and kitchenware offer fantastic profit potential because buyers see them as valuable upgrades to their everyday environment. 

Customized pillows or blankets with witty graphics or comforting quotes draw attention far beyond basic prints.

Kitchenware like personalized mugs, cutting boards and even custom tea towels combine function with eye catching style. Offering multiple customization options such as color choices, monograms and seasonal themes, boosts your markup possibilities.

Check out options from print on demand suppliers who carve out this area well, including a broad range of home and living products described on Printify’s home decor POD page.

Home decor products make excellent upsells or standalone items with healthy margins. They also help diversify your catalog beyond apparel into household essentials people want to personalize.

Some of these products might take a little more effort to market and set up but they bring real gains in profitability and product distinction. 

Experimenting with a mix like this can dramatically increase your earnings and possibly even uncover your next star product. 

To figure out the best pricing use the Profit Margin Pricing Calculator, which helps you grasp how much you can mark up these items without losing customers.

Photo by Mr. Mockup

Crucial Factors for Maximizing POD Profit Margins

Stepping beyond your product selection maximizing profits in print on demand requires smart decisions on pricing and a keen eye for hidden costs. 

Profit margins can sneakily shrink without careful management of these key factors. 

But don’t worry it’s all manageable once you know what to watch for and how to use the right tools.

Smart Pricing and Profit Calculators

Pricing can make or break your POD business. Pricing too low leaves money on the table; pricing too high scares customers away. So how do you find the sweet spot? This is where profit calculators come to the rescue.

Profit margin calculators help you quickly understand how much you’ll make per sale after considering production and other costs. 

You feed in your product cost, desired profit and selling price, and the tool does the math. It’s like having a financial safety net that shows you where your margins stand before you even launch a product.

One popular option is the Shopify Profit Margin Calculator, which is simple yet powerful for estimating your gross profit margin. You can test different price points and instantly see how your profit shifts helping you decide if a product is worth selling.

Be sure to:

• Include all costs including POD service fees and shipping.
• Factor in discounts or promotions you might run.
• Test pricing against competitor products to remain competitive but profitable.

Using these calculators regularly keeps pricing decisions grounded and prevents costly guesswork. Our own Profit Margin Pricing Tool offers a tailored experience crafted for your POD business needs.

Photo by Alesia Kozik

Avoiding Common Profit Traps

Even with smart pricing profit margins can vanish if you overlook hidden costs lurking in the background. Some of the biggest offenders are:

• Additional fees: Some POD platforms charge per order handling or have minimum fees on certain products.
• Shipping costs: Shipping can vary widely depending on size, weight, destination and can strike a big hole in profits if not priced correctly.
• Customer returns and refunds: Returns may be rare in print on demand but when they happen they can eat into your profits significantly if you don’t build that risk into your margins.

Understanding the full price breakdown beyond the base production costs is crucial. 

To dig deeper into this often overlooked aspect, check out this comprehensive guide on the hidden costs of print on demand. It walks you through the details most sellers miss from unexpected fees to tactics for mitigating shipping expenses.

By factoring these elements into your pricing and choosing POD partners with transparent, predictable costs you protect your margins while offering attractive prices.

Keeping these pricing strategies and cost traps in check is a fundamental step toward making your print on demand business consistently profitable. 

Next, we'll explore how product quality and platform choice further influence your profit margins.

Taking Action: How to Stand Out With High-Margin POD Products

If you want your print on demand business to go beyond the crowded T-shirt arena, taking action is key. Knowing about high margin products is just the start. 

The real progress comes from how you research, design and launch unique offerings that catch attention and build loyal customers. Standing out means shaking up the usual and focusing on what your audience truly values.

In this section, I’ll guide you through practical steps to help you carve your own niche with high profit POD products. 

You’ll learn how to find opportunities, create designs that sell and launch with confidence. Ready to get moving?

Researching Untapped High Margin POD Products

Before you dive in, good research is your best friend. 

This isn’t just about spotting what looks trendy but understanding what your target customers want and what the competition ignores.

Start with these steps:

• Find your niche: Narrow down product categories that excite you and have demand but are less crowded. Look at emerging trends within pet products, wall art or tech accessories.
• Analyze competitor gaps: Use marketplaces, social media and forums to see what others sell heavily and where the gaps lie. Customers often complain about quality or customization limits which you can address.
• Check product pricing and profit margins: Identify items with production costs low enough to allow a healthy markup while still appealing to buyers. Tools like print on demand calculators simplify this math for you.
• Track customer feedback and reviews: See what buyers love and dislike. Personalization features often attract more buyers willing to pay a premium.

Resources like Printful’s guide on starting POD business can help you structure solid research and planning before launching.

Designing Products That Grab Attention and Command Higher Prices

With research done, it’s time to create. Your design isn’t just the visual it’s the story you tell through your product. 

This is where you claim that higher profit margin.

Keep these design tips top of mind:

• Focus on product-specific design: Tailor your designs to suit each product’s unique appeal for example, tech accessories benefit from sleek, trendy prints while home decor calls for cozy, comforting styles.
• Bring personal touches: Customization options like names, dates or pet breeds add emotional value and boost willingness to pay.
• Use quality visuals and mockups: High quality mockups show your designs professionally and help buyers envision ownership. This raises perceived value and trust.
• Experiment with exclusive or limited editions: Limited runs and special collections can encourage urgency and justify premium prices.

For inspiration and practical design advice check out resources like Printify’s high-profit margin products guide which offers solid tips on product selection and design strategy.

Launching Your High Margin POD Products Successfully

Launching is more than just listing your products online. How you present and promote your new offerings can make or break sales.

Try these launch strategies:

1. Create a buzz: Use teasers on social media or your email list to build anticipation before the launch.
2. Highlight uniqueness: Clearly communicate the benefits and custom features that set your products apart.
3. Offer early-bird discounts or bundles: Entice initial buyers with special pricing or combos then gradually shift to full price.
4. Leverage customer reviews and testimonials: Social proof reassures potential buyers about the quality and value.
5. Monitor and tweak: Use sales data and customer feedback to refine your products, pricing and marketing approach.

Also, consider how unique items like custom stickers fit into your strategy. These are inexpensive to produce, have great margins and appeal to creative buyers. 

To explore this, check the guide on How to make and sell stickers online which gives practical steps tailored to profitability.

Taking action means putting these elements together thorough research, standout designs and smart launch plans to build a print on demand lineup that truly stands apart. 

The power of unique angles and personalized touches can multiply your profits and keep your customers coming back for more.

Photo by Jakub Zerdzicki

Conclusion

Exploring beyond T-shirts opens up a path to better profit margins and less crowded markets in print on demand. By adding products like wall art, personalized pet items or niche tech accessories to your catalog, you give your business a fresh edge and stronger pricing power.

Take advantage of tools like the Profit Margin Pricing Tool to price your new offerings smartly and protect your profits. Keep an eye on handling returns and order issues carefully since managing these well is essential for maintaining healthy margins as explained in the Print On Demand Returns Guide.

Your next big opportunity might just be in the products you’ve overlooked so far. Keep experimenting, learning and using the resources available to build a stronger more profitable print on demand business that stands out from the crowd.