Print on Demand for Non-Clothing Products: Market Gaps, Trends, and How to Grow in 2025

 

Print on Demand for Non-Clothing Products: Market Gaps and How to Fill Them in 2025

Print on demand isn't just about t-shirts and hoodies anymore. Demand for custom products has exploded, reaching far beyond clothing. Today, mugs, posters, home decor, and even puzzles are getting a boost from the print on demand model.

But here's where it gets interesting: despite the surge, plenty of non-clothing categories are still wide open. Entrepreneurs ready to fill these gaps can tap into underserved markets, stand out, and grow real revenue. 

We're about to break down where these missed opportunities are hiding and show you how print on demand goes way beyond apparel—even touching on must-knows like print on demand services with fast shipping. Ready to see where you fit in?

The Expanding World of Print on Demand: Beyond T-Shirts

The print on demand world grows a little bigger every year. While t-shirts put POD on the map, today's customers want options that go way beyond basic clothing. The range of non-clothing products is reaching new heights, tempting shoppers with everything from custom mugs to wall art and even one-of-a-kind pet beds. 

With the right focus, you can reach customers who want unique, everyday products—not just another tee in their closet.

Types of High-Demand Non-Clothing Products

Photo by Pavel Danilyuk

More people are treating print on demand as their way to buy gifts and home essentials that reflect personal tastes. This opens the door to a host of non-clothing categories where demand is strong and still climbing. Let's look at a few proven favorites:

• Mugs and Drinkware: Mugs are an all-time best-seller for POD. Shoppers love them for gifting, desk decor, or adding a bit of personality to the kitchen. Quirky quotes, illustrations, and even pet portraits regularly win over buyers.
• Wall Art and Posters: With more people working and relaxing at home, custom wall decor is in high demand. Personalized art, maps, and motivational prints stand out on sites like Etsy and Redbubble.
• Phone Cases: Since nearly everyone carries a smartphone, unique cases that feature custom designs, monograms, or pop culture art move fast. They also make perfect, affordable gifts.
• Home Decor: Think throw pillows, blankets, tableware, and candles. Items like decorative cushions and custom ceramics let buyers style their space without spending a fortune.
• Stationery and Office Supplies: Notebooks, planners, and stickers are easy add-ons that bring personality to everyday tasks. Customers searching for back-to-school or work-from-home upgrades flock to these options.
• Pet Products: Custom pet beds, bowls, and bandanas are a magnet for animal lovers. Printing a pet's name or photo turns a basic product into a keepsake.
• Tote Bags: These are used everywhere—from the grocery store to the beach. Shoppers value designs that showcase humor, hobbies, or positive messages.

Each of these products attracts shoppers looking for something that feels personal—not mass produced. For a comprehensive overview, resources like Shopify’s bestselling print-on-demand products break down what’s popular and why certain categories shine.

What's fueling the boom? Most non-clothing POD products share three superpowers: they're affordable, make great gifts, and are easy to customize. Pair these factors with the shift toward online shopping, and you have a recipe for steady growth. If you want to see where the market's heading, Printful’s trending products for 2025 is another useful guide.

Customer Needs and Expectations in Non-Clothing POD

Your success doesn’t just depend on what you sell—it’s about how your products fit your audience’s evolving needs. Modern POD customers, especially for non-clothing items, are a savvy bunch. 

They want products that tick a few key boxes:

• Customization: The ability to add names, images, or personal messages is non-negotiable for many. Stats show that nearly 36% of shoppers now expect some level of personalization by default.
• Uniqueness: Shoppers crave products nobody else has. Limited editions, one-off designs, and seasonal drops make them feel special.
• Eco-Friendliness: Sustainability plays a role in buying decisions. Eco inks, recycled materials, and minimal packaging can set you apart—and boost word of mouth.
• Quality and Durability: When it comes to mugs, phone cases, or pet supplies, customers expect products to last through daily use, not just look pretty in photos.
• Fast Delivery: Instant gratification is a real factor. Services that offer fast shipping print on demand are growing for a reason—buyers want their custom mugs or pillows at their door ASAP.

Let’s break down some behaviors and preferences backed by data:

• About 48% of customers are willing to wait longer for a truly custom item, but interest drops off fast if delivery feels too slow. That’s why balancing unique design and speedy turnaround is essential. If shipping times worry you, consider platforms like Printify’s Express Delivery that make quick fulfillment possible.
• Personalized products dominate gifting. Shoppers often turn to print on demand for special moments—think holidays, birthdays, or “just because” surprises. Custom mugs, wall art, and pet goods top gift lists.
• Trends like eco-conscious buying and product sustainability are climbing. Using green materials or highlighting your eco-friendly efforts can build trust and repeat customers.

Curious about what’s driving choices in the market? 2025 print-on-demand trends reveal that a desire for unique, meaningful, and sustainable products fuels most purchases.

If you’re mapping out a new non-clothing POD line, always start with the question: can a customer personalize, gift, or feel good about this product? If the answer is yes, you’re already ahead of most brands.

For a deeper dive into how customers think and what motivates them, check out the latest print-on-demand statistics and trends. Matching inventory to these trends keeps your audience happy—and your business growing.

Identifying Market Gaps in Non-Clothing Print on Demand

If you want to win at print on demand, targeting the right product is only half the battle. The big edge comes from spotting where the competition drops the ball or totally misses the mark. This is where market gaps—those hidden pockets where demand outpaces supply—hide out. 

From trend research to deep-dive competitor sleuthing, here’s how to uncover these sweet spots for non-clothing POD products.

Analyzing Competitors and Niche Opportunities

Photo by RDNE Stock project

The fastest way to spot opportunity is by knowing what your competitors are doing—and where they’re falling short.

Start with these steps:

1. Audit Bestsellers
   • Head to Amazon, Etsy, Redbubble, or niche POD platforms. List the top sellers that aren't clothing-related. Is it mostly mugs? Wall art? Pet gear?
   • Pay attention to trends and themes (funny slogans, minimalist art, pet illustrations).
2. Study Reviews
   • Look for patterns in reviews—lots of five stars? That's solid demand, maybe too crowded. Tons of three stars? See if customers mention missing features or wants. That’s your gap.
3. Spot Overlap and White Space
   • Are sellers competing on the same tired designs and product types? If every mug says “World’s Best Dog Mom,” maybe it’s time for a twist—think about breeds, trending colors, or subcultures within the pet niche.
   • Look for categories with fewer sellers but decent traffic. If everyone’s selling tote bags but only a few offer personalized puzzles, that’s fertile ground.
4. Uncover Unique Features or Audiences
   • Can you customize in quirky ways others can’t? Maybe offer a product with eco-friendly packaging, or bundle items (like matching pet bowls and placemats).
   • Focus on audiences that big brands ignore—teachers, left-handed artists, sports fans outside the major leagues, or new parents looking for milestone gifts.

When researching, don’t just chase the obvious. Use online research tools to check keyword demand, like what terms buyers use most often. If you’re unsure whether a niche is profitable, try a quick run with a Profit Margin Pricing Calculator to see if smaller, less saturated items still offer solid returns.

Evaluating Customer Pain Points and Unmet Needs

New product ideas often pop up where current solutions fall flat. Customer complaints and wishlists are a goldmine for untapped opportunity.

Here’s how you dig in:

• Mine the Reviews:
  Scroll through mid-rated product reviews on Etsy, Amazon, or other POD sites. If ceramic mugs break too easily or planners smear with some pens, there’s your cue to make it better or offer better materials.
  • “Wish this came in more colors…” (There’s your gap—color options.)
  • “Love the design, but shipping was slow…” (Find suppliers with faster fulfillment.)
  • “I’d buy this as a set.” (Bundle complementary items for easy upsells.)
• Follow Social Media Chatter:
  Pay attention to product-focused hashtags or Facebook groups. What are fans complaining about? Maybe custom puzzle enthusiasts want more pieces, or pet lovers are tired of bland, generic dog bowls flooding the feed.
  • Social listening tools like Hootsuite or Mention help track these conversations, feeding you real-time ideas straight from the buyer’s mouth.
• Check Out Q&A Sections:
  On product listings, Q&A sections often show what buyers are really after. Are they asking about gift wrapping options, personalization beyond names, or reusable packaging? Turn missing features into your core offering.
• Look for Trends in Complaints:
  Not every request is worth chasing. Focus on recurring themes—if people ask for better sustainability or more durable travel mugs week after week, that’s a signal.
• Watch What’s Getting Shared:
  Viral gifts or trending TikTok products usually go viral for a reason. Find out why people post about them and see if you can address the “I wish it also…” requests popping up in the comments.

By solving problems others shrug off, you’re not just selling products—you’re winning trust. Combine these actionable insights with regular trend checks (peek at the Print on Demand Profitability Guide for more methods) and you’ll be set to spot, fill, and thrive in those untapped market gaps.

Filling the Gaps: Strategies for Thriving in Non-Clothing Print on Demand

Everyone knows you can slap a quick design on a t-shirt, but pushing your print on demand business into non-clothing territory is where you can set yourself apart. It takes more than spotting gaps—you need strategies to develop custom products, build a memorable brand, and outshine the competition on speed and support. 

Here’s how to cover every angle so your business becomes the go-to name for unique POD goods.

Product Innovation and Customization Tactics

People crave something they can’t find anywhere else. The fastest way to win new fans and repeat buyers is by serving up creativity and real personalization options they can’t get from the retail giants.

Photo by Drew Williams

Here’s what works:

• Offer flexible personalization, not just “add your name.” Let shoppers tweak fonts, colors, image placement or even upload their own photos and artwork. Think about mugs that feature handwritten notes, calendars showing a family’s birthdays, or puzzles from pet portraits.
• Explore underserved product categories. Custom tech accessories, kitchen tools, or office gear with clever or sentimental messages often see less competition and more passion buyers.
• Use trending designs fast. If you spot a meme or social fad, quickly create a relevant product—thanks to print on demand, you’re only limited by your speed and imagination.
• Launch micro-collections for holidays, events, or hobbies. Limited editions or themed mini-sets (like matching pet bowls and placemats) build urgency and get shared more on social media.

Testing and refining:

• Run small-batch product drops or preorders to gather feedback without heavy upfront costs.
• Use A/B testing on different design versions, product titles, or personalization features.
• Listen to your customers—those “wouldn’t it be cool if…” requests are a direct line to your next best-seller.

Brand Positioning and Storytelling

A great product is only half the battle—it’s your brand story that turns a one-time shopper into a loyal fan. In a sea of mugs, pillows, and posters, why do people care about yours? That’s where clear, specific branding and an authentic narrative pay off.

Here’s how to build a brand that sticks:

• Define a tight niche. Don’t just sell “custom gifts”—maybe you’re the brand for teachers, pet parents, book lovers, or home chefs. Narrow focus builds trust and makes your shop look like an authority, not an afterthought.
• Tell your story everywhere. Use your website, product descriptions, emails, and packaging to share who you are and what you care about. If you’re passionate about sustainability or donating to a cause, make it front and center.
• Feature customer stories and real-life images. User-generated content (like a photo of a custom mug in someone’s actual kitchen) builds social proof and encourages others to share.
• Consistent visuals = recognition. Keep your logo, color palette, and photo style steady across all platforms. Customers should know it’s you at a glance.

This kind of positioning isn’t just good for engagement—it impacts SEO and drives organic traffic as people search for products within niche communities. Want a more detailed map to building a tribe? Check out how branding boosts print on demand sales for actionable ideas.

Optimizing for Logistics and Customer Service

Fast fulfillment and standout service are now crucial if you’re aiming to dominate in non-clothing print on demand. A beautiful product means nothing if it arrives late or customer issues get ignored.

Key moves to set yourself apart:

• Work only with POD partners who offer real-time production tracking, reliable timelines, and transparent processes. Fast shipping isn’t just nice to have—it’s a dealbreaker for most shoppers.
• Make customer service your calling card. Set up instant response systems for order issues. If something goes wrong, proactive communication (even automated) eases buyer nerves.
• Offer simple, visible shipping options and clear return policies. Transparency builds comfort and leads to better reviews.
• Use order notifications and easy status tracking. Customers want to know where their custom mug or plush pillow is—and when it’s rolling up to their door.

Speed and support also drive loyalty, turning those one-time gift buyers into fans who return and refer friends. Get more tips on streamlining fulfillment and handling complaints with the Print on Demand Order Problems guide, where you’ll find scripts, tools, and workflow tweaks.

The goal isn’t just meeting expectations—it’s surpassing them. Combine personalized products, a story buyers love, and customer care that’s better than the next shop, and those gaps in the POD market will start working in your favor.

Conclusion

Non-clothing print on demand is wide open for those willing to spot overlooked needs and act fast. Success hinges on bringing something new to the table—whether that means bolder designs, better personalization, or just a smarter way to solve real customer headaches. Shine by filling those market gaps with real innovation, not just the same old products wearing new slogans.

If you want your shop to stand out, keep experimenting and building on feedback. There’s no better time to push into new categories and create products people can’t find anywhere else. Ready for more ways to grow? Dive into strategies for branding that actually drives print on demand sales and let those creative ideas turn into real revenue.

Thanks for reading. Share your biggest product idea or market gap discovery in the comments—your insight could help the next entrepreneur.