Print on Demand Scams to Avoid in 2025: Protect Your Store and Profits Now

 

Print on Demand Scams to Avoid in 2025 [Updated Guide]

The print on demand industry keeps booming in 2025, tempting more entrepreneurs than ever with stories of passive income and flexible lifestyles. But where there’s money, scammers soon follow, and the risks haven’t slowed down—if anything, they’ve multiplied. 

Between fake suppliers, copycat stores, and too-good-to-be-true offers, you’ll need a sharp eye to spot trouble before it hits your wallet.

Staying aware isn’t just smart, it’s necessary. As the industry grows, so do the tricks and traps set by bad actors targeting newcomers and seasoned store owners alike. 

In this guide, I’ll break down common print on demand scams making waves in 2025, what sets them apart from legit businesses, and how you can protect your money and reputation from sinking. 

Common Print on Demand Scams in 2025

Whether you’re just getting started with print on demand or already have stores churning out passive income, 2025 brings a whole new wave of scams you need to watch. 

Scammers have gotten stealthier, mixing in with legitimate sites, faking credentials, and creating headaches for honest sellers. Staying alert can make the difference between scaling your shop and fighting to get your money back. 

Let’s break down the biggest scams circling the print on demand scene right now and how you can spot them before they sink your plans.

Fake Print on Demand Platforms

It’s unnervingly easy for anyone to build a slick storefront and claim they’re a reliable print on demand partner. Fake platforms often mimic the look and feel of legit services, promising fast shipping, low prices, or miraculous profit margins. 

Once you pay your setup fees or load funds for orders, these operators vanish—no products, no refunds, and usually no way to contact support.

What should set off alarm bells? Here are some giveaway signs that a platform is likely a scam:

• No verifiable company info: You can’t find a physical address, legal registration, or real team members. Even the “About Us” page feels generic or boilerplate.
• Pushy upfront fees: Legit services typically make their money from sales, not high setup or membership charges.
• Shady payment methods: Requests for wire transfers, crypto payments only, or payments outside of trusted gateways raise red flags.
• Fake reviews or no reviews at all: Authentic platforms usually have a digital paper trail and customer discussions on sites like Trustpilot and Reddit.

Sticking with verified partners listed in trusted directories and reading real user experiences is a smart first step. PCMag’s roundup of online scams shows that fake ecommerce platforms aren’t going away, so double-check before moving money.

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Counterfeit Product and Copyright Infringement Scams

Scammers love shortcuts, especially when it comes to stealing designs. Some platforms or “middlemen” simply copy winning t-shirt graphics or art from platforms like Etsy, then sell unauthorized versions. 

If you unknowingly partner with these ops, you could find your own store flooded with copyright complaints, tanking your brand before it even takes off.

Watch for these warning signs:

• Stolen or generic designs: If you spot exact lookalikes of popular prints without credit to the artist, run the other way.
• Inflated, suspiciously positive reviews: Frequent five-star ratings with nearly identical copy usually mean reviews are fake.
• No proof of design authorship: Honest POD platforms share creator info or let you upload your own artwork.

Getting mixed up with these fakes can destroy trust with buyers and put your store at legal risk. If you want your print on demand business to stand out, tap into fresh print on demand design trends for 2025 and avoid shortcuts that steal or recycle someone else’s work.

Hidden Fees and Overpriced Services

Your profit margin lives or dies by the numbers. Some POD platforms seem cheap on the surface but quietly tack on:

• Random handling fees or processing charges
• Inflated shipping costs that aren’t disclosed up front
• Extra charges for order status updates, tracking, or basic customer support

These hidden costs shrink your profits with every sale, especially if you don’t spot them until you’re deep in the process. Before you sign anything, look over:

• A clear, simple fee table for every service
• Realistic shipping rates (compare a few vendors)
• Refund and cancellation terms in plain English

Smart print on demand sellers always do a dry run: add a demo product, reach checkout, and scan for surprise charges. Want more help boosting profit margins? Check out how adding art prints to your catalog can help you diversify with less risk of hidden markups.

Payment and Tax Scams

Fraud around payments hits both newbies and established stores. Watch out for:

• Phishing emails “from” your platform, bank, or tax authority: These often urge you to update info, click a login link, or send sensitive data.
• Spoofed invoice requests: Scammers send fake invoices that look real, hoping you’ll pay them straight away.
• False tax authority notices: International POD stores are extra vulnerable—fraudsters may send intimidating requests for global VAT, customs forms, or “regulatory fees.”

Stay safe by:

• Only logging into your platform through its official website, never emailed links.
• Verifying invoices match your actual supplier list and order numbers.
• Treating scary tax emails with caution; look for official communication channels before giving out info.

For a deeper look at new payment scams and best practices, Experian lists recent fraud trends worth knowing, especially if you run a print on demand operation with overseas orders.

Photo by Kaboompics.com

Protecting your shop’s wallet means vetting every partner, reading the fine print, and using common sense when requests for money or info seem rushed or sketchy. Keep these red flags in mind and you’ll have a built-in radar for the scams targeting print on demand sellers this year.

How to Spot Legitimate Print on Demand Services

The print on demand space keeps growing, and while that means more choices, it also means more traps for the unwary. 

When you’re about to commit money, time, and your brand’s reputation to a business partner, knowing what separates a real POD provider from a fly-by-night scammer is a must. 

Here’s how to stack the odds in your favor and confidently choose trustworthy services.

Researching Company Backgrounds

Photo by Faruk Tokluoğlu

Start with a detective mindset. A real print on demand service welcomes scrutiny, while scams hide behind vague details.

Here’s how to check if a POD company is real:

• Look for a verifiable business address and real company registration. If their “About” page is bland or missing, that’s a flag.
• Search for the team. Find key staff on LinkedIn or elsewhere. Not seeing any real people raises questions.
• Contact customer service before signing up. Ask a specific question. Quick, clear replies show they’re ready to support you.
• Dig for business history. Check how long they’ve been around. New sites with flashy promises and no track record are risky.

Having a clear sense of the company’s story and responses gives you real-world clues. For more insight on how seasoned business owners size up opportunity versus risk, check out this Print on Demand Profitability Guide.

Reviewing Payment Security and Policies

If a platform’s payment or return policy gives you a headache, don’t push through it. Reputable POD services spell out their terms in plain language so you know where your money and data go.

When checking a site, look for:

• SSL encryption in the browser address bar. This shows your payment info is kept private.
• Trusted payment gateways only. Think PayPal, Stripe, or authorized credit card processors.
• Clear return and refund rules. You’ll want simple steps in case of misprints or lost shipments.
• Privacy and data protection statements. Genuine platforms explain how your info is used and stored.

Don’t be afraid to compare their policies to top e-commerce standards. For extra precautions, watch out for these common online payment scams and read their privacy terms in full before jumping in.

Evaluating Social Proof and Customer Testimonials

Scammers fake reviews, but they can’t clone a loyal, vocal community. Reviews from actual shop owners and buyers mean more than splashy ad copy ever will. Always seek out:

• Third-party reviews on sites like Trustpilot or sitejabber.
• Organic mentions on social networks or forums. If nobody’s talking about them, ask why.
• Verified testimonials with order photos or detailed feedback. These make positive claims more believable.

When you’re weighing a new print on demand partner, social proof serves as both a reality check and a confidence booster. Combining these real-world signals with a close eye on security and company history sets you up for smart, scam-free growth.

Best Practices to Protect Your Print on Demand Business

Running a print on demand business means staying sharp—scams and mistakes can sneak through when you least expect them. The good news? With the right safeguards, you can shut out most threats before they even knock. 

Setting up secure communication habits and keeping your finances under a microscope is just the start. Let’s break down what works in real life, no tech degree required.

Establishing Secure Communication Channels

Connecting with vendors, suppliers, or even customers should always feel safe, not sketchy. Hackers and scammers love impersonating print on demand partners or hijacking emails to steal info or money.

Treat every message with healthy skepticism and make security part of your daily routine.

Photo by Ivan Samkov

Here’s how to shore up your defenses:

• Use official business emails tied directly to your custom domain. Gmail or other free accounts aren’t bad, but scammers copy them easily. A domain email says, “I’m legit.”
• Avoid sharing sensitive details over chat apps unless they’re encrypted (like Signal or WhatsApp). Email is often safer if both sides use strong passwords and up-to-date security.
• Double-check vendor credentials. If someone asks for payments or logins, call the company’s real phone number (from their website) and ask for confirmation.
• Set up two-factor authentication (2FA) on every business account possible. Yes, it’s another step, but it stops most break-ins cold.

You might get official-looking invoices or “urgent” messages asking for changes to your payment methods. Always hover over email addresses and double-check they match the supposed sender’s website. 

If anything feels off, pause and verify before clicking or replying. For more on catching the subtle clues, see these tips for Print on Demand Hidden Costs Explained.

Regular Financial Monitoring and Record-Keeping

Nothing ruins your day like waking up to unexpected charges—or noticing your payout is short. 

Staying on top of your finances keeps scammers and simple mistakes from trimming your profits. The trick? Make money management a habit, not an afterthought.

Simple steps make a big difference:

• Keep your business and personal accounts separate. This sounds basic, but it puts you in control and makes odd charges much easier to spot.
• Check transactions every few days. With so many micro-fees in print on demand, the sooner you catch extra charges, the better. Set alerts for large transactions or overseas payments for extra peace of mind.
• Use bookkeeping tools like QuickBooks, Xero, or even a spreadsheet if you’re just starting. Record every payout, refund, and supplier invoice. Over time, these records help you identify unusual patterns or recurring issues.
• Save invoices, receipts, and order confirmations in a cloud folder. Backups make it easy to dispute charges or provide proof if something goes wrong.
• Run monthly reviews. List your top expenses and top vendors. If a new supplier pops up that you don’t remember, look into it immediately.

Watch for red flags such as duplicate charges, suppliers requesting direct payments instead of going through your regular platform, or automated withdrawals that don’t match up with your orders. Fraud can often be caught early if you’re paying attention.

If you want a deeper breakdown of how those tricky fees can add up and how to prevent nasty surprises, take a look at Print on Demand Hidden Costs Explained—it’ll help you keep every cent you earn.

Strong communication plus watchful tracking is the real combo move. Many top sellers go one step further by working with more than one trusted supplier. 

That way, if trouble hits with one account or a suspicious charge pops up, your business keeps humming. Keep your records tight and your conversations secure, and you’ll be a much less tempting target for anyone trying to take advantage of print on demand sellers.

What To Do If You’ve Encountered a Print on Demand Scam

Spotting a scam is frustrating, but getting tangled in one can feel devastating—especially after putting so much energy into building your print on demand business. 

The good news is you’re not powerless. There are real steps you can take to report scams, try to recover lost money, warn others, and even hold shady operators accountable. Here’s how to handle things, point by point.

Photo by Yan Krukau

1. Gather Your Evidence

Before you go on the offensive, make sure you’ve got your facts lined up. Scammers count on confusion, so clear documentation is your best tool.

What you’ll want to save:

• Screenshots of suspicious emails, messages, or site pages.
• Records of payments, invoices, and account activity.
• Any names, order numbers, or contact info tied to the scam.
• Communications with the print on demand company (actual or fake).

Keep all this in a safe spot. If you’re in the middle of a chargeback or complaint, having these receipts smooths the process.

2. Report the Scam to the Right Authorities

Timing matters. Reporting early can help you and protect others from falling into the same trap. Here’s where your evidence comes into play.

Go straight to:

• Your payment provider (credit card, PayPal, etc.)—dispute the transaction.
• The real POD platform, if fake profiles or impersonation are involved.
• The FTC using this guide to reporting business fraud and scams.
• Your local consumer protection office or the Better Business Bureau.

You can find a simple explainer on steps like these in FTC’s business problems and refunds resource. The more detail you share, the faster authorities can piece together a pattern.

3. Try to Get Your Money Back

Not every refund request succeeds, but you often have a shot—especially if you move quickly.

Take these actions:

• Reach out to your bank or payment processor and start a dispute.
• File a chargeback if the scammer used a credit card platform.
• Contact the actual print on demand company (if their name or interface was used) to let them know about the fraud.
• Document every attempt to contact the scam business or site, and save their responses (if any).

Many banks have limited windows for disputes, sometimes 30–60 days. If you spot sketchy charges or unfulfilled orders, don’t sleep on it.

For deeper insight on managing costs and protecting profits, see this breakdown on hidden POD fees.

4. Seek Legal Recourse if Needed

If the scam hits hard—especially if it involves stolen money, personal info, or IP theft—you may want to get legal help.

Useful next steps include:

• Reporting to your state’s attorney general or consumer protection office for formal complaint escalation.
• Getting advice from a lawyer or legal clinic specializing in online business fraud.
• Saving every bit of evidence in case you need to submit a police report.

Legal action makes sense when large sums or your creative property are at risk. But even when the stakes are lower, documenting and reporting helps build a case against repeat offenders.

5. Warn the Community and Help Others

You’re not just helping yourself—you’re helping other print on demand sellers stay safe when you share your experience. Scammers thrive when people feel too embarrassed or frustrated to speak up.

Ways to spread the word:

• Post a warning in seller groups, forums, or Reddit threads like Printify Scams on r/printondemand. Real stories help people spot patterns.
• Alert the real platforms about impersonation scams or fake accounts.
• Share your story (minus private details) in business communities or social media, so new sellers know what to watch for.
• If you see a scam targeting new sellers especially, chime in on posts or comment threads to steer folks clear—this example Facebook post shows what that might look like.

Community warnings and honest feedback help raise the tide for everyone. 

Key Takeaways

• Act fast: The quicker you respond, the more options you have.
• Keep records: Documentation is your best friend when fighting scams.
• Speak up: Reporting and warning others builds a safer print on demand community.

Ups and downs come with running a business, but you can get through setbacks with the right steps. And every alert you share could be the nudge another seller needs to stay scam-free.

Conclusion

Print on demand thrives in 2025, but so do the scammers hoping to take advantage of stores that let their guard down. Staying sharp pays off. If you remember the warning signs, vet your partners, and run your business with transparent habits, you’ll avoid most traps that are out there.

Protecting yourself isn’t just about watching your own back—sharing what you’ve learned helps others succeed, too. The whole community benefits when shop owners trade info and stay honest about what’s working and what’s not.

Thanks for reading. Spot a new trick this year? Pass it on and help another entrepreneur avoid the headache. Staying informed is the best shield you’ve got.