Print on Demand Supplier Mistakes to Avoid in 2025: Save Money and Protect Your Brand

 

Print on Demand Supplier Mistakes Beginners Make (And How to Avoid Costly Slip-Ups)

Picking a print on demand supplier can make or break your business, especially when you’re just starting out. Too many new entrepreneurs rush the process or skip research, leading to setbacks like poor print quality, long shipping times or blown budgets. These mistakes eat up profits, waste time and leave customers frustrated.

Here’s the good news: spotting the most common pitfalls early gives you a huge edge. You’ll find out what to watch for, how to sidestep the classic blunders and pick a print on demand partner that actually supports your growth. 

Ready to avoid unnecessary headaches and build a solid foundation for your POD brand? Let’s get into the simple steps that make a big difference.

Why Supplier Selection Matters for Your Print on Demand Success

Finding the right supplier isn’t just step one—it sets the tone for everything that comes after in your print on demand journey. Early mistakes here can ripple into quality mishaps, branding issues, bad reviews, or even customer refunds that drain your excitement and your profit. 

The supplier you pick is more than just a vendor; they’re your silent partner in delivering great products, growing your brand, and building lasting trust with buyers.

Photo by Kindel Media

Let’s look at how your choice of supplier touches every corner of your POD business—and why the right pick is worth the time.

Supplier Choice Affects Your Product Quality

Customers expect the designs they order to look sharp and last through wash after wash. The reality? Not all suppliers are created equal. Some print on demand partners consistently deliver vivid, durable results. Others cut corners with faded inks, misaligned prints, or cheap tees that shrink after one wash.

What’s at stake if your supplier gets it wrong?

• Negative reviews that scare away new customers
• Costly replacements or refunds
• Increased workload handling complaints

Testing samples, reading reviews, and checking for certifications aren’t optional—they’re your shield against product flops. Reliable suppliers make quality their baseline. Sketchy ones let your reputation take the hit. For a quick guide on comparing supplier quality, see how to choose the right Print on Demand Supplier.

Branding Lives or Dies with Your Supplier

It’s not just about what’s in the box, but the entire unboxing experience. The right suppliers help you customize details like branded packing slips, thank-you cards, or even unique packaging. 

These touches stick in your customer’s mind and make you look pro, even if you’re starting in your basement.

A weak supplier:

• Limits branding options (or charges too much for simple upgrades)
• Ships products with generic packaging (easy to forget)
• Offers no add-ons, stalling your plans for a premium brand

Working with a supplier that “gets” brand-building lets you stand out and charge more. Check if they offer white-labeling, custom packing, or print inserts before you sign up.

Customer Satisfaction Rests on Their Shoulders

When your supplier ships late, packages sloppily, or botches printing, you end up holding the bag. Customers blame you, not your supplier.

Here’s how the wrong supplier can quietly sabotage your success:

• Slow fulfillment times turn excited buyers into angry refund requests.
• Poor packing means damaged goods and one-star reviews.
• Bad communication leaves you scrambling without answers.

A solid supplier delivers consistent, quick shipping and keeps you in the loop. These are the small details that add up. 

If you want a deeper dive into hidden costs and risks, check out our guide on Print on Demand hidden fees.

Your Margins and Growth Depend on Supplier Reliability

If your costs go up unexpectedly due to unannounced price hikes, or if you’re hit with surprise shipping surcharges, your profits shrink fast. 

Some suppliers are notorious for nickel-and-diming you with small fees—pricing that looked good will suddenly look awful after a few months.

• Unreliable print on demand suppliers can eat up your profits via surprise expenses.
• Growth is hard if you can’t count on steady, predictable pricing.

Take the time to run the numbers and watch out for the sneaky stuff in the fine print. Consider advice from the article, Essentials of Print Sourcing and Why It Matters, for a deeper look at the long-term impact of your supplier partner.

Set the Stage for Long-Term Success

Choosing the right print on demand supplier is like picking the foundation for your house. If it’s solid, you’ll weather storms and scale confidently. 

If it cracks, everything else wobbles—no matter how great your marketing is or how clever your product ideas might be. Take care now and it’ll save you time, money, and stress for years to come.

Top Mistakes Beginners Make When Picking POD Suppliers

Choosing a print on demand supplier sounds simple, but beginner mistakes can pile up fast. With so many POD providers out there, it’s easy to latch onto the first flashy brand or the lowest price tag. That’s a shortcut to headaches and lost money. 

Let’s break down the slips many new sellers make so you can spot and avoid them before they eat into your profits or damage your reputation.

Underestimating the Importance of Quality Control

Photo by RDNE Stock project

Don’t fall for the trap of thinking “all t-shirts are the same” when it comes to print on demand. Product quality is everything. If your shirts arrive with crooked prints, flaky designs, or faded colors, your customers will notice. And they’ll talk, too—often in public reviews.

Low-quality products can hurt your brand fast:

• Shoppers leave bad reviews or spread the word to others (and not in a good way).
• Refund requests or chargebacks eat into your bottom line.
• Even one misprint can chip away at repeat customers and trust.

Here’s the kicker: Many suppliers make their sample images look amazing online. It’s what happens after the sale that matters. Always order samples, read up on third-party reviews, and verify their quality standards. 

For a smart six-point inspection guide, see Six-Point Printing Quality Control Checklist To Maintain Standards.

Ignoring quality can actually cost much more than picking a trusted supplier from the start. Want to know how shoddy goods can wreck your profits? Check out our article on Hidden Costs of Print on Demand to see how mistakes here quickly add up.

Ignoring Fulfillment and Shipping Policies

Processing speed and shipping reach often get overlooked because a product’s “base cost” looks cheap on paper. That’s a rookie move. 

Plenty of print on demand suppliers promise quick shipping but stumble on big orders or drop the ball on international fulfillment.

How does this play out for you?

• Unpredictable delays ruin the customer experience and prompt refund requests.
• Lack of international shipping shrinks your potential audience.
• Tracking issues or poor communication leave both you and buyers in the dark.

People today expect prime-level speed. If your POD partner takes a week just to process an order, you’ll rack up complaints and lose repeat business. Before moving forward, study their fulfillment times, ask about how they ship (USPS, FedEx, etc.), and test a few orders yourself. Reputable companies like Printful and Printify are known for their clear shipping processes, while others keep it guesswork.

Need a full breakdown of what strong fulfillment looks like? See how Printful: Custom Print On Demand & Dropshipping outlines their step-by-step process.

Overlooking Hidden Costs and Fees

You’ve found what looks like the perfect print on demand supplier—until the invoice lands in your inbox. Suddenly, there’s a swamp of extra charges: setup fees, integration costs, or surprise hikes for going beyond a basic product.

Hidden fees can trip up your profit math:

• Quality upgrades, custom tags, or premium placements may jack up costs.
• Some platforms add fees for integrations with Shopify or Etsy.
• “Bulk discount” prices may not kick in until you reach huge volumes.

Always read the fine print and compare more than just product prices. Add up all the recurring and one-time costs so you don’t end up with an expensive lesson. Want a practical breakdown of these sneaky costs in real-world scenarios? Jump to our full walk-through on Hidden Costs of Print on Demand, or get a quick overview at Print On Demand Cost: The Ultimate Guide to Pricing.

Relying Solely on Supplier Claims Without Research

It’s easy to trust what a supplier puts front and center on their website. Phrases like “top quality” or “fastest shipping” get thrown around a lot. But here’s a secret: claims mean nothing unless real customers back them up.

Here’s how to keep yourself safe:

• Scan independent reviews—Reddit threads, Trustpilot, or e-commerce forums.
• Order test products for yourself before you open sales to the public.
• Look for suppliers with a long, public track record of positive feedback.

Going beyond a glossy landing page helps filter out the unreliable suppliers from the ones who’ll stick with you for the long haul. You can see crowd-sourced opinions at best print on demand service? : r/printondemand, or compare top-rated options at Shopify’s Best Print on Demand Companies and Sites.

Remember: in the print on demand world, reputation and reliable service matter more than a single clever marketing line. If a supplier has a history of missed deadlines or quality letdowns, you’ll inherit those headaches. Always do your homework.

How to Avoid Costly Print on Demand Supplier Mistakes

Steering clear of supplier mistakes in print on demand isn’t just about saving money—it's about building a business that lasts. If you want to protect your wallet, your reputation, and your peace of mind, you need to know how to do real due diligence. 

Below, I break down the key steps to make savvy, informed decisions as you choose your print on demand partner.

Order Samples Before Committing

Photo by RDNE Stock project

There’s no substitute for seeing, touching, and testing what your customers will receive. Print on demand product photos might look fantastic online, but only samples show you the real product quality.

You should always:

• Order at least one sample for every product type and key design.
• Inspect for crisp colors, accurate prints, and how well the artwork lines up.
• Test durability by washing the apparel, stretching the prints, and physically checking the items.

Even a single overlooked flaw can lead to refunds and headaches down the line. Checking samples up front shines a light on the supplier’s attention to detail, printing consistency, and the true look of their products. 

For more tips on what to check when reviewing samples, take a look at Six-Point Printing Quality Control Checklist To Maintain Standards.

Evaluate Fulfillment Timeframes and Shipping Options

Shipping times can make or break your POD business—especially if you’re selling to customers who expect quick delivery. Not all print on demand suppliers are speedy or transparent about their shipping. It’s up to you to dig deeper.

Key things to review:

• Supplier Service Level Agreements (SLAs) for production and handling times.
• Which countries or regions they ship to (some only cover the US, while others go global).
• The typical time from ordering to doorstep—check their “average delivery” claims with real-world testing.

Ask the supplier for tracking samples or use their shipping calculators. Fast shipping is a competitive edge, but empty promises on delivery speed will earn you angry customer emails. 

To get a sense of what’s reasonable, see Printful’s Shipping Speeds & Pricing or explore strategies in the Ultimate Guide to Print-On-Demand Shipping Strategies.

Also, consider the packaging: is it sturdy and branded, or does it look generic and flimsy? That first impression counts.

Scrutinize Costs to Uncover Hidden Fees

Hidden costs can quietly kill your profits. Most beginners focus on the sticker price, but there’s more lurking under the surface of every supplier’s offer.

Here’s a step-by-step to protect your bottom line:

1. List out all advertised costs: base product prices, printing, and fixed monthly fees.
2. Read the fine print for extra charges like setup fees, specialty inks, rush orders, custom branding, or API integrations.
3. Don’t forget shipping and international tariffs, especially if you’re selling worldwide.
4. Simulate different order scenarios (single items, bulk, international) to catch surprise costs before you’re locked in.

Surprises on your invoices hurt customer trust and your finances. Smart sellers compare line by line to spot the best true value. For a detailed breakdown of what to watch for, check out Hidden Costs of Print on Demand.

Conduct Thorough Research and Seek Recommendations

You wouldn’t pick a restaurant without reading a few reviews—so don’t pick a POD supplier blind. Doing a bit of homework now saves weeks of stress later.

Use these practical steps to pick reliable partners:

• Search for third-party opinions on platforms like Reddit, Trustpilot, or e-commerce boards. These real voices rarely sugar-coat issues.
• Ask seasoned sellers in print on demand communities which suppliers treat them right and which to avoid.
• Look beyond the marketing: dig up support response times, user-submitted print photos, and long-haul stories about consistent performance.
• Stack up your shortlist and compare them based on verified buyer feedback, not just glossy ads.

Networking with other POD sellers is gold. You’ll discover red flags, hear about new suppliers worth trying, and avoid shops that keep making rookie mistakes.

Consider connecting on popular forums and browsing reputable guides like Print on demand - Tips and Best Practices for real strategies.

Doing that bit of extra digging ensures your supplier isn’t just big on promises—they deliver where it counts. By following these steps, you’re building a print on demand business that’s set for long-term wins, not just quick sales. For even more strategic advice, check our guide to why supplier selection matters in print on demand and stack the odds in your favor.

Mistakes to Avoid When Diversifying or Scaling Your POD Business

Growth sounds great until you’re staring down a dozen headaches you never planned for. Loads of new print on demand sellers think adding more products or selling on bigger platforms is just about “doing more.” The truth? Scaling opens a new can of worms—especially if you skip the checkpoints that kept your business solid in the first place. 

Here’s how I see beginners get tripped up when trying to expand or diversify their print on demand operations, and what you can do instead.

Photo by Artem Podrez

Assuming One Supplier Can Do It All

It’s tempting to stick with a single print on demand partner, especially if they’ve served you well from day one. But as you branch into new product categories or target fresh markets, relying on one company can backfire.

• Some suppliers excel with t-shirts but fall short with home decor or accessories.
• Others handle US shipping fast, but can’t do international orders reliably.
• When you put every product in one basket, a supply issue can stall your entire store.

Instead of hoping your supplier will “figure it out,” look for specialists or consider working with multiple vendors. This gives you more flexibility, opens new options, and cushions your business if a vendor stumbles. 

If you want to stack the odds in your favor, check out my full guide to print on demand supplier selection for step-by-step tips on building a fail-safe partnership mix.

Failing to Reassess Suppliers as You Grow

A beginner’s checklist won’t cut it once you’re fulfilling more orders or adding new sales channels. It’s common to let early supplier research “ride” as you expand, but conditions change fast in print on demand.

Big risks if you never look back:

• Outdated pricing, production times, and product lines leave you behind faster rivals.
• Volume discounts get missed.
• Cutting-edge products never make it to your shop.

Stay sharp:

• Schedule regular supplier reviews.
• Ask if your supplier offers new products or better pricing for higher volumes.
• Keep an eye on performance—late packages or rising complaint rates are red flags.

Keeping tabs helps you avoid nasty surprises, and lets you jump to new suppliers before issues snowball.

Expanding Into Too Many Products Too Quickly

Building a big catalog is tempting, but it comes at a cost. Trying to offer everything, everywhere, often leads to mediocre results all around.

Common speed bumps:

• Overwhelming your suppliers with too many orders or SKUs.
• Losing focus on what actually sells well.
• Running into quality control problems across a larger spread of products.

Stick to these basics:

1. Test new products or categories in small batches.
2. Get feedback from your audience before going all-in.
3. Only expand your line when you’re sure the supplier can produce consistent quality.

For a deeper breakdown of print on demand scaling mistakes, explore the key lessons in 17 Critical Print-on-Demand Mistakes to Avoid.

Ignoring the Need for Backup Suppliers

When one vendor gets swamped, runs out of stock, or messes up a big batch, do you have a backup plan? Many starters don’t—then scramble to make things right while watching sales tank.

Pro tip:

• Line up at least one backup supplier for each critical product.
• Keep basic listings and artwork ready to swap if you need to switch fast.
• Run a test order with backups from time to time so you know they’re up to scratch.

Having backup options reduces downtime and keeps your brand looking professional when stuff goes sideways.

Overlooking the Differences Between Print on Demand and Dropshipping

Scaling a print on demand store is different than scaling a generic dropshipping business. Many sellers confuse the two, thinking the approaches are interchangeable. 

Reality check: print on demand relies heavily on customization and supplier quality, whereas classic dropshipping might swap suppliers easily but loses the personal touch.

If you’re thinking about mixing models for expansion, or unsure which is right for your next stage, I’ve got a breakdown on Print on Demand vs Dropshipping Explained that compares the pros, cons, and money math.

The key takeaway? Don’t treat every product or supplier the same. Print on demand is its own beast and needs unique quality checks as you scale.

Not Updating Your Processes to Match Growth

Maybe you were fine manually placing orders or handling support for the first 50 customers. Hit 500 or 5,000, and old processes break.

Watch out for these growing pains:

• Too many “fire drills” when orders spike or a product runs out.
• Inconsistent branding or packing slips as you shift between suppliers.
• Support tickets piling up since you can’t answer all questions yourself.

Solving this:

• Automate routine tasks when possible.
• Document processes, so new team members (or virtual assistants) don’t miss a step.
• Use order management tools built for print on demand, so your backend stays as clean as your designs.

For more insight into process automation and supplier scaling, visit this handy resource with practical examples: 11 Print-On-Demand Mistakes to Avoid.

With smart planning and a willingness to adjust, you’ll dodge the common traps that slow down POD entrepreneurs as they grow. Scaling isn’t just bigger—it’s about getting smarter, more resilient, and yes, more profitable.

Conclusion

Picking your print on demand supplier isn’t just a box to tick—it sets the tone for everything that comes next. Learning from other entrepreneurs and watching out for the classic mistakes puts you ahead of the pack. It’s not just about avoiding headaches now, but about building habits that support steady growth as your print on demand business expands.

Smart sellers make ongoing research a regular part of their routine. They keep supplier relationships fresh, compare new options, and stay tuned for better deals or better service. Staying curious pays off in fewer surprises, more control, and happier customers over the long haul. If you’re still weighing your next move, dig into strategies on Is Print on Demand Profitable? to set your business up to win.

Thanks for reading. Stick with the habits that separate thriving POD shops from those that fade out. Where will you take your print on demand brand next?