November 20, 2024
24
mins read
Are you considering launching or expanding your print-on-demand (POD) business in 2024? This business model has recently gained traction as more entrepreneurs search for low-cost, high-reward ways to generate income.
In fact, according to a recent report, the worldwide print-on-demand market value grew from $8.05 billion in 2023 to $10.21 billion in 2024. The market is still expected to expand, growing at a 26.9 CAGR to reach around $87.13 billion by 2033.
Image via Precedence Research
POD is a great model for selling custom designs with low startup costs and minimal inventory risk. You can monetize your artistic talent or creative ideas without the stress of inventory management or order fulfillment.
However, while POD has immense potential, the increasing competition and market saturation might leave you wondering: “Is print-on-demand profitable?”
To answer your question, we’ll unpack everything you need to know about the profitability of print-on-demand in 2024 and beyond.
We’ll cover the factors that affect profitability, realistic startup costs, tips for maximizing revenue, and what products perform best. By the end of this guide, you'll understand whether print-on-demand is profitable—and the steps to make it so.
Yes, print-on-demand can be profitable, but profitability depends heavily on your approach.
POD businesses eliminate the need for inventory management and warehousing and the stress of order fulfillment. Instead, you partner with a POD service that prints and ships items only when customers place their orders. This means your profits depend on each sale, and margins can be slim if not managed carefully.
What’s more, due to its low barrier to entry, print-on-demand has a highly competitive landscape, and standing out requires deliberate effort.
A successful POD business hinges on the following:
You'll also need to work with a reliable POD supplier that delivers high-quality items. A partner with competitive pricing, reliable fulfillment, and diverse product options will enable better profit margins and customer satisfaction.
This can drive repeat purchases and help your brand stand out in a competitive space.
But that’s not all.
Monitoring market trends to adapt your offerings can keep your store relevant and in demand. For instance, if sustainable fashion is trending, consider eco-friendly POD options.
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As mentioned above, several variables determine whether your print-on-demand business will be profitable. Let’s examine the key components that can make or break your POD business.
Your pricing strategy will determine how profitable your print-on-demand business will be. Each POD product (like T-shirts, apparel, mugs, or phone cases) has a base cost, which covers manufacturing, printing, and associated fees.
To make a profit, you’ll need to set a price high enough to cover expenses while still remaining attractive to customers.
Here are a few tips for maximizing your profit:
One of the downsides of print-on-demand is the generally slimmer profit margins compared to bulk-manufactured products. Since POD companies handle all aspects of production and shipping, they often charge a premium per item.
A shirt might cost $12 through POD, but it could be as low as $3–$5 if you ordered thousands directly from a manufacturer. To make your POD business profitable, you’ll need to offset smaller margins by achieving higher sales volumes.
Let’s take a look at how you can increase your sales volume:
The profitability of your print-on-demand business depends on your product designs. If you offer generic products with designs that don’t stand out or appeal to your target audience, your chances of making a healthy profit diminish.
Focus on creating unique, high-quality designs that resonate with a specific audience to differentiate your products in the crowded market.
Here are some helpful tips to consider:
You may have great designs, but if people don’t see them, they may not sell. Every dollar you spend to bring in customers impacts your profit margins.
So, what’s the trick?
Strategic marketing strategies that target your audience with clear brand messaging can reduce customer acquisition costs and increase conversions.
Here’s how to get more eyes on your products without draining your budget:
One of the key advantages of starting a print-on-demand business is the relatively low initial investment. However, while you may not need inventory, there are still other costs you should budget for.
On average, startup costs for a print-on-demand business can range from $400 to $1,500, depending on your marketing strategy and design needs.
Here’s a breakdown of the core startup costs and estimates for a POD business:
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Creating a profitable POD business in 2024 requires a solid strategy. Here’s how you can create one to maximize your chances of success.
Picking a specific niche allows you to design products for a specific audience, making it easier to create focused marketing content and stand out in a saturated market.
Target specific interests like pet owners, travelers, or fitness enthusiasts to build brand loyalty.
Your business’s profitability hinges on choosing products that align with your target audience's interests and preferences. Here are several options:
Great designs are often what attract customers to print-on-demand products. Consider hiring professional designers or using tools like Canva or Adobe Illustrator to create unique, visually appealing designs.
Here are some more tips:
Successful POD businesses often have a unique brand identity. Using a consistent voice and visual style helps your products stand out and attract repeat customers.
Here’s how you can build an online presence for your brand:
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So, you want to sell your designs. But which products will generate the most profit? With countless options available, it can be overwhelming to choose.
Here's a curated list of the most profitable print-on-demand products that have proven to be top sellers.
Most of us own at least one t-shirt, making it an evergreen wardrobe staple that never goes out of style. T-shirts have universal appeal due to their simplicity, versatility, and suitability for any age or demographic.
People are willing to pay extra for custom designs that reflect their interests, beliefs, or humor, which means higher profit margins on each sale.
According to a Statista study, the global custom t-shirt printing market was valued at $2.7 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach over 3 billion by 2025, as shown below.
Image via Statista
Custom t-shirts can also attract people from niche communities with interests like gaming, sports, animals, or inspirational quotes.
TeeSpring, now rebranded as Spring, is an excellent example of a platform that built its brand almost entirely around T-shirts.
They’ve collaborated with influencers, artists, and entrepreneurs to create custom shirts that cater to niche audiences, from gamers to environmental activists.
Image via TeeSpring
Imagine cross-selling or upselling stylish custom-printed t-shirts and hoodies. This can help you increase your average order value and boost your overall revenue. For example, you could pair a custom-designed hoodie with a matching t-shirt or cap, offering customers a “complete look” and increasing average order value.
Like t-shirts, hoodies are versatile, popular year-round, and appeal to a broad audience. Their surface area provides ample space for creative designs, allowing for unique artwork, quotes, and graphics.
What’s more, hoodies tend to attract a slightly higher price point than t-shirts, making them profitable in the POD market. Moreover, you can leverage their high demand in colder seasons to make a healthy profit.
Kinetic Kings, a streetwear brand, designs distinctive hoodies with unique graphics and messages, targeting the trendy urban market. It used Printful’s POD services to print and fulfill orders directly, which allows the brand to focus on design and marketing.
Image via Kinetic Kings
People are always looking for cute little gifts like mugs for their loved ones. They’re versatile gifts for many occasions, such as birthdays, holidays, corporate events, and even personal milestones.
Mugs with custom designs, witty quotes, or personalized messages are highly marketable and relatively low-cost to produce, making them ideal for maximizing profit margins.
You can capitalize on seasonal themes like “World’s Best Dad” for Father’s Day to maximize profits.
Additionally, mugs have a high perceived value and can easily be part of cross-selling strategies. For instance, you can pair a custom mug with related items, like matching coasters or notebooks, to increase the average order value.
Mugs By Mugsy, for example, is a successful brand known for its humorous and trendy mug designs. It creates mugs with witty quotes and playful artwork, targeting a broad audience looking for unique and funny gifts.
Image via Mugs By Mugsy
As customers seek unique artwork to personalize their spaces, wall art, including posters, canvases, and framed prints, has grown in demand. It’s a highly profitable print-on-demand product due to its broad appeal and versatility.
Custom-designed wall art ranges from inspirational quotes and artistic illustrations to modern abstract pieces. This makes it popular across different age groups and style preferences.
Wall art also has a high perceived value, making it possible to sell items at a premium price and increase your profit margin.
You can tailor your artwork to niche markets like pet lovers, music enthusiasts, or minimalist decor fans to maximize your earnings.
Society6 allows artists to upload their designs, which customers can buy as wall art in various forms. The brand has thrived by focusing on artist-created work, allowing users to purchase unique pieces that resonate with their preferences.
Image via Society6
With nearly everyone using a smartphone, the demand for protective yet stylish cases is constant. Given the consistent release of new phone models, custom phone cases can attract a large customer base. They allow customers to showcase their personality, interests, or unique style while keeping their devices safe.
Phone cases also offer numerous design possibilities, from minimalist patterns to vibrant artwork. This allows you to cater to specific audiences or niche markets. Plus, phone cases are lightweight and easy to ship, keeping production and logistics costs low while boosting profit margins.
Casetify, for example, specializes in customizable phone cases, offering customers a variety of styles, colors, and designs. By partnering with popular artists and influencers, Casetify has created a brand that appeals to a trend-focused audience, ensuring steady demand for new, limited-edition cases.
Image via Casetify
So, is print-on-demand profitable?
It certainly can be, but achieving profitability takes thoughtful planning, strategic budgeting, and consistent effort. Like any business venture, success in print-on-demand hinges on several key factors.
First, choosing the right niche and top-selling products is essential. Highly-targeted, unique designs catering to a specific audience often outperform generic ones.
Setting a realistic budget is another critical step. Print-on-demand businesses have lower upfront costs than traditional retail. However, don’t skip out on allocating funds for essential tools and strategies, such as design software, high-quality product samples, and effective marketing.
Marketing and design quality also play a huge role in profitability. Invest in high-quality mockups and create designs that resonate with your audience. Use social media, ads, and SEO to attract and retain customers.
POD thrives on visibility, and organic growth can take time. Paid advertising can help drive immediate traffic, but be strategic, target the right demographics, and track results to refine your approach.
Ultimately, your print-on-demand business’s profitability is in your control. With dedication, a well-chosen niche, consistent marketing, and quality products, you can create a rewarding POD business.
Ready to kickstart your print-on-demand business? Create a Podbase account today, and start crafting designs that appeal to your chosen niche!
1. How much money can you make with print-on-demand?
Earnings in print-on-demand vary widely. New sellers can earn a few hundred dollars monthly, while successful businesses can make thousands.
Profitability depends on your product type, niche appeal, and marketing strategies. The more you optimize these, the greater your potential earnings.
2. Which print-on-demand niches are still profitable in 2024?
Profitable niches in 2024 include eco-friendly products, motivational merchandise, gaming-themed items, and personalized gifts.
Additionally, niches tied to popular hobbies, like fitness and travel, remain lucrative. Targeting niche markets with dedicated audiences can increase profitability and brand loyalty.
3. What is the profit margin for print-on-demand?
Print-on-demand profit margins typically range from 10% to 30%. Margins depend on the product, pricing strategy, and platform fees. While POD has lower margins than bulk-manufactured items, effective pricing, and high sales volumes can significantly boost profitability.
Dive into our blog for expert insights, tips, and resources. Whether you're just starting out or looking to scale your business, our knowledge base is here to support your success.
With Podbase, you can achieve profit margins that are up to 100% higher compared to any other POD providers.
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