Print on Demand: Your Complete Beginner's Guide for 2024

Print on demand (POD) has transformed how entrepreneurs and creators bring their products to market. What is print on demand? For one, instead of managing bulky inventories or dealing with upfront costs, POD lets you design and sell custom products without holding stock. 

This low-risk model allows businesses to thrive without massive investment, making it a top choice for beginners looking to break into ecommerce.

The global POD market is expected to reach $87.13 billion by 2033, up from $10.21 billion in 2024. This shows just how popular and profitable this industry is becoming.

Image via Precedence Research

Whether you’re an artist, designer, or just someone looking to start a side hustle, print on demand offers endless possibilities. However, this begs the question: what is print on demand, and how can beginners get started?

This guide will cover everything you need to know to get started with print on demand in 2024. From choosing the right products and platforms to marketing strategies and common pitfalls, we’ll walk you through each step of launching a successful POD business.

What Is Print on Demand?

Let's answer the pressing question: what is print on demand and how does it work?

Print on demand (POD) is a unique business model that allows entrepreneurs to sell custom products without holding inventory. Instead of creating products in bulk, you only create them when an order is placed.

In a traditional retail model, businesses often produce goods in bulk for sale. This requires significant upfront investment and can lead to wasted resources if products don’t sell. However, with print-on-demand businesses, you only produce goods when a customer places an order. 

What is the process involved in print on demand? It’s simple. You design a product, upload it to your print-on-demand store, customers make an order and the print provider takes care of the rest — production, shipping, and even returns.

Here’s an overview of what print-on-demand service typically involves:

• Choosing a Platform: The first step in starting a POD business is to choose a platform. Many online services, such as Podbase, specialize in print on demand. These platforms provide the tools you need to create and sell your products.
• Deciding on Print-on-Demand Products to Offer: You can select the types of products you want to offer. This can range from t-shirts and mugs to posters, phone cases, and more. The options are diverse, which provides space for creativity and personalization.
• Creating Your Designs: Once you’ve selected a platform, you can start creating your designs. This can be anything from unique artwork to catchy slogans. You can use a graphic design software or hire a designer if you need help.
• Listing Your Products: After creating your designs, you can upload them to your chosen platform. Most platforms allow you to select various products. You’ll also set your prices, which typically include the base cost of the item plus your profit margin.
• Marketing Your Products: With your products listed, the next step is to promote them. Use social media, email marketing, or paid ads to reach potential customers. The more effective your marketing strategy is, the higher your sales numbers will be. 
• Receiving and Fulfilling Orders: When a customer places an order, the POD company takes over, fulfilling the idea of what print on demand is. They print the item with your design and ship it directly to the customer. You don’t have to deal with the order fulfillment process, making it easy to manage your business.

Advantages and Challenges of the Print-on-Demand Business Model

Print on demand has become one of the popular business models for individuals looking to sell custom products, offering several advantages, such as:

• Low Startup Costs: Since POD products are produced only when an order is made, the initial investment or upfront cost you need to get started can be low. This makes it budget-friendly, especially for entrepreneurs testing the market. 
• Doesn’t Require Inventory Management: With POD, you don't need to worry about storage space for your warehouse or physical stock management. Everything is produced on demand, so there’s no risk of ending up with unsold products or wasted stock. 
• Flexible Product Customization: With the POD business model, you can offer new designs or customized products based on trends or customer requests. This allows you to adapt your ecommerce store offerings without additional costs or waiting for bulk production, which is the essence of what print on demand is. 
• Wide Range of Products: POD platforms offer a wide variety of product samples to print on — from a t-shirt and hoodies to phone cases, tote bags, and more. This variety allows you to diversify your offerings for your target audience with minimal effort. 
• Global Reach: Print-on-demand businesses can easily sell to customers around the globe. Since products are created as ordered and shipped directly to customers, you don’t need to worry about international warehousing, complicated logistics, or shipping costs. 

While POD has many benefits, it also comes with some challenges:

• Lower Profit Margins: While it saves you from inventory costs, the profit per sale may be lower compared to what you might get with bulk production.
• No Control on Quality: You rely on third-party services to print and ship your products, which can lead to inconsistent product quality or shipping issues.
• Limited Customization Options: Some POD services may have restrictions on product types or fulfillment methods, which could limit your creativity.
• Longer Production Time: It may take longer to fulfill orders as the products need to be printed and shipped after the order is placed.

10 Best Print-on-Demand Providers in 2024

Now that you understand what print on demand is, you have an idea why this business model is revolutionizing ecommerce. It allows entrepreneurs to create and sell custom products with minimal upfront cost. However, choosing a reliable POD provider is a core factor in the success of this business model. 

The right provider can streamline your operations, enhance product quality, and improve customer satisfaction. Here’s a look at ten popular POD providers for 2024:

1. Podbase 

Image via Podbase

Podbase is a major player in the print-on-demand industry. The platform connects with multiple print providers, offering flexibility and competitive pricing. It offers a range of products, including tech accessories, wall art, and drinkware, all customizable with your designs. 

One of its standout features is its ability to integrate with major ecommerce platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, and Etsy, allowing for seamless store management. Podbase also provides advanced features like product mockups, order tracking, and branding tools.

Pricing:

Podbase operates on a pay-per-sale model, which means you only pay when you make a sale.

2. Printify 

Image via Printify

This is another established print-on-demand provider known for its extensive product catalog. It partners with various print providers around the world, giving users access to a wide array of customization options for 900+ high-quality products. 

Printify's user-friendly design tool makes it easy to upload designs and visualize products before committing. One of its key features is the ability to create and manage multiple stores from a single Printify account. 

Additionally, you can integrate your account with major ecommerce marketplaces like Shopify, Wix, Etsy, Squarespace, and more. 

Pricing:

Printify offers a free plan with access to basic features and products. The Premium plan starts at $29 per month, allowing for discounted product prices. The Enterprise plan allows custom pricing for selected features. 

3. Spring 

Image via Spring

Teespring, recently rebranded as Spring, is a popular POD platform focused on apparel and lifestyle products. It offers a range of tools for promoting products, including social media integration and a built-in marketplace. 

Its design tool is straightforward, enabling users to easily customize 180+ products on offer. Additionally, Spring offers support for fundraising campaigns, making it a popular choice for creators looking to support causes. 

Pricing:

Spring doesn’t charge upfront fees; instead, it takes a percentage of each sale. Base prices for different products differ, with the final sale price determined by the POD business. 

4. Printful 

Image via Printful

One of the leading POD providers known for its extensive product range is Printful. The platform offers products in several categories, including men's, women's, and kids' clothing, accessories, and home decor. All of these products are customizable through its easy-to-use design tool. 

Printful also provides additional features, such as its Logo Maker with 100+ templates to choose from to customize white-label products. 

With Printful, POD businesses can opt for different product design options, including all-over prints, embroidery, direct-to-garment, and more. 

Pricing:

Printful offers a free plan with a pay-as-you-go model. You only pay for the products you order, and there are no monthly subscription fees. However, you can upgrade to the Growth membership plan with custom monthly fees. 

5. Gooten 

Image via Gooten

Gooten offers a comprehensive POD service with 400+ customizable products across various categories, including apparel, home decor, and drinkware. Known for its efficient fulfillment process, Gooten typically ships orders within 3–4 business days from a network of over 70 global routing locations. 

This POD provider supports various industries, such as fashion, entertainment, and home goods. It also caters to enterprises, small and medium businesses, and startups alike. Moreover, it allows integration with major ecommerce platforms, such as Shopify and Etsy, for simple and efficient order management. 

Pricing:

Gooten doesn’t operate on a traditional subscription-based pricing model. Instead, the platform uses a pay-as-you-go approach, where users only pay for the products they sell.

6. Redbubble 

Image via Redbubble

Redbubble is a unique POD platform that focuses on art and design. From posters and stickers to t-shirts and mugs, Redbubble offers 70+ unique items for creators to showcase their art. 

It’s a global marketplace, with several popular artists among its top creators. True to what print on demand is, Redbubble allows brands to upload their artwork and sell it to a global audience. 

Redbubble's model is simple — artists upload their work, and Redbubble handles the production, shipping, and customer service. You can maintain full control over pricing and take advantage of Redbubble’s anti-piracy and watermark tools to protect your artwork. 

Pricing:

Redbubble operates on a tiered pricing model, offering three plans that provide different levels of support and features with custom pricing. The Standard plan is the basic tier plan, while the Premium and Pro plans offer additional features.

7. Society6 

Image via Society6

Society6 is another online marketplace that empowers independent artists and brands by allowing them to sell their designs on a wide range of products. 

Artists can upload their artwork, which can be featured on several items from wall art, home decor, apparel, and tech accessories to furniture and lifestyle products. Society6 handles the production and shipping, providing a hassle-free way for artists and brands to reach a global audience. 

The platform also offers various marketing tools to help users promote their work.

Pricing:

Society6 offers three artist plans — Lite, Basic, and Pro. The Lite plan is free but comes with limited features. The Basic plan costs $4.99 per month and includes a design limit of 100. For artists looking for the most control, the Pro plan is the go-to option, costing $12.99 per month and allowing up to 10,000 designs.

8. Zazzle 

Image via Zazzle

With millions of shoppers visiting the site daily, Zazzle provides significant opportunities for brands to showcase and sell their designs.

You can set up a store for free and upload your designs on various customizable products, including t-shirts, mugs, cards, and home decor. The platform handles all aspects of production — from printing to shipping.

One of Zazzle's standout features as a print-on-demand platform is the ability to set your own royalty rates. This gives creators control over how much they earn from each sale. Zazzle also offers a robust community of creatives, so users can connect and learn from one another.

Pricing:

Zazzle offers a flexible pricing model. Creators set their own royalty rates for each product sold, giving them full control over their earnings. 

9. TPOP 

Image via TPOP

As a print-on-demand provider, TPOP offers a user-friendly platform for businesses to create online stores without any technical expertise. With just a few clicks, users can choose from a variety of customizable templates, adding a personal touch to their storefronts.

The platform supports international selling, so you can reach customers worldwide with ease. TPOP also includes multi-currency options for smoother global transactions. 

With its scalable, customizable store, you can personalize your ecommerce store experience. To ensure that your brand stays distinct, leverage its branding tools for labels and packaging.

Pricing:

TPOP offers three plans — the free plan as well as the Plus and Pro plans, which are billed at €30 ($33.38) and €70 ($77.88) per month, respectively.

10. CustomCat 

Image via CustomCat

With 100+ uniquely customizable products, CustomCat allows brands to offer apparel, accessories, and housewares with their designs. 

CustomCat uses advanced printing methods, such as DIGISOFT technology, to deliver vibrant and durable prints. It also integrates with major ecommerce platforms like Shopify, BigCommerce, and Etsy to make store setup quick and straightforward.

The platform boasts a global network of more than 50,000 partners, providing vast customer reach. If you're looking to scale your POD business, CustomCat supports bulk orders and offers volume discounts to ensure reliable fulfillment for high-volume sellers.

Pricing:

The platform operates on a pay-as-you-go basis, meaning you only pay when an order is placed and fulfilled.

Setting Up Your Print-on-Demand Business: Step-by-Step Guide

If you're looking to run a business without holding inventory, the print-on-demand model can be a profitable online business idea to consider.  

Follow along as we break down each step to help you set up a print-on-demand business and start selling.

Market Research and Niche Selection

One of the most crucial steps in starting a successful POD business is identifying your target audience and selecting a profitable niche. 

Your niche determines who you will market to, what products you will sell, and how you'll stand out from competitors. When you identify your niche, you can tailor your designs and products to meet the needs of your target market. 

So, how do you choose a niche for your print-on-demand business?

Your personal interests can be a great starting point for selecting your niche. Consider your interests, passions, or experiences. Selecting a niche you care about will help you stay motivated and connected to your clearly defined audience. 

However, passion alone isn't enough. You need to confirm that there's demand for the niche you want to enter. This step ensures profitability, which is why thorough market research is necessary. 

Tools like Google Trends and online communities like Reddit can show you what’s currently popular in various categories. If you notice a spike in searches for certain terms, it might indicate that this is a growing trend. 

For example, take a look at the search terms trending under the topic ‘print on demand’ on Google Trends.

Image via Google Trends

You can also check out marketplaces like Etsy, Amazon, and eBay to see what’s already selling well. Take note of what kinds of designs are being bought, who the target audience is, and what customers are saying in reviews. 

This research will help you identify high-demand products in the market and find gaps or opportunities to offer something unique.

Deciding on Your Print-on-Demand Products

Once you have a niche in mind, it’s time to explore various product options within that niche. The products you offer can influence customer interest in your print-on-demand online business and impact your sales. Several POD services allow a wide range of product categories, including:

• Apparel: T-shirts, hoodies, leggings, tank tops
• Accessories: Tote bags, hats (caps, beanies), scarves, socks, bandanas
• Home Decor: Wall art, pillows, blankets
• Stationery: Notebooks, planners, greeting cards, stickers
• Tech Accessories: Phone cases, laptop sleeves, tablet cases
• Gifts: Cards, custom gifts for special occasions, such as birthdays, holidays, or anniversaries
• Drinkware: Mugs, water bottles, tumblers, travel mugs, wine glasses

Print-on-demand companies must take time to research each product type. Look at competitors and see what they’re offering. Consider how each product aligns with your brand identity and target audience. Diversifying your product range can help you appeal to different customer segments and increase your sales potential.

For example, Sunshine, a successful print-on-demand business offers a wide variety of products, from apparel to accessories and home goods. Its wide selection allows it to reach a broader audience while keeping its product range exciting and fresh. 

Image via Sunshine

When deciding on products to offer, it's important to strike a balance between variety and focus. Offering too many products can make it difficult to market your brand effectively. On the other hand, offering too few products may limit your sales potential.

So, as a new business owner, it might be best to start with a few select product lines. Focus on creating high-quality designs for the initial items. Once you gain traction and gather feedback, you can gradually expand your offerings.

Choosing a Print-on-Demand Platform 

The success of print-on-demand companies hinges on selecting the right platform. This can impact your costs, product range, and customer experience, so choose wisely. 

Different platforms offer different features, so it's essential to find one that matches your needs. Here's how to evaluate and choose the best one for your business: 

• Evaluate Product Range: Look at the variety of products offered. A wider selection allows you to cater to different customer preferences. Some platforms offer clothing, accessories, home decor, and even custom print items like mugs and phone cases. Make sure the platform aligns with your target audience’s interests.
• Check for Customization Features: One of the main benefits of print on demand is the ability to customize products. Some platforms like Podbase offer advanced customization options, such as all-over printing, embroidery, or print placement options. If you plan to create unique designs that stand out, make sure the platform offers enough customization tools to bring your ideas to life.
• Assess Print Quality: Product quality can make or break your business. To check the print quality and material, you can order samples from potential platforms. Pay attention to colors, resolution, and overall craftsmanship. This is vital, as high-quality products will lead to positive reviews and repeat customers.
• Consider Pricing and Fees: Different platforms have varying pricing structures. Some may charge a base cost for products, while others may take a commission on sales or monthly subscription fees. Be sure to calculate all costs to determine your profit margins. Pick a platform that offers competitive rates while still allowing you to make a profit.
• Shipping and Fulfillment: Shipping times and fees are important to your customers. Some platforms offer fast shipping at a higher price, while others may take longer but have more affordable rates. Choose a platform that offers reliable shipping options to your target markets.
• Integration with Your Online Store: If you already have an ecommerce website or plan to create one, ensure the platform integrates smoothly with your site. Go for POD platforms that offer plugins or allow integration with popular ecommerce platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, and Etsy. 

Setting Up Your Online Store

Once you’ve decided on your niche and found a print-on-demand provider, the next step is to set up your online store. 

Your ecommerce store will serve as the face of your business, where customers can browse and purchase your products. Here's how to set it up step by step:

• Choose an Ecommerce Platform: Leverage any of the popular ecommerce platforms like Shopify, Etsy, and WooCommerce to host your store and integrate with your chosen POD provider. By linking your store to the POD service, your products can automatically be created, printed, and shipped when a customer places an order.
• Select a Domain Name: Your domain name is your store's address on the web and should be related to your business or niche. Decide on a relevant domain name and purchase your domain through the ecommerce platform or a third-party service like GoDaddy.
• Set Up Your Store’s Design: This step is critical for making a good first impression. You can pick a store theme offered by the ecommerce platform. To reflect your brand’s style, you can then customize your store’s layout, logo, and color scheme.
• Add Products: Now, it’s time to add your products to the store. Use high-quality images and write clear, engaging descriptions for each product. With print-on-demand services, you can import products directly from your provider’s catalog. You can also offer custom options for your products, such as different colors and designs.

Designing Your Products

Creating product designs is an important step for print-on-demand businesses. It’s what can set you apart from competitors. 

To create eye-catching designs, you can use both free and paid design tools. Platforms like Canva and Adobe Illustrator are popular choices. 

If you prefer outsourcing design work, platforms like Fiverr and Upwork can provide access to a wide range of freelance designers who can create custom artwork according to your specifications. 

Make sure to review the designer’s portfolio and past reviews to ensure quality. Whether you design it yourself or outsource, the goal is to create something visually appealing that speaks to your audience.

To make your products and brand stand out in the competitive print-on-demand market, focus on creating unique and marketable designs. Here are some essential tips to help:

• Create Simple Designs: Clean and straightforward designs often resonate better with customers. Too many details or cluttered visuals can be overwhelming and distracting.
• Follow Trending Themes: Stay updated on current trends in fashion, pop culture, or social media that could inspire your designs. Incorporating these themes can attract more customers.
• Understand Color Psychology: Product colors can evoke emotions and influence buying decisions. Tailor your color choices based on your product and design.

Another important consideration when designing your POD products is licensing and copyright. 

To avoid issues related to this, look for royalty-free images on platforms like Unsplash, Pixabay, or Pexels. These platforms offer high-quality images that are free to use for commercial purposes. 

For fonts, Google Fonts provides many free fonts and icons. 

Image via Google Fonts

If you want complete legal protection, consider registering your original designs for copyright. This can help secure your intellectual property and prevent others from using your work without permission.

Pricing Your Products

Running a profitable print-on-demand company requires proper product pricing. First, you need to know all the costs involved in selling products. This often includes:

• Base Cost: This is the price charged by your print provider for producing each item. It can vary based on the product type and the printing method used.
• Shipping Fees: Consider how much it will cost to ship the product to your customers. Some POD services include shipping in their base cost, while others charge separately.
• Marketplace Fees: These can include listing fees, transaction fees, or payment processing fees charged by your print-on-demand platform.

Make a list of all these costs to get a clear picture of what you need to cover in your pricing strategy. 

Once you’ve identified the costs, it’s time to decide how much profit you want to make on each sale. A common practice is to mark up your prices by a certain percentage over the base cost. 

Here’s a common formula for calculating your profit margin:

Image via Investing Answers

The average profit margin for POD businesses is 20%. However, this can vary based on your niche and competition and can go as high as 60%.

Remember that pricing is not static. Keep an eye on market trends, customer feedback, and changes in costs over time. Be ready to adjust your prices as needed to maintain profitability and stay competitive.

Marketing Your Print-on-Demand Brand

Marketing is a core part of any business, and that's especially true for print-on-demand businesses. An effective marketing strategy allows you to reach your target audience, build brand awareness, and increase sales. 

Here are some strategies to help increase awareness for your print-on-demand company: 

1. Build a Reliable and User-Friendly Website

Your website is often where customers will first interact with your brand. Make sure it’s user-friendly and visually appealing. Ensure that customers can easily find products, contact information, and other important sections.

2. Use Social Media to Your Advantage

Social media platforms are powerful marketing tools. Social media channels like Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest allow you to share engaging content that showcases your products. Don’t forget to engage with your followers by responding to comments and messages. 

3. Leverage Influencer Marketing

Consider collaborating with influencers in your niche. Influencers have loyal followings and can introduce your products to a broader audience. Reach out to those whose content aligns with your brand. They can create buzz around your brand and drive traffic to your store.

4. Invest in Paid Advertising

Platforms like Facebook and Instagram offer targeted advertising options that allow you to reach specific demographics. You can also use Google Ads to appear in search results when potential customers look for products similar to yours.

5. Offer Promotions and Discounts

Running promotions and offering discounts attracts customers, both new and existing. Consider seasonal sales, bundle deals, or loyalty programs. You can highlight these offers on your site and social media channels. 

Managing Orders and Customer Service

Once you've set up your print-on-demand store and started promoting your products, you'll start receiving orders. When a customer makes a purchase, the order goes directly to your print-on-demand provider who handles printing and shipping. 

However, although the main point of what a print on demand entails is that it requires minimal effort from you, you’re still responsible for updating your customers.

Check for delays or issues that might slow down production. Most POD platforms like Podbase let you track orders from start to finish. Use their dashboards to view the status of each order. 

Be sure to set clear expectations from the start. Include shipping times on your product pages and send tracking details when the order ships. If the print-on-demand provider offers shipping updates, enable them. This way, you can set proper expectations on when your customers can expect their package.

You should also check for any issues like low stock or production delays. If something happens, act fast. Let your customer know what’s going on and give them an updated delivery time. By taking this proactive approach, you can build trust and prevent bad reviews.

Additionally, to avoid issues of returns and refunds, create a clear return policy and post it on your store. Make sure it includes details on who pays for return shipping and how customers can start a return.

Despite your best efforts, it’s inevitable for some customers to encounter issues with their orders, be it wrong items shipped, delays in delivery, or product quality concerns. To handle these issues, establish clear communication channels for your customers to reach out to you. 

This could include email or phone support, live chat on your website, or social media messaging. Make sure customers know how to reach you when they have questions or concerns.

FAQ

1. Can you really make money with print on demand?

Yes, you can make money with print on demand. Upon understanding what print on demand is, you’ll know that it’s not a get-rich-quick scheme. However, it can be a profitable business model, especially if you have a good understanding of your target market and can create designs that resonate with them.

2. Is print on demand good for new entrepreneurs?

Print on demand is an excellent starting point for new entrepreneurs. It requires a relatively low initial investment compared to traditional retail, and you don't have to worry about inventory management or shipping. You can focus on creating designs and marketing your products. However, it's important to understand that building a successful print-on-demand business takes time and effort.

3. Do you have to pay for a print-on-demand store?

You don’t necessarily have to pay for a POD store. Many print-on-demand platforms offer free store setups. You can also use ecommerce platforms like Shopify or WooCommerce to create your own online store that you can integrate with print-on-demand services. However, these platforms may have associated costs.

4. How can you handle issues of print-on-demand product returns?

Print-on-demand products, due to their custom nature, can present unique challenges when it comes to returns. 

Since the POD provider typically handles shipping and returns for these products, your primary role is to manage customer experience and satisfaction.

Here are some effective strategies you can put in place to minimize and handle issues of returns:

• Create high-quality products. The better your products are, the less likely it will be that customers will return them. 
• Provide clear product descriptions and images. Make sure that customers know exactly what they’re buying before they place an order.
• Ensure your return policy is prominently displayed on your website, particularly on order confirmation pages.

5. How can you find profitable niches for your print-on-demand business?

One of the keys to success for print-on-demand businesses is finding profitable niches. This means finding products that are in demand and that you can sell at a good profit margin.

Here are a few tips for finding profitable niches:

• Look for trends in the market and identify underserved niches.
• Use keyword research tools to find popular search terms that you can target with your products.
• Monitor social media platforms to gather data on consumer preferences and trending topics, which can reveal high-potential niche markets.

What Is Print on Demand: Final Word

Print on demand is a flexible business model for entrepreneurs and creatives looking to monetize their designs without the upfront costs and risks of traditional print methods. 

By partnering with a reliable POD service, you can easily transform your ideas into tangible products, reach a global audience, and earn tangible income.

As technology continues to advance, we can expect even more innovative POD platforms and services to emerge. From improved design tools to expanded product offerings, the future of POD looks promising.

As you get started with your print-on-demand company, remember to focus on quality design, niche selection, and effective marketing. Now that you have a full understanding of what print on demand is, you can follow the tips and strategies outlined in this guide. With patience and effort, you’ll be on your way to succeed in the print-on-demand industry.

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