How to Make Money with Print on Demand: Practical Tips and Hints (2024)
Are you trying to monetize your creative ideas? The print on demand niche is your ticket to creating a profitable online business in 2024. With this model, you can earn by creating t-shirts, phone cases, or pretty much anything you can think of, without worrying about production and shipping.
Many people want to know how to make money with print on demand. It really is a matter of good strategy and knowing what market to focus on. In this guide, we’ll share some practical tips to help you build a thriving print on demand business. Read on if you want to know how to make money from print on demand!
Page overview:
Print on Demand: Pros and Cons
Is Print on Demand Profitable?
How to Make Money with Print on Demand: 6 Steps to Success
Step 1: Selecting a Print on Demand Service
Step 2: Niche Down Targeted Audience
Step 3: Set up Your Online Store
Step 4: Create Winning Designs
Step 6: Make Marketing Strategic
Useful Tips for Making Money with Print on Demand
What is Print on Demand?
Print on Demand (POD) is a type of modern business model where you don’t manufacture products in advance, but only make them after a customer places an order. It is a smart way to start selling custom items without the hassle of inventory or spending some serious cash on expensive equipment.
Here’s how it works: You create designs and upload them to a POD platform such as InkedJoy. The platform is connected to your own online store or popular marketplaces like Etsy or Amazon. When a customer orders your product – whether that’s a t-shirt, mug, or phone case – the POD supplier prints your design, packages it, and ships it to the customer for you.
The beauty of this system is its simplicity and low risk. You DO NOT need to:
- Buy products in bulk
- Store inventory
- Handle shipping
- Invest in printing equipment
With POD, you only pay when someone makes a purchase. Everything else is taken care of by the POD supplier, so you can focus on your main job of creating designs, setting up for your store, and marketing your products.
There’s a reason this business model has exploded in popularity because of the way it removes traditional barriers to starting a retail business. If you are an artist, an entrepreneur, or just someone looking for a side hustle, POD is a simple way to test your ideas without spending a lot upfront.
Print on Demand: Pros and Cons
Before we look at how to make money on print on demand, it is good to know the benefits and disadvantages of print on demand business. Let’s break them down:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Low startup costs: Almost zero investment as you only pay when a sale is made. | Lower profit margins: You may experience lower profit margins depending on your niche and products. |
| Location independence: Run your business from anywhere with internet access. | Limited product customization: You may be limited to the supplier's products and printing abilities. |
| No inventory management: No need to worry about storage or unsold items. | Quality control challenges: You can't inspect every item before it reaches the customer. |
| Creative freedom: Try different designs and products without extra costs. | Shipping times: Fulfillment may take longer compared to traditional retail. |
| Automated fulfillment: Orders are processed, printed, and shipped automatically. | Competition: Low entry barriers mean many sellers offer similar products. |
| Time efficiency: Focus on design and marketing, while suppliers handle production. | Platform dependence: You rely on third-party suppliers and platforms to operate. |
| Scalability: No additional overhead, making it easy to expand your product line. | Branding limitations: Most suppliers offer generic packaging and shipping labels, limiting customization. |
Print on demand isn’t a get rich quick scheme, but a way to build a real and sustainable online business.
Most of the time, the people who succeed do so because they are able to work around these limitations while taking advantage of the opportunities!
Is Print on Demand Profitable?
Yes, POD is profitable if done right, and the latest market data supports this potential. It is estimated that by 2031, the global print on demand market will value $45.6 billion as it grows with an astounding average annual growth rate of 25.3% from 2023 to 2031. These numbers show a solid and growing industry with real earnings possibility.
On the other hand, looking at typical profit margins, you can expect to get around $5-8 per t-shirt sale, $15 for hoodies, $3-5 for phone cases, and $8-20 for wall art. Real-world success stories further validate the business model’s potential.
Successful POD stores report around $2,000 to $5,000 in monthly sales. Profitability of new POD business will depend on several factors, including pricing strategy (with recommended markup 30–40% over base cost), design uniqueness, marketing effectiveness, platform fee (usually 10–20%), and seasonality.
In terms of income, imagine selling 100 t-shirts per month for a $7 profit margin; that’s $700 of passive income. The best sellers are able to have multiple designs of their products and across more than one platform to earn more.
However, it’s important to note that these numbers come with a caveat. Successful product and design decisions usually come with time, testing, and also constant analysis of the market to find winning products and designs that gained the attention of customers.
How Long Does It Take to Make Money with Print on Demand?
It’s possible to make money with print on demand after three to six months of doing it consistently.
Some sellers might profit from something going viral quickly, but for most who build a successful POD business slowly, this typically lasts through the first month of setting up your store, designing your designs, learning the platform, and may include classes as well. These 2-3 months include market testing and adjusting strategies depending on customer response.
Regular sales start to show up by months 4-6, if sellers create new designs consistently while improving their listings. POD is a marathon, not a sprint, and the key to it is maintaining realistic expectations.
How to Make Money with Print on Demand: 6 Steps to Success
Setting up a print on demand business may sound intimidating; however, breaking it down into bite sized pieces makes it more approachable.
Let’s look at the first step to creating a successful POD business:
Step 1: Selecting a Print on Demand Service
Deciding on a POD service is like picking the business partner that handles the quality of your product, your customer satisfaction, and your delivery reliability. You want to pick the best one.
Here’s what to evaluate when selecting your POD partner:
- Quality: Investigate the provider’s quality by asking for samples before committing to them; ensure print quality consistency on different products. See if the provider makes use of premium materials and modern technology. Customer reviews can also offer insights for long term quality.
- Shipping rate: Your business’s shipping rates can play a big part in your profitability and your customers’ satisfaction. It’s crucial to compare base shipping costs from different providers; this includes checking for options for international shipping and seeing which have multiple fulfillment centers.
- Customer service: The most basic functions that customers expect are order tracking and updates. Test their response time, verify that they provide support quality, and check how they handle order issues and returns. Also, see if they offer dedicated seller support.
- Integration: One of the most essential capabilities for a good system is integration. The provider should be compatible with the selling platform of your choice (Etsy, Shopify, WooCommerce). They should be automated and easy to use in processing orders and have tools for developing designs. If you plan to scale, you might need API availability for custom integration.
- Product Range: The versatility of your product range can significantly affect your business growth. See what variety of products is available, test as many customization options as you can, and look for trending products in your niche. Plan your inventory so that you can also consider seasonal product availability.
One very good option is Inkedjoy, as it has some pretty cool benefits over traditional POD services. Free account setup, no monthly fee, competitive pricing structure, and many products catering to different areas.
You can also consider building your brand with their white label service. They also have direct shipping with no branded packaging.
All in all, if you are wondering how to make money from print on demand with the best supplier, Inkedjoy has got you covered!
Step 2: Niche Down Targeted Audience
When it comes to finding your ideal POD niche, it’s not just about following trends but rather about finding an audience that you can genuinely serve. A smart approach is to start with your own interests and passions, as this natural connection often leads to more authentic designs and marketing.
Search private Facebook groups with your topic; you can find a lot of untapped market opportunities and specific customer pain points you can solve. But don’t stop there; take that further and explore discussion based websites like Reddit and Quora. They are goldmines of information about what people want and what they are frustrated with when it comes to existing products.
In order to validate your findings, you can use Google Trends to see if there is a rising interest in that particular niche. The more specific your niche, the better. For example, while you are targeting dog lovers in general, how about you focus on French Bulldog owners who love hiking? This will bring you a more targeted audience.
When analyzing your rivals, try to discover the holes in their offerings, which will help you describe what makes your offerings unique. Define your unique selling points (USPs). Perhaps you’re the only one selling hiking gear for eco-friendly French Bulldogs, or maybe your designs feature local hiking trails. Figure out a sweet spot where your passion and a market need aren’t being met.
Step 3: Set up Your Online Store
Building an online store is essential for showcasing your print-on-demand products.
Begin by creating a dedicated website, which offers full control over branding, layout, and customer experience. Platforms like Shopify or Wix simplify the setup, providing templates and integrations with print-on-demand services. An independent website also allows you to build a loyal customer base, track buyer data, and offer unique deals.
Alternatively, you can list your products on popular marketplaces. These platforms already have a substantial buyer base, which means you’ll benefit from the built-in traffic. While marketplaces do take a percentage of your sales, they also handle much of the initial legwork, such as payment processing and customer support, making them ideal for beginners.
Using a mix of both approaches—your own site and an established marketplace—can maximize your reach, allowing you to capture both loyal customers and broader audiences.
Whichever option you choose, a polished store appearance, clear product descriptions, and an easy navigation setup are essential.
Step 4: Create Winning Designs
To make unique designs that bring out a competitive print on demand market, a combination of creativity, uniqueness, and emotional resonance is necessary.
- Design by yourself
If you’re designing yourself, consider what your target audience finds appealing and try to design something that will tell a story or trigger an emotion.
Within your designs, adding words or phrases that trigger feelings such as humorous, inspiring, or nostalgic will help you make your designs memorable. Throwing in a few graphic elements, such as stylized icons or a subtle pattern, can make it even more appealing.
You also need to be original – avoiding clichés and having concepts that haven’t yet been tackled. You can be specific too with jokes or niche references that speak directly to your audience and make your product a must-have.
- Hire someone
Another option is to hire a pro if you’re not good at designing. There are freelance designers at various price points on websites like Fiverr and Upwork. Most experienced designers are familiar with how to make trendy and interesting designs for print on demand products. You can work with them to create a consistent flow of new ideas.
Releasing new designs consistently can help build anticipation while keeping your shop feeling fresh and driving sales and customer loyalty.
Step 5: Decide What to Sell
For profitability, it’s important to choose the right products to sell. Print on demand works with a wide range of things, but it’s best to concentrate on products that complement this business model.
The first thing to do is analyze the demand for certain products. For example, items such as t-shirts and mugs have a high turnover because they are popular and they are goods that offer diverse tastes.
Your product selection should align with your store’s niche and customer interests. Remember that a specialized approach is often more effective than selling a bit of everything. Offering a cohesive product lineup builds a clearer brand identity and can attract more targeted customers.
High Profit Margin Products:
- T-Shirts: Easy to customize; the staple of print on demand.
- Mugs: Gives you the freedom to use it or gift it.
- Wall Art: Perfect for home decor enthusiasts, high perceived value.
- Tote Bags: Versatile, increasingly popular, and sustainable.
- Phone Cases: With high customization and in constant demand.
Step 6: Make Marketing Strategic
Marketing drives traffic to your print-on-demand store.
- Organic Traffic:
First, create social media accounts like Pinterest and Facebook, and properly optimize your site for SEO. Print on demand is a good fit with Pinterest as users come looking for inspiration and gift ideas.
Results from influencer marketing greatly depend on locating the influencers that match your audience. For niche audiences, you may receive a good return on investment from small influencers or microinfluencers.
Past customers can be encouraged to come back again with a simple email campaign or win back email with a discount or special design.
- Paid Ads:
Paid advertising is more expensive, but you can get results faster. Dust off your Etsy ads and PPC campaigns like Google Ads. During peak shopping seasons, you should make your products more readily seen by a wider audience.
Another way of getting your designs out there is through bloggers or social media people promoting your design. They get a commission for each sale that came through their referral link.
Aim to match the best practices in marketing while creating awareness and engaging with customers. You can also boost sales for your print on demand business by blending organic and paid methods.
Useful Tips for Making Money with Print on Demand
1. Always order samples
First, always order samples of your products. This crucial step allows you to personally verify print quality, fabric texture, and overall product presentation.
By experiencing your products firsthand, you’ll catch potential issues before customers do and gain confidence in what you’re selling.
2. Have a flexible pricing strategic
Develop a flexible pricing strategy that balances profitability with market competitiveness. Research what similar sellers are charging, but don’t simply copy their prices.
Consider your production costs, platform fees, and desired profit margin. Sometimes, slightly lower prices can attract more customers, while premium pricing can suggest higher quality.
3. Look into hot trends
Stay ahead by looking into hot trends. Follow social media influencers, track popular hashtags, and use trend-tracking tools like Google Trends and Pinterest Insights.
Current events, pop culture moments, and seasonal themes can inspire designs that resonate with specific audiences.
4. Create numerous design
Create numerous designs to increase your chances of success. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket – experiment with different styles, themes, and product types. The more diverse your portfolio, the higher the likelihood of finding designs that truly connect with customers.
Aim to upload new designs consistently, keeping your store fresh and engaging.
5. Make your store stand out
Finally, make your store stand out through unique branding and storytelling. Develop a consistent visual style, craft compelling product descriptions, and showcase your designs in creative mockups.
Your store should reflect your personality and connect emotionally with your target audience. Remember, in the crowded print-on-demand marketplace, differentiation is key to capturing customer attention.
Conclusion: Start to Make Money with Inkedjoy!
Begin your journey of print on demand with Inkedjoy and open up a whole world of possibilities.
Inkedjoy has a user-friendly platform, competitive prices, and a large product range with 1500+ products. Plus, you can make the most with no MOQs and try as many products as you need. The platform also allows you to design in bulk. All these factors make it the perfect launchpad to transform your designs into a profitable business.
Now that you know how to make money from print on demand, don’t hold back. Start small, learn continuously, and keep going. With Inkedjoy as your partner, you can turn your unique creativity and strategic approach into a steady source of financial income.
FAQs
What is the best print on demand company?
The best POD company varies depending on your specific needs. Printful offers excellent quality, Redbubble has great artist exposure, and Inkedjoy provides competitive pricing and diverse products. Consider factors like product range, integration options, pricing, and shipping speeds when choosing your ideal platform.
Can I get all-over print products with POD?
Many print-on-demand platforms now offer all-over print products like full-coverage t-shirts, leggings, and swimwear. Platforms like Inkedjoy specialize in these designs. Ensure your artwork is high resolution and designed specifically for all-over printing to achieve the best results.
Do I really need a photo shoot for my products?
Most POD platforms have mockup generators that bring out professional product images automatically. While custom photoshoots are a nice touch for your brand, they aren’t necessary. If you want to attract potential customers, then use high-quality mockups with good lighting and show your designs from different views.
What is the best way to find profitable print on demand niches?
Trend research topics, explore Facebook and Reddit’s niche communities, use Google Trends, and competitors. Find communities interested in specific things. Think of evergreen niches, such as pets, hobbies, professions, and personal identities.
