Print on Demand Tips: 5 Things Every Beginner Should Know

Are you interested in learning some print on demand business tips?

With so much information available, it is easy to get lost when exploring this business model.

As a team in the print on demand space for quite some time, we understand the complexities of print on demand and want to ensure you have the most comprehensive information possible.

This article will cover tips on POD, how it works, and some critical basics for newcomers.

Let’s dive in!

What is print on demand?

Print on demand is when you partner with a supplier to sell products customized with your designs and shipped on a per-order basis.

This means that you aren’t required to pay until after you’ve sold a product, meaning that this business model has little to no risk. 

Print on demand is a fantastic business model for anyone looking to sell personalized products without dealing with inventory and shipping logistics. 

It saves time and energy and frees up funds that would have been tied up in managing physical inventory. 

Here’s an illustration of what the process will look like:

Cool, right?

Some benefits of print on demand are:

• There are almost zero overhead and startup costs involved. 
• Print on demand businesses have the flexibility to offer a wide range of products, from t-shirts to mugs to phone cases. 
• Print on demand businesses generate passive income, but they also offer the opportunity for creative expression and growth potential.

5 Tips for starting a print on demand business

Let's start with some tips to help you start a print on demand company!

1. Select a platform for selling your products. 

When selling products online, the first step is deciding on a platform. 

Do you want the control and customization of setting up your own website, or would you prefer to utilize an established platform with a built-in audience?

If you decide to start a print on demand business, some platforms to sell on include: 

• A self-hosted website (WooCommerce). Best for those wanting full control and customization.
• Shopify. Best for beginners and experienced users wanting an easy setup.
• Etsy. Best for crafters and artisans seeking a large customer base.
• RedBubble. Best for artists wanting to reach a built-in audience.
• Amazon. Best for sellers aiming for massive reach.

Each option has its pros and cons.

If you set up your website, platforms like Shopify can make it easy to create an attractive and functional online store. However, this also means building up your own audience.

On the other hand, marketplaces like Etsy or RedBubble already have a large customer base, but they may have higher fees or limitations. 

Make sure to consider factors like pricing and profit margins.

Ultimately, it depends on what features and level of control you prioritize when selling your products online.

Check out our in-depth article on the best ecommerce platforms for POD stores for more information!

2. Narrow your niche and attract a following

When starting a print on demand business, trying to appeal to as many people as possible can be tempting.

However, having a narrow niche can give you an advantage in a highly competitive market. 

It allows you to define and target your audience better and helps you focus your designs and marketing efforts. 

Some ways to stand out within your niche:

• Build a social media following. Use social media platforms to build a following and create content that serves your target audience.
• Connect with influencers. Reach out directly to influential leaders within your niche or industry.
• Start an email list. Gather emails through social media or a website.

While narrowing your audience may seem counterintuitive, it can help:

• Boost sales
• Lower marketing costs
• Help establish your brand as an authority in that niche.

Narrowing down on a specific niche, like the graphic art of animals, helps you better target and attract the right audience and allows you to hone in on their needs and desires. 

This can make developing and tailoring your marketing strategy much easier, leading to more effective and successful campaigns.

Related article: 27 Best Print on Demand Niche Ideas for Your Store in 2024

3. Create unique branding & products

With countless other sellers offering similar products, standing out and making sales can be difficult. 

So you must take a unique stance to attract customers to your store. 

Some areas where you can stand out include: 

• Unique branding. Making any logos, banners, or any branding material unique.
• Original product designs. Creating product designs that are unique to your company.
• Fantastic customer experience. Making your all-around customer experience unique.

To differentiate yourself from the endless sea of generic products, be willing to take risks and think outside the box.

While it may require more effort, differentiating yourself in a saturated market is crucial for success. Quality and creativity in your designs can significantly impact your success!

Have you ever noticed how many online stores have the same product photos?

Yep, it’s a common problem.

Using those old, duplicated images from your supplier can hurt your store's visibility on search engines like Google.

That's where OnModel steps in. This Shopify app uses AI to transform your existing photos into unique images!

You can:

• Swap out the models in your clothing images (For example, according to your target market.)
• Put your t-shirt design on an AI-made model (No more costly photoshoots!)
• Change photo backgrounds
• Add faces to cropped images.

If you're in dropshipping or POD, you can try OnModel here!

A great alternative to OnModel is Botika.

It takes your current on-model photos and turns them into an unlimited selection of professional product images:

The best thing about Botika is that they developed dozens of models and backgrounds in-house, which results in super-realistic photos:

If interested, check out Botika's website or try out their Shopify app here!

Related article: A Beginner’s Guide to Creating T-Shirt Mockups in 2024

4. Take a strategic approach to shipping

Shipping is half the battle for a print on demand business. Shipping costs and logistics are crucial factors in your overall pricing strategy!

Even if you aren't physically in charge of packaging and sending products, the shipping process can significantly impact customer experience. 

Some ways to smooth out the shipping process include:

• Research and compare rates. Find the best shipping rates and delivery times from providers.
• Evaluate production times. Compare production times between different suppliers.
• Provide order tracking. Keep customers informed about their order status with tracking updates.
• Offer responsive customer service. Address delivery issues promptly.
• Maintain communication with fulfillment partners. To keep things running smoothly, always discuss any delays or problems with your suppliers.

Delays and high shipping costs can often lead to negative feedback and decreased sales.

Therefore, it is crucial to factor in production times and other delays so customers have realistic expectations for receiving their items.

Staying on top of shipping also requires constant communication with your fulfillment partners and tracking industry changes or updates. 

Ensuring a smooth shipping process is crucial for customer satisfaction and overall success in your print on demand business.

If you haven't picked a print on demand supplier yet, check out our article here, which has the best options for 2024.

5. Ensure your success by having a plan

Starting a print on demand business can be an exciting opportunity to turn your passion for design or illustration into a profitable venture.

However, if you don't have a plan, it can quickly turn into a headache. 

To ensure success, start by considering some of these things: 

• Research products. Look at product types to decide what you will offer.
• Select order fulfillment supplier. Choose the right fulfillment service to handle your orders.
• Choose a platform. Identify the best platform to engage with your audience and sell your products.
• Secure start-up funding. Look at different funding sources for your start-up.
• Set goals and plan strategy. Outline the strategy to achieve them.
• Have a growth strategy. Map out a detailed plan for your company's scaling.

With a solid plan, you can increase your chances of success. 

A business plan helps outline your goals and how you will achieve them and provides a roadmap for your company's growth.

It also allows you to analyze potential challenges and create strategies to overcome them.

Staying updated on market trends can also help in refining your approach.

For more information, check out our complete how to start a print on demand store guide!

What are the startup costs of a print on demand business?

Let’s check out some of the potential costs that could come with starting up a print on demand business.

For example, you may want to start a POD store on Shopify. Let's look at some of the expenses that can come with that:

• Shopify Basic Plan: $39/month
• Google Workspace account: From $6/month (Or check this article here)
• Domain Registration: $14
• Page Builder apps: $15/month
• Sample T-shirt product: $13 + shipping

• Total costs upfront: ~$90
• Total monthly costs: ~$57

Again, this is just an example; of course, you can find cheaper or more expensive options depending on the tools you choose and the products you sell.

Don't forget about marketing your business and the costs that come with that as well.

FAQs about print on demand

Still, have questions about print on demand? Luckily, we have compiled a list of some frequently asked questions:

Taking action

Reading and absorbing information and knowledge is great (definitely if it’s free!), but do you know what’s even better?

Taking action!

So, to help you with taking action with what you have learned in this article, take a look at the bullet points:

• Research platforms that provide print on demand services.
• Look into what type of products you want to sell.
• Set up an online store.
• Create some designs to test out the market.
• Order product samples.
• Start marketing your products.

Conclusion

One of the best things about starting a print on demand business is the low barrier to entry. With a computer and internet access, you can create and sell unique merchandise without dealing with inventory or shipping logistics.

The key to success in this industry is understanding your target market and offering unique designs that cater to their interests.

With dedication and hard work, a print on demand business has significant potential for growth and profitability.

We hope you've enjoyed this article and that it provided value to you!

Want to learn more about print on demand?

Ready to move your print on demand store to the next level? Check out the articles below:

• How Do You Handle Print on Demand Returns?
• 10 Best Print-on-Demand Tools for your Business in 2024
• The 5 Best Free Print-on-Demand Courses | Learn for Free!

Plus, don’t forget to check out our in-depth how to start a print on demand business guide here!