What is print on demand? A beginner’s guide

Print on demand (POD) is a flexible and low-risk online business model. You create designs for printable products like t-shirts or tote bags and list them online. When someone places an order, a third-party POD service provider prints and ships the item directly to your customer.

This means no upfront investment in inventory and no guessing what will sell. You offer the designs, the customer picks what they like, and a third party handles the printing and delivery.

Print on demand is especially popular among creators, influencers, and small business owners as it’s a great way to sell custom merchandise, tap into viral trends, or test out new ideas without taking big financial risks. Whether you’re launching a niche clothing line or putting memes on mugs, this business model makes it easy to dive in.

Does this sound like your kind of business? Let’s see how to start a print-on-demand venture, from planning your designs to handling orders and keeping customers happy.

How does print on demand work: A full breakdown

The print-on-demand process is streamlined and can be automated once everything is set up. While the exact steps can vary depending on your chosen POD provider, the overall flow generally looks like the following.

Create unique designs

The value of your products comes primarily from their design, so it’s worth putting in the effort to create something truly unique and appealing to your target audience.

The format can be anything from silly memes and funny quotes to original artwork. FIERCEPULSE, for example, uses bold, colorful patterns in their fitness apparel to promote self-expression. Dogecore taps into internet culture and viral posts to send a similar message, but with a healthy dose of humor.

If you’re an artist or creator with an established brand, incorporating your logo or signature style reinforces your identity, strengthens your connection with your audience, and creates a potential revenue stream. The same goes for companies with a following, like Figma or GitHub.

Choose product types

After deciding on your designs, the next step is choosing the right products to print them on. The available options will depend on the POD provider you choose, so it’s important to do your research and compare offerings before making a decision.

Popular POD providers like Printful and Printify offer a wide range of products, from apparel and accessories to stationery and home goods.

If you need help narrowing down your options, consider these factors when picking your product types:

• Target audience. Think about who you’re selling to. If your audience is into fashion, apparel might be your best bet. If they value home-related content or follow influencers or brands in that niche, consider items like pillows or mugs.
• Market demand. Look at trends to see what’s popular right now. This is a great way to attract new customers, ride the social media wave, and create cross-selling opportunities.
• Profit margin. Different products come with different pricing structures. Check how much the POD provider charges and how much you can realistically mark up the product for a reasonable profit.
• Product versatility. Some products offer more options for different designs, while others may be more limited ‒ for example, t-shirts and tote bags vs. socks and hats). Choose products that provide enough space and a clear surface for your designs to really stand out.
• Seasonality. Some products might sell better at specific times of year, like holiday-themed items or warm-weather apparel. Consider if you want to focus on year-round products or target seasonal demand.

Connect POD to your online store

An online store makes it easy for customers to browse and buy your products. You can also benefit from linking it to your chosen POD service. This way, the entire process becomes automated: orders go straight to the provider, who handles printing and shipping for you.

Hostinger’s AI Website Builder, for example, supports integration with Printful to meet your print-on-demand needs. Simply purchase the Business Website Builder plan starting at $3.79/month, build your site and upload your artwork, then choose from 400+ products to kickstart your POD store, all in one place.

Our builder offers drag-and-drop functionality and AI tools, making it super-easy for beginners to use. If you need help, the Kodee AI assistant and our customer success agents are ready to step in anytime.

Optimize product listings

Once your online store is ready, it’s time to set up product listings that include descriptions, prices, customization options (if any), and product images. The format and content are up to you, but high-converting product listings usually include the following elements:

• High-quality photos. Your photos should look professional ‒ clear, well-lit, and taken from different angles. Consider hiring a photographer to properly showcase your products if needed.
• Consistent branding. Choose a style (tone, setting, or theme) and apply it across all your images. This helps align your listings with your brand’s look and feel.
• Detailed descriptions. Start with basic information like materials, measurements, and colors. Then, add benefits, inspiration, and social proof to highlight the value of your products.
• Clear structure. Organize your product listing so it’s easy to scan. Use headings, bullet points, and readable font sizes and styles to help customers quickly understand what you’re offering.

Check out our tutorial on how to write a product description for tips and best design examples. We also curated a list of top product page designs for inspiration.

Receive customer orders

When a customer places an order at your store, the process is automatically set in motion. They pick their design, choose their size, and check out. From there, the order is sent directly to your POD partner, who handles everything from printing to packing and shipping.

This is what makes print on demand stand out. All you have to do is keep an eye on your sales ‒ there’s no need to manually fulfill or process any orders.

Production and fulfillment

After receiving the order, your POD partner prints the product with your design, packages it, and ships it directly to the customer.

While fulfillment is completely hands-off for you, your products still carry your brand. Most POD services offer white-labeled packaging, so your customers receive their orders with your branding. This creates a seamless, personal, and professional experience without the hassle or logistics of managing and shipping orders yourself.

Your POD partner also takes care of the returns. If a customer is unhappy with their purchase, the partner handles the return process, adding another layer of convenience to this business model.

Post-sale tracking and customer service

The tracking information automatically updates in your store as soon as your POD partner ships the order. If you’re using an ecommerce platform integrated with your POD service, you can easily track everything from one streamlined dashboard. Set up automatic notifications to keep customers updated on their order status for a smoother experience.

While the POD partner handles production and fulfillment, you’re the face of your brand and the main point of contact for customer satisfaction. If a customer has a question about a delayed order or needs help with a product, be ready to step in and assist.

With the POD business model, you’re not managing manufacturing but instead focusing on brand-building, marketing, and customer engagement. With the logistics taken care of, you can spend your time growing your brand and connecting with your audience.

Key benefits of print on demand

Here’s why you should consider starting a print-on-demand business:

• Low startup costs. You only pay for products when customers place an order, removing the need to invest in bulk inventory upfront.
• Automated fulfillment. POD services automatically handle printing, packing, and shipping, saving you time and allowing you to focus on fine-tuning your offerings and marketing efforts.
• Easy to scale. As your business grows, POD makes it simple to add new designs or products to your store whenever you’re ready. Plus, it allows you to test products and designs without the risk of overstocking.
• Quick to start. The only time investment required is during the initial setup, where you choose the right POD service and build your online store.
• Global reach. POD services usually have fulfillment centers worldwide, letting you expand your market without managing complex shipping.
• Simplified processes. With POD providers doing the heavy lifting, you don’t need a large team or complex systems to run your business.

How do you price print-on-demand products?

When pricing your POD products, there are three key elements to keep in mind: base costs, profit margin, and extra costs.

First, factor in the base costs for each product, which cover production and fulfillment. Next, add a profit margin, usually a 30-50% markup on the base cost, depending on your niche, target market, and brand positioning.

Finally, include any extra costs ‒ such as your website builder plan, payment processing fees, and shipping costs ‒ to ensure you’re covering all your expenses and still making a profit.

For example, let’s say you’re selling a custom t-shirt:

• Base cost: $8
• Profit margin: 40% markup = $3.20
• Extra costs: Hostinger’s Website Builder Plus plan costs $3.79/month, payment processing fees are 3% per transaction, and shipping is $5.

Considering all fees and costs, the total price comes to $25.43 per t-shirt.

Who is print on demand ideal for?

Print on demand is a perfect online business model for:

• Creators and influencers looking to monetize their personal brand or content. Whether you’re sharing art, catchphrases, or ideas, you can sell merchandise to increase brand visibility and give your community a way to support you.
• Side hustlers who want to sell online with minimal investment and limited time. You can start a POD business as a passive income stream while managing a job, studies, or other commitments.
• Designers and artists who want to focus on their art without worrying about inventory or shipping. If you’re wondering how to start a t-shirt business (or to sell other products), POD is the perfect way to test your designs and sell with minimal upfront costs.
• Aspiring entrepreneurs without prior ecommerce experience. POD is a low-risk way to enter the market and gain experience.
• Small businesses, clubs, and communities looking to expand their product range or build brand loyalty. With POD, you can quickly set up a store and start selling, even with limited human resources and capital.

Whether you’re a creator, a side hustler, or a designer with big dreams, POD lets you focus on what you do best: creating and growing your brand. So, why not give it a try?

Learn how to start a print-on-demand business with our guide and turn your designs into a thriving business. Your next big idea could be just a t-shirt away.

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