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What is Print on Demand Business? How to Make Money with Print on Demand?

July 12, 2024

Have you ever considered starting your own eCommerce business, but managing inventory, shipping, and dealing with upfront costs is holding you back?

Then, let me introduce you to Print on Demand (POD), a business model that has changed how eCommerce works, allowing you to get your creative ideas into the world with minimal effort.

What is Print on Demand?

So, what is Print on Demand exactly? Imagine you have a brilliant idea for a t-shirt design or a mug. In the general eCommerce business model, you would probably purchase products, keep them in stock, or contact wholesale suppliers to keep the stock for you.

Print on Demand (POD) lets you create and sell products on a made-to-order basis. Each product is made by the POD company only when a customer buys it. You don’t have to worry about keeping or going out of stock, as the POD company handles the printing and shipping of the products to your customers on your behalf.

The best part,

POD is a white-label business model, which means there’s no mention of the POD company on the packaging or product. Your customer receives the order with your store name on the packaging, and all credit goes to you.

Interesting right? Now, let’s see how the Print on Demand business model works.

How Does Print on Demand Work?

Print-on-demand is a business model where you make designs that can print on different products, such as t-shirts, mugs, phone cases, etc, and showcase these designs using product mockups in your online store.

Here’s a break of how does print on demand work in simple steps:

Creating Designs

You create unique designs for products like t-shirts, mugs, phone cases, etc, using Canva, Adobe Illustrator, or online design tools offered by some POD providers.

Sign Up with a POD Platform

The next step involves creating an account on a POD service like Gelato Print on Demand, PrintFul, etc, where you can upload your designs and display them on your online store using free mockups (product images with your designs).

Listing Products on Your Store

You integrate the POD service provider’s platform with your online store or marketplace where you sell your products. Sync and list all products in your store with one click.

Customer places an Order

When a customer places an order in your store, the information gets transmitted automatically to the POD service provider. It then handles the printing, packaging, and shipping to your customer.

Getting Paid

The Print On Demand service provider charges a per-item fee for printing and fulfillment of the product. You set your retail price for the product, and the difference between your price and the POD service fee is your profit. They deduct their fee from the payment and pay you your profit.

Is Print on Demand Worth It?

You might be wondering, Is Print on Demand worth it? Let’s see some prominent pros and cons of this business model:

Pros

Low startup cost since you don’t need to buy inventory upfront or hold products in stock.
Flexible to try out different designs. If one doesn’t sell, you can try another.
There is no need to worry about shipping and packaging as the POD service provider takes care of it.
Scalable as you can expand your product listings as your business grows without worrying about storage or inventory upfront costs.

Cons

Profit margins can be lower than traditional business models with bulk inventory purchases.
You rely on your POD provider for product quality and shipping times compared to handling fulfillment.
It’s a crowded market with professionals making incredible designs, so you must work hard to stay competitive.

Okay, but is Print on Demand profitable? Let’s explore.

Is Print on Demand Profitable?

The short answer is: yes, it can be! Let’s see how you can increase your chances of making good money from Print on Demand business:

Find Your Niche: Consider targeting a specific audience. It can be cat lovers, fitness enthusiasts, hoodie lovers, couples, or bookworms. Focusing on niche markets can lead to less competition and more loyal customers.
Create Unique Designs: Invest time in creating unique designs that are high-quality, original, and not a copy.
Market Smartly: Use social media ads, SEO, and influencer collaborations to get your products in front of the right people.
Price Strategically: Set prices that cover your costs but remain attractive to customers.

How to Make Money with Print on Demand?

Now, the million-dollar question: how to make money with Print on Demand? Here are some tips:

Design Quality: Create high-quality, unique designs that relate to your audience. Creativity is what everyone likes. The design file should be of high resolution.
Effective Search: Stay updated with design trends and incorporate them into your products while maintaining your unique style.
Set Competitive Pricing: See what your competitors or merchants in the same niche offer, analyze the market, and find a balance between covering the POD fees and being attractive to customers.
Marketing and Promotion: Use social media ads, SEO, and influencer marketing to drive traffic to your store and build credibility.
Customer Service: Happy customers are the most rewarding customers. So, provide excellent customer service, leaving a top-notch experience for your customers.

So, what is your job in this model?

Your job as a POD business owner is to search for the latest trends, create designs, do marketing of your products, and manage customer inquiries.

Conclusion

Starting a print on demand business is a fantastic way to turn your creative ideas into a profitable venture with minimal risk. By understanding what is print on demand, how it works, and leveraging platforms like Gelato Print on Demand, Printful, etc, you can carve out a niche in the market and build a successful business.

The best part is that you don’t need to buy product stock, print designs, and deliver to your customers. Your POD partner will take care of everything from printing and shipping goods to your customers on your behalf while also providing you with product mockups to list on your online store.

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So, that’s all for this blog. If you are looking for a professional to set up your Print on Demand store on Shopify or WooCommerce, SavyCoder is just a text away to help. Approach via contact us or get a free quote.

1 thought on “What is Print on Demand Business? How to Make Money with it?”

Fahad Ali
September 4, 2024 at 12:46 PM

Helpful, thanks for this guide.

Reply