Print on Demand Business Guide 2025: What It Is & How to Start

Imagine your artwork on t-shirts, your designs on posters, or your logo featured on backpacks and water bottles. You could even turn your writing into a self-published book. With print on demand, bringing your creative ideas to life—and selling them online—has never been easier.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the world of print on demand, a business model that’s been gaining serious traction in recent years. You’ll find essential tips to help you get started, plus a roundup of some of the best print-on-demand services to launch your business with confidence.

What is Print on Demand?

Print on demand (POD) is a flexible, low-risk business model where products—like clothing, accessories, home décor, or books—are created only after a customer places an order. As the seller, you design the product, and a third-party print-on-demand provider handles the printing, packing, and shipping. That means no inventory to manage and no upfront costs for stock.

Popular print-on-demand products include t-shirts, mugs, posters, tote bags, and paperbacks. What makes this model so appealing is the freedom to experiment. You can test new ideas, designs, or product lines without committing to bulk orders or long-term inventory.

With print on demand, you can:

• Test a business idea or product line without the risk of unsold inventory
• Monetize your audience—like YouTube subscribers or blog readers—with branded merchandise
• Create unique products tailored to niche communities (think CrossFit fans or French bulldog lovers)
• Produce small batches for events, promotions, or brand awareness
• Launch seasonal collections or trend-inspired items
• Compare designs to see what resonates most with your customers

It’s a modern, creative way to bring your ideas to life—one order at a time.

How Print on Demand Works

Using a print-on-demand service is refreshingly simple. Here’s a quick look at how the process typically unfolds:

1. Create Your Design

It all starts with your creativity. Begin by crafting a unique design—something that speaks to your brand and your audience. Most print-on-demand platforms offer built-in tools to help you design everything from logos and illustrations to patterns and text-based graphics.

Maybe it’s a witty meme on a t-shirt, a minimalist line drawing on a tote bag, or even embroidered artwork on a cap. Whatever you choose, think about what your audience will love—and what they’d proudly wear, use, or gift.

2. Choose Your Products

Once your design is ready, it’s time to pick the products that will bring it to life. Browse your print-on-demand provider’s catalog—you’ll usually find a wide selection across categories like apparel, accessories, stationery, and home décor. From classic t-shirts and hoodies to mugs, notebooks, and throw pillows, there’s plenty to work with. Choose items that align with your brand and will appeal to your audience.

3. List Your Products for Sale

With your designs placed and products selected, you’re ready to launch them in your online store. Write clear, engaging product descriptions, set your prices, and upload high-quality images that show off your items from every angle.

A well-organized, visually appealing storefront goes a long way. Make sure your store is easy to navigate, so customers can find what they want—and maybe discover a few extra things they didn’t know they needed.

4. A Customer Makes a Purchase

When someone falls in love with your product, they place an order directly through your online store’s checkout. It’s a seamless experience for them—and hands-free for you.

5. The Order Goes to Your Print-on-Demand Partner

As soon as the purchase is made, the order details are sent to your print-on-demand provider. If your store is integrated with the POD app, this happens automatically—no need for manual input. Your provider then gets to work printing, packing, and preparing the order for delivery. All you have to do is focus on creating more great designs.

6. Printing, Packing, and Shipping

Once the order is in, your print-on-demand partner takes care of the rest. They’ll print your design on the chosen product, package it securely, and ship it straight to your customer’s doorstep.

Many services also offer return handling, so depending on the provider, your customers may be able to send items back directly—saving you even more time and hassle. It’s a smooth, behind-the-scenes process that lets you focus on growing your brand while the logistics are handled for you.

Pros and Cons of Print on Demand

Print on demand is a form of dropshipping, which makes it an especially accessible way to start an online business. Like any model, it comes with both perks and limitations—here’s a look at both sides.

The Pros

• Quick to market: You can go from idea to online listing in a matter of minutes.
• No inventory needed: There’s no need to buy or store products upfront, making it a low-cost, low-risk way to sell.
• Outsourced fulfillment: Your print-on-demand partner handles the printing, packing, and shipping, so you can focus on designing and marketing.

The Cons

• Higher cost per item: Without bulk ordering, your production costs per unit are higher, which can eat into profit margins.
• Limited control over shipping: You might not be able to customize the shipping experience or set your own delivery fees.
• Customization constraints: Complex designs or specialty finishes may not be supported by all providers.

In short, print on demand is great for testing ideas, launching quickly, and scaling with minimal overhead—but it’s important to weigh the trade-offs before diving in.

Getting Started with Print on Demand

There’s never been a better time to dive into print on demand. Whether you’re dreaming up hoodies for your social media followers, tote bags to promote your brand, or fresh custom products for your online shop, POD offers a proven, low-effort way to bring your ideas to life—and sell them.

If you're using Shopify, getting started is especially smooth. You can connect print-on-demand apps directly to your store, allowing orders to be automatically forwarded to your POD partner for printing and shipping as soon as a sale comes in.

Even better? Adding new products to your catalog is quick and easy. With just a few clicks, you can design, list, and start selling—no inventory or shipping logistics to worry about.

4 Popular Print-on-Demand Services

Choosing the right print-on-demand partner is key to running a smooth and successful business. You’ll want a service that fits your needs—whether that’s a wide product range, fast shipping, competitive pricing, or all of the above.

Remember, a low shipping cost isn’t much of a win if your customers are left waiting weeks for delivery.

Take time to research your options—Google reviews and comparison sites are great places to start. To help you begin, here are four popular print-on-demand services worth considering:

1. Printful

Printful is a go-to favorite for many print-on-demand sellers—and for good reason. It offers a broad selection of high-quality products, including well-known brands like Gildan and American Apparel.

The platform features a user-friendly mockup generator that makes it easy to visualize your designs, and it goes a step further with customizable branding options. You can add your own logo to packing slips, labels, and even the packaging itself—perfect for creating a more polished, professional unboxing experience for your customers.

2. Printify

Printify is another strong contender in the print-on-demand world, offering a wide variety of products like t-shirts, hoodies, and other fan favorites. What sets Printify apart is its international network of vendors, giving you access to a diverse range of white-label products, including unique items like jewelry, shoes, and water bottles.

This makes it a great choice if you're looking to expand your product offerings beyond the basics and offer something special to your customers. With Printify, you can tap into a global supply chain while keeping your designs fresh and on-trend.

3. Gooten

Similar to Printify, Gooten offers a wide variety of customizable products, but with a twist. They feature several unique items you won’t find elsewhere, like personalized calendars and comfy dog beds.

This makes Gooten a great choice if you're looking to stand out with products that cater to niche audiences, from pet owners to planners. With their diverse selection and easy-to-use platform, Gooten gives you plenty of creative freedom to bring your ideas to life.

4. Lulu

Lulu Direct is the go-to platform for self-publishing your own books and ebooks. Whether you're an aspiring author or a content creator, Lulu offers a variety of book sizes, binding options, and paper stocks to help you bring your vision to life.

It’s a fantastic choice if you're looking to publish and distribute your own work, whether it’s a novel, guide, or even a photo book. With Lulu, you can customize every detail of your book product, making it truly your own.

Tips for Starting with Print on Demand

Print on demand can be a simpler alternative to managing your own inventory—but like any business model, it comes with its own set of considerations.

To set yourself up for success, keep these best practices in mind as you launch your print-on-demand business:

Always Order Samples

Even if you're not handling the products yourself, it's important to feel confident in what you’re selling. The best way to do that? Order samples.

By placing a sample order through your own online store, you can experience the full customer journey—from browsing and checkout to unboxing. It’s a great way to check product quality, print accuracy, and shipping speed firsthand.

Many print-on-demand services, like Printful, even offer sample discounts to make this process more affordable for sellers.

Plus, samples aren’t just for quality control—they’re perfect for capturing authentic product photos for your website and social media. A well-styled photo of the real thing goes a long way in building trust (and boosting sales).

Create Mockups of Your Products

While samples are great for capturing real-life photos, mockups are a quick and easy way to help customers picture themselves using—or wearing—your products.

Most print-on-demand platforms include mockup generators that let you display your items in a variety of settings: on a model, styled in a room, or as a clean flat lay. These visuals not only make your product pages look more polished, but they also give shoppers a better sense of how the product fits into their everyday life.

Think of mockups as a virtual dressing room for your brand—they help bring your designs to life before the first item is even printed.

Be Strategic About Shipping

You may not be packing boxes yourself, but when it comes to shipping, you’re still the main point of contact for your customers. That means it’s up to you to set clear expectations and keep communication flowing.

The best print-on-demand partners are upfront about shipping timelines and provide tracking info—but it’s still smart to build those details into your own store experience.

Be sure to factor in production time (not just shipping time) when setting delivery estimates. And to avoid confusion, outline all the need-to-knows on your FAQ or a dedicated Shipping page—things like average delivery windows, international shipping options, and how to handle delays.

A little transparency goes a long way in creating a smooth, stress-free shopping experience.

If you can, consider building shipping costs into your product pricing. Surprise fees at checkout can lead to abandoned carts, while “free shipping” is a powerful incentive that can strengthen your marketing and increase conversions. A little strategy here can go a long way.

Find a Niche Audience

Because print on demand often comes with slimmer profit margins, it’s important to be thoughtful about how you position your brand. One of the smartest moves you can make? Focus on a clearly defined audience.

Targeting a niche helps you stand out in a crowded market and lowers the cost of attracting new customers—both of which can boost your bottom line.

Whether it’s dog moms, retro gamers, or eco-conscious travelers, catering to a specific community makes it easier to craft messaging that resonates, design products they’ll love, and build a loyal following over time.

Creating Designs When You’re Not a Designer

Design is a big part of what makes print-on-demand products sell—but don’t worry if you’re not a professional designer. You don’t have to be.

There are plenty of ways to create or source original designs, even if your artistic skills are limited to stick figures. The key is understanding a few basic design principles and knowing how to communicate your ideas clearly.

Whether you’re working with a freelance designer, using design tools, or purchasing ready-made assets, a little direction goes a long way. With the right approach, you can bring your creative vision to life—no design degree required.

Understand File Specifications

The first—and arguably most important—step in creating great print-on-demand products is making sure your design file is print-ready.

When working with a designer (or designing on your own), be clear that the artwork is intended for printing. That means the file should be created at 300 dots per inch (DPI) to ensure it looks sharp and professional when printed. The image dimensions should match the actual print area on the product—no guessing or stretching later.

Print specs can vary depending on the item and printing method, so when in doubt, share the exact specifications from your print-on-demand platform with your designer. This avoids surprises and keeps everything aligned.

Most print-on-demand platforms accept PNG or PSD files. If you’re using a transparent background, just remember—the product’s base color will become your background. So choose wisely!

Find Design Inspiration

One of the trickier parts of launching a print-on-demand business—especially if you’re not a designer—is figuring out what to design in the first place.

Your direction should always be guided by your target audience, but inspiration is everywhere. Start by exploring where your audience spends time online—whether that’s Pinterest, niche Subreddits, TikTok, or Instagram. Pay attention to the colors, messages, and design styles that get people talking and sharing.

Of course, inspiration doesn’t mean imitation—always steer clear of copying or infringing on someone else’s work.

Social media is also a fantastic tool for testing ideas. Think of it as your own mini focus group. Try:

• Posting a few concepts to your personal network
• Using Instagram Polls or Question stickers to get feedback
• Sharing your designs with a relevant subreddit and asking for opinions

It’s a low-pressure way to see what clicks before you commit to a full product launch.

Partner with a Designer

Ideally, you’re either a designer yourself or know someone who can bring your vision to life. But if that’s not the case, don’t worry—that’s what outsourcing is for!

Platforms like Behance and 99designs are great places to find talented designers who can create beautiful, usable designs for your products. To make sure you get the results you want, it’s important to provide clear, detailed instructions. Here’s how to guide your designer effectively:

1. Share insight into your audience: Let them know who you’re designing for and what your brand is about. Sharing your website or social media can help them understand your style and tone.
2. Clearly explain your vision: Whether it’s your initial pitch or feedback during revisions, be as specific as possible. The more details you provide, the more likely you’ll get a design that matches your expectations.
3. Provide examples for inspiration: Show them designs you admire or point them to past work that resonates with you. A visual reference can go a long way in aligning your ideas.

With the right collaboration and clear communication, you can work with a designer to bring your print-on-demand products to life—even without being a designer yourself.

Design, Sell, and Grow

Print on demand is an accessible entry point for new entrepreneurs or anyone looking to test an idea without a hefty upfront investment.

With thousands of white-label products to choose from and endless design possibilities, the opportunities are vast. If one of your print-on-demand products takes off, you can always transition into holding your own inventory—or continue using print-on-demand services while exploring new ways to expand your audience.

The beauty of the print-on-demand model is its flexibility. It allows you to focus on what matters most: growing your business and evolving your brand, all while minimizing the risks that come with traditional inventory management.

Print on Demand FAQ

What is the best way to use print on demand?
If you’re ready to start your print-on-demand business, begin by selecting a niche and deciding on the products you want to sell. Next, prepare your designs and set up your website. Once everything is ready, find a reliable print-on-demand service and add your products to your store. After you launch and start marketing your site, orders will start rolling in, and your print provider will handle the fulfillment process.

How much money can you make with print on demand?
The potential earnings from print on demand depend on factors like your target market, product demand, and even seasonality. To estimate your income, consider the sale price, the fees your print provider charges, and the volume of orders you receive. The beauty of print on demand is that it allows you to test the waters without a huge financial risk.

Can I do print on demand for free?
While it’s technically possible to start a print-on-demand business without any upfront costs, you’ll likely need to invest in marketing and advertising to drive traffic to your store and start seeing sales. Popular print-on-demand products include t-shirts, mugs, hoodies, bags, posters, phone cases, and more. But remember, the real investment often comes in the effort you put into getting your products noticed.

How do you price print-on-demand products?
Pricing your print-on-demand products involves balancing market rates with the value you offer. Start by researching what competitors charge for similar products, then consider your brand and product uniqueness when setting prices. Customizations usually allow for higher pricing, but if you’re aiming for a larger target audience, pricing competitively can help you build momentum and make steady profits.