Print-on-Demand Business: How to Start from Scratch in 2024
Print-on-demand is an excellent opportunity for creative individuals to launch their own businesses with minimal upfront investment needed. This market is easily accessible, but keep in mind that merely offering cool designs alone might not lead to significant profits. In order to succeed, you need to implement a strategic approach and an effective business plan.
In this article, we’ll discus how to start a print-on-demand business.
Table of contents
How Does a Print-On-Demand Business Work?
Many people ask, “What is Print-on-Demand (PoD)?” Essentially, the print-on-demand business model involves having your designs printed on various items each time an order is placed. This approach eliminates the need for upfront production and allows you to launch your business with a minimal investment.
PoD Business Structure
Here’s an overview of how a print-on-demand business works: you start by creating a design (on your own, by hiring a professional, or using AI), and uploading it to your desired platform(s), such as Amazon Merch, Printify, and others. Next, select the types of products on which you want your design featured (like bags, for example). Typically, the platform will print your design on a product each time an order is placed, and then ship it directly to the customer, allowing you to earn a royalty from each sale.
How Much Does it Cost?
Starting a print-on-demand (PoD) business requires little to no investment. The costs mainly depend on the platform you choose; for example, Amazon Merch is free to join. Whether you use your own designs or opt to hire a designer will also impact your expenses. You also need to consider budgeting for marketing and advertising to attract sales, especially if your store is not well-known yet.
Is it Profitable?
A print-on-demand business can be quite profitable; some renowned artists earn several thousand dollars/month. Your profitability depends largely on your sales volume and the commission structure of your platform. In order to boost your chances of generating revenue, it’s important to choose trending designs, and a reliable fulfillment method. Effective marketing can also enhance your profitability.
Print-on-demand is a growing industry, with the t-shirt market alone expected to increase by nearly $300,000 from 2024 to 2025. It offers a lucrative opportunity that can generate passive income if automated effectively. Below is a straightforward overview for beginners on how to get started.
A Step-By-Step Guide to Starting a Print-On-Demand Business
The PoD model might seem creative and straightforward, but it can also be a serious business venture, and setting it up isn’t always easy. Let’s break down each step of how to start a PoD business.
Select the Type of Product You Want to Offer
There are numerous products where you can choose to feature your designs, such as shoes, phone covers, bags, and more. While most platforms allow you to choose multiple product types, it’s better to start by focusing on the most profitable ones in order to optimize your efforts geared toward creating product pages, setting up stores, and promoting your products. Here are a few ways to help you identify high-demand items:
Amazon: As the primary e-commerce leader in the USA, checking Amazon’s Best Seller list can provide insights into top sellers. Use analytical tools like AMZScout’s Product Database and PRO Extension to see what’s trending on Amazon and calculate profitability by analyzing monthly sales and costs.
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Social media: Monitor current trends on social media platforms. For example, the growing popularity of astrology themes, combined with the demand for personalized items, can be used to create unique prints featuring zodiac signs.
Custom-merchandise websites: Explore major websites that offer custom-designed products, like Redbubble, to view current trends and top products. Check the best selling and trending sections to identify in-demand items. For example, Redbubble’s bestsellers for women's clothing currently include black short-sleeve t-shirts.
Keyword tools: Google Trends offers a global overview of the most frequently searched terms in your niche, while other tools focus on specific platforms. For example, AMZScout's Keyword Search displays the top queries on Amazon, helping you track trends. Additionally, tools like Semrush can analyze website traffic to find keywords driving visitors to print-on-demand sites.
Combining these methods will give you a broader understanding of trending products. By choosing the right product, you increase your chances of showcasing your designs effectively, meaning higher chances of generating sales.
Effective Market Research for Design and Promotion Success
The competition for print-on-demand products can be tough, so it's important to differentiate yourself. You can achieve this by offering outstanding designs and strong marketing. To find the best strategies, start with these market research steps:
Study your audience: Identify your target audience based on age, gender, and other relevant characteristics with tools like Facebook Audience Insights, Instagram Analytics or Google Analytics. Use surveys to gather direct feedback and validate your business ideas.
Analyze your competitors: Examine leading stores or sellers in your niche to help you understand their product range and review customer feedback on their products to identify gaps and areas for improvement. Use Sellerhook's professional services to identify your competitors and the keywords they use so you can gain insight into their marketing strategies.
Explore industry trends: Check industry reports and publications to understand the latest trends and forecasts in the POD market. You can find examples of these kinds of articles on LinkedIn. You can also attend industry events to learn more about new innovative products.
These steps enable you to better understand market demand and adapt your offer accordingly. Now let's review how to make your business plan a reality.
Create Your Design and Name
Once you decide on the type of product on which you want to feature your design, you need to register both your design and business name. When thinking about how to create these, consider these factors:
Memorability: Your business name should be catchy and appealing to customers.
Uniqueness: Check the USPTO website to ensure that your name ideas, product design, and logo are available to avoid copyright infringement.
Costs: Consider the expenses of hiring a designer or purchasing materials and programs for creating your design.
Rights: If you use AI or hire a designer, ensure that you have the rights to use the brand name and design for commercial purposes.
After finalizing your name and design, obtain a business license and register through the USPTO to protect your intellectual property. Offering unique products helps you build a recognizable brand and supports your business’s growth over time.
Choose a PoD Platform
When starting your own print-on-demand business, there are several platforms to consider, each with its own features, pros, and cons. Here’s a look at three key players in the industry:
Amazon Merch on Demand: This platform offers access to Amazon’s vast customer base of over 300 million. Setting up an account and listing products is free. The platform is user-friendly, but to stand out and grow, you'll need to invest in marketing.
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Etsy: Known for handmade and custom products, Etsy provides access to a large audience. However, listing a product on Etsy incurs a $0.20 fee, and personalizing your store requires a subscription that costs $15/month.
Printful: Printful specializes in print-on-demand items and offers high-quality products with various printing and embroidery options. While it’s free to use, you need to choose your pricing carefully, since Printful charges for production and shipping, which impacts your profitability.
When selecting a platform, consider both the associated costs and the potential customer base. Choosing a well-established platform with high-quality products can drive traffic and enhance customer satisfaction. Next, let’s explore how to choose the right product to feature your design.
Set Up Your Store or List Your Products
The way you upload products to a selling platform depends largely on the platform itself. Here are a few key steps you can expect to encounter on most platforms:
Creating your store: On platforms like Etsy or Shopify, you need to create a storefront. Upload your logo and personalize it to make it user-friendly and appealing to customers.
Set up your pricing: Be sure to balance competitive pricing with profitability. If your design is seasonal (e.g., Halloween), adjust your pricing accordingly.
Product images: Ensure that all product images are high-quality and high-resolution, using multiple angles to showcase your design. Also, if you’re not selling on your own site, make sure your images meet the platform's content rules.
Craft your product listing: An SEO-optimized listing can enhance your visibility among search results, while maintaining user-friendly language increases the chances that a customer will click on it. You can save time with AMZScout’s AI Listing Builder, which generates compelling, keyword-rich text for your Amazon listings in just a few seconds.
Once you're ready, upload your design. Review your products’ performance regularly and update your listings to keep them fresh and relevant.
Marketing and Promotion
To get more sales and therefore earn higher royalties, it is necessary to drive traffic to your products. There are many ways to do this. Here are the top three to consider in order to increase your product’s visibility in search results quickly:
Run PPC campaigns: PPC stands for pay-per-click, where you only pay when someone clicks on your product. You can run these campaigns on different platforms, such as Google, Facebook, and more.
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Collaborate with an influencer: You can partner with an influencer on social media platforms, like Instagram or TikTok, to promote your products. Some platforms, like Amazon, even offer programs where you can connect with niche influencers who earn a commission on sales they generate.
Special events: You can also boost your sales by preparing special designs for holidays, like Christmas, or special occasions like bachelorette parties. Also, consider offering customization or personalization services, as they are highly valued by customers.
It’s important to monitor what works and what doesn’t work for your products constantly. Check your own performance metrics and those of your competitors regularly to adjust your strategy.
Tips for Being Successful in a PoD business
In addition to setting up your store efficiently, there are a few other aspects to consider. Here are a few tips to improve your presence:
Trendy designs: Stay ahead of the competition by researching what’s trending. Consider exploring influencers, and follow popular hashtags in your niche on social media. Read customer comments to get a better understanding of what people are looking for. For example, memes are particularly popular for PoD items right now.
Social media presence: Expand your reach and credibility by maintaining active profiles on Instagram and TikTok. Consider joining niche Facebook groups that are focused on personalized gifts to engage with potential customers. Building your own community can also lead to a loyal customer base.
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Encourage reviews and feedback: Positive reviews and ratings are vital for sales. Encourage customers to leave feedback by including a thank-you note or a small free gift with their purchase. Follow up by sending an email requesting their review. If you sell on Amazon, join the Amazon Vine program, where reviewers can leave feedback in exchange for free products.
In the PoD industry, staying up-to-date on trends is crucial for identifying which types of designs and items are most popular among customers, as new trends continue to emerge while old ones lose demand. To run a profitable business, apply the strategies listed above and conduct regular market research to keep your offerings relevant and appealing.
Conclusion
The profitability of your business depends largely on the level of demand for your products. To maximize your success, do your homework and research market trends thoroughly. With tools like AMZScout, you can gain insights on customer preferences quickly, saving you time and boosting your chances for success.
