When people first discover Print on Demand, their minds bubble with profit possibilities. After all, it’s a beginner-friendly business model that allows anyone to start an online store without investment, inventory, or logistical worries.
Take the first big step towards success and explore these 15 profitable print-on-demand niches anyone should consider when starting a business.
Learn more about POD and starting a POD business.
![15 Print on Demand niches for generating a handsome income in [bp_year] 1](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/MPsJ3PjqzJc/hqdefault.jpg "hqdefault")
1. Animals and pets
![15 Print on Demand niches for generating a handsome income in [bp_year] 2](https://printify.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Animals-and-Pets.jpg "Animals and Pets")
The first of our print-on-demand niche ideas is all about pets. People gladly spend increasing amounts of money on their furry friends each year.
The market is vast, and the business landscape is very appealing, especially for dog and cat designs. After all, in the United States (the US), 65.1 million households have at least one dog, and around 46.5 million have cats.
Tips and ideas
Cats and dogs rule the niche. But it’s not just custom pet gifts like bowls, beds, and bandanas. People also love to purchase funny pet-related clothing, art, and ornaments for themselves.
An interesting sub-genre includes framed prints of pets photoshopped onto famous paintings. Meowna Lisa? Napoleon Bonabark? The options are endless.
We interviewed Christopher Sattes, a thriving pet portrait maker. He runs a highly successful Etsy online store, Dog Ross Pet Painting, whose direct competition is the heavyweights Crown & Paw.
Christopher uses clever digital marketing and personalized customer service to help him compete in a print-on-demand niche that’s quickly becoming crowded.
With an exciting idea and a specific buyer in mind, anyone can find success. For example, you could design clothing for owners of specific dog breeds, like German Shepherd dads and Siberian Husky moms.
Quick tip
With or without pets, learning how to sell digital art is a great way to make money without any inventory.
2. Activism and social causes
People enjoy wearing apparel and accessories to express their beliefs and support a cause of their choice.
For example, Gary Stokes from OceansAsia successfully sells products that fund their cause for marine conservation.
Tips and ideas
This niche has infinite possibilities for winning designs, where you can focus on topics like:
- Social trends. Awareness of human rights, social justice, mental health, and animal welfare.
- Veganism. A vast and growing movement with plenty of potential for creative and inspiring designs.
- Environmental. A topic with broad appeal, you’ll need a specific focus to succeed here, such as clearing up ocean pollution or helping endangered wildlife.
Quick tip
Explore the top 10 things to sell for fundraising to generate more sales for your cause.
3. Families and couples
The families and couples theme is a perfect print-on-demand niche, ideal for family gatherings, trips, and parties.
They’re also great for couples – there’s no shortage of people looking for ways to visually declare their undying love for their partner.
People love buying products from this specific niche because they carry a great sentimental value, making them the perfect gift for anniversaries and birthdays.
Tips and ideas
Create designs for two family members – father and daughter hoodies, mother and daughter t-shirts, and brother and sister hats. Add lovely quotes and catchphrase, or even give your customers the option to choose their own text.
Quick tip
When creating your product listings, use specific keywords. For example, instead of listing a blue t-shirt, call it a blue Father’s Day t-shirt. You can also add another layer of interest by including hobbies, like blue Father’s Day golf t-shirt.
Explore the best Mother’s Day shirt ideas to find inspiration.
4. Humor and internet memes
![15 Print on Demand niches for generating a handsome income in [bp_year] 3](https://printify.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Humor-and-Internet-Memes.jpg "Humor and Internet Memes")
Memes cover such a wide range of topics and interests that you can find at least one for nearly any customer segment. T-shirts, posters, and mugs are top candidates for printing funny slogans, graphics, and images in this niche.
Tips and ideas
Our main tip is to keep an eye out for what’s trending on social media and create designs as you see a meme going viral.
Just make sure you’re not infringing on copyright or other intellectual property rights. Stay safe and out of trouble by learning how to avoid copyright infringement in Print on Demand.
Also, keep your designs light-hearted and uplifting rather than attacking others.
While humor is one of the most popular print-on-demand niche ideas, don’t let the extent of the competition scare you off – there’s always more room for laughter and new memes pop up every week. Creating a bestseller won’t be difficult if you tap into the right joke at the right time.
5. Job-related niches
Products in the job-related print-on-demand niches are almost exclusively bought as gifts for work besties and whole teams.
Tap into specific professions, like nurses, history teachers, and software engineers to increase your odds of sales.
As of August 2023, these are the industries with the most employees:
- Professional and business services
- Health care and social assistance
- Leisure and hospitality
- Retail trade
- Local government
- Manufacturing
- Construction
Tips and ideas
Items in this category should be small, inexpensive gifts like t-shirts, mugs, and phone cases. Typically, people won’t spend much on these items, so don’t charge premium prices.
For example, one of the best Shopify t-shirt stores, Ranger Up, sells patriotic products for infantry, medics, engineers, and other military personnel.
Quick tip
Choose the right pricing strategy by learning how to price a product for ultimate success.
Start a Print on Demand store today
6. Hobby-related niches
![15 Print on Demand niches for generating a handsome income in [bp_year] 4](https://printify.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Hobby-Related-Niches.jpg "Hobby Related Niches")
People are very passionate about their favorite hobbies. So passionate that they wear hobby-specific t-shirts, hoodies, and accessories to show their love.
Take a look at the most popular hobbies and activities in the US:
- Arts and crafts
- Gardening and plants
- Board and card games
- Cars and vehicles
- Photography
- Writing
- Traveling
Tips and ideas
An easy way to gauge interest in a specific hobby is to seek out social media groups and online forums dedicated to them. By exploring these communities, entrepreneurs can gain valuable insights into what products people are looking for.
In addition, attend hobby-related events to get a sense of the current conversation and network with your potential customers.
7. Holidays and special occasions
Last year, the US holiday online retail sales reached nearly $240 billion. People spent $10.7 billion on Cyber Monday and almost $9 billion on Black Friday, mainly to do some early Christmas shopping.
While it’s arguably the biggest holiday, Christmas isn’t the only special occasion that can bring in the big bucks.
Create products for other celebrations and important events, like Halloween, Black History Month, Earth Day, and Mother’s Day.
Tips and ideas
Never lose an opportunity for profit by following the seasons. Create a marketing calendar to always remember important events and holidays.
Quick tip
Don’t wait until the last minute to prepare your store for the holidays. For example, if you plan to sell Christmas gifts, make sure they’re already ready by Thanksgiving.
8. Video games
![15 Print on Demand niches for generating a handsome income in [bp_year] 5](https://printify.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Video-Games.jpg "Video Games")
Industry experts predict the global video game market will reach $268.8 billion by 2025, making it a perfect niche idea.The gaming industry is enormous. So is the number of awesome products you can customize to appeal to gamers, including LED gaming mouse pads, desk mats, and various tech accessories.
Tips and ideas
When selling gamer merch, find a style that resonates with your audience. For example, 8-bit, indie, or arcade games appeal to many and provide endless inspiration for extraordinary designs.
In addition, consider partnering with streamers to promote your products. Their endorsement can greatly increase your credibility within the gaming community.
9. Health and fitness
In the US, 21.2% of men and 19.1% of women participate in some kind of sporty activity on a daily basis, putting health and fitness on our list of the most popular niches for POD.
Newbies and professionals are always searching for the best gear to keep them comfortable and motivated. Industry experts predict that the global sports apparel market will reach $294 billion in 2030.
Take a look at some target audience ideas:
- Yoga lovers
- Weightlifters
- Runners
- Crossfit athletes
- Basketball players
Tips and ideas
Identify your ideal customer and create designs for them – if she is a yoga lover, choose comfortable leggings. A weightlifter? Go for more durable sportswear.
Explore the best Shopify store examples to learn how professional online stores like Gymshark and Vanquish Fitness design fitness apparel.
10. Astrology
![15 Print on Demand niches for generating a handsome income in [bp_year] 6](https://printify.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Astrology.jpg "Astrology")
While brainstorming print-on-demand niche ideas, don’t overlook astrology. In the US, a significant share of the society believe in the study of how celestial bodies influence our daily lives.
Tips and ideas
While some view it simply as a hobby, others take it seriously, using it as a tool for self-discovery, so create products featuring symbols related to the Sun, Moon, rising signs, houses, and other astrological elements.
Send your designs into the outer space with unique products, like a tripod lamp with constellations. Or opt for something more simple, like a zodiac sign t-shirt.
Make your own products today
11. Travel and outdoors
Industry experts forecast the outdoor clothing market to reach more than $45 billion by 2027, showing its potential to become one of the most profitable print-on-demand niches.
Tips and ideas
When tackling the outdoors niche, select products that are likely to make their way into a traveler’s checklist. T-shirts provide comfort, hoodies offer warmth, hats shield from the Sun, but drinkware is vital for staying hydrated on the go.
Hiking
In the US, hiking is a beloved pastime – the second-most popular open-air activity, enjoyed by nearly 59 million people. There are many different types of hikers, like thru-hikers, day hikers, solo hikers, and urban hikers. For starters, pick one and focus your designs on them.
Fishing
Recreational fishing is wildly popular among Americans – 55 million people engage in freshwater, saltwater, and fly-fishing. But if you’re after low-competition niches for Print on Demand, strive to design for specific activities – bowfishing, spearfishing, or angling.
Camping
Industry experts predict the revenue in the camping market will reach $22.71 billon in 2023. As an annual tradition for many, it has a high profit potential. Reduce the competition by specializing in a niche market, such as backpacking, RV camping, or glamping.
12. Reading and books
Reading is powerful. It’s good for the mind, heart, and soul and is a great way to expand one’s knowledge, gain a new perspective, or lose yourself in the world of fantasy.
Fun fact, the number of people worldwide who read eBooks is on its way to reach 1.1 billion by 2027, showing a large audience for this print-on-demand niche.
13. Mental health awareness
![15 Print on Demand niches for generating a handsome income in [bp_year] 7](https://printify.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Mental-Health-Awareness.jpg "Mental Health Awareness")
Reduce the stigma around mental health by sharing personal experiences. Talking openly about these issues reduces misconceptions, encouraging people to seek help and find the support they need.
Authenticity is key. Donate a part of the profit to a mental health organization, so your print-on-demand store makes a meaningful impact instead of using the issue as a marketing tactic.
Tips and ideas
Design products that promote self-care. Offer a range of items such as hoodies with positive affirmations, journals for reflection, and candles with soothing scents.
Consider collaborating with artists experiencing these issues – their perspective can help you design products that resonate with others.
14. Music
Wherever we go, music’s always there, making cultures and communities thrive and amassing a following unlike anything else. For example, just the number of music streaming subscribers worldwide already amounts to 616.2 million.
Tips and ideas
This niche provides a world of design ideas – musical notes, symbols, soundwaves, and instruments. Try vibrant colors on t-shirts, hoodies, or hats to reflect the energy and passion of music.
In addition, explore the history of music and incorporate vintage and classical elements into your designs.
Selling band t-shirts is another great option. Just make sure you obtain the proper commercial licenses to avoid copyright and trademark infringement.
If this is a POD niche you’d like to try, read our article on merchandising to learn everything you need about how to sell these print-on-demand products.
15. Food
![15 Print on Demand niches for generating a handsome income in [bp_year] 8](https://printify.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Food.jpg "Food")
Food is the answer if you’re looking for evergreen niches for your POD store. 84% of Americans have expressed a positive opinion of hamburgers, mashed potatoes, and cheeseburgers, but based on Google search queries, Chinese, Mexican, and Italian cuisines are popular too.
Whether your target audience loves fast food, ethnic cuisine, or superfoods, you can create appealing and useful POD products for each group.
Tips and ideas
With a beautiful food-related design, aprons, oven mitts, coasters, tea towels, and other kitchen accessories can become a stylish addition to your customer’s kitchen.
Trending design ideas for POD products:
- Hand-drawn culinary illustrations
- Healthy eating inspiration
- Vegan lifestyle quotes
- Fast-food puns
Frequently asked questions
Yes, Print on Demand is still a lucrative venture. With a great niche, original designs, and effective marketing, anyone can make money with on-demand printing.
With the right approach, POD is a profitable business model. The money you make depends on your store’s popularity, pricing, and quantity sold.
Our blog covers dozens of success stories that will motivate and inspire partnering with POD services.
The best niches for print-on-demand include health and fitness, animals and pets, humor, and internet memes.
As long as there’s a dedicated community, most specific niche markets have the potential to become profitable.
Closing thoughts
Whether you’re just starting or have been an entrepreneur for a while, we hope our list of the best print-on-demand niches proved helpful.
With patience and planning, anyone can find a great niche, create original designs, and make money without leaving the house.
