Your business, your way – sell with Printify
Digital dropshipping is a business model that lets you sell digital products without making them yourself.
It’s a low-risk, scalable way to earn online, perfect for entrepreneurs, creators, and side hustlers seeking passive income. From eBooks and design templates to stock photos and printable art, you can offer in-demand products while suppliers handle the heavy lifting.
In this article, we’ll explain what digital dropshipping is, how it works, the best products to sell in 2025, and how to start digital dropshipping with Printify.
How digital dropshipping works
Digital dropshipping flips the traditional eCommerce model on its head. Instead of creating digital products or storing files yourself, you act as a reseller. Here’s how it works:
- Find products: Like design templates, printable artwork, eBooks, or other valuable content.
- Get permission: Secure the right to sell them by purchasing resale rights, licenses, or partnering directly with creators or digital suppliers.
- List products: Add them to your online store on platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, or Wix.
- Automatic delivery: When a customer orders, the file is delivered automatically by the creator or fulfillment tool – no manual steps needed.
- Focus on growth: Run your storefront, handle marketing, and provide customer support while creators manage content and delivery.
New to dropshipping? This expert Printify guide walks you through each step so you can launch with confidence and grow strategically.
Benefits of digital dropshipping
Digital dropshipping offers numerous benefits for anyone looking to build an online business without the usual startup hurdles. Compared to traditional models, it’s leaner, faster, and easier to manage.
Key advantages:
- Low overhead: No inventory, warehousing, or shipping costs. Minimal expenses make it perfect for first-time founders and solo entrepreneurs.
- No physical stock: Forget packaging and logistics. You’re selling digital products like templates, guides, or stock images.
- Instant delivery: Purchases are delivered immediately, leading to higher satisfaction, fewer complaints, and stronger customer loyalty.
- High profit margins: Without production and delivery fees, you can price competitively while still earning well.
- Easy to scale: Add products quickly and sell worldwide with automation tools that minimize manual work.
- Lower environmental impact: No production or shipping makes digital dropshipping more sustainable than traditional retail.
A digital dropshipping business is easier to run, more affordable, and highly scalable compared to selling physical goods.
Types of digital products to sell
One of the biggest advantages of a digital dropshipping business is the wide variety of digital products you can offer. From creative assets to educational content, the options are almost endless. The right mix for your online store depends on your target audience, niche, and the kind of value you want to provide.
Let’s explore the most popular and profitable categories to help you build a successful digital dropshipping store.
Printable digital artwork
Printable digital art is one of the best-selling digital products online. Think wall art, motivational quotes, nursery prints, or minimalist designs – all delivered as high-resolution files customers can download and print at home or through a local print shop.
You don’t need to be an artist to sell them. Many digital dropshipping suppliers offer licensing agreements, allowing you to resell professionally designed digital art. This lets you offer stylish, on-trend prints without producing them yourself.
With no shipping required, customers get instant delivery and a smooth, hassle-free experience.
Online courses
Online courses are a top category in the world of digital products. From personal development and business skills to creative tutorials and software training, the demand for self-paced learning shows no signs of slowing down.
With digital dropshipping, sell online courses created by others without producing content yourself. By partnering with course creators or licensing ready-made material, it’s easy to add educational products to your store.
Courses also carry a higher perceived value, which means stronger pricing power and better profit margins. And because they’re delivered digitally, customers can start learning instantly – no shipping, no delays.
eBooks
eBooks remain one of the most reliable digital products to sell thanks to their versatility and instant delivery. Readers turn to them for practical advice, inspiration, and in-depth knowledge on everything from cooking and fitness to entrepreneurship and mental health.
You don’t need to write your own to get started. Many creators offer resale or private label rights, giving you access to ready-made titles you can add to your store. This makes eBooks a fast, low-effort way to expand your catalog and attract knowledge-hungry customers.
With zero distribution costs, instant delivery, and high perceived value, eBooks are a proven way to drive conversions and strengthen profit margins.
Stock photos
Stock photos are always in demand, powering websites, marketing campaigns, and product pages. Businesses, freelancers, and content creators all rely on high-quality visuals to elevate their brand and capture attention.
With digital dropshipping, you can sell professional images without producing them yourself. Licensed photo collections from photographers or digital dropshipping suppliers can be added directly to your online store, ready for customers to download.
While the stock photography space is competitive, it’s also one of the most accessible digital products to sell – offering broad appeal, instant delivery, and solid earning potential.
Printable stickers
Printable stickers are a fun, affordable way for customers to bring personality to everyday items. They’re used for journals, laptops, packaging, gift tags, and more – making them a versatile favorite among buyers and sellers alike.
In a digital dropshipping business, you don’t need to design stickers yourself. With the right license or supplier partnership, you can stock your online store with ready-made sticker files that are easy for customers to download and print at home.
With no inventory, no shipping costs, and minimal management, printable stickers are a simple yet profitable addition to any digital product catalog.
Logo and branding templates
A strong brand identity is key to building a successful venture, but hiring a designer isn’t always affordable. Logo and branding templates offer entrepreneurs a faster, more budget-friendly way to achieve a cohesive look without starting from scratch.
These digital products often include editable logo files, font pairings, social media graphics, and business card layouts – all ready to customize and use.
By adding branding templates to your digital dropshipping business, you give customers instant access to professional branding tools that make their businesses look polished and credible.
Other digital products to sell
Beyond artwork, courses, and templates, there are plenty of other digital products you can offer to diversify your store.
Some popular options:
- Printable planners: Daily, weekly, and monthly layouts customers can print at home.
- Canva templates: Editable graphics for social media, resumes, presentations, and more.
- Website themes: Pre-built designs for platforms like WordPress or Shopify.
- Digital journals: Guided journals for wellness, gratitude, or goal tracking.
- Software licenses: Partner with developers to resell apps or digital tools.
- Presets and filters: Lightroom or VSCO presets for easy photo editing.
- Music and sound effects: Audio files for content creators, podcasters, and video editors.
- Checklists and toolkits: Niche resources like launch checklists or content calendars.
These options can help you expand your product range, reach new customer segments, and create a more dynamic online business.
New to dropshipping? Printify’s dropshipping for beginners guide includes everything from choosing a niche to marketing strategies. It’s a practical starting point for building a low-risk online business.
Digital vs traditional dropshipping
While both models fall under the dropshipping business umbrella, there are some key differences between digital dropshipping and standard dropshipping.
Understanding how they compare will help you decide which approach best fits your goals, skills, and schedule.
| Feature | Digital dropshipping | Traditional dropshipping |
|---|---|---|
| Product type | Downloadable files (e.g., eBooks, courses, templates) | Physical goods (e.g., apparel, gadgets, home items) |
| Inventory management | None needed | Requires syncing with supplier inventory |
| Delivery | Instant download | Shipping is handled by third-party suppliers |
| Overhead costs | Very low | Higher due to fulfillment and returns |
| Fulfillment time | Immediate | Days to weeks, depending on the supplier |
| Scalability | Easier to scale | Scaling may increase complexity |
| Customer support | Focuses on access or download issues | Often involves returns, shipping delays, and replacements |
| Profit potential | High, especially with in-demand digital products | Can vary depending on product and supplier margins |
| Requires physical inventory | No | Yes |
If you’re aiming for a low-overhead, hands-off business model, digital dropshipping is the more streamlined choice. It’s ideal for entrepreneurs who want to launch or expand their online store without dealing with physical inventory or shipping logistics.
Read Printify’s Print on Demand vs Dropshipping guide to see which model fits your goals – then build a business that plays to your strengths.
Best platforms and tools to use
To run a successful digital dropshipping business, you need tools that simplify product management, automate delivery, and support long-term growth. The platforms below make it easier to get started and scale:
- Printify: Best known for Print on Demand, Printify also supports digital dropshipping by letting you create product mockups, bundle digital extras with physical items, or offer downloadable resources. It’s easy to use, integrates with major online store builders, and helps merchants grow with ease.
- Shopify: A popular choice for setting up an online business, Shopify’s powerful tools and app integrations make selling digital dropshipping products simple. With automation features and an intuitive design, it works well for both beginners and experienced digital dropshippers.
- WooCommerce: Great for WordPress users who want flexibility and deep customization. Add plugins to handle licensing, automate digital downloads, and even track customer access to your digital offerings.
- Gumroad: A simple, low-maintenance option for creators selling eBooks, design assets, or online courses. Gumroad is ideal for solo entrepreneurs who want to launch quickly without tech headaches.
- Payhip: Similar to Gumroad, Payhip helps you sell digital dropshipping products with features like instant downloads, coupons, and affiliate support – all with no monthly fee.
Choosing the right tools depends on your goals, budget, and experience. Whether you’re just starting out or optimizing an existing store, the right platform can help you launch faster and sell smarter.
The platform you choose can make or break your success. Check out Printify’s guide to the best dropshipping websites to find the ideal partner for your store – whether you prioritise branded products, local suppliers, or advanced automation tools.
Success tips and best practices
To build your own digital dropshipping business, focus on quality, automation, and smart marketing strategies from the start.
- Choose a clear niche: Focus your store on a specific target market or product type.
- Use high-quality visuals: Eye-catching mockups build trust and increase conversions.
- Automate delivery: Set up instant access to all digital products for a smooth customer experience.
- Test your listings: Check all download links and product files before launch.
- Write detailed descriptions: Help website visitors understand exactly what they’ll be purchasing.
- Keep your catalog fresh: Regularly add new items to encourage repeat business.
- Invest in marketing strategies: Use email marketing, social media marketing, and search engine optimization (SEO) to drive organic traffic.
- Offer exceptional customer service: Fast replies and helpful answers increase customer satisfaction and dropshipping success.
- Track what sells: Use analytics to improve your listings and refine your strategy.
- Use productivity tools: Organize tasks, files, and communication with platforms like Trello, Notion, or Slack.
- Check supplier reliability: Only work with partners who consistently deliver accurate, high-quality digital files.
How to start a digital dropshipping store with Printify
Starting a digital dropshipping business with Printify is simple. You can get creative by bundling downloadable files with physical products or using mockups to promote purely digital offerings.
Here’s how to get started:
- Create a Printify account
Sign up for free and explore the Product Catalog and tools. - Decide what to sell
Choose your niche and target audience and select the types of digital products you want to offer – like printable artwork, templates, or guides. - Prepare your files
Collect or license the digital files you’ll be selling. Organize them so they’re ready for upload or delivery. - Design mockups with Printify
Use Printify’s Product Creator to build custom mockups that showcase your digital files visually – even if they’re not tied to a physical item. - Connect your online store
Integrate Printify with platforms like Shopify, Etsy, or WooCommerce to manage your listings, branding, and checkout process. - Set up digital delivery
Use a delivery tool like Shopify’s Digital Downloads app or a plugin for your chosen platform to automate fulfillment. - Launch and promote your store
Once everything is tested and in place, go live and start promoting through email marketing, SEO, and social media.
With the right setup, you can run a professional digital dropshipping business that’s scalable, automated, and ready to grow.
Digital dropshipping FAQ
Digital dropshipping is a business model where you sell digital products created by others. You don’t handle production or delivery – everything is automated through a third party.
To start digital dropshipping, pick a niche, get licensed digital products, set up an online store, automate delivery, and market your store to drive traffic.
No, digital dropshipping is easier than traditional dropshipping. There’s no inventory, no shipping, and less support needed. The process is mostly hands-off.
Final thoughts: Is digital dropshipping right for you?
Digital dropshipping offers a low-risk, affordable way to earn online without handling physical products.
With high-quality offerings, smart marketing, and the right platforms – like Printify, which lets you bundle digital and physical items – you can build a scalable, profitable business.
Whether starting out or growing your store, digital dropshipping gives you flexibility and opportunities to stand out.
