Start a custom printing business with Printify
Dreaming of building your own business without upfront costs, warehouses, or risk?
Enter Print on Demand (POD) – where creativity meets entrepreneurship.
In this ultimate guide, we’ll show you how to make money with Print on Demand, step by step. Whether you’re starting fresh or ready to scale, Printify has the blueprint for you.
What is a print-on-demand business?
Print on Demand is a type of eCommerce model where you sell custom products – like t-shirts, mugs, posters, and phone cases – without holding any inventory.
Instead, you partner with a third-party supplier (your print-on-demand partner) who prints and ships the customized item only after a customer places an order.
This low-risk business model removes upfront investment and eliminates warehousing headaches. You simply create designs, publish them in your online store, and a print-on-demand network like Printify takes care of the rest with automated fulfillment.
Here’s how the print-on-demand model works:
- You partner with a print-on-demand platform like Printify.
- You choose a product from the Catalog and customize it using the Product Creator.
- You connect to an eCommerce platform and publish your product.
- A customer purchases a product from your store, and the order details get sent to Printify.
- Your print-on-demand service provider automatically prints and ships the product directly to them.
This model suits creators, influencers, and aspiring entrepreneurs who want to monetize ideas without managing logistics. It’s also a smart way to test new product lines or enter a specialized market segment with minimal risk, since everything is made-to-order.
Whether you’re building your first online business or adding revenue streams to your brand, the print-on-demand business model offers flexibility, scalability, and serious profit potential.
8 Steps to make money with a print-on-demand store
Step 1: Pick a profitable niche that matches demand
Selecting a niche is one of the most important first steps in establishing a successful print-on-demand business. Your niche determines your target audience, your messaging, and your products – and it needs to strike a balance between your passion and market demand.
Start with market research:
- Use Google Trends and other keyword research tools to spot growing interest.
- Explore marketplaces like Etsy, Amazon, and TikTok Shop for niche inspiration – think segments like dog moms, plant lovers, or even dark academia.
- Validate product potential by checking Printify’s bestseller list, competitors, and design trends to make sure there’s demand.
Look for popular niches that are active and tap into what people care about. Think beyond just the design – consider the lifestyle and values of your niche audience.
Ask yourself:
- Who am I designing for?
- What do they care about?
- Are they already buying custom products in this space?
This is where the print-on-demand business model really shines. Instead of investing in hundreds of units, you test ideas with zero inventory – perfect for exploring unique market segments.
Look at successful sellers on eCommerce sales channels like Etsy or Shopify. Many of them started with a small, clearly defined niche before expanding.
Narrow your focus, and you’ll actually expand your chance to succeed – messaging becomes sharper, ads convert better, and your store becomes a go-to destination for a specific need.
Step 2: Choose a product type with good margins
Not all print-on-demand products are created equal – some offer far better profit potential than others. To make money with Print on Demand, you need to pick items that combine high demand with healthy margins and strong product quality.
Best-selling and high-margin product types:
| Product | Avg. cost* | Suggested retail price | Estimated profit margin | Unique selling points |
| Classic tee | $11.25 | $29.99 | 62% | Easy starter item, timeless wardrobe staple |
| Hoodie | $23.25 | $54.99 | 58% | Seasonal bestseller, higher average order value |
| Ceramic mug | $9.77 | $19.99 | 51% | Great gift item, low return rate |
| AOP tote bag | $14.94 | $24.99 | 40% | Sustainable trend, lifestyle accessory |
| Jigsaw puzzle | $19.69 | $34.99 | 44% | Unique gifting item, niche fans love collectibles |
*Avg. cost = base product + printing (from your chosen Print Provider via Printify Premium) + shipping
The retail price and margin are suggestions – adjust based on your niche, target market, and product type.
Use Printify’s Catalog filters to find top-performing items by price point, category, and printing partner rating. Review shipping costs, product variants, and regional availability. These factors will help you set a sustainable and competitive profit margin.
Then, match your product choice with your ideal audience.
Don’t just pick products based on profit and popularity – pick them based on niche relevance. If you’re targeting plant lovers, a canvas tote bag with botanical artwork might be more appealing than a hoodie. Selling to dog moms? Try matching t-shirts and pet bandanas.
Your product line should feel curated to your buyer’s lifestyle, preferences, and identity. The closer the fit, the higher the conversion rate.
Start with 1-3 proven, high-margin products that directly appeal to your target market. Monitor what resonates, then gradually expand your custom merchandise catalog.
Step 3: Create and test your designs
Great designs are the heart of any successful print-on-demand business. Whether you’re artistic or not, there are tools and workflows that make it easy to create designs that stand out.
Tools to create designs:
- Canva and Kittl – Beginner-friendly with templates, fonts, and layout tools.
- Adobe Illustrator or Photoshop – Best for professional-level customization.
- AI tools – DALL·E, Midjourney, and ChatGPT can help generate visuals, slogans, or design ideas.
You don’t need advanced design skills to get started, but you do need to understand your target audience. Think about what colors, fonts, and themes resonate with your brand and niche.
Once your concept is ready, head into Printify’s Product Creator. Our free tool lets you upload your designs or create them from scratch using built-in graphics.
Use Printify’s Product Creator to:
- Upload high-res designs in seconds
- Drag, drop, resize, and align art on a live product preview
- Switch colors and variants instantly
- Add front, back, and sleeve print placements
- Generate professional product mockups automatically
It’s the fastest way to go from idea to product listing – without needing a separate mockup tool.
Order samples to check quality:
High margins mean nothing if your product quality disappoints.
Print clarity, fabric softness, stitching – these details shape how your customers perceive your brand. Low-quality items lead to higher return rates, negative reviews, and a loss of trust. That’s why every successful print-on-demand business tests its products first.
Before launching any item, always order samples from your Print Provider. You’ll want to evaluate:
- Print vibrancy and accuracy
- Material quality and comfort
- Packaging and delivery speed
This helps you avoid costly surprises and makes sure you’re offering high-quality products your audience will love – and reorder.
Test your designs before launch:
Post your concepts on TikTok or Instagram Reels and see which ones get the most engagement. Use polls or comments to gather customer feedback early. You can also run a few test listings to collect data on which custom designs convert best.
Step 4: Set up your online store
Once you’ve created products and tested your designs, it’s time to launch your own online store. The right eCommerce platform makes or breaks your workflow, branding, and profit margins.
Choose where to sell:
- Shopify – Ideal for those who want full control and a branded storefront. Best for scaling.
- Etsy – Great for beginners. Instant access to millions of customers searching for custom products.
- TikTok Shop – Perfect for viral marketing. Sell directly in-platform with shoppable videos.
- Amazon – Access a massive audience without managing a standalone eCommerce store.
Platform comparison:
| Platform | Fees | Pros | Cons | Best for |
| Shopify | $29/month subscription feeOptional paid apps to expand website functionality | Full brand control with easy drag-and-drop web design toolsHundreds of integrations for POD, store management, marketing, and analytics | Monthly subscription fees and app purchases Must drive your own traffic through marketing | Long-term growth |
| Etsy | $0.20 listing fee6.5% transaction fee3% + $0.25 (US) payment processing fee | Built-in traffic with thousands of active monthly buyersTrusted marketplace with robust safety and quality policies | High competition with other POD merchants Platform listing and payment fees – Etsy takes a cut from each sale | Beginners, niche products |
| TikTok Shop | No upfront costCommission on each sale (% of the product price) | Potential to go viral with high brand visibility Fast sales – purchases made straight from the social media app | Requires content strategy, trends analysis, and a unique brand voice that engages audiences | Trend-driven products |
| Amazon | Referral fee (typically 8%-15%) and other Amazon seller fees | Massive built-in traffic and global customer trustHigh sales potential thanks to strong search intent | Strict product guidelines and category rulesFierce competition in most product nichesLess freedom to build a brand experience on your storefront | High-volume sellers |
When choosing your sales channels, consider platform fees, ease of use, and how much control you want over branding.
If you’re just starting, Etsy or TikTok Shop can help validate your product-market fit quickly.
Once you’ve chosen your dedicated eCommerce platform, integrate with Printify. Our print-on-demand service connects seamlessly with all major platforms – syncing your orders, automating fulfillment, and keeping your inventory updated.
Step 5: Plan your pricing strategy
Set prices too low, and you lose money. Too high, and customers leave. The key is competitive pricing that covers your costs while delivering solid margins.
Here’s a simple formula:
- Retail price = (product cost + shipping + platform fees) × profit multiplier
- Example – If your product costs $10, shipping is $4, and you want a 60% margin before platform fees, your retail price would be ($10 + $4) × 2.5 = $35
Factor in:
- Product cost (base item + any design fees)
- Shipping costs (varies by supplier and destination)
- Platform fees (Etsy, Shopify, etc.)
Use Printify’s profit calculator (available to Etsy merchants) to preview your margins before listing products. Or, check out our t-shirt pricing calculator for a quick look at the formula.
Many successful sellers aim for a 40%-60% profit margin after all expenses, but you can charge more in niche markets with loyal buyers or aim low to beat competition – just make sure not to undervalue your product.
Also, consider offering free shipping by incorporating delivery costs into the retail price. This persuades people to buy more, especially on marketplaces like Etsy and Amazon.
Pricing isn’t set-and-forget. Test, adjust, and refine based on performance, seasonality, and customer behavior.
Step 6: Market your products
Your products won’t sell themselves – even the best custom designs need exposure. To succeed in Print on Demand, focus your energy on consistent and strategic marketing efforts.
1. Organic marketing: Build an audience before you buy ads
If you’re just starting out, organic marketing is your best friend. It’s free, scalable, and helps you build trust through consistent storytelling.
Start by choosing 1-2 platforms where your target audience already spends time. TikTok, Instagram, and Pinterest work especially well for custom products.
Instead of only posting product images, focus on content that shows value:
- Share behind-the-scenes design processes or how you created a product.
- Post customer photos, user reviews, or mockup previews.
- Use SEO-friendly captions with niche hashtags (like #PlantDadMerch or #DarkAcademiaAesthetic).
Engage with your niche by joining Facebook groups or Reddit threads – not just to promote, but to connect. That kind of social media presence builds lasting loyalty.
2. Paid advertising: Start seeding your offers with a budget
Once you’ve made a few organic sales, it’s time to amplify what’s working. Start small with paid advertising to boost traffic and conversions.
Meta Ads (Facebook and Instagram), TikTok Ads, and Etsy Ads all offer beginner-friendly solutions.
Here’s how to get started:
- Choose one product that already sells well organically.
- Run simple image or video ads targeting your niche (e.g., “funny dog owner gifts”).
- Test headlines, audiences, and visuals one at a time to see what converts best.
Keep budgets minimal at first – $5-15/day is enough to test effectively. Track your return on ad spend (ROAS) and only scale up once you’re profitable.
3. Influencer campaigns: Combine trust and efficiency
You don’t need celebrity endorsements. In fact, micro-influencers (1K-50K followers) often bring more trust and engagement than big names.
Find creators who naturally align with your brand, and offer free products or affiliate commissions in exchange for influencer marketing, such as:
- Unboxing or review videos
- Lifestyle shots featuring your product
- Honest testimonials with your store tagged
Authentic content performs better than polished promos – especially on platforms like TikTok. You can even repurpose that content for your paid ads later.
Automate smarter with AI-driven campaigns:
Pairing influencer efforts with AI-powered tools helps you scale campaigns quickly, especially if you’re managing everything solo.
Use AI to support your workflow:
- Ad creative generation – Tools like DALL·E or Midjourney can produce original mockups and visuals.
- Campaign copywriting – Generate headlines, product descriptions, and social captions using ChatGPT.
- Trend-based content planning – Ask AI to brainstorm timely content ideas based on holidays, memes, or your niche.
- Influencer outreach templates – Quickly draft personalized emails to pitch creators more efficiently.
- Repurposing content – Turn a TikTok caption into Pinterest text, an email subject line, or an Instagram post.
AI isn’t here to replace your voice – it’s here to speed up production, help you test more ideas, and let you focus on strategy, not just execution, while keeping your creativity intact.
Step 7: Automate and scale your POD store
As your print-on-demand business grows, manual tasks can quickly eat up your time – especially order processing, tracking, and customer communication.
That’s why automation is necessary for long-term success.
Automate with Printify integrations:
Printify connects directly with leading eCommerce platforms like Shopify, Etsy, TikTok Shop, eBay, and more. Once you connect with Printify, every order is automatically sent to your print-on-demand partner, who handles production and shipping.
Set up automated print-on-demand workflows to:
- Design and launch store-ready listings
- Sync orders from your store in real time
- Auto-update tracking numbers and shipping details
- Manage products across multiple sales channels
This keeps your customer experience seamless and frees you up to focus on growth.
Use tools that grow with you:
As your store gains traction, having the right tools in place will help you manage operations, run campaigns, track performance, and engage with customers.
- Social media automation – Use tools like Buffer, Metricool, or Sprout Social to schedule posts and analyze engagement across platforms.
- Analytics – Shopify’s built-in reports or Google Analytics can help track conversion rates, top-selling products, and cart abandonment.
- Email flows – Automate abandoned cart emails, order confirmations, and review requests using platforms like Klaviyo or Mailchimp.
Optimize for the future with scaling strategies:
Once your store is profitable and your systems are automated, you’re ready to scale. Here’s how to grow sustainably without overwhelming yourself:
- Launch a second niche store to test new markets or diversify your income streams.
- Expand your product line by repurposing top-performing designs onto other products, like mugs, hoodies, stickers, and tote bags.
- Create bundles (e.g., a t-shirt + mug combo) to increase average order value.
- Offer limited-edition seasonal drops around holidays, events, or trends to create urgency and encourage repeat buyers.
- Test international markets by enabling global shipping or targeting ads to attract customers in high-demand regions.
- Use upsell and cross-sell apps (like Bold or ReConvert) to recommend related products during checkout.
- Collect customer data with their consent to build segmented email lists and personalized marketing flows.
Step 8: Avoid common POD mistakes
Even the best ideas can flop if you overlook the basics. Here are the most common mistakes new print-on-demand business owners make – and how to avoid them.
1. Skipping niche validation
Jumping into a niche without checking demand often leads to low sales. Use tools like Etsy search, Google Trends, or TikTok to validate interest before designing.
2. Ignoring shipping costs
Not factoring shipping costs into your pricing can harm your margins. Always consider them in your pricing strategy – or offer free shipping by rolling it into your retail price.
3. Copying other sellers
Avoid reusing popular designs from other shops. Besides the risk of copyright takedowns, it damages your brand. Focus on original custom designs that reflect your niche.
4. Overloading your store
Launching with 50+ products can confuse buyers and dilute your focus. Start with 5-10 strong listings. Quality, not quantity, is what builds credibility.
5. Neglecting customer communication
Automate emails for order confirmations, shipping updates, and follow-ups. A responsive customer experience builds trust and leads to better customer satisfaction.
6. Choosing unreliable print suppliers
Don’t pick suppliers based on price alone. Evaluate print quality, reviews, and production speed. A reliable supplier is worth the investment.
Partnering with Printify takes all the guesswork out of selecting suppliers. Our global network of Print Providers has been vetted to consistently meet our Quality Promise.
Frequently asked questions
With the right approach, it’s possible to make your first sale within a few weeks. Your success depends on factors like niche selection, product quality, pricing, and marketing strategy.
Use organic content, ads, social media, and marketplace exposure to build momentum.
Yes. Platforms like Printify let you launch a POD business with no upfront costs. You don’t need to buy your own inventory or worry about fulfillment.
That said, eCommerce marketplaces like Etsy charge listing or transaction fees, while other sales channels like Shopify require paid monthly subscriptions. You may also want to invest in automation tools, pro design software, or ads to grow faster.
Some niches are competitive, but there’s still plenty of room to profit in the print-on-demand industry.
New sellers succeed by focusing on a specific niche, understanding their target market, and using effective marketing strategies to stand out. With a strong value proposition and excellent customer service, you can grow your POD business even in a crowded market.
Conclusion: Your idea, your store, your future
So, can you make money with Print on Demand? Absolutely – and millions already are. Whether you’re chasing a side hustle or building a full-time income stream, this business idea gives you the flexibility to launch with zero upfront risk, no inventory, and full creative control.
The key is to start smart. Choose a strong niche, research your potential customers, and focus on delivering great products and even better service. Lean on customer testimonials, automate your operations, and scale with confidence.
With Printify, you’re not just choosing another print-on-demand site – you’re partnering with a print-on-demand company trusted by millions, built to help you succeed.
