POD

How to outsource designs for scale

January 19, 2026 4 minutes

Struggling to grow your store? Outsource designs to scale your Print on Demand business.

Creating designs manually often leads to burnout and limits how fast you can grow. To scale your store from 10 to 1,000 products, you need to hire help. This guide explains how to use expert talent and create print-ready briefs to scale your Print on Demand business.

Why outsource design work

Scaling your business

Spending hours on designs keeps your store small. Delegating these tasks frees up time for marketing, niche research, and partner relationships. This shift helps you grow your business faster and focus on high-value activities.

Outsourcing helps you move away from manual work. By delegating, you can focus on tasks that drive sales and expand your reach.

Improve quality and reduce returns

Bad designs lead to unhappy customers and expensive returns. Investing in quality increases sales and builds trust. This directly improves your revenue and lowers operational costs.

High-quality designs reduce the risk of returns. Invest in designs that sell well and keep customers happy to boost your bottom line.

Find reliable design partners

Choosing the cheapest option often leads to errors and missed deadlines. Look for designers who provide consistent quality and understand your goals.

Every hire should add value to your business. Find partners who understand the needs of Print Providers and deliver excellent work. This saves money on revisions and prevents lost sales.

Boost sales with professional designs

Stop wasting time on manual design. Outsource to experts and get high-quality, print-ready files that attract customers and grow your Print on Demand business.

How to create design briefs

Ensure print-ready files

Incorrect files cause delays and waste money on revisions. A detailed brief with specific DPI and color profiles ensures the first sample is correct. This prepares files for Print Providers immediately.

Avoid surprises by demanding print-ready files from the start. This ensures every design meets quality standards and is ready for production.

Step-by-step design brief guide

General instructions lead to errors and frustration. You need designers to deliver exactly what Printify’s Print Providers require. Include specific product and printing requirements in your brief to ensure compatibility.

Here are the essential elements for your brief:

  • File formats: Request PNG or SVG formats.
  • Resolution: Require 300 DPI to ensure crisp prints.
  • Color profiles: Specify CMYK to prevent color shifts.
  • Dimensions: Include exact dimensions for your chosen Printify products (e.g., t-shirts, mugs, phone cases).
  • Mockups: Request previews on actual Printify products to visualize the result.
  • Placement: Define where the design sits on the product and its size.

Command designs that are right the first time. This speeds up your process and ensures alignment with our Print Providers.

Quality control for designs

As you order more designs, maintaining quality becomes difficult. Create a process to review every file to protect your brand reputation.

Check for resolution, color accuracy, and file format compliance before sending files to Print Providers. A strict review process ensures consistency as you grow your catalog.

Scale your product catalog

Expand your product range

More designs should lead to more products. Use your new design capacity to enter new niches and use the Printify Catalog.

Identify high-margin opportunities in the Printify Catalog. Place one design on multiple products to increase your sales potential.

Automate your workflow

Emailing designers takes time and slows you down. Use project management tools to track progress and approve designs.

Build a system that runs without your constant attention. Clear communication rules and tools help you manage a growing team and expand your Print on Demand business.

Long-term business growth

A clear strategy helps you grow. Outsourcing changes your business from a manual job to an automated company. This allows you to focus on expansion and market reach.

Build an efficient business that runs smoothly. Invest in systems and partners that help you scale without trading time for money.

Ready to improve your design output? Download our “Print-Ready Design Brief Template for Printify” now. Ensure every outsourced design is perfect for Print Providers, reduce revisions, and increase your profit margins.

Get our print-ready design brief

Download our template to ensure every outsourced design is perfect for Print Providers, reduce revisions, and boost your profit margins today!