Top POD Experts Predict
the Money-Making Trends of 2024
The next big-selling niches and products that will maximize your profits in 2024, predicted by some of our highest-earning merchants.
Find Your 2024 Money Makers
$38.21 billion
The global market size for Print on Demand is expected to reach by 2030.
What is the best indicator of what will sell faster than you can say niche in 2024? The data from 2023!
Will artificial intelligence (AI) become a cornerstone of your POD strategies? Can apparel, home decor, and drinkware reign supreme as the next top seller? And are there any untapped target markets yet to be discovered?
To help us make the most of next year, we’ve consulted four industry experts:
Starla Moore, Mandy Dobosenski, Juna Duncan, and Cassiy Johnson have sold thousands of products and made millions of dollars year after year.
Their insights are invaluable and 100% free for you to read right here.
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Table of Contents
Introducing Our Experts
Starla Moore (She/Her)
Starla is a manager at eRank.com, and the head coach of her brand, Handmade Alpha Academy. At eRank, she analyzes shoppers’ searches on Etsy, Google, and Amazon, giving her valuable insights into consumer habits, design trends, and products. She shares her unique perspective on these data-driven insights on her YouTube channel. Starla shares the side of eCommerce, where data is king with proven results.
Cassiy Johnson (She/Her)
Cassiy started her first print-on-demand business in 2020. Determined to grow her business, she opened both product and mock-up stores on Etsy, learning valuable insights along the way. She then started a YouTube channel to share these tips. In 2023, she's one of the most visible YouTube creators in POD, amassing thousands of subscribers. She’s been featured on US media outlets like CNBC.
Mandy Dobosenski (She/Her)
After spending 15 years climbing the corporate ladder, Mandy decided to focus her energy on building her brand and business. A serial entrepreneur at heart with a thriving Etsy skincare business, she pivoted to POD in 2021. She loves helping others navigate their print-on-demand journey through video tutorials on her YouTube channel. She now runs a six-figure business, inspiring her partner to do the same.
Juna Duncan (He/Him)
Juna started his first print-on-demand business in 2005. Today, he's focused on his brand, Detour Shirts, which has been selling since 2017. He loves teaching others how to design and sell t-shirts online. His YouTube channel currently has close to 110,000 subscribers. He sells through multiple POD sales channels, but his highest is Amazon, where he's in the top 100,000 sellers.
Introducing Our Experts
Starla Moore (She/Her)
Starla is a manager at eRank.com, and the head coach of her brand, Handmade Alpha Academy. At eRank, she analyzes shoppers’ searches on Etsy, Google, and Amazon, giving her valuable insights into consumer habits, design trends, and products. She shares her unique perspective on these data-driven insights on her YouTube channel. Starla shares the side of eCommerce, where data is king with proven results.
Cassiy Johnson (She/Her)
Cassiy started her first print-on-demand business in 2020. Determined to grow her business, she opened both product and mock-up stores on Etsy, learning valuable insights along the way. She then started a YouTube channel to share these tips. In 2023, she’s one of the most visible YouTube creators in POD, amassing thousands of subscribers. She’s been featured on US media outlets like CNBC.
Mandy Dobosenski (She/Her)
After spending 15 years climbing the corporate ladder, Mandy decided to focus her energy on building her brand and business. A serial entrepreneur at heart with a thriving Etsy skincare business, she pivoted to POD in 2021. She loves helping others navigate their print-on-demand journey through video tutorials on her YouTube channel. She now runs a six-figure business, inspiring her partner to do the same.
Juna Duncan (He/Him)
Juna started his first print-on-demand business in 2005. Today, he’s focused on his brand, Detour Shirts, which has been selling since 2017. He loves teaching others how to design and sell t-shirts online. His YouTube channel currently has close to 110,000 subscribers. He sells through multiple POD sales channels, but his highest is Amazon, where he’s in the top 100,000 sellers.
Our Experts’ Predictions
Juna Duncan
Artificial intelligence is going to be involved in everything we do in 2024. For POD sellers, the Text-to-Image AI feature can be used to create designs for you. As AI grows, we’ll use it more to do simple copy tasks, such as writing descriptions. We can also get a lot of data with AI to help us identify the best design ideas. AI won’t do everything, like run your business for you, but it can be a big part of your research process.
Starla Moore
AI is a fantastic tool that can help businesses save time on mundane tasks that would require an extra set of hands. However, it’s essential also to note the change in consumer response to AI-generated copy. At eRank.com, we’re seeing more and more searches performed by shoppers using terms like “handmade” or “hand painted” – a good indication that many shoppers seek products not designed with AI. So, as a business owner, it’s important to remember that AI cannot run your business for you… but it can help to save time on everyday tasks, idea-building, and marketing.
Mandy Dobosenski
Artificial intelligence is becoming more powerful each day, and I think we’re only seeing the beginning of what it’s capable of within the industry. We can either be afraid of it or use it to work faster and smarter than our competition. Print-on-demand sellers are finding success in AI artwork, while others are leveraging it to create social media content or automate small processes.
With 10 million users selling in over 16 countries, Printify remains one of the most prominent players in Print on Demand.
Cassiy Johnson
AI will make designing products like pillows and blankets much more accessible to everyone. So far, you have to be a really good designer to create large, beautiful patterns, but now, with the help of AI, you can bring your creations to life by just knowing how to use the right prompts. I foresee AI making your design elements and adding the written text, which will be interesting to see. I hope many more automation tools come out to make the entire listing process faster so we can spend more time on the design and research aspects.
Mandy Dobosenski
Competitive? Yes. Dead? Not. As long as people still want to say something about themselves, their style, their beliefs, or the world they live in, t-shirts will be around. That said, I typically tell people to start with sweatshirts – the same design principles often apply, but the profit margins are definitely higher and perform well all year. The current market demands that sellers put more thought into their designs and understand their target audiences better.
Starla Moore
T-shirts and apparel will always be in demand. It’s a matter of identifying the types of apparel the customers are searching for online. Keyword Tools can help sellers identify the exact search terms from platforms like Etsy and Amazon. This will clarify the most demanding designs and help you assess your competition from other sellers in similar niches.
Juna Duncan
T-shirts aren’t dead. I’ve been selling them since 2005. People are always looking to express themselves, and t-shirts are up there with socks for individual expression on apparel. Plus, graphic tees are back in pop culture, proving that clothing remains in high demand. I can’t think of any other product that’s been consistent in Print on Demand. But there’s a lot more competition today on apparel, and I wish they were a bigger ticket item. But personally, I don’t buy big-ticket items either, so there’s that.
The largest print-on-demand markets in 2023 were the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada.
Cassiy Johnson
There are thousands of t-shirts on Etsy with bestseller badges right now, let alone how many say they have more than 20 in the cart, so I don’t think t-shirts are dead. But I believe you need to niche down to succeed with t-shirts. Selling things that you can’t buy at big box stores because they aren’t popular enough. Niches like very specific types of teachers, nurses, or smaller, lesser-known hobbies will always have a place on Etsy. It has become the go-to place for custom and personalized items like that.
Cassiy Johnson
The next big product to take off could be tumblers. They’re selling well already, and if combined with being able to make them for super specific niches or personalized, it’ll make a great combination.
Juna Duncan
Well, 2024 is an election year in the USA. So, for the 2024 election, stickers, posters, yard signs, and things like that will take off. I did well in the past in some election years. Since stickers are a low-profit item, you’ll have to sell a ton of them, but there’s a big market for that based on the current keyword trends.
Mandy Dobosenski
I’m still obsessed with blankets, and they do well in my shops, but I also think skinny tumblers are becoming instant bestsellers. If you can find ways to incorporate personalization or group purchases, they can be even more profitable.
Home decor was the fastest-growing product segment for Print on Demand in 2023.
Starla Moore
A quick analysis on eRank of the top 100 most searched items in POD over the last 15 months indicates a growing interest in stickers, specifically those for decorating laptops and water bottles. As a POD seller, right now is the perfect time to begin thinking about the hobbies and interests that your shoppers may want to represent with stickers. Understanding how a buyer will use their sticker can allow you to use more targeted keywords and product photos that illustrate how the sticker will look on these items.
Cassiy Johnson
Etsy has helped many sellers grow in 2023, and in 2024, I see Etsy growing even further. The new emerging platform, TikTok Shop, has a lot of potential as well.
Juna Duncan
I sell the most on Amazon, which has been great, and I don’t see it slowing down. I got on in 2017, and they had only a few products, but they’ve added more now with room to grow. I know you can sell well in the US. They have different sites worldwide. So, I’m going to put my money on Amazon.
Mandy Dobosenski
While TikTok Shop is definitely one to watch as we head into 2024, Etsy continues to be a thriving marketplace overall. It’s still the perfect place for learning how to launch a business online and build a foundation. Eventually, use that as a launching point to branch out into a separate platform like Shopify for those looking to build a brand. I’ve had a thriving business on Etsy for over six years. But I think it’s also reasonable to start considering the next level. I wouldn’t be surprised to see more Etsy sellers moving onto platforms like Shopify.
The Asian Pacific region is predicted to have the fastest growth rate in Print on Demand at a CAGR of 27.5%.
Starla Moore
If you’re selling to college students, setting up a TikTok Shop may be an amazing way to showcase your products within a platform primarily occupied by a user base of ages 18 to 34.
If you’re an artist who utilizes POD to scale your business, Etsy is a fantastic platform that maintains an overall interest in unique and artisan-made items among its shoppers.
Every platform has a potential for success – it’s about establishing where your target customers hang out online.
Starla Moore
Alongside seasonal holiday items, it’s important also to include what I call evergreen occasions. Think of the occasions that can happen any day of the year, like birthdays, anniversaries, housewarming parties, baby showers, weddings, quinceañeras. The list goes on!
By creating a variety of items related to evergreen occasions, you can ensure that your shop won’t fall victim to seasonal sales slumps.
Juna Duncan
Many people think of Christmas in Q4, but there’s a bigger one for me – Halloween. People like to use t-shirts for Halloween costumes. There are also some really big holidays during the year, including Mother’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day, Cinco de Mayo, Father’s Day, and birthdays. Smaller holidays and occasions can help you get some sales throughout the year.
Cassiy Johnson
Spring can be as big if not bigger than Q4 if you capitalize on Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, and graduation niches. These vast niches sell well around the same time of April to June and can skyrocket your store for the rest of the year.
Most high-volume print-on-demand merchants maintain profit margins between 40% and 45%.
Mandy Dobosenski
Mother’s Day and Father’s Day are always great holidays. I think it’s also important to remember that there are unique ways of breaking into some of these broader categories. For instance, there are designs for bonus moms, bonus dads, and adoptive parents. I also think a popular but underserved occasion is anniversaries. And it’s not just milestones – think about years 1-10, the significant milestones after that, and make sure you’re incorporating personalization.
Our Experts’ Predictions
Question 1
AI Has Made Huge Strides in the Past Year Alone.
How Will AI Impact the Print on Demand Industry in 2024?
Juna Duncan
Artificial intelligence is going to be involved in everything we do in 2024. For POD sellers, the Text-to-Image AI feature can be used to create designs for you. As AI grows, we’ll use it more to do simple copy tasks, such as writing descriptions. We can also get a lot of data with AI to help us identify the best design ideas. AI won’t do everything, like run your business for you, but it can be a big part of your research process.
Starla Moore
AI is a fantastic tool that can help businesses save time on mundane tasks that would require an extra set of hands. However, it’s essential also to note the change in consumer response to AI-generated copy. At eRank.com, we’re seeing more and more searches performed by shoppers using terms like “handmade” or “hand painted” – a good indication that many shoppers seek products not designed with AI. So, as a business owner, it’s important to remember that AI cannot run your business for you… but it can help to save time on everyday tasks, idea-building, and marketing.
Mandy Dobosenski
Artificial intelligence is becoming more powerful each day, and I think we’re only seeing the beginning of what it’s capable of within the industry. We can either be afraid of it or use it to work faster and smarter than our competition. Print-on-demand sellers are finding success in AI artwork, while others are leveraging it to create social media content or automate small processes.
With 10 million users selling in over 16 countries, Printify remains one of the most prominent players in Print on Demand.
Cassiy Johnson
AI will make designing products like pillows and blankets much more accessible to everyone. So far, you have to be a really good designer to create large, beautiful patterns, but now, with the help of AI, you can bring your creations to life by just knowing how to use the right prompts. I foresee AI making your design elements and adding the written text, which will be interesting to see. I hope many more automation tools come out to make the entire listing process faster so we can spend more time on the design and research aspects.
Question 2
Are T-Shirts Dead? Is Apparel Still Set to Be the POD Money Maker for 2024?
Mandy Dobosenski
Competitive? Yes. Dead? Not. As long as people still want to say something about themselves, their style, their beliefs, or the world they live in, t-shirts will be around. That said, I typically tell people to start with sweatshirts – the same design principles often apply, but the profit margins are definitely higher and perform well all year. The current market demands that sellers put more thought into their designs and understand their target audiences better.
Starla Moore
T-shirts and apparel will always be in demand. It’s a matter of identifying the types of apparel the customers are searching for online. Keyword Tools can help sellers identify the exact search terms from platforms like Etsy and Amazon. This will clarify the most demanding designs and help you assess your competition from other sellers in similar niches.
Juna Duncan
T-shirts aren’t dead. I’ve been selling them since 2005. People are always looking to express themselves, and t-shirts are up there with socks for individual expression on apparel. Plus, graphic tees are back in pop culture, proving that clothing remains in high demand. I can’t think of any other product that’s been consistent in Print on Demand. But there’s a lot more competition today on apparel, and I wish they were a bigger ticket item. But personally, I don’t buy big-ticket items either, so there’s that.
The largest print-on-demand markets in 2023 were the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada.
Cassiy Johnson
There are thousands of t-shirts on Etsy with bestseller badges right now, let alone how many say they have more than 20 in the cart, so I don’t think t-shirts are dead. But I believe you need to niche down to succeed with t-shirts. Selling things that you can’t buy at big box stores because they aren’t popular enough. Niches like very specific types of teachers, nurses, or smaller, lesser-known hobbies will always have a place on Etsy. It has become the go-to place for custom and personalized items like that.
Question 3
Blankets Took off in 2023. Which Product Will Be the Next Big Hit in 2024?
Cassiy Johnson
The next big product to take off could be tumblers. They’re selling well already, and if combined with being able to make them for super specific niches or personalized, it’ll make a great combination.
Juna Duncan
Well, 2024 is an election year in the USA. So, for the 2024 election, stickers, posters, yard signs, and things like that will take off. I did well in the past in some election years. Since stickers are a low-profit item, you’ll have to sell a ton of them, but there’s a big market for that based on the current keyword trends.
Mandy Dobosenski
I’m still obsessed with blankets, and they do well in my shops, but I also think skinny tumblers are becoming instant bestsellers. If you can find ways to incorporate personalization or group purchases, they can be even more profitable.
Home decor was the fastest-growing product segment for Print on Demand in 2023.
Starla Moore
A quick analysis on eRank of the top 100 most searched items in POD over the last 15 months indicates a growing interest in stickers, specifically those for decorating laptops and water bottles. As a POD seller, right now is the perfect time to begin thinking about the hobbies and interests that your shoppers may want to represent with stickers. Understanding how a buyer will use their sticker can allow you to use more targeted keywords and product photos that illustrate how the sticker will look on these items.
Question 4
Which Sales Channels Will Help POD Sellers Grow the Most in 2024?
Cassiy Johnson
Etsy has helped many sellers grow in 2023, and in 2024, I see Etsy growing even further. The new emerging platform, TikTok Shop, has a lot of potential as well.
Juna Duncan
I sell the most on Amazon, which has been great, and I don’t see it slowing down. I got on in 2017, and they had only a few products, but they’ve added more now with room to grow. I know you can sell well in the US. They have different sites worldwide. So, I’m going to put my money on Amazon.
Mandy Dobosenski
While TikTok Shop is definitely one to watch as we head into 2024, Etsy continues to be a thriving marketplace overall. It’s still the perfect place for learning how to launch a business online and build a foundation. Eventually, use that as a launching point to branch out into a separate platform like Shopify for those looking to build a brand. I’ve had a thriving business on Etsy for over six years. But I think it’s also reasonable to start considering the next level. I wouldn’t be surprised to see more Etsy sellers moving onto platforms like Shopify.
The Asian Pacific region is predicted to have the fastest growth rate in Print on Demand at a CAGR of 27.5%.
Starla Moore
If you’re selling to college students, setting up a TikTok Shop may be an amazing way to showcase your products within a platform primarily occupied by a user base of ages 18 to 34.
If you’re an artist who utilizes POD to scale your business, Etsy is a fantastic platform that maintains an overall interest in unique and artisan-made items among its shoppers.
Every platform has a potential for success – it’s about establishing where your target customers hang out online.
Question 5
Besides Q4, What Other Holidays Should People Capitalize on in 2024?
Starla Moore
Alongside seasonal holiday items, it’s important also to include what I call evergreen occasions. Think of the occasions that can happen any day of the year, like birthdays, anniversaries, housewarming parties, baby showers, weddings, quinceañeras. The list goes on!
By creating a variety of items related to evergreen occasions, you can ensure that your shop won’t fall victim to seasonal sales slumps.
Juna Duncan
Many people think of Christmas in Q4, but there’s a bigger one for me – Halloween. People like to use t-shirts for Halloween costumes. There are also some really big holidays during the year, including Mother’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day, Cinco de Mayo, Father’s Day, and birthdays. Smaller holidays and occasions can help you get some sales throughout the year.
Cassiy Johnson
Spring can be as big if not bigger than Q4 if you capitalize on Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, and graduation niches. These vast niches sell well around the same time of April to June and can skyrocket your store for the rest of the year.
Most high-volume print-on-demand merchants maintain profit margins between 40% and 45%.
Mandy Dobosenski
Mother’s Day and Father’s Day are always great holidays. I think it’s also important to remember that there are unique ways of breaking into some of these broader categories. For instance, there are designs for bonus moms, bonus dads, and adoptive parents. I also think a popular but underserved occasion is anniversaries. And it’s not just milestones – think about years 1-10, the significant milestones after that, and make sure you’re incorporating personalization.