The primary reason many people start a print on demand (POD) business is so that they don't have to maintain inventory. For beginners, the need to buy in bulk for POD businesses does not make sense. Beginners don't know what will sell, and their goal is to minimize risk.
There are also some business owners who aren't sure if this is the right business model, so again this POD model is a good fit.
But these sellers eventually reach a point where ordering inventory in bulk makes even more sense for the reasons we'll discuss in this article.
Let's Define POD versus Bulk Ordering
POD. One of the most attractive things about print on demand (POD) is that it allows complete beginners to start selling products without a large investment of cash.
Print on demand means that you don't have to get stuck carrying product inventory when you don't know if products will sell. You place your designs on items, and list them on a selling platform. When they sell, you can ship orders consisting of as little as one item.
One of the disadvantages of POD is that by only selling one item, you pay more per piece for the items you're selling. That means you can (1) increase the selling price, (2) share the costs with the customer or (3) lose money on each sale until you "break even".
Buying in Bulk. Bulk inventory on the other hand, is a way to buy in volume. So in the case of Printful, they will start providing you with discounts per piece, when you order 25 pieces or more. You can mix and match designs and hold inventory for specific reasons when printing piece by piece is less advantageous.
Read on to learn why you might want to switch from POD to bulk ordering to maximize profit and grow your business when it makes sense to do so.
When It Makes Sense to Buy in Bulk for POD Sellers
When you buy in bulk, you can receive several advantages once they know which designs are selling consistently.
1. Higher Profit Margins
When you order products in bulk, the cost per item is usually much lower than regular POD pricing. This allows you to:
- Earn more profit per sale
- Offer discounts without sacrificing margins
- Compete more effectively on price
2. Sell at Local Events
Having inventory on hand allows you to sell at:
- Craft fairs
- Vendor markets
- Trade shows
- Community events
- Networking events
Customers can buy immediately instead of waiting for shipping. And in many cases they want to see how the products look and feel. They want items they can immediately take with them.
3. Faster Shipping
When you buy in bulk, you'll have inventory on hand that can be shipped as soon as the order is placed, reducing shipping time in many cases.
With inventory in stock, you can:
- Ship orders the same day
- Improve customer satisfaction
- Reduce abandoned carts caused by long delivery times
4. Create Product Bundles
Buying in bulk means you can mix and match sets with ease. You can even include products from other vendors without having to ship them in separate packaging.
Bulk inventory makes it easier to bundle products such as:
- Matching mugs and t-shirts
- Journals and pens
- Gift sets
- Seasonal collections
Bundles often increase the average order value.
5. Prepare for Seasonal Sales
Many POD sellers stock up before peak times like:
- Christmas
- Mother's Day
- Father's Day
- Graduation season
- Back-to-school
This helps avoid production delays during busy periods, enhancing the customer experience.
6. To Improve Product Photography
When you've got products in hand it helps you create better looking photos versus relying solely on mock ups. You can also take them to a professional photographer for a photo shoot.
Professional photos often convert better than mockups. Using this strategy allows you to:
- Create lifestyle photos
- Record videos and reels
- Demonstrate product quality
- Build trust with customers
7. Offer Wholesale Opportunities
Boutiques and local shops often want products they can display inside their shops. Their customers want to products they can hold in their hands.
Bulk inventory allows you to:
- Sell wholesale
- Supply local retailers
- Partner with gift shops
- Work with subscription boxes
8. Build a Brand Experience
When you fulfill orders yourself, you can add:
- Thank-you cards
- Coupons
- Samples
- Branded packaging
- Personal touches
This can encourage repeat purchases.
9. Reduce Production Risks
Sometimes POD providers experience:
- Production delays
- Stock shortages
- Printing errors
- Shipping disruptions
Having inventory available provides a way to quality check print providers. This also provides a backup option in the event that customers experience product issues.
For example, in the event of a printing error you can immediately ship a corrected product without having to wait on a print provider.
10. Test New Sales Channels
Bulk inventory makes it easier to expand into marketplace sales and in-person events:
- Craft fairs
- Pop-up shops
- Facebook Marketplace
- Local boutiques
- Consignment stores
A Smart Strategy for Beginners
New entrepreneurs can start with POD to validate designs, without risking or wasting money or inventory.
Once you identify your best-selling products, consider ordering those specific items in bulk to increase profits and expand your sales opportunities.
A good rule of thumb is: Use POD in the beginning for testing and bulk ordering for scaling.
This gives you the flexibility of print-on-demand while taking advantage of higher profits once you've found proven winners.
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