Print-on-demand (or POD) is one of the best business models. It's also one of the best ways to start an online business without a lot of up front costs. You can actually start a POD business for free! This article will show you what it is and how a print on demand business works. 

Your print-on-demand drop shipping delivery time is based on fulfillment time plus shipping time. Your print partner connects to your website and several online marketplaces and automatically sends your orders to the nearest fulfillment center where the item is produced in 2-5 business days. 

Are You a Creator?

Are you someone who loves to make things? Maybe you're a pro with graphic design tools or you are interested in learning how to get started.

If so, there are tons of opportunities to build and grow an online business using the print on demand business model. If you're looking for a way to bring in extra income, you can create customized merchandise as an independent designer and artist. Open a shop and start designing! 

Use eCommerce Platforms to Sell Your Products

As a creator, you have many options like building your own eCommerce site, opening an eCommerce store like a Shopify store.

You can also start a shop on Etsy, WooCommerce or any of the other eCommerce platforms available. The goal is to start an online store and sell custom products on a variety of platforms.

When choosing the products you want to sell, there are a few ways your items can be printed.

• Direct to Garment

Direct to garment designs are printed using non-toxic vegan inks that ensure the garments are safe for adults and children. Have your designs printed with machines that are energy-efficient, produce zero wastewater, and are a sustainable choice for your brand.

Your designs can be printed on eco-friendly items on sleeves, pockets, legs, and more. You can also have your logo printed on the inside tag area of your garment.

• Embroidery

From embroidered patches to embroidered shirts and beanies—discover customizable pieces for your outfits and level up your personal style. Or add these products to your store! Embroidery designs have a stylish and premium quality look, just imagine how dazzling a custom embroidery apparel line will look on your store catalog.

Depending on your design, you can customize your hats with 2 embroidery styles: Flat or 3D Puff. For t-shirts, hoodies, and similar embroidery apparel, we offer elegant Flat embroidery as well as small and large embroidery area product options.

• Sublimation

Some of the products that can be printed using sublimation include shirts, sweaters, leggings, as well as laptop sleeves, bags, and even home decor. The results are magnificent!

Since sublimation ink seeps into the very fabric of the product, prints don’t crack, peel, or fade away. Even after multiple washes, the print will look as good as new. It’s a great selling point to assure customers that your product will serve them for years to come.

• All Over Print for Clothing and Accessories

Sublimation is also used for clothing and accessories with a repeated design or pattern all over the item. 

Equipment for Print on Demand Entrepreneurs

Sell on Your Own Site or a Popular Marketplace

You can sell your products in your own eCommerce shop or blog. This option works well if you have an established audience. If you have a list or you're communicating with a large number of people while running your business, you can advertise your shop.  

Having a shop that you own and control is a major benefit, because it helps you to control what happens with your shop and keep expenses and overhead to a minimum. 

The other options include selling your products on existing marketplaces like Etsy. Popular marketplaces have built in traffic of their own that you can access and drive to your shop. However, don't make the assumption that you can just list your product in a popular marketplace and forget it. You will still need to promote your products and shop to obtain visitors and customers. 

You can also use a combination of these methods to get the most exposure for your shop. You would need to incorporate a social media marketing plan to ensure that your products stay front and center with your audience. A combination is the best mix that taps into the existing traffic on popular marketplaces, while giving you control over a platform that allows you to build your business over time.

• Self Publish Books, Journals and Notebooks

The gratitude journal shown here is available at Barnes and Noble.

Lulu makes it easy to create a notebook or planner using their premade templates. You can always design your own, completely custom notebook for printing!

Lulu has a YouTube series dedicated to all things self-publishing. From formatting your manuscript to building your author brand and everything in-between, Lulu University has you covered with short, informational videos that are updated regularly.

Amazon also offers publishing services for authors on their massive platform. This includes notebooks, journals and even audiobooks.

Is POD a Growing Industry? Will People Buy Your Products?

According to Grandview Research (a market research and consulting company), the global print on demand market size was valued at 4.90 billion USD in 2021 and is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 26.1% from 2022 to 2030. 

Factors such as rising disposable income, increasing internet usage and smartphone adoption, and the inclination toward fashion apparel and unique products are fueling the demand for print-on-demand.

Growing e-commerce sales are also fueling the growth of the market. The COVD-19 pandemic had a positive impact on the market. As the lockdown restrictions were imposed, people shifted to online shopping and print-on-demand products witnessed growth.

Depending on your niche, people could buy your items all year long! It's a matter of promoting your products and making your target audience aware that they exist!

You can create items for special events, holidays and occasions the celebrate special people!  Use print partners to handle demand for your products during peak times. It's important to offer your customers more options for high quality products. 

Most print on demand products are made especially for your customer as soon as they place an order. They are not made ahead of time and stored in a warehouse. This is why it takes a bit longer to receive your items. 

Making products on demand instead of in bulk helps reduce overproduction, and products that languish on warehouse shelves.