What is Print-on-Demand?

What is Print-on-Demand?

Print-on-Demand (POD) is a fulfillment model where products are made only after a customer orders. Instead of buying inventory up front, you connect a POD provider that prints, packs, and ships under your brand—so you focus on design, marketing, and growth.

New to POD? Start by choosing where you’ll sell, then connect a supplier that plugs into that channel.
• Compare POD suppliers · • Browse POD marketplaces · • See all integrations

How POD Works (6-Step Loop)

  1. Create artwork for apparel, wall art, drinkware, phone cases, etc.
  2. Publish a product to your channel (Etsy/Amazon/eBay or Shopify/WooCommerce).
  3. Customer orders and you get paid.
  4. Auto-routing sends the order to your POD supplier.
  5. Production (DTG/DTF, sublimation, embroidery, AOP…) then pick, pack, ship.
  6. Tracking & support go to the buyer; you handle CX and retention.

Why Creators Use POD

Advantages

  • No inventory risk—pay for production after the sale.
  • Low startup cost—launch with a handful of designs.
  • Huge catalogs—tees, hoodies, mugs, posters, cases, pillows, jewelry, more.
  • Scales with demand—providers handle equipment & labor.
  • Branding options—neck labels, pack-ins, branded slips (provider-dependent).

Trade-offs

  • Margins vary—price correctly (see Pricing & Profit).
  • Quality & lead time—choose the right print method & regional labs.
  • Policies & returns—you own CX; set clear expectations.

Where Do You Sell? (Two Main Paths)

1) Marketplaces (Etsy, eBay, Amazon, Redbubble…)

Plug-and-play channels with built-in demand. Fastest way to validate designs and make first sales.

  • Pros built-in traffic · speed to launch · low setup
  • Cons fees · limited branding · policy risk

2) Your Own Store (Shopify, WooCommerce, Wix, BigCommerce…)

Full control over brand, pricing, upsells, and customer data. Requires you to drive traffic.

  • Pros brand ownership · better LTV · flexible merchandising
  • Cons setup & monthly costs · you handle marketing
Decide with our channel overview → Where to Sell (Guide)

POD Suppliers vs. POD Marketplaces

AspectPOD Suppliers (Printful, Printify, Gelato, Gooten…)POD Marketplaces (Redbubble, TeePublic, Zazzle…)
StorefrontYou provide (Shopify/Woo/Etsy/Amazon…)They host the storefront
FulfillmentSupplier prints & ships under your brandMarketplace prints & ships
TrafficYou drive (SEO/ads/social/email)Built-in shoppers; you still optimize tags
BrandingStrong (labels, pack-ins, slips—varies)Limited (platform-first)
PricingYou set retail; pay base + ship + feesYou earn royalties/artist margin
Best forBrand building & multi-channel controlValidation & low-maintenance sales

Popular Printing Methods (Quick Guide)

  • DTG/DTF — colorful small batches; soft hand on cotton.
  • Sublimation — all-over prints on polyester; mugs & drinkware.
  • Embroidery — premium look for hats/polos; higher base cost.
  • Screen / transfers — best for large runs; some POD hybrids exist.
  • UV / laser — rigid items like signs, metal, some cases.

Typical Product Categories

Apparel · drinkware · wall art · accessories · home & living · niche items (shoes, pet, car, games).

Design & File Prep Basics

  • Assets: PNG/JPG, 300 DPI, sRGB (check each template).
  • Bleed & safe zones: use product templates to avoid cut-offs.
  • Transparency: PNG for apparel graphics on colored blanks.
  • Mockups: lifestyle scenes that match your audience.
  • Rights: only use artwork you own or have licensed.

Shipping, Branding & CX

Pick suppliers with facilities near your buyers (US/EU/UK/AU) for faster delivery and fewer customs surprises. Use branded packing slips, neck labels, and pack-ins where available to boost perceived value and reviews.

Deep dive: Shipping & Branding (Guide)

Pricing & Profit (Simple Math)

Profit = Retail price − (Base cost + Shipping + Fees + Ads)

Use margin-backed pricing and revisit costs quarterly or when fees change.

Calculator & strategies: Pricing & Profit (Guide)

Who POD Is Best For

  • Designers & illustrators launching a product line without inventory.
  • Brands & creators adding merch quickly.
  • Beginners validating niches with low risk.
  • Shops/agencies outsourcing select SKUs or regions.

10-Step Launch Checklist

  1. Choose a niche & audience.
  2. Decide where to sell (marketplace vs. store) → guide.
  3. Pick 1–2 POD suppliers with the right products & regions → table.
  4. Prepare 5–10 winning designs.
  5. Create high-quality mockups and SEO-friendly listings.
  6. Set pricing and policies → guide.
  7. Configure shipping, branding, notifications → guide.
  8. Publish, order samples, and tweak.
  9. Launch with SEO/social/ads; collect reviews.
  10. Scale what sells; sunset what doesn’t.
Next steps: Compare Suppliers Browse Marketplaces See Integrations

FAQ

Is POD saturated?

Broad niches are competitive, but design quality, niche focus, and brand storytelling still win. Start narrow, test, and scale.

How long does shipping take?

Production is typically 1–5 business days; delivery depends on region and carrier. Choose suppliers with facilities near your customers.

What margins are realistic?

Many aim for 25–55% gross margins after base + shipping + fees. Premium products (embroidery, framed art, bundles) can go higher.

Can I switch suppliers later?

Yes. Keep your art files and listing copy. Test new suppliers on the same SKUs to compare quality, speed, and returns.

POD Fulfillment Suppliers

They print, pack & ship—compare integrations, regions, branding & lead times.

Find Suppliers

Integrations

Decide whether to sell through a marketplace (Etsy, Amazon, eBay, etc) or your own eCommerce website (Shopify, WooCommerce, etc).

View Integrations

POD Marketplaces

Launch fast on high-traffic platforms and test designs risk-free.

Browse Marketplaces