1. Choosing a Platform or Marketplace

Your journey starts with selecting a platform. Some sellers use marketplaces like Etsy or Redbubble, while others prefer eCommerce builders such as Shopify or WooCommerce. For automation, you’ll connect these stores with a POD supplier through an integration.

Popular options include Printify, Gelato, and Printful.

2. Creating and Uploading Your Designs

Next, you upload your artwork. Use design tools like Canva, Kittl, or Creative Fabrica to create visuals sized correctly for each product type (for example, 4500×5400px for T-shirts).

Most POD suppliers provide mockup generators—tools that show your design on real products for marketing and storefront previews.

3. Publishing Products to Your Store

Once your design is uploaded, you can push the product live to your store or marketplace. The listing includes images, titles, tags, and descriptions synced automatically from your POD supplier’s dashboard.

This process takes minutes and ensures that pricing, sizes, and product details stay consistent across platforms.

4. Customer Places an Order

When a buyer purchases your item, the order is automatically sent to your chosen POD provider. You pay the base product + printing + shipping cost, while the retail markup is your profit.

This automation removes manual steps—no packing, printing, or handling required on your end.

5. Printing and Fulfillment

Your supplier prints the product using methods like Direct-to-Garment (DTG), Sublimation, or Embroidery, depending on the item type. Most suppliers such as Printify or Gelato route orders to the closest fulfillment partner to minimize shipping time.

Typical turnaround times range from 2 to 5 business days, after which tracking info is automatically updated for the customer.

6. Shipping and Delivery

Once printed, the order is packed and shipped under your brand’s name. Some POD companies even allow custom packaging inserts and branded labels to enhance the customer experience.

Delivery time depends on the production partner’s location and shipping provider, but local fulfillment (e.g., through Gelato’s network) is increasingly the norm.

7. Customer Receives the Order

The customer receives their product—often without realizing it was printed specifically for them! The beauty of POD lies in its scalability: one design can generate thousands of orders without holding any stock.

Conclusion: Why POD Works So Well

Print-on-demand combines creativity and automation. You focus on design, marketing, and niche research—your supplier handles the rest. With no upfront investment, low risk, and access to worldwide fulfillment, it’s no surprise POD has become one of the most popular online business models today.

Explore the POD Suppliers Directory on PODSellers.com to find the right partner for your store.