Print on Demand – Glossary of Terms –

General – eCommerce Terms

Conversion / Conversion rate: A desired action—usually a purchase. Conversion rate = orders ÷ sessions × 100.
CTR (Click-Through Rate): Clicks ÷ impressions × 100 for an ad or listing.
CPC (Cost Per Click): The average amount paid for each ad click.
ROAS (Return on Ad Spend): Revenue ÷ ad spend. Higher is better.
CPA (Cost Per Acquisition): Average cost to acquire a customer/order.
SEO (Search Engine Optimization): Improvements to pages/listings to increase unpaid (organic) traffic from search.
Keyword / Tag: A word or phrase used to help listings/pages get discovered in search.

POD (Print-on-Demand): Items are printed after an order is placed and shipped directly to the customer.
POD supplier (fulfillment partner): Prints and ships your store’s orders, often with your branding on labels/packaging.
POD marketplace (independent POD): Platform with built-in buyers (e.g., Redbubble) where you upload designs and earn royalties.
Personalization: Buyer-specific text/images added to a product at order time (names, numbers, messages).
Mockup generator: Tool that renders your design onto product photos for listings and ads.

DTG (Direct-to-Garment): Ink prints into cotton fibers—great for colorful, detailed designs on cotton tees.
DTF (Direct-to-Film): Design is printed to film and heat-pressed to the garment; works on many fabrics.
Sublimation: Dye turns to gas and bonds with polyester; enables vibrant, all-over prints on light fabrics.
Screen printing: Ink pushed through a stencil (screen). Best for large batches, solid colors, and durability.
Embroidery: Design stitched with thread; priced mainly by stitch count and size—premium look.
HTV (Heat-Transfer Vinyl): Cut vinyl heat-pressed to the garment—best for simple shapes, numbers, and names.

Print area / Safe area: Maximum printable zone; keep key elements inside the safe area to avoid trimming.
Bleed: Extra image area beyond trim to prevent white edges on full-bleed products.
DPI / PPI (resolution): For apparel, many PODs accept 150 DPI at print size; some items expect 300 DPI.
Color profile (sRGB / RGB): Most POD platforms expect sRGB files; non-RGB files may be converted, shifting colors.
Artwork template: Supplier file containing size, bleed, and safe-area guides for accurate setup.

Variant: A specific option (size, color, material). Example: T-shirt • Black • M.
SKU: Unique code for tracking a specific variant across your store and supplier.
Base cost / Landed cost: Base = supplier charge before shipping/taxes. Landed = base plus shipping, taxes, fees.
Thumbnail: Your primary listing image; a major driver of CTR in marketplaces.

Production time: Time from order to item being printed/assembled.
Fulfillment time: Production time plus packing/processing before the order ships.
3PL (Third-Party Logistics): Provider that stores and ships inventory for hybrid or non-POD items.
DDP / DDU: Delivered Duty Paid / Unpaid—who pays import duties and taxes.

Marketplace: Platform with built-in buyers (Etsy, Amazon, eBay). You add listings and pay fees.
eCommerce platform: Your own store engine (Shopify, WooCommerce) where you control branding, apps, and checkout.
Integration / Sync: Connection that maps your store SKUs to supplier products for automated order flow.

ACoS: Advertising Cost of Sales = ad spend ÷ attributed sales (lower is better).
A/B test: Compare two variations (title, image, price) to find the better performer.
Social proof: Reviews, ratings, and UGC that increase trust and conversion.

Copyright / Trademark: Legal protections for creative works (copyright) and brand identifiers (trademark). Only use IP you own or have rights to.
DMCA takedown: A request to remove copyrighted content used without permission.
Return / Reprint policy: Supplier’s rules for replacements or refunds (misprint, damage, lost in transit).