How to Start a Print-on-Demand Business (2025 Beginner’s Guide)

Want to sell your own custom products without keeping inventory or shipping packages? A print-on-demand business might be perfect for you! This beginner-friendly business lets you design products that only get made when someone buys them.

As mentioned in our complete guide to work-from-home businesses, print-on-demand is one of the easiest ways to start an online store. You focus on creating designs, while your printing partners handle everything else.

What is Print-on-Demand?

Print-on-demand (POD) is a business model where you:

– Create designs for products
– Upload them to POD platforms
– Set your prices
– Get paid when items sell
– Let printing companies handle production and shipping

5 Most Popular POD Products

Here are the best-selling print-on-demand items:

1. T-Shirts and Apparel

The classic POD products:

– T-shirts and hoodies
– Tank tops
– Baseball caps
– Leggings
– Face masks

2. Home Decor

3. Accessories

Personal items that sell well:

– Tote bags
– Jewelry
– Stickers
– Phone cases
– Laptop sleeves

4. Stationery

5. Custom Gifts

Special occasion items:

– Photo books
– Custom portraits
– Pet products
– Holiday ornaments
– Personalized gifts

Getting Started (Quick Guide) With Print on Demand From Home

Starting your POD business is straightforward:

1. Choose Your Platform

Popular options include:

– Printful + Etsy
– Redbubble
– Merch by Amazon
– Society6
– Printify + Shopify

2. Create Your Designs

You’ll need:

– Basic design skills
– Canva or similar tool
– Understanding of trends
– Niche market focus

3. Set Your Prices

Typical pricing formula:

– Product base cost: $8-15
– Your profit margin: $5-15
– Final selling price: $15-30

Essential Tools to Start

Basic tools you’ll need:

– Canva for design
– Print-on-demand platform
– Social media accounts
– Basic photo editing app
– Keyword research tool

Success Tips for Beginners Starting POD

Follow these guidelines to start strong:

– Start with one product type
– Focus on a specific niche
– Research trending topics
– Create multiple designs
– Test different platforms

Common Mistakes to Avoid with POD

Don’t fall into these traps:

– Using copyrighted material
– Setting prices too low
– Ignoring product quality
– Skipping market research
– Making too many products at once

Quick Start Action Steps

Your first week plan:

1. Choose one POD platform
2. Pick one product type
3. Create 5-10 designs
4. Set up your store
5. Start marketing on social media

Next Steps for Print on Demand:

Best Print-on-Demand Platforms:

– Printful – Best for Etsy integration
– Redbubble – Easy to start
– Merch by Amazon – Huge marketplace
– Society6 – Art-focused platform
– Printify – Multiple printer options

POD Design Resources:

– Canva.com – Easy design tool
– Creative Fabrica – Design elements
– Font Bundles – Typography
– Placeit.net – Mockup creator
– Vexels – Vector graphics

Pro Tip: Start with Etsy + Printful for the easiest setup and quickest path to first sale!

Want to market your POD business effectively? Check out our guide on Becoming a Pinterest Manager to learn how to promote your products on social media.

Have questions about starting your print-on-demand business? Drop them in the comments below!

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*This post was last updated on February 13, 2025, to ensure all information is current and accurate.*