Top 10 Field-Tested Products for Beginners

When you’re just starting to figure out how to start a print-on-demand business, one of the most daunting tasks can be deciding on which products to sell. While other aspects of starting a dropshipping business are rather straightforward, product selection is, by and large, a process of trial and error.

Luckily for you, we’ve done the research to make your life significantly easier. We’ve found print-on-demand products with low market saturation and the highest success rate among beginners.

In this context, the success rate is the ratio of products pushed vs. products sold. Beginners are newly registered Printful users who have just begun their print-on-demand business. The data was collected at the beginning of 2024.

Here’s what they are.

Top 10 Printful products with the highest success rate among new sellers

We’ve mainly covered wardrobe staples like tees and caps in this product selection. If you’re looking for home & living products, tech accessories, or a more diverse clothing lineup, you can look through our list of trending products.

Now, back to our top 10 beginner-friendly product list.

1. Vintage Corduroy Cap

The Vintage Corduroy Cap blends nostalgia, retro style, and comfort. It’s a wonderful hat to start your hat business with or add to your catalog’s accessory section. Made from 100% cotton corduroy, it has a soft, textured feel, and the adjustable gold-colored buckle at the back allows for a custom fit. Plus, there’s a cotton twill sweatband that provides added comfort.

Ideal for embroidery, this cap allows design placements on the front, back, and sides, making it versatile for personalized text or logos.

Design tip: For bold contrast, use embroidery colors that pop against the corduroy texture. Text-based designs look great on the front, while smaller logos or accents can draw the eye to the sides.

Here’s what other sellers are saying about this hat:

Source: Printful

Valuable read: Hat Logo Size Guide

2. Oversized Faded T-Shirt

The Oversized Faded T-Shirt merges modern streetwear with vintage charm, which is a trending combo. This tee is made from 100% cotton and has a unique, faded look because it’s dyed after it’s been sewn. Its boxy, oversized fit and dropped shoulders create a relaxed silhouette, and the heavyweight fabric provides a sturdy base for your designs.

This shirt gives you plenty of creative freedom because it’s compatible with embroidery, direct-to-garment (DTG), and direct-to-film (DTF) printing. 

Design tip: Pair the faded finish with bold graphics to emphasize the high-quality fabric, or use embroidery to add a complementing, premium touch.

Here’s a word from other sellers:

Source: Printful

Valuable read: 12 Essential T-Shirt Design Tips

3. Closed-Back Structured Cap

The Flexfit Closed-Back Structured Cap, with its elastic stretch band, is designed for a snug, comfortable fit. It comes in two sizes to suit a range of head sizes. Its structured, 6-panel build ensures durability and shape retention.

This cap is made for embroidery, offering ample space for bold designs. With 11 color options and unlimited color embroidery, it’s a versatile choice for customization.

Design tip: Take advantage of the cap’s structured build by choosing bold, centered logos or intricate embroidery.

Let’s hear what Printful customers think about this cap:

Source: Printful

Valuable read: 11 Baseball Hat Design Ideas That Get Noticed

4. Bella + Canvas 3001 Unisex Staple T-Shirt

The Bella + Canvas 3001 Unisex Staple T-Shirt is a go-to for good reason. Its soft, lightweight fabric with just the right amount of stretch makes it comfortable and flattering for everyone. Made from high-quality cotton, it offers durability and softness.

The shirt’s pre-shrunk fabric ensures consistent sizing, while side-seamed construction and shoulder-to-shoulder taping add to its durability and fit. With its timeless appeal and crowd-favorite status, this tee is a reliable canvas for any design.

Design tip: This versatile tee works well for both bold and minimalist designs. Its smooth surface is ideal for detailed prints, so use vibrant colors or fine lines to make your designs pop.

Here’s what other store owners say:

Source: Printful

Valuable read: 56 T-Shirt Design Ideas That Are Seriously Next-Level

5. Oversized Tie-Dye T-Shirt

Another oversized tee! The Oversized Tie-Dye T-Shirt is all about bold, laid-back style. Made from heavyweight US-grown cotton, it’s durable and features extended sleeves with a ribbed neck for a sturdy structure. Each shirt is uniquely tie-dyed, so no two are the same.

The oversized fit offers plenty of space for creative embroidery, with the colorful backdrop making designs stand out.

Design tip: Opt for simple embroidery that complements the tie-dye, or use a contrasting thread to add a bold statement against the vibrant patterns.

Here’s what our customers say about their tie-dyes:

Source: Printful

Valuable read: How to Create a T-Shirt Design

6. Kiss-Cut Stickers

Kiss-Cut Stickers allow you to create any shape with a clean border for easy peeling. Available in four sizes and as sticker sheets, they’re great to have on your store as an inexpensive addition to other products. Made from durable vinyl with a high-opacity film, they offer bubble-free application and long-lasting quality.

Plus, these stickers can be stored in your warehouse and used as pack-ins, adding a fun, promotional touch to any order.

Design tip: Use sticker sheets to feature multiple designs in one set, offering more variety for customers.

Here’s what other store owners are saying about these stickers:

Source: Printful

Valuable read: 42 Custom Sticker Ideas

7. Snapback Trucker Hat

The Richardson Snapback Trucker Hat offers a structured, 6-panel design with an adjustable snapback and breathable mesh back. The pre-curved visor with matching underbill adds a clean, classic look.

Available in several colors, it's ready for customization with classic embroidery or unlimited color embroidery. Here’s how to know which technique will be best for your designs:

• Classic embroidery: Best for designs that have solid shapes with clear details and up to 6 colors

• Unlimited color embroidery: Best for designs that require a wide variety of colors, shades, and gradients

Design tip: Use contrasting colors in your design to highlight the visor stitching and mesh back for a bold, eye-catching style.

Here’s why customers love this hat:

Source: Printful

Valuable read: 22 Creative Trucker Hat Design Ideas

8. Comfort Colors 1717 Men’s Garment-Dyed Heavyweight T-Shirt

This Garment-Dyed Heavyweight T-Shirt blends comfort, durability, and style, making it an ideal choice for anyone looking for a bestseller. Crafted from 100% ring-spun cotton, it offers a soft feel with a structured, relaxed fit. Available in 25 colors, this shirt offers plenty of options to match any design or brand.

Durability is key here, with reinforced double-needle stitching and a twill-taped neck and shoulders designed to withstand daily wear. Plus, the heavyweight fabric adds to the premium feel and ensures your prints and embroidery hold up well over time.

Design tip: The sturdy material and garment-dyed finish create the perfect backdrop for bold designs or detailed embroidery. Contrast the fabric’s soft, vintage look with bright, eye-catching designs.

Here are some of the reviews for this shirt:

Source: Printful

9. Gildan Unisex Crew Neck Sweatshirt

The Gildan Unisex Crew Neck Sweatshirt combines comfort, quality, and durability. Its air-jet spun yarn ensures a soft feel, while the quarter-turned design prevents creases. With reinforced stitching throughout and a rib-knit collar with spandex, it’s made to keep its shape and last through repeated wear.

Design tip: Take advantage of the large print areas—use the front for bold logos, the back for detailed graphics or statements, and the sleeves for smaller text or accents to create a fully custom, standout piece.

A word from our customers:

Source: Printful

Valuable read: 15 Sweatshirt Embroidery Ideas for Your Next Designs

10. Camouflage Trucker Hat

The Camouflage Trucker Hat is perfect for fashionistas and outdoor enthusiasts. The classic camo print adds a rugged style that never goes out of fashion. Featuring a structured, low-profile design, this cap combines a 100% cotton front with a breathable polyester mesh back. It’s made to be both functional and comfortable for any activity. 

Design tip: The camo pattern already makes a statement, so you can either consider a small logo to complement the print without overwhelming it. Or, use the camo backdrop to make bright designs pop.

Here are some of the reviews about this hat:

Source: Printful

Valuable read: 15 Trending Hat Embroidery Ideas to Wow Your Customers

Time for you to get started

Decide if you want to design 1 of the products we’ve mentioned here or create a whole collection, and get started! There’s no better way to ensure your success than getting first-hand experience.

If you need extra design inspiration, technical guidance, or product suggestions, we recommend consulting our blog: we’re constantly publishing new articles to make your ecommerce journey easier. 

Best of luck!