How to start a print-on-demand business in 2025

Want to build a brand without boxes piling up in your living room? Learning how to start a print-on-demand business means turning bold ideas into real products – without ever touching a single package. 

With zero inventory stress and full creative control, your online store could be the next big thing. Here’s print-on-demand – explained.

Main takeaways

• Start with a profitable niche. Research market demand and align products with customer interests.

• Choose a reliable print provider like Printful to get consistent quality and seamless automated fulfillment.

• Pick custom products that suit your niche and create a cohesive, shoppable product line.

• Price strategically to stay profitable. Factor in costs, margins, and consider offering free shipping to drive checkouts.

• Optimize your store with keywords, strong branding elements, and clear policies to create a great customer experience from day one.

What is the print-on-demand business model?

The print-on-demand model puts a modern twist on traditional retail – no storage, expensive equipment, or inventory needed. Instead of buying hundreds of items upfront, a product is made after a customer makes a purchase.

It’s a streamlined, low-risk business model that’s perfect for creatives, side hustlers, entrepreneurs, and brand owners.

Here’s how print-on-demand works:

1. You select print-on-demand products like custom t-shirts, mugs, or tote bags and add your custom design.

2. You set prices and list items in your online store or a sales channel like Etsy or Shopify.

3. A customer places an order, which covers the product and shipping costs.

4. Your print-on-demand partner, like Printful, prints, packs, and ships the product straight to your customer.

5. You keep the profits based on your selected margin.
   
   

Pros and cons of running a print-on-demand store

When learning how to start a print-on-demand business, you’ll quickly discover how accessible, flexible, and scalable it is – but no venture is without its trade-offs. 

So let’s break down the real perks and challenges of launching a print-on-demand business in 2025.

Pros of the print-on-demand model

• No inventory, no stress. Say goodbye to stockrooms and unsold boxes. With print-on-demand services, every item is made to order, so you only pay for what you sell.

• Low barrier to entry. You don’t need a business degree or fancy studio setup. Create designs with Printful’s Design Maker and sell custom products fast.

• Minimal upfront investment. Skip the warehouses and huge upfront costs of traditional retail models. The print-on-demand approach lets you start lean with lower risk.

• Printful quality control. Unlike many print-on-demand companies, Printful produces in-house. That means top-notch products, reliable print quality, and a smoother path to customer satisfaction.

• Global reach, local fulfillment. Cater to a worldwide target audience from day one. With a global production network, your online store can sell to potential customers in New York, Tokyo, or Berlin – no hassle.

• Easy to scale. Want to expand your product line? Just pick something from Printful’s Catalog and upload more designs. Adding tees, mugs, posters, or pillows takes minutes.

• Creative control. Launch your own clothing label, art brand, or custom drinkware line with original designs – your vision, your brand, your terms.
  
  

Cons of running an ecommerce store with Print-on-Demand

• Less control over fulfillment speed. Products are made to order, which can mean slightly longer wait times – but express shipping options from Printful help close that gap.

• You’re still responsible for the customer experience. You don’t have to ship products, but you do need to handle buyer feedback, questions, and returns. However, your provider’s support team can help guide you.

• Profit margins can vary. Since each item is produced on demand, production costs are higher than buying wholesale. But you set your own margins, so smart marketing strategies and competitive pricing can still lead to healthy profits.

• You need to stand out. The print-on-demand space is competitive. Success depends on building a clear brand, finding the right target market, and leveling up your marketing efforts.
  
  

So, is print-on-demand worth it? Absolutely, especially with the right print-on-demand supplier like Printful.

If you’ve got an idea, a niche, or even just a killer t-shirt concept, now’s the time to create custom products, build your online store, and turn that idea into a profitable business.

How to start a print-on-demand business in 8 steps

Ready to jump in? Time to turn that spark into a print-on-demand business that actually makes money. Here are eight steps to get your products off the ground and into your customers’ carts.

1. Pick a niche 

A niche isn’t just what you sell – it’s who you sell to and why they care. It helps you cut through the noise in a competitive market and actually connect with people who want what you’re making.

Start broad, then get specific:

• Fitness → Moms who do CrossFit

• Gaming → Cozy indie game fans with a love for pixel art

• Pets → French bulldog owners who hike on weekends
  
  

So, how do you pick your niche like a pro? Here’s your toolkit:

• Google Trends. Search a topic like “roller skating” or “vegan fitness” and look at interest over time. Is it growing? Seasonal? Flatlining? Filter by country to find your ideal target audience.

• Check other successful POD stores. Look at their bestsellers. What are people buying? What designs or messages keep popping up? Then, find the gaps where you can thrive. For example, maybe you notice tons of “cat mom” tees, but nothing for exotic animal lovers – that’s your opening.

• Tap into your own interests. Burnout is real when you’re forcing yourself to sell stuff you don’t care about. If you’re into something – like chess, astrology, or retro anime – it’s way easier to create designs, talk to your audience, and keep the process fun.

• Use keyword tools. Try eRank (great for Etsy sellers), Semrush, or Ahrefs. Find keywords with a high search volume and low to medium competition. If a niche has demand but not too many stores crowding it, that’s the sweet spot.
  
  

Picking the right niche is everything – it shapes your products, branding, marketing, and your entire on-demand business model. Don’t rush it, but don’t overthink it either. You can always adjust as you go.

Valuable read: Print-on-demand niches to watch in 2025.

2. Choose a print-on-demand service

Source: Printful

Your print-on-demand service partner handles all the behind-the-scenes operations – printing, packing, and shipping high-quality products that keep people coming back.

In short, they do the heavy lifting – but not all print-on-demand companies are created equal. Some excel in branding options or delivery speed, others in catalog size. 

Pick one that fits your business model and goals. Start here:

• Printful. Best all-around for quality, branding, and global fulfillment. We print in-house, which gives you better control over product quality and consistency.

• Printify. Production flexibility and competitive pricing thanks to a global network of third-party print providers, with the biggest POD catalog in the industry.
  
  

What to check before you commit:

• Delivery times and prices. Make sure it’s fast and affordable.

• Product catalog. Do they offer the custom products you want?

• Customer reviews. What do other online store owners say about their service?

• Platform integration. Does it work with your chosen ecommerce platform like Shopify, Etsy, or WooCommerce?

• Branding options. Can you add custom pack-ins, labels, or tags?
  
  

Pro tip: Always order samples. Check the print quality, shipping speed, and packaging so you know exactly what your customers are getting.

While you can work with multiple print-on-demand companies, we recommend starting with one to keep things simple and streamlined while you test and grow.

3. Select products for your online store

Source: Printful

Now it’s time to stock your virtual shelves with custom products. Be sure to strategize – build a collection that clicks with your target audience and gives them a reason to buy (and keep coming back).

Here’s how to choose smart.

Start with your niche in mind

The products you offer should make sense for your audience. If you're targeting dog lovers, sell custom merchandise like t-shirts, pet collars, and bandanas featuring clever canine designs. 

In the fitness niche? Go for leggings, water bottles, and gym bags.

Check product trends

Visit the Printful bestsellers page or read about trending products to see what’s hot. 

For failproof year-round picks, explore:

• Apparel. T-shirts, sweatshirts, and hoodies.

• Accessories. Mugs, tote bags, phone cases, caps, and stickers (great low-cost add-ons).
  
  

Conduct market research

Check what similar print-on-demand sites are selling. Look at reviews, bestsellers, and even comments. This will give you insights into customer preferences, gaps in the market, and product combos that work.

The tools you used to find your niche come in handy when selecting products, too. Additionally, leverage Amazon and Etsy’s search bar autocomplete feature to spot emerging trends.

Build a cohesive collection

Sell items that go together. A well-thought-out product line (like tees, hoodies, and tote bags with matching themes) feels more professional and encourages customers to grab more than one item.

When your store feels consistent and thoughtful, it improves the shopping experience and sets you up for repeat purchases – a huge win for any online business.

4. Customize the designs

Your designs will make or break your sales. The great news is that there are tons of beginner-friendly ways to create custom graphics for print-on-demand. 

Whether you're a sketchbook artist or someone who’s never touched design software in your life, here are some options to create stunning, high-quality products:

• Digitize your own art. Scan or photograph your artwork, clean it up in Photoshop or GIMP, and upload it directly to our product template.

• Hire a pro. Use platforms like Fiverr or Upwork to work with freelance designers who can bring your vision to life.

• Use pro software. If you’ve got some experience, tools like Adobe Illustrator or Photoshop let you create from scratch with total control.

• Use Printful’s Design Maker. Total beginner? No problem. This print-on-demand service gives you powerful, easy-to-use tools to design like a pro – for free.
  
  

The Design Maker includes:

• 3D product previews. See your design on the product instantly, and download realistic mockups to use in your store and marketing materials.

• Tons of free clipart graphics and fonts. Add playful icons, shapes, or characters, then pair it with the perfect font – from bold to vintage.

• All-over print pattern generator. Create seamless patterns in one click, perfect for tees or leggings.

• Automatic upscaling. Got an image that’s almost big enough? Let the Design Maker fix it.

• Premium stock images. Use Getty Images, Vexels, and Patternbank visuals to enhance your design.

• Embroidery options. Want to add a luxe finish? Choose from over 3,000 embroidery-ready graphics.
  
  

With these online design tools, you can experiment and build a storefront full of custom products that customers will love.

Valuable read: 11 Things You Didn’t Know Printful’s Design Maker Could Do

5. Decide where to sell print-on-demand products

Where will your print-on-demand products live? Choosing the right sales channel is one of the most important factors when exploring how to start a print-on-demand business. 

This impacts how customers find you, how much control you have over branding, and how fast you grow. Let’s break down the three main options.

Marketplaces

Online marketplaces like Etsy, Amazon, and eBay are massive ecommerce hubs where sellers list their products on a shared platform. With millions of existing shoppers, it’s ideal for new sellers who want quick exposure without building an entire website from scratch.

Pros and cons:

You get instant access to a huge audience and don’t need to worry much about driving traffic, managing tech, or building a site. But you’ll also compete with thousands of other sellers, have limited control over store branding, and pay listing or transaction fees. 

Best for: Beginners who want to explore a business idea with minimal setup and fast visibility.

Valuable read: 10 Best Online Marketplaces for Print-on-Demand Sellers

Ecommerce platforms

Platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, and BigCommerce give you all the tools to build and run your own online shop. You design your site, upload your products, manage your content, and fully control how your store looks and feels – from homepage to checkout.

Pros and cons:

You’ll have full control over branding, layout, and user experience – perfect for building a loyal customer base and long-term growth. These platforms also integrate easily with top print-on-demand companies, like Printful. 

On the flip side, you’ll need to invest more time and energy into setup, store maintenance, and driving your own website traffic.

Best for: Entrepreneurs ready to grow a serious brand and control every aspect of their print-on-demand business.

Valuable read: 10 Best Ecommerce Platforms for Dropshipping

Printful’s Quick Stores

A super-fast way to launch your print-on-demand business with no tech setup or monthly fees. Build your own ecommerce store in minutes and sell hundreds of products – all fulfilled by Printful.

Pros and cons:

Quick Stores is beginner-friendly, low risk, and easy to manage from one dashboard. It’s currently only available to US-based sellers and shoppers.

Best for: First-time sellers testing ideas and wanting a fast, no-fuss launch.

6. Set up your shop

This is where your print-on-demand business starts to look like a real brand. Once you’ve picked your ecommerce platform or marketplace, it’s time to design the shop’s layout and incorporate all the branding basics.

Think about how your storefront looks to a first-time visitor:

• Add a clear About Us page that explains your story. 

• Upload branding elements like your logo and header image. Make sure your fonts, colors, and tone all match your store’s identity.

• Set your store policies – returns, shipping, and FAQs are non-negotiables for a smooth buyer experience.

• Remember that navigation matters. Use product categories to keep things clean and feature your bestsellers up top. 
  
  

Need help with the setup process? Check out these guides:

How to start an Etsy shop with no money

How to set up a WooCommerce store

7. Optimize listings and set prices

You’ve got amazing products, but now you need to get them noticed. Search engine optimization (SEO) helps your print-on-demand business show up when people search for products like yours, whether on Etsy or Google.

Here’s what to optimize:

• Product titles. Be descriptive and use keywords. For example, instead of “Cool Tee,” use “Funny Dog Dad T-Shirt – Custom Gift for Pet Lovers.”
  
  

• Product descriptions. It should sound natural, but include keywords people actually use (Semrush and eRank can help you find popular terms). Mention product features, who it’s for, and what makes it worth buying.
  
  

• Tags (for marketplaces like Etsy). Use all available tag slots with keyword variations your target audience might search, like “dog dad shirt,” “funny pet tee,” or “custom bulldog shirt.”
  
  

• Image alt text. Add descriptive alt text for every product photo. This improves SEO and enhances accessibility.
  
  

• Category and collection names. If your store uses navigation menus, include keywords in category names.
  
  

• URL slugs. If you run your own site, clean up your URLs. Each product page should look like /funny-frenchie-tee instead of /product123?ref=abc.
  
  

SEO helps your products get discovered around the clock – even while you sleep. Nail this, and you’ll start attracting traffic without spending a cent on ads.

Valuable reads: Learn about Amazon SEO, Etsy SEO, and eBay SEO.

Now, let’s talk about pricing. When you’re selling your own designs on custom on-demand products, consider this formula:

• Calculate total costs. Production, shipping, taxes, platform fees, and marketing (if applicable).

• Add a profit margin. 20%-50% is typical for a print-on-demand business.

• Research the competition. Don’t underprice yourself – set rates that reflect your product’s value while still staying competitive.

• If you offer free shipping, incorporate that cost into your final price.
  
  

Pricing isn’t permanent, but don’t switch it up on a whim, either. Consistency builds trust, so test strategically, gather customer feedback, and make smart, data-driven adjustments.

Valuable read: 8 Ways to Market Expensive Products So They Look Like a Steal

8. Brainstorm marketing strategies

Marketing isn’t just a final step – it’s how you attract customers, build a brand, and grow your store into a true income stream.

Start with the basics:

• Social media. Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest – use visuals and behind-the-scenes content to show off your own designs.

• Email marketing. Collect emails early and send product updates, launch announcements, and special offers.

• SEO and content marketing. Blog about your niche, share your process, and get found through search.

• Promotions. Use launch discounts, bundle deals, or giveaways to drive first-time purchases.

• Paid ads. Test small budgets on Meta or Google to see what clicks.
  
  

Use scheduling tools like Buffer or Later to plan ahead, and tap into analytics to refine what works. Marketing isn’t one-size-fits-all – it’s a mix of creativity, strategy, and testing. Keep experimenting, evolving, and let the data guide you.

Need inspiration? Check out these resources:

How to promote your print-on-demand business

How to develop an effective marketing strategy

Time to launch your print-on-demand business 

Ready to sell custom products and build a successful brand? From picking a niche and making designs to optimizing your listings and choosing the right print providers, you now have a game plan to get started. 

The beauty the POD business model is that you don’t need to worry about managing inventory or logistics. Just focus on your ideas, your audience, and your growth.

Ready to begin? Sign up with Printful for free and start building your store today.