2. Faster time to market
With on-demand manufacturing, you can swiftly respond to changing trends and fluctuating demand. Because you don’t buy products in bulk and don’t have to wait for products to arrive, you can introduce new products much faster. This agility gives you a competitive edge, as you can offer the latest products before your competitors. It’s an efficient way to keep your store fresh and ahead of the curve.
3. Personalization
Depending on the print-on-demand (POD) partner you choose, you get varied levels of product personalization options. With Printful, you can put your logo on labels, sleeves, and packaging. Personalizing your products in the on-demand model sets you apart from the competition and builds brand loyalty.
Plus, you can let your customers personalize their orders with Printful’s personalization tool.
4. Less waste
It’s no secret that the fashion industry creates tons of waste every year, harming the environment. Compared to the standard bulk business model, on-demand clothing manufacturing is a greener choice that significantly reduces waste. Producing items only after they’re bought eliminates overproduction and the consequent excess inventory that becomes waste.
That aligns your store with sustainable business practices and resonates with eco-conscious consumers. Choosing this model demonstrates your commitment to environmental responsibility, potentially boosting your brand’s appeal and fostering a positive image among your customers.
5. Zero unsold inventory
Embracing on-demand manufacturing means you can eliminate the problem of unsold inventory. That means you never lose your money because of unsold products.
This approach essentially frees up your finances by reducing unnecessary costs, allowing you to grow your profits or use the money for marketing.
6. Low costs
For new POD store owners, one of the most compelling benefits is the low initial investment required. Unlike traditional retail models that entail substantial upfront costs for inventory, on-demand manufacturing allows you to start your business with minimal financial investment. This model lowers the barrier to entry, making it feasible for entrepreneurs to launch their stores and test new product ideas without the risk of losing money.
7. Global reach
On-demand manufacturing lets store owners have a global market presence effortlessly. Because your POD provider’s supply chain becomes yours, you can reach people worldwide without the constraints of managing and shipping products. The on-demand production simplifies logistics and can reduce shipping times.
How to choose on-demand clothing manufacturers
Choosing your on-demand provider is arguably the most important business decision you must make initially. Because the entire on-demand clothing production is overseen by your provider, product quality, your brand’s reputation, and customer satisfaction are entirely in their hands.
To choose the right partner, research their production times, read customer reviews on product quality and shipping cost, and test the design process.
How to sell on-demand clothing with Printful
In this article, we’ll briefly cover the steps to get started. If you want more details on each step, check out our guide on starting a store with Printful.
1. Create your Printful account
To launch your clothing brand, start by creating your Printful account. You can sign up using your Facebook, Google, Apple account, or email. It’s free and easy to do.
Source: Printful
First, you need to decide which ecommerce platform or marketplace you want to use for selling clothes. Here’s how they’re different.
Source: Printful
To get an in-depth comparison and take a 1-minute quiz to see which platform suits you best, visit our integrations page.
Next, link your store to Printful. To do so, go to the side menu in your Dashboard and click Stores > Choose platform to see your options.
Source: Printful
From there, simply choose your platform or marketplace and follow the steps.
3. Pick and design your products
You have several ways to go about choosing the on-demand products you want to have on your store. Here are your options:
Printful’s catalog. Source: Printful
Unsure how to pick the right products? We’ve created an article on how to choose print-on-demand products for your store.
4. Add products to your store
There are 3 ways to add products to your store:
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Printful Dashboard > Product templates > Add to store
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Printful Dashboard > Stores > Add product
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On any open product page, click Add to store
Regardless of your choice, you’ll automatically be redirected to our step-by-step system to add items from your Printful account to your store. During this process, you’ll be able to choose your mockups, add product details, and set your pricing.
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