How to price Christmas gifts for print-on-demand businesses

The holiday season is a goldmine for print-on-demand businesses. Everyone’s chasing Christmas gifts that feel personal and thoughtful – from personalized ornaments to ugly Christmas sweaters. But getting your pricing right is what makes the difference between profit and panic.

We’ll walk you through how to balance demand, cost, and strategy so your online store rides the wave straight into a strong Christmas season.

Key takeaways

• Price your print-on-demand Christmas products based on total costs, emotional value, and realistic profit margins.

• Focus on personalization and presentation to stand out in a crowded market.

• Create designs that evoke a festive atmosphere, warmth, and nostalgia. Use engaging product descriptions and visuals to make your store the go-to destination for meaningful gifts.

• Review and adjust pricing throughout December to reflect shipping rates and demand spikes. Bundle complementary items to raise average order value and simplify gift buying.

• Keep discounts moderate to protect your margins while appealing to customers.

How to price Christmas gifts: 6 Strategies for print-on-demand sellers

The holiday season is your prime time to turn creativity into profit. Whether you’re selling personalized gifts or festive Christmas ornaments, the right pricing strategy can make or break your online business. 

Here’s how to find that sweet spot where value meets emotion – and turn browsers into buyers.

Understand your costs before setting prices

Before pricing your holiday gifts, break down your actual costs. Too many print-on-demand merchants forget that the base price of a hoodie or mug is just the beginning. 

Every print-on-demand product carries extras – platform fees, marketing spend, or even the price of keeping up with premium holiday patterns and packaging trends.

Here’s what to factor in:

• Base POD cost (the product price you see on Printful’s Catalog)

• Shipping fees

• Etsy, Shopify, or TikTok platform fees

• Ads, influencer collabs, or boosted posts

• Wrapping, stickers, and other Christmas items used in packaging

Example:

Use Printful’s built-in profit calculator to set product prices. It automatically combines base costs, printing fees, and your desired margin, so you always know how much you’ll earn per sale before listing.

Tip: Remember to account for VAT, sales tax, and currency differences if you sell internationally. These can reduce profit margins during peak holiday sales.

Understanding these numbers helps refine your business model and appeal to your target audience with confidence. When you know your margins, you can price for both profit and festive spirit – no guesswork, just strategy.

Read more: Things to sell on Christmas 

Leverage value-based pricing during Christmas

During the print-on-demand Christmas season, you think you’re selling mugs or personalized sweaters, but what you’re actually selling is emotion. 

The Christmas spirit is about nostalgia, connection, and meaning. That’s why value-based pricing beats undercutting competitors every time.

Position your print-on-demand products as sentimental items. Instead of “Custom mug – $15,” write “Personalized photo Christmas mug – heartfelt gifts under $25”

These descriptions resonate with both buyers and AI-powered shopping platforms scanning for intent-based listings. The result? More visibility, stronger sales, and potential customers who associate your brand with joy. 

When people feel your vibe, they don’t compare cents – they buy stories, meaning, and warmth.​

Use tiered pricing to increase average order value

Tiered pricing is how smart print-on-demand businesses maximize revenue during the festive season. Instead of a flat rate, offer bundles and upgrades that make buyers feel like they’re getting more for their money.

Example bundles:

• “Holiday Mug + Ornament Gift Set – $34.99”

• “Matching Family Set of Hoodies – Save 15%”

These bundle deals not only drive bigger orders but also signal a clear intent to shopping algorithms. AI-driven comparison tools love listings with multiple price anchors – it shows added value.

Offer low, medium, and premium tiers across your catalog. Think mugs and Christmas ornaments for entry-level gifts, hoodies and personalized sweaters for the mid-tier, and amazing gifts like embroidered blankets for your premium range.

That way, you accommodate different types of customers doing their holiday shopping – keeping your print-on-demand market listings visible when it matters most.

Experiment with charm pricing

When it comes to Christmas sales, small price tweaks can trigger big emotional reactions. Instead of $30, try $29.99. Charm pricing makes the product feel cheaper and easier to buy.

Try these festive price zones:

• Under $25 – Impulse-friendly holiday gifts like personalized mugs, tote bags, or Christmas ornaments.

• $35-$45 – Higher-quality gift range, ideal for hoodies and cozy apparel.

• Over $50 – Custom keepsakes or luxury Christmas items like blankets or custom wall art.

During the Christmas season, shoppers equate slightly higher prices with quality and effort, but charm pricing is what makes clicking Buy feel effortless.

Use high-quality mockups with warm lighting, cozy scenes, and Christmas trees in the background to show your products as great Christmas gifts. Visual storytelling raises perceived value, helping you sustain stronger margins even without significant discounts.

Adjust for cutoff dates and urgency

The holiday season runs on deadlines. Smart print-on-demand merchants know that the closer it gets to Christmas, the more people are willing to pay for speed and convenience.

Price strategically:

• Before Dec 10 – Standard pricing

• Dec 11-17 – Add “rush shipping” fees ($3-$6 or more)

• Dec 18-24 – Offer digital gift messages or printable gift cards (zero shipping stress)

As the festive season peaks, urgency takes priority. Highlight limited stock, add “ships before Christmas Eve” tags, and adjust pricing to reflect that while protecting your margins. 

Communicate pricing transparency to build trust

Shoppers want honesty, especially when buying personalized gifts during the holiday rush. Explain your store pricing clearly – why handmade, eco-conscious materials, or holiday-themed graphics might cost a bit more.

Transparency strengthens your brand story, attracts potential customers, and keeps customer satisfaction high. In the print-on-demand space, authenticity and clear communication set you apart.

Plan post-holiday pricing early

When the Christmas season slows down, smart print-on-demand sellers don’t stop – they shift strategies. The post-holiday period is prime time to re-engage customers still in a festive spirit and clear out slower-moving print-on-demand products without devaluing your brand.

Run a “Thank You Sale” that rewards loyal buyers and attracts new ones browsing for customized gifts in January. Repackage your most popular festive designs into limited “Winter Edition” listings or introduce cozy themes like “Warm Mornings” or “Fresh Start” collections.

Keep your online business active by refreshing product descriptions, adjusting competitive pricing, and featuring Christmas motifs or holiday patterns that still feel seasonal but versatile. 

This keeps the holiday cheer alive while positioning your store for steady Q1 sales growth – proof that smart pricing doesn’t end when the lights come down.

Tip: Offer a “Returning Customer Discount” or early access to Valentine’s Day products. It turns one-time print-on-demand Christmas shoppers into year-round buyers.

Why your Christmas pricing strategy can make or break POD sales

During the Christmas season, buying behavior shifts – and your pricing needs to adjust. The print-on-demand scene gets crowded, shipping costs climb, and shoppers focus more on emotion and convenience rather than savings. 

A clear, strategic approach helps you stand out and stay profitable.

Here’s what changes during Christmas:

• Emotional buying takes over – Customers care more about meaning and presentation. Add personalized messages, Christmas colors, and a festive atmosphere to your listings to make each print-on-demand product feel like a thoughtful gift.

• Shipping costs rise – Carriers increase rates during peak demand. Adjust prices to maintain margins or build the cost into your final offer to keep your print-on-demand Christmas line profitable.

• Discount fatigue sets in – Shoppers are surrounded by sales and expect authenticity over endless promotions. Focus on distinctive Christmas themes and creative designs that spread holiday cheer while staying true to your brand.

• Giftability matters most – People are mainly buying for others, not themselves. Create designs with Printful’s Design Maker that feel personal and easy to gift. Bundle matching print-on-demand products or offer early-bird deals that help customers save money while increasing average order value.

A well-planned pricing strategy keeps your print-on-demand business profitable throughout the holidays – grounded in strong branding and smart positioning rather than discount noise.

Use Printful to streamline your pricing and fulfillment 

When the Christmas season hits full swing, Printful is your behind-the-scenes powerhouse. 

You bring the creative ideas, we’ll handle packing and delivery. This keeps your print-on-demand products running smoothly, so you can focus on spreading holiday cheer and boosting profits.

What are Printful’s product offerings for the holiday season?

Printful offers everything you need to capture the Christmas spirit – from custom gifts with festive designs to cozy apparel and home decor. 

Here are just a few product ideas you can make with Printful’s Holiday Catalog:

• Christmas trees on mugs

• Christmas stockings with names

• Christmas-inspired graphics on sweaters or pillows.

Whether you’re selling through your Etsy shop or another platform, you can easily launch designs and create an entire holiday collection of personalized Christmas gifts with Printful. 

Find endless gift-giving options to delight every customer – all customizable for that extra personal touch.

Read more: How to sell on Etsy: A beginner’s guide

Who handles inventory or shipping logistics? 

Printful takes care of the entire order fulfillment process. Each item is made on demand, ensuring quality control and no wasted inventory – perfect for busy Etsy shop owners or anyone looking to sell online without stress.

As orders flow in, Printful’s automated system handles production, packaging, and delivery while you focus on marketing your customized gifts. 

Our user-friendly interface gives you real-time updates, making it easy to track orders, pricing, and stock during the hectic Christmas season.

How do I manage my Christmas products?

Printful connects directly to your online store, automatically syncing product info and availability. That means you can add festive designs or adjust prices for peak periods without double work – perfect for keeping up with high holiday demand.

You can also bulk-edit product prices and apply uniform markups across your store – ideal when you need to update all your holiday-themed designs quickly before the Christmas rush.

Wrapping up: How to price Christmas gifts for print-on-demand businesses

Price your print-on-demand products by balancing real costs with emotional value. Set your profit margin, then adjust for seasonal demand and shipping. Use holiday-themed designs that justify higher pricing through personalization and quality. 

Use Prinful for fulfillment, keep discounts minimal, focus on meaningful presentation, and reflect the holiday spirit in every listing. That’s how to price confidently and profitably for a very Merry Christmas.