6. Rapid prototyping and testing
Source: Printful
Starting an online business is risky. But with a print-on-demand company, that risk is minimal because it doesn’t require significant startup costs.
What’s more, the POD business model lets you test new designs and products fast without significant risk. If the idea doesn’t work, just scrap it and start over without losing money on inventory.
You can experiment with different niche markets and trends to see what resonates with customers and your brand values. Once you spot a winner, double down, raise prices, or optimize for higher profit margins.
7. Brand development
Source: Printful
A print-on-demand business isn’t just a way to sell—it’s a way to build a brand from day one. With Printful’s white-label features, you can add your logo to product labels and packaging, creating a consistent brand experience without owning inventory.
Custom products give you a unique angle, but brand loyalty comes from knowing your audience, high quality, reliability, and exceptional customer service. Printful’s focus on quality and fast shipping supports a strong customer satisfaction rate, so your brand’s reputation stays in good shape.
Print-on-demand challenges and considerations
Source: Printful
Print-on-demand is great—but not effortless. Entrepreneurs must navigate obstacles like steep competition, higher product costs than ordering in bulk, and the necessity to identify a profitable niche.
Competition
The print-on-demand market is highly competitive, especially in apparel. Brands need a unique selling proposition (USP) to differentiate themselves. How can you get a leg up? Look into competitors’ pricing strategy, branding, marketing efforts, and customer perceptions.
Studying competitors—how they price, promote, and position their products—reveals gaps you can fill or angles you can improve.
Higher cost per item
Source: Printful
The print-on-demand costs per item are often higher than bulk manufacturing, but it’s still profitable with the right pricing structure. Adjust prices based on your audience, product type, and design.
The key is finding a balance that covers your costs while leaving room for profit and discounts in the future. A thoughtful pricing strategy ensures your POD business stays sustainable and competitive, even as production costs vary.
Market saturation
Print-on-demand’s popularity has led to a highly saturated market. As more sellers flock to print-on-demand platforms, the competition intensifies, making it harder for individual stores to stand out.
What does that mean for you? It’s harder to win with generic products or copycat designs. Only the most unique or high-quality items will land sales. Plus, sellers often have to invest heavily in marketing strategies and brand differentiation to stand out. To combat this, focus on creating a strong brand identity and offering something that sets you apart from the competition.
Learn more: How to Promote Your Print-on-Demand Business
Another concern with market saturation is the pressure it puts on pricing and profit margins. Don’t race to the bottom on price. Instead, build value: use better product mockups, niche-specific messaging, and bundle offers to protect your profit margins.
Bottom line: market saturation raises the bar—but sellers who focus on a specific niche, invest in branding, and meet customer expectations still succeed. Small upgrades, like unique product photos or thoughtful packaging, can instantly raise perceived quality and justify higher pricing.
No control over shipping times
Source: Printful
A pivotal challenge in global print-on-demand is meeting customer expectations, especially regarding shipping times. Unlike conventional retail, where products are instantly available to ship, POD items are made after the customer orders, extending the time to shipment. Delivery times vary significantly based on the distance between the printing facility and the customer.
Most POD orders take 5–10 business days from purchase to delivery. Using a global provider like Printful means orders can be fulfilled closer to the customer, speeding up delivery and reducing shipping costs.
The shipping time issue isn’t a dealbreaker, but it requires clear communication. Successful sellers build trust by setting expectations upfront in their online store, product pages, and checkout flow.
Transparency about the fulfillment process reduces frustration, avoids complaints, and protects your brand’s reputation.
It also filters out impatient buyers who may not be a fit for made-to-order products.
Pros and cons of print-on-demand
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Pros
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Cons
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✅ Low-risk business model with minimal upfront costs
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❌ Higher cost per item than bulk manufacturing
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✅ No need to manage or store inventory
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❌ Competitive market with potential saturation
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✅ Easy to scale through your ecommerce platform
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❌ Profit margins shrink without the right pricing strategy
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✅ Wide product range with flexible customization
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❌ Less control over shipping and fulfilment times
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✅ White-label branding helps build customer loyalty
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❌ Requires consistent marketing strategies to stay visible
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✅ Ideal for testing designs and exploring niche ideas
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❌ Standing out takes effort—generic products get lost easily
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✅ Global fulfilment helps reach more customers
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❌ Customer expectations around delivery times must be managed carefully
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✅ Supports sustainable, made-to-order production
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❌ Limited control over product options—you're tied to the supplier’s catalog
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✅ Can generate passive income with the right products and automation
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How to make money with print-on-demand in 2025
Source: Printful
Print-on-demand is still profitable in 2025. The global POD market is projected to reach almost $103B by 2034, driven by rising demand for custom products and low-risk ecommerce options.
If you want to build a sustainable print-on-demand business, you need more than great designs—you need strategy and a solid business plan. Here are six ways to increase your profit margins and grow a POD brand that lasts.
#1. Conduct market research and choose your niche
Success in print-on-demand starts with choosing a niche with proven demand, emotional relevance, and space to differentiate. Popular categories like pets, activism, family, and humor perform well, but broad appeal isn’t enough—you need a sharper angle to stand out.
If you’re a pet owner, think beyond generic slogans. Focus on specific breeds, recognizable behaviors, or subcultures within pet parenting.
Activism is another strong niche. Products supporting causes like mental health awareness or sustainability tend to convert well when the messaging aligns with buyer identity, not just industry trends.
Hobbies like gaming, travel, or book culture. A well-timed quote or illustration can turn basic t-shirts into conversation starters. Use tools like Google Trends, TikTok, or Etsy search suggestions to see current trends. Pinterest boards and Reddit communities will also help you understand what people care about.
#2. Select trending products
Staying updated with trending products gives you a competitive edge. According to Printful’s list of 22 trending products for 2025, consider adding the following to your store:
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Custom t-shirts: a staple in POD, with high demand, low risk, and broad appeal
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All-over print hoodies and yoga pants: popular for their unique designs and comfort
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Engraved jewelry: personalized accessories that drive repeat purchases and gift sales
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Wall art and posters: affordable, high-margin products that let you showcase niche-specific art or messaging
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Eco-friendly tote bags: combine everyday use with sustainable materials to attract value-driven buyers
#3. Choose the right fulfillment method
Getting your orders from screen to doorstep should be seamless. That’s why choosing the right print-on-demand partner matters. Printful works with platforms like Shopify, Etsy, and TikTok Shop, so you can connect your store in minutes and start selling.
Once someone orders, everything from printing to packaging and shipping is done for you. That means no packing boxes in your living room or chasing shipping labels. Focus on the parts that grow your business, like designing products, building your brand, and connecting with your audience.
#4. Create designs people actually want to wear 
Source: Pexels
You don’t need to be a pro designer to make great products. Tools like Printful’s Design Maker or Canva make it easy to bring your ideas to life. Focus on what your target market cares about, whether that’s bold statements, inside jokes, or simple graphics. Stay inspired by what’s trending, but always add your own spin. That’s how designs stand out and sell.
#5. Set up your store for real people, not just clicks
Your ecommerce platform is where everything happens, so make it count. Whether you’re using Shopify, Etsy, or something else, your store should feel easy to shop. Use clear product photos, write detailed descriptions, and show off real reviews. With a smooth shopping experience and transparency, people will buy and return to you.
#6. Market your products to your target audience
Even the best designs won’t sell if no one sees them. Start simple: post consistently on social media, send emails to people who’ve shown interest, and use search engine optimization (SEO) to help your product pages get found. Focus on what your target audience already follows and speak their language. You don’t need a huge social media advertising budget, just a clear message and a bit of consistency.
By focusing on trending products and using smart, consistent marketing, you can build a successful POD business in 2025. It won’t happen overnight, but with the right tools, a strong niche, and focused execution, you can grow something that’s both personal and profitable.
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Source: Printful
Source: Printful
Source: Printful
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