Print on Demand

What is Print on Demand?

Print on demand (POD) is a production and fulfilment model where products are created only after they're ordered. You design the product – a t-shirt, mug, book, or poster – and when someone buys it, the supplier prints and ships it.

Like dropshipping, you never hold inventory. Unlike dropshipping, you're selling unique products with your designs rather than reselling existing items.

How Print on Demand Works

1. Create your design and upload to a POD platform
2. Add products to your online shop with mockup images
3. Customer orders a t-shirt with your design
4. POD supplier prints the design on the product
5. Supplier ships directly to customer
6. You keep the difference between retail price and base cost

Common Print on Demand Products

Apparel

T-shirts, hoodies, hats, socks – the most popular POD category.

Home and Living

Mugs, cushions, posters, blankets, phone cases.

Books

Self-publishing through services like Amazon KDP or IngramSpark.

Stationery

Notebooks, journals, greeting cards, stickers.

POD Platforms

Platform	Best For
Printful	Quality apparel, Shopify integration
Printify	Price comparison across suppliers
Gooten	Product variety, global suppliers
Redbubble	Built-in marketplace, no shop needed
Amazon Merch	Access to Amazon's audience

Print on Demand Advantages

• No inventory risk
• Test designs without upfront costs
• Focus on creativity and marketing
• Automatic production and fulfilment

Print on Demand Challenges

• Lower margins than bulk printing
• Limited product customisation
• Dependent on supplier quality
• Shipping times can be slow
• Competitive market

Making POD Profitable

Success requires original designs that resonate with specific audiences. Generic designs get lost in the noise. Build a brand, understand your niche, and invest in marketing. The printing is easy – finding customers is the hard part.