How To Start a Print on Demand Business in 2025

Key takeaways: 

• Print on demand is a low-risk way to start selling online since suppliers handle printing and shipping while you focus on design and marketing. 

• Success depends on choosing the right niche, building a professional storefront, and promoting your products consistently. 

• You can start small with free tools and marketplace listings, then reinvest profits into a branded store with your own domain. 

Starting a business in 2025 doesn’t have to mean buying inventory or renting storage space. Print on demand (POD) is one of the easiest ways for entrepreneurs, small businesses, and side hustlers to start selling online. With it, you create designs, list them for sale, and only pay a supplier once an order comes in. That keeps your startup costs low and your options wide open. 

In this guide, we’ll cover what print on demand is, how it works, and the steps you need to launch your own POD business from picking a niche to building your storefront and marketing your products. 

What is print on demand (POD)? 

Print on demand is a business model where you sell custom products like t-shirts, mugs, tote bags, or posters, without keeping inventory on hand. Instead of producing items upfront, you partner with a POD supplier who prints and ships each order as it comes in. 

Think of it as having a manufacturer on call. You upload your design, list the product in your store, and once a customer clicks “buy,” your supplier handles the rest. You only pay for the product after the sale, which is why POD is considered a low-risk way to start selling online. 

POD is often compared to dropshipping, but there’s a key difference: 

• Dropshipping means reselling existing products from suppliers. 

• Print on demand means creating original designs, so you have full control over branding and creative direction. 

For entrepreneurs and small businesses, the main benefits include: 

• Low upfront investment since there’s no need for bulk orders or warehouses. 

• Creative freedom to design products that fit your style or niche. 

• Scalability to add new products and designs as your store grows. 

• Flexibility to test ideas quickly and swap out products that don’t sell. 

How does print on demand work? 

Print on demand connects your designs with suppliers who handle production and shipping on your behalf. Instead of worrying about inventory or logistics, you focus on creating products and marketing them, while your POD partner takes care of fulfillment. 

Here’s the typical workflow: 

1. You design a product, like a shirt, mug, or phone case, using tools such as Canva, Photoshop, or AI design apps. 

2. You add your design to your online store or POD platform where customers can browse and order. 

3. When a customer places an order, the POD supplier receives the order automatically. 

4. The supplier prints the product, packages it, and ships it directly to the customer. 

5. You earn the difference between the retail price you set and the supplier’s base cost. 

To make this system work smoothly, there are a few key players you’ll need to know about: 

• Suppliers. Printful, Printify, Gelato, and others that handle production and shipping. 

• eCommerce platforms. Shopify, WooCommerce, Wix, Network Solution’s eCommerce Website Builder or Etsy, where you set up your storefront. 

• Marketplaces. Amazon, eBay, and Redbubble, which can expand your reach. 

Having your own domain and branded website are especially important here. A custom domain shows professionalism, builds trust with customers, and helps your business stand out from sellers who only rely on marketplaces. 

How much does it cost to start a print on demand business? 

One of the biggest reasons people gravitate toward POD is the low barrier to entry. Unlike traditional businesses that require big upfront investments, POD lets you start small. Sometimes with almost no money at all. The key is knowing which essentials you need to pay for and which tools you can use for free. 

At a minimum, here’s what you’ll need: 

• Domain name & hosting 

• eCommerce platform or marketplace 

• POD supplier 

• Design tools 

Domain name & hosting 

A professional website builds credibility and gives customers confidence in your brand. A domain usually costs $10–$20 per year, and hosting can be as little as a few dollars a month. 

eCommerce platform or marketplace 

You’ll need a place to sell your products. Marketplaces like Etsy are free to join but limit branding. Platforms such as Shopify, Wix, and the Network Solutions give you full control over your store. If you’re using WordPress, WooCommerce is a flexible CMS option to turn your site into an online shop. 

POD supplier 

Companies like Printful, Printify, and Gelato only charge when an order is placed, so you don’t need upfront cash for production. 

Design tools 

Even free tools like Canva or GIMP are powerful enough to create marketable designs. If you want advanced features, you can upgrade them later on. 

The good news is there are plenty of free or low-cost options to get started: 

• Free design platforms like Canva, GIMP, or AI art tools to create product designs. 

• Free eCommerce trials on platforms like Shopify or Wix to build your first store. 

• Marketplace listings on Etsy or Amazon (you’ll only pay transaction or listing fees). 

• Free mockup generators that let you showcase your designs on products without ordering samples upfront. 

If you’re starting with little to no budget, the smartest move is to launch with free tools, make a few initial sales, and reinvest the profits into upgrading your store. That way, your business funds its own growth from day one. 

5 steps to start a print on demand business 

Starting a POD business feels a lot more manageable when you break it down into clear phases. Instead of trying to do everything at once, follow these five steps that most successful sellers use to launch and grow their stores. 

1. Choose your niche 

2. Design unique and marketable products 

3. Select the right POD service partner 

4. Build your storefront 

5. Launch & market your POD business 

Step 1. Choose your niche 

Your niche is the backbone of your business. Picking the right one helps you stand out and attract the right customers. 

How to find a profitable niche: 

• Use Google Trends or keyword tools to spot rising topics. For example, you can check if searches for a term like “eco-friendly tote bags” are climbing steadily or spiking seasonally. Then use tools like Ubersuggest or Ahrefs to see monthly search volumes and related terms. 

• Browse Etsy, Redbubble, or Amazon to see what designs are trending. 

• Check if people are actively searching for your niche and engaging with it on social media. 

The goal shouldn’t be to find something popular but to find a niche where you can offer a unique spin. 

Step 2. Design unique and marketable products 

Once you know your niche, it’s time to design. Good design and originality are what make your store stand out. You don’t need to be a professional graphic designer. What matters most is that your products look appealing and unique to your brand. 

Tips for better designs: 

• Use free or paid tools like Canva, Photoshop, or AI design apps. 

• Create a consistent brand style that matches your niche. 

• Generate mockups so shoppers can visualize your designs on real products. 

• Avoid copyright issues. Never use logos, characters, or phrases you don’t own. 

Originality is key. Even if you’re inspired by trends, always add your own twist so your store doesn’t blend in with thousands of others. 

Step 3. Select the right POD service partner 

Your POD supplier is the engine of your business. The right partner will print your products well, ship them on time, and integrate smoothly with your store. Since not all POD services are created equal, it’s worth comparing a few before committing. 

What to compare when choosing a supplier: 

• Print quality and product variety 

• Fulfillment speed and shipping reliability 

• Costs, some charge per order only, while others offer premium monthly plans 

• Integrations with platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, or Etsy 

• Business fit, whether you need bulk discounts, branding options, or eco-friendly suppliers 

Step 4. Build your storefront 

This is where your ideas turn into a real online store. Your storefront is where customers connect with your brand. A custom domain name here makes a big difference, giving your store a professional edge and building long-term trust. 

Steps to set up your store: 

1. Pick an eCommerce platform like Network Solutions, Shopify, Wix, or Etsy. 

2. Register a domain name that’s short, memorable, and relevant to your niche. 

3. Choose a hosting plan that fits your budget and growth goals. 

4. Write SEO-friendly product listings with clear, keyword-rich descriptions. 

5. Set up pricing, payments, shipping, and taxes. 

6. Test your checkout process and integrations before launch to avoid glitches. 

Your online store forms the foundation of your brand, and choosing the right website builder can make setup easier. Our article on best website makers for small businesses gives you some good options. 

Step 5. Launch and market your POD business 

Once your store is set up and your products are live, it’s time to get people’s attention. Marketing is what drives sales and helps you build momentum. The good news is there are plenty of channels you can use, both free and paid. 

Marketing strategies that work for POD: 

• Social media marketing. TikTok, Instagram, and Pinterest are top platforms for visual products. 

• Influencer partnerships. Collaborate with creators or encourage customers to post user-generated content. 

• SEO. Optimize your storefront and blog with keywords so you rank in search results. 

• Email marketing. Build a subscriber list for promotions and loyalty programs. 

• Paid ads. Experiment with Meta (Facebook/Instagram), Google Shopping, and TikTok ads. 

• Retargeting. Use tools like Facebook Pixel or Google Ads to target visitors who abandoned their carts. Show them the product they viewed or offer a small incentive to encourage them to complete the purchase. 

Marketing is what turns browsers into buyers. For more ideas, check out our guide on strategies to get people to visit your website. 

Print on demand platforms compared 

There’s no shortage of platforms you can use to run a POD business, but not all of them fit the same needs. Some are better for beginners, while others are designed for sellers who want more control and scalability. 

Here’s a breakdown of eight popular POD platforms: 

Platform	Best For	Pricing	Pros	Cons
Shopify	All-in-one store owners	$39+ per month	Highly customizable, scalable, wide app ecosystem	Monthly fee adds up, requires more setup time
Etsy	Beginners or niche sellers	Free to join + listing and transaction fees	Built-in audience, simple to set up	High competition, limited branding control
Network Solutions	Small businesses wanting a professional store	Starts at $9.99 per month	Easy setup, integrated domains & hosting, all-in-one solution, 100+ website templates	Less app variety compared to Shopify
Printful	Sellers focused on quality & branding	Free to use + product base cost	Strong integrations, reliable print quality, custom branding options	Higher product costs compared to competitors
Printify	Sellers prioritizing flexibility & pricing	Free plan or $29/month for premium	Cheaper product base costs, large supplier network	Quality varies depending on supplier
Redbubble	Artists who want passive income	Free	Built-in audience, easy setup, global reach	Lower profit margins, less control over branding
Teespring (Spring)	Social media creators	Free	Great for creators with existing audiences, integrates with YouTube & Twitch	Limited product range compared to others
Zazzle	Designers who want a wide product catalog	Free	Huge range of customizable products, built-in marketplace	Can be competitive, less control over brand identity
Gelato	Global sellers	Free plan or pay per order	Wide international supplier network, eco-friendly focus	Product catalog not as large as Printful/Printify

Dos and don’ts for POD beginners 

When you’re just starting out with print on demand, it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement and overlook the basics. Think of these dos and don’ts as guardrails to keep your business moving in the right direction.  

Dos 

• Take time to research your niche and understand what customers are actually buying. 

• Prioritize product quality and order samples before selling to ensure your designs look good in real life. 

• Focus on great customer service—fast responses and clear return policies build trust. 

• Optimize your website and listings for user experience and SEO so customers can find you. 

• Test and track your marketing efforts to see what actually drives sales. 

Don’ts 

• Don’t compromise on quality just to cut costs—it will hurt your reputation in the long run. 

• Don’t ignore customer feedback. Use it to improve your products. 

• Don’t try to scale too quickly by adding dozens of products before you know what sells. 

• Don’t neglect marketing. Great designs won’t sell if nobody sees them. 

• Don’t rely on one single sales channel. Diversify with your own store and marketplaces. 

Bring your designs to life with POD 

Print on demand makes it easier than ever to turn creative ideas into a real online business. With no upfront inventory costs and the flexibility to test designs quickly, it’s a beginner-friendly model that can grow at your own pace. 

Start small, focus on a niche, and build a professional storefront that customers can trust. As you learn what sells, you can expand your product range and scale your marketing. The sooner you get started, the sooner you’ll know what works. 

Simpler tools, less frustration. Set up your POD storefront quickly with our website builder. 

Frequently asked questions