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How to Start a Print-on-Demand Business in 11 Steps

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Anastasia Belyh

Last Update

Feb 11, 2025

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Starting a print-on-demand business is an exciting way to turn creativity into income. This guide simplifies challenges like choosing products, building a store, and finding customers.

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1. Choose Your Business Niche

Your niche is the backbone of your print-on-demand (POD) business. It defines your products, audience, and branding, helping you stand out in a competitive market.

  1. Focus on your interests. Choose a niche that excites you, such as fitness, gaming, or eco-friendly products. Passion makes creating and marketing easier.
  2. Identify a specific audience. Avoid being too broad. For instance, instead of “sports apparel,” consider “yoga-themed T-shirts for beginners.” Specific niches resonate more with buyers.
  3. Research demand. Use tools like Google Trends, Pinterest, or Etsy to find what’s trending. Look for niches with steady demand but low competition.
  4. Evaluate profitability. Ensure your niche can attract buyers willing to pay for custom products. Some niches, like pet owners or coffee enthusiasts, tend to spend more.

A focused niche ensures your designs are targeted, making it easier to connect with your audience and grow your business.

2. Research Trending Product Ideas

Choosing the right products is key to your POD success. Trends change often, so researching demand helps you select items people actually want to buy.

  1. Start with classic POD products. Items like T-shirts, mugs, tote bags, and hoodies are always in demand. They’re versatile and appeal to a wide audience.
  2. Look for unique options. Explore less common items like yoga mats, backpacks, or notebooks to stand out from competitors.
  3. Analyze competitors. Check successful POD stores to see their best-selling products and identify gaps you can fill.
  4. Follow seasonal trends. Create holiday or event-specific products, like Christmas-themed mugs or graduation T-shirts, to capture timely demand.

Selling products that align with customer preferences boosts your chances of success and increases sales.

3. Pick a POD Platform

Your print-on-demand platform is where your products are printed, fulfilled, and shipped. Choosing the right platform ensures smooth operations and a great customer experience.

  1. Choose beginner-friendly platforms. Printful and Printify are popular choices because they integrate with e-commerce platforms like Shopify and WooCommerce.
  2. Consider platform fees. Some platforms charge monthly fees, while others take a percentage of each sale. Compare options to find what fits your budget.
  3. Check product variety. Ensure your chosen platform offers the products you want to sell, whether that’s T-shirts, phone cases, or custom hats.
  4. Evaluate global shipping options. If you plan to sell internationally, choose a platform with reliable worldwide shipping.

The right platform makes it easy to manage your inventory and fulfill orders efficiently.

4. Design Your First Products

Your product designs are what attract customers. Creating eye-catching, niche-specific designs is one of the most important steps in starting your POD business.

  1. Use design tools. Canva and Adobe Illustrator are great for beginners and pros alike. They allow you to create professional-looking designs quickly.
  2. Keep designs simple. Complicated artwork can be overwhelming. Bold text, minimalistic graphics, and clean layouts often work better for POD products.
  3. Make niche-specific designs. Tailor your designs to your target audience. For example, a cat-themed T-shirt might say, “Cat Hair is My Glitter.”
  4. Test design concepts. Share mockups with friends or on social media to get feedback before launching your products.

Great designs are what set your products apart. Take the time to refine your ideas and focus on quality over quantity.

5. Set Up an Online Store

Your online store is your storefront—it’s where customers browse, buy, and connect with your brand. A well-built site ensures a seamless shopping experience.

  1. Choose a platform. Shopify is the best choice for POD businesses due to its integrations with Printful and Printify. Other options include WooCommerce and BigCommerce.
  2. Select a domain name. Your store’s domain should be short, memorable, and reflect your niche. For example, “PetPrintsHub.com” works well for pet-themed products.
  3. Use a clean, professional design. Select a theme that’s easy to navigate, with clear product categories and an intuitive checkout process.
  4. Add essential pages. Include an About page, a FAQ page, and a Contact page. This builds trust and answers common customer questions.
  5. Optimize for mobile. Many shoppers browse on their phones, so ensure your website looks great on smaller screens.

A professional, user-friendly online store is essential to attract customers and convert them into buyers.

6. Create a Strong Brand Identity

Your brand identity is what sets your business apart and makes it memorable. It’s more than just a logo—it’s how customers perceive your brand.

  1. Design a logo. Use tools like Canva to create a logo that reflects your niche. For example, use playful fonts for a kid-themed store.
  2. Choose brand colors and fonts. Stick to a consistent palette and typography that align with your brand’s vibe—modern, playful, or minimalist.
  3. Write a compelling tagline. A catchy tagline, like “Wear Your Passion” for a hobby-themed store, communicates your brand’s mission.
  4. Be consistent. Use your branding across your website, product mockups, social media, and marketing materials.

A strong brand identity builds trust and keeps your store memorable in a crowded market.

7. Add Products to Your Store

Once you’ve designed your products, it’s time to showcase them in your online store. Presentation matters when it comes to converting visitors into buyers.

  1. Upload high-quality mockups. Use your POD platform’s mockup generator to create realistic product images. Show different angles and lifestyle shots to make your products appealing.
  2. Write detailed product descriptions. Highlight the product’s features, like material, sizing, or special benefits. Include keywords to improve search visibility.
  3. Organize products into collections. Group similar items, like “T-Shirts” or “Holiday Gifts,” to make browsing easy for your customers.

A well-organized store with attractive product pages encourages customers to explore and make purchases.

8. Price Your Products Strategically

Your pricing should cover costs, attract customers, and ensure profitability. A smart pricing strategy helps you compete while staying financially sustainable.

  1. Calculate your costs. Include the base product cost, printing fees, shipping, and transaction fees in your pricing.
  2. Add a profit margin. Most POD businesses aim for a 30–50% profit margin. For example, if a T-shirt costs $12, you might sell it for $25.
  3. Check competitors’ prices. Research similar stores in your niche to ensure your pricing aligns with customer expectations.
  4. Offer tiered pricing. Create discounts for bundles or bulk orders to encourage higher spending.

Pricing is a balancing act. Ensure your products are affordable while leaving room for profit.

9. Promote Your Store Effectively

Promotion drives traffic to your store. Without marketing, even the best products won’t sell. Focus on strategies that suit your niche and target audience.

  1. Leverage social media. Share product photos, videos, and promotions on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. Use hashtags relevant to your niche.
  2. Run targeted ads. Use platforms like Facebook Ads to reach people interested in your niche. For example, target dog owners for pet-themed products.
  3. Collaborate with influencers. Partner with influencers who align with your brand to showcase your products to their audience.
  4. Offer launch discounts. Attract first-time customers with limited-time deals or free shipping on their first order.

Consistent promotion builds your brand’s visibility and drives sales.

10. Optimize Your Website for Sales

A sales-optimized website turns visitors into buyers. Small tweaks in design, speed, and functionality can make a big difference in conversion rates.

  1. Use clear calls-to-action (CTAs). Buttons like “Shop Now” or “Add to Cart” should stand out and guide users through the buying process.
  2. Improve site speed. A slow website can drive customers away. Use lightweight images and ensure your platform offers fast hosting.
  3. Add customer reviews. Social proof like reviews or testimonials builds trust and encourages purchases.
  4. Enable guest checkout. Don’t force customers to create an account; make the checkout process quick and seamless.

A streamlined, user-friendly website ensures a positive shopping experience that leads to more sales.

11. Scale and Expand Your Business

Once your store is running smoothly, focus on growth strategies to increase sales and expand your product offerings.

  1. Introduce new designs regularly. Keep your store fresh by adding seasonal products or trending designs.
  2. Explore new marketing channels. Try email marketing, YouTube videos, or blog content to reach a wider audience.
  3. Create upsells and bundles. Offer product bundles or suggest add-ons during checkout to increase average order value.
  4. Expand internationally. Partner with POD platforms that offer global shipping to tap into international markets.

Scaling your business helps you maximize profits and establish a strong presence in the POD market.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Author

Anastasia Belyh

Anastasia Belyh is a senior tech writer with over 15 years of experience in marketing, sales, and business software. Having worked in investment banking, management consulting, and founded multiple companies, her in-depth knowledge and hands-on expertise make her software reviews authoritative, trustworthy, and highly practical for business decision-makers.