How to Start Making Money Online with Print on Demand

According to Startup Bonsai, 80% of consumers are likely to buy from a brand that offers a personalized experience. 

Moreover, creating your own online store can provide an intuitive and visually appealing platform that enables you to open your online store hassle-free. 

From customizable templates to seamless integrations, it empowers you to showcase your products in a way that reflects your brand's personality and style. 

This article will walk you through the step-by-step guide on how to open your print-on-demand store and more. So, fasten your seatbelts and dive in!

What is Print on Demand?

Print on Demand (POD) business refers to a business model in which products are produced and shipped only when a customer orders them. 

These products can be customized or personalized items such as t-shirts, custom mugs,custom phone cases, and posters. The best part of the print-on-demand business model is that you don't have to create products in bulk nor to have any inventory space to store them in.

Instead, the products are created on an individual basis, typically using digital printing technology, as orders are received. Due to these important reasons, many people are turning toward the print-on-demand business model. According to Straits Research, the print-on-demand market is expected to reach $39,035 million by 2031. 

Let's discuss some advantages of setting up a print-on-demand store: 

• No inventory requirements: With print on demand, there is no need to invest in and store a large inventory of products. You can produce products only when an order is placed, reducing the risk of having unsold inventory. You can learn and explore more about how to start an online store without inventory.
• Reduced financial risk: Since there's no need to invest heavily in inventory upfront, the financial risk is significantly reduced. You don't have to worry about purchasing products in bulk and the associated costs.
• Flexibility and customization: Print on demand offers high flexibility and customization as customers can personalize products with their own designs, text, or images. This enables you to offer a wide range of options to your customers and cater to individual preferences.

How to Start Your Print-on-Demand Store?

It is easy to set up your store with print-on-demand; however, it does take some time and multiple steps to set you up for success in Easy Side Hustles. Here are some of them.

1. Choose a Niche

The first thing you must consider when opening your print-on-demand store is to select a niche, as it's crucial for your POD store's success. You should identify a specific target audience or market segment that you want to cater to and put your focus on it. The niche can be anything, such as a movie, a celebrity, an animal, or anything. 

However, go for profitable niches that offer you more revenue and success. For this purpose, you can use Google Trends or other tools, such as Ahref, SEMRUSH, etc. These tools inform you about the hot topics and trends in the printing industry so that you can target the mass population. 

Consider your interests and expertise so you don't end up being clueless or non-creative. For example, if you're passionate about fitness, you could focus on creating designs for fitness enthusiasts. 

2. Decide on the Products You Want to Sell

Once you have chosen your niche, it's time to decide on the products you want to offer in your store. POD platforms usually offer a wide range of products, including printed t-shirts, hoodies, mugs, phone cases, and more. 

But before finalizing any product, consider the preferences of your target audience and think about what products would resonate with them. Otherwise, your products will be lost in the overcrowded market. 

For instance, if your niche is pet lovers, you might want to design your own shirt or accessories that are pet-themed. Some other in-trend products ideas include: 

• Custom Backpacks 
• Yoga Mats
• Customized Speakers, etc.

However, if you are confused about the product range, you can go to different online platforms and see the on-demand products related to your niche. Here are some of the best places you can visit for your research:

• Squarespace 
• Amazon
• Etsy

3. Create Some Designs

Undoubtedly, designs are the heart and soul of your print-on-demand store. So, spend maximum time brainstorming and creating unique and eye-catching designs that align with your chosen niche. 

Your designs should be visually appealing and have the potential to attract customers. You can use graphic design software like PhotoADKing to create eye-catching designs it provides ready-to-use templates like invitation templates, flyer templates, logo templates, poster templates, and many more.

Always remember to come up with your own designs. You can definitely take inspiration from people already working in your niche, but never ever plagiarize your design, as it takes away your authenticity. Instead, use the following mentioned platforms to explore new ideas and give your creativity a boost: 

• Pinterest
• Instagram
• Dribble, etc.

4. Select the Right Platform to Sell On

When it comes to the print-on-demand business, selecting the right platform to sell your products on is very important. You should go toward platforms that are easy to use and offer a handful of features. 

That's where website creation takes the lead above all. There are many platforms like Amazon, eBay, Squarespace, Etsy, etc., that equip you with all the right features that you need to make your business an ultimate success. 

5. Set Up Your Online Store

Now when you have selected the right platform, it's time to set up your online store. The process varies for each platform, but you'll have pre-built platforms everywhere that make everything easier. Here are some pro tips on how to start an Etsy shop.

Here are the things that you may need to do when setting up your store: 

• Home Page
• Contact Page
• Shipping Details Page
• About Page, etc.

Conclusion

Setting up your print-on-demand store on any platform is easy if you are aware of what steps to take. Start by creating your account, adding products, and then selecting the payment options. 

After that, you need to set the taxes along with designing your website and picking the order fulfillment options. So, don't wait and follow all these tips to make your print-on-demand store excel on your business journey. 

About the author:

Filip Nikoloski is a Partnership Specialist at Printify. Printify is a transparent print-on-demand and dropshipping platform designed to help online merchants make more money in a simple and easy way.