Imagine this: You wake up, grab your coffee, check your phone, and—boom—you’ve made money in your sleep.
No inventory, no shipping, no customer service headaches. Just pure, beautiful passive income from an online business you can run in your PJs.
Welcome to the world of Print on Demand (POD)—a business model where you create designs, upload them to a platform, and let a third-party company print and ship the products for you. Your job? Design, list, and market. Their job? Everything else.
Sounds amazing, right? If you’ve ever wanted to turn your creative ideas into cash without the risks of traditional e-commerce, POD might be your perfect side hustle (or full-time gig).
Here’s everything you need to know to get started, from choosing the right platform to understanding how much money you can actually make.
What is Print on Demand (POD)?
Print on Demand is like having a personal print shop—minus the overhead. You create digital designs, upload them to a POD platform, and when a customer places an order, the platform prints and ships the item directly to them. No upfront inventory. No bulk orders. No post office runs.
Real-Life Example: How POD Actually Works
Let’s say you love funny coffee mugs and decide to sell them online.
1️⃣ You create a simple design that says, “Shhh… I’m Only Talking to My Coffee Right Now.”
2️⃣ You upload this design to Printify (a POD supplier) and connect it to your Etsy shop.
3️⃣ A customer finds your mug on Etsy and places an order for $18.99.
4️⃣ Printify automatically prints your design on a mug and ships it to the customer.
5️⃣ You never touch the product, never package anything, and never visit the post office.
6️⃣ Let’s say Printify charges you $8 for the mug + shipping, and the remaining $10.99 is your profit (before any Etsy or marketplace fees). 🎉
🔹 Key takeaway: You only pay for products when you make a sale, meaning there’s no risk of buying inventory that never sells. That’s why POD is such a popular side hustle (or full-time business)!
Common Print On Demand Products:
- T-shirts, hoodies, tank tops
- Mugs, water bottles, tumblers
- Tote bags, backpacks, phone cases
- Stickers, art posters, canvas prints
- Pillows, blankets, notebooks
POD is perfect for creatives, entrepreneurs, and anyone with a witty slogan or an eye for design. Even if you’re not an artist, you can still succeed (we’ll cover how in the next section!).
How to Start a POD Business (Even If You Can’t Draw a Stick Figure)
Step 1: Pick a Niche & Audience
Why sell just t-shirts when you can sell dog-lover t-shirts or funny teacher mugs?
- General designs get lost in the crowd. Niche designs SELL.
- Find winning ideas by checking Etsy, Amazon, Pinterest, and Google Trends.
- Further refine your ideas when you use a keyword analytics tool like Alura or Everbee.
- These are paid tools, but you’ll be able to see what is actually selling on Etsy
- Look for passionate audiences (fitness junkies, book lovers, cat people, etc.).
Step 2: Create Your Designs
No art skills? No problem! Here’s how to get professional-looking designs:
#1 | Use free tools like Canva or advanced ones like Photoshop & Illustrator.
#2 | Try AI design tools (yes, AI is your new graphic designer!). Here are a few favorites we use:
- MysticPod – thousands of premade templates to get you quickly creating
- Ideogram – easy AI tool to create t-shirt designs (or anything else)
- Kittl – similar to Canva, but a larger inventory of pre-made designs you can customize
#3 | Outsource to a graphics pro on Fiverr, Upwork, or 99designs (Fiverr will probably be the most cost effective route.)
❌ What NOT to do: Steal copyrighted images or slap a famous quote on a tee. If it’s not your original work (or in the public domain), it’s a lawsuit waiting to happen.
Step 3: Choose a POD Platform
More on this below, but you can either sell on a marketplace (like Etsy or Amazon) or create your own store (Shopify, WooCommerce). You also have to select a service to print and ship the product.
Step 4: Upload & Optimize Your Listings
- Great mockups = More sales (use tools like Placeit or Canva).
- SEO matters – Use searchable keywords in your titles & descriptions.
- Price competitively: Expect to make about $2-$15 per sale depending on the platform (and the product you’re selling)
Step 5: Market Your Store & Get Sales
- Etsy SEO + Pinterest = A dream team for organic traffic.
- TikTok & Instagram Reels can make a design go viral overnight.
- Influencers & niche Facebook groups = Instant targeted buyers.
The Best POD Platforms to Start With
When starting a Print on Demand (POD) business, you have two main options:
1️⃣ Marketplace POD (e.g., Etsy, Amazon Merch, Redbubble, TeePublic)
2️⃣ Standalone POD Store (e.g., Shopify + Printify, WooCommerce + Printful)
Both have their pros and cons, but the biggest difference is how you get traffic and sales. Let’s break it down.
What is Marketplace POD? (A.K.A. The “Built-In Traffic” Model)
A marketplace-based POD means you’re selling on a pre-existing e-commerce platform that already has millions of shoppers looking for products. Think of it like setting up a booth at a crowded farmers’ market. Customers are already there—you just need to grab their attention.
Popular Marketplace POD Platforms:
- Etsy – Best for unique and niche designs, handmade-style products.
- Amazon Merch on Demand – Access to millions of buyers, but invite-only and competitive.
- Redbubble, TeePublic, Society6 – Focus on art-based designs, good for passive income.
How It Works:
✅ You upload your designs to the marketplace (Etsy, Amazon, etc.).
✅ The platform lists your products and handles payments.
✅ A customer places an order through the marketplace.
✅ The marketplace sends the order to a POD supplier (Printify, Printful, Gelato, etc.).
✅ The POD supplier prints and ships the product to the customer.
✅ You keep the profit after fees.
Pros of Marketplace POD:
✔ Built-in traffic – Customers are already searching for products.
✔ Easier for beginners – No need to set up a website.
✔ Faster sales – SEO-optimized listings can rank in searches.
✔ Lower upfront investment – No website hosting or store-building needed.
Cons of Marketplace POD:
❌ High competition – Your designs are listed next to thousands of others.
❌ Seller fees & commissions – Marketplaces take a cut of your profits.
❌ No customer ownership – You don’t get access to your customer emails, so you’re not able to do any re-marketing.
❌ Less branding control – You’re building a store on someone else’s platform.
💡 Best for: Beginners who want quick exposure and passive sales without managing their own store.
What is a Standalone POD Store? (A.K.A. The “Brand Builder” Model)
A standalone POD store means you create your own website or online store and sell your products independently. Think of it like opening your own boutique instead of renting a booth at a farmers’ market.
Popular Standalone POD Platforms:
- Shopify + Printify/Printful – The most popular option for serious POD brands.
- WooCommerce (WordPress) + Printful – More customization, better for tech-savvy users.
- BigCommerce, Wix, Squarespace – Alternative website builders with POD integrations.
How It Works:
✅ You set up your own store website using Shopify, WooCommerce, WordPress, etc.
✅ You connect your store to a POD supplier (Printify, Printful, etc.).
✅ A customer visits your website and places an order.
✅ Your POD supplier prints and ships the product.
✅ You keep full control of pricing, branding, and customer data.
Pros of Standalone POD Stores:
✔ Full control over branding – You can design your store however you like.
✔ Higher profit margins – No marketplace fees, just standard transaction fees.
✔ You own your customers – Collect emails, remarket to past buyers, and build a loyal brand.
✔ No direct competition on your store – Unlike marketplaces, customers only see your products.
Cons of Standalone POD Stores:
❌ No built-in traffic – You have to drive all your own sales.
❌ Upfront costs – Website hosting, domain, and store setup cost money.
❌ More work – Requires marketing (SEO, ads, social media, email marketing).
❌ Takes longer to make sales – Without built-in marketplace shoppers, gaining traction takes time.
Best for: Entrepreneurs who want to build a long-term brand and have full control over their business.
Marketplace vs. Standalone Store: Which One Should You Choose?
| Feature | Marketplace POD (Etsy, Amazon) | Standalone POD (Shopify, WooCommerce) |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic | ✅ Built-in shoppers | ❌ You must drive your own traffic |
| Ease of Setup | ✅ Quick & easy | ❌ More complex |
| Branding Control | ❌ Limited | ✅ Full control |
| Customer Ownership | ❌ No access to emails | ✅ You own your customer list |
| Competition | ❌ High (listings next to competitors) | ✅ No direct competition on your site |
| Profit Margins | ❌ Lower (fees & commissions) | ✅ Higher (you set your prices) |
| Startup Cost | ✅ Low (free to list, small fees) | ❌ Medium (hosting, domain, ads) |
| Marketing Effort | ✅ Less (marketplaces bring traffic) | ❌ More (you handle all marketing) |
So… Which One is Better?
If you want FAST results with less effort:
Start with a marketplace POD (Etsy, Amazon Merch, Redbubble, etc.) because they already have millions of customers searching for products like yours.
If you want to build a long-term brand with higher profits:
Create a standalone Shopify store and drive traffic using social media, paid ads, and email marketing.
Want the best of both worlds?
Sell on BOTH! Many successful POD entrepreneurs start on Etsy/Amazon, make sales, and then transition to a Shopify store once they’ve built an audience.
Final Takeaway: Start Where You’re Most Comfortable!
- New to POD? Start on Etsy for easy sales and use Printify or Printful to print and fulfill the orders.
- Want to go all-in on branding? Build your own Shopify store.
- Looking for passive sales? Upload designs to Amazon Merch, Redbubble, and TeePublic.
- Want full control? Run Facebook/Instagram/Pinterest ads to your Shopify store.
💡 Pro Tip: Many top sellers combine multiple platforms to maximize sales!
TL;DR – The Big Picture
- Marketplace POD (Etsy, Amazon, Redbubble, TeePublic) = Easier, faster, but lower control & higher competition.
- Standalone POD (Shopify, WooCommerce) = More control, higher profit, but requires marketing & upfront effort.
Best strategy for beginners? Start with Etsy or Amazon Merch for instant traffic. Build your own Shopify store when you’re ready to scale.
How Much Money Can You Actually Make With POD?
Income Potential: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly
Let’s talk numbers:
- Side hustlers: $100-$500/month
- Serious sellers: $1,000-$5,000/month
- Full-time POD pros: $10,000+/month
The secret? More high-quality designs = More chances to make sales. The 80/20 rule applies—only a handful of your designs will become bestsellers, so keep creating!
📈 Future of POD (2025 & Beyond)
- The POD industry is booming, projected to hit $39 billion by 2030.
- AI-generated designs and customization are game changers.
- POD isn’t going anywhere—if anything, it’s becoming more competitive, so start now!
Final Thoughts: Is POD Right for You?
Who should start a POD business?
✅ Creative people who want passive income
✅ Entrepreneurs who love low-risk online businesses
✅ Anyone willing to put in consistent effort to grow
❌ Who shouldn’t start a POD business?
- If you expect overnight success (it takes time).
- If you hate marketing (sales won’t just fall into your lap).
- If you refuse to keep learning & adapting (trends change fast!).
The biggest mistake beginners make? Overthinking it. You don’t need to be a designer, an SEO expert, or a social media guru—just start.
Other Print on Demand Resources
Here are a few top-selling POD business owners who share some valuable info about this industry.
Would You Like Fries With That? (Bonus Sections Coming Soon!)
- Best Free & Paid Design Tools for POD
- The 3 Biggest Myths About Print on Demand
- A Beginner’s Step-by-Step Checklist for Launching Your First POD Store
Stay tuned for more in-depth guides to help you turn your POD business into a success story!
Now It’s Your Turn!
- Have an idea for a niche? Start creating.
- Not sure where to begin? Test designs on Etsy.
- Want to sell more? Leverage social media & Pinterest.
The world is waiting for your designs—go make some money in your sleep!
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