Great choice—POD is booming, and there’s still plenty of money to be made when you build a shop on Etsy, Amazon, and/or Shopify.

When I first started, I definitely made a few whopper mistakes.

Lucky for you, I’m here to share what I’ve learned so you can skip the beginner headaches and jump straight to making sales. Let’s talk Printify and break down everything you should know before you start selling—including how much it really costs, the best print providers, the most profitable products, and a few insider tips to maximize your earnings.

Ready? Let’s dive in!

What is exactly is Printify and how does it work?

Printify is a print-on-demand (POD) platform that lets you create and sell custom products without handling inventory, production, or shipping. Here’s how it works:

1. Choose a Product – Printify offers 1,000+ customizable products like t-shirts, mugs, and hoodies.
2. Add Your Design – Use Printify’s Mockup Generator to upload and preview your design.
3. Connect Printify to Your Online Store – Printify easily syncs up with Etsy, Shopify or other marketplaces to list your products.
4. Sell & Printify Handles the Rest – When a customer places an order on Etsy, fo example, Printify’s partner print providers make and ship the product directly to them.

With no upfront costs and no inventory needed, Printify makes it easy to start and scale a print-on-demand business.

Your Designs + Printify + Etsy = Print on Demand Business

Printify vs. Printful: What’s the Story?

If you’ve done any research on print on demand, you’ve probably seen the Printify vs. Printful debate. There are two of the biggest product suppliers in the POD industry. Here’s what you need to know for 2025:

Big News: Printify and Printful are merging! That means sellers will soon get the best of both platforms—Printify’s affordable pricing and massive catalog combined with Printful’s premium-quality printing and fulfillment.

Right now, Printify is still the better option for Etsy sellers because of:

• Lower base costs (higher profit margins)
• More print providers = More options
• Faster shipping choices

If you’re new to POD, Printify mostly likely is the smarter pick for your business —but keep an eye out for updates as these two giants join forces.

How Much Does It Really Cost to Start Selling on Printify and Etsy?

Printify is free to use (unless you upgrade to premium), but there are some expenses you need to be be aware of…

Paying for Orders Upfront

Every time you make a sale on Etsy, Printify needs to charge you for the base cost of the item and shipping. Because Etsy doesn’t pay you right away for your sale, you need some cash on hand – or a credit card – to cover those print orders before your profits hit.

Pro Tip: Have at least $200-$500 set aside for those first few sales to avoid the dreaded “Oops, I can’t afford to fulfill my own orders” moment.

Etsy Fees

In addition to the cost of printing and shipping, Etsy has a few fees as well. Here’s what to expect:

• $0.20 per product listing
• 6.5% transaction fee
• 3-5% payment processing fee

Marketing, Research and Mockup Tools

There are some other optional expenses involved that you should highly consider:

• Design Tools – You need at least one tool to create your art design for your products. There are several free options out there, but if you want to scale your business, you’ll probably need to invest in a tool like Kittl, CanvaPro, Ideogram, Mystic, etc.

• Etsy Keyword Research Tools (SEO) – Like Sale Samurai or Everbee

• Running ads on Facebook or Pinterest to drive people to your Etsy store

• Mockup tools for your products so they really stand out on Etsy. (We’ll talk a bit more about this below.)

BOTTOM LINE: You don’t need thousands to start, but having a few hundred dollars on hand keeps things smooth and stress-free.

How to Price Your Products (So You Actually Make Money)

Printify has a nice profit calculator you can use to help you decide how to price each product you’re selling. Please remember that this profit calculator only inlucludes Printify costs and not any fees you’ll pay to your marketplace, like Etsy.

Quick Example:

• A sweatshirt costs $21 to print and $4 to ship (total $25). You sell it for $55 on Etsy.

• The Printify calculator will tell you that your profit is $30, but you need to do a bit more number crunching to add in the Etsy (or other marketplace) fees.

• After Etsy fees, you are usually going to keep about 50% to 65% of the profit listed on the Printify calculator. So in this example, you would keep about $15 to $20 for the sweatshirt sale.

The Best Manufacturers on Printify

Printify works with hundreds of product manufacturers, so newbies may find it a bit overwhelming when trying to choose the best one for their product. Here are a few that I really like for apparel:

• SwiftPod – Fast, reliable, solid print quality
• Monster Digital – Great for t-shirts and sweatshirts
• Awkward Styles – Good pricing and customer satisfaction reviews

New for 2025: Printify’s “Printify Choice” feature picks the best provider for you based on price, quality, and speed. If you’re a newbie and don’t want to overthink it, use Printify Choice and move on with your life.

What Are the Best-Selling Printify Products?

If you’re overwhelmed by Printify’s massive catalog, here’s a cheat sheet of what I’ve found sells well on Etsy and gets good feedback from the customers:

• Best T-Shirt: Bella + Canvas 3001 – Super soft, slightly pricier, but customers love it
• Best (more affordable t-shirt): Gildan 64000 – 100% ring-spun cotton fabric. It’s super soft and breathable.
• Best Sweatshirt: Gildan 18000 – Cozy, affordable, and a customer favorite
• Best Mug: Generic 11oz or 15oz white ceramic mug – Simple and profitable
• Candles – Basic Scented Soy Candle is great

Check Printify’s Bestseller List to see what’s trending and see what people are already buying.

The Colors That Sell the Best

Offering too many color choices can really impact your sales. I’m not sure if you’ve ever done this, but if you have too many choices available, you get overwhelmed and decide wait before buying something. We want to make things as easy as possible for the buyers, so only offering 1 to 4 colors for each sweatshirt, for example, is usually best.

Now your next questions probraby is which colors should I pick? The best-selling colors typically are:

1. Black
2. White
3. Sand
4. Navy
5. Sport Gray

Depending on your designs, the red and pink may not look great, but blue and green are perfect. No matter what, limiting options to 1 to 4 colors for each of your listings will help your customers avoid decision fatigue and just order one (or two!).

INTERESTING NUGGET: Printify recently shared a surprise top trend for 2025:

“Single-color option reigns supreme among print-on-demand products. Items with just one color choice are the stars of the show in both apparel and non-apparel categories.”

Definitely a surprise to me, but I’m going to be putting this to the test this year.

Printify’s Default Mockups Are a Wee Bit Boring. Fix That.

Your first thumbnail image makes or breaks your sales on Etsy. While Printify offers some nice simple mockups of your product, you also need to create a few more If you’re using Printify’s generic mockups, you’re blending in with everyone else.

Better mockup options:

• Placeit – Huge library of professional mockups
• Playit – Affordable and easy to use
• Canva Pro – Create your own unique mockups
• Creative Market – High end mockups

Your first thumbnail is your ad. Make it stand out. Here’s an example:

Printify will give you a basic t-shirt mockup like the pink ones on the bottom. I still use these pictures in my Etsy store, but the main Esty picture for your listing needs to be one that’s going to “pop” a bit more when people are scrolling through hundreds of images.

Final Thoughts: Is Printify Worth It in 2025?

Yes, but only if you:

• Have at least $200-$500 ready for upfront costs
• Price your products high enough to actually make money
• Pick reliable print providers
• Offer a limited number of color options to avoid decision fatigue (1 to 4 colors)
• Invest in or create better mockups to increase clicks and sales

Printify is one of the best ways to start a profitable online business without dealing with inventory, shipping, or upfront costs. But the right strategy makes all the difference.

Other Articles You Might Like:

Print on Demand 101: How to Start Your Own POD Empire From Your Laptop

12 Passive Income Ideas to Earn at Least $1,000 Each Month

The 50 Best Digital Products to Sell Online – No Inventory, No Shipping

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.

1⃣ You create a simple design that says, “Shhh… I’m Only Talking to My Coffee Right Now.”
2⃣ You upload this design to Printify (a POD supplier) and connect it to your Etsy shop.
3⃣ A customer finds your mug on Etsy and places an order for $18.99.
4⃣ Printify automatically prints your design on a mug and ships it to the customer.
5⃣ You never touch the product, never package anything, and never visit the post office.
6⃣ 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:

1⃣ Marketplace POD (e.g., Etsy, Amazon Merch, Redbubble, TeePublic)
2⃣ 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.
  • If you do use Etsy, they don’t print and ship for you. You’ll also have to sign up with a 3rd party service like Printful or Printify (my favorite)
• 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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