Unlock the potential of your creativity with Print on Demand (POD), a low-risk business model for 2024. Design custom products like t-shirts and mugs, and sell them online without handling inventory or shipping. Focus on strategy and market targeting to maximize profits. This guide shares actionable tips to build a thriving POD business. Start monetizing your ideas and create a sustainable income stream today!
Contents
1 What is a Print-on-Demand Bussiness?
Print on Demand (POD) is a modern business model where products are created only after a customer places an order, eliminating the need for upfront manufacturing. It allows you to sell custom items like t-shirts and mugs without managing inventory or expensive equipment. Simply upload designs to a POD platform like InkedJoy, which handles printing, packaging, and shipping for you. With no bulk purchases or storage required, POD is a low-risk, cost-effective way for artists, entrepreneurs, or side hustlers to test ideas and start selling. It’s a game-changer for launching a retail business with minimal investment.
The beauty of this system is its simplicity and low risk. You DO NOT need to:
Buy products in bulk
Store inventory
Handle shipping
Invest in printing equipment
With POD, you only pay when someone makes a purchase. Everything else is taken care of by the POD supplier, so you can focus on your main job of creating designs, setting up for your store, and marketing your products.
2 Advantages of Print-on-Demand Business
Easy to Start
You do not require a web designer to get your store ready. Thousands of free themes and designs are available online for you to choose from. Besides, all the leading web-hosting companies such as GoDaddy and BigRock provide free templates for starting an eCommerce store.
Low Setup Cost
As Opposed to starting a conventional business, Print-on-Demand does not require a hefty investment. What you really need is an eCommerce store and alluring product designs that your audience will feel compelled to buy.
Limited Risk
Since you will not be manufacturing and printing the products, there is a minimal investment from your end. Hence, there is more flexibility for you to experiment with your products and take considerable risks, without worrying about losing your money.
Time Availability
In contrast to managing everything from production to order fulfillment; your work will be limited to increasing sales and producing enticing designs. Hence, the excess availability of time will allow you to focus more on your core areas and develop unique designs and strategies for business promotions.
No Inventory Management
Since your supplier will handle the production and logistics side, you will not need to store an inventory. Instead, you will be able to devote your time to increase sales and keep up with the trends.
3.Disadvantages of Print-on-Demand Business
Lower profit margins :
you may experience lower profit margins depending on your niche and products.
Limited product customization:
You may be limited to the supplier’s products and printing abilities.
Shipping times:
Fulfillment may take longer compared to traditional retail.
Competition:
Low entry barriers mean many sellers offer similar products.
Print-on-demand Revenue
Print-on-demand business is a revenue-generating model in the online selling business. The revenue in a print-on-demand business can vary based on several factors, such as the product niche, pricing strategy, marketing efforts, and customer demand.
For example, if you sell custom t-shirts through a print-on-demand business, with a base cost of ₹750 and a printing cost of ₹375, and price them at ₹1,875 each, your gross profit per t-shirt sold would be ₹750 (i.e., ₹1,875 – ₹1,125 = ₹750).
If you sell 100 t-shirts in a month, your total revenue would be ₹187,500 (i.e., 100 t-shirts sold x ₹1,875 per t-shirt), and your gross profit would be ₹75,000 (i.e., 100 t-shirts sold x ₹750 gross profit per t-shirt).
Tip: It’s important to note that your revenue can vary based on different factors, such as what you sell and how much you charge.
Print-on-Demand Business Success Stories in India
1.Blinkstore
Journey: Positioned itself as a platform for creators and entrepreneurs to launch custom products with minimal investment. It enabled users to monetize designs without managing inventory.
Challenges and Mistakes
Delayed Market Understanding: Some companies initially underestimated the demand for diverse product customization and international shipping.
Integration Limitations: Early adopters faced challenges in integrating their services with global e-commerce platforms, delaying scalability.
Success Journey
Minimal Investment:
POD eliminates the need for inventory and upfront costs, enabling businesses to start with limited risk.
Focus on Quality and Customer Experience:
Focus on Quality and Customer Experience: Providing high-quality prints and timely delivery ensured customer retention.
2.Printland
Printland: Offers a wide product range and competitive pricing. Their ability to integrate with e-commerce platforms has helped them stay relevant in a competitive market.
Challenges and Mistakes
: Some companies initially underestimated the demand for diverse product customization and international shipping.
Higher Costs in the Beginning: Many businesses struggled to offer competitive pricing due to higher production and shipping costs.
Success Journey
Leveraging E-Commerce:
Seamless integrations with platforms like Shopify and WooCommerce allowed businesses to manage orders effortlessly.
Minimal Investment:
POD eliminates the need for inventory and upfront costs, enabling businesses to start with limited risk.
Step 1: Selecting a Print on Demand Service
When choosing a Print on Demand (POD) service, think of it as picking a partner for your business. The right provider will help ensure product quality, customer satisfaction, and reliable delivery. Here’s what to consider:
- Quality: Request samples to check print consistency and material quality. Look for a provider using modern technology and premium materials.
- Shipping Rates: Compare shipping costs, including international options and fulfillment centers, as this affects your profitability and customer experience.
- Customer Service: Test their response time and how well they handle tracking, returns, and any issues that arise. Good customer support is crucial.
- Integration: Ensure the POD service integrates smoothly with platforms like Etsy or Shopify and offers tools for easy order management and design creation.
- Product Range: Check for a variety of customizable products, and consider seasonal availability to cater to your niche and meet customer demands.
Step 2: Find Your Niche
To start a business, identify your niche by identifying your target audience and customizing your products for optimal sales. Create a list of products, such as designer mugs or t-shirts for students, and ensure they have a broad reach to expand your business. Design products that meet your target audience’s needs while also attracting a secondary audience. Stay active on social media platforms like Facebook and Reddit to stay updated on trends and understand your audience’s needs.
Search private Facebook groups with your topic; you can find a lot of untapped market opportunities and specific customer pain points you can solve. But don’t stop there; take that further and explore discussion based websites like Reddit and Quora. They are goldmines of information about what people want and what they are frustrated with when it comes to existing products.
Step 3: Set up Your Online Store
To sell your print-on-demand (POD) products, start by building an online store. You can create your own website using platforms like Shopify or Wix, which give you full control over design and branding. This helps you connect with customers directly.
Alternatively, you can sell on marketplaces like Etsy or Amazon. These platforms already have built-in traffic, so they help you reach more people, but they take a percentage of your sales.
For the best results, use both: your own website for loyal customers and marketplaces to reach a wider audience. Make sure your store is easy to navigate with clear product descriptions and a clean design.
Step 4:Create a Strategic Marketing Plan
Marketing drives traffic to your print-on-demand store.
- Organic Traffic:
First, create social media accounts like Pinterest and Facebook, and properly optimize your site for SEO. Print on demand is a good fit with Pinterest as users come looking for inspiration and gift ideas.
Results from influencer marketing greatly depend on locating the influencers that match your audience. For niche audiences, you may receive a good return on investment from small influencers or microinfluencers.
Past customers can be encouraged to come back again with a simple email campaign or win back email with a discount or special design.
- Paid Ads:
Paid advertising is more expensive, but you can get results faster. Dust off your Etsy ads and PPC campaigns like Google Ads. During peak shopping seasons, you should make your products more readily seen by a wider audience.
Another way of getting your designs out there is through bloggers or social media people promoting your design. They get a commission for each sale that came through their referral link.
Aim to match the best practices in marketing while creating awareness and engaging with customers. You can also boost sales for your print on demand business by blending organic and paid methods.
Top 3 Popular Print-on-Demand Websites in India in 2024
1. Qikink
The online platform is free to use and has integrations with Shopify and Woocommerce stores. Its services also allow you to sell on Amazon print on demand. ou can use their inbuilt mockup generator to create product mockups. Quikink offers premium quality work, has a quick fulfillment time, and has no minimum order quantities. Plus they offer free brand stickers, and dedicated WhatsApp and call support.
2. E-Print Care
E-Print Care is a popular Pune-based Indian print-on-demand website that sells t-shirts. The firm boasts of working with 550+ businesses. They use the advanced SC-F3000 DTG (direct-to-garment) printer to make excellent customised garments and achieve a high colour fidelity.
E-Print Care ships globally and directly delivers orders to the customer’s doorstep, which eliminates the need for hoarding.
Pricing: Round neck t-shirt – Rs.180 + Printing and Shipping
Fulfillment Time: 2 days
Integrations: Woocommerce and Shopify
3. Printful
Launched in 2013, Printful, a popular print-on-demand site choice among many, provides a wide assortment of customisable products to get you started. You get everything on this easy-to-use online portal, from mockup generators to logo creation. Name a product, and you can sell that on this platform. Printful offers businesses the option to ship globally.
Hop on to this wagon to leverage the huge list of integrations Printful has, including big names like Shopify, Woocommerce, Amazon, eBay, Etsy, Squarespace, Adobe, Wix, Weebly, Websflow, Bigcommerce Prestashop Square, Tik-tok shop, Big cartel, Shipstation, Storenvy, Gumroad, Launch Cart, and Custom API.
