How to Get Started with Print on Demand: The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Making Money Online

Looking for a low-risk way to start an online business in 2025? Print on demand might be your best entry point into eCommerce without ever touching inventory.

In this guide, you’ll learn how to get started with print on demand (POD) — even if you have no design skills, no products, and no prior business experience. By the end, you’ll know exactly how to launch, promote, and scale your first POD store to consistent profits.

What Is Print on Demand (POD)?

Print on demand is a business model that allows you to sell custom-designed products — like t-shirts, mugs, phone cases, or wall art — without handling production, inventory, or shipping.

Here’s how it works:

1. You create or upload a design.

2. You list that product on an online store (like Shopify or Etsy).

3. When someone buys it, your POD supplier (such as Printful, Gelato, or Printify) prints and ships it directly to your customer.

You earn the profit margin between the product’s base cost and your selling price — completely hands-free.

This model has exploded in popularity as more people look for passive income and location-independent side hustles. According to Statista, the custom t-shirt printing market alone is projected to surpass $10 billion by 2025, proving POD isn’t just a trend — it’s an opportunity.

Why Print on Demand Is a Great Way to Make Money Online

Starting a print on demand business is ideal for solopreneurs and creators because it combines low startup costs, unlimited scalability, and creative freedom.

Here’s why it’s so powerful:

• No inventory risk: You only pay for a product after you make a sale.

• Easy automation: Tools like Printful and Printify handle production and fulfillment.

• Creative control: You can design for any niche — pets, fitness, travel, quotes, or pop culture.

• Scalable income: Once your designs sell well, you can replicate success across new niches or products.

In short, print on demand allows you to build a brand that earns while you sleep.

Step 1: Choose a Profitable Niche

Your niche determines your success. The more specific and emotionally engaging your niche, the easier it’ll be to attract loyal customers.

How to Find a Winning Niche:

1. Look for passion markets: Hobbies, pets, professions, or lifestyles (e.g., “plant moms,” “coffee lovers,” “dog dads”).

2. Research demand: Use tools like Etsy Trends, Google Trends, or Exploding Topics to find growing interests.

3. Check competition: On Etsy or Redbubble, see how many listings exist for your keyword. Look for untapped angles or underserved audiences.

Example niches:

• Mental health and motivation

• Fitness and gym culture

• Outdoor and travel enthusiasts

• Funny quotes or meme apparel

• Eco-friendly and minimalist lifestyles

Pro Tip: Don’t pick a niche because it’s trending — pick one you can create meaningful designs and messages for.

Step 2: Design and Source Your Products

Once you’ve picked your niche, it’s time to create designs that connect emotionally with your target audience.

Design Tips for Beginners:

• Keep it simple: Text-based designs often sell better than complex graphics.

• Use free tools: Canva and Kittl are beginner-friendly for creating print-ready artwork.

• Test multiple designs: Upload several variations to see what performs best.

Best POD Products to Start With:

• T-shirts and hoodies

• Mugs and tumblers

• Tote bags

• Stickers and phone cases

• Posters and wall art

Choose one or two products first — don’t overwhelm yourself with too many SKUs. Focus on perfecting your product-market fit before expanding.

Step 3: Set Up Your Print on Demand Store

You can run a print on demand business on multiple platforms, depending on your skills and goals.

Option 1: Shopify (Best for Branding)

Shopify gives you full control over your store, brand identity, and pricing. You can integrate with POD suppliers like Printful or Gelato in minutes.

Pros:

• Full customization and scalability

• Access to advanced marketing tools

• Great for building a long-term brand

Cons:

• Monthly fees

• Requires setting up your own traffic

Option 2: Etsy (Best for Beginners)

Etsy is a marketplace with built-in traffic — perfect if you’re starting from zero followers.

Pros:

• No need to build a website

• Access to millions of active buyers

• Easier to rank and test ideas

Cons:

• Higher competition

• Fees on every sale

Option 3: Redbubble, Teespring, or Amazon Merch

These marketplaces are “plug-and-play” — just upload your designs, and they handle everything.

Pros:

• Free to start

• No technical setup

Cons:

• Lower profit margins

• Less control over branding

If you’re serious about building a sustainable business, start on Shopify or Etsy — then expand to marketplaces later.

Step 4: Market Your Print on Demand Store

You can have the best designs in the world — but if no one sees them, you won’t make sales. That’s why marketing is the most critical part of your print on demand journey.

1. Leverage Social Media

Create content that connects emotionally. Use Reels, TikToks, or Pinterest pins showcasing your products in lifestyle settings.
Try storytelling hooks like:

“This design was inspired by my morning coffee ritual.”
“POV: you finally find a hoodie that matches your vibe.”

2. Use Influencer Marketing

Micro-influencers (1,000–10,000 followers) can promote your products for free or low cost in exchange for samples.
This works especially well on Instagram and TikTok.

3. Run Paid Ads (Optional)

Once you have winning products, scale with Facebook Ads or Pinterest Ads targeting your niche audience.
Start small, track results, and reinvest profits.

4. Optimize for SEO

Whether you’re on Etsy or Shopify, SEO can drive long-term organic traffic.

• Use your target keyword in product titles and descriptions.

• Add tags like “funny coffee mug” or “dog mom sweatshirt.”

• Write descriptions that include benefits and emotional triggers, not just features.

If you want a full breakdown of how to rank your store organically, check out our guide on Etsy SEO for Print on Demand.

Step 5: Automate and Scale

Once you’ve validated your first few sales, it’s time to systematize your business.

Automate:

• Order fulfillment (via Printful or Printify integrations)

• Email follow-ups (using Shopify Email or Klaviyo)

• Social media posts (with tools like Buffer or Metricool)

Scale:

• Add new designs and products regularly.

• Expand to related niches.

• Build a brand community through email and social media.

According to Shopify’s eCommerce Trends Report, stores that post new products at least twice per month grow 2.5x faster than those that don’t. Consistency is key.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Uploading random designs without a clear niche or audience.

• Ignoring profit margins. Always price with a 30–50% margin minimum.

• Neglecting customer experience. Slow shipping or poor quality kills repeat buyers.

• Quitting too early. Most POD stores need 30–90 days of testing before seeing results.

Remember: POD success is less about luck and more about persistence and refinement.

Recommended Tools and Resources

Here are some trusted platforms and tools to streamline your print on demand journey:

• Printful — top-rated POD supplier with global shipping

• Printify — best for product variety and supplier options

• Canva — easy graphic design tool for beginners

• Etsy Seller Handbook — official guide for Etsy store growth

• Shopify Blog — eCommerce insights and case studies

Final Takeaway: Start Simple, Stay Consistent, and Focus on Learning

Starting a print on demand business doesn’t require big capital or experience — just creativity, curiosity, and consistency.

Begin by picking one niche, launching a few products, and learning from your first sales. The sooner you start, the faster you’ll discover what works for your audience.

If you’re serious about building a faceless online income stream, print on demand is one of the most beginner-friendly ways to do it in 2025.