If you’re an artist who wants to start selling their designs in their own online store, you may have heard of print-on-demand companies. These are businesses that print your designs and ship them to your customers for you. It can be a great way to start an online store without having to worry about the logistics of shipping products yourself. In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at how print-on-demand companies work and how you can use them to sell your artwork online!
Print-on-demand companies print your designs on products like t-shirts, mugs, tote bags, and more. When a customer orders one of your products, the company will print it and ship it to them. You don’t have to worry about keeping inventory or shipping products yourself.
All you need to do is create your designs and upload them to the print-on-demand company’s website. They’ll take care of the rest!
POD’s are a great way to start selling your artwork online without any hassle. If you’re ready to get started, check out our list of the best print-on-demand companies for digital artists!
What is print on demand?
Print on demand is a print provider where products are only printed after an order has been placed. This is in contrast to traditional manufacturing, where products are printed in bulk regardless of whether there is an immediate demand for them.
Who are print-on-demand companies for?
Print-on-demand companies are typically used by businesses who want to sell products without having to worry about inventory or shipping. This is a great solution for businesses who don’t have the time or resources to manage these logistics themselves. Also, if you want to create custom products, then POD is right for you!
How do print-on-demand companies work?
Print-on-demand prints your designs on products like t-shirts, mugs, tote bags, and more. When a customer orders one of your products, the print-on-demand company will print it and ship it to them. You don’t have to worry about keeping inventory or shipping products yourself.
Are there any upfront costs?
No, there are no upfront costs. You only pay for the products that you sell, which they will pay you for when they purchase it!
What products do print-on-demand companies offer?
Wow, a lot. Products vary based on which company you choose to work with, but most POD’s offer basic products like t-shirts, mugs, tote bags, and posters. Some companies also offer more unique items like shoes, blankets, and phone cases and so much more.
I mainly work with Printed Mint for the basics, but when I need a more unique item, I will go to other POD companies to check out their inventory. For a list of the top 10 print-on-demand companies, check out this post.
What are some of the benefits of print-on-demand?
There are many benefits, including:
No need to worry about inventory or shipping:
Print-on-demand companies will print and ship your products for you. No storing boxes of products, shipping supplies, etc. in your garage. And if a design isn’t successful, you are not stuck with them in your home.
No upfront costs:
You only pay for the products that you sell at retail price and shipping costs. This is a low-risk way to start selling your artwork online.
Low minimum order quantities
You can print as few or as many products as you want. This is the perfect solution for selling custom products.
What are some of the drawbacks of print on demand?
There are a few drawbacks, including:
Print quality can vary from company to company
Without ordering samples of products, it can be difficult to know what the print quality will be like. Some companies have better print quality than others.
Turnaround times can be long, depending on the print-on-demand company you use
Look into turnaround times before listing your products. You want to make sure you are giving your customers accurate shipping times. Turnaround times also vary by print-on-demand company, so look these up ahead of time.
Can Print-on-Demand actually be profitable?
Short answer, YES! Check out this blog post where I take a deep dive into how to make it profitable for your shop.
Print-on-demand can be profitable. It really depends on how you market and sell your products, and what profit margins you are going for. I have been using print-on-demand for a few years now and it has been a great way to make passive income for my own brand.
Conclusion
Print-on-demand is a great solution for businesses who want to sell products in their online store without having to worry about inventory or shipping. It’s also a low-risk way to start selling your artwork online. While there are a few drawbacks, it can be profitable if you market and sell your products effectively.
Once you have identified your niche, look into POD’s and find the one that is the best fit for you and your online store.
What are some of your favorite print-on-demand companies? Let me know in the comments below!
If you enjoyed this post, please share it! And if you have any questions, feel free to ask them in the comments below or contact me directly. I’m always happy to help where I can!
Cheers!