Avoid These Mistakes to Keep Your Print-on-Demand Store Open

Today, I want to share some important tips with you about running a print-on-demand store.

By the way… print-on-demand means you create designs, and when someone buys them, a company prints and ships the product for you.

It’s a great way to start a business, but there are some big mistakes you need to avoid.

Let’s talk about how to keep your store open and successful!

What Should You Know

Print-on-demand is a business model where you create designs that are printed and shipped by third-party companies when customers make purchases.

It is important to build your own legitimate store rather than taking shortcuts.

• Never buy or use someone else’s platform accounts – it’s risky and against the rules
• Focus on a specific niche rather than trying to create designs for everyone
• Customer feedback is crucial for product development and business growth
• Persistence through slow periods is essential for long-term success

Don’t Take Shortcuts – Build Your Own Store

When I first started, I was excited to join big platforms like Amazon Merch.

I applied twice and got rejected both times.

It was really frustrating!

I thought about buying someone else’s account.

But that would have been a huge mistake.

Why is buying an account a bad idea?

• It’s against the rules. If you get caught, your store will be shut down.
• It’s very expensive. People charge way too much for these accounts.
• It’s risky. The platform might notice something strange and close the account.
• It can hurt your reputation. You might not be able to sell on other platforms in the future.

Instead of taking shortcuts, I decided to build my own online store.

It was scary at first, but it turned out to be the best decision I ever made!

Building your own store gives you more control.

You can make it look exactly how you want. You can connect directly with your customers. And you get to keep more of the money you earn.

Here’s what I learned from building my own store:

• Be patient.
• Start small.
• Learn as you go.
• Ask for help when you need it.

In fact, it’s better to do things the right way from the start. Don’t risk losing everything by taking shortcuts.

Focus on What Makes You Special

When I first started, I tried to make designs for everyone.

I made dog shirts, sports logos, and funny sayings.

But nothing really sold well. Then I realized I needed to focus on what I do best.

I love drawing cute woodland animals.

So I decided to make that my main thing. I created a whole collection of shirts, mugs, and tote bags with my woodland creatures.

And guess what? People loved them!

• You stand out from other sellers. There are lots of stores out there. You need to be different.
• You become an expert. When you focus on one thing, you get really good at it.
• Customers remember you. They know exactly what to expect from your store.
• You enjoy your work more. It’s fun to create things you love!

Keep Improving

One big mistake I see new sellers make is thinking they know everything right away.

But the truth is, there’s always more to learn in the print-on-demand world.

In the beginning, I thought my designs were perfect.

But they weren’t selling as well as I hoped.

So I decided to take some online classes to improve my skills. I learned about color theory, typography, and how to use design software better. My sales started to go up as my designs got better.

You should understand that every time you learn something new, you’re making your business stronger.

Listen to Your Customers

Yes, I didn’t pay much attention to what my customers were saying.

I just made what I wanted to make. But then I realized I was missing out on a big opportunity.

One day, a customer left a comment saying they wished I had made phone cases with my woodland animal designs.

I had never thought about making phone cases before!

But I decided to give it a try.

Now, phone cases are one of my best-selling items.

Your customers are simply the most important part of your business.

Without them, you wouldn’t have a store at all!

Don’t Give Up When Things Get Tough

Running a print-on-demand store isn’t always easy.

There will be times when sales are slow, or when you feel stuck. But the biggest mistake you can make is giving up too soon.

I remember a time when I went two whole weeks without a single sale. I felt like a failure.

I thought about closing my store. But instead, I decided to use that time to work on new designs and improve my store.

The next month turned out to be my best month ever!

• Tough times don’t last forever.
• You learn from challenges.
• Success takes time.
• You’ll feel proud of yourself.

Honestly, every successful store owner has faced tough times. The difference is, they didn’t give up.

Running a print-on-demand store can be an amazing adventure. You get to be creative, make your own schedule, and build something that’s all yours.

Yes, there will be challenges along the way.

But if you avoid these big mistakes, keep learning, and stay true to yourself, you can build a store that lasts.

FAQs:

How do I identify my unique niche in print-on-demand?

Start by focusing on what you enjoy creating or are skilled at, rather than trying to do every market segment.

For example, you can try to specialize in woodland animal designs, which are both passion and expertise, rather than continuing with generic designs like dog shirts and sports logos.

What’s the biggest risk of buying an existing print-on-demand account?

Besides being extremely expensive, purchased accounts often get detected and permanently banned by platforms, resulting in a complete loss of investment and future opportunities.

This can also lead to being blacklisted from other POD platforms, making it nearly impossible to rebuild your business legitimately.

How should I handle feedback from my print-on-demand customers?

Treat customer comments and suggestions as valuable market research that can directly impact your product line expansion.

What’s the most effective way to improve my design skills for POD?

Instead of assuming your designs are perfect, invest time in learning specific aspects of design like color theory and typography through online classes.

When should I expand my product range in my POD store?

Expand your product range when you have mastered your core offerings and received specific customer requests for new items.

How can I survive the slow periods in my POD business?

Use slow sales periods as opportunities to work on new designs and improve your store’s overall appearance instead of giving up.

Is it better to start with many different design styles or focus on one?

Starting with one focused design style is more effective as it helps build a recognizable brand and expertise in that specific area.

How important is patience when starting a POD business?

Patience is crucial as building a successful POD business requires time to understand your market and develop your skills.