Rethinking Print-On-Demand for Etsy Sellers

Hi there! I’m Miroslav, and I’ve been selling on Etsy for over 5 years.

Today, I want to talk to you about print-on-demand. 

You might have heard about it, but maybe you’re not sure if it’s a good idea for you.

Let’s talk about it together!

What is Print-On-Demand?

Print-on-demand is a way to sell things without making them yourself.

Here’s how it works:

• You make a design for something, like a t-shirt or a mug.
• You put that design on a website.
• When someone buys it, another company prints your design and sends it to the customer.

You don’t have to keep any t-shirts or mugs in your house.

You just make the designs!

Is Print-On-Demand Good or Bad?

This is a tricky question.

Print-on-demand can be good for some people and not so good for others. Let me tell you what I think after using it for a long time.

Good things about print on demand:

• It’s easy to start. You don’t need a lot of money or space.
• You can try lots of different designs to see what people like.
• You can sell to people all over the world.
• You can focus on making designs and talking to customers.

Not-so-good things about print on demand:

• You can’t check every item before it goes to a customer.
• You might not make as much money on each thing you sell.
• You can’t make very fancy or special designs.
• You can’t always get the exact products you want to sell.

What Should You Know

Print-on-demand (POD) is a business model where you create designs and upload them to platforms, while another company handles the printing and shipping of products when customers make purchases.

While it’s an attractive option for beginners due to low startup costs and minimal inventory management, success requires focused effort and understanding that profit margins might be lower compared to traditional manufacturing.

• You only need to focus on design creation and marketing – no inventory management is required
• Best to start with 1-2 product types rather than launching many at once
• Quality control can be challenging since you can’t inspect products before shipping
• Works well for simple designs but may not suit complex or highly customized products

My Story with Print-On-Demand

When I started on Etsy, I was excited about print-on-demand. I thought it would be an easy way to make money.

But I learned some important things along the way.

At first, I made lots of designs for t-shirts, mugs, and pillows.

I put them all on my Etsy shop at once. I thought more products meant more sales.

But do you know what happened? I didn’t sell much at all. I felt confused and sad.

Why didn’t people want to buy my things?

Then I talked to other sellers. They told me I was doing too much at once.

They said I should focus on one or two products first.

So I decided to try again, but differently this time.

I picked just t-shirts to start with. I made a few designs about cats because I love dogs. I put those in my shop and waited.

Guess what? People started buying them!

Not tons, but more than before. I was so happy!

As time went on, I learned more.

I found out which designs people liked best. I made more designs like those. Slowly, my shop grew.

But I also saw some problems.

Sometimes, the t-shirts didn’t look as good as I hoped.

I couldn’t check them before they went to customers. A few people said the shirts weren’t as nice as they expected.

I started to think about making my own t-shirts. It would cost more money to start, but I could make sure every shirt was perfect before I sold it.

What Should You Do?

Should I try print-on-demand?”

Print-on-demand can be good if:

• You want to start selling but don’t have much money.
• You like making lots of different designs.
• You don’t have space to keep products in your house.

Print-on-demand might not be good if:

• You want to make very special or fancy products.
• You want to check every item before it goes to a customer.
• You want to make a lot of money on each sale.

Why You Should Think About This

Well, let me ask you something: Have you ever wanted to sell things you make? Or maybe you have ideas for cool designs?

Print-on-demand could be a way for you to try selling without spending a lot of money.

But it won’t make you rich quickly. You need to work hard and learn a lot.

Think about what you really want.

Do you want to make a little extra money? Do you want to build a big business?

Your goals will help you decide if print-on-demand is right for you.

Don’t just do what everyone else is doing.

Think about what’s best for you.

Maybe print-on-demand is perfect for you.

Maybe you’d rather make things by hand.

Both ways can work!

The most important thing is to start somewhere. If you have ideas, try them out. You might be surprised at what you can do!

FAQs

How much money do I need to start a print-on-demand business?

The initial investment is minimal since you don’t need to purchase inventory upfront. Your main costs will be design software (if needed) and marketplace listing fees, which can be as low as $0.20 per listing on platforms like Etsy.

Can I run a print-on-demand business while working full-time?

Yes, POD businesses can be managed part-time since you don’t handle production or shipping. However, you’ll need to dedicate time to creating designs, managing your shop, and handling customer service issues when they arise.

Which products work best for print-on-demand beginners?

T-shirts and mugs are popular starter products because they have consistent demand and simple design requirements. These products also tend to have fewer quality issues and returns compared to more complex items.

How long does it take to make your first sale with print-on-demand?

Sales timeline varies greatly depending on your niche, design quality, and marketing efforts. Most successful sellers report making their first sales within 1-3 months when focusing on a specific niche and consistently adding new designs.

What’s the biggest challenge in running a print-on-demand business?

Quality control is the main challenge since you can’t inspect products before they reach customers. You’ll need to carefully select reliable print-on-demand partners and be prepared to handle customer service issues when quality doesn’t meet expectations.

How do I choose the right print-on-demand supplier?

Research potential suppliers by ordering sample products to test quality and shipping times. Look for suppliers who integrate well with your chosen marketplace and have positive reviews from other sellers regarding print quality and customer service.

Is it better to start with many products or focus on one category?

Starting with one product category, like t-shirts or mugs, allows you to master the specifics of that product and build a cohesive collection. This focused approach typically leads to better sales than spreading yourself thin across many product types.

What’s the typical profit margin in print-on-demand?

Profit margins usually range from 20% to 30% after accounting for production costs, platform fees, and marketing expenses. While these margins are lower than traditional retail, the lack of inventory risk and upfront costs makes it an attractive business model for beginners.