Making money as an artist and graphic designer is now easier than ever. Thanks to technological advancement, graphic designers can turn their craft into cash with just a few clicks. Let’s talk about how to Make Money With Print-On-Demand.
How?
One of the many ways to earn as a designer is by starting a print-on-demand business.
This business has been booming in the last decade and is projected to continue in the coming years.
According to Printful statistics, the global market value of the print-on-demand business was $5.397 billion in 2022. Projections show it will hit $39.035 billion by 2031.
This is quite insightful.
Right? So, how can you hop onto the bandwagon and get a piece of this cake?
Well, you’re in the right place. Keep reading to learn how to make money in 2024 in 2024 with a print-on-demand business print-on-demand business.
Plus, learn how to automate print-on-demand business for better results.
But before we can get into that, let’s get to understand the basics first:
Table of Contents
What Does Print-on-Demand Mean?
This business model involves creating designs for blank items, printing them, and shipping them when customers order.
Your designs can be printed on blank items like t-shirts, hoods, caps, and mugs.
It’s a dropshipping model since you don’t get to hold the inventory.
You partner with print-on-demand companies worldwide that print, package, and deliver products to customers when they order.
Your job is to market your designs and to bring in orders. The company you partner with, like Printify, Printful, Gooten, or Gelato, has those items, and they get to fulfill the order when your customers make it.
And then you split the profit for every sale you make.
So, how can you make money with print-on-demand?
How to Money with Print-on-Demand (POD): The Step-by-step Process
When starting a print-on-demand business, the first step is to choose a niche. This is a crucial step.
Why? If you don’t fill a specific gap, chances of success in a highly competitive industry are minimal.
So, create a winning business strategy by defining a niche and formulating a USP (unique selling proposition).
The second step is to understand your target audience. Who do you want to sell to? What are their needs and preferences?
Answering these questions is crucial when doing a POD.
The third step is to choose a POD service. Search for potential print-on-demand suppliers.
When searching, consider factors like product range and quality, pricing strategy, shipping locations, customer service, and technology; for example, can it integrate with other apps?
The fourth step is to create designs. Now, this is a crucial step because it forms the foundation of this business. This is where your unique creativity helps.
When making the designs, you can find inspiration from different sources like the internet or magazines, then start sketching designs, do mock-ups, and order a few samples to see how their designs look on the items.
Then, pick an e-commerce platform and set up your store, e.g., Shopify, Etsy, Amazon, or eBay.
You may also sell your t-shirt designs on your website or social media. Choose whichever suits you.
Lastly, promote your t-shirt designs. This takes time, money, and effort. However, with automation tools, you can quickly get the business off the ground and fly high.
For example, you can use E-commerce Bot to set up and run Google and social ads.
This automation app speeds up the process and saves time, money, and effort. With just a prompt, you can create a conversion-oriented ad.
Making Money with Print-on-demand: Top 13 Ways
There are many ways to make money with print-on-demand. This list shows the top profitable print-on-demand businesses.
Hoodies
Hoodies are one of the fastest-moving items worldwide. They are handy, especially during cold winter days.
Since they can be customized in different colors, hoodies can express the brand or business’s uniqueness.
Most companies use them to create awareness and to promote themselves.
Moreover, people from all backgrounds can wear hoodies. Whether you target kids, teens, or adults, hoodies will sell as they can be made in different materials and sizes.
As such, a hoodie print-on-demand business is profitable.
You only need to create eye-catching designs. The designs should resonate with your target audience based on gender, age, interest, and preferences.
Then, create a Shopify hoodie print-on-demand business and promote it to start making money.
A Clothing Line
Have you ever wanted to start a clothing line? Starting a clothing line is daunting.
The clothing market is pretty competitive, and penetrating it might be tricky.
The good thing is that you can start your own clothes collection with a print-on-demand model.
You can test different styles from the start without holding inventory. This allows you to alternate designs and see what the market likes and dislikes.
T-shirt Designs
The print-on-demand t-shirt business is one of the most booming. By 2030, its market value is expected to hit $4.3 billion.
T-shirts are one of the most versatile pieces of clothing—people from all walks of life clad in this casual attire anywhere and anytime.
Starting a T-shirt POD is easy. You only need to create unique and striking designs and open an online store to sell them.
Depending on your starting budget and target market, you can have as many tee designs as possible for your store.
Pets Apparels
This is another rapidly growing market. Reports state that the pet market is currently valued at $100 and is expected to reach $275 billion by 2030.
Pet owners are always looking for designer apparel for their furry friends.
Why not tap into this market and create unique and personalized pet products?
You can make good bucks creating designs for dog collars and bowls, pet feeding mats, blankets, leashes, tank tops, and beds.
Pick the best-selling personalized pet items with a diverse product catalog to succeed in this niche.
Tech Accessories
Today, almost every household has a gadget. You can make money with creative designs to beautify these gadgets.
Explore how you can have a unique selling point by being innovative and protective with designs and having a touch of individuality. This way, you will succeed with a tech accessories POD business.
Mugs and Drinkware
Mugs and drinkware are items we use every day. Who wouldn’t want their coffee mug or water bottle to bear their favorite message or image? Print-on-demand allows just that through various custom designs.
This makes it a huge business opportunity. You can generate those unique designs and put a smile on someone’s face whenever they take their coffee or drink.
The best thing about mugs and drinkware print on demand is that the market is always there.
People always buy these items, and someone can have one or two coffee mugs with different messages.
Bags and totes
The global bag and tote market is quite massive. It includes selling various bags, including shopping, laptop, personalized, casual every day, business and travel, and sports bags.
Also, when it comes to the material used for the bags, someone can buy a bag made of canvas, fabric, faux, leather, nylon, embellished, or polyvinyl chloride materials.
Almost anyone can get a bag based on their material, size, and use preference. That makes it quite a massive market.
This market is expected to hit a market value of $3.60 billion by the end of 2030.
As such, getting your designs on such an expansive market can become quite lucrative.
You only need to get the right print-on-demand platform, market your designs, and watch your custom tote bags business grow.
Facemasks
It sounds like a not-so-promising market, especially with the end of the pandemic. Well, the facemask market is still massive.
People have gotten used to facemasks, and some still use them.
Now, you can help make these facemasks unique with custom designs.
This way, everyone can have customized messages or images on their facemasks.
The best part? The market can be categorized into individual, industrial, hospital, and clinical masks. There are also disposable and reusable masks.
It shows how the market can be substantial and ideal for print-on-demand designs.
The global market size for facemasks is expected to hit $7374.1 million by the end of 2028, meaning you can exploit this market as early as now.
Stickers and Decal
Research conducted by Fortune Business Insights projects that the global market for stickers will reach $64.9 billion by 2028. This is a ready market for your creative designs.
The truth is that most people, 90% of sticker customers, believe stickers are a way of helping them remember things. It means that the market is here to stay.
You only need to identify the best print-on-demand platform and introduce your creative designs to this growing market.
Customized Stationery
Personalized or customized stationery markets are also excellent options for growing your print-on-demand business. As of 2022, this market was worth $24B.
With an estimated CAGR of 4.6%, it is projected to hit $37.2B by 2032.
Therefore, tapping into this market for your print-on-demand business is a lucrative idea.
You will undoubtedly make it big in this market with fantastic designs that target the right audience.
Special Occasion Merch
Special merch for special occasions is undoubtedly a good idea. Whether it’s a wedding, birthday, anniversary, or even a Valentine’s gift, customized merch can go a long way in making someone feel special.
So, why not exploit this potential print-on-demand market?
These occasions will always exist; people want to feel appreciated and loved uniquely.
You can grow a profitable print-on-demand business from this niche with unique designs and collaboration with event creators and individuals.
Phone Case
Another incredible option for making money with print-on-demand is the phone case industry.
People buy phones every day. And a good number of them accompany their purchase with phone casings.
Statistics show that by 2022, the global market value for phone cases will be $8,246.42 million.
However, this market is expected to grow to $14,256.37 million by 2028.
Now, isn’t that a worthy market to enter?
Many would prefer a phone casing customized with a favorite message or image. Your designs could be on those phone casings.
Home Decor and Art Prints
Imagine your home decor or art print customized with your favorite image or message. You can help people have such items in their homes.
The truth is the home decor and art prints market is a huge one. For example, the market value of home decor is expected to hit $158.40B by 2028, a growth of 5.33% between 2024 and 2028.
On the other hand, the art market value is expected to reach $26.77B by 2030.
These statistics show just how enormous these two markets are. And if you can get a share of this cake, you can undoubtedly make good profits in your print-on-demand business.
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How to Automate Print-on-Demand Business
A print-on-demand business can be quite tasking, especially when all the work is done manually, including creating designs and promoting your e-commerce products.
However, this can all be automated and made more accessible.
How?
By the use of AI automation tools. AI (artificial intelligence) has revolutionized the market, primarily online.
It provides people with a new and easier way to do things that saves time and maximizes results.
For example, the e-commerce bots’ social media AI manager automates all your social activities.
The tool automates the creation and scheduling of social media posts and videos.
It also interacts with users in their DMs and automatically responds to real-time questions.
This e-commerce AI bot can also help run ads for print-on-demand products on your social media pages, such as Instagram and Facebook. The tool automates the entire ad process.
For example, split testing helps you create the best message and target the right audience. You can choose combinations of different messages to create the perfect one that converts the most.
Also, if you place ads on search engines like Google, this AI ads automation tool can help you get the most out of your marketing campaign.
In other words, the AI tools do all the hard work while you enjoy the fruits with just a few clicks.
Frequently Asked Questions: How To Make Money With Print-On-Demand
Can you make money with a print-on-demand business?
Yes!
A print-on-demand business can generate income. However, this depends on the products, market, season, and profit margins.
Thus, you must find the best products, supplier, and pricing strategy and promote your designs and brand for better results.
What are the best print-on-demand products to sell in your e-commerce shop?
The print-on-demand market is quite vast. You can sell designs printed on anything, including hoodies, T-shirts, coffee mugs, stationery, home decor, and stickers.
However, it would help to tailor your business based on your target audience. First, know what they want and shape your business from that starting point.
Is print-on-demand business profitable?
Absolutely, yes!
Projections show that the business will only keep growing, and the market for print-on-demand products will be much more significant in a few years.
If you are considering starting a print-on-demand business, don’t hesitate. Just ensure you thoroughly research your niche before diving in.
