Starting Print-on-Demand Companies in 2025: Worth it?

First things first, what is Print-on-Demand?

As per Shopify's 2025 Guide to Print-on-Demand, "Print on demand is a business model where products, such as clothing, accessories, or home décor, are designed by the seller and produced by the supplier once an order is received," the article then continues to elaborate, "For sellers, this eliminates the need to purchase and manage inventory."

So ultimately, this means that while running a print-on-demand company, you do not have to worry about production, certifications, quality, storage, shipping, returns, or the other messy parts of running a DTC business. All you have to do is establish a brand that has enough pull (or push, whatever you like Sarah) so that people feel the need to purchase from your brand. 

Sounds easy? Spoiler Alert: Isn't!

But that doesn't mean we can't make it easy. This blog is a cheat sheet to all things print-on-demand. We will talk about:

1. Basics
2. Dealbreakers 
3. Product hunting 
4. Vendor hunting 
5. Marketing checkpoints 
6. & even the 2025 trends relevant to this business model

So what do you say, shall we? oh, how British of me!

Print-on-Demand for Beginners: The Basics, The Tricks, & Everything in Between!

We have spent too much energy in this blog trying to understand how great Print-on-demand is (Let's be honest, it's okay), but knowing that will not bring you the million dollars you are hoping for (Want a Porsche tomorrow? Sorry, we don't give quick fixes here). If you are an absolute beginner, who has never started a business but has been intrigued by the potential of this business model in particular, you need to know a few things before you read ahead:

1. No you won't become an overnight millionaire.
2. Print-on-demand is not a no-investment model.
3. Yes, you will still be affected by poor branding, marketing, and product quality.
4. Just because there are less variables to control, doesn't mean that plenty can't go wrong. 

Now that we have all this straight, let's dive into the basics!

Is Print-on-demand Good For Beginners?

Short answer: Yes! One may say that it is a business model divinely designed for the beginner. So, if you are a person with $1000 to $2000 to spare and some time to kill, you can definitely hop on any one of the best print on demand sites and get that brand rolling.

How Much Can a Beginner Make in Print-on-demand?

Now that's a tricky question. I know you expect me to say that you can start earning a million dollars a month from the first month, & while that's a possibility, it will come with a crazy amount of push to the market.

Now, I will take the liberty to assume that you are not in the favour of spending your life savings on an experiment, so let's talk realistic numbers. 

How much can a beginner make from a print-on-demand company? Anywhere between $0 to $1000 per month. 

The $1000 dollar mark comes with the following important elements:

1. Aggressive network-focused marketing (Think Facebook groups, reddit, discord, etc.)
2. Problem-solving focused communication (I know you didn't produce the product, but try fitting it into the lives of your consumer)
3. Be quick to quit. Don't marry products. 

All of this may sound complex, but don't you worry, because below I have mentioned a very easy to follow startup plan for beginners. 

How to Start a Print-on-demand Company?

It may sound too good to be true, but the Print-on-demand industry is all set to touch $12.96 Billion in 2025. It's not me who's saying it, it's Precendence Research.

What does this mean for you? That it is going to keep getting easy to start a print-on-demand business. These are the steps you need to follow, to start today:

Step 1: Find a niche

Identify a specific market segment or audience that resonates with you. Focusing on a niche allows you to tailor your products and marketing efforts effectively. Examples include eco-conscious consumers, pet lovers, or fitness enthusiasts.

Step 2: Find the product

Select products that align with your niche and have market demand. Popular POD items include t-shirts, mugs, tote bags, and phone cases. Consider starting with a few products to test the waters before expanding your catalog.

Step 3: Buy a domain

Secure a domain name that reflects your brand and is easy to remember. A custom domain enhances your store's credibility and professionalism.

Step 4: Ensure compliance 

Familiarize yourself with legal requirements, including business registration, tax obligations, and intellectual property laws. Ensuring compliance from the outset helps prevent future complications.

Step 5: Build a Shopify store

Utilize platforms like Shopify to create your online store. Shopify offers user-friendly templates and integrations with various POD services, streamlining the setup process.

Step 6: Find a Vendor

Choose a reliable POD supplier that offers quality products, reasonable shipping times, and seamless integration with your e-commerce platform. Popular options include Printful and Printify.

Step 7: Test integrations and purchase

Before launching, test the integration between your store and POD provider to ensure orders process correctly. Place test orders to evaluate product quality and shipping efficiency.

Step 8: Find communities to market your business through

Promote your store through various channels:

• Social Media: Engage with your audience on platforms like Instagram and Facebook.

• Email Marketing: Build an email list to inform customers about new products and promotions.

• Content Marketing: Create blog posts or videos related to your niche to drive organic traffic.

Consider joining online communities or forums related to your niche to connect with potential customers.

Step 9: Scale, scale, scale. 

As you gain traction, analyze sales data to identify best-selling products and customer preferences. Expand your product range, optimize marketing strategies, and explore additional sales channels to grow your business.

How Easy is it to Build a Print-on-demand Business?

Yes & No! Yes because there are not any major, capital-consuming variables that can drive you to the rock bottom. In that regard, Print-on-demand is one of the safest DTC business models. But also, no because you may fail to earn any money or may even lose some if you don't step in with the right basics.

The way to avoid this risk is to study as much as you can, and also keep an eye out for the early warning signs. A few of them are detailed in the next section.

Early Warning Signs That Your Print-on-Demand Business May Not Work!

When building a business, especially as a beginner, it is very easy to lose oneself in the sheen & glamour of being a founder. While, in theory, a little indulgence doesn't hurt. But in the long run, it may blind you to the very real and early warning signs that can save you a lot of money. Here is a list of some of such signs:

1. You're chasing trends, not building a brand
Jumping on viral designs without a consistent brand voice leads to burnout and a forgettable store. If people can't describe your store in one sentence, you're in trouble.

2. Your niche is too broad—or nonexistent
Trying to sell to “everyone” means you're really selling to no one. If your designs don’t speak to a specific community, subculture, or belief, your marketing will fall flat.

3. No repeat customers
If every order is from a new customer and no one is coming back, it means they didn’t love the product, the brand, or the experience. POD needs loyal fans, not just one-time buyers.

4. You're only relying on Instagram (or Etsy/Redbubble)
If you depend entirely on one platform and it tanks, so does your business. A successful POD brand builds a brand across multiple platforms—email, SEO, Pinterest, owned website, and more.

5. You never ordered your own product
If you haven’t worn your shirts, checked print quality, or experienced the unboxing, how will you ever fix what’s broken? Customers can feel inauthenticity.

6. You haven’t defined WHY your store exists
Beyond “making passive income,” what is the purpose? The stores that last have a message, a mission, and a vibe that speaks to their people.

7. You're too focused on quantity, not quality
Posting hundreds of designs doesn’t mean they’ll sell. In fact, it often means you’ve diluted your brand. 10 iconic, emotionally resonant designs >>> 100 generic ones.

8. You’re scared to show your face or voice
If you're hiding behind your brand and not connecting as a human, you’re missing the power of storytelling. People buy why you do it—not just what you sell.

Print-on-Demand Trends to Follow in 2025.

1. Eco-Conscious & Sustainable Materials

• Consumers are prioritizing sustainability.

• Trend: Offer products made from organic cotton, recycled polyester, or biodegradable packaging.

• Pro tip: Highlight sustainability in product descriptions and ads.

2. Hyper-Niche Designs

• Broad niches are saturated.

• Trend: Go ultra-specific (e.g., "vegan guitarists," "left-handed coders who love DnD").

• Pro tip: Use micro-niche Facebook groups and Reddit threads for research.

3. AI-Assisted Design Creation

• AI tools like Midjourney and DALL·E are helping designers churn out ideas fast.

• Trend: POD store owners are using AI to generate unique patterns, art styles, and mockups.

• Pro tip: Always tweak AI art to stay legally safe and stand out.

4. Personalization is King

• Buyers want products that feel personal.

• Trend: Integrate name, date, or photo-based personalization options using apps like Teeinblue or Customily.

• Pro tip: Market these on occasions like birthdays, anniversaries, or pet memorials.

5. Premium Products Over Cheap Tees

• POD customers are willing to pay more for better quality.

• Trend: Move toward offering embroidered hats, heavyweight tees, stitched labels, and canvas prints.

• Pro tip: Use mockups that highlight quality — texture shots, label close-ups, and packaging.

6. Mobile-First Storefronts

• Most customers shop via mobile.

• Trend: POD stores that are optimized for mobile UI/UX convert better.

• Pro tip: Use one-click checkout apps and vertical scroll product carousels.

7. Influencer-Led Capsule Collections

• Collaborations are hot.

• Trend: Micro-influencers are launching limited-time POD collections with brands.

• Pro tip: Run campaigns like “Designed by [Influencer Name] – 100 pieces only!”

8. Vertical Integration of POD & Digital Products

• Diversification is a safety net.

• Trend: Many POD sellers are bundling digital products (journals, presets, printables) with physical items.

• Pro tip: Sell an astrology-themed t-shirt + a free zodiac digital wallpaper download.

Quick Takeaways: TL;DR

Topic	Key Takeaways
What is Print-on-Demand?	A business model where products are created and shipped by a supplier only after a customer places an order, eliminating the need for inventory management.
Is POD Good for Beginners?	Yes, it's beginner-friendly with low upfront costs, but success requires effort in branding, marketing, and product quality.
Potential Earnings for Beginners	Earnings can range from $0 to $1,000 per month initially, depending on marketing strategies and product appeal.
Steps to Start a POD Company	1. Find a niche 2. Select products 3. Purchase a domain 4. Ensure legal compliance 5. Build a Shopify store 6. Choose a vendor 7. Test integrations 8. Market through communities 9. Scale the business
Ease of Building a POD Business	Relatively easy to start due to low capital requirements, but success depends on proper planning and execution.
Early Warning Signs of Failure	- Chasing trends without brand identity - Undefined niche - Lack of repeat customers - Over-reliance on a single platform - Not testing products - No clear brand purpose - Focus on quantity over quality - Avoiding personal engagement
2025 POD Trends	- Sustainable materials - Hyper-niche designs - AI-assisted design creation - Personalized products - Premium product offerings - Mobile-first storefronts - Influencer collaborations - Bundling digital and physical products
Conclusion	While POD is accessible, success requires strategic planning, continuous learning, and adaptability to market trends.

 

Conclusion

Sounds like a lot to take in? Don't you worry about it! We are about to run a full-month series that aims to simplify print-on-demand. Subscribe here to receive the tips in your inbox.