This guide will walk you through some of the things you need to know to set up your own print on-demand business
What is Print On-Demand?
Print on-demand (POD) is a business model where you create designs and upload them to platforms like Amazon Merch on Demand, Red Bubble & Teepublic
These platforms handle printing, shipping, and customer service for you, allowing you to focus solely on designing your products and collecting your earnings.
The Benefits of Passive Print On-Demand
By using POD platforms, you can enjoy create a near passive income stream:
- There is no inventory management: The platform handles all logistics.
- You can Focus on creativity: Spend your time designing instead of managing orders.
- This business model is Scaleable: Upload your designs to multiple platforms to maximise your reach and sales.
Getting Started with Design Creation
- Brainstorm Design Ideas:
- Draw inspiration from personal hobbies and passions.
- Avoid using copyrighted or trademarked content.
- Use tools like Etsy and Merch Informer to find profitable niches. Merch Informer offers a three-day free trial and helps identify less competitive sub-niches.
- Generate Design Concepts:
- Spend some time to brainstorm ideas, ensuring they are unique and not infringing on existing copyrights or trademarks.
- Verify phrases for safety using a trademark alert tool.
Design Tools and Resources
- Placeit.net: A paid design tool that simplifies the creation of professional-looking designs without needing graphic design experience. It offers:
- Copyright-free fonts and graphics.
- A wide range of customizable templates.
- The ability to ensure designs have a transparent background, suitable for T-shirts.
Creating and Uploading Your Designs
- Design Multiple Variations:
- Aim to create 20 to 30 designs to cater to various niches and to help increase your chances of sales.
- Edit text and graphics using Placeit, and ensure your designs are saved as PNG files.
- Upload to Multiple Platforms:
- Start with popular sites like Teepublic, RedBubble, and Amazon Merch on Demand. These platforms receive significant organic traffic, helping you reach a broader audience.
- Set up your seller accounts, focusing initially on T-shirts due to their popularity and their ease of setup.
Optimising Your Listings for more Sales
- Craft Effective Titles and Descriptions:
- Include the main phrase from your design in the title along with a low-competition keyword.
- Avoid adding generic terms like “T-shirt” as some platforms automatically include them.
- Use main and supporting tags to improve your design’s search ranking.
- Focus on T-Shirts:
- T-shirts typically generate the most sales, so prioritise them over other products like stickers and phone cases.
- Disable other product options to save time and streamline your offerings.
Final Steps
- Set Your Pricing and Go Publish:
- Follow the platform’s guidelines for setting prices.
- Once your listings are live, you’ll officially be a print on-demand seller.
- Earnings are typically paid out via PayPal or direct deposit monthly.
- Repeat This Process Across Other POD Platforms:
- Replicate this process on other print on-demand sites like RedBubble and Amazon Merch by Demand to broaden your reach and sales potential.
Good luck and Cheers
Steve
