Print-on-demand (POD) has exploded in popularity—and in 2025, it remains one of the best low-risk ways to start an online business. Whether you’re an artist, a meme lover, or just good at catchy phrases, POD lets you turn your ideas into real products without holding inventory or worrying about shipping.
This article will guide you through how print-on-demand works, how to get started, and how to actually make money from it.
What Is Print-on-Demand (POD)?
Print-on-demand is a business model where you create a design, upload it to products (like t-shirts or mugs), and when someone buys it, a third-party service prints and ships the item for you.
You earn the profit from the sale without upfront costs, warehouses, or bulk orders.
Popular POD products include:
- T-shirts, hoodies, tank tops
- Coffee mugs, water bottles
- Phone cases
- Tote bags, hats, stickers
- Posters, wall art, notebooks
Why POD Is a Great Way to Earn in 2025
- ✅ No inventory – You don’t pay for anything until someone orders
- ✅ Low startup cost – Just your time and creativity
- ✅ Flexible – Work from anywhere, sell 24/7
- ✅ Scalable – Add more designs and products easily
- ✅ Beginner-friendly – You don’t need to be a professional designer
Step-by-Step: How to Start a POD Business
Step 1: Choose Your POD Platform
Here are the top print-on-demand platforms in 2025:
| Platform | Best For | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Printful | Quality apparel, Shopify stores | Integrates with Etsy, Shopify, etc. |
| Printify | Lower prices, global suppliers | Great for scaling margins |
| TeeSpring (now Spring) | Creators & influencers | Easy to link with social media |
| Redbubble | Artists & illustrators | Built-in marketplace (traffic!) |
| Zazzle | Niche, custom products | Good for gifts, weddings, decor |
Some let you open a store on their platform. Others require you to connect to your own store (e.g., Etsy or Shopify).
Step 2: Pick a Niche That Sells
Don’t just upload random designs. Niche targeting = higher chances of success.
Examples of niches:
- Dog lovers (e.g., “Proud Pug Dad”)
- Fitness motivation
- Bookworms, writers, and introverts
- Mental health and self-care
- Funny quotes for teachers, nurses, or programmers
- Political humor or pop culture trends
Pro Tip: Use tools like Everbee (for Etsy), Trends.Google.com, and Redbubble search to find what’s trending.
Step 3: Create Your Designs
You don’t need to be a pro designer to succeed. Here are a few options:
- Use Canva or Kittl to design simple text-based products
- Buy commercial-use graphics from Creative Fabrica or Envato Elements
- Use AI tools like Midjourney or DALL·E to generate unique images
- Hire freelancers on Fiverr or Upwork if you have a concept but no time
Focus on bold, clean, and readable designs—especially for apparel. Your designs need to grab attention in crowded marketplaces.
Step 4: Upload to Products
Once you’ve made your design, apply it to products like:
- Unisex T-shirts
- Mugs
- Tote bags
- Phone cases
- Wall art
Each platform has a mockup generator so you can preview what it looks like. Choose appealing product images to help it sell.
Step 5: Price for Profit
You don’t control the base cost, but you can set your retail price. For example:
- Base cost (Printful t-shirt): $13
- You sell it for: $25
- You keep: $12 profit per shirt
Factor in platform fees (Etsy, Shopify, etc.) and your marketing costs. Try to maintain at least a 30–50% profit margin.
Step 6: Market Your Store
Here’s how to get your designs in front of buyers:
- SEO: Use keywords in your product titles and tags (e.g., “Funny Teacher Mug”)
- Pinterest: Create lifestyle pins that link to your store
- TikTok & Instagram Reels: Show your designs being made or packaged
- Etsy Ads: Promote new listings with small daily budgets
- Email Marketing: Collect emails for discounts, new launches, etc.
The more eyeballs you get, the more sales you’ll make. Even one viral TikTok can turn your store into a full-time income.
How Much Can You Really Earn with POD?
Your earnings will depend on how many designs you upload, how well you market, and how competitive your niche is.
- Beginners: $50–$300/month (20–50 listings)
- Growing stores: $500–$2,000/month (100+ listings, better SEO/ads)
- Top sellers: $5,000–$20,000+/month (trending niches, great branding)
Some people treat it as side income, while others scale to full-blown brands.
Top Tips for Success in 2025
- 🔁 Upload consistently – The more listings, the more chances to sell
- 🔍 Research before designing – Don’t guess, use data
- 📱 Create content – Even low-effort videos can drive traffic
- 🛒 Treat it like a business – Track performance, test new ideas
- 💡 Think seasonally – Launch holiday designs ahead of time
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- ❌ Using copyrighted images (Disney, Nike, etc.)
- ❌ Targeting a niche you don’t understand
- ❌ Overloading your store with low-quality designs
- ❌ Ignoring customer reviews or feedback
- ❌ Relying on one product or platform only
Play the long game. It may take 30–90 days to see real traction, but the results can compound fast.
Conclusion
Print-on-demand is one of the easiest ways to start earning money online in 2025. With minimal upfront investment and huge creative freedom, it’s perfect for side hustlers, students, stay-at-home parents, or anyone wanting a piece of the ecommerce pie.
Pick a niche. Make a few solid designs. Upload consistently. Market smartly. And watch your passive income grow—one shirt, mug, or tote bag at a time.