In recent years, print-on-demand (POD) has emerged as an incredibly popular side hustle option for entrepreneurs looking to sell custom products without upfront inventory costs.
This model allows creators to design and sell merchandise such as t-shirts, mugs, posters, and more, with the products being printed and shipped only after an order is placed.
The POD industry has grown significantly, offering a wide range of platforms that cater to different niches and business models.
In this article, we’ll dive deep into the best print-on-demand platforms, covering their features, benefits, and potential drawbacks.
By the end, you’ll have a clear understanding of which platforms might suit your needs and how you can start generating passive income from this side hustle.
Why Print-on-Demand Is a Great Side Hustle
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Before we get into the specific platforms, let’s briefly explore why print-on-demand is such a fantastic option for a side hustle.
Traditional e-commerce businesses often require you to buy inventory upfront, which can be a significant financial risk.
In contrast, POD allows you to create custom designs for a range of products and only pay for them when a customer makes a purchase. This eliminates the need for large upfront costs and inventory management.
Furthermore, POD platforms handle the printing, packaging, and shipping for you. This means that you can focus on designing and marketing your products while the platform takes care of the operational logistics.
This low-maintenance setup makes POD particularly attractive for anyone looking for a passive income stream or a side hustle that doesn’t demand too much time or effort.
Now that we’ve established why POD is such a great side hustle, let’s dive into the top platforms that can help you get started.
1. Printful
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Printful is widely regarded as one of the best POD platforms, especially for beginners. It offers a vast range of customizable products, including apparel, accessories, and home decor.
One of the major selling points of Printful is its integration with many popular e-commerce platforms, including Shopify, Etsy, WooCommerce, and BigCommerce.
This allows you to easily sync your POD store with your existing online store or marketplace.
Features of Printful:
- Custom Branding: Printful allows you to add custom labels, packing slips, and other branding materials, making it an excellent choice for entrepreneurs who want to create a unique brand identity.
- No Monthly Fees: There are no upfront costs or monthly subscription fees. You only pay for the products once an order is made.
- High-Quality Products: Printful is known for its high-quality products and print techniques. They offer a range of printing methods, including direct-to-garment (DTG) printing, embroidery, and sublimation.
- Global Fulfillment: Printful operates fulfillment centers in multiple locations worldwide, ensuring fast shipping to your customers.
Potential Drawbacks:
- Higher Base Costs: While Printful offers high-quality products, their base costs tend to be higher compared to some other POD platforms. This means your profit margins might be lower unless you price your products higher.
2. Teespring
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Teespring (now known as Spring) is another popular POD platform that caters primarily to creators in the apparel and accessories space.
What sets Teespring apart is its focus on social media integration. It allows you to seamlessly create and sell products directly on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube, which makes it easier for creators to monetize their existing audiences.
Features of Teespring:
- Built-in Social Media Integration: Teespring enables you to create a storefront on various social media platforms, turning your followers into customers without the need for an external e-commerce site.
- No Upfront Costs: Like Printful, Teespring doesn’t charge any upfront fees. You only pay for the products when you make a sale.
- Easy Design Tools: Teespring provides an intuitive design tool that allows you to create custom products without any design experience. You can upload your designs or use Teespring’s built-in library of images and fonts.
- Global Shipping: Teespring offers worldwide shipping, so you can sell your products to customers around the globe.
Potential Drawbacks:
- Limited Product Range: While Teespring does offer a variety of apparel and accessories, its product range is not as extensive as other platforms like Printful. Additionally, Teespring doesn’t provide as many customization options for packaging and branding.
3. Redbubble
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Redbubble is a well-established POD marketplace where artists can upload their designs to be printed on a wide range of products. Unlike other POD platforms, Redbubble operates as both a platform and a marketplace, meaning that it attracts a significant amount of traffic from people browsing for unique, independent designs.
Features of Redbubble:
- Large Product Selection: Redbubble offers a huge variety of products, ranging from clothing to wall art, phone cases, and even stationery. This makes it a great platform if you want to sell a diverse array of products.
- Built-in Marketplace: As an artist, you don’t need to drive traffic to your store. Redbubble’s marketplace brings customers to you, and they can discover your designs through search and category browsing.
- Royalty System: Redbubble allows you to set your own royalty percentage, which means you have control over how much you earn from each sale.
- No Upfront Costs: Like other platforms, Redbubble doesn’t charge any upfront fees. You only pay when you make a sale.
Potential Drawbacks:
- Marketplace Fees: While there are no upfront fees, Redbubble takes a significant commission from each sale. This means your profit margins might be lower than with other platforms where you control pricing and commissions.
4. Society6
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Society6 is a POD platform that focuses heavily on high-end art prints, home decor, and accessories. If you’re an artist or designer with a passion for creating unique, high-quality designs, Society6 might be the perfect platform for you.
Features of Society6:
- Art-Centric Products: Society6 specializes in premium products, including art prints, tapestries, rugs, and furniture. If your designs cater to the home decor niche, this could be an excellent fit.
- Artist-Friendly Royalties: Society6 allows artists to set their own pricing and earn royalties on each sale. The platform gives you 10% of the sale price for most products, and for art prints, you can earn up to 20%.
- Free Marketing: Society6’s marketplace brings in a lot of traffic, so you don’t need to spend time promoting your products or store.
- Quality Fulfillment: Society6 handles all the printing, shipping, and customer service for you, so you can focus on creating art.
Potential Drawbacks:
- Limited Product Range: While Society6 offers high-end products, it doesn’t have as many options as other platforms like Printful or Redbubble, especially in terms of apparel and accessories.
5. Zazzle
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Zazzle is another large POD platform that offers a wide range of products, including clothing, home decor, office supplies, and even wedding invitations. Zazzle is unique in that it allows users to create their own storefronts and engage in a more personalized selling experience.
Features of Zazzle:
- Extensive Product Range: Zazzle offers one of the most diverse selections of products, including custom shoes, stationary, and even fabric. There’s something for nearly every niche.
- Customizable Storefronts: Zazzle allows you to fully customize your storefront and add a personal touch, which can help build a brand identity.
- Robust Marketing Tools: Zazzle provides a range of marketing tools to help you drive traffic and sales to your store, such as promo codes and affiliate programs.
- Royalty Options: You can set your own royalty rate on each product, giving you flexibility in your earnings.
Potential Drawbacks:
- Marketplace Competition: Zazzle has a large number of sellers, meaning that standing out among the competition can be challenging unless you have a unique product or niche.
Tips for Success in Print-on-Demand
- Focus on a Niche: Whether you’re creating designs for t-shirts or mugs, focusing on a specific niche can help you stand out in the crowded market.
- Quality Over Quantity: It’s better to create a few high-quality designs that resonate with your target audience than to churn out designs that are generic and uninspired.
- Promote Your Store: While platforms like Redbubble and Teespring bring traffic, it’s still important to promote your products through social media, paid ads, or influencer marketing.
- Optimize Your Listings: Make sure your product descriptions are clear and compelling. Use relevant keywords and high-quality mockup images to attract customers.
FAQs
1. Do I need to invest a lot of money to start a print-on-demand business?
No, one of the main advantages of POD is that there are no upfront costs. You only pay for the product when a sale is made, so it’s a very low-risk business model.
2. How much can I make with a print-on-demand side hustle?
Your earnings depend on factors like pricing, product sales volume, and marketing efforts. While some people earn a modest income, others make significant profits. Consistency and good marketing are key to scaling your POD business.
3. Which platform is the easiest to use for beginners?
Printful and Teespring are both known for being user-friendly and have plenty of resources for beginners. They offer easy-to-use design tools and seamless integration with e-commerce platforms.
4. Can I sell my designs on multiple POD platforms?
Yes, you can list your designs on multiple platforms to maximize your exposure and sales. Just be mindful of the differences in product offerings and pricing between platforms.
Final Thoughts: Is Print-on-Demand Right for You?
If you’re looking for a low-risk, flexible side hustle, print-on-demand could be an excellent option. By choosing the right platform, you can create custom products, build your brand, and start earning without needing to worry about inventory or shipping. Whether you’re a designer, artist, or just someone with a passion for creating, POD offers a wealth of opportunities to turn your creativity into a source of passive income.
Now, it’s up to you to choose the platform that aligns best with your goals and start building your side hustle today!
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