Making Money with Print On Demand

What Is Print On Demand?

Print on Demand (POD) is a creative side hustle that allows you to design and sell your own custom products like t-shirts, mugs, tote bags, or posters without ever buying or storing stock.
When a customer places an order, your printing partner automatically prints and ships the item directly to them.
You earn a profit on each sale while the supplier handles production, packaging, and delivery.
It’s one of the easiest and lowest-risk ways to start an online business, since you only pay for products after they’re sold.

Pros of Print on Demand

No Inventory or Upfront Stock Costs: Everything is printed after each sale.
Low Start-Up Cost: Start for free with simple design tools.
Creative Freedom: Design around quotes, humour, hobbies, or causes.
Scalable: Expand to multiple products or platforms over time.
Passive Income Potential: Once your designs are uploaded, sales can roll in automatically.

Cons of Print on Demand

Lower Profit Margins: Suppliers take a portion to cover printing and shipping.
High Competition: Many sellers, so originality matters.
Requires Marketing Effort: You’ll need to promote your designs.
Customer Returns & Delays: Even though you don’t fulfil orders, you represent the brand.
Trial & Error: Success often comes after testing and learning what sells.

How to Start with Print on Demand (Step-by-step)

step 1. Choose Your Niche

Successful stores often focus on a specific audience or theme. Examples:
Inspirational or motivational quotes
Funny designs for trades, hobbies, or local areas
Minimalist or aesthetic artwork
Tip: A clear niche makes it easier to attract loyal customers.

step 2. Create Simple, Eye-Catching Designs

You don’t need to be a designer. Tools like Canva make it easy.
Start small with a few products such as:
T-shirts
Hoodies
Mugs
Tote bags
Stickers
Keep it simple: bold text and clean layouts often perform best.

step 3. Choose a Print-On-Demand Platform

All-in-One Marketplaces (easiest to start):
These handle everything: hosting, printing, shipping, and traffic.
Redbubble
TeePublic
Spreadshirt
Zazzle
You upload designs, and they handle sales for a commission.

E-commerce Integrations (more control):
Integrate POD suppliers with your own shop for better profit margins.
Printful integrates with Etsy, Shopify, and others
Printify affordable, with multiple printing partners
Gelato strong UK/EU supplier network
A popular beginner setup is Etsy + Printful / Gelato, combining marketplace traffic with your own branding.

step 4. Set Up Your Store

If you’re using Etsy or Shopify:
Choose a memorable store name.
Write clear, keyword-rich titles and descriptions.
Upload mockup images (provided by your POD platform).
Set pricing with a profit margin of around £3–£10 per item.
If you’re using Redbubble or TeePublic, focus on uploading frequently and using good tags to help your designs get discovered.

step 5. Promote Your Products

Consistency beats paid ads at the start.
Share your designs on Instagram, Pinterest, or TikTok.
Post behind-the-scenes content of your design process.
Engage in niche communities and hashtags.
Ask happy customers to tag or share their purchases.
Every bit of visibility helps your store grow organically.

Rough Earning Potential

Earnings vary depending on your effort, niche, and creativity:
Beginner: £0–£50/month (a few sales)
Intermediate: (10–20 solid designs): £100–£300/month
Advanced Sellers: £500–£2,000+/month
It’s not a get-rich-quick scheme, but consistent uploads and smart marketing can turn this into steady passive income.

Could This Side Hustle Be for You?

Print on Demand is ideal if you’re creative, enjoy design, or want to build a low-risk online business.
It’s flexible, scalable, and fun plus it teaches you useful digital skills in marketing and branding.
Don’t aim for perfection, aim for progress.
One simple design today could be a best-seller tomorrow.

Next Step

If you enjoyed this, check out our next side hustle guide:
Creating and Selling Digital Downloads or Affiliate Marketing for Beginners

Disclaimer

The side hustle ideas shared on this page are for general information and inspiration only.
We have no affiliation with the platforms or companies mentioned, and results can vary.
Earning money online carries some risk. Income is never guaranteed, and success often depends on time, effort, and personal circumstances.
Always research each opportunity carefully before getting involved.