Print on Demand (POD) is a great entry point into e-commerce—especially if you're starting with little to no upfront investment. With this model, products are only manufactured after a customer places an order, which means you don’t need to worry about inventory or production costs before making a sale.
POD is also a perfect fit for creatives looking to turn their designs into real products. Whether it’s apparel, accessories, or home decor, you can easily build your own brand and sell customized items to customers around the world.
Want to learn more? Check out our full guide on how Print on Demand works and how you can get started.
How Print on Demand Works for Creators and Sellers
Print on Demand is a smart way to sell custom-designed products and build a long-term source of passive income. If you're wondering how to start a Print on Demand business, this model is perfect for turning your ideas into real products—without any upfront production or storage costs.
With this model, you're not responsible for manufacturing or warehousing. Instead, your role is to create original designs and upload them to a sales platform. Once an order is placed, the product is printed and shipped by the service provider.
If you're looking for a fast and low-risk way to test your ideas and break into e-commerce, Print on Demand is definitely worth exploring.
In the next section of our guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about getting started with Print on Demand.
How Print on Demand Works Step by Step
Before diving into e-commerce with Print on Demand (POD), it’s essential to explore the best POD platforms that help you design custom products and easily start your Print on Demand business without needing inventory.
These platforms let you apply your custom designs to hundreds of products—such as t-shirts, mugs, tote bags, and keychains. Once you create your design, you can connect it to your preferred sales channels, whether that’s your own e-commerce website or a large marketplace like Etsy, Amazon, or Shopify. You can even link multiple platforms to streamline your workflow.
One of the biggest advantages of POD is that you don’t pay for anything upfront. Products are only printed and shipped after a customer places an order, so there's no need to worry about inventory or warehousing costs. Your profit is calculated automatically after the platform deducts expenses like production and shipping.
Most POD sites also offer helpful tools, including access to visual libraries and mockup generators, to support your design process. Their product catalogs are typically extensive, giving you room to create targeted designs for each product type.
But what if you’re selling from a country without full POD integration? While some platforms may not offer automated store syncing in certain regions, you can still fulfill orders manually—by placing them yourself once a customer buys. Many POD services ship internationally, although shipping times and costs can be higher if products are manufactured in Europe or North America.
Keep in mind: if you’re not a U.S. taxpayer or don’t have a Social Security Number or U.S. tax ID, you may be subject to taxes in your own country. Be sure to review your chosen POD platform’s tax policies and submit the necessary U.S. tax exemption forms when needed.
There are plenty of Print on Demand websites out there. In the next part of our guide, we’ll compare the best ones based on quality, pricing, and ease of use to help you choose the right platform.
Here’s a detailed comparison of the top Print on Demand platforms—Printify, Printful, and Prodigi—to help you choose the right one for your business:
Printify vs Printful vs Prodigi - General Comparison
| Feature | Printify | Printful | Prodigi |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Products | 800+ products | 330+ products | 500,000+ products |
| Usage Cost | Free + Premium plan ($29/month) | Free + Optional paid plans | Free |
| Platform Integrations | Etsy, Shopify, eBay, Walmart, more | Etsy, Shopify, Amazon, WooCommerce | Etsy, Shopify |
| Product Quality | Medium to Good (varies by supplier) | Very high | Very good |
| Production Time | 2–7 days | 2–5 days | 1–2 days |
| Customer Support | Highly rated | Good but less responsive | Average to good |
| Amazon Integration | No | Yes | No |
| Sample Orders | Yes | Yes | Yes (with discount) |
Pricing and Profit Comparison
| Feature | Printify | Printful | Prodigi |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic T-shirt Cost | ~$12 | ~$13–15 | Varies by product/supplier |
| Shipping Options | Varies by supplier | Global, with tracking | Global, with faster local shipping |
| Estimated Profit (Selling T-shirt at $30) | Approx. $18 | Approx. $15–17 | Depends on item |
| Extra Fees | No fixed fees | No fixed fees | No fixed fees |
Unique Features of Each Platform
| Feature | Printify | Printful | Prodigi |
|---|---|---|---|
| Production Source | Third-party suppliers | In-house production | Local manufacturing partners |
| Design Tools | Basic editor + Mockup generator | Advanced tools + Free library | Basic editor |
| Eco-Friendly Focus | No | No | Yes (sustainable partners) |
| Handles Customer Service | Yes | Yes | No (seller handles it) |
| Multi-language Support | Yes | Yes | Limited |
If you're just starting out and want to minimize costs, Printify is a great choice. If you're focused on quality and Amazon integration, Printful may be better. For eco-conscious sellers and fast local shipping, Prodigi is worth exploring.
Top Benefits of Using Print on Demand for E-Commerce
Print on Demand (POD) offers a low-risk, cost-effective way to enter e-commerce without needing to invest in unsold inventory. You don’t have to rent storage space or hire warehouse staff, making it an ideal model for anyone looking to start with minimal upfront costs.
If you're new to online selling and wondering how to start a Print on Demand business, POD is one of the most beginner-friendly options out there—ideal for anyone looking to make money with POD and test the market with minimal risk. Most platforms allow you to register for free and provide easy-to-follow steps to create and sell your products—even if you have no prior experience. Plus, customer support is typically available throughout the process to help you succeed.
POD sites also offer a wide range of customizable products. From t-shirts and hoodies to coffee mugs, phone cases, baby clothes, tote bags, and even pet items—you’ll find plenty of options to showcase your creativity and learn how to sell t-shirts online or build a niche store that fits your passion.
Don’t worry if you’re not a professional designer. You can create clean, minimal designs using built-in visual tools and image libraries offered by POD platforms. And as your business grows, you can always collaborate with freelance designers to expand your product line.
One of the biggest advantages of Print on Demand is its global reach. You’re not limited to your local market—your custom products can be sold and shipped to customers around the world.
Print on Demand: Key Drawbacks to Be Aware Of
While Print on Demand is a great way to start selling online with minimal risk, it’s important to manage your expectations—especially when it comes to profit. You likely won’t see large earnings right away, as your revenue is shared with the POD provider handling production, storage, and shipping, as well as any sales platforms you use.
To understand your real earnings, be sure to factor in all commission and service fees. Most POD platforms offer built-in calculators to help you estimate profits accurately. Focusing on niche markets can also improve your margins and help you reach the right audience faster.
Another common drawback is slower shipping times. Since products are made to order, there’s no pre-produced stock, which can lead to delays—particularly in regions farther from the fulfillment centers.
Product quality can also vary depending on the POD company you choose. To ensure a good customer experience, it's wise to place test orders with different platforms before committing. This helps you evaluate print quality, materials, and shipping reliability.
Getting Started with Printify for Print on Demand
Printify is one of the most popular Print on Demand platforms, trusted by over 4 million users worldwide. It’s free to use and allows seamless integration with top marketplaces like Etsy, eBay, and Walmart, making it easy to start selling your custom-designed products.
With Printify, you can create designs for over 800 different products, including apparel, accessories, and home goods. The platform offers both free and paid membership plans. The free plan lets you create unlimited designs, access customer support, and connect up to five stores. If you upgrade to a premium plan, you’ll unlock features like discounted product pricing and the ability to link unlimited stores.
In terms of pricing, if you sell a t-shirt for $30, Printify typically takes a $12 base cost, leaving you with $18 in profit. This fee covers production and is only charged once a sale is made. Shipping fees are additional and vary depending on the destination and the location of the production partner.
Printify also handles the entire fulfillment process, including production, shipping, and even customer service for delivery or return issues—giving you more time to focus on marketing and growing your store.
Printful Review: Features, Quality, and Amazon Integration
Printful is another leading Print on Demand platform that offers free design tools, access to a product library, global shipping, and fulfillment services. Like Printify, it allows you to create and sell custom products without holding inventory.
One of Printful’s standout features is its high-quality print and product standards—often rated better than Printify in customer reviews. However, Printify generally offers lower product prices and commission fees. In terms of customer support, Printify tends to score higher, while Printful focuses on maintaining tighter control over its operations by managing production in-house (unlike Printify, which outsources to third-party print providers).
A major advantage of Printful is its direct integration with Amazon, in addition to platforms like Etsy, Shopify, and WooCommerce. Printify does not support Amazon integration, making Printful a better fit for sellers targeting Amazon customers.
Printful also offers optional paid plans that come with business growth tools and discounted services—often at more competitive rates than Printify’s premium model.
Why Choose Prodigi for Print on Demand Sales
Prodigi is a Print on Demand platform that gives you access to over 500,000 customizable product options. It integrates easily with Etsy, allowing you to start selling your designs quickly and efficiently.
One of Prodigi’s standout features is its commitment to eco-friendly production. By supporting local manufacturing partners, Prodigi not only reduces its environmental impact but also lowers shipping costs and delivery times.
Compared to other POD platforms, Prodigi offers faster turnaround—products are typically produced within 1–2 days and shipped promptly to your customers.
Another benefit is the ability to order discounted product samples. This lets you check quality firsthand and even take your own promotional photos before listing items for sale.
Ready to take the first step? If you're looking to start a Print on Demand business, choose from the best POD platforms like Printify, Printful, or Prodigi. Whether you want to make money with POD, build a brand, or learn how to sell t-shirts online, the Print on Demand model gives you the flexibility and low risk to get started today.