What is the print on demand business model?
How does print on demand work?
Print on demand business pros
Finding a print on demand service: Eight key considerations
How to start a print on demand business in 2024
Select your niche
Finding your niche (a specialized market segment to cater to) in ecommerce is crucial to success. To increase your profits and stand out from the competition, choose a niche that aligns with your passion. It could be anything - vintage fashion, music, fitness, etc. Determining a niche is an essential first step, and to get ideas, you can:
Research the best-selling products of 2024 online: Do a simple Google search and look at what other print on demand businesses are selling. Utilize tools like Google Trends and compare products.
Analyzing search engine results: Use tools like Google Keyword Planner, Ahrefs, Semrush, and other similar online tools to learn what people are looking for.
Choose your product line
There are many more customizable products that extend beyond the usual t-shirts, hoodies, and mugs in the print on demand realm. Popular items include:
Die-cut stickers
Stationery items
Socks and scarves
Tote bags
Mugs
Greeting cards
Whatever you decide to sell, make sure your chosen products align with customer demands. Explore different platforms like Amazon, eBay, and Etsy for trending ideas, and turn to social media platforms to uncover community insights.
Develop unique designs
You don't need to have artistic expertise to succeed in the print on demand realm; simply derive inspiration from other sources, and you'll be on your way to making huge profits!
Platforms like Pinterest and Dribbble are known for offering valuable design ideas. However, nothing trumps originality; so even if you use another person's design ideas, don’t forget to give them your personal touch.
If creating designs from scratch isn't your forte, hire a professional designer using platforms like Fiverr, 99designs, or Upwork. But before you do so, understand your needs. Test your initial designs on social media or forums to understand how they'll perform.
Choose sales platforms
Gelato seamlessly integrates with your online store and offers easy-to-use integrations for third-party ecommerce platforms, such as Etsy and Shopify.
When using print on demand services, you can take one of the two routes: choose an ecommerce marketplace like Etsy or Amazon, or establish your own online store using an ecommerce platform like Shopify or WooCommerce. The latter option allows for a customized website.
While your choice between leveraging the broad exposure of marketplaces and creating a unique brand identity through a dedicated ecommerce platform may depend on your specific needs, you must remember that each option will have its pros and cons.
Establish your online store
Once you've selected a selling channel, you must start setting up your store. This process can vary across platforms, but it will usually be straightforward. Depending on what steps are involved, the time it takes you to complete the setup can also vary.
Many platforms will provide a pre-built portal with customizable templates to give you a head start. Although setting up your store may be time-consuming, doing it properly can ensure the success of your print on demand business.
Select a print on demand partner
When you're done setting up your online store, the next crucial step is finding and onboarding a reliable supplier who will fulfill your incoming orders. Needless to say, your reputation as an entrepreneur will depend on who you partner with and how responsibly they perform their role.
Here, Gelato promises to be the ally who makes this easy for you. We do the heavy lifting for merchants so that they can make more money with less effort.
Our platform is easy to use and allows anyone to design and sell custom products without design experience. Once you receive an order, one of our print providers will quickly spring to action, ensuring timely printing and shipping of orders.
Pricing strategy development
Your success as a print on demand seller hinges on your pricing strategy. When deciding on the prices of your products, make sure to:
Look at what similar products are priced at in the market. Research your competitors and compare their prices with yours.
Consider the locations of your customers. If you use a network of local printers, it will be faster and cheaper to deliver the products.
Look into the option of free shipping. This can help you sell more, but don't forget to include the shipping costs in the prices of your products.
Promote your merchandise
When you're ready to launch your business, utilize some basic print on demand marketing strategies. Remember that you want to get noticed, drive website traffic, show people why they should buy from you, and convert them into customers. Here are a few marketing hacks to use to this end:
Social media: Find and engage your target audience by creating and maintaining your social media presence. Consistently create new content, interact with users, and respond to positive and negative comments on your accounts.
Influencer marketing: These days, influencers are on the rise, and joining hands with them to promote your products can help you gain broader exposure. Also, collaborating with influencers to promote your products helps you win over your audience.
Content marketing: Consistently publish relevant content, such as blogs, articles, and product reviews, to build trust and authority for your brand in your niche.
