Have you ever imagined a sweet design for an activity that you’re passionate about (like video games or sports) or noticed a coworker drinking from a coffee mug with a clever saying and thought to yourself “Hey, I could create something like that and sell it online…”?
Well, with print on demand you can do just that. We’re going to cover what print on demand is, its pros and cons, and ideas for the best products to get started with.
What is Print on Demand?
Print on demand is a business model in which a seller (you) makes a design, puts it on a product (water bottles, t-shirts, etc.), and markets it online - all without ever having to buy the physical product or worry about shipping it.
Print on demand is similar to dropshipping, but you’re selling unique items, which gives you a competitive edge. The only things you have to focus on are creating killer graphics, choosing the right products, and marketing them effectively.
How Does Print on Demand Work?
With print on demand there are three main parties involved: the seller, the supplier, and the customer. The seller creates the designs and advertises the product, the supplier handles the production and shipping processes, and the customer is who purchases and receives the finished product.
The seller could be an entrepreneur or well-known creator who already has designs they want to sell. The supplier is primarily services like Printful and Printify which integrate with commerce platforms, source and print the products, and manage shipping. And the customer is any consumer buying single products online, but typically not a business that may buy products in bulk for their employees or for a company event.
The value chain starts with the seller creating designs, connecting with the supplier, and then acquiring customers through paid or organic marketing. Once the customer pays the seller, that automatically triggers the supplier to produce the product and handle shipping to the end customer. The seller, however, manages all of the customer support.
The customer pays the seller, the seller pays the supplier, and the seller profits the margin.
Pros of Print on Demand ✅
Print on demand has a lot of advantages that make it a great business to start.
Easy to Get Started
A print-on-demand business is simple to get started, especially with today’s tools. It also provides a great place to test certain ideas or designs if you don’t want to have a lot of money at risk or tied up in inventory.
No Inventory or Shipping Headaches
Because the supplier manages the products, from warehousing to shipping, it’s easy for sellers to run print-on-demand businesses. If you don’t have much physical space, print on demand takes that problem away.
Low Startup Costs
There are really only a few investments needed to start a print-on-demand business: Creating designs (which can be done with a wide range of free tools and softwares), starting an online store, and marketing (you can set daily ad budgets).
You don’t need to buy inventory because the supplier has that covered!
Cash Flow Management
You’ll rarely, if ever, get into a tight cash position because the only time you buy inventory is when a customer has already placed an order and paid. So, when the supplier requests payment you’ll already have the cash available.
Contrast this with a traditional ecommerce brand where you could overbuy inventory and risk the whole business if you can’t convert that to cash quickly enough to pay your bills.
Cons of Print on Demand ❌
While print on demand has a lot of advantages, there are also some difficulties to look out for.
High Competition
Because of its ease, a lot of people are trying to start and run print-on-demand businesses. This means that you need to have better designs, better marketing, and better customer service to beat out other players.
You Don’t Own the Supply Chain
While there are plenty of positives of outsourcing the production and distribution processes, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. There is value in connecting with your manufacturers and fulfilling orders yourself.
Low Margins
Because someone else is handling a lot of the hard work, they want to get paid. Print-on-demand businesses have lower margins than if you were to source the products yourself.
The 27 Best Print on Demand Products in 2024
Now that you understand how print on demand works, let's take a look at some of the best print-on-demand ideas this year.
1. T-Shirts
T-shirts are perhaps one of the most purchased products of all time, regardless of whether they are sold online or in a brick-and-mortar store. They can range from just a few bucks to hundreds of dollars and there will be customers at each and every price point.
For creators and artists, t-shirts are great because they act as a literal canvas for your imagination. There are plenty of material compositions, fits, and colors so that you can create a unique garment that isn’t available anywhere else. Not to mention, they’re lightweight, so they keep shipping costs to a minimum.
2. Tote Bags
As sustainability and waste-reduction trends continue to rise, tote bags are a fun fashion statement and utility for everyday use. They’re also extremely versatile — they can be used to hold groceries or even as a purse.
While they don’t have as many options as t-shirts or other apparel, they still offer a massive blank space for your creations.
3. Candles
Candles are a great print-on-demand option because they fulfill a genuine need in homes. There’s nothing better than going to someone’s house or apartment and smelling a fresh scent.
Additionally, candles can command high prices. While you can certainly go to your nearest dollar store and get a cheap candle, luxury candles are a popular online category, sometimes even in the $30 to $50 price range.
4. Bomber Jackets
If you’re looking to totally stand out from the crowd (both socially and in the business market), bomber jackets are an old-school favorite that shouldn’t be ignored. With Printful, bomber jackets are created using a process called “dye-sublimation,” which basically means that you can put any design and color on a garment because it uses a similar technology to that of office printers, compared to other apparel, which often uses a process called “screen printing” that only allows for a few different colors and within limited dimensions.
Especially if you’re selling in industries that have intricate design components like cartoons, landscapes, and people, bomber jackets that use sublimation are a great way to differentiate yourself from basic limited-color aesthetics.
5. Area Rugs
Area rugs are an interesting product because everyone likes to make their homes pop — no one wants to live and work in a boring environment. These household staples provide an easy opportunity for funny sayings or beautiful designs.
6. Kiss-Cut Stickers
Kiss-cut, or “die-cut,” stickers are awesome because they’re totally unique to the seller, they can be placed just about anywhere (laptops, signposts, etc.), and they’re inexpensive to ship. If you have a special character or logo, kiss-cut stickers allow you to make the actual sticker in the shape of your design. You’re not limited to a square or circle shape.
7. Onesies
Baby bodysuits are a cute way for proud parents to show off their favorite brands, teams, or sayings. Best for simple, text-based designs, onesies are a product that people can easily gift because you can never really have too many of them!
8. Canvases
Canvases are a product that people are always on the lookout to update. They’re not “fine art,” that cost many thousands of dollars, and they provide a good way to refresh your living area or room. Especially if you’re an artist with a large social following, wall art is an easy way for your fanbase to show support and rep your work to their friends and family.
9. Hoodies
The classic hooded sweatshirt is a timeless style that will always have a market, especially during the fall and winter months. Thankfully, people typically have a rotation or get a new top every year. Find a quality material and put your own unique spin on it!
10. Tumblers
Brands like Stanley, Hydroflask, YETI, and Owala have all become super popular (and viral) in the past few years. Drink vessels have become fashion symbols, so now’s the time to capitalize. Most other brands are simply different colors or basic designs, which offers a fun way to differentiate yourself with custom graphics and styles. Also, customers are willing to pay as much as $50 for a new tumbler, based on current top-selling brands.
11. Blankets
Fleece blankets are ultra cozy and have a big customer base — from college students to suburban families. The only downside is that they’re quite large, so product and shipping costs can be high, which leads to higher acquisition costs and lower margins.
12. Socks
While there are plenty of “performance” athletic sock brands and specialty fabrics like wool, socks can be a fun stocking stuffer-type product for simple designs. Especially because of the embroidery, print-on-demand socks are viewed as a premium option so you can command higher prices and customers won’t be opposed.
13. Swimwear
As the temperature heats up what could be better than some custom swimsuits? Brands like Birddogs and Chubbies made a name for themselves for their short shorts and bold designs, so sellers anywhere can take a piece of that market by taking their creativity to a whole new level. They’re also lightweight (made of 100% polyester) and can be shipped in a compact envelope or small box.
14. Slides
To accompany your swimwear, think about offering matching sandals as an upsell or bundle. Slides are also great because you’re competing against either cheaper plastic flip-flops or more expensive leather styles like Birkenstock, so you can position yourself in the middle as an artistic alternative.
15. Pillows
Fluffy, comfortable, and fun. Outdoor pillows make for a nice complement to any outdoor furniture set or campfire. Especially because they’re UV-ray and water-resistant, they’ll last for years to come. If you’re a seller targeting the outdoors market, consider outdoor pillows for your designs.
16. Fanny Packs
Didn’t you hear? Crossbody bags are in. From Lululemon to leather bags, seemingly everyone is rocking fanny packs for their style and function. Capitalize on this trend with your own unique spin. Best of all, they’re gender-neutral so you can make inclusive designs and target a wider audience.
17. Golf Balls
If you’re trying to get your brand into as many hands as possible, golf balls may be the way to go. They’re small, easily exchangeable between players, and get picked up on the golf course all the time. Especially for casual players, they’re more brand and feature-agnostic, so you’re not necessarily competing against massive golf companies with years of research and development.
18. Greeting Cards
If you’re a creator, what could be better than (literally) putting pen to paper and getting your creations out into the world with a card that people give to one another? Greeting cards make for fantastic print-on-demand products for their wide appeal and low shipping costs.
19. Mouse Pads
As work-from-home jobs continue to become the norm, mouse pads are traditionally boring products that could use an upgrade. Put your designs on a product that people will use every day for at least eight hours.
20. Dad Hats
Dad hats continue to be all the rage for both men and women and across different age ranges. Using the embroidery technique, they also give sellers the ability to put bold, simple ideas on an everyday product that serves a real utility in daily life.
21. Pet Bowls
It’s estimated that Americans spend over $1,500 per year on their dogs. Pet Bowls give you a prime chance to get a piece of that revenue. Sell a product for something that other sellers may not be as focused on - our fluffy best friends
22. Coffee Mugs
In the office or at home, then you know that people really can never have enough coffee mugs. Slap on a vibrant design or clever saying and bring your creativity to the lives of consumers. Plus, you can sell bundles or sets to increase your average order value!
23. Journals & Notebooks
Products like journals are great because they actually get used — they’re not just for looks. Print-on-demand notebooks and journals take a product that simply has a one-color cover and puts a spin on it. And, when they run out of pages they’ll come back to you for more.
24. Buttons
Nothing says team spirit like rocking a pin with a team or school’s logo. Buttons make for fun fashion statements and several can be shipped in one small envelope. If you have a dedicated audience, they’ll love repping you to all their friends.
25. Joggers
If you’re team joggers over regular sweatpants, you’ll appreciate these ultra-comfortable fleece joggers. Use the back pocket for your own sketches and offer something unique and cozy.
26. Phone Cases
Phone cases are a great business to be in because a new model is also coming out, but are also tough businesses because you need to carry multiple versions for every design that you make. Print-on-demand eliminates the inventory issue and just lets you focus on creating, not making sure you have enough iPhone 12 cases versus Galaxy S24 cases.
27. Bumper Stickers
People who drive a lot know that a good bumper sticker can always attract a honk or a laugh from other drivers on the road. Give customers something they’ll love with bumper stickers. They’re durable enough for outdoor use and easy to apply to any vehicle or outdoor equipment.
Launching Your Business with Whop
Print on demand is a great business model if you’re artistic and want to put your creations on physical products, or if you’re a great marketer but don’t want to worry about operational aspects of starting an online business, like ordering the products in bulk, holding inventory, managing people, or sending out orders. With services like Printify and Printful, you can easily hook up full catalogs to your store and start taking orders in minutes.
Entering the world of ecommerce is exciting but can become confusing - there are so many industry terms, trends, and opportunities, and it is impossible to be on top of them all as a solopreneur. For more in-depth education and mentoring about creating an ecommerce business, check out Whop's ecommerce communities. These courses and communities house all you need to know about print on demand, dropshipping, and other ecommerce business models.
FAQs
Is Print on Demand Good for Beginners?
Print on demand is great for those just starting out because it doesn’t require a massive upfront investment, and there are plenty of platforms and tools to aid your business. Unlike starting a brand or creating an innovative product, you’re really only focusing on a few main tasks like design and marketing, not operations. Additionally, you only have to buy a product when it’s already sold, so you’re not limited by your cash flow.
Is Print on Demand Legal?
Absolutely, there is nothing wrong or illegal with print on demand. But, you must ensure that the designs that you’re selling are your own or that you have the rights to use them.
The only time that print on demand could be illegal is if you were using copyrighted designs or stealing from other creators, which you should never do, of course.
