What Is Print on Demand and How to Start: A Complete Beginner’s Guide

Last year, I met a friend named Laura at a small coffee shop in Austin. She had just quit her job and wanted to sell her own T-shirt designs online. She showed me sketches on a napkin—funny dog quotes paired with quirky illustrations. Her eyes lit up when she said, “But I can’t afford to buy 500 shirts upfront. What if no one buys them?”

That’s when I introduced her to Print on Demand (POD)—a business model that lets you sell custom designs without keeping a single box of inventory in your apartment. Fast forward six months, Laura’s store now pays her rent every month. And the best part? She never touched a sewing machine or stood in line at the post office.

So, what exactly is POD, why is it booming in 2025, and how can you start? Let’s break it down.

What Is Print on Demand?

At its core, Print on Demand is simple:

1. You create a design (say, a funny dog quote).
2. A customer places an order in your store.
3. Your POD supplier prints the design on a product—like a T-shirt, mug, or tote bag—and ships it directly to the customer.

It’s like dropshipping, but with your own creative twist. You don’t sell generic products. You sell items with your design, your brand, your story.

Why POD Is Exploding in 2025

• Market Growth: The global POD market is projected to grow at a CAGR of over 27.8% between 2023 and 2030 (Source). That’s not a trend—it’s a tidal wave.
• Consumer Demand: Social media and influencer culture are fueling the appetite for personalized products. TikTok creators turn a clever mug into a viral sensation overnight.
• Low Risk, High Creativity: You don’t need upfront capital for stock. Instead, you invest in creativity and marketing.

In other words: if you’ve got ideas, POD is the fastest way to turn them into products people will buy.

The Pros and Cons

Let’s be honest—POD isn’t perfect. But it’s powerful when you know what to expect.

Pros

• No inventory risk
• Huge product variety (from T-shirts to wall art)
• Easy to scale and test new ideas
• Lets you build a real brand, not just a store

Cons

• Margins are thinner than bulk buying
• Reliance on suppliers for quality and delivery times
• Competitive market (you need a strong niche and designs)

When I started my first POD store on Etsy, I loved the freedom. But I also learned the hard way: one bad supplier can tank your reviews. Which brings us to the next point.

Best Products for POD

Some categories never go out of style, while others ride trends. Here are the top sellers in POD:

• Apparel: T-shirts, hoodies, sweatshirts
• Drinkware: Coffee mugs, tumblers, water bottles
• Phone Accessories: Cases, grips, sleeves
• Home & Decor: Wall art, posters, pillows
• Niche Gear: Pet products, gym accessories, seasonal gifts

Pro tip: choose products that fit your audience’s lifestyle. Dog moms buy hoodies and mugs. Gamers buy mousepads and posters. Don’t sell everything to everyone.

How to Start a POD Business: Step by Step

1. Choose Your Niche
   Don’t just sell “funny shirts.” Sell shirts for nurses who love coffee or plant moms with sass. Narrow niches sell better and attract loyal fans.
2. Create Your Designs
   Tools like Canva, Photoshop, or Procreate make it easy. If you’re not a designer, hire freelancers on Fiverr or Upwork. Originality is key.
3. Pick a POD Supplier
   Look for quality, product range, shipping speed, and integrations with platforms like Shopify or Etsy.
   👉 This is where Ship To The Moon comes in. Unlike generic POD providers, they combine product sourcing, custom branding, and global fulfillment. That means faster shipping, more product variety, and a backend that scales with you. Ship To The Moon now supports POD.
4. Build Your Store
   Shopify is the go-to for independent stores. Etsy works well if your designs have a handmade/artistic appeal. Either way, set up professional product pages with lifestyle images. Something you should know if you sell on Etsy.
5. Launch & Market
   Use TikTok and Instagram Reels for quick traction. Collaborate with micro-influencers. Build an email list early. Remember: in POD, design gets people interested, but marketing gets them to buy.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Copying designs (hello, copyright strikes).
• Selling random products with no niche.
• Ignoring shipping times (customers hate waiting 30 days).
• Not ordering samples to check quality.

I’ve seen too many beginners crash because they wanted quick wins instead of building long-term trust. Don’t be that seller.

Why POD + Dropshipping = A Winning Combo

Think of POD as dropshipping with personality. You get the same logistics freedom—no inventory, no packing boxes—but you stand out because of your designs. This combo allows you to:

• Build a brand (not just a store)
• Sell globally without warehouses
• Scale fast with the right supplier

And if you’re wondering how to find that right supplier… well, let’s talk about Ship To The Moon.

Ship To The Moon: Your POD & Dropshipping Partner

Most POD platforms just print and ship. Ship To The Moon goes further:

• Product Sourcing: Access to a wide range of customizable products.
• Global Logistics: Faster shipping to the US, EU, and beyond—no more “30-day wait” reviews.
• Automation: Direct integration with Shopify and Etsy.
• Branding: Custom packaging, labels, and inserts so your products look truly yours.

In short: you bring the creativity, they bring the reliability. Together, that’s how you build a sustainable business.

Final Thoughts

Print on Demand is the bridge between imagination and income. You don’t need warehouses, you don’t need investors—you need designs, a niche, and the right partner.

If you’re serious about turning ideas into products, now’s the time to start. Partner with Ship To The Moon and take your first step toward building a store that’s profitable, compliant, and scalable.

Question for you: If you could launch one POD product today, what would it be—a T-shirt, a mug, or something totally unexpected?