Print-on-Demand (POD)
Sell custom merchandise without holding inventory.
What is Print-on-Demand?
Print-on-Demand lets you sell physical products without:
- Buying inventory upfront
- Managing stock
- Handling shipping
- Storage costs
When a customer orders, the item is:
- Printed with your design
- Packed and shipped
- Delivered directly to them
How It Works
- Design - Upload your artwork
- Create Products - Choose products (shirts, mugs, etc.)
- Set Prices - Decide your profit margin
- Sell - Customer orders on your store
- Fulfill - Provider prints and ships
- Profit - You keep the difference
Getting Started
Connect Provider
- Go to Settings > Integrations
- Find Printful (or other POD provider)
- Click Connect
- Authorize the connection
Provider Options
| Provider | Specialty |
|---|---|
| Printful | Apparel, accessories, home goods |
| More coming soon | - |
Creating POD Products
Step 1: Choose Product Type
Browse available products:
- Apparel: T-shirts, hoodies, tank tops
- Accessories: Hats, bags, phone cases
- Home & Living: Mugs, posters, pillows
- Stickers & More: Stickers, magnets
Step 2: Upload Design
| Requirement | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Format | PNG with transparency |
| Resolution | 300 DPI minimum |
| Size | Varies by product |
| Color | RGB for digital |
Step 3: Position Design
Use the mockup editor:
- Drag design to position
- Scale and rotate
- Preview on product
- Check all angles
Step 4: Generate Mockups
Preview images are auto-generated:
- Front view
- Back view
- Detail shots
- Model shots (apparel)
Step 5: Set Pricing
| Component | Example |
|---|---|
| Base Cost | $15.00 |
| Shipping | $4.50 |
| Your Markup | $10.00 |
| Customer Pays | $29.50 |
| Your Profit | $10.00 |
Product Types
Apparel
T-Shirts
- Unisex, men's, women's cuts
- Multiple colors
- Various sizes (XS-5XL)
Hoodies
- Pullover and zip-up
- Premium quality
- Front/back printing
Other
- Tank tops
- Long sleeves
- Sweatshirts
Accessories
Headwear
- Snapback caps
- Beanies
- Bucket hats
Bags
- Tote bags
- Backpacks
- Pouches
Tech
- Phone cases
- Laptop sleeves
- Mouse pads
Home & Living
Drinkware
- Coffee mugs
- Tumblers
- Water bottles
Wall Art
- Posters
- Canvas prints
- Framed prints
Other
- Pillows
- Blankets
- Puzzles
Pricing Strategy
Cost Calculation
Base Cost: $15.00 (Printful's price)
+ Shipping: $4.50 (estimated)
= Total Cost: $19.50
Your Price: $29.99
- Total Cost: $19.50
= Profit: $10.49Pricing Tips
- Check competitor pricing
- Factor in perceived value
- Consider bundle deals
- Account for returns
Order Fulfillment
Automatic Fulfillment
When enabled:
- Customer orders on your store
- Order sent to Printful automatically
- Printful prints and ships
- Tracking sent to customer
- You're notified of shipment
Manual Fulfillment
If you prefer manual control:
- Customer orders
- You review the order
- Click Fulfill to send to Printful
- Continue as above
Shipping
Shipping Rates
Rates depend on:
- Destination country
- Product weight/size
- Shipping speed
Shipping Options
| Speed | Delivery |
|---|---|
| Standard | 5-10 business days |
| Express | 3-5 business days |
| Overnight | 1-2 business days |
International Shipping
Available to most countries:
- Customs handled by carrier
- Customer pays any duties
- Tracking included
Quality & Returns
Print Quality
Printful ensures:
- High-quality printing
- Quality inspection
- Careful packaging
Returns Policy
For defective items:
- Free replacement
- Contact support with photos
- Reprint or refund
For size/preference issues:
- You decide your policy
- Customer-paid returns
- Exchange or refund
Managing Inventory
No Inventory Required
You don't hold inventory:
- No upfront cost
- No storage needed
- No dead stock
Virtual Inventory
Printful maintains stock:
- Product availability updates
- Out of stock notifications
- Alternative suggestions
Analytics
Track POD performance:
| Metric | Description |
|---|---|
| Sales | Number of POD orders |
| Revenue | Total POD revenue |
| Profit | Your earnings |
| Top Products | Best sellers |
| Regions | Where customers are |
Best Practices
Designs
- High resolution (300+ DPI)
- Simple, bold designs work best
- Consider print area limits
- Test on dark and light products
Product Selection
- Start with popular items (t-shirts)
- Add variety gradually
- Focus on quality over quantity
Pricing
- Competitive but profitable
- Consider perceived value
- Bundle deals for higher AOV
Customer Experience
- Accurate product descriptions
- Clear size guides
- Set delivery expectations
- Handle issues promptly