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Sell Digital Art with Print on Demand
This article will cover everything a beginner should know about Print on Demand
So, you’ve decided to take the leap and sell your digital art on physical products. That’s exciting! But it can also feel a bit overwhelming, especially if you’re just starting out. You might be wondering how to get your art in front of people, where to sell it, and—let’s be honest—how to make some money from it. This is where the Print on Demand (POD) model comes in. It’s a game-changer for beginners, offering a low-risk way to sell your art without worrying about inventory or upfront costs. Let’s dive into how you can turn your digital creations into income with Print on Demand.
What is the Print on Demand Business Model?
Print on Demand is a straightforward concept: you create designs, and when someone purchases a product featuring your design, it’s printed and shipped directly to the customer by the fulfillment center. Unlike traditional retail, you don’t need to buy stock or worry about unsold inventory. This means less risk and less hassle—two things every beginner can appreciate.
The greatest perk of POD lies in its flexibility. You can experiment with different designs, products, and styles without any financial commitment. If one design doesn’t work, move on to the next without losing money. Plus, you can tailor your products to fit various niches, helping you find your own unique market.
How to Start a Print on Demand Business
Starting a Print on Demand business is surprisingly simple. The first step is to create your digital art. This could be anything from illustrations and patterns to typography and quotes. The key is to create designs that resonate with your audience. Don’t worry if you’re not a professional artist; POD is perfect for experimenting and finding your style.
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Once you have a few designs ready, you’ll need to choose a POD platform. Many platforms integrate with e-commerce sites like Etsy or Shopify, or even offer their own marketplaces. After setting up your shop, you can upload your designs and choose the products you want to sell, such as t-shirts, mugs, phone cases, or even wall art.
How Much Money Do You Need to Start POD?
One of the biggest perks of starting a Print on Demand (POD) business is that it’s incredibly budget-friendly. In fact, you can start with almost no upfront investment. Unlike traditional retail businesses where you’d need to purchase inventory, rent a physical space, and manage logistics, POD eliminates these costly barriers. The most significant expenses you might encounter involve your time, product samples, and perhaps some initial marketing efforts.
Depending on the platform you choose there will be varying startup costs. Print on Demand Marketplaces can have a fee to open an account ranging from $5 to $15. But if you whose to sell on your own website, a custom eCommerce site on a platform like Shopify, will come with monthly fees, typically ranging from $10 to $30.
Next, you could spend some money on samples of your products. When running a Print on Demand store, you never touch the inventory. So you do not know what the customer will get when they purchase your products. I recommend buying samples for two reasons:
- Quality Control: A sample is a way to know what your customer is getting. Is the color right? What about design placement? Does the material feel good, and comfortable? Ordering samples will answer these questions for you and your customers.
- Content Creation: You do not need to have the physical product to create marketing content. But having it available could spark creativity and make creating certain content, like videos, easier.
Marketing is another area where you might need to spend some money, though you can start small. Social media ads, for instance, can be run on a budget of $5 to $10 per day. You can also use free or low-cost marketing strategies like social media content creation, email marketing, or blogging to attract traffic to your store.
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In truth, you can realistically start a POD business with less than $100, especially if you leverage free tools and focus on organic marketing strategies. For a beginner like you who wants to dip their toes into entrepreneurship, POD is a very attractive and low-cost option.l commitment.
Where to Sell Print on Demand Products
One of the best things about Print on Demand is the flexibility in where you can sell your products. The most popular option is to sell directly through POD marketplaces like Redbubble, Society6, or Teespring. Customers go to these sites wanting to buy something. POD marketplaces have a built-in, ready-to-buy audience, which is a huge advantage for beginners.
Alternatively, you can set up your own eCommerce store using Shopify or WooCommerce. You will have complete control over the look of your store and you don’t have to worry about competing with other artists and sellers. The downside is that you have to build your audience. Marketing and promotions are more important because people, customers, aren’t naturally coming to your store to buy products.
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Best Print on Demand Sites for Artists
There are several POD marketplaces to choose from, and the best one for you will depend on your needs and goals. Here are a few of the most popular options:
- Redbubble: Known for its wide range of products and supportive artist community. Redbubble is great for beginners because it’s easy to use and has a large customer base.
- Society6: Offers high-quality home decor and art prints, making it ideal for artists focusing on more upscale products. Society6 handles all production and shipping, so you can focus on creating.
- TeeSpring: Focuses mainly on apparel but has expanded to other products. TeeSpring is popular for those who want to sell t-shirts and hoodies with custom designs.
Each platform has its own pros and cons, so take some time to explore them and see which one fits your needs best. Or you can open your own website and eCommerce store for Print on Demand. If you choose your own website, I recommend using Printful as your POD provider. Printful Integrates seamlessly with eCommerce platforms like Shopify and Etsy. Printful is perfect if you want more control over your brand and pricing.
Is Print on Demand Profitable?
This is the big question, isn’t it? The short answer is yes, Print on Demand can be profitable, but like any business, it depends on several factors. Your profits will come from the difference between the base cost of the product and the price you sell it for, minus any platform fees.
The key to profitability in POD is volume. Since margins can be slim—especially on lower-priced items like stickers or mugs—you’ll need to sell a decent amount to make a significant income. However, because there’s no upfront investment in inventory, the risk is low, and the potential for scaling up is high.
One of the best ways to increase profitability is to focus on higher-margin items like art prints or custom home decor, which can command a higher price. Additionally, building a strong brand and loyal customer base can lead to repeat sales, which is where the real money comes in.
How to Price Print on Demand Products
Pricing your POD products can be tricky, especially when you’re starting out. You’ll need to balance affordability with profitability. Start by calculating your costs, including the base price of the product, any platform fees, and shipping. Then, consider the value of your art and what similar products are selling for in the market.
A common pricing strategy is to aim for a 30-50% markup on the base cost of the product. This gives you enough room to make a profit while staying competitive. However, don’t be afraid to price your products based on their perceived value. If you’ve created a unique design that speaks to a specific audience, people will be willing to pay more for it.
For example, an original painting from an artist costs more than a printed replica. Why? When setting the price, artists place more value on the time it takes them to create the painting from the original sketch, shopping for materials, and actual studio time.
Remember, pricing isn’t set in stone. You can always adjust based on what’s selling and what’s not. Don’t be afraid to experiment until you find the sweet spot that works for you and your customers.
What Happens Next? Do this When Your POD Store is Open.
Congratulations, your Print on Demand (POD) store is open! But what happens next? Opening your store is just the beginning. To ensure your business thrives, here are three important steps to take after your store goes live:
- Monitor and Analyze Performance: Once your store is up and running, it’s crucial to keep an eye on how it’s performing. Use the analytics tools provided by your platform to track metrics like page views, conversion rates, and customer behavior. This data will help you improve over time.
- Gather Customer Feedback: Your early customers are a valuable resource. Encourage them to leave reviews and provide feedback on your products and shopping experience. Use their experiences to make necessary adjustments, whether it’s improving design quality, tweaking product descriptions, or refining your customer service.
- Marketing Efforts: The next step is to market your products. This is where you can get creative! Use social media, blog posts, and email newsletters to reach your audience. Building a brand around your art will help you stand out and keep your store visible to attract loyal customers.
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By staying proactive and responsive, you’ll set the stage for long-term success in your POD business.
Selling your digital art through Print on Demand is a fantastic way to dip your toes into the world of eCommerce without a huge investment. It allows you to showcase your creativity, experiment with different products, and potentially turn your passion into a profitable business. With the right approach, a bit of marketing savvy, and some perseverance, you’ll be well on your way to success. So why wait? Start creating, start selling, and start sharing your art with the world.