What is Print on Demand (POD) and Top 3 Companies
Print on Demand (POD) is an eCommerce business model that lets you create and sell customized products without the need for stocked inventory or production equipment.
Interest in Print on Demand has surged in recent years among online entrepreneurs and designers as a way to monetize their ideas and turn them into brands and products.
In this guide, we’ll break down what Print on Demand is, how it works, and why it has become an increasingly popular way to start an online business from scratch.
Let’s start from the beginning.
What is Print on Demand?
Print on Demand (POD) is a process where entrepreneurs and businesses can establish their own brand with customized products through a Print on Demand company, acting as an external supplier responsible for creating, packaging, and shipping the personalized products to customers.
In 2022, the global Print on Demand market was valued at $1.4 billion, and it’s expected to reach $2 billion by 2030 (Research and Markets).
And it’s no wonder, as one of the main advantages of Print on Demand is reducing the high costs associated with traditional product manufacturing and storage.
Moreover, the growing interest in eco-friendly products has led to a preference for sustainable and local models for shipping and product manufacturing.
How does Print on Demand work?
The print-on-demand process typically consists of five main steps:
1. Choose a product and create designs
The first step to start a Print On Demand business is selecting products for your categories and uploading your designs.
Most print on demand companies offer design tools to help you create your own designs and even your own logo.
According to Printful data, the best-selling Print on Demand products are usually clothing and accessories, home decor, mugs, or wall decorations like posters and canvases.
Most Print on Demand companies offer a wide variety of products, variants, colors, or sizes to choose from.
Based on our experience, we recommend placing a test order or requesting a sample to assess the quality of each product and delivery times.
2. Customer makes a purchase
Once the product is chosen, and your designs are published, the next step is to wait for a customer to make a purchase.
When a customer makes a purchase, the integration of the Print on Demand company with your eCommerce platform synchronizes the order.
3. Place an order
After receiving a purchase, the next step is to place an order with the print on demand company.
Typically, orders are placed automatically if you use a print on demand company like Printful or Printify.
Next, the Print on Demand company prints the product with the design.
4. Production and packaging
Once the order is placed, the Print on Demand company begins production and packaging. Many providers offer the option to include thank-you cards, discounts, or personalized packaging.
5. Shipping and delivery to the customer
After the product is created, the Print on Demand company processes the order and sends the product directly to the customer. The Print on Demand company takes care of all aspects of fulfillment, including printing, packaging, and shipping.
Pros and Cons of Print on Demand
Print on Demand has several advantages and disadvantages compared to traditional manufacturing and inventory-based business models.
Pros of Print on Demand
- Low initial investment: One of the major advantages of Print on Demand is that it requires little to no initial investment. You don’t have to buy inventory or production equipment, making it easier to start an online business from home.
- Scalability: Print on Demand is a scalable business model, as there are no limitations on the number of products you can create. You can add new products or custom designs based on demand, without worrying about production and storage costs.
- Wide range of products: Most POD companies offer customization for many product categories. Best-sellers include clothing and accessories, mugs, posters, and home decor.
- No inventory management: With Print on Demand, products are created only when an order is received, reducing the risk of storing products before validating your brand or idea.
- Customization: Print on Demand allows you to create customized products without the high costs associated with traditional manufacturing. This can be a significant advantage when targeting specific niches or markets.
Cons of Print on Demand
- Lower profit margins: Print on Demand usually has lower profit margins than traditional manufacturing because the cost per unit for creating a single product is higher with Print on Demand.
- Less control over quality: Since the product is created by an external manufacturer, there is less control over the final product’s quality.
- Longer shipping and delivery times: Depending on an external supplier for product production means depending on the supplier’s production and delivery times, which can result in longer delivery times.
Top Print on Demand Companies
Now that we’ve covered what Print on Demand is and how it works, let’s explore the best Print on Demand companies today.
1. Printful
This Print on Demand company has established itself as one of the best, offering over 350 products in various categories such as clothing and accessories, home decor, and wall art.
Printful has 15 management centers worldwide, including two in Europe (Barcelona and Riga) and one in Mexico (Tijuana), providing competitive shipping rates and reducing customer delivery times.
Key features:
- Number of products: 350.
- Branding and personalized packaging.
- Pack-ins (brochures and business cards to stickers and handwritten notes).
- Integrations with Shopify, Woocommerce, among others.
Price:
Printful does not require a minimum order or an online subscription to start selling products. By registering, you receive one sample order per month, with a maximum of 3 products per order.
Additionally, you can get exclusive discounts on branding and products with Printful Growth for 24.99/month. Once you reach a certain sales figure, the plans are free for a year.
Printify is the Print on Demand company with the widest product catalog (over 850 products) and the lowest prices in the market for items like T-shirts, mugs, sweatshirts, stickers, and more.
It is one of the best options for Shopify and Etsy store owners, with the largest global network of suppliers among all POD companies.
Printify also features a useful geographic routing function, ensuring that orders are fulfilled by the nearest center to the customer’s address to expedite the shipping process.
Key features:
- Number of products: 850.
- Integration with Etsy and major eCommerce platforms.
- Global distribution network and suppliers.
- Free Mockup generator.
- Geographic order routing.
Price:
Printify offers a free plan for up to 5 stores with unlimited product designs. Paid plans cost $24.99/month and include product discounts and 10 stores per account.
3. Gelato
Gelato is a Print on Demand service with over 130 associated production centers in 32 countries worldwide.
This ensures that orders are sent to the production center closest to the customer for the fastest possible delivery.
What sets Gelato apart is that it’s ideal for beginners starting to sell their own designs. From T-shirts to mugs, wall art, and accessories, you can start your Print on Demand business for free, and there’s no minimum order limit.
Key features:
- Number of products: 90.
- 130 production centers worldwide.
- Gelato connects with Shopify, Etsy, Ebay, and more.
- High print quality.
- Tax and VAT management.
- Shipping discounts.
- Multicurrency support.
- Free Mockup generator.
- Custom packaging.
- iOS app.
Price:
Gelato offers a forever-free plan where you can sell without initial costs. Premium plans start from 24/month.
Conclusion
That concludes our guide on what Print on Demand is and how it works.
In conclusion, Print on Demand has revolutionized how online entrepreneurs and designers can create and sell their own customized products without investing in inventory or production equipment.
The process involves selecting a product, creating a design, placing an order with a Print on Demand provider, and handling delivery and shipping.
Overall, Print on Demand is a viable option for those looking to start an online business with reduced initial investment and the ability to create tailor-made products.
