How to Start Print-on-Demand from $0 in 2025: The Complete Beginner’s Guide
Print-on-demand has become one of the most accessible online businesses to start with zero upfront cost. In 2025, it’s easier than ever to create unique products, sell them globally, and build a profitable side hustle—all from your laptop. This guide breaks down the entire process step by step, from finding your first winning product to scaling your shop sustainably.
What Is Print-on-Demand?
Print-on-demand (POD) is a business model where you only pay for a product after a customer buys it. Your supplier prints your design on items like shirts, mugs, posters, or bags, and ships them directly to the customer. This eliminates the need for inventory, warehouses, or large startup costs.
It’s a low-risk way to enter e-commerce, ideal for beginners who want to earn passive income and work from anywhere. The global POD market is already worth nearly $6 billion and is projected to reach $40 billion by 2031—making it one of the most promising opportunities for new entrepreneurs.
The Five Essentials You Need to Start
- A winning product
- A great design
- A place to sell
- A reliable print supplier
- Paying customers
How to Choose a Winning Product
Your first goal is to focus on one product category and master it. Avoid spreading yourself too thin across multiple types of products. Once you’re earning consistently—say, over $10,000 per month—you can expand into new categories.
Products to Avoid
- Cards and calendars (too seasonal)
- Stationery, mugs, and phone cases (low profit margins)
Aim for at least a 20–30% profit margin per item. Clothing and wall art are two of the best product types due to their strong perceived value and flexibility in pricing.
Example: Wall Art Profits
Using a print provider like Gelato, wall art priced at $49.99 might cost around $32.37 total (including printing and shipping), leaving over $17 in profit per piece. That’s a healthy margin that adds up quickly as sales increase.
Finding the Right Niche
Nobody cares about a plain t-shirt—you must attach an interest or identity to it. For example, shirts with hobby-based or humorous quotes often perform well. However, avoid copyrighted or trademarked phrases and images.
How to Check Trademarks
- Use the USPTO website (for U.S.) or the UK Intellectual Property Office search tool.
- Look for “live” trademarks to ensure your chosen phrase isn’t already protected.
Don’t Try to Be Too Original
In business, originality isn’t always an advantage. Instead of reinventing the wheel, research what already sells and improve upon it. Study top-selling products on Etsy to find proven sub-niches and take inspiration from multiple successful designs.
Example: Etsy Sub-Niches
By searching “women’s t-shirts” on Etsy and sorting by top reviews, you can identify styles that consistently perform well. A single design with over 130 reviews might have sold 1,300+ units, generating tens of thousands in revenue. These are the kinds of niches worth entering.
How to Design Your Products
You don’t need to be a graphic designer to create great-looking products. Here are four easy ways to get your designs made:
1. Canva
Use Canva to combine fonts, colors, and design elements inspired by successful listings. It’s free, user-friendly, and ideal for beginners.
2. Buy Templates
Search for editable templates on marketplaces. Use Google’s reverse image search to find the original source files for designs you admire.
3. Use AI Tools
AI tools like Midjourney can generate unique, high-quality graphics for just $10/month. Pair them with a background remover (like PhotoRoom) to prepare your images for upload.
4. Hire a Designer
Platforms like Fiverr and Upwork have affordable designers who can create professional artwork. Just provide a detailed brief to get the results you want.
The Best Print-on-Demand Platforms
Your print provider handles production and shipping, so choosing the right one is critical. Cheap isn’t always better—poor service can destroy your reputation. Gelato is highly recommended due to its global fulfillment network and excellent quality control. Over 90% of its orders are produced within the buyer’s country, reducing shipping times.
How to Upload Your Design on Gelato
- Go to Product Catalog → Men’s Clothing → T-Shirts.
- Choose a bestseller (like the heavyweight unisex crewneck tee).
- Select “Direct to Garment” printing for affordability and quality.
- Upload your design and adjust placement.
Where to Sell: Etsy vs. Shopify
Etsy
Etsy is the best starting point for beginners. It already has millions of active buyers—over 460 million monthly visitors as of 2023—and is perfect for testing designs. You only pay small listing fees and a commission per sale.
However, competition is high, so success depends on smart research, good design, and optimized listings.
Shopify
Shopify gives you full control and brand ownership but requires more effort in marketing. Once you’ve validated your products on Etsy and know what sells, transitioning to Shopify allows you to scale faster through paid ads and social media campaigns.
How to Succeed on Etsy
1. Create High-Quality Mockups
Mockups help customers visualize your product in real life. Gelato’s built-in mockup studio is perfect for generating realistic previews that boost sales.
2. Use the Right Keywords
Etsy is a search engine. Study successful listings to find effective tags and titles—such as “woodworker shirt,” “funny dad shirt,” or “Father’s Day gift.” Use only relevant terms to attract real buyers.
3. Build a Premium Brand
Your shop should look trustworthy and professional. Use tools like Canva to design clean logos and banners, and make sure your shop name and visuals are consistent across Etsy and social media.
Organic Marketing and Paid Ads
Start with organic reach. Create short-form videos on TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts to showcase your products through entertaining stories. Once you know which designs attract attention, boost them with small paid ad budgets.
This “test first, advertise later” approach ensures you spend money only on proven products and content that performs.
Profit Margins and Fees
Your goal isn’t just sales—it’s profit. Etsy takes a 6.5% transaction fee plus a 3% payment processing fee, and potentially a 15% offsite ad fee if customers find you through Etsy’s ads. Always factor these into your pricing, and aim for a consistent 25–30% profit margin.
Remember to value your time as well. Calculate your hourly income by dividing your monthly profit by the hours you work to make sure your effort pays off.
Is Print-on-Demand Too Saturated?
No market is easy, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible. Most people fail because they don’t put in enough effort or give up too early. If you’ve listed fewer than 1,000 products, you haven’t truly tested the market yet.
Focus on improving your designs, understanding your audience, and staying consistent. The market is still growing—and there’s plenty of room for sellers who offer quality and creativity.
Final Thoughts
Starting a print-on-demand business from $0 in 2025 is entirely possible. Focus on one product type, research profitable niches, design strategically, and choose reliable suppliers. Begin with Etsy to learn the ropes, then scale to Shopify when you’re ready to grow. Above all, protect your margins, stay patient, and treat your side hustle like a real business—because that’s exactly what it can become.