20 Most Selling & Popular Print-on-Demand Products (2024)

As a seller, exploring profitable opportunities is critical. Print-on-demand could be your answer: a flexible business model blends creativity with minimal risk. Wondering what print-on-demand is? It’s a method where products are created only when ordered, eliminating the need for inventory and reducing waste. This approach lets you quickly adapt to market trends by introducing new designs based on customer feedback. The market is expected to develop at a rate of 25.8% year until 2030.

In this article, you’ll learn how print-on-demand products enable you to start or expand your online business. It offers a low-risk way to profit from customised products that meet market demand while supporting sustainable practices.

Introduction to Print-on-Demand Products

Print-on-demand (POD) refers to producing a product based on the order received. This prevents excess stock and waste. You only pay your print provider once the customer has paid, so there are no upfront costs to start with POD.

In a POD business, items like apparel, accessories, or home decor are made only when ordered. This removes the need for inventory and reduces costs. Designs are digitally printed on demand, offering customisation and flexibility. Your supplier manages everything after the sale, from printing to shipping. Once set up, you can complete an order with just a few clicks. 

You work with a third-party supplier, customising white-label products with your designs. These items are sold per order, branded with your name or custom design, and listed on your website. With POD, you don’t pay for a product until an order is placed. After your customer orders, your supplier handles printing and shipping.

You can use POD services to:

• Test a small business idea or a new product line without the risk of buying inventory. It’s also a good side hustle.
• Monetise an existing audience, such as a YouTuber or cartoonist, so you can focus on creating.
• Create unique products for specific customer niches, like t-shirts for long-distance runners.

Most Popular Print-on-Demand Items

Here are the list of 20 most popular print-on-demand products that you can start you consider to start your eCommerce:

Unisex T-shirts

Starting an online t-shirt business is a solid choice. T-shirts are versatile and can be worn all year. Black is the most popular colour, ideal for various designs. For niche markets like LGBTQ+, unique and relevant graphics are crucial. Ensure that a sizing chart is included for customer convenience.

Personalised Baby Clothing

Custom baby clothing is popular for gifts and special occasions. Ensure the materials are baby-friendly and hypoallergenic. To enhance customer satisfaction, offer a contact form for custom requests.

Mugs

Mugs are perennial favourites, with high demand, especially during winter. Beyond essential white mugs, consider colourful or enamel styles for unique designs. Premium features like limited editions or textured finishes can justify higher prices.

Printed Hoodies

Printed hoodies offer full garment design potential, which is great for streetwear brands. They require complex production but can command higher prices, especially with unique designs and effective pricing strategies.

All-Over Print Yoga Pants

Similar to hoodies, yoga pants with all-over prints are trendy. Refresh designs regularly to maintain customer interest and justify higher pricing.

Engraved Jewellery

Lightweight and customisable engraved jewellery is popular nowadays. Necklaces and bracelets are popular choices among customers. Utilise influencer collaborations to boost brand visibility.

Posters

Ensuring that posters are affordable and of excellent quality can significantly boost their popularity and sales.

Tote Bags

Simple to design, tote bags are versatile add-ons to your store. Consider bundling with other products or offering promotions to boost sales.

Belt Bags

Modern and practical belt bags are gaining popularity. Ensure designs match customer preferences and quality expectations.

Stickers

Stickers remain popular with continuous updates to appeal to diverse interests. Use topical designs to engage your audience effectively.

Backpacks

Ideal for back-to-school promotions, backpacks offer practicality with customisation options to suit different age groups.

Wall Art

Personalised wall art remains famous for home decor. Curate collections or offer customisation options to meet different tastes.

Cushions

Versatile cushions allow for creative designs, including custom shapes for unique customer requests.

Towels

Quality towels of various materials cater to different preferences and are ideal for home and beach use.

Phone Cases

High-margin and always-in-demand phone cases offer extensive design possibilities for customer personalisation.

Hats

From beanies to baseball caps, hats are a year-round accessory staple. Explore various styles to appeal to different tastes.

Water Bottles

These popular items are in high demand, with a growing sustainable market and environment-conscious customers who prefer reusable options. You can customise plastic tumblers with straws or insulated stainless steel bottles.

Socks

Printed socks are a hit for their versatility and ease of customisation. Choose novelty, fashion, or colourful designs that appeal to various tastes.

Custom Puzzles

Offer personalised puzzles as unique gifts for birthdays, holidays, and more. Tailor your offerings with different sizes and complexities to suit all skill levels.

Blankets

Print-on-demand blankets are the top choice for home decor and comfort. You can supply velveteen or fleece materials. These materials have a plush feel, making them irresistible for cosy living spaces.

Tips for Designing Successful Print-on-Demand Items

Now that you want to sell, let’s look at some tips that you can consider before launching your business:

1. Plan Your Investment

Starting a print-on-demand business requires an initial investment of time, effort, and money. You need to plan your setup, create designs, and budget for marketing and advertising.

Outline your investment plan clearly. Dedicate time to design creation, website development, and setting up your social media channels. Allocate a specific budget for ads on platforms like Google, Facebook, and Instagram. Prepare for sales by setting up a credit card and understanding your payment processes. Check your sales platform’s customer payment options and how you will handle payments.

2. Diversify Your Products

Don’t limit yourself to one product, like T-shirts. Increase your sales by offering various products. If a design works well on a T-shirt, try it on mugs, tote bags, hats, or pillowcases. Offering different products can attract more customers.

3. Match Design to Product

Ensure your design fits the product. A design that looks good on a T-shirt may not suit a mug or hat. Consider the print methods and fabrics. Always order a sample to check the print quality before selling.

4. Choose Colours Wisely

Colours play a crucial role in design, influencing mood and personality. Choose colours that deliver the right message and appeal to your audience. Select colours that complement your design.

Avoid placing similar colours together, like red text on a red shirt, and ensure the text is readable. Limit the number of colour options to avoid overwhelming customers. A maximum of five colour choices per product is ideal. 

5. Seek Feedback

Get feedback from friends and family before launching your products. Their perspectives can provide helpful insights and help you improve your designs.

6. Use High-Quality Photos

Good photos can make your products more appealing. Order samples and stage professional photoshoots. Use natural light and attractive settings. Alternatively, create mockups to showcase your designs effectively.

7. Create Scarcity

Encourage purchases by developing a sense of urgency. Label products as “limited edition” or offer limited-time promotions. This can motivate customers to buy sooner rather than later.

8. Respect Intellectual Property

Always use original designs or ensure permission to use others’ designs. If using text or designs by others, check for trademarks in your country. You can redesign text-based designs in your style if the text isn’t copyrighted.

9. Source High-Quality Designs

Be cautious when buying designs online. Low-cost options might lack quality or originality. Optimise your images for print by checking colours, transparency, and resolution. Investing time in quality designs saves you hassle and money in the long run.

10. Proofread Thoroughly

Spelling and grammar mistakes look unprofessional and can hurt your sales. Use tools like spell checkers or Grammarly to ensure your text is error-free.

11. Define Your Theme

Decide the message or theme of your designs. Whether you want to be funny, emotional, or inspirational, ensure your design resonates with your target audience.

Pricing Strategies for Print-on-Demand Items

Below mentioned are a few pricing strategies for your print-on-demand business:

• Evaluate Product Costs: Ensure your pricing supports business sustainability. Start by establishing a sustainable base price before considering competitors and customer expectations. Setting prices too low can hinder growth.

• Calculate Design Expenses: To compute the cost of design for outsourced designs, split the designer’s fee and add the expected sales. Don’t forget to factor in manufacturing and delivery expenses.

• Include Delivery Charges: To include delivery charges in the basic pricing of your goods, you can also consider shipping rates and decide whether to provide free shipping. Pay attention to taxes and platform costs, such as those associated with online shopping and payment processing.

• Add Profit Margin: Add a competitive profit margin to get your retail price after figuring out your expenses. Make sure it maintains its competitiveness in the market while covering costs.

• Include Operational Costs: Add fixed costs like advertising and platform subscriptions to calculate your monthly break-even sales objective. If necessary, adjust expenses to properly balance your budget.

Marketing Strategies for Print-on-Demand Items

Marketing strategies significantly impact the success of your business. Here are a few strategies that you can use:

• Harness the Boon of Social Media: Social media platforms offer opportunities to build connections with potential customers. Identify where your audience spends most of the time online: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Pinterest. Utilise trending hashtags, post regularly and respond promptly to comments and messages.

• Paid Advertising: Consider running targeted social media ads to amplify your reach and drive conversions. Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok allow precise targeting options to reach your ideal customers.

• Influencer Partnerships: Collaborate with influencers, aligning with your brand values and target audience. Influencer marketing can increase your brand visibility and build credibility among potential buyers.

• Email Marketing: Utilise email campaigns to nurture leads and drive sales. Segment your audience based on interests and purchasing behaviour for personalised communication.

• SEO Strategies: Optimise your website and product listings for search engines to attract organic traffic. Conduct keyword research and optimise content to improve visibility in search engine results.

• Contests and Giveaways: Organise contests or giveaways to generate excitement and engagement. Use clear objectives and promotion channels to maximise participation and brand exposure.

Advantages of Using Print-on-Demand

Here are a few advantages of print-on-demand business:

• No Inventory Risk: Print-on-demand avoids inventory by producing items only when ordered. Your partner handles all technical aspects, saving time and equipment costs.

• No Need for Equipment: You don’t need to invest in expensive machines or learn how to use them. Your print-on-demand partner handles the technical side of printing.

• Time-Saving: Partners manage production, fulfillment, and shipping, freeing you to focus on design and marketing. 

• Easy Experimentation with Designs: You can easily add and remove designs from your store to see what your customers like. Products are printed on demand, so you don’t have to invest in unpopular designs.

• Variety of Products: Print-on-demand services offer a wide range of products, from apparel to customised items. You can create unique product lines for different niche markets.

• Customisation Options: Offer personalised products where customers can add their names or unique elements. This meets the growing demand for personalised shopping experiences and having something unique.

• Branding Opportunities: Many print-on-demand services are white-label, allowing you to brand products and packaging with your logo. This helps establish and promote your brand effectively.

• Access to Resources: Print-on-demand partners often provide resources like product mockup images, professional photography, and design services to help you grow your business.

• Easy Setup: Platforms are user-friendly for quick setup, profile creation, and design uploads. Some platforms may charge a small fee or require approval, but the process is generally straightforward.

• No Inventory Management: You don’t have to worry about managing inventory, storage costs, or unsold merchandise. Print-on-demand products are prepared only after an order is placed, eliminating overstock and stockout issues.

• Focus on Creativity: Print-on-demand allows you to concentrate on designing and creating products. The platform takes care of technical, logistical, and production tasks.

• Cost Efficiency: Print-on-demand reduces financial risk and investment. There’s no need for bulk printing, storage, or inventory management, making it cost-effective for small businesses and independent creators.

• Global Reach: Print-on-demand uses digital technology to enable worldwide distribution. You can produce and ship materials globally, expanding your market without logistical constraints.

Obstacles in Print-on-Demand Business

Although this online business offers various advantages, there are a few obstacles that you might face:

• Profit Margins: Print-on-demand often leads to lower profit margins due to higher costs. These include shipping, packaging, and sales, which take a significant share of the profit.

• Quality Control and Product Range: Quality can be inconsistent; prioritise companies with high-quality standards. Custom or specific products beyond basics like T-shirts may be limited.

• Dependency on Suppliers: Once the demand is made, businesses need a supplier to source the products from. Your supplier must have enough inventory. Stock shortages can impact your business.

• Fulfillment Times: Print-on-demand products take longer to fulfill as they are made to order. This delay may affect customer satisfaction.

• Returns Management: Managing returns is more complex with a third-party service. Align your return policy with your print-on-demand partners for smooth handling.

Trends and Future Outlook for Print-on-Demand

The global print-on-demand industry was valued at USD 6.3 billion in 2022, which is projected to grow significantly, reaching USD 45.6 billion by 2031 with an annual growth rate of 25.3%. The rise of online shopping and eCommerce drives this growth. Businesses are leveraging on-demand printing to offer customers personalised products such as apparel, home decor, accessories, and drinkware worldwide.

Growing consumer preference for customised gifts and unique products is supported by rising disposable incomes and widespread internet access. Approximately 36% of consumers now expect some personalisation, and nearly half are willing to wait longer for personalised items.

On average, print-on-demand products yield a 20% profit margin, allowing sellers to maintain profitability while offering competitive pricing and occasional discounts. Many successful online sellers operate within this margin, balancing pricing strategies to meet consumer demand effectively.

Optimise Your Print-on-Demand Business with Shiprocket’s Shipping Solutions

With Shiprocket and its all-inclusive shipping solution, you can maximise your online selling experience in your print-on-demand business. Sign up for free to streamline your operations and reach consumers nationwide. By using a single platform to manage your sales channels, you can guarantee effective courier selection and lower B2B shipping costs.

With dependable local couriers, quickly deliver orders between cities and effortlessly grow internationally to over 220 countries. Easily complete orders from both B2C and B2B customers, interact with various sales channels for unified administration and build client trust with automated marketing and faster checkout procedures. Take advantage of Shiprocket’s committed assistance and a trustworthy account manager for all of your business needs.

Conclusion

Print-on-demand offers a flexible and low-risk way to manage your business, allowing you to focus on creativity while leaving technical and logistical aspects to experts.

Now that you better understand print-on-demand, you may be ready to start selling. Whether you’re a solo entrepreneur or managing a team, launching a print-on-demand business is a viable option.

You can confidently begin your online business by utilising third-party print-on-demand services and leveraging your social network. This approach ensures you have the necessary knowledge to operate your store effectively.