{"id":2274,"date":"2021-11-22T10:57:20","date_gmt":"2021-11-22T10:57:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.oddsmonkey.com\/sidehustle\/?p=2274"},"modified":"2025-11-25T16:36:06","modified_gmt":"2025-11-25T16:36:06","slug":"print-on-demand-dropshipping","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.oddsmonkey.com\/sidehustle\/print-on-demand-dropshipping\/","title":{"rendered":"Print on demand dropshipping"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n

Starting your own online store can seem like a huge undertaking. Where do you even start? There are so many moving parts, from design to printing and order fulfilment; not to mention customer service and the e-commerce side of things.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

It can feel like you\u2019re spinning all the plates. However, with print on demand dropshipping services available, you can design, print, and ship all from the same place. Or rather, you can use a print on demand dropshipping service to do it for you.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Print on demand<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>dropshipping<\/span><\/a> are two separate services but that doesn\u2019t mean they can\u2019t be combined. In this piece by the OddsMonkey team, we will look at what they are and what they do individually. Including how they make certain aspects of running an online store easier. However, the real value is in using a collective print on demand dropshipping approach to streamline things even further.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

What Is Print On Demand?<\/span><\/h2>\r\n

Print on demand (POD) is a technology that does what it says on the tin. Instead of printing in advance, items remain unprinted until an order is placed. The service is used by people wanting to sell their own custom designs and learn <\/span>how to sell products like t-shirts<\/span><\/a>, mugs, and tote bags.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Traditionally, you would need to place a bulk order with the printing service and that\u2019s before you\u2019ve made any sales. Then, you would need somewhere to store those pre-printed items and hope that someone would buy them. Before all of that, though, you\u2019d have had to source the blank items too. There are a lot of upfront costs and risks involved in this way of operating.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Printing on demand minimises or even eliminates a lot of these risks, making it a \u2018safer\u2019 way to start your own business.\u00a0 Although, don\u2019t be fooled into thinking you can sit back and watch the money roll in.\u00a0 You still have to put some effort into making it work.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

What Products Can Be Printed On Demand?<\/span><\/h2>\r\n

There are very few boundaries when it comes to what can be printed on demand, whether you\u2019re looking to sell physical accessories or make some <\/span>cash for clothes<\/span><\/a> with specific designs.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

For example, 2020 saw an explosion in terms of online search for face masks. But the festival season and the start of the school year are responsible for an upsurge in searches for bum bags and backpacks.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Fast-forward a little and a report from Shopify says these are the most popular print on demand items in 2025:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

    \r\n
  1. Unisex t-shirts<\/span><\/li>\r\n
  2. Personalise baby clothing<\/span><\/li>\r\n
  3. Mugs<\/span><\/li>\r\n
  4. All over print hoodies – These are hoodies with a design across the entire garment, rather than just a motif on the front or back.<\/span><\/li>\r\n
  5. All over print yoga pants<\/span><\/li>\r\n
  6. Engraved jewellery<\/span><\/li>\r\n
  7. Posters<\/span><\/li>\r\n
  8. Champion hoodies<\/span><\/li>\r\n
  9. Tote bags<\/span><\/li>\r\n
  10. Belt bags<\/span><\/li>\r\n
  11. Stickers<\/span><\/li>\r\n
  12. Backpacks<\/span><\/li>\r\n
  13. Wall art<\/span><\/li>\r\n
  14. Cushions<\/span><\/li>\r\n
  15. Towels<\/span><\/li>\r\n
  16. Phone cases<\/span><\/li>\r\n
  17. Hats<\/span><\/li>\r\n
  18. Face masks<\/span><\/li>\r\n
  19. Bluetooth speakers<\/span><\/li>\r\n
  20. Water bottles<\/span><\/li>\r\n
  21. Socks<\/span><\/li>\r\n
  22. Custom puzzles<\/span><\/li>\r\n
  23. Flags<\/span><\/li>\r\n
  24. Gift wrapping blankets<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n

    As you can see, there\u2019s not much that can\u2019t be used for print on demand and with modern technology, the list is only going to grow.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

    It can be tempting to offer everything. However, too much choice can be a friction point in a customer\u2019s buying journey. In fact, it could have a negative impact on sales. Combat this by doing research into what will appeal most to your target audience. Do the same in terms of colours for things like t-shirts. For example, research the most popular t-shirt colours and only offer five choices.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

    What Is Dropshipping?<\/span><\/h2>\r\n

    Dropshipping is where someone else fulfils orders and ships them to customers on your behalf. The business selling the items (you) to the end customer doesn\u2019t physically have the products in stock.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

    Instead, orders are forwarded to a fulfilment centre to package and ship out to customers. Dropshipping of products is one of the best ways for people to <\/span>make money while on maternity leave<\/span><\/a>, as it requires no physical effort and is all done digitally.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

    The \u2018traditional\u2019 dropshipping method involves working with a third party seller and listing their items in your online store. You list the item for a slightly higher price as this is where your profit comes from. Once someone makes a purchase, you then buy the item from the original seller who then ships that directly to your customer.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

    This has evolved into the AliExpress approach. There are millions of products listed on AliExpress which you can look through and curate for your online store.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

    What Is Print On Demand Dropshipping?<\/span><\/h2>\r\n

    Print on demand (POD) dropshipping is a type of business model that involves you selling customised products online without the need to handle stock or shipping.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

    When your customers buy an item, the print on demand provider will print your design on the item and then ship it to your customer.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

    You might be a designer considering starting your own POD business in order to gain some exposure and sales for your work.\u00a0 Alternatively, you may already have a business that you want to add a POD sales funnel to.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

    Either way, print on demand dropshipping is a low cost and low risk way of branching out to generate income.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

    Print On Demand Dropshipping Sites<\/span><\/h2>\r\n

    There are a growing number of print on demand sites which are expanding their services to include dropshipping too. On top of that, some POD sites also have built in design tools which mean that you can design onsite, rather than designing elsewhere and then uploading to the POD site.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

    Below are some examples of the different print on demand dropshipping businesses out there.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

    Printify<\/b><\/h3>\r\n