The Money Box Hub

Starting Your Print on Demand Business: A Beginner's Guide...USA, UK & the EU

Jonathan Groethe
Mar 09, 2025By Jonathan Groethe
white and black crew neck t-shirt

What Is Print On Demand & How do you make money?


Print-on-demand, also known as POD is a business model that allows you to sell custom-designed products without holding any inventory or managing shipping logistics.

Instead of buying products in bulk and storing them, you work with a third-party supplier who prints your design onto an item only when a customer places an order.

This means you don’t have to worry about upfront production costs, warehousing, or unsold stock. Here’s my simple, step-by-step guide for beginners in the USA, UK, and EU.











Step 1: Understand the Basics

  • What It Is: You design products; a partner prints and ships them when sold.
  • Why It’s Great: No need for storage or upfront production costs.

Step 2: Choose Your Niche and Products

  • Pick a Theme: Focus on a subject you enjoy (e.g., pets, hobbies, funny quotes).
  • Select Products: Decide which items (t-shirts, mugs, phone cases, etc.) you want to sell.

Step 3: Choose a Platform

  • Website Builders: Use beginner-friendly platforms like Shopify, Etsy or WooCommerce.
  • Print-on-Demand Integration: Services like Printful or Printify easily connect with these platforms.

Step 4: Set Up Your Website

  • Sign Up: Create an account on your chosen platform.
  • Customize: Choose a simple theme, add your logo, and fill in basic details.
  • Easy Setup: Follow the platform’s guided steps—no coding required.

Step 5: Create Your Designs

  • Design Tools: Use free tools like Canva or hire a freelancer if needed.
  • Save Files: Ensure your designs are high-quality (usually in PNG format).

Step 6: Connect a Print-on-Demand Service

  • Integration: Link your store with a service like Printful or Printify.
  • Order Fulfillment: These services automatically print and ship products when orders come in.
  • Pay-Per-Order: You only pay when you make a sale—no monthly fees.

Step 7: Launch and Promote Your Store

  • Test Your Site: Make sure everything (shopping, payments, etc.) works smoothly.
  • Share: Promote your store on social media, with friends, or through simple online ads.
  • Keep Learning: Tweak your designs and strategies as you grow.










Why Choose Print-on-Demand?

  • Low-Risk & Low-Cost: No upfront investment in stock—pay only when a sale is made.
  • No Need for Storage: Since items are made on demand, you don’t need to store products at home or in a warehouse.
  • Easy to Start: Anyone can launch a POD business with minimal experience.
  • Customizable Products: You can create unique designs for various items, from clothing and accessories to home decor and stationery.
  • Hands-Off Fulfillment: The supplier handles production, packing, and shipping, so you can focus on marketing and growing your business.










Who is POD For?

Print-on-demand is perfect for:
✔️ Entrepreneurs looking to start an online business with minimal investment.
✔️ Artists and designers wanting to sell their artwork on products.
✔️ Social media influencers and content creators building their brand with custom merchandise.
✔️ Anyone interested in e-commerce but not wanting to handle inventory or shipping.











Startup Costs 

USA:
• Domain Name: $10–$15 per year
• Website Platform (e.g., Shopify): $29 per month
• Print-on-Demand Service: Pay per order only
• Optional Design Software: Canva Free or Pro ($12.95 per month)

UK:
• Domain Name: £8–£12 per year
• Website Platform: £20–£25 per month
• Print-on-Demand Service: Pay per order only
• Optional Design Software: Canva Free or Pro (£9.99 per month)

EU:
• Domain Name: €10–€15 per year
• Website Platform: €25–€30 per month
• Print-on-Demand Service: Pay per order only
• Optional Design Software: Canva Free or Pro (€11.95 per month)











Conclusion

Starting a print-on-demand business is one of the easiest ways to step into the world of online entrepreneurship. You don’t need technical skills, big investments, or experience—just creativity and determination.

The best part? You can start today! With the right approach, your small idea can grow into a thriving business. Every successful entrepreneur begins with a single step, so take yours now. Your future in e-commerce is waiting—go for it!











*Please note, if you sign up to any listed and recommended 'affiliate' supplier, I will make a small commission for referring you.*