Print-on-demand (POD) is the easiest way to get into e-commerce without the hassle of inventory or big upfront costs.
As someone who’s been working with ecommerce and POD for 15 years I can tell you this model is perfect if you want to turn your creativity into a steady income.
When I first started I had no idea how to design and trust me most beginners don’t. But that’s the beauty of POD you don’t have to be an expert to create something people will buy.
What trips most people up at the start is the idea they need to create something amazing. You don’t. All you need is a good idea, a basic understanding of your audience and the willingness to learn as you go.
Whether it’s quirky t-shirts or aesthetic home decor you’ll be surprised at how much people love simple well executed designs.
Step-by-Step Guide to Creating POD Designs
Step 1: Understand the Basics
POD is simple: you design a product, upload it to a platform and when someone buys it the platform handles the production and shipping.
This means you can focus almost entirely on designing and marketing. But before you get started figure out your niche.
Are you targeting dog lovers, gamers or yoga enthusiasts?
When I first started I made the mistake of designing for everyone and it’s much harder to stand out that way. Pick a specific audience and stick with it.
Knowing your niche makes designing easier. If you’re targeting fitness enthusiasts for example motivational quotes and minimalist designs are a sure thing.
The key is to know what resonates with your audience and create designs that speak to them.
Step 2: Find the Best Print-on-Demand Design Software
For beginners tools like Canva and Placeit are a lifesaver. Canva’s drag-and-drop interface makes it easy to create designs even if you’ve never done it before.
Placeit on the other hand not only helps you design but also provides professional mockups that showcase your products.
If you’re ready to level up tools like GIMP and Inkscape offer more advanced features—and they’re free.
I’ve tried out many design software for print-on-demand. Canva is my go to for its massive template and element library. If you want a free option, Photopea has online image editing and illustration tools but be prepared for ads.
Printify and Printful have design built into their print-on-demand services. Printify is simple drag and drop design, Printful has more advanced features like text personalization and layered images.
Here’s a quick comparison of key features:
| Software | Key Features |
|---|---|
| Canva | 1M+ templates, photos, icons |
| Photopea | Free, online use, format conversion |
| Printify | Built-in POD service, scaling options |
| Printful | Text personalization, advanced image control |
| Gimp | Free and open source, advanced image control |
| Inkscape | Text personalization, advanced image control |
| Placeit | Text personalization, advanced image control |
For beginners I recommend starting with the user friendly options like Canva or Printify. As you get more skilled you can move to more advanced tools and expand your design possibilities.
Example of T-shirt mockup templates from Canva. Source: Bootrappingecommerce.com
The right software for you depends on your needs and experience level.
Remember to consider file requirements and print-on-demand design process when creating your artwork. With practice and the right tools you’ll be designing in no time.
One tip: don’t overthink it. Start simple. My first design I ever sold was a plain white t-shirt with black text that said, “Coffee First.” It wasn’t fancy but it resonated with coffee lovers and that’s what matters.
Sourcing Design Elements
A good design starts with the right elements. If you’re not an artist don’t worry. Websites like Pixabay, Unsplash and Freepik have tons of royalty free images and graphics you can use.
Just make sure they’re free for commercial use. I’ve seen too many beginners get into legal trouble because they didn’t check the licensing.
Here are some tips for sourcing:
- Use royalty free websites to avoid legal issues.
- Focus on elements that match your niche (e.g. cute animals for pet lovers, minimalist designs for professionals).
- Don’t overload your designs with too many elements.
Another tip: don’t overload your designs. A simple graphic or a catchy phrase can do wonders. When sourcing elements think about your audience.
For example if you’re designing for pet owners focus on cute animal illustrations or playful fonts. If you’re designing for a corporate audience clean and minimal elements work best.
Create the Design: DIY or Hire Help
When designing myself, I follow this process:
- Sketch out the core concept
- Gather needed assets (fonts, graphics)
- Arrange elements into a cohesive design
If hiring a designer, I provide:
- Detailed product specs
- Customer insights
- Design examples I like
- Clear expectations
I’ve found great designers on platforms like Behance and 99designs.
For those on a budget, I recommend:
- Using high-quality clipart and templates
- Learning basic design software skills
- Practicing and refining your technique
With the right approach, anyone can create eye-catching print-on-demand designs that sell.
Design Best Practices
Keep it simple. This isn’t just a design rule; it’s a business rule. Simple designs often sell better because they’re easier to understand and more versatile.
For POD this means avoiding cluttered layouts and sticking to one or two key elements per design.
Follow these design best practices:
- Resolution: Use high res images (300 DPI) for quality.
- Color Mode: Design in CMYK for printed colors.
- Font Choices: Use readable and stylish fonts.
- Layout: Make sure your design looks balanced and pretty.
Make sure your designs are print ready. This means creating in high res (at least 300 DPI) and using the CMYK color mode.
Colors can look different on screen versus in print so always check how they’ll look. The first time I ordered samples I was shocked at how dull my colors looked because I designed in RGB. Learn from my mistakes—always use CMYK for print.
Choosing Products
Choosing the right product is just as important as the design itself. For beginners start with staples like t-shirts, hoodies or mugs.
These are popular, easy to sell and have broad appeal. When I started I focused on t-shirts because they’re relatively easy to design for and have a low barrier to entry.
Here’s a quick guide:
- T-Shirts: For bold and text heavy designs.
- Mugs: For small graphics or witty quotes.
- Hoodies: For bold, oversized designs.
- Tote Bags: For minimalist or eco-friendly designs.
Think about how your design fits the product. A small logo might work great on a mug but would get lost on a t-shirt.
Similarly bold graphics are great for hoodies but would overwhelm smaller items.
Order samples to see how your designs look in real life. It’s an investment but will save you from unhappy customers later.
Choosing the Right POD Platform
Not all POD platforms are created equal. Printful and Printify are great for beginners because they integrate with platforms like Shopify and Etsy.
Redbubble is more of a marketplace so you don’t need your own store.
When choosing a platform consider:
- Product Variety: Does the platform offer the products you want to sell?
- Shipping Times: Faster shipping means happier customers.
- Pricing: Compare base costs and profit margins.
- Integration: Look for platforms that integrate with your store.
When choosing a platform consider product variety, shipping times and pricing. Printful for example offers high quality products but can be more expensive.
Printify has more affordable options but you’ll have to vet the suppliers. Research and choose the one that fits your goals.
Marketing Your POD Designs
If you build it they won’t come—not without marketing. Social media is your best friend here. Instagram and Pinterest are perfect for showcasing visually appealing designs.
TikTok is another goldmine if you’re targeting younger audiences.
When I launched my first POD store I spent weeks creating designs and barely sold anything because I didn’t market them properly.
What worked for me eventually was creating mockups and running targeted ads. Don’t just post a design; tell a story around it. Show how it fits into someone’s life.
Here are some marketing tips:
- Use Instagram and Pinterest to showcase your designs.
- Create TikTok videos to reach younger audiences.
- Run targeted ads to get your designs in front of the right people.
- Use great product descriptions to increase conversions.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Don’t overthink your first design. Many beginners get stuck trying to make something perfect but perfection doesn’t sell—connection does. Start small, launch and refine as you go.
Avoid these mistakes:
- Overcomplicating Designs: Simple designs sell better.
- Ignoring Feedback: Listen to your audience to improve your products.
- Neglecting Mockups: Use professional mockups to showcase your products.
- Skipping Niche Research: Design for a specific audience to stand out.
Another mistake is ignoring customer feedback. I launched a line of designs I thought were amazing but they didn’t sell.
After some digging I found out the problem: my audience wanted simpler, more relatable graphics. Listen to your audience. They’ll tell you what they want if you pay attention.
FAQs
Do I need to be a designer to start?
No! Canva makes designing accessible for everyone. Start with text based designs if you’re not sure.
How much to start POD?
Many platforms are free to use but you’ll need a small budget for marketing and samples. Plan for $50-$100 to get started.
What products are best for beginners?
T-shirts, mugs and tote bags are great starting points. They’re popular and easy to design for.
Conclusion
Starting a print-on-demand business can feel daunting but trust me it’s worth it. Your first design won’t be perfect and that’s okay.
What matters is getting started and learning as you go. Over the years I’ve learned that the best designs aren’t always the most complex—they’re the ones that connect with people.
So pick a niche, create your first design and put it out there. The rest will fall into place.
