How to Start a Print on Demand Business in 2025

Let’s talk about 2025. Because if you’ve been dreaming of starting your own business, this might just be your year!

Why? Print on demand (POD) is having a major moment right now.

E-commerce is booming, people are craving personalized, one-of-a-kind products, and POD is the perfect way to tap into that demand. Add in low startup costs and the flexibility to work from literally anywhere (yes, even your couch in pajamas), and you’ve got yourself an ideal business model.

Whether you’re looking for a side hustle or a full-time gig, POD has everything you need to build a scalable, successful business—if you know how to do it right.

Keep reading to learn how to start a print on demand business in 2025!

First, What is Print on Demand?

Print on Demand (POD) is an e-commerce business model that allows you to sell custom-designed products without the need to hold inventory or manage fulfillment. Instead, your products are printed and shipped directly to customers by a third-party supplier whenever an order is placed. This model is particularly attractive for entrepreneurs looking to start a low-risk, scalable business that lets their creativity shine!

Benefits of a POD Business

Print-on-demand (POD) is packed with perks for aspiring entrepreneurs:

Scalability and Flexibility: No inventory? No problem. With POD, you can expand your product range and tweak your strategy as your business grows—without the hassle of managing physical stock.

The Freedom to Experiment: Want to test out a new niche or try bold, creative designs? Go for it! POD lets you experiment without breaking the bank, giving you the chance to see what truly resonates with your audience.

But let’s keep it real—POD isn’t all smooth sailing. Like any business, it comes with its own set of challenges:

A Competitive Market: With such a low barrier to entry (particularly on Etsy, which is my preferred platform for getting started), the marketplace can feel crowded. To stand out, you’ll need to step up your game with intentional design, branding, and strategy.

Third-Party Supplier Dependencies: Your suppliers play a huge role in your success. Delays or mistakes in production can affect customer satisfaction, so choosing reliable partners is a must.

The SEO and Marketing Factor: It’s not enough to just list your products—you need to ensure your customers can find them. Optimizing for search engines and creating smart marketing strategies are essential to getting noticed.

Here’s the truth: Building a profitable, scalable POD business takes time, effort, and persistence. But let me tell you—it’s absolutely worth it. As cliché as it sounds, if I can do it, you can too. You just have to be ready to put in the work, stay consistent, and keep learning as you go.

Step 1: Define Your Niche and Audience

In the competitive world of print on demand, having a clear niche is your secret weapon for standing out. Your niche allows you to focus on a specific group of customers who share common interests, passions, or identities.

By speaking directly to their unique needs and preferences, you’re not just reducing competition—you’re creating designs that genuinely resonate. Plus, a well-defined niche can boost your SEO rankings and make it easier for your ideal customers to find you.

Here’s the thing: Trying to appeal to everyone usually means connecting with no one. Niching down lets you build a loyal customer base and establish a brand that people recognize and trust. It’s not about limiting your options; it’s about strategically focusing your energy where it counts most.

How to Choose a Niche

Selecting the right niche is a blend of creativity and strategy. Here’s how to get started:

• Research Trending and Evergreen Niches: Look into popular hobbies (e.g., gardening, gaming), professions (e.g., teachers, healthcare workers), and life milestones (e.g., weddings, anniversaries). A balance of trending and evergreen niches ensures you have products that sell year-round and others that capture fleeting market demand.
• Find Overlaps Between Interests and Market Demand: Choose a niche that excites you but also has proven customer interest. Tools like Google Trends, Etsy search bars, and POD-specific research platforms can help you identify what’s currently popular.

Identifying Your Target Audience

Knowing your audience is just as important as choosing your niche. To create designs and messaging that connect, take these steps:

• Create Customer Personas: Imagine your ideal buyer. What are their interests, demographics, and pain points? For instance, if you’re targeting pet owners, consider specifics like breed preferences or pet-related hobbies.
• Tailor Your Designs and Messaging: Use your personas to guide your product creation and marketing strategies. Personalization, humor, and niche-specific elements often appeal to a more targeted audience, increasing engagement and sales.

By defining your niche and understanding your audience, you’ll lay the foundation for a successful POD business that stands out and connects with buyers.

Step 2: Using Etsy to Sell POD

Etsy is a go-to platform for print-on-demand sellers, and is my specialty! With its established marketplace and built-in audience of shoppers looking for unique, personalized products, Etsy makes it simple to connect with customers who love custom creations.

Pair Etsy with POD platforms like Printify or Printful, and you’ve got a seamless system for running your shop. These platforms integrate directly with your Etsy store, so when a customer places an order, production and shipping are handled automatically—no inventory, no fulfillment headaches. It’s the perfect combination for scaling your business while keeping things stress-free.

Setting Up Your Etsy Account

Follow these steps to create and set up your Etsy shop for POD success:

1. Sign Up for an Etsy Account: Go to Etsy.com and create an account if you don’t already have one. Use my exclusive link to get your first 40 listings for free (normally 20 cents per listing)  - https://etsy.me/42CZdZn
2. Open Your Shop: Click on “Sell on Etsy” and follow the prompts to name your shop. Choose a name that reflects your niche and is easy to remember.
3. Connect Your POD Platform: Log in to your chosen POD platform (e.g.,Printify or Printful) and link it to your Etsy shop using the integration settings.
4. Add Products: Use the POD platform to create your product designs, then publish them directly to your Etsy shop. Ensure your product titles and descriptions are SEO-optimized for visibility.
5. Set Up Shop Policies: Add clear policies for shipping, returns, and FAQs to build customer trust.
6. Add Payment and Billing Info: Complete the setup by entering your payment and billing information to receive payments and cover Etsy fees.

With your Etsy account set up and your POD platform integrated, you’ll be ready to list your first products and start building your shop!

Step 3: Design Your Products

The key to standing out in the print-on-demand market is creating eye-catching designs that resonate with your target audience. Here are three must-have tools for professional-quality designs:

• Canva: Perfect for beginners and pros alike, Canva offers thousands of templates and an intuitive interface. Use its Magic Resize and Background Remover tools for versatile and polished designs.
• Kittl: Known for its high-quality typography and intricate design elements, Kittl is ideal for creating professional, niche-specific designs with flair. Use code MANDYYT to get 25% off a new plan!
• Photopea: A powerful, browser-based alternative to Photoshop. Great for advanced designers who need layers and smart objects for more complex designs.

Learn all about these POD design tools here!

Step 5: Market Your POD Business

Your brand identity is what sets your POD shop apart and helps you build trust and recognition among customers. Here’s how to create a strong, cohesive brand:

• Consistency is Key: Use the same fonts, colors, and design elements across all your product listings, social media profiles, and promotional materials. This creates a professional and recognizable look for your shop.
• Clear Messaging: Develop a brand voice that aligns with your target audience. Whether it’s fun and playful or sleek and professional, ensure your tone is consistent across all platforms.
• Logo and Visuals: Invest time in creating a memorable logo and high-quality visuals that reflect your shop’s personality and niche.

Utilize Social Media Marketing

Social media platforms are a goldmine for POD businesses, offering a chance to showcase your products and connect with potential customers.

• Instagram: Ideal for visually showcasing your products through photos, reels, and stories.
• Pinterest: Perfect for driving traffic to your shop by sharing visually appealing pins with links to your listings.
• TikTok: Great for creating short, engaging videos that demonstrate your products and tell your brand story.

To create engaging content that resonates with your audience, start by sharing behind-the-scenes glimpses of your design process. This adds a personal touch and allows your followers to connect with the creative journey behind your products. Incorporate user-generated content or customer reviews to build social proof, showing potential buyers that others love and trust your products. 

Leverage SEO and Paid Ads

Marketing isn’t just about being seen—it’s about being found. To increase your visibility, start with basic SEO strategies. 

• Optimize your product listings by incorporating relevant keywords into titles, tags, and descriptions, ensuring your items rank higher in search results. 
• Use high-quality images and add alt text to enhance your search engine rankings further. 
• If you have a blog, leverage it to target additional keywords and drive organic traffic to your shop

Alongside SEO, use paid ads to boost traffic. Etsy Ads can promote your listings directly within the platform, increasing visibility in search results. Google Ads allow you to target broader audiences by running campaigns for your shop or specific products. Retargeting ads, such as those utilizing Facebook Pixel, can re-engage visitors who left without making a purchase

Step 6: Manage and Grow Your POD Business

Analyzing Data to Improve Performance
Regularly review your shop’s data to see what’s working and where you can improve. Focus on your best-selling products and customer feedback to understand what your audience loves. Spot trends in popular items to refine your strategy and create designs that truly resonate.

Scaling Your Business
Once you’ve built a strong foundation, scale strategically. Add complementary items like mugs to pair with T-shirts or posters to match phone cases. Cross-niche your designs to expand your reach—for example, blend pet designs with hobbies like camping or cooking. Growth should feel intentional, not overwhelming.

Building Customer Loyalty
Loyal customers drive sustained success. Deliver standout service, resolve issues with care, and add thoughtful touches like personalized thank-yous or repeat-buyer discounts. Happy customers turn into brand advocates, helping you grow through word-of-mouth and social proof.

By analyzing data, scaling thoughtfully, and prioritizing customer loyalty, you’ll build a thriving POD business that grows alongside your audience’s needs.

Join the Simply Thrive Club for More Tips & Resources!

Ready to build your print on demand business with hands-on-support? Join the Simply Thrive Club, where you’ll find a supportive community of like-minded entrepreneurs, expert advice tailored to your journey, and the tools you need to build a thriving POD business with confidence. 

From actionable tips to exclusive resources and live masterclasses, the Simply Thrive Club is your ultimate partner in success. Don’t navigate the POD world alone—let’s thrive together! 

Click to join now!