If you’re like most e-commerce entrepreneurs, you’re always looking for ways to grow your business. And if you’re not using print on demand drop shipping, you could be missing out on a huge opportunity.

With print on demand drop shipping, you can have your products printed and shipped directly to your customers without having to keep inventory or manage fulfillment yourself. This can free up time and resources so you can focus on other aspects of running your business.

Plus, using a print-on-demand service can help improve the quality of your products and give them a professional look that will impress your customers.

What is Print on Demand Drop Shipping?

Print-on-demand is a great eCommerce business model for entrepreneurs who want to sell customized products without having to invest in large inventory quantities. POD companies handle the production and shipping of your products, so you can focus on marketing and selling your products.

You only have to pay your supplier when you make the sale and get paid by the customer. When a customer orders a product in your online store, the printing and shipping company will manufacture the product and send it.

Since 2010, print-on-demand dropshipping has become an extremely popular service.

Starting an e-commerce business can be intimidating, but print-on-demand can be a great way to start. With a low barrier to entry and low risk, it’s a great option for those just getting started.

Types of Print-On-Demand Companies

There are two main types of print-on-demand companies: 

• Print-on-demand services: These allow you to sell products on your own website as well as through third-party marketplaces like Etsy.
• Print-on-demand marketplaces: These are platforms where you can sell your designs on products alongside other sellers.

Pros and Cons of Print-On-Demand Dropshipping

POD is a great way to start an online business but it might not be the best option for everyone.

Before you start a new project, it’s important to be aware of the pros and cons.

Print-on-Demand Pros

1. No Need for Inventory

The POD business model is a great way to make money online without having to take on a lot of risks. You only have to pay for a product when you receive an order, so you don’t have to worry about investing your savings into printing products that might not sell.

2. No Need for Equipment

The POD company will take care of the manufacturing and printing process for you. All you need to do is create a design and advertise your products. The POD company will handle the rest, so you don’t need any equipment, space, or technical knowledge.

3. No Need to Pack and Ship

Your partner will handle the packing and shipping of your products, so you can focus on growing your customer base.

4. Experiment With New Products at No Risk

If you want to try a new product or design, you can add it to your store with a few clicks. This way, you can see the demand without investing any of your money. If a new product or design doesn’t sell, you can remove it from your store without losing anything. However, if it takes off, you’ve found a lucrative new product.

5. Personalize It

Customization is a big deal for many shoppers, as it allows them to add a personal touch to products. According to research by Deloitte, 36% of consumers are interested in purchasing customized products, with 48% of those willing to wait longer for a custom product. Many POD companies offer customization tools that can be integrated into your website at no cost.

6. Easy To Get Started

Designing and adding a product to your store only takes a few minutes, making it one of the easiest ways to start dropshipping eCommerce.

Print-on-Demand Cons

1. High Cost Per Product

POD products may cost more than other dropshipping products because each product must be printed individually by the supplier. This added cost is then passed on to you. For the business model to be viable, you must charge a price per product that covers your expenses and leaves room for profit.

2. Fewer Options

There are thousands of products and suppliers to choose from with standard dropshipping whereas there are fewer for print-on-demand.

3. Lack of Quality Control

One of the challenges for dropshipping businesses is that they don’t get to see their product before it’s shipped to the customer. That’s why it’s critical to choose a reputable POD company as a partner. Another way to ensure you’re happy with a product before adding it to your store is to order a sample.

4. Lack of Inventory Control

POD companies may work with thousands of eCommerce stores at the same time. This means that products can quickly sell out. While you don’t have any control over inventory management, you can keep an eye on product availability and plan accordingly.

5. Takes Longer To Fulfill Orders

POD orders can take longer to fulfill than other types of orders because each product must be printed individually. Some print-on-demand companies are faster than others when it comes to production and shipping, so it’s important to let your customers know when they can expect to receive the product before they click “buy now.” If you’re upfront about delivery times, you won’t disappoint your customers.

6. You Need To Align Your Returns Policy With the Supplier

Before you start selling POD products in your store, it is important to understand the supplier’s returns policy. This way, you can avoid any potential issues if a customer needs to return an item. By understanding the policy ahead of time, you can ensure a smooth process for both yourself and the customer.

What Products Can You Sell Through Print-on-Demand?

T-Shirts are one of the most common types of print-on-demand products that people sell, but did you know that there are tons of other kinds of products like that?

Products that you can sell through print on demand include hoodies, yoga clothing, face masks, towels, bedsheets and blankets, bags, headphones and speakers, engraved jewelry, laptop cases, mousepads, phone covers, kitchen accessories, and garden accessories.

If you explore some of the companies listed below, you’ll find an even wider range of products to select from.

Top 10 Print-on-Demand Companies

Here are the best POD (print on demand) websites in 2022.

1. Printful

With more than 220 products to choose from, including t-shirts, hoodies, hats, tote bags, and more, and a variety of print options, such as DTG, cut and sew, and screen printing, you can add your personal touch to your products.

Printful provides users with a service that allows them to customize their online storefronts. The integrations include popular platforms like Shopify and Etsy. Products from this company typically take 2 to 5 days to ship.

2. Printify

With access to a network of over 100,000 printers, you’re sure to find a local printer that can provide fast and affordable printing.

While this means your delivery time and product quality will vary depending on the supplier, it also means you have more control.

This custom apparel company is so amazing because business owners can personalize more than 300 products in hundreds of ways, such as embroidering, sublimating, and directly-to-garments. This makes it super easy for entrepreneurs to find the product that’s right for them.

If you’re looking to cut business costs, consider upgrading to a paid plan with Printify. We offer significant discounts to high-volume businesses that use our platform.

3. CustomCat

If you’re looking for a company that prints custom t-shirts quickly, then check out Custom Cat. They offer 2-3 day turnaround times, and they offer many t-shirt options, including DTG, sublimation, dye infusion, and screen printing.

If you’re looking for custom-made print-on-demand products, CustomCat is a great choice. It has one of the widest selections of print-on-demand merchandise available.

4. SPOD

If you need a quick turnaround for your print-on-demand needs, SPOD is definitely a company to consider. They have a shipping calculator on their website, so you can get an estimate of how much it will cost to ship your order. Plus, they promise a 2-day turnaround time.

If you’re looking for an online printer with a wide variety of products and customization options, then check out SPOD. With more than 100 different products to choose from, and the option to upload your own designs, you’re sure to find what you need.

Customers can customize their products with their own designs, images, and text. This makes it easy to customize a product to your exact specifications.

5. T-Pop

T-pop is a European-based company that offers users the ability to sell 36 different customizable products.

Print-on-demand packaging is the perfect solution for businesses. Our custom packaging and shipping labels make your business stand out from the competition.

This printing company is environmentally conscious, using “no plastics” and “100% recycled materials” for packaging.

6. JetPrint 

If you’re looking for high-quality, affordable, and scalable print services, then check out JetPrint. They offer everything from business cards to flyers, and they do it at very competitive prices.

This print-on-demand service is super easy to use. Simply upload your designs and it will automatically generate professional product photos from multiple angles.

Orders usually take 3-5 days to ship.

7. TeeLaunch

TeeLaunch is a service that allows you to easily create and sell custom t-shirts, hoodies, mugs, and more. With a huge library of customizable products and impressive printing quality, it’s one of the best options for selling merch online.

With TeeLaunch, you can choose between several different t-shirt styles, including DTG, cut and sew, all over, and laser etched.

Production time is typically 3-6 days. We also have a sales kit that you can order and sell in person.

8. Gelato

Gelato has 100+ partners in 200+ countries and 200+ territories. It integrates all top sales platforms, such as Shopify.

If you’re looking for a huge selection of products and fast delivery times, then Gelato is a great option.

9. Gooten

Gooten offers a variety of products including t-shirts, mugs, and bags. Items are usually shipped in 1-6 days.

Its APIs and integrations are more technical than some PODs, which makes it very open to developers.

10. Printy6

Printy6 is a great option for Shopify-based businesses that are looking for high-quality printing at an affordable price. Shipping times may be longer than with other providers, but the quality of the finished product is worth the wait!

With a range of clothing and accessory options, as well as a variety of home decor, this site is perfect for anyone looking for something unique. Plus, with 1-3 day production and free shipping, you’ll be wearing your new item in no time!

Conclusion

If you’re looking for a way to take your e-commerce business to the next level, print on demand drop shipping could be the answer. With print on demand, you can have your products printed and shipped directly to your customers without having to keep inventory or manage fulfillment yourself. This can free up time and resources so you can focus on other aspects of running your business.