Back to school might seem far away right now. But if you want to make sales when everyone else is still scrambling, starting early is your secret weapon.

Why?

Because when you prepare ahead of time, you can:

• Get your products listed before the rush

• Take your time with designs

• Catch early shoppers (they’re out there!)

• Avoid last-minute stress

And best of all—you give your store the best chance to stand out.

I’ve helped thousands of people launch their first profitable products with print-on-demand. And every year, I see the same thing: people who prep early are the ones who win big during back-to-school season.

So let’s walk through 5 of the best back-to-school product ideas that are easy to create, fun to sell, and full of potential.

1. Custom Name Mugs

Make school mornings feel special

Lots of teachers drink coffee. So do college students. Even parents need a good mug for early school mornings.

But you know what makes a regular mug way more exciting?

Adding someone’s name.

Name mugs are some of the easiest, best-selling products during back-to-school season. You can create:

• “Mr. Johnson’s Math Fuel”

• “Miss Riley’s Calm-Down Coffee”

• “Principal Mode: Activated”

Even simple text in black font works really well here.

Why it works:
People love gifts that feel personal. These mugs make great welcome-back gifts, teacher appreciation gifts, and even first-day-of-school presents.

Quick Tip: Use a free tool like Canva or ChatGPT to brainstorm funny or cute mug sayings. Keep it simple and let the words do the work.

2. First Day Of School Signs

Help families capture the perfect memory

A lot of parents love taking “first day of school” photos. These signs are held by kids in their back-to-school outfit and usually say:

• “First Day of 2nd Grade”

• “Back to School 2025”

• “Watch out Kindergarten, here I come!”

You can make these signs as printables, which means no shipping and faster delivery.

Why it works:
These products are bought every single year. Parents want updated signs with new grades and new years.

And because it’s a printable, people can buy it the night before school starts, which makes this product valuable even after the season begins.

Quick Tip: Offer a bundle with multiple grade levels included. That way, parents can use the signs again in the future.

3. Back To School T-Shirts

Give kids a fun way to show off their personality

T-shirts are a back-to-school classic. They’re perfect for:

• First day outfits

• Funny classroom jokes

• Matching “team teacher” shirts

• Kid-approved sayings like “Future President” or “Class Clown in Training”

You don’t need fancy designs. Just a short, catchy phrase in a bold font can work really well.

Why it works:
T-shirts are easy to design and easy to sell. Everyone wears them. And they make people smile.

Plus, you can create designs for:

• Teachers

• Parents

• Kids of all ages

That’s a lot of potential customers from one product type.

Quick Tip: If one shirt starts selling, create more like it. A good seller is a sign to keep going in that niche.

4. Personalized Pencil Cases or Totes

Keep school supplies organized in style

This is a great product to offer for kids going back to school. You can create:

• Personalized pencil pouches

• Canvas tote bags with funny sayings

• “This bag belongs to Olivia” style text

You can even make “Teacher Survival Kit” totes that hold all their school year supplies.

Why it works:
Kids love having their own supplies. Teachers love staying organized. Parents love practical gifts.

And when something is personalized, it feels extra special.

Quick Tip: Offer matching sets, like a tote bag with a pencil case. It can raise your order value without a lot of extra work.

5. School-Themed Wall Art Or Posters

Add personality to classrooms and study rooms

Teachers and parents love decorating their spaces for the new school year. And printable wall art is a super easy way to help.

You can sell:

• Motivational classroom quotes

• Cute alphabet or number posters

• “In This Classroom We Are Kind” signs

• Funny teacher sayings like “I Have Eyes In The Back Of My Head”

Why it works:
It’s quick to make, quick to sell, and can be used in both home and classroom settings.

Plus, as a digital file, you don’t need to ship anything.

Quick Tip: Add a small “frame mockup” to your Etsy listing photos so people can visualize the product in their space.

Why You Should Start Now

Back to school season starts sooner than you think.

Some shoppers start looking for supplies in July, especially teachers who want to prep their rooms.

If you wait until August or September, you’ll already be behind. But when you start now, you:

• Get listed early on Etsy, Amazon, or your site

• Have more time to tweak or test your designs

• Catch those early shoppers before your competition does

Even one or two early bestsellers can carry your shop through the season.

Keep It Simple, Keep It Selling

One of the biggest print-on-demand mistakes is overthinking.

You don’t need detailed designs or a huge product list.

Instead, focus on simple products with clear messages, made for people who are already out there looking to buy.

Think:

• Black font, white mug

• Easy first-day sign

• One funny line on a t-shirt

These are the kinds of products that make people smile and get sales.

Want More Help?

If you want more done-for-you product ideas and easy ways to create bestsellers fast, check out the Low Hanging System.

It’s helped over 1,000 people make their first sale, and it’s built for busy people who want simple, realistic wins.

Start prepping now, and give yourself a head start this school season.

Your future sales will thank you.