Summer is the perfect time to grow your print-on-demand business.

People are shopping for gifts, vacations, BBQs, and new gear to match the season. That means they’re looking for fun products with summer vibes. And if you can give that to them—on mugs, shirts, bags, or even beach towels—you’ve got a great chance to make consistent sales.

I’ve worked with thousands of sellers, many of whom were just getting started. One thing I always tell them is this: you don’t need to be fancy to succeed. You just need the right product idea, a simple design, and a place to list it.

Let’s go over 9+ product ideas that are great for summer, super easy to make, and have strong sales potential.

1. Summer Camp Mugs

Parents love these, and they’re super simple to personalize.

Every year, kids go off to summer camp—and parents love buying “camp-themed” mugs to remember the moment.

Think simple messages like:

• “Camp Mom – Powered by Coffee”

• “Proud Camp Dad – Waiting for Pickup Day”

• “First Year at Camp – 2025”

You can even let buyers personalize the camp name or year. Personalized mugs like this are always top sellers in the summer.

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2. Beach Tote Bags

People need cute, fun bags for summer outings.

Tote bags are lightweight, affordable, and perfect for summer markets. They’re often used at:

• Beaches

• Farmers Markets

• Picnics

• Pool days

Try adding short, fun quotes like:

• “Beach Hair, Don’t Care”

• “Snack Holder Official”

• “Sunshine and Chasing Waves”

The key here? Keep it simple and bold. A few fun words with a plain font can work great.

3. Funny BBQ Aprons

Grill masters are always ready to laugh.

Summertime means grilling. And grilling means aprons.

You don’t need a big design here—just a clever phrase like:

• “License to Grill”

• “Grill Sergeant Reporting for Duty”

• “Meat Me at the BBQ”

These make fun gifts for dads, uncles, or anyone who loves the cookout life.

4. Pool Party Tumblers

Cold drinks + hot weather = sales opportunity.

Skinny tumblers are popular year-round, but they spike in summer. Why? Because everyone wants to keep drinks cold at the beach or pool.

Some fun ideas:

• “Sippin’ Pretty by the Pool”

• “Mom’s Pool Fuel”

• “Warning: May Contain Wine”

Use bright colors, but again—don’t overdo the design. Let the words do the work.

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5. Summer Road Trip Gear

T-shirts and mugs for all those epic car trips.

Families travel more during the summer, which opens up a whole niche of road trip-related products. Think:

• “Road Trip Crew 2025” shirts

• “This is My Road Trip Mug”

• “Are We There Yet?” tote bags for kids

These kinds of gifts are great for families and friend groups planning a vacation together.

6. Vacation Countdown Signs

People LOVE counting down to their trip.

This one’s a bit different—it’s not clothing or drinkware. It’s a printable countdown calendar or dry-erase sign.

Example:

• “Days Until We Leave for Hawaii”

• “Countdown to Beach Week: ___ Days Left!”

Make the design editable or offer personalization for the destination. These work well as digital downloads or printed signs.

7. Matching Family Shirts

Big groups love to match on vacation.

This niche is tried and true. Families (especially with kids) love matching shirts for trips.

Ideas:

• “Johnson Family Vacation 2025”

• “Cruise Squad – Summer Mode On”

• “Official Trouble Maker – Family Trip Edition”

The best part? You can sell the same design across multiple shirt sizes and styles (kids, unisex, women’s fit, etc.).

8. Camping & Hiking Mugs

Outdoorsy folks need their caffeine too.

Many people hit the trails in the summer—and coffee is still a must.

Try simple camping-themed sayings like:

• “Campfire Coffee Crew”

• “Wake. Hike. Repeat.”

• “Nature is My Happy Place”

Pair this with earthy colors and you’re good to go. No photos or art needed—text-based designs sell.

9. Teacher Off-Duty Gear

They’ve earned a break. Give them something fun.

After the school year ends, teachers want to relax. And they love buying “off-duty” gear.

Create:

• “Teacher Off-Duty” mugs or tanks

• “Not Grading, Just Chilling” beach towels

• “Summer Break in Progress” tote bags

This is a great gift idea from students or other teachers, so you can market it as a present too.

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Bonus Idea: Personalized Travel Journals

Let them capture memories from their adventures.

Whether you sell printable journals or physical ones, summer is the perfect time to offer something like this. It could include prompts like:

• Where did you go today?

• What was the best part?

• What did you eat?

Add a cover design that’s simple and fun. Something like:

• “My Summer Travel Journal”

• “Adventures of 2025”

• “Roadtrip Reflections”

These are perfect for families, solo travelers, and kids alike.

Why These Products Work

Simple. Specific. Seasonal.

The magic of these ideas is that they:

• Are tied to real events (trips, camp, BBQs)

• Are fun to gift or personalize

• Don’t require complicated artwork

Too many new sellers try to reinvent the wheel. But what works is usually the simplest version of a good idea.

You can use basic black text designs. Stick with white mugs, totes, or unisex shirts. No need to get fancy. Just tap into the feeling of summer—and give people something to smile about.

Final Tips for Selling Summer POD Products

Here’s how to get your first (or next) sale faster.

• Use keywords like “summer,” “2025,” “vacation,” and “family trip” in your listings

• List early. People start shopping weeks ahead of their trips

• Focus on your titles and mockups. Make sure people instantly “get” what you’re offering

• Offer personalization when you can. Even if it’s just a name or date

You don’t have to create hundreds of listings. Just a few strong ideas, well-presented, can absolutely get sales.

Ready To Start?

You don’t need to be a designer or expert marketer. You just need one good product idea, a simple design, and the willingness to post it.

Start with the one that feels easiest to you. Maybe it’s a mug. Maybe it’s a tote bag. Just pick one and get it listed.

If you want help turning simple ideas into real listings, I’ve got some free and paid resources that can show you exactly how. Just click below to check them out: www.lowhangingsystem.com