Ever dreamed of selling your own products online—without touching a single box?
Print-on-demand (POD) makes it possible, even if you’re starting from zero.
You don’t need a warehouse.
You don’t need piles of cash.
You don’t even need design experience.
Let’s walk through exactly how to go from “I’ve never sold anything before” to “Whoa—I just made my first sale!”
What Is Print-on-Demand?
Print-on-demand is a business where you create designs, and a company prints and ships products only when someone buys them.
You can sell:
- Mugs
- T-shirts
- Tote bags
- Posters
- Notebooks
- And tons more…
You upload a design to a product using a POD platform.
A customer places an order.
The company prints your product and ships it directly to your customer.
You keep the profit.
No inventory. No printing. No packing boxes.
Why POD Is So Beginner-Friendly
Here’s what makes print-on-demand amazing—especially if you’re just starting out:
- No Upfront Costs – You only pay for products when you sell them.
- No Inventory or Storage – Your POD partner handles that.
- Work From Anywhere – All you need is Wi-Fi and a laptop.
- Test Fast – Try ideas quickly without wasting money.
- It’s Fun! – You get to be creative and build something that’s yours.
You’re not just starting a business.
You’re building a brand, testing ideas, and learning skills that can grow over time.
Step 1: Choose a Niche That People Care About
A niche is a specialized segment of the market for a particular kind of product.
Selling to everyone usually means selling to no one.
Let’s say you make a t-shirt that says:
“Live, Laugh, Love”
Okay, fine. But who’s it for?
Now imagine one that says:
“Live, Laugh, Love… and Take My Dog to Target”
Now we’re talking.
That speaks directly to a niche—dog moms who love shopping. It’s relatable. It makes people feel seen.
Hot Niche Ideas:
- Cat lovers
- Dads who grill
- Bookworms
- Teachers
- RV campers
- Coffee addicts
- Fitness moms
- Baseball families
- Mental health advocates
Tip: Start with what you know or love. It’s easier to create for a community you understand.
Step 2: Create Simple, Scroll-Stopping Designs
You might think fancy designs sell best. But the opposite is usually true.
Simple = Sellable
People scroll fast online. If your design is busy or hard to read, they’ll skip right past it.
What works:
- Bold fonts
- High contrast (black text on white, or vice versa)
- Easy-to-read quotes
- Funny sayings
- Clear graphics
Design Ideas You Can Try:
- “Proud Plant Parent” on a tote bag
- “Running on Coffee and Chaos” on a hoodie
- “Shhh… I’m Reading” on a mug
You don’t need to be an artist. You can use:
- Canva – Super easy, even for beginners
- Kittl – Great for vintage-style fonts
- Creative Fabrica – Find ready-made designs
Tip: Start with text-only designs. They’re fast, easy, and still sell like crazy.
Step 3: Choose Your First Products
Here’s the thing: not every product is a winner.
Some sell better than others—especially when you’re starting out.
Best Beginner Products:
- Mugs – Always popular, great gifts, low cost
- T-Shirts – Timeless, easy to personalize
- Tote Bags – Eco-friendly and trendy
- Printables – Low price, great for impulse buys
- Sweatshirts/Hoodies – Perfect for cold weather or cozy vibes
Why these work:
- Easy to design
- Easy to ship
- Great for birthdays, holidays, and gifts
Start with 1–3 products and grow from there. Keep it simple at first.
Step 4: Pick a Print-on-Demand Partner
This is the company that prints and ships your items. They do the heavy lifting while you focus on creating and marketing.
Here are some of the recommended POD platforms:
| Platform | Best For | Pros |
| Printify | Variety & cheap pricing | Lots of product options |
| Printful | Quality & branding | High quality, custom labels |
| CustomHappy | Quality & personalized products | Unique gifts |
Tip: Compare prices, product options, and shipping times.
Most POD platforms can integrate with Etsy and Amazon.
Step 5: Pick Where You’ll Sell
There are 2 main suggested places for beginners to launch their POD store:
1. Etsy (Most beginner-friendly)
- No monthly fee
- Built-in audience
- Easy to set up
2. Amazon
- Massive traffic
- Limited control over design placement
Start with Etsy if you’re brand new. It’s simple and gets you in front of buyers right away.
Step 6: Set Prices That Actually Make You Money
You want to make money, but not scare off buyers.
Easy Pricing Formula (Example of formula only! Check the latest costs to decide on actual amounts):
(Product cost + fees) x 2.5 = Your selling price
Example:
- Mug costs you $5
- Etsy fees = ~$1.25
- You list it for $14.95
- Your profit = around $8.70
That’s a solid profit for something that sells over and over again.
Bonus Tip: Offer free shipping and build it into your price. People love free shipping.
Step 7: Write Listings That Help You Get Found
Your product listing is where the magic happens.
Your listing needs:
- Title: “Funny Coffee Mug for Teachers – Teacher Life Gift Idea”
- Description: Short, sweet, and helpful
- Tags: Use all available tags to help people find you
- Photos: Show off your product with clear, bright mockups
Step 8: Learn, Tweak, and Repeat
Not everything will sell—and that’s okay.
Every listing is a chance to learn what your audience loves.
Look at your stats:
- Which products get the most views?
- Which tags bring in traffic?
- Which designs are being favorited?
Then:
- Make more of what’s working
- Tweak what isn’t
- Test, test, test
Realistic Success Timeline
Wondering when your first sale will come?
It depends on:
- Your product quality
- Your niche demand
- How much traffic you get
Be patient as once you make your first sale… the rest feel so much easier.
Mini FAQ
Q: Do I need to be good at art?
Nope! Text-based designs sell all the time.
Q: What if I don’t have money?
You can start for almost free using Etsy + CustomHappy, Printify or Printful.
Final Thoughts: Yes, You Can Do This
Let’s recap your journey:
- Pick a niche
- Make simple, clear designs
- Choose the right POD platform
- Sell through Etsy or Amazon
- Write listings that attract the right buyers
- Learn, test, and grow!
You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to start.
Take Action Today
- Pick ONE niche
- Make ONE design
- Upload it to ONE product
- List it on ONE platform
You don’t have to have it all figured out.
But if you never start—you’ll never know what’s possible.
Let this be your sign:
Start your POD journey now.
You’ve got this.
Your Next Step:
Looking for incredible mentors and the tools to start your own print-on-demand (POD) business, or are you ready to take your current business to the next level? Take a look at these excellent courses:
Low Hanging System
Dive into the most comprehensive online course designed to empower you to build an array of PROFITABLE income streams using simple designs and catchy sayings.
Learn how to design simple items and add them to marketplaces like Etsy and Amazon.
Easy POD Mastermind
Step into the spotlight with EasyPOD Mastermind – the VIP club for print-on-demand sellers.
You also get case studies, interactive workshops, and live coaching calls.
