Creating a print-on-demand business is an excellent way for you to quickly get your designs into the hands of your customers with various products such as mugs, sweatshirts, and even tote bags. With access to printing services, the barrier is how to get started. It quickly becomes overwhelming once we begin with integrations, website platforms, and ongoing marketing as a non-techie.
We’ll show you how to get started with Printify, an easy-to-use platform to start your print-on-demand (POD) business, even if you are not tech-savvy.
Plus, we will tackle common pitfalls like plagiarized product descriptions and give you the tools (including ChatGPT prompts) to create unique and compelling content.
What Is Printify?
Printify is a print-on-demand platform that connects you with a global network of print providers. You can design and sell custom products like t-shirts, mugs, and tote bags without worrying about inventory, production, or shipping.
Here’s why Printify is ideal for non-techies:
- User-friendly interface: Easy-to-navigate design and publishing tools that help get your products published and in front of potential customers.
- No upfront investment: Outside of your website platform, you only pay when an order is placed.
- Integrations: Quick connects seamlessly with platforms like Shopify, Etsy, and WooCommerce, helping to get you started quicker.
How to Create and Launch a Successful Printify Store
There are many steps in running a successful business, including what success looks like. Below, we will detail how you can get started with print-on-demand and alleviate the common issues with launching.
1. Plan Your Niche and Products
Start by deciding your niche. Are you targeting pet lovers, gamers, or eco-conscious consumers? A niche helps you stand out and attract loyal customers.
Tips:
- Use online tools like Google Trends to validate your niche.
- Focus on high-margin, high-demand products such as apparel or home decor.
2. Set Up Your Printify Account
3. Integrate with an E-commerce Platform
Once your products are ready, connect Printify to your e-commerce store. Popular options include:
- Shopify (Best for scalability)
- Etsy (Great for handmade or unique products)
- WooCommerce (Ideal for WordPress users)
- TikTok
- Ebay
- Squarespace
- Wix
- Prestashop
- Bigcommerce
- Printify Pop-Up Store
4. Create Unique Product Descriptions
One of the areas that print-on-demand stores need to improve is creating custom product descriptions, and the generic description is what is typically left. There are a couple of issues with this:
Your Product Description is SEO Real Estate
Think of your product description as an introduction to your product; it typically gives you valuable information on the product for the visitor to read and decide. It also doubles as an introduction to search engines about your product and how it relates to your overall site, helping them rank your products for others to find.
Print-on-demand platforms generate a description with information about the actual product, such as what it’s made of, how much it weighs, and its size chart—all very valuable information but not relevant to your brand or the new product you created.
Format the generic information as identifiers listed underneath the branded product description; if you aren’t a copywriter, utilize a free tool, ChatGPT.
Here’s a Prompt:
Act as an SEO strategist and marketing expert and create an SEO-optimized product description for [Product name]. Here is my website for brand information [Website URL]. Attached is the product image for reference.
Reminders:
Be sure to highlight unique features or benefits (e.g., “This mug’s sturdy ceramic build is perfect for your morning coffee”) and incorporate keywords your audience will use to search for products like yours.
Here’s a simple formula for writing descriptions without using ChatGPT:
- Start with a hook: “Looking for a stylish way to express your personality?”
- Describe the product’s value: “This ultra-soft t-shirt feels great on your skin and looks even better.”
- End with a call-to-action (CTA): “Order now and make it yours today!”
Search engines likely flagged your site
Using the generic product description also creates an issue with how your website ranks. In a nutshell, search engines such as Google, Bing, and Yahoo use rankings that help them determine the integrity of your website, the information it has, and the products. Based on those rankings, you move up or down in the search results when someone searches a keyword or phrase such as kids’ t-shirt with the number 4.
Suppose someone was to submit this in the search bar. In that case, Google will populate website pages/products with those keywords in the title, description, and image and look at other rankings to determine how the sites will appear.
Suppose you have the right keywords on your title and description, but your site has plagiarism or loading issues. In that case, your site will be further down the line, where most people don’t usually travel.
Can’t list products in Google Merchant
With competing with Google search, utilizing Google Merchant gives a new place above the search results in a “Products” section to showcase your website products.
There are free and paid listings, and when you set up the free listings, your business needs to have a product description, image, item details, and a website with brand information. Without the vital information, Google will not allow you to use the free listings and will also prevent you from utilizing paid ads in the future until it’s fixed.
5. Pricing your Products for Profit
One of the biggest challenges for print-on-demand (POD) sellers is setting prices that attract customers while ensuring you make a healthy profit. Let’s break down the key considerations for pricing your products strategically and maximizing your earnings.
Understand Your Costs
To price your products effectively, you first need to know your costs. For a POD business with Printify, here’s what to include:
- Base product cost: The price Printify charges for the item (e.g., $10 for a t-shirt).
- Printing and fulfillment: Included in Printify’s base price.
- Shipping costs: Factor in what customers will pay for delivery.
- Platform fees: For example, Shopify charges a monthly fee, while Etsy takes a percentage (11%) of your sales.
Example calculation:
- Base cost (Printify t-shirt): $10
- Shipping cost (average): $4
- Platform fees (Etsy): $2 (assuming a $20 sale)
Total cost: $16
Determine Your Profit Margin
Your profit margin is what you earn after covering all costs. A typical target for POD businesses is 30-50%, which may vary depending on your niche and market competition.
Formula for setting price: Retail Price=Total Cost+(Total Cost×Profit Margin)
For example:
- Total cost: $16
- Desired profit margin: 50%
- Retail Price= $24
Set your retail price at $24 to achieve a 50% profit margin.
Research Competitor Pricing
Before finalizing your prices, look at what similar products cost on platforms like Etsy, Amazon, and Shopify stores. This gives you a benchmark to ensure you stay competitive.
Tips:
- Don’t price too low: Undercutting significantly can devalue your brand and minimize your profit.
- Offer premium value: Highlight unique features, custom designs, or sustainability to justify higher prices.
Adjust for Perceived Value
Perceived value is how much customers think your product is worth. Factors influencing this include:
- Design quality: Unique, eye-catching designs can command higher prices.
- Niche appeal: Products catering to a specific audience (e.g., “funny dog mom mugs”) often allow for premium pricing.
- Personalized Products: Allowing your customers to add their text or images to the products
Test Your Prices
Pricing is not set in stone. Experiment with different price points to find what works best:
- A/B testing: Offer the same product at slightly different prices to see what resonates with customers.
- Promotions: Run discounts to gauge demand at different price levels.
Don’t forget to account for:
- Sales tax: Depending on your location, you may need to charge and remit sales tax.
- Currency conversion fees: If selling internationally, platforms may charge extra.
- Returns or refunds: Include a buffer in your pricing to cover occasional losses.
Offer Tiered Pricing Options
Encourage upsells and higher-order values by introducing tiered pricing strategies:
- Bundles: Offer discounts on sets (e.g., “Buy two mugs, get 10% off”).
- Premium versions: Include options with higher-quality materials or special features for an additional cost.
Following these steps will strike the perfect balance between attracting customers and ensuring your business is profitable.
Common Challenges and How to Overcome Them
Hitting a Creative Block
Need help to come up with designs or product ideas? Use AI tools like ChatGPT to brainstorm concepts:
- Prompt example: “Suggest ten niche ideas for a print-on-demand store targeting dog lovers with the most popular product type for each.”
Marketing Woes
Once your store is live, you need to drive traffic. Here are quick wins:
- Leverage social media [organic and ads] to target your niche audience.
- Use Pinterest to showcase your designs; think of it as a search engine.
- Partner with influencers or bloggers in your niche for UGC content.
- Wear and use your products in photoshoots, reels, and Vlogs.
- Send new products to your email list(or start an email list with a discount for the first order)
- Tell the story of your brand and how it connects to the audience.
Product Mockups Look Unprofessional
When selling print-on-demand products, you don’t have the actual product at the moment of listing, which is the primary imagery you need to showcase the product. Printify takes care of this by providing an in-platform mockup generator. Use a mixture of photo types, such as different body types and scenes.
You can hire a freelancer to complete some photo mockups for you or even send a sample for a product shoot. Still, typically, you can start selling with your mockups.
Using ChatGPT to Scale Your Print-On-Demand Business
When running a business, your time is the only non-renewable resource. You can maximize it by utilizing tools such as AI to speed up the processes you have in your business that you are doing yourself.
AI tools like ChatGPT can simplify creating business assets, saving time, and removing items from your to-do list.
Here are a few prompts you can use with Print-on-Demand:
Product Descriptions
Prompt: “Write a unique SEO-optimized product description for a [Product type] featuring a motivational quote.”
Prompt: “Act as an SEO strategist and marketing expert and create an SEO-optimized product description for [Product name]. Here is my website for brand information [Website URL]. Attached is the product image for reference. “
Social Media Captions
Prompt: “Act as a social media expert and Create 5 Instagram captions for a print-on-demand tote bag targeting eco-conscious shoppers. Add relevant hashtags for visibility also.”
Email Marketing Content
Prompt: “Act as a marketing expert and draft a welcome email for customers who just signed up for my print-on-demand store newsletter.”
Prompt: “Act as a marketing expert and create an email welcome series that educates the audience about our brand, products, and why they should shop with us. I want 4-5 emails with the end-of-series fast action coupons to promote conversions. Here is my website for reference: [Website URL].”
Ad Copy
Prompt: “Act as an Ads specialist and write a Facebook ad for a funny t-shirt targeting millennial dog owners.”
Prompt: “Act as an Ads specialist and create an ad for [product URL], including the audience that I should target. My brand is focusing on [audience type]. Create 2—3 alternatives for AB testing.”
FAQs About Starting a Print-On-Demand Business with Printify
Final Thoughts
Starting a print-on-demand business with Printify is a fantastic way to enter the world of e-commerce, even if you’re not a tech guru. By following the steps above, avoiding common pitfalls like duplicate content, and leveraging tools like ChatGPT, you can build a thriving online store that stands out in a crowded market.
Ready to start your journey? Head to Printify.com and turn your ideas into income today!