‘Among the industries that stayed profitable despite the pandemic was print-on-demand (POD), currently valued at $4.9 billion. The incredible shift to online shopping and customization preferences has made print-on-demand a valuable option for marketers.
Print-on-demand is an increasingly popular printing technology that allows you to print various items only when there is an order, meaning that you won’t have to keep inventory. Moreover, POD provides flexibility in customization and design, allowing you to create unique items that will appeal to your target market. But there is so much more to print-on-demand. Read more here.
How Print-On-Demand Works
Print-on-demand enables a whole new generation of people to make some online money in ways that were impossible before. While for most people starting a business means buying or manufacturing stock, marketing and selling it and shipping it to customers, with print-on-demand, things are quite the opposite. Your items are produced only after they have been ordered.
Here is how it works:
- You set up your POD store
- Design and list your custom items
- Start marketing
- Once a client places an order, your item will be printed in the POD factory, packed and shipped out to your customers.
Although it may sound surprising, what was once accessible only to those with considerable investment budgets, can now be accomplished by anyone with a laptop or phone. There are no overhead costs, no manufacturing or setup costs. Moreover, your stock can all be virtual.
It is estimated that by 2040, almost 95 percent of all purchases will be online, so starting your e-commerce business as soon as possible means you are on the ground floor. You can use print-on-demand to create customized all kinds of items, from marketing materials such as brochures or flyers or clothing items, accessories, or home and living items, that can be sold through online platforms such as Amazon, Etsy, or eBay.
What Are The Benefits Of Print-On-Demand?
In the fast-paced world of modern business, print-on-demand can save you valuable time and money. As such, there are various benefits to using print-on-demand services, including:
- More flexibility: Print-on-demand gives you more flexibility with your artwork and design.
- Customization: Almost all print-on-demand businesses provide customization services, meaning that you have the option to add your artwork, photos, names, logo, or other custom details to your desired products.
- Lower costs: Print-on-demand is usually more cost-effective than traditional printing, such as offset printing, because you pay only for the items you order instead of paying for a more extensive run in advance.
- Ease of use: POD tools are straightforward to use, enabling you to place an order without needing expertise or some specialist training. That means you can save on the cost of hiring a new team member to manage this.
- Shorter lead times: Print-on-demand has a shorter lead time than any traditional printing technique, mainly because the print job does not have to be set up in advance.
- No minimum order: Most print-on-demand businesses do not have a minimum order, so you can order as many copies as you need.
How Can You Promote Your Business Brand Using POD?
It has been estimated that the demand for customized and unique items has risen to 36% in recent years, meaning that most customers now expect customization as a standard service. Other customers are willing to wait longer for a customized product based on their preferences. All these make print-on-demand a considerably popular method for businesses to promote their brands while connecting with their customers and building customer loyalty.
If you want to build your own custom clothing line, you can promote your brand using POD in several ways. For starters, you can add your personal touch to your custom products by adding messages, names, photos, or even illustrations and artwork you made. That will make your clients feel unique and appreciated and will more likely return to your business in the future.
You can also use print-on-demand to create custom items your target audience will love. That can include anything from custom clothes to phone cases, mugs, accessories, or home and living products. If you want to boost your business, it will help to consider offering samples or freebies. That is also an excellent way to get potential customers interested in your custom products and generate word-of-moths marketing. Suppose you want to gain thousands of impressions for your clothing brand. You can send some free clothing items to an influencer. The result won’t take long to appear.
How To Choose A Print-On-Demand Supplier?
When looking to set up a POD business, choosing the right supplier is one of the most vital decisions you need to make. This is an important decision because your print-on-demand supplier will be responsible for printing and shipping your custom products. When choosing your suppliers, consider various things, such as print quality, pricing, customer services, and shipping times.
Be sure to find a print-on-demand supplier that can provide high-quality items and a variety of printing methods for custom clothing products, such as direct-to-garment (DGT) printing, embroidery, and cutting and sewing.
In addition, it is best to look for a print-on-demand company that has an extended range of brands, mock-up generators, as well as branding options to allow you to create an unforgettable unboxing experience.
If you want to embrace such a business model, the most significant part is that you won’t pay for your items until they are sold. That means that you can start your business with no money. Building your business around a print-on-demand service will also make your business extremely agile.
While traditional supply chains will slowly respond to the changes in the market, you can change your designs and artwork at any time just to follow the trends. As soon as you notice a new trend and are eager to take advantage of it, you can make your new products in just a few clicks. Moreover, if consumer demand changes, you will be the first to supply new items to fill a gap in the market.
