Now that you've established print-on-demand on your ecommerce platform, it's time to select the products you'll offer. Choosing the right items is crucial, as not all merchandise converts equally. Here, we present seven proven print-on-demand products that influencers and brands utilize to monetize their audiences with minimal effort and maximum returns.
7 Print-on-Demand Products to Add to Your Site
The right product selection can significantly influence your conversion rates and profit margins. Based on market data and seller performance across major platforms, these seven items consistently deliver the best results for print-on-demand businesses.
1. T-shirts
T-shirts are the undisputed champions of print-on-demand products. They appeal to all ages and demographics, making them easy sells for any brand. The global custom t-shirt printing market is projected to grow by 11% annually through 2030, with retail prices typically ranging from $20 to $30 and base costs around $7 to $10. While black remains the most popular color, offering a variety can help you reach a broader audience.
2. Tote Bags
Eco-conscious shoppers love reusable tote bags, which retail for about $14.99. These practical accessories are used daily for groceries, gym gear, or everyday items, and they serve as walking advertisements for your brand.
3. Mugs
Personalized mugs rank among the top-selling print-on-demand items globally, making perfect gifts for any occasion. Their popularity spikes during holidays, but they sell consistently year-round due to their practical use. Designs featuring quotes, humor, or minimalist aesthetics perform particularly well.
4. Hats and Caps
Caps and beanies offer impressive profit margins, with some sellers reporting net margins as high as 79%. They are fashionable accessories suitable for both casual streetwear and outdoor activities. Bold statements, logo-style graphics, and minimalist designs resonate well with various brand aesthetics.
5. Wall Art and Posters
Wall decor provides a low-cost entry point into the home goods market. The wall art sector is expected to reach $70.9 billion by 2027, driven by advancements in printing technology. Canvas prints, metal prints, and traditional posters offer creative freedom for artists and designers, appealing to customers looking to personalize their living spaces without significant investments.
6. Journals and Notebooks
Custom journals and notebooks attract self-care buyers and make thoughtful gifts. Everyone needs a place to jot down thoughts, track goals, or sketch ideas. Offering lined, blank, or dot-grid options with inspiring covers featuring your unique artwork can enhance their appeal.
7. Stickers
Don't underestimate stickers for their small size. They offer profit margins between 50% and 90%, higher than many other print-on-demand products. With production costs around $0.30 to $2 per piece, they sell well as impulse buys or order add-ons, allowing customers to personalize their belongings.
Bonus: Niche Specialty Items
Consider testing niche items that align with your specific audience. For example, gaming communities might appreciate custom dice sets or plushies, while fitness brands could explore custom yoga mats or gym towels. The key is to match specialty products to your audience's interests rather than trying to appeal to everyone.
What is Print-on-Demand?
Print-on-demand is a business model where products are created only after customers place orders. Instead of managing inventory, you design custom items and partner with printing companies that handle production and shipping automatically.
- Customer places an order: A customer visits your website and purchases a product featuring your custom design.
- Order routes to production: The platform automatically sends order details to the nearest production partner.
- Product gets printed: Your design is printed on the selected item using techniques like direct-to-garment printing or sublimation.
- Fulfillment and shipping: The production partner packages and ships the item directly to your customer under your brand.
- You collect profit: You pay only for the base product cost and shipping, keeping the rest as profit.
Who Can Benefit from Print-on-Demand?
Print-on-demand is ideal for creators and brands with established audiences who show strong engagement. Content creators, YouTubers, podcasters, and social media influencers with loyal followings are perfect candidates, as their fans actively want to support them through merchandise.
Small businesses and startups benefit significantly from print-on-demand, as it eliminates the risk of unsold inventory. You can test various designs and products without committing large sums upfront. If something doesn't sell, you can simply remove it from your store and try something else.
Print-on-demand services integrate seamlessly with some of the best website builders. For instance, Printful offers dedicated integration on both Wix and Hostinger, simplifying the process of selling print-on-demand products through your website.
Even established brands utilize print-on-demand to expand their product lines without the overhead of traditional manufacturing. The print-on-demand market was valued at $6.18 billion in 2022 and is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 25.8% through 2030, highlighting the increasing adoption of this model. Whether you're a gaming streamer with 10,000 followers or a lifestyle brand with a dedicated community, print-on-demand provides an accessible way to monetize your audience's enthusiasm.