Business models
The print on demand business model
The print on demand business model: you sell designs, and a printer makes each item only when it is ordered. A printing partner makes and ships shirts, mugs or posters one at a time.
How it makes money
A printing partner makes and ships shirts, mugs or posters one at a time. You earn the difference between its price and yours, so what you bring is the design and the audience.
Real examples
- Printful and Printify print and ship for store owners.
- Redbubble lets artists sell designs on products.
The numbers to watch
- Profit per item
- Share of visitors who buy
- Best-selling designs
Who it fits
Creators with an audience, and people who understand a narrow community.
What goes wrong
Copying brands or artwork, which can get your store shut down. Plain designs with no audience do not sell themselves.
Try it this week
Make five designs for one group and order one sample. See it before you sell it.
Then give it a time: one block of 90 minutes this week, in your calendar. Our playbooks have the next steps for finding your first customers.
Questions
What is an example of the print on demand model?
Printful and Printify print and ship for store owners.
What is the biggest risk with the print on demand model?
Copying brands or artwork, which can get your store shut down.
Plan your first week of building it
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