RecommendWhat Is Print on Demand? A Seller's Guide to Make Money

Imagine that you can create a product today and sell it tomorrow, without ever having to deal with inventory, packaging, and shipping. That's what print on demand (POD) delivers — a risk-free, high-reward business model that's perfect for designers, artists, entrepreneurs, or anyone requiring a side business.

Gratefully, thanks to platforms like Redbubble and Gelato, and productivity software like ZiBird, launching your own ecommerce brand has never been easier.

Let's walk through step by step how POD operates, why it's now flying, and how you can start making money with your imagination.

What Is Print on Demand and How Does It Work?

Print on demand is a business model where products are printed and dispatched only when a purchase order has been placed by a consumer. You upload a design (logo, artwork, or slogan), and the platform prints it on physical items like:

• T-shirts and hoodies.
• Phone covers and mugs.
• Posters and tote bags.
• Stickers and notebooks.

This is how the process works:

1. You design and upload your design to a POD platform.
2. Customers come into your store and buy.
3. The site prints, packages, and sends the product.
4. You get the profit margin, less platform and manufacturing charges.

You never handle the product, and you don't need to buy inventory ahead of time — perfect for new sellers.

Why Print on Demand Is So Popular With New Sellers

Print on demand is going huge in popularity — and it's not hard to see why. The worldwide POD market is set to expand to $39.03 billion by 2031 with a CAGR of 26.1%, Allied Market Research shares.

Here's how it's so appealing to newbies:

• No inventory to manage: No storage space or upfront investment involved.
• Reach the world: Sell to clients all over the planet from your desk.
• Freedom of design: Let others handle the logistics.
• Side business that scales: Some designs earn you passive income for months or years.

Even better, platforms like Redbubble print on demand and Gelato print on demand handle all the backend work — so you can just focus on creating and marketing your products.

Choosing the Best POD Platform for Your Business

Not every print-on-demand website is equal. Here's a rundown of two industry giants:

Redbubble Print on Demand

Redbubble is a marketplace-type POD website which brings traffic with your artwork. You simply upload your artwork, and Redbubble handles the rest — including customer service.

Best for: Artists and creators who want exposure without creating their own site.

Pros:

• Easy to start.
• No up-front investment.
• Exposure to millions of consumers.

Cons

• Less control over branding.
• More competition.

Gelato Print on Demand

Gelato is focused on fast, local printing through its global network of print centers. It is very easily integrated into platforms like Shopify, Etsy, and WooCommerce.

Best for: Store and brand creators who want to establish their own store.

Advantages:

• Fast global shipping.
• More control over branding.
• Higher profit margin.

Disadvantages:

• Requires your own store.
• Slightly steeper learning curve.

Choose between the two based on your aims: start with Redbubble for convenience and natural traffic, or get Gelato if you're building a branded ecommerce business.

Starting with POD Selling

Starting your own print-on-demand store has never been easier. With the right tools — especially ZiBird, which makes store handling securely a breeze — you can launch and scale without tech agony.

Step-by-Step Guide to Starting Your POD Business:

1. Select a niche: Drill down to a distinct audience — pet lovers, gamers, fitness fanatics, or niche memes.
2. Design your products: Use Canva, Photoshop, or hire freelance designers.
3. Pick a POD platform:
4. 1. Redbubble for ease and inbuilt traffic.
   2. Gelato for building brands and international customers.
4. Build your store and add designs: Craft SEO-friendly titles and tags.
5. Use ZiBird for account management:

1. ZiBird is an anti-detect browser designed for ecommerce sellers with the ability to manage multiple POD stores securely without being banned on platforms.
2. Manage multiple stores securely without platform bans.
3. You can assign each store a different browser profile, unique fingerprint, and IP address.
4. Collaboration with the team is easy with role-based permission and password sharing over encryption.
5. Sell your products: Use social media, Pinterest, or influencer partnerships.
6. Optimize and analyze: Track best sellers and experiment with new designs on a regular basis.

With an astute plan and tools like ZiBird, you can run several POD shops with ease and confidence.

How to Thrive in the Print on Demand Business

Here's how to do differently and boost your POD profits:

• Niche down: The smaller your audience, the easier it is to be seen.
• Do keyword research: Use relevant, low-competition keywords in your titles and tags.
• Use quality mockups: Clean, professional-looking product photos are clicked more.
• Upload consistently: The more products you upload, the higher your chances of sale.
• Promote creatively: Use TikTok, Instagram Reels, and Pinterest to drive organic traffic.

Remember: Success with POD usually stems from volume, persistence, and intelligent marketing — not a single viral design.

POD Challenges and How to Conquer Them

POD is easy for beginners, but it has challenges too. Here's how to deal with them — particularly with the assistance of tools such as ZiBird:

1. Thin Profit Margins

You don't own manufacturing, so margins can be thin.

Solution: Look at high-margin products like designer clothing or matted prints. Package items to boost average order value.

2. Bans or Suspensions from Platforms

Having many accounts will get you flagged — especially on Etsy or Redbubble.

Solution: Isolate accounts with different browser environments and IPs using ZiBird. It reduces the risk of getting banned and maintains your operations clean and compliant.

3. Burnout of Designs

Exhausting ideas is easy to do.

Solution: Repurpose past designs on different products or channels. Monitor hot-selling trends with marketplace analytics or social trends.

Conclusion: Is Print on Demand Right for You?

If you are looking for a low-cost, scalable way to earn money online through your creativity, print on demand might be the answer to your prayers. With companies like Redbubble and Gelato, there is no stock or shipping knowledge necessary — and with such applications as ZiBird, it is easy to manage multiple stores proficiently and securely.

Regardless of whether you're looking to pursue a side business or build a full-time ecommerce business, POD offers you a flexible way to start — and grow — on your terms.