How to start a print-on-demand business in 8 steps

Your designs will make or break your sales. The great news is that there are tons of beginner-friendly ways to create custom graphics for print-on-demand. 

Whether you’re a sketchbook artist or someone who’s never touched design software in your life, here are some options to create stunning, high-quality products:

• Digitize your own art. Scan or photograph your artwork, clean it up in Photoshop or GIMP, and upload it directly to our product template.

• Hire a pro. Use platforms like Fiverr or Upwork to work with freelance designers who can bring your vision to life.

• Use pro software. If you’ve got some experience, tools like Adobe Illustrator or Photoshop let you create from scratch with total control.

• Use Printful’s Design Maker. Total beginner? No problem. This print-on-demand service gives you powerful, easy-to-use tools to design like a pro – for free.

The Design Maker includes:

• 3D product previews. See your design on the product instantly, and download realistic mockups to use in your store and marketing materials.

• Tons of free clipart graphics and fonts. Add playful icons, shapes, or characters, then pair it with the perfect font – from bold to vintage.

• All-over print pattern generator. Create seamless patterns in one click, perfect for tees or leggings.

• Automatic upscaling. Got an image that’s almost big enough? Let the Design Maker fix it.

• Premium stock images. Use Getty Images, Vexels, and Patternbank visuals to enhance your design.

• Embroidery options. Want to add a luxe finish? Choose from over 3,000 embroidery-ready graphics.

With these online design tools, you can experiment and build a storefront full of custom products that customers will love.

Valuable read: 11 Things You Didn’t Know Printful’s Design Maker Could Do

5. Decide where to sell print-on-demand products

Where will your print-on-demand products live? Choosing the right sales channel is one of the most important factors when exploring how to start a print-on-demand business. 

This impacts how customers find you, how much control you have over branding, and how fast you grow. Let’s break down the three main options.

Marketplaces

Online marketplaces like Etsy, Amazon, and eBay are massive ecommerce hubs where sellers list their products on a shared platform. With millions of existing shoppers, it’s ideal for new sellers who want quick exposure without building an entire website from scratch.

Pros and cons:

You get instant access to a huge audience and don’t need to worry much about driving traffic, managing tech, or building a site. But you’ll also compete with thousands of other sellers, have limited control over store branding, and pay listing or transaction fees. 

Best for: Beginners who want to explore a business idea with minimal setup and fast visibility.

Valuable read: 10 Best Online Marketplaces for Print-on-Demand Sellers

Ecommerce platforms

Platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, and BigCommerce give you all the tools to build and run your own online shop. You design your site, upload your products, manage your content, and fully control how your store looks and feels – from homepage to checkout.

Pros and cons:

You’ll have full control over branding, layout, and user experience – perfect for building a loyal customer base and long-term growth. These platforms also integrate easily with top print-on-demand companies, like Printful. 

On the flip side, you’ll need to invest more time and energy into setup, store maintenance, and driving your own website traffic.

Best for: Entrepreneurs ready to grow a serious brand and control every aspect of their print-on-demand business.

Valuable read: 10 Best Ecommerce Platforms for Dropshipping

Printful’s Quick Stores

A super-fast way to launch your print-on-demand business with no tech setup or monthly fees. Build your own ecommerce store in minutes and sell hundreds of products – all fulfilled by Printful.

Pros and cons:

Quick Stores is beginner-friendly, low risk, and easy to manage from one dashboard. It’s currently only available to US-based sellers and shoppers.

Best for: First-time sellers testing ideas and wanting a fast, no-fuss launch.