Is Print-on-Demand Worth It in 2025?

Is print-on-demand worth it in 2025? Yes—if you want a low-risk, scalable way to run your own online store. With minimal upfront costs, no inventory, and global fulfillment, print-on-demand remains one of the most accessible ways to build a real business. In this guide, you’ll find:

• Up-to-date market stats

• Why people choose print-on-demand (POD)

• What to watch out for

• Tips for standing out in the POD industry

Let’s help you decide if a print-on-demand platform is worth your time.

Key takeaways

• Print-on-demand (POD) is projected to hit $87.1B by 2033

• POD business is thriving, driven by rapid market growth, low startup costs, and broad opportunities for personalization and branding

• To stand out, you need a clear niche, unique designs, competitive prices, and a brand your audience connects with

• Top POD stores jump on market trends fast, promote with intent, and turn first-time buyers into repeat customers

So, is print-on-demand worth it? 

Yes! print-on-demand is still worth it in 2025. It’s a low-risk business model with minimal upfront costs, no inventory management, and endless room for customization. With the right ecommerce platform and marketing strategies, you’ll grow a print-on-demand business around your own designs, audience, or niche.

The market is growing fast—projected to reach $87.1B by 2033. Some categories are crowded, but the solution is targeting a niche, meeting customer preferences, and building a memorable brand.

Print-on-demand market growth in 2025

The print-on-demand industry is expanding. In 2024, the global POD market was valued at $10.21B. By 2033, the print-on-demand market is projected to hit $87.1B, growing at 26.9% annually. This isn’t just a trend—it’s long-term demand. For sellers, that means more opportunity and room to carve out a niche.

The sector is diversifying. Custom t-shirt printing alone is expected to reach $5.68B in 2025.

Source: Grand View Research

The print-on-demand business industry witnesses an uptick in the home decor sector. The demand for personalized home decor products like custom pillows, wall art, and kitchenware is climbing. The home decor market value met $133.6B in 2024 and is projected to grow by 3.89% annually through 2029.

Source: Printful

So what’s fueling this growth? Selling online is easier and cheaper than ever—creators can launch a store in a day, connect it to a fulfillment partner like Printful, and start selling without handling a single product. 

At the same time, buyers want more than mass-produced items. They’re looking for personalized gifts, niche products that reflect their identity, and faster ways to discover and order them. Especially through TikTok Shop, Etsy, and other algorithm-driven platforms. 

Combine that with improvements in global shipping and automated production, and you get a business model that’s faster, leaner, and more adaptable than traditional ecommerce.

Google Trends shows steady growth in POD-related searches. For entrepreneurs, that signals: this isn’t saturated territory, it’s expanding ground.

Source: Google trends

Learn more: 95 Print-on-Demand Statistics and Trends You Should Know

Reasons to start a print-on-demand business in 

2025

A print-on-demand company is still one of the fastest ways to launch a product brand without owning inventory or managing fulfillment. It’s easy to set up with tools like Quick Stores, and you don’t need a big budget or special equipment to begin.

All you really need is a solid idea, internet access, and a storefront linked to a POD supplier. Here’s why the print-on-demand business model continues to attract new sellers.

Read more: Print-on-Demand Statistics and Trends You Can’t Miss

1. Low startup costs

Source: Printful

Print-on-demand remains one of the lowest-risk ways to start an online business. With minimal upfront investment, it’s an attractive option for aspiring entrepreneurs. You don’t pay anything upfront for inventory—costs only apply after a customer orders. Print-on-demand services like Printful handle fulfillment automatically, so your startup costs come down to a storefront and your time.

Opening a print-on-demand store on an ecommerce platform like Shopify starts at $39/month. Alternatively, marketplaces like Etsy charge a $0.20 listing fee per item and a 6.5% transaction fee, without any monthly subscriptions.

Overall, launching a print-on-demand business requires an initial investment as low as $100. That’s a fraction of what it takes to build a traditional retail brand—and with better flexibility and control over your profit margins.

Learn more: How Much Money Do I Need to Start a Print-on-Demand Business

2. No inventory

Source: Printful

With a print-on-demand store, you don’t hold inventory or manage stock. You choose a product, add your custom design, and list it in your online store without worrying about pre-orders, storage, or unsold stock. If something doesn’t sell over time, you remove it. No overstock, no sunk costs.

This flexibility lets you test designs, update your catalog often, and sell custom products without the risks of inventory management. Which means you can move faster than traditional sellers, pivoting with trends instead of getting stuck with unsold stock.

3. Saving time in the production process

Source: Printful

Print-on-demand services stand out for their time and cost efficiency. 

When a customer buys from your online store, the order is automatically sent to Printful. This means that we take care of the entire process. From printing and packing to shipping it out, without you having to handle each order manually.

This lets you focus on key factors that actually drive revenue, like product design, marketing efforts, and customer satisfaction. For solo founders and small teams, saving that time means growing faster with fewer resources.

Learn more: Why a Faster Time to Market Matters in the Fashion Industry

4. Room to grow

Source: Printful

A major strength of a print-on-demand business is how easy it is to scale. You can expand your product line into custom apparel, home decor, accessories, pet gear, and more—all without stocking anything upfront. Printful offers 422 high-quality products with multiple customization methods, like direct-to-garment, embroidery, and all-over print.

Adapting to trend shifts is easy. Update your designs for trends, holidays, or niche events—and keep your store fresh without overhauling your setup. That helps you stay profitable, relevant, and responsive to what customers want.

Learn more: Gift-Worthy Print-on-Demand Products to Sell This Holiday Season

5. Easier to design, easier to sell

Source: Printful’s Design Maker

Designing custom products with print-on-demand is more accessible than ever. With user-friendly design tools like Printful’s Design Maker and Canva, you can build and launch products without any design background.

You can quickly test ideas on custom t-shirts, hoodies, and more, update based on what sells, and refine your catalog around what your target market actually wants. That agility isn’t just convenient—it’s how POD businesses stay relevant, profitable, and customer-focused.

6. Rapid prototyping and testing

 Source: Printful

Starting an online business is risky. But with a print-on-demand company, that risk is minimal because it doesn’t require significant startup costs.

What’s more, the POD business model lets you test new designs and products fast without significant risk. If the idea doesn’t work, just scrap it and start over without losing money on inventory.

You can experiment with different niche markets and trends to see what resonates with customers and your brand values. Once you spot a winner, double down, raise prices, or optimize for higher profit margins.

7. Brand development

Source: Printful

A print-on-demand business isn’t just a way to sell—it’s a way to build a brand from day one. With Printful’s white-label features, you can add your logo to product labels and packaging, creating a consistent brand experience without owning inventory.

Custom products give you a unique angle, but brand loyalty comes from knowing your audience, high quality, reliability, and exceptional customer service. Printful’s focus on quality and fast shipping supports a strong customer satisfaction rate, so your brand’s reputation stays in good shape.

Print-on-demand challenges and considerations

Source: Printful

Print-on-demand is great—but not effortless. Entrepreneurs must navigate obstacles like steep competition, higher product costs than ordering in bulk, and the necessity to identify a profitable niche.

Competition

The print-on-demand market is highly competitive, especially in apparel. Brands need a unique selling proposition (USP) to differentiate themselves. How can you get a leg up? Look into competitors’ pricing strategy, branding, marketing efforts, and customer perceptions. 

Studying competitors—how they price, promote, and position their products—reveals gaps you can fill or angles you can improve.

Higher cost per item

Source: Printful 

The print-on-demand costs per item are often higher than bulk manufacturing, but it’s still profitable with the right pricing structure. Adjust prices based on your audience, product type, and design.

The key is finding a balance that covers your costs while leaving room for profit and discounts in the future. A thoughtful pricing strategy ensures your POD business stays sustainable and competitive, even as production costs vary.

Market saturation

Print-on-demand’s popularity has led to a highly saturated market. As more sellers flock to print-on-demand platforms, the competition intensifies, making it harder for individual stores to stand out. 

What does that mean for you? It’s harder to win with generic products or copycat designs. Only the most unique or high-quality items will land sales. Plus, sellers often have to invest heavily in marketing strategies and brand differentiation to stand out. To combat this, focus on creating a strong brand identity and offering something that sets you apart from the competition.

Learn more: How to Promote Your Print-on-Demand Business

Another concern with market saturation is the pressure it puts on pricing and profit margins. Don’t race to the bottom on price. Instead, build value: use better product mockups, niche-specific messaging, and bundle offers to protect your profit margins.

Bottom line: market saturation raises the bar—but sellers who focus on a specific niche, invest in branding, and meet customer expectations still succeed. Small upgrades, like unique product photos or thoughtful packaging, can instantly raise perceived quality and justify higher pricing.

No control over shipping times

Source: Printful

A pivotal challenge in global print-on-demand is meeting customer expectations, especially regarding shipping times. Unlike conventional retail, where products are instantly available to ship, POD items are made after the customer orders, extending the time to shipment. Delivery times vary significantly based on the distance between the printing facility and the customer.

Most POD orders take 5–10 business days from purchase to delivery. Using a global provider like Printful means orders can be fulfilled closer to the customer, speeding up delivery and reducing shipping costs.

The shipping time issue isn’t a dealbreaker, but it requires clear communication. Successful sellers build trust by setting expectations upfront in their online store, product pages, and checkout flow.

Transparency about the fulfillment process reduces frustration, avoids complaints, and protects your brand’s reputation.

It also filters out impatient buyers who may not be a fit for made-to-order products.

Pros and cons of print-on-demand

How to make money with print-on-demand in 2025

Source: Printful

Print-on-demand is still profitable in 2025. The global POD market is projected to reach almost $103B by 2034, driven by rising demand for custom products and low-risk ecommerce options. 

If you want to build a sustainable print-on-demand business, you need more than great designs—you need strategy and a solid business plan. Here are six ways to increase your profit margins and grow a POD brand that lasts.

#1. Conduct market research and choose your niche

Success in print-on-demand starts with choosing a niche with proven demand, emotional relevance, and space to differentiate. Popular categories like pets, activism, family, and humor perform well, but broad appeal isn’t enough—you need a sharper angle to stand out.

If you’re a pet owner, think beyond generic slogans. Focus on specific breeds, recognizable behaviors, or subcultures within pet parenting. 

Activism is another strong niche. Products supporting causes like mental health awareness or sustainability tend to convert well when the messaging aligns with buyer identity, not just industry trends.

Hobbies like gaming, travel, or book culture. A well-timed quote or illustration can turn basic t-shirts into conversation starters. Use tools like Google Trends, TikTok, or Etsy search suggestions to see current trends. Pinterest boards and Reddit communities will also help you understand what people care about.

#2. Select trending products

Staying updated with trending products gives you a competitive edge. According to Printful’s list of 22 trending products for 2025, consider adding the following to your store:

• Custom t-shirts: a staple in POD, with high demand, low risk, and broad appeal

• All-over print hoodies and yoga pants: popular for their unique designs and comfort

• Engraved jewelry: personalized accessories that drive repeat purchases and gift sales

• Wall art and posters: affordable, high-margin products that let you showcase niche-specific art or messaging

• Eco-friendly tote bags: combine everyday use with sustainable materials to attract value-driven buyers

#3. Choose the right fulfillment method

Getting your orders from screen to doorstep should be seamless. That’s why choosing the right print-on-demand partner matters. Printful works with platforms like Shopify, Etsy, and TikTok Shop, so you can connect your store in minutes and start selling.

Once someone orders, everything from printing to packaging and shipping is done for you. That means no packing boxes in your living room or chasing shipping labels. Focus on the parts that grow your business, like designing products, building your brand, and connecting with your audience.

#4. Create designs people actually want to wear 

Source: Pexels

You don’t need to be a pro designer to make great products. Tools like Printful’s Design Maker or Canva make it easy to bring your ideas to life. Focus on what your target market cares about, whether that’s bold statements, inside jokes, or simple graphics. Stay inspired by what’s trending, but always add your own spin. That’s how designs stand out and sell.

#5. Set up your store for real people, not just clicks

Your ecommerce platform is where everything happens, so make it count. Whether you’re using Shopify, Etsy, or something else, your store should feel easy to shop. Use clear product photos, write detailed descriptions, and show off real reviews. With a smooth shopping experience and transparency, people will buy and return to you.

#6. Market your products to your target audience

Even the best designs won’t sell if no one sees them. Start simple: post consistently on social media, send emails to people who’ve shown interest, and use search engine optimization (SEO) to help your product pages get found. Focus on what your target audience already follows and speak their language. You don’t need a huge social media advertising budget, just a clear message and a bit of consistency.

By focusing on trending products and using smart, consistent marketing, you can build a successful POD business in 2025. It won’t happen overnight, but with the right tools, a strong niche, and focused execution, you can grow something that’s both personal and profitable.

Taking the POD plunge

So, is print-on-demand worth it profit-wise? Yes. If you’re willing to put in the work. This business model offers flexibility, low startup costs, and tools to grow at your own pace. With automation, customization, and global reach, it’s built for modern entrepreneurs.

However, success depends on more than just the model. It comes down to finding your niche, creating designs people want, and using smart social media marketing to reach the right target audience. If you’re ready to start, Printful is here to support you every step!