How to Start a Print-on-Demand Side Hustle

This side hustle at a glance

🎧 Listen Now: Sidehustles.co.uk One-Minute Podcast – How to Start a Print-on-Demand Side Hustle.

Transcript available below.

Ever fancied running your own fashion line, or perhaps you've dreamed of seeing your artwork on prints and tote bags worldwide? Now imagine doing it all from the comfort of your sofa, with minimal start-up costs. No hefty inventory investments or risky purchase orders - sounds like a perfect side hustle!

A print-on-demand business in the UK is a business model that lets artists turn virtual storefronts into profitable ventures while maintaining complete control over their creative process. 

We are about to dive deep into this topic. So, get ready to learn how you can identify current trends through online marketplaces and use SEO tools for niche discovery. 

key takeaways

table of contents

• Understanding Print-on-Demand Business
• Advantages of Starting a Print-on-Demand Business
• Setting Up Your Print-On-Demand Business
• Shopify
• Woocommerce
• Find a Print-on-Demand Business Idea
• Selecting the Right Print-on-Demand Platform
• Product Design and Copyright Considerations
• Marketing Your Print-On-Demand Business
• Navigating Challenges in the Print-On-Demand Business
• FAQs
• Final Thoughts
• Real-World Insight
  

The world of eCommerce is continuously growing, particularly in the UK. According to Statista, a broad spectrum of age groups actively participates in online shopping, making it a fertile ground for entrepreneurs.

A lucrative opportunity that's emerged from this trend is starting a print-on-demand business, UK style. This involves teaming up with print-on-demand companies who act as your silent partner.

So how does it work? When customers order custom products through your website, these orders are forwarded to the print provider or on-demand service. They then create and ship out the product under your brand name to your customer. 

This system essentially eliminates the need for you to maintain inventory or worry about shipping logistics – they're all taken care of by your chosen Print-on-Demand (POD) supplier. So whether you're selling t-shirts adorned with quirky slogans or offering bespoke art prints; when a customer places their purchase order, you can rest assured knowing it will be fulfilled efficiently and promptly.



Using a POD supplier lets you focus more on design-maker aspects rather than getting bogged down by back-end complexities like handling stock levels and managing shipping rates.

If you're considering starting a print-on-demand business in the UK, there are plenty of benefits that might just make it your new favourite side hustle. 

low start-up costs

One major perk is the low start-up costs. There's no need for large initial investments or to stock up on inventory, making this an ideal option if you have a limited budget.

Control Over Profit Margins

You can also enjoy more freedom with profit margins. Unlike traditional retail businesses, where prices are often dictated by suppliers and competitors, running a POD business lets you set your own price points. This means you could potentially maximise profits based on what customers are willing to pay for unique custom products.

Entrepreneurs can tweak their pricing approach in accordance with what they deem suitable, when using a print-on-demand system. They aren't bound by any fixed retail rates imposed by third parties. Instead, they decide how much they want to charge above production and shipping costs.

This allows them flexibility not only in earning potential but also when testing different price brackets without worrying about unsold stock sitting idle.

key takeaway

Kickstart your side hustle in the UK with a print-on-demand business. Enjoy low start-up costs, control over profit margins and the freedom to set your own prices. No need for hefty initial investments or stocking up on inventory. Perfect if you're budget-conscious.

Getting your print-on-demand business off the ground starts with selecting a suitable ecommerce platform for your POD needs.

Choosing an Ecommerce Platform

To begin, you'll need to identify an ecommerce platform that can accommodate your budding business. There are many platforms out there but let's focus on two main players: Shopify and WooCommerce.

Choosing Between Shopify and WooCommerce for Your Print-on-Demand Business

When it comes to setting up your online store for a print-on-demand business in the UK, the choice often narrows down to two big players: Shopify and WooCommerce. While both platforms are robust and offer a variety of features, they serve different needs and preferences. Understanding the advantages and limitations of each can help you make an informed decision.

Customisation: WooCommerce, when paired with WordPress, provides almost unlimited customisation possibilities. If you have some tech skills, you can make your store look and function exactly how you want.

Upfront Costs: WooCommerce itself is free but you'll have to pay for hosting, a domain name, and any premium plugins or themes you may want.

Full Control: Being self-hosted gives you full control over your data and business.

POD Integrations: WooCommerce also offers extensions for integration with print-on-demand services, though setting them up might require a bit more technical know-how.

Technical Complexity: With great customisation comes greater responsibility for maintaining your site, handling security, and performing updates.

Summary

Choose Shopify if: You're looking for an all-in-one solution that is easy to set up and manage, and are okay with paying monthly fees.

Choose WooCommerce if: You're tech-savvy and want full control over your store’s appearance and functionality, and prefer to manage the technical aspects yourself.

Either platform can work well for a print-on-demand business, but your own skills, needs, and long-term plans will determine which is the better fit for you.

Whilst Print-on-Demand (POD) may sound like a great business model, often the stumbling block is finding ideas to kickstart your POD business.

Shopify's curated list of trending products

One method to find a business idea is to use Shopify's curated list of trending products based on the categories on their platform. By focusing on niche and trending items, you can grab the attention of shoppers. Gain traction without having to compete with established businesses. 

Niche products

A key to success in the Print-On-Demand (POD) market is identifying and catering to a niche audience. Doing so can significantly reduce competition and make your marketing efforts more effective. For example, if your target audience consists of yoga enthusiasts, consider offering yoga mats and wear with unique, custom designs. Or, if you're focusing on pet lovers, items like custom pet t-shirts or specially designed dog bandanas could be a hit. By specialising in niche markets, you can establish a loyal customer base and set yourself apart in the crowded POD landscape.

Google Trends

To validate your POD business ideas further, you can use tools like Google Trends. It helps determine whether a product is gaining or losing popularity and provides insights into trends. Keep in mind that Google Trends doesn't show search volume. To get an understanding of popularity in search results, consider referencing data from Google Trends with keyword tools such as Keywords Everywhere.

When launching a print-on-demand enterprise in the UK, it is essential to pick an appropriate POD platform. This is a decision that requires careful consideration of factors such as shipping costs and supplier location.

You'll need to start selling on a platform that meets all your needs, including printing quality and minimum order requirements. The importance of this step cannot be overstated because different platforms have various offerings when it comes to these key aspects.

Printify

Printify, for example, offers an extensive network of third-party suppliers based in different countries. But remember - while having multiple options might seem like a benefit initially, there could be complications related to international orders due to differing shipping rates or delays.

Choosing a platform with well-located fulfilment centres is one way entrepreneurs mitigate against high shipping costs and delivery times. Therefore selecting a supplier based within your main customer region would significantly reduce any potential issues related to logistics.

Your choice should also take into account whether you plan on creating custom designs or sourcing pre-existing ones from other artists (with their permission.). Either way – always ensure each design complements both the product offering and brand image effectively.

Printful 

Printful is a well-established on-demand printing and fulfilment company with a fulfilment centre located in Wolverhampton, UK. Customers from the UK can order products fulfilled in the UK as well as merchandise that's fulfilled in other Printful locations. Visit their website at: www.printful.com/uk/print-on-demand.

✅ Read our review of the 5 Best Print on Demand Suppliers in the UK.

In the realm of print-on-demand, attractive product designs are key to success. But it's equally important to tread carefully around copyright infringement and trademark issues.

Avoiding Copyright Infringement

Crafting unique design ideas for your products can be exciting, but it is important to take care to ensure that your designs don't contravene any copyright or trademark regulations.

The golden rule here is: if you didn't create it, don't use it without permission. Using copyrighted material in your designs could lead to legal complications which might harm your business reputation.

To avoid such pitfalls, consider using original art or licensing artwork from artists directly. This allows you to sell create custom products, giving them a distinct appeal while ensuring they're legally sound.

Bear in mind though that even phrases can be trademarked. For instance, before creating a t-shirt with an inspirational quote or catchy phrase on it - make sure this isn’t already registered as someone else’s intellectual property.

Note: Always check if a written phrase is trademarked before using it in your designs.

You can check for UK and EU trademarks at the Intellectual Property Office in the UK.

Starting a print-on-demand venture is only half the battle. The other half? That's marketing your ecommerce business to build up your customer base.

Proven Marketing Strategies for Your Print-on-Demand Business

Promoting your print-on-demand business is vital for attracting customers and driving sales. Here are some marketing strategies that have been proven to be effective in the POD industry.

Social Media Advertising

Facebook and Instagram Ads: Utilise the advanced targeting features of these platforms to reach specific audiences interested in your niche.

Influencer Partnerships:

Collaborate with social media influencers who align with your brand to showcase your products.

Content Marketing

Blog Posts: Create valuable, SEO-optimised content that addresses problems or interests of your target audience. This can be how-to guides, lists, or reviews.

YouTube Channels: Video content, especially 'unboxing' or 'how it's made' videos, can greatly appeal to potential customers.

Email Marketing

Newsletter: Regularly update your audience with new designs, special offers, and relevant content.

Abandoned Cart Emails: Use automated emails to remind customers who've abandoned their shopping cart to complete their purchase.

Retargeting Strategies

Pixel Tracking: Use tracking pixels to gather data on customer behaviour and tailor retargeting ads accordingly.

Customer Segmentation: Create different ad campaigns for different customer segments based on their behaviour and interests.

Partnerships and Collaborations

Collaborate with Artists: Partnering with artists or designers can help you offer exclusive designs and attract their followers.

Local Business Partnerships: Work with local businesses to offer co-branded merchandise, broadening your reach.

Seasonal and Event-Based Marketing

Limited-Time Offers: Capitalise on holidays or events relevant to your niche by offering limited-time designs or discounts.

Summary

Effective marketing is multi-faceted and requires a mix of strategies. For the best results, measure the performance of each strategy and adjust your approach as needed to optimise your ROI. With the right marketing tactics, your print-on-demand business has the potential for significant growth.

While the print-on-demand model offers a low-risk entry into e-commerce, it's not without challenges. Understanding these challenges and how to navigate them can be the key to your business's success.

Quality Control

Challenge: Unlike traditional retail, you don't have much control over the manufacturing process.

Solution: Regularly order your own products to perform quality checks.

Real-Life Example: A side hustler in our network received customer complaints about print quality. By ordering her own products for quality checks, she identified the issue and switched to a better supplier, thereby retaining customer trust.

Delivery Times

Challenge: Print-on-demand often has longer shipping times, which can lead to customer dissatisfaction.

Solution: Be transparent about shipping times and consider domestic suppliers.

Real-Life Example: Another network member, was upfront about longer shipping times due to international suppliers but offered premium quality as a trade-off. He later added a domestic supplier for faster shipping, effectively reducing negative reviews.

Inventory Management

Challenge: While you don't maintain an inventory, your suppliers might run out of stock.

Solution: Maintain partnerships with multiple suppliers.

Real-Life Example: Another side hustler we know found her main supplier ran out of a particular t-shirt size. Thanks to her partnership with multiple suppliers, she was able to fulfil orders and ensure uninterrupted service.

Marketing and Visibility

Challenge: Standing out in a saturated market.

Solution: Invest in branding and targeted marketing strategies.

Real-Life Example: A struggling POD side hustler leveraged Facebook Ads with highly targeted campaigns based on customer interests and behaviours. As a result, he saw a 30% increase in conversion rates.

Copyright Issues

Challenge: Unintentional copyright infringement can lead to lawsuits.

Solution: Always use original or licensed designs.

Real-Life Example: Another side hustler in our network, local to our office this time, used a design that closely resembled a copyrighted image. A cease-and-desist letter led him to remove the product and reevaluate his design sourcing to only include original or properly licensed artwork.

Summary

Running a print-on-demand business is rewarding but comes with its own set of challenges. Being proactive in addressing these challenges and learning from real-life examples in our network can guide you toward a more successful and sustainable business model.

Starting a print-on-demand business in the UK isn't as difficult as it seems.

You've got the inside scoop - from understanding what this business model entails, to identifying your target audience and current trends.

Remember, diversifying product offerings beyond t-shirts is crucial. Be wise in selecting your POD supplier based on their shipping rates and product range. And don’t forget the importance of selecting the best ecommerce platform for you!

Designs that sing and marketing tactics that engage are your weapons for success. But never overlook copyright considerations or advertising policies while you're at it.

Your learning curve doesn't stop here though! Continual improvement through honest feedback will let you adapt swiftly in this fast-paced online marketplaces game.

The world of art prints, tote bags, and more awaits – start selling POD today!

Embarking on your print on deman journey is an exciting step, but knowing who to partner with is crucial for success. Having learned how to start a print on demand business, the next essential step is choosing the right supplier. Dive into our next article, "5 Best Print on Demand Suppliers in the UK," where we explore the best partners for your new venture. This guide will provide you with the insights needed to make an informed choice, ensuring your print on demand business is built on a solid foundation.

5 BEST PRINT ON DEMAND SUPPLIERS UK

🎧 Listen Now: Sidehustles.co.uk

One-Minute Podcast – How to Start a Print-on-Demand Side Hustle

Welcome to the Sidehustles.co.uk One Minute Podcast. In the next 60 seconds, we're sharing a real-world insight from our network of seasoned side hustlers. This quick tip is designed to offer you practical advice that you can apply immediately in your side hustle journey.

Today, we're talking about how to start a print-on-demand side hustle. Here's a quick tip for anyone considering starting a print-on-demand business: One of the most underrated strategies is focusing on niches within your market. We've seen a small business owner in our network significantly boost their sales by targeting a very specific group—pet lovers who are also into yoga. By creating yoga-themed pet merchandise, they were able to corner a niche and minimise competition. If you're considering print-on-demand, don't just go broad—find your niche and go deep. It could be the difference between getting lost in the crowd and standing out.

That's your one-minute real-world insight. Stay tuned for more!