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POD printing offers you an incredible selection of products that you can customize and sell, including apparel, home decor, accessories, and more. Your understanding of these options is essential for creating a catalog that appeals to your customers and sets you apart from the competition. In this section, you will:
- Explore the vast array of POD products including apparel, home decor, accessories, and more. Familiarizing yourself with these options will enable you to curate a product catalog that appeals to your niche and audience.
- Understand crucial factors in choosing POD products and platforms, such as print quality, product range, pricing, shipping options, and platform integrations. This understanding will help you choose the platform that best aligns with your business objectives.
- Learn how to integrate your chosen POD platform with your online store, leveraging popular e-commerce platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, and Etsy. This knowledge will simplify your order fulfillment process, freeing up time for other important business aspects like marketing and customer service.
By the end of this section, you’ll have a deeper understanding of the printing and product options available necessary to make strategic decisions.
What Can You Print On?
The Print on Demand industry has come a long way since the beginning… Today, you have a wide variety of choices for POD products. Here’s a quick look at some of the surfaces and materials that can be printed on.
Apparel
One of the most popular product categories for POD is apparel. From t-shirts to hoodies, there are numerous options to choose from. Let’s take a look at some of the most common and a few unique options in this category:
T-shirts: The classic choice for many designers, versatile, variety of styles, including crewneck, V-neck, and long-sleeve options.
Hoodies: Another popular choice, hoodies are available in both pullover and zip-up styles.
Tank tops: Ideal for warmer weather or athletic wear, tank tops are a popular choice for fitness enthusiasts and casual wearers alike.
Leggings: These stretchy, comfortable garments have become popular in recent years, with many designers creating custom patterns and designs.
All-over print shirts: These shirts allow for designs to be printed across the entire garment, creating unique and eye-catching apparel.
Socks: A lesser-known option in the POD world, custom socks can be a fun and quirky addition to any product lineup.
Accessories
Accessories are another popular category in the POD world. These products are often used as promotional items, gifts, or add-ons to a primary product line. Here are some examples of accessories you could create:
Tote bags: Eco-friendly and versatile, tote bags are a popular choice for showcasing designs and can be used as shopping bags, gym bags, or everyday carry-alls.
Hats: Available in various styles like snapback, trucker, and beanie, hats can be customized with embroidery or other printing techniques.
Phone cases: With smartphones being a staple in daily life, custom phone cases can be a great way to add some personal flair to a device.
Mugs: From coffee mugs to travel mugs, these everyday items are perfect for showcasing designs or quotes.
Laptop sleeves: Protecting laptops while showcasing unique designs is a great way to combine function and style.
Face masks: With the increased use of face masks, custom designs have become a popular option for individuals and businesses looking to add a personal touch or promote their brand.
Keychains: Small and inexpensive, custom keychains can be a fun way to display a design or logo.
Shoes: With the new advances in printing technology, Flip flops, Chucks, Mesh Sneakers, Leather Boots, and Clogs are ideal products to add to your mix.
Home Décor and Lifestyle
POD isn’t limited to just clothing and accessories; it also extends to home décor and lifestyle products. Let’s explore some popular and lesser-known options in this category:
Posters and Art Prints: From inspirational quotes to intricate illustrations, posters, and art prints can add a personal touch to any space.
Canvas Prints: These high-quality prints offer a more premium option for displaying artwork or photography.
Throw Pillows: Custom throw pillows can add a pop of color and personalization to any living space.
Blankets: Perfect for cozying up on the couch, custom blankets can feature designs, quotes, or even photographs.
Wall Tapestries: An alternative to traditional wall art, wall tapestries can make a bold statement with unique designs.
Beach Towels: Ideal for summertime or poolside lounging, custom beach towels are a fun and functional product to offer.
Jigsaw Puzzles: A lesser-known option in the POD world, custom jigsaw puzzles can provide hours of entertainment while showcasing stunning designs or images.
Wallpaper: Custom-printed wallpaper can really add to your e-commerce home store. Available in matte or silk finish with paste-the-wall, pre-pasted, or peel-and-stick hanging options.
Unusual Items
There are endless possibilities for creativity and personal expression with POD. By exploring these options, you can cater to deep niche-specific markets and differentiate your brand from the competition.
Custom Yoga Mats: Personalized yoga mats are perfect for yoga enthusiasts who want to add a touch of personality to their practice. These can feature unique designs, inspirational quotes, or even personal mantras.
Shower Curtains: Custom shower curtains can transform an ordinary bathroom into a personalized space. They can feature eye-catching designs, photography, or patterns to match the theme of the room.
Dog Bandanas: For pet lovers, custom dog bandanas can be a fun way to show off their furry friends’ style. These can feature cute patterns, dog-related quotes, or even the pet’s name.
Custom Skateboard Decks: Skateboarders can showcase their style with unique custom skateboard decks. These can feature intricate designs, illustrations, or even photographs, making each skateboard a one-of-a-kind piece of art.
Enamel Pins: Enamel pins have become a popular accessory for bags, jackets, and hats. With print-on-demand, artists can create custom enamel pins featuring their original designs, logos, or characters.
Personalized Notebooks: Custom notebooks can be a thoughtful gift or a useful product for writers, students, or professionals. They can feature unique cover designs, quotes, or even personalized monograms.
Car Seat Covers: Custom car seat covers can help drivers express their personality and protect their vehicle’s interior at the same time. These can feature bold patterns, designs, or even custom images.
Custom Umbrellas: Stand out in the rain with a personalized umbrella. These can feature unique designs, patterns, or artwork, making them both functional and fashionable.
Custom Light Switch Covers: Add a touch of personalization to any room with custom light switch covers. They can feature unique designs, patterns, or even match the room’s theme.
Personalized Garden Flags: Custom garden flags can add a pop of color and personalization to any outdoor space. These can feature seasonal designs, family names, or even favorite quotes.
Product Selection & Printing Platforms
Navigating the landscape of Print on Demand means more than just exploring product options. The combination of product, material surface, printing partner, and e-commerce platform must all be taken into account.
Factors for Consideration
Here are the key factors to reflect on as you select your Print on Demand platform:
- Product Catalog: Each printing supplier offers a unique product catalog, so it’s essential to choose one that aligns with your desired product offerings. Assess whether the supplier supports the products you want to sell and provides the variety you require.
- Print Quality: Your brand’s reputation hinges on the quality of your final product. Research customer reviews and, if possible, order samples to assess the printing quality of each supplier you’re considering.
- Platform Integration: Evaluate how seamlessly your chosen print supplier will integrate with your e-commerce store or website. Seek out suppliers that can effortlessly connect with your e-commerce platforms such as Shopify, WooCommerce, or Etsy.
- Pricing Structure: Each platform will have its own pricing structure. Compare the costs of different platforms, and consider both the base product price and additional fees, such as shipping and handling.
- Production and Shipping Time: Prompt production and quick delivery are key to customer satisfaction. Research the average turnaround times of each platform and think about the geographical locations of their fulfillment centers relative to your target market.
- Customer Support: Responsive and helpful customer support is crucial. Look for platforms known for their excellent customer service.
Remember, there’s no perfect platform that suits everyone. The right choice for you will depend on these factors and more. Review your options, consider your needs, and choose a platform that will best serve your unique business requirements.
Integrations: Connecting Your Store
It’s vital to integrate your selected POD platform with your e-commerce store to automate order fulfillment, streamline the order process, and guarantee a seamless shopping experience for your customers.
E-commerce Platforms versus Online Marketplaces
The customization options and setup process largely depend on your chosen integration type.
E-commerce platforms
- Standalone website built for your store.
- Traffic generation through your marketing efforts and SEO.
- High level of customization, ideal for sellers aiming for brand growth.
- Separate payment processing setup required, though most platforms provide apps or add-ons.
- Ideal for sellers looking to grow their brand
Online marketplaces
- Store exists as an account on the marketplace website.
- Additional traffic source from the marketplace’s own search engine.
- Limited personalization options, set by the marketplace.
- Built-in payment processing.
- Ideal for sellers wanting to start in an established marketplace.
Linking Printful with Shopify
Thanks to easy-to-use integration tools provided by key POD platforms, launching an online store has never been easier. Most POD platform integration steps mirror each other, let’s explore the process of linking Printful, a leading POD supplier, with Shopify, a highly popular e-commerce platform.
Step-by-Step Integration
1. Create your accounts Start by setting up your accounts: Printful will be free and Shopify is always running a trial subscription offer. 2. Install the Printful App on Shopify Log in to your Shopify account and navigate to the Apps menu on the left-hand side of the dashboard. Click Add apps.
A pop-up window displaying the most popular Shopify apps will appear. Locate the Printful: Print on Demand app.
Click Add app, and confirm the installation. After clicking Install app, you’re ready for the next step.
3. Connect your store
Once the Printful app is installed, it’s time to log in to both your Shopify and Printful accounts and link them by following the guided steps.
4. Add your products
From the Printful Dashboard, go to Stores and select the store you just connected. Click Add product, and choose which products you want to sell.
Once you’ve selected your products, it’s time to start designing.
4A. Design Maker
Use Printful’s Design Maker for designing your products. It offers text addition, clipart, or Quick Designs by Printful’s graphics team for beginners.
4B. Use your own designs
To import your design onto a product, simply click Choose file, and it will appear on the product mockup. You can adjust your design on the mockup as needed.
Next, add a product description. Printful provides a standard description, however, you can edit it and express your brand voice and inform customers what to expect from your product.
Printful lets you set your retail price, enabling you to adjust your profit margins to suit your e-commerce needs.
After adding your products, they’ll be visible in your Shopify store. Click View in Shopify to preview the product.
Refreshing your store page within the Printful dashboard shows the product as synced.
Orders placed in your store, that are also configured in Printful, will generate automatic orders, freeing you from manual processing.
You’re Ready for Your First Sale
Take advantage of this seamless integration between Shopify and Printful to build a unique online store that showcases your brand and offers top-quality, personalized products.
With minimal upfront costs and automatic order fulfillment, you can concentrate on product design, marketing, growing your customer base, and scaling your business. More Integrations with Printful
eBay
Although not as popular as Amazon, eBay is still the second-largest marketplace in the world with 23 global sites, 138+ million active buyers, and about 2 billion daily transactions. Integrating your chosen POD supplier with your eBay store can help streamline the order process and simplify your business operations. Learn more: How to integrate eBay with PrintfulWooCommerce
Do you know that WooCommerce holds over 68% of the e-commerce-platform market? Shopify, the next largest contender, has just over 16%. If you’re familiar with WordPress, then you already know the power of Woo. This is a serious option to consider if you know how to create and maintain websites. Learn more: Sell print-on-demand products on WooCommerceEtsy
Etsy is a popular marketplace for handmade and unique items, and it can also be integrated with POD platforms to streamline the order process. Learn more: Print-on-demand for Etsy
Printful has integrations to connect most of the major platforms including Shopify, Etsy, Wix, Square, BigCommerce, Amazon, TicTok, and many more. They also offer a 1-minute quiz to help you discover which platform is best for your circumstance. Click here and find out the details.