How to Use Print on Demand Services to Grow Your Business

how to use print on demand to grow your business

Print on demand can be a convenient, cost-efficient way to get your creations out there. Of course, like anything in business, there are pros and cons to using print on demand.

However, the many opportunities available with print on demand services are almost limitless. Putting your creativity to work, you may find print on demand is a great way to supplement, experiment with, or support your business goals.

What is Print on Demand?

So you have a great new idea. Maybe it’s a new design or a new book.

What if you could get it out on the market without the expensive overhead of a bulk order?

That’s where print on demand comes in. As the name suggests, an item is printed when the demand calls for it. When you or one of your customers orders a product, only then is it printed and shipped out.

A type of dropshipping, print on demand allows you to engage with a third-party seller who customizes a blank item from their inventory of options with your design or personalization. Your customers can place their order through that seller, or you can purchase your products in smaller quantities.

Print on demand is available for a wide range of items from a variety of vendors. We’ll discuss a few specific vendors below, but here are a few categories of items you can print:

Books: Fiction and non-fiction books, e-books, workbooks, notebooks and journals, photo books, coffee table books
Apparel: T-shirts, sweatshirts, hats, socks, bibs, kids’ clothing
Household Items: Kitchen towels, cushion covers, tote bags, pet products, mugs
Office Items: Pens and pencils, notepads, mousepads, thumb drives
Paper Items: Posters, stickers and labels, folders, bumper stickers

Create something new. Get it out there quickly. That’s what print on demand is all about.

The Benefits of Print on Demand

Print on demand is a popular revenue stream or marketing strategy for many businesses, and for good reason. Here are a few of the benefits.

Printing on Demand Means Lower Overhead

Rather than purchasing inventory, which often requires large, bulk orders, you can sell items one at a time. That means you only have to pay when an item is actually purchased. Whether you’re starting lean or aren’t sure how popular a product will be, you can keep your overhead low and costs in line with exactly how many you have sold.

There May Be Less Work With Print on Demand

If you want to sell a new product line, you may not want to spend time looking for a new vendor or be responsible for research or shipping. The third-party vendor takes care of the printing and the shipping for you, letting you focus on more product lines or ideas. It’s a great way to get the product out there without a lot of work on your part.