Preparing to Launch my Designs for Sale on Print-on-Demand Sites

Launching a product on a print-on-demand (POD) site can be an exciting way to turn your creative ideas into a real business. Whether you're a designer, artist, or entrepreneur, POD platforms allow you to offer custom products like t-shirts, mugs, phone cases, and more—without worrying about inventory, production, or shipping. As an artist, this is very rewarding because you get to see your artwork on real products and it brings everything to life. I chose to use two POD sites, Spoonflower for fabric and Society6 for lifestyle products. I will eventually sell my own products on this website using Printful but for now, I’ll start with the first two. So what was my process you might ask? Let’s get into it. Here are 7 tips:

1. Choose the Right Print-on-Demand Platform

The first step in launching my products for sale was choosing the right print-on-demand platform. There are many to choose from. Here are some popular ones:

• Printful

• Printify

• Society6

• TeeSpring

• Redbubble

• Gooten

• TeeLaunch

• Spoonflower

When selecting a POD platform, you need to consider the following factors:

• Product selection: Does the platform offer the types of products you want to sell (t-shirts, mugs, posters, etc.)?

• Pricing: Compare pricing models to see which platform offers the best profit margins.

• Shipping & fulfillment: Review shipping options, delivery times, and international shipping availability.

• Integration with marketplaces: Ensure that the platform integrates with e-commerce sites like Etsy, Shopify, or Amazon if you plan to sell on those channels.

In the past, I used Printful, Society6 and Spoonflower. So I decided to stick with them. I love the quality of products on Society6 and it goes well with my branding. Spoonflower is great if you want to sell your designs on fabric. There is a huge quilting community that uses this site. Printful is great if you want higher profit margins. Take the time to explore different platforms to find the best one that aligns with your business goals.

2. Create Your Designs

Once you've chosen your POD platform, it's time to create your designs. The design is the heart of your product, so you'll want to ensure it’s something people want to buy. If you are using repeat patterns, make sure there are no lines in the pattern and that they have flow. Here are some tips for creating standout designs:

• Know your target audience: Understand who your potential customers are and what appeals to them. Are they into quirky quotes? Minimalist art? Custom pet illustrations? Knowing your audience helps shape your design style.

• Design for your products: Different products have different design constraints. For instance, a design that works well on a t-shirt may not look as good on a mug or phone case. Make sure your designs fit the specific dimensions of the products you plan to sell. Be strategic so that this process doesn’t take too much time. Start with a large file (6000x6000 pixels). This will make it easier to scale up or down! Also, try to keep your designs at 300dpi for the best quality.

• Use design tools: I used Procreate and Adobe Illustrator to create my original designs and to create files in many dimensions.

• Keep it simple and clear: Complex designs may not print well or may look cluttered on certain products. Keep designs clean, bold, and visually appealing. This is very important. I wanted the products to stand out, so my designs are minimal and clean. This gives you more options.

3. Set Up Your Online Store

Most POD platforms allow you to create a store directly on their website, but you can also set up an independent e-commerce store using platforms like Shopify, Etsy, or Squarespace. As I mentioned above, I’m starting off with POD platforms that let me create a store on their website. Later, I will use Printful to sell products on this Squarespace website. Here’s what you need to do:

• Create a branded store: Choose a name, logo, and store theme that aligns with your brand identity. I already had brand files on hand that I created for Instagram and my website, so I just used these.

• Add product listings: Upload your designs to your POD platform and create product listings. For each product, include high-quality mockups, detailed descriptions, and pricing information. This is the part that takes a lot of time. So have patience.

• Write compelling product descriptions: A good description highlights the features and benefits of the product. Be clear about the materials, sizes, and other important details.

• Set competitive pricing: Factor in production costs, shipping fees, and any platform fees when setting your product prices. Research your competition to make sure your prices are competitive while still allowing for a healthy profit margin.

4. Optimize Your Listings for Search

To make sure potential customers can find your products, it's important to optimize your product listings for search engines (both within the POD platform and on external search engines like Google). I’ll admit, I’m not the best at this but Here are the steps I follow:

• Use relevant keywords: Use descriptive, relevant keywords in your product titles, descriptions, and tags. Think about what customers would search for to find your product.

• Leverage high-quality images: Visual appeal is critical, so upload high-quality mockups of your products. Platforms like Printful and Printify generate professional mockups automatically, but you can also create your own. I love using their mockups! It’s so much fun but can be addictive!

• Focus on niche markets: If you’re targeting a niche audience, include specific keywords that resonate with that group (e.g., "funny dog lover t-shirts" or "minimalist black mugs").

5. Set Up Marketing Strategies

Just listing your products on a POD site is not enough to generate sales—you need to actively market your store and products. Here are a few marketing strategies to help you get started:

• Social media: Create business profiles on social platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest to promote your products. Share eye-catching images, engage with followers, and use relevant hashtags to reach your target audience.

• Influencer marketing: Collaborate with influencers or micro-influencers who align with your brand to promote your products. You can offer them free products or set up affiliate commissions.

• Paid ads: Run paid advertising campaigns on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, or Google Ads to drive traffic to your store.

• Email marketing: Build an email list and send out promotions, new product announcements, or seasonal discounts to keep your customers engaged.

• Content marketing: Start a blog or create videos related to your niche to drive organic traffic to your store.

6. Monitor Your Sales and Customer Feedback

Once your products are live, it’s time to track your progress. Here are some key actions you should take regularly:

• Track sales: Keep an eye on which products are selling well and which aren’t. Use this data to make informed decisions about which designs to keep, adjust, or discontinue.

• Customer feedback: Pay attention to reviews and feedback from customers. Positive reviews help build trust, while negative reviews provide insight into areas for improvement (e.g., product quality, design issues, etc.).

• Optimize your strategy: Based on your performance, adjust your marketing, product offerings, or store layout to optimize for better results.

7. Scale and Expand Your Product Line

As your POD business grows, consider expanding your product line or offering limited edition designs to keep things fresh and exciting. Here are a few ways to scale:

• Diversify products: Add new product categories (like hats, backpacks, or home decor) to appeal to a broader audience.

• Seasonal and limited editions: Offer exclusive, limited-time products or seasonal designs to create urgency and drive sales.

• Collaborations: Partner with influencers, artists, or other creators to expand your audience and offer fresh designs.

Whoo, that was a lot of info but very important if you want to be successful at this. Launching products on a print-on-demand site is an exciting and relatively low-risk way to start a business. And when you upload your own artwork, it can be very rewarding. With the right strategies and planning, you can build a successful brand and start earning passive income. Choose the best POD platform, create appealing designs, optimize your listings, and use smart marketing to attract customers. As you grow, continue refining your strategy and expanding your product offerings to scale your business.

By following these steps, you’ll be on your way to launching a successful print-on-demand store in no time!

Ciao for now and happy designing!