How to start Print on Demand at $0

Do you want to start your own online side hustle and bustle, but don’t want to spend any money upfront?

I get it.

One of the best things about the internet is that there are many ways to start the side hustle with very little money now, and printing on demand is one of my favorite examples. You don’t need to buy any inventory, you don’t need a warehouse, and you don’t have to ship anything yourself.

If you have a few hours, internet connection and ideas, then you can start your own POD (print on demand) business this week.

In today’s blog post, I’ll give you a detailed look at how to start playing Pod Side Hustle at $0 and use popular on-demand printing companies like Printify and Printful.

Whether you want to sell a T-shirt, sweatshirt, cup, tote bag, or even a phone box, you can launch a real brand without upfront fees. I will also share how you get paid, how you make your design (even if you are not creative) and how to list your products online for free.

How to start Print on Demand at $0

Here are how you can start a POD business without money.

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Step 1: Understand that printing on demand is

Printing on demand is a business model where you can create custom designs that are printed onto the product only after the customer places an order.

This means:

• No inventory available to buy
• No packaging or shipping for your processing
• No warehouse

Third-party companies such as Printify or Printful can handle everything behind the scenes.

You only focus on creating products and promoting your store.

Step 2: Sign up for a free POD platform (Printify or Printful)

Next, you need to choose a POD platform to work with.

A platform for printing on demand is a website with a printing on demand service where you can upload designs/artwork to its platform, and when the item is sold, Printify or Printful, it is the product that produces and ships the product.

The two most popular are:

• print – Low basic cost, product selection. You can learn more about Printify in my Printify comments.
• Printable – Includes brand features such as customized packaging and labels. With high quality printing and fast implementation.

I recommend trying both (they can join for free) to see which one is right for your needs. You can even connect to the store and test different suppliers and products.

How payment works with Printful and Printify:

You will only charge you for production costs when the customer places an order. Meanwhile, your customers pay the full retail price through your sales channels. From this payment, any market or payment processing fees (such as Etsy transaction fees) are deducted. The difference between retail price and production cost (minus expense) is your profit.

example:

• Customers pay $30 for your product.
• Printful/Printify charges you $15 for production and shipping (at the time of ordering).
• Etsy fees total $3
• Your profit = $12

Step 3: Choose a niche (this can help you stand out)

Your niche is the specific topic or audience you will focus on. Choosing a niche will make your store feel more cohesive and help you attract the right customers.

Examples of popular on-demand nikes:

• Dog mom or cat lover
• teacher
• Funny quote from mom
• travel
• Fitness motivation
• Outdoor adventure

You don’t have to stick with one person forever, but starting with a concentrated niche makes things easier.

If you are not sure what to choose, consider:

• What kind of gift would you buy personally?
• Who do you like to do things for?
• What designs or phrases do you always see?

Even something as simple as “the interesting market for teachers” can be a niche that you can try.

Step 4: Create a free store (Etsy is a good choice)

Now it’s time to open your store!

If you want to keep it simple and start with low funding, Etsy is a great place to start. It has:

• Built-in traffic (people are already looking for products!)
• No monthly fee
• Quick setup process

Now, Etsy’s listing cost is a fixed fee of $0.20 per item, and the price you charge when you publish or renew a listing is $0.20, regardless of whether it’s for sale or not.

Simply visit etsy.com, create a seller account, and walk through the steps to name your store, sketch your resume and connect your payment information.

You can also use Shopify later or launch your own website, but Etsy is great for beginners.

Over the years I’ve purchased a lot of print-on-demand items on Etsy and just searched for items in their search bar (such as cups, t-shirts, greeting cards, etc.), so I know this is a great place to start because I personally bought a lot of things!

Step 5: Design your product (even if you are not a designer)

You might think, “But I don’t have the creativity…how should I make the design?”

Good news: You don’t need to be an artist to print on demand.

Here are a few simple ways to create a design:

• Create text-based designs with Canva.
• Buy a template from Creative Market or Etsy.
• Hire a designer on Fiverr (once you do some sales it can be done cheaply).
• Use AI design tools to create and layout inspiration.

Simple text-based design is often a bestseller on Etsy. Think about it: “Dog Mom”, “only good resonance” or “first, coffee, later papers”.

Once the design is created, upload it to print or print, and the platform will automatically create product models for you.

This means you can look on a shirt, hoodie, cup or bag.

Step 6: List your product for sale

Once your product model is ready, it’s time to publish it to your store!

If you are using Etsy, you can connect to your Printify or Printful account and push the product directly to the Etsy list.

Here is what you need to add:

• Product title – Include keywords that people may search for (for example: funny teacher coffee shirt).
• describe – Let people know who it is, size information, care instructions, etc.
• Label – Use relevant keywords to help people find your list.
• price – Consider the costs of your supplier, Etsy fees and your profit margin.

You can start with several lists, or add 10-20 designs if you have time. More lists can help you find by potential buyers faster.

Step 7: Promote your product for free

Once your listing plays, it’s time to get the store’s visits. No, you don’t have to run ads.

Here are free ways to promote your on-demand print business:

• Pinterest – Create pins using product models.
• Instagram or Tiktok – Share the behind-the-scenes tidbits of the store or design process.
• Facebook Group – Join niche groups and share your store (follow group rules).
• Etsy Seo – Use powerful keywords in your titles and tags to let people find you.

Even if you spend only 15-20 minutes a day to promote your store, you can make a difference.

Step 8: Learn, improve and keep moving forward

Your first design may not be a bestseller, it doesn’t matter!

It is important to use printing on demand, treat it like an experiment:

• Try different wall niches.
• Test different phrases or styles.
• Update product photos or models.

The more lists you create, the more you understand what your audience likes. As sales grow, you can reinvest more designs and even upgrade your store.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are the answers to frequently asked questions about not having money to start a POD business.

How do I have no money to start the pod business?

You can use free tools like Printify or Printful to open the Etsy store and create a design with Canva. You don’t have to pay anything before you make a sale, which is helpful.

How much does it cost to start a printing demand business?

It may cost $0. There will be optional upgrades and tools later, but you can launch your first product for free.

Do I need a license or business registration to start a print-on-demand business?

In most cases, no. You can start selling on Etsy without a license.

What if I don’t have creativity?

Many successful POD sellers use text-based designs, templates or hire freelancers. You don’t have to be a designer!

Can I really make money by printing as needed?

Yes! Like any business, it takes time and effort. However, many people earn extra income per month only through a few award-winning designs. That being said, the more quality you create, the more you can earn.

How to start the “Print on Demand” side hustle with $0 – Summary

I hope you enjoyed my post about how to start printing on demand with $0.

If you’ve been wanting to start a business but don’t know where to start, printing on demand is a fun, friendly, low-risk starting point.

If you are interested in this way of making money, I suggest you start by testing only one design now. See what you like, and if you like it, you can grow up from there. You can test it immediately by printing or printing.

Are you interested in starting the side hustle and bustle of printing on demand? What would you sell?

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