How to start a print on demand business in 2026
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New year, new business goals. If you've been thinking about launching your own store, print on demand is one of the smartest ways to get started and stay profitable.
The numbers speak for themselves. The global print on demand market was valued at over $10 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow at around 25% annually over the next decade. Of the roughly 228,000 print on demand stores currently operating worldwide, an estimated 3.8% generate more than $50,000 in monthly revenue. That's thousands of businesses hitting serious income figures — many of them run by independent creators, artists and entrepreneurs.
So what separates the stores that thrive from those that fizzle out? It usually comes down to three things: finding a solid niche, choosing the right products and partnering with a fulfilment provider you can actually rely on.
Print on demand: A smarter way to sell
Print on demand works differently from traditional retail. Instead of ordering stock upfront and counting on it to sell, products are made only when a customer places an order. You upload your design to a blank product from our virtual inventory and list it in your online store. When a customer places an order, your fulfilment partner (aka Prodigi) handles the printing, packing and shipping.
The benefits are straightforward. No inventory to buy. No minimum orders. No warehousing costs. You only pay when you make a sale, which means you can test new designs and products without financial risk.
But there's another reason print on demand is gaining traction: sustainability.
Manufacturing accounts for roughly one-fifth of global carbon emissions, and up to 40% of clothing produced each year never sells. Print on demand sidesteps both problems. Products are made to order, so there's no overproduction. Local printing cuts shipping distances and transport emissions. What’s more, more than half of consumers are now willing to pay more for eco-friendly products.
Products that command premium prices
The most successful print on demand businesses don't try to sell everything. They focus on products that command healthy margins and appeal to a specific audience.
Wall art
Wall art — particularly extra large wall art — remains one of the most lucrative categories in print on demand. We're seeing a clear trend among artists and photographers, with fewer low-priced small prints being replaced by premium statement pieces that sell for significantly more. A single XL canvas or framed print can generate the same profit as a dozen smaller items — with far less effort.
At Prodigi, our wall art range includes specialist finishes you won't find elsewhere. Our foil art adds a shimmering metallic finish that transforms flat designs into something eye-catching, while our glow in the dark posters offer something genuinely different: artwork that looks great by day and comes alive at night. Unique finishes mean higher price points, and customers expect to pay more for something special.
Photo books
Photo books are a quietly powerful product category. They have a 60% repurchase rate — once customers create one, they tend to come back for more. Birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, graduations — there's always an occasion for a custom photo album.
We offer three formats to suit different projects: hardcover books built for coffee tables and bookshelves, softcover books for creating magazines and catalogues, and layflat books that open completely flat with no gutter loss, making them essential for wedding albums and panoramic spreads.
All our photo books use professional PUR binding — up to 50% stronger than standard adhesive — and are printed on HP Indigo presses, which deliver the kind of quality that generates repeat orders.
Apparel
Selling custom apparel online means competing on branding. When customers receive products with manufacturer labels and limited design space, it dilutes your brand identity and makes it harder to justify premium prices.
Our custom branding upgrades put you in full control. Tear-off tags remove visible third-party branding, while multiple print areas let you add designs to the front, back, sleeves or neck — turning a blank hoodie or sweatshirt into a genuine statement piece.
Both are optional upgrades, clearly priced when you configure your order. Use them to create fully branded apparel, or stick with standard options — whatever works for your business. Either way, you're selling products from trusted brands including Gildan, Bella+Canvas, Stanley/Stella and Comfort Colors, but under your own name.
Quality control starts with you — order a sample before you sell
One of the biggest frustrations when running a print on demand business is ordering from a supplier, only to discover the quality doesn't match expectations. The colours look off, materials feel cheaper than advertised, and your reviews suffer as a result. That's why samples exist, and why we make them easy to order.
We offer a wide range of sample packs covering fine art papers, picture frame mouldings and other key product lines. You can also claim a 50% refund on your first sample order, subject to our fair use policy. It's a low-risk way to see and feel the quality before you commit to selling.
If you've been let down by another print on demand supplier — perhaps over the busy holiday season — samples are the fastest way to compare and decide whether it's time to switch.
Realistic mockups that actually convert
Here's something that catches out a lot of new POD sellers: even great products won't sell if the listing images look amateur.
Professional product photography is expensive and time-consuming. Our website mockups solve that problem. Create realistic, high-quality product images in seconds — no photography or retouching required.
Our powerful mockup generator shows your designs on actual products in real-world settings. Lifestyle shots, flat lays, close-ups — the kind of imagery that builds trust and drives conversions.
Good mockups help customers visualise the product in their own space, which directly increases the likelihood they'll make a purchase. It's one of the simplest and most effective changes you can make.
How to start your print on demand business
You don't need months of preparation to launch a print on demand business. If you already have an online store — or are ready to set one up — you're just a few steps away from getting started.
1. Create your free account
It takes less than a minute, and you only pay when you make a sale.
2. Work out your costs
Use our pricing tool to calculate total delivered costs and plan your margins.
3. Build your product listings
List your products in your store and use our free mockups to create professional imagery.
4. Integrate your way
Whether you sell through a marketplace or your own website, we've got you covered.
5. Earn more with Prodigi Pro
Unlock 15% off products, 75% off branded inserts, 24/7 priority support and more.
Summary
Print on demand isn't a get-rich-quick scheme. The stores generating $50,000+ in monthly revenue got there through consistent effort — from refining their niche and expanding their product range to building a brand that customers trust.
But the fundamentals are in your favour: low barriers to entry, no upfront investment, no inventory risk and a sustainable model in a market that's growing fast.
If you've been waiting for the right time to start, the new year is as good as any. Create your free Prodigi account, order some samples and see what's possible.
Ready to start making money from your designs? Sign up for a free Prodigi account and get 50% off your first sample order.
