Imagine selling your art but without the hassle of managing inventory or shipping. That is very possible when you set up a print-on-demand (POD) art business!
You make the designs, and whenever there is a purchase, a company takes care of printing and shipping on your behalf.
There are no upfront payments, and there is no need to worry about storage.
All that’s left is for your creativity to transform into revenue.
Why is this an incredible concept? First and foremost, it requires a lot less investment, given that you do not need to spend anything until you make a sale.
Secondly, it can also generate passive income, which means your designs do the work while you catch some Zs.
And the cherry on top is that you can share your art with a global audience.
In this guide, I’ll provide you with the information you require to get started, whether that be determining the best platform for your needs or product designing, pricing, and marketing.
This is perfect for you if you are an artist trying to make ends meet or simply wish to indulge in a side gig.
Lets get started!
Step 1: Understanding the Print-on-Demand Business Model
Have you ever considered selling your art through prints on clothes, mugs, or posters, WITHOUT having to deal with making the product, packing, and shipping?
What you are looking for is a print-on-demand service, also known as POD.
With this service, products are only created once they are purchased.
No need to worry about purchasing stock upfront or figuring out storage. Sounds appealing, right?
How does Print-on-Demand Art Business Work?
Let’s say you come up with an awesome design.
Rather than print hundreds of shirts and risk that they don’t sell, you simply upload it onto a POD platform.
When someone purchases your design, the platform prints, packages, and ships it to the buyer.
All you have to do is relax and enjoy the income.
You can sell your art on:
T-shirts and hoodies
Phone cases
Posters and canvases
Mugs and water bottles
… and much more!
How is POD Different from Traditional Art Sales?
With traditional art, each time an artist creates a piece, they have to go out and find a buyer before shipping it, which is an extremely painstaking and exhausting process.
With POD, the opportunities are endless since you can upload your design once, and it will continue to sell and make money for you without lifting a finger.
Plus, your artwork can be placed on clothing, home decor, and accessories, and not just prints.
How You Make Money with POD
1. Create and upload your design to a POD platform.
2. Choose what to sell (t-shirts, posters, mugs, etc.).
3. Set your price and list your products on an online store.
4. Make a sale! The POD company prints, packs, and ships it.
5. You get paid! You earn a profit on every sale—without handling inventory.
Step 2: Choosing the Right Print-on-Demand Platform
Choosing a print-on-demand (POD) platform is as critical as selecting the perfect canvas for your art; it sets the stage for your success!
Which POD Platform is Right for You?
Printful – High-quality products, automated fulfillment, but a bit pricey.
Redbubble – Great for artists! They handle everything, but you don’t control pricing.
Society6 – Perfect for premium art prints and home decor, but it’s a curated marketplace.
Printify – Huge selection and low prices, but print quality depends on the provider.
SPOD – Fast printing and easy integration with big platforms like Amazon and Etsy.
How to Choose the Best One?
1. Pricing – Look at product costs, profit margins, and whether bulk discounts are available.
2. Product Variety – Does it offer the products you want to sell? Shirts? Posters? Mugs?
3. Shipping – Faster shipping = happier customers. Check for global fulfillment options.
4. Integration – Does it connect easily with your store on Shopify, WooCommerce, or Etsy?
5. Print Quality – Read reviews, order samples, and see for yourself. Your art deserves the best!
6. Customization – Can you add branding, custom packaging, or unique design touches?
7. Customer Support – If something goes wrong, will they actually help you?
8. Scalability – Will the platform grow with you as your business takes off?
Step 3: Creating and Uploading Your Art
Your art is what makes your print-on-demand (POD) business shine!
The goal? Create designs people love, ensure they look great on products, and avoid any copyright headaches.
Think about what people actually want to buy.
Here’s what’s hot:
Trending Niches: Personalized gifts, pet products, home decor, and travel accessories.
Popular Styles: Minimalist, retro, bold typography, and pastel tones.
What Works: Custom text, funny quotes, pet illustrations, and even 3D effects.
Example: Pet lovers go crazy for cute, custom pet portraits, while travelers love maps and adventure-inspired art.
Make Sure Your Artwork is Print-Ready
Nothing’s worse than a blurry or pixelated design. Here’s how to keep it sharp:
File Format: PNG for transparent backgrounds, JPEG for solid designs.
Resolution: 300 DPI for crisp, high-quality prints.
Size: Match the dimensions of your product (t-shirts, posters, mugs, etc.). Most platforms provide templates—use them!
Pro Tip: Always preview your designs on mockups before uploading. This helps you see how they’ll look on real products!
Avoid Copyright Trouble
Don’t use images or phrases you don’t own—no famous logos, characters, or slogans.
Also, use royalty-free resources or create original artwork.
You could check trademarks (try USPTO’s database) to make sure your design is safe to use.
Lastly, protect your work! Add watermarks to previews and register your designs if you can.
Step 4: Setting Up Your Store
Alright, now that you have your art ready, let’s get your print-on-demand (POD) store up and running for business!
This is where your art goes from just an idea to something people can actually buy.
You have two main ways to sell:
1. Marketplaces like Etsy, Amazon, or Redbubble – where shoppers are already searching for art.
2. Your own store using Shopify or WooCommerce – where you have full control over branding and pricing.
Both options work—you just need to decide what fits your goals best.
Marketplaces
If you want to start selling fast, marketplaces are a great choice.
Why You’ll Love It:
Millions of people already shop there—no need to find customers.
Super easy setup, no tech skills required.
Payments and shipping are handled for you.
The Downsides:
Tons of competition—you’re one of many artists.
They charge fees (Etsy has listing fees, Amazon takes a cut, etc.).
Limited branding—it’s their platform, not yours.
Best for: Beginners who want quick exposure with minimal effort.
Your Own Store
Want full control over your brand? Having your own store is the way to go!
Why You’ll Love It:
100% your brand—your design, your prices, your rules.
No direct competition—customers are only seeing your products.
More freedom with promotions and discounts.
The Downsides:
No built-in customers—you’ll need to drive traffic with marketing.
Takes time to set up, but totally doable!
Best for: Artists who want to build a long-term brand and aren’t afraid to market themselves.
Tip: You don’t have to choose! Many artists sell on both marketplaces and their own website.
Make Your Store Look Professional and Easy to Shop
No one likes a messy store. Make yours easy to navigate and beautiful to browse!
Organize Your Products
Use clear categories like T-Shirts, Wall Art, Accessories.
Add a search bar so customers can quickly find what they need.
Make It Mobile-Friendly
Most people shop on their phones—double-check that your store looks great on all devices.
Use High-Quality Images
Show off your designs with clear, well-lit photos and multiple angles.
Make Buying Simple
Highlight your “Add to Cart” or “Buy Now” buttons so customers don’t have to search for them.
Show Reviews and Testimonials
If you don’t have reviews yet, offer a small discount to early buyers in exchange for feedback.
How to Write Product Titles and Descriptions That Sell
Your title and description should make people excited to buy. Here’s how to make them pop:
1. Product Titles:
Be clear and descriptive. Instead of “Cool Art Print”, try:
“Minimalist Abstract Art Print – Perfect for Modern Home Decor”
Keep it short, but make sure it includes keywords.
2. Product Descriptions:
Highlight the benefits: What makes this product special?
Example: “This vibrant wall art adds warmth and personality to any space.”
Include key details: Size, material, shipping info, care instructions, etc.
Use persuasive language: “Limited edition – only a few left in stock!”
Make it SEO-friendly by naturally adding keywords to help people find your product.
Step 5: Pricing Your Artwork Strategically
Pricing your art can feel tricky. I mean, you want to make a profit, but you also don’t want to scare away customers.
Here’s how to get it right.
1. Know Your Costs
Before setting a price, figure out what you’re spending:
Production Costs: How much does it cost to print and ship each item?
Marketing Costs: If you’re running ads, expect to spend about 20–30% of your selling price on promotion.
Business Expenses: Things like website hosting, domain fees, and design tools add up.
2. Set Your Price
A simple rule: Selling Price = Cost ÷ (1 – Profit Margin)
Example: If your total cost is $15 and you want a 40% profit margin, your price should be $25.
3. Pick a Pricing Strategy
Competitive Pricing: If you’re selling on Etsy or Redbubble, check what similar artists charge and price accordingly.
Premium Pricing: If your art is unique or high-quality, charge more! Just make sure your product description highlights what makes it special.
4. Offer Deals to Attract Buyers
Bundle Discounts: “Buy 2 prints, get 1 free!”
Holiday Sales: Offer discounts during Black Friday, Christmas, etc.
Free Shipping: Add shipping costs to the product price so you can say “Free Shipping!” (People love that.)
Test different prices and see what works best!
Step 6: Marketing Your Print-on-Demand Art Business
You’ve got your shop set up—now, how do you get people to buy? Well, marketing is everything!
Show Off Your Work on Social Media
Instagram: Post eye-catching designs, use hashtags like #printondemandart, and engage with followers.
Pinterest: Create boards with your art and add keyword-rich descriptions.
TikTok: Share behind-the-scenes clips or time-lapse videos of your designs.
Facebook Ads: Target the right people based on their interests and location.
Make Sure People Can Find You (SEO Tips)
Use the Right Keywords: Include search-friendly words in your product titles and descriptions (e.g., “minimalist wall art print”).
Optimize Your Images: Add keywords to image alt text so search engines can find them.
Write Helpful Content: Blog posts like “How to Decorate a Small Apartment with Art” can bring new visitors to your store.
Team Up with Others to Get More Exposure
Work with Small Influencers: Send free products to influencers who love art and ask them to share.
Collaborate with Other Artists: Create special edition designs together and cross-promote.
Use Paid Ads to Speed Things Up
Google Ads: Show your products to people searching for “modern art prints.”
Social Media Ads: Run ads on Instagram and Facebook to reach your ideal audience.
Retargeting Ads: Remind visitors who looked at your store but didn’t buy yet.
Marketing takes time, but the more you put your art out there, the more sales you’ll make.
Step 7: Managing Orders and Customer Service
Running a print-on-demand (POD) art business is exciting, but making sure orders go smoothly and customers stay happy is what really keeps things growing.
How Orders and Shipping Work
The best part about POD platforms? You don’t have to print, pack, or ship anything—your print provider does it all!
Here’s how it works:
Customer buys your art → The order goes straight to your print provider.
Printing and packaging → This takes around 2–5 days depending on the product.
Shipping to the customer → Timing depends on location:
Local orders → 3–4 days (standard), 1–3 days (express).
International → 5–20 days, depending on the country.
Tracking link sent → Your customer gets a link to follow their package.
If you opt for selling via your own website or online store, you do the packaging and shipping. After the customer buys your art, you print, package and ship accordingly.
What If a Customer Has a Problem?
Issues will come up—it’s part of business! The trick is handling them quickly and professionally:
Answer fast! Try to reply within 24 hours so customers feel heard.
Be nice. Even if it’s not your fault, be polite and helpful.
Fix it fast. If an item is late or arrives damaged, offer a replacement or refund (your print provider will usually cover errors).
Keep them updated. If shipping is delayed, let them know—it builds trust.
Get Good Reviews and Keep Customers Coming Back
When your customers are happy you get great reviews, plus more sales.
Here’s how to keep them smiling:
Ask for a review after they receive their order (a simple follow-up email works wonders!).
Reward them! Offer a discount on their next purchase.
Make them feel special. Add a thank-you note or a small surprise in their package.
Step 8: Scaling and Growing Your Business
Once your print-on-demand art business is running smoothly, it’s time to scale up and make more money.
Add More Cool Products
Your art doesn’t have to stop at prints – customers might love it on:
a. Stickers, hoodies, tote bags, mugs, pillows, and phone cases.
b. Seasonal designs (Halloween, Christmas, Valentine’s Day).
c. Custom options (like adding names or quotes).
Automate to Save Time (and Sanity!)
As orders increase, automation can be your best friend:
Auto-process orders so sales go straight to your print provider.
Use email tools (like Mailchimp) to send automatic follow-ups.
Sync inventory across platforms so you don’t oversell.
Use Data to Sell More
Numbers don’t lie! Tracking your best-selling products can help you make smarter decisions:
See what’s selling best and double down on those designs.
Update listings with better photos or descriptions.
Test different prices and promotions to see what gets the most sales.
Conclusion
Turning your art into a business has never been easier especially with print-on-demand services!
You can literally share your creativity with the world without worrying about inventory, shipping, or big upfront costs.
Just focus on what you love—creating awesome designs—and let the platforms handle the rest.
Remember to stay consistent, keep learning, and have fun with it!
So, what are you waiting for? Pick a platform, upload your first design, and start sharing your art today.
Your creativity deserves to be seen!