Print on Demand (POD) merchandise brands are among the least risky business ventures today. There is no need to invest in stock, warehouses, or factories – all the resources are created once an order is placed. For would-be business owners, POD presents the simplest opportunity to set up an online clothing or merchandise store, avoiding major expenditures and the complexities of business operations.

Print-on-demand (POD) services provide e-commerce businesses an easy opportunity to diversify their catalogs at no extra inventory costs. Versatile made-to-order products POD services help to alleviate the stock, labor, and the risk of lost revenue incurred when the inventory cannot be sold. Enjoyably, Printrove POD services streamlines the printing, packaging, and fulfillment processes so the merchant can focus their energies on creative aspects and business growth. For many new entrepreneurs searching for print-on-demand business ideas, this model offers a low-risk entry point into e-commerce.

What is Print on Demand?

Products are printed and shipped after customers place orders in the print-on-demand (POD) model. Unlike traditional retail, there are no stockproducing or inventory-storing expenses to manage, and no devaluation of stock to handle. With the POD model, business owners have no need to manage any of the complex logistics of manufacturing, warehousing, or shipping. POD service providers handle the printing, packaging, and order fulfillment, leaving business owners free to focus on design and marketing. Concerning the POD business model, sales data demonstrates that world-wide POD business sales will reach $57.49 billion by 2033, making this the most risk free e-commerce business model, with an estimated annual growth rate of 26%.

7 Steps to Start Your Print On Demand Business

1. Choose Your Niche

Choosing the appropriate segment of the market is not only about determining the items you want to offer for sale; it is also about the identification of an audience with homogenous and overlapping interests and preferences. Within the market of Print on Demand (POD), which is becoming increasingly competitive, the ability to select an appropriate niche is fundamental for differentiating yourself and attaining profitability on a regular basis. A good niche also determines what type of print-on-demand business ideas you can successfully monetize.

Why a niche matters:

• Increased likelihood of conversions: Niche products appeal to deeper emotional sentiments, thus ensuring likelihood of purchase.
• Marketing at a lower cost: Marketing to a defined audience cuts down inefficiencies in advertising.
• Retention: Emotive marketing creates a bond, securing a repeat purchase.
• Marketing in lower competition: There are fewer direct competitors in specialized markets.

How to Research and Validate Your Niche

Research Methods:

• List your own interests and communities you’re already part of
• Explore social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok for emerging trends
• Check Facebook groups and online forums to gauge engagement
• Study competitors to learn from their successes and mistakes
• Monitor seasonality and evergreen potential of niches

Validation Tools:

• Google Trends – Free tool showing search volume over time
• Facebook Audience Insights – Assess audience size (aim for 1M+ interested people)
• Amazon’s Most Wished For page – Identify high-demand products
• Etsy search bars – Reveals what shoppers actively search
• Combine two interests – Merge different audiences (e.g., “Science + Young Women + Stationery”) for unique niche positions

2. Create and Source Your Designs

Engaging and profitable POD business ventures all starts with designing. You have the option of designing yourself using inexpensive and easier to use designing software like Canva for text based designing, or more professionally advanced software like Adobe Photoshop, as well as Inkscape which is free and open source, or you can hire a professional and specialize in designing.

File specifications matter:

• Most platforms accept PNG and JPEG files (PNG is preferred for transparency)
• Use 300 DPI resolution for optimal quality
• Stick to sRGB color mode rather than CMYK for POD printers
• Ensure file dimensions match your product’s print area exactly
• Many platforms provide templates with correct dimensions and bleed settings

3. Pick the Right Products to Sell

T-shirts are the most popular POD products, followed by hoodies and sweatshirts. Home and lifestyle products, such as mugs, have profit margins between 40-55%. Baby clothing ranges between 55-70% margins and is a repeat purchase, thus increasing profitability. Other products to consider are decorative items, accessories, and products that are seasonal.

Make sure that the products fit with the niche. For instance, functional items such as water bottles and leggings are popular with fitness enthusiasts, whereas gamers tend to prefer tech accessories like mouse pads.. Always order samples before selling to evaluate quality, print clarity, and materials. Use competitor research and bestseller pages to validate product-market fit.

4. Set Up Your Store and Connect a POD Supplier

Select between marketplaces and your own website. Etsy, Amazon, and eBay give you instant access to customers, while Shopify and WooCommerce give you total control over your brand and offer you improved profit margins. A lot of thriving entrepreneurs effectively employ both options at the same time.

Set up payments:

• Configure a customer-facing payment processor for credit cards and PayPal
• Add a payment method to your POD account to cover production costs
• Set realistic delivery timeframes (production: 2-3 days + shipping)
• Incorporate shipping costs into prices, as “free shipping” boosts conversions by 4-5x

5. Upload Designs & Create Product Mockups

Use mockup generators or paid alternatives from Creative Market. High-quality lifestyle images significantly improve conversions.

Create compelling product descriptions under 100 words. Highlight design uniqueness and use sensory words to help customers imagine owning the product.

6. Launch, Price, and Market Your Products

Pricing strategy:
Determine base costs for each item (product + printing) and apply 40-55% profit margin for the majority of pieces. Baby clothing can command 70% margins. Regularly adjust for market seasonality and changes.

Marketing channels:
Effective segmentation really works. In email marketing ROI is INR 3,324 for every INR 84 spent. This is also built with strong A/B tested subject lines. In social, make use of user-generated content and post for visibility. For paid traffic, you can use paid ads, email marketing, influencers, or collaborations.

Track performance:
Monitor conversion rates in combination with cart abandonment since they are interlinked. Also keep an eye on return on ad spend and average order value. Use Google Analytics to understand the customer journey and incorporate A/B testing to refine your strategy.

7. Analyze & Scale

Track sales data, experiment with new designs, and gradually expand your product catalog. Keep your catalog fresh with new designs and seasonal products to maintain customer engagement.

Pros and Cons of Print on Demand

Pros:

• Quick to market – launch instantly without production delays
• Easy to test new designs – experiment and see what sells
• Scalable supply chain – no extra manpower or stock needed
• Unique, customized products – stand out from competitors
• No inventory risk – products printed only when ordered

Cons:

• Higher product costs compared to bulk manufacturing
• Limited control over shipping timelines
• Customization restrictions on some products
• Quality depends on the provider’s standards

This is also where many beginners finally understand how does print on demand works in real-world operations — you trade manufacturing control for convenience and scalability.

Who Can Benefit from Print-on-Demand Business?

• Entrepreneurs just starting out – Open a brand without having to take on the risk of inventory or making a huge investment at the start.
• E-commerce sellers with a track record – Expand your catalog with distinctive, personalized, and on-demand creations.
• Content creators and social media influencers – Strengthen audience relationships with custom made personalized items.
• Small businesses – Make branded items without having to order in giant quantities.
• People looking for side jobs– Earn extra money on top of your main job or business.
• YouTubers – Make money from your audience with merchandise that represents your channel.
• Gamers – Create and sell original clothing and accessories that celebrate gamer culture.

Tips for Starting with Print on Demand

• Identify your target audience – whether it be gamers, fitness enthusiasts, or eco-friendly consumers, precisely define your niche.
• Begin with limited offerings – but be sure to evaluate frequently. Introduce a small catalog of designs, analyze their market responsiveness, and increase production on those that meet your success criteria.
• Quality design is an important investment – average graphics and professional design will result in an indistinguishable seller.
• Request sample prints before you sell – evaluate quality and clarity so that you can trust your customers as well.
• Use realistic product mockups – conversions markedly improve with high quality, realistic product mockups.
• Use social proof – customer photos and reviews will serve as marketing that is free.
• Implement smart pricing – there must be a balance between profitability and value.
• Use strategic promotion – results can be accelerated significantly with paid promotion compared to organic methods.
• Automate tasks – this includes tedious email sequences and fulfillment.
• Refresh your catalog – this keeps customers engaged and coming back to your store.

How to Choose Your Print-on-Demand Provider?

• Product Range – Clothing, mugs, handbags, home decoration items, and more.
• Assessment of Quality – Assess and request material and printed samples to determine quality and durability.
• Integration – Works well with Shopify, WooCommerce, Etsy, and Amazon.
• Competitive Pricing – Base price comparison while maintaining a healthy profit margin.
• Reliability of Delivery – Minimal and steady orders fulfillment.
• Customization – Personalized packaging, labeling, and brand.
• Customer Care – Proactive problem solving.
• Automated systems for order management, real-time sync of stock levels, and tracking of shipments are all means of maintaining order productivity.

Why Choose Printrove to Start Your Print on Demand Business?

Printrove is known all over India for having print-on-demand services that are easy to integrate, offer good quality products, and reliably finish orders. We recommend starting to understand the market and secure initial customers by selling bestsellers, like oversized t-shirts, and then adding risk-free products like hoodies, mugs, tote bags, and beyond to broaden your market presence. Printrove allows you the freedom to concentrate on the important parts of your business; we will take care of your printing and order fulfillment.

Conclusion

Print on demand removes typical retail risks and requires a small initial investment. Begin with choosing a niche to minimize marketing costs and boost conversions. Tailored designs help distinguish your products. Careful product selection maintains healthy profit margins. For maximum exposure, blend multiple marketplaces and branded sites. Proper pricing and focused promotions on email and social media channels ensures constant traffic. The POD industry is growing and is under-served for organized entrepreneurs. This guide positions you to start your POD enterprise. Work with Printrove, your reliable POD partner in India, and your imagination can become your profitable and viable POD enterprise.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is a Website Necessary to Sell POD Products?

No, you can sell through marketplaces like Etsy or Amazon. However, having your own website gives you more control and branding opportunities.

Q: How Much Can You Earn with Print on Demand?

Earnings vary based on niche, marketing, and pricing, but many sellers make anywhere from a few hundred dollars to full-time income.

Q: How Are Print-on-Demand Products Priced?

Pricing depends on the base cost from the provider plus your profit margin. You set the retail price according to your strategy.

Q: What is a print-on-demand business?

A business model where products are printed only after a customer orders them.

Q: What is the estimated shipping time for print-on-demand products?

Most POD providers ship within 2–7 business days, though times may vary depending on location and product type.

Q: How Can I Start a Print-on-Demand Business?

Choose a niche, set up a store, pick a POD provider, upload your designs, market them, and scale gradually as sales grow.

Q: How does print on demand work?

Products are created after purchase, then printed, packed, and shipped by a POD supplier.

Q: What are some profitable print-on-demand business ideas?

Niche t-shirts, mugs, phone cases, tote bags, babywear, wall art, and hoodies.

Wondering which product is going to make your customers click “Buy Now”? Look around—someone near you is probably wearing it right now!

Oversized t-shirts aren’t just having a moment; they’re redefining fashion as we know it. At Printrove, we’ve watched this trend evolve from niche streetwear into a mainstream phenomenon that’s reshaping the Indian apparel market.

The shift has been remarkable. What started as underground fashion in Delhi’s Hauz Khas and Mumbai’s Bandra has now reached college campuses in Indore, shopping malls in Coimbatore, and Instagram feeds across every major Indian city. This isn’t just about clothes anymore—it’s about a generation choosing comfort, authenticity, and self-expression over traditional fashion rules.

As entrepreneurs, this presents an unprecedented opportunity. The Indian fashion market, valued at over $100 billion, is experiencing its biggest disruption since the rise of fast fashion. And oversized t-shirts are leading this revolution.

From Niche to Nation: How Oversized Fashion Is Dominating India

Streetwear started as alternative fashion but has become a cultural movement in India. During the pandemic, consumers discovered something revolutionary—you can look stylish without sacrificing comfort.

The transformation didn’t happen overnight. Three years ago, oversized clothing was primarily associated with hip hop culture and a small segment of fashion-forward youth. Today, it’s crossed every demographic barrier. Office goers pair oversized tees with blazers for smart casual looks. College students wear them as statement pieces. Even traditionally conservative markets have embraced the trend, with parents buying oversized clothing for their kids.

The numbers don’t lie: Close to 70% of Gen Z consumers now prefer oversized clothing over regular-fitted options. This isn’t just a trend—it’s a fundamental shift in how Indians approach fashion.

But here’s what makes this even more compelling for business owners: this preference isn’t limited to metropolitan areas. Urban centers like Mumbai, Delhi, and Bangalore have fully embraced the oversized aesthetic. But what’s really exciting is how rapidly this trend has penetrated Tier 2 and 3 cities across the country, creating massive untapped markets.

Cities like Nashik, Madurai, and Raipur are showing purchasing patterns that mirror metro cities from just two years ago. The adoption curve is accelerating, and early movers in these markets are seeing exceptional returns.

Why Oversized T-Shirts Are Your Golden Ticket

Among all streetwear pieces, oversized t-shirts stand out as the ultimate opportunity for Indian entrepreneurs. Here’s why they’re absolute winners:

• Perfect for Indian weather: Loose fit offers better air circulation, crucial for our climate
• Size inclusive by design: Works for diverse body types, automatically feeling more inclusive
• Cross seasonal appeal: Consistent seller year round in most Indian regions
• Unisex potential: Same design works for everyone, simplifying inventory

The practical advantages go deeper than you might think. Traditional clothing retail in India faces a major challenge: the incredible diversity in body types and preferences across different regions. What works in Punjab might not work in Tamil Nadu, and what appeals to customers in Gujarat might miss the mark in West Bengal.

Oversized t-shirts solve this problem elegantly. A single design can appeal to customers across regions, age groups, and body types. This translates directly into business efficiency—fewer SKUs to manage, simpler inventory planning, and broader market appeal for each design you create.

Real results from our platform: Sellers report conversion rates for oversized tees averaging 30-40% higher than standard fit t-shirts. One Pune entrepreneur shared that his oversized designs convert at 4.1% compared to 2.3% for regular tees.

But the success stories go beyond conversion rates. A Chennai based seller told us how switching to oversized designs reduced her return rates by 60%, simply because customers were more likely to be satisfied with the fit. A Mumbai entrepreneur found that his oversized tees had 40% higher average order values, as customers were more likely to purchase multiple pieces when they found a style that worked for them.

Introducing Printrove’s French Terry Oversized T-Shirt

After months of research and testing, we’ve engineered the French Terry Oversized T-Shirt specifically for the Indian market.

The development process wasn’t simple. We tested over 15 different fabric compositions, analyzed fit preferences across different regions, and gathered feedback from hundreds of customers. The result is a product that balances global quality standards with Indian market preferences and climate requirements.

What makes it exceptional:

• 100% combed cotton with 240 GSM French Terry knit for substance and durability
• Relaxed, boxy fit with dropped shoulders for that coveted streetwear silhouette
• Carefully selected color palette that resonates with Indian preferences

The fabric choice deserves special attention. While many competitors use basic cotton or cotton blends, we’ve chosen combed cotton specifically. This means each fiber has been combed to remove impurities and short fibers, resulting in a smoother, stronger, and more comfortable fabric. The 240 GSM weight strikes the perfect balance—substantial enough to maintain shape and feel premium, yet breathable enough for Indian weather conditions.

The French Terry knit adds another layer of quality. Unlike regular knits, French Terry has loops on one side that create better air circulation and moisture absorption. This isn’t just about comfort—it’s about creating a product that performs well in real Indian conditions.

Available colors:

• Forest Green (pairs beautifully with denims and neutrals)
• Brick Red (perfect for festive season rush)
• Ash Grey (the ultimate versatile base)
• Navy Blue (consistent bestseller in Indian market)
• Beige (trending strongly across urban India)

Each color was chosen based on extensive market research and sales data from our platform. Forest Green emerged as a surprise hit, especially among college students who pair it with everything from jeans to traditional wear. Brick Red performs exceptionally well during festival seasons, while Ash Grey remains the safe choice that appeals to the broadest customer base.

When customers search for oversized t shirts black or oversized t shirts printed, they’re looking for specific combinations of style and color. Our carefully curated palette ensures you can meet these exact search intents while maintaining premium quality across all options.

Your Profit Margins Will Thank You

Traditional apparel comes with painful challenges: inventory costs, size variations, seasonal risks, and margin killing end of season discounts.

With Printrove’s print on demand model, those headaches disappear. Potential profit margins on French Terry Oversized T-shirts range from 40-55% depending on your positioning. Compare that to typical 25-30% for stocked inventory.

Let’s break down the mathematics that make this so compelling. With traditional retail, you might pay ₹200 for a t-shirt, but you need to order 100 pieces minimum. That’s ₹20,000 upfront, plus storage costs, plus the risk that 30-40% won’t sell at full price. Factor in markdowns, and your actual margin drops significantly.

With print on demand, you pay only when a customer buys. Your base cost for our Premium Oversized T-shirt is ₹285, add a minimal print design (around ₹90), and your total cost is approximately ₹375 plus GST and shipping. Sell it at ₹899, and you’re looking at roughly 40% margins—without any upfront investment or inventory risk.

Plus the cash flow advantage: no upfront inventory investment means you can test designs, pivot quickly, and scale what works. In India’s rapidly evolving fashion market, this agility is your competitive edge.

Consider this scenario: A traditional retailer launches 10 designs with 50 pieces each. That’s ₹100,000 upfront, and they’re stuck with whatever doesn’t sell. A print on demand entrepreneur can launch 50 designs with zero upfront cost, let the market decide what works, and then focus marketing spend on the winners. The math isn’t even close.

The seasonal advantage is equally compelling. Traditional fashion retail in India faces massive challenges during monsoon seasons when sales drop, or during unexpected events that affect consumer spending. Print on demand sellers can adjust instantly, pivoting to different designs or even different product categories without being stuck with inventory.

Launch Your Streetwear Brand in 5 Simple Steps

1. Sign Up & Setup Your Store

Create your free Printrove account and connect with your platform—Shopify, WooCommerce, Amazon, Instagram, or custom website.

The setup process is designed to be completed in under 30 minutes. Our integration system automatically syncs with major platforms, so you’re not spending days on technical setup. Many of our sellers go from signup to first sale within 48 hours.

2. Pick Your Product & Add Your Design

Upload your design and think strategically about placement:

• Front Center: Best for bold, statement designs Indian youth love
• Back Prints: Having a major moment, large designs that create social media worthy profiles
• Sleeve Placement: Coming soon! Perfect for logos or trending regional phrases

Design placement strategy can make or break your sales. Front center prints work exceptionally well for brand logos, motivational quotes, and cultural references that customers want to display prominently. We’ve seen designs with Hindi and regional language phrases perform particularly well in Tier 2 cities.

Back prints have become the standout trend of 2024. Large, artistic designs on the back create what we call the “Instagram factor”—customers specifically buy these for social media posts. The key is making designs that look good in photos and stories.

Our design upload system supports high resolution files and automatically optimizes them for printing. We also provide free mockup generation, so you can see exactly how your design will look before going live.

3. Set Your Price & Go Live

Oversized t shirts under 500 rupees dominate the budget segment, but premium French Terry oversized t-shirts command higher prices. We’ve found these selling best in the ₹899-1899 range depending on design and audience.

Pricing psychology plays a crucial role in the oversized t-shirt market. Customers shopping for oversized fashion have already moved beyond basic apparel—they’re looking for style, quality, and brand expression. This means they’re willing to pay premium prices for products that deliver on these expectations.

Our data shows interesting regional variations in pricing acceptance. Metro cities easily support the ₹1299-1899 range for unique designs, while Tier 2 cities show strong performance in the ₹899-1299 range. The key is positioning your brand appropriately for your target market.

4. Promote Your Tees

Based on our analysis of winning sellers, here’s what’s working for oversized t shirts brands:

• Instagram Reels: Short styling videos showing versatility
• Regional Influencers: Find authentic voices in your target cities
• WhatsApp Groups: Exclusive design drops for higher conversion
• Campus Ambassadors: Tap college networks where adoption is highest

Instagram Reels have emerged as the single most effective marketing channel for oversized fashion. The algorithm favors fashion content, and the format is perfect for showing how oversized tees can be styled differently. Successful sellers create 3-4 reels per week, showing their tees paired with different bottoms, accessories, and occasions.

Regional influencers often outperform metro influencers for oversized fashion. A college student with 5,000 followers in Nagpur might drive more sales than a fashion blogger with 50,000 followers in Mumbai. The authenticity and local connection matter more than follower count.

WhatsApp marketing deserves special attention. Creating exclusive groups for your best customers and announcing new designs via WhatsApp has consistently shown higher conversion rates than email or social media announcements. The personal, direct nature of WhatsApp creates urgency and exclusivity.

5. Let Printrove Handle the Rest

Orders print, pack, and ship automatically with tracking synced to your store. Our 99.2% satisfaction rate across thousands of orders ensures your brand reputation stays strong.

Our fulfillment process is designed for the Indian market specifically. We understand that customer expectations here include fast shipping, secure packaging, and reliable tracking. Every order goes through multiple quality checkpoints before shipping, ensuring that the product your customer receives matches the mockup they saw when ordering.

We’ve also optimized our shipping network to reach Tier 2 and 3 cities efficiently. While many e-commerce platforms struggle with delivery to smaller cities, our network ensures that a customer in Siliguri gets the same service quality as someone in South Delhi.

The Perfect Timing for Your Success

The streetwear wave is at the ideal point in India: mainstream enough for reliable demand, yet growing enough to avoid saturation.

Think about where other major fashion trends were when early adopters made their fortunes. Jeans in the 1990s, ethnic fusion wear in the 2000s, fast fashion in the 2010s—each had a moment when the market was ready but not crowded. Oversized streetwear is having that moment right now.

The timing factors are aligned perfectly:

• Cultural acceptance: Oversized fashion has moved from “alternative” to “aspirational”
• Economic factors: Rising disposable income among young Indians supports premium casual wear
• Digital infrastructure: Social media and e-commerce platforms make it easier than ever to reach customers
• Supply chain maturity: Print on demand technology has evolved to support high quality, fast delivery

Indian consumers are actively searching for premium streetwear without international shipping or luxury price tags. They want brands that understand local style while delivering global quality.

The search behavior data tells the story clearly. Searches for “oversized t-shirts India” have grown 340% in the past two years. “Streetwear brands India” is up 280%. But here’s the opportunity: most of these searches still don’t lead to satisfying options. The market is demanding products that don’t exist yet.

Could your store be what they’re searching for? We believe so.

The window won’t stay open forever. As more entrepreneurs recognize this opportunity, the market will become more competitive. The sellers who establish themselves now, while the market is still developing, will have significant advantages in brand recognition, customer loyalty, and market positioning.

Ready to Launch Your Winning Product?

The oversized t-shirt opportunity in India is real, measurable, and available right now. Every piece of data we’ve shared—from conversion rates to market growth—points to the same conclusion: this is the product category that smart entrepreneurs are building their businesses around.

But success in this space isn’t automatic. It requires the right product quality, the right positioning, and the right execution. That’s where Printrove’s French Terry Oversized T-Shirt makes the difference. We’ve solved the product quality equation, so you can focus on what matters: creating designs that resonate and building a brand that lasts.

The entrepreneurs who will dominate this space aren’t necessarily the ones with the biggest budgets or the most experience. They’re the ones who recognize the opportunity early and execute with focus and consistency.

Sign up with Printrove today and launch your first oversized tee collection. Your future customers (and profit margins) are waiting.

Start selling French Terry Oversized T-shirts with Printrove’s print on demand platform. Zero inventory risk, maximum profit potential.

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Already selling streetwear? Share your experience in the comments! Have questions about design or marketing trends in different regions? Our team is here to help.

Want to start your e-commerce business but don’t know how? You’ve come to the right place. In this post, you can learn why Print on Demand is the best e-commerce business model for you as a to-be-entrepreneur.

Unveiling the ultimate e-commerce business model

Talking about eCommerce, a beautiful new concept in business is of Print on Demand.

As the name says, you get something printed when there’s a demand for it. Simple, right?

But how does it impact your business? Let’s look at an example where a customer places an order on your online store-

• Customer places an order on your online store, 
• It gets forwarded to the dropshipping company.
• They take care of the printing, quality checking, packaging, generating the invoice in your name and finally shipping the package to your customer’s home.

So basically it’s an all in one package for you.

And the best part is-

All of this happens after an order is placed on your store. In other words, you can encash the profits on the sale, almost instantly, provided it’s a prepaid order.

Why Print on Demand is the best e-commerce business model?:-

For those of you who’re still a bit confused about the Print on Demand idea, let me paint a picture of scenarios.

These examples will better enforce why I think POD is the ultimate e-commerce business model for you.

Let’s say you started your e-commerce store without this business model-

But the design you just got printed on the 100 phone cases needs a correction.

And what if no more than two pieces were sold out of your 150 posters in almost a quarter year?

This is worse.

What if the 50 animal printed notebooks, that you just bought thinking the 10-year-olds will like it, nobody seems to pick that one up?

As a result, this printed products store will not work out as you wished. Sad ending, no?

The reason is very clear – you have loaded a huge stock of similar looking products and you don’t have buyers for it. 

I hate to say this but you’re following a traditional selling method if you wish to do business this way.

Why waste all that money and resources into something that is uncertain of getting sold? 

Let’s look at it from a customer’s perspective. 

Don’t you think every person who visits your e-store wants to have a lot of design options to choose from?

Yes, they would love to.

But you certainly cannot afford to have 200 pieces of 500 designs each stocked all the time, Right? Right.

I understand how you might be feeling if you’ve ever been a situation like that. We all commit mistakes.

From today, let’s learn from our mistakes. And if you’re just starting out, you’d be better off learning from others’ mistakes.

So let’s jump into what you need to know post setting up your POD store. Excited!? Me too.

With a Print on Demand setup at the background of your e-store, what do you have to do?

Although all your orders are fulfilled by the e-commerce dropshipping company in this business model, you have some responsibilities. 

Here, check these out:

1. Concentrate on your website

Make your website attractive because that’s the first impression. It matters.

You don’t want a messy website where nobody is clicking through any of your products. Make the design of the website relevant to your shop theme and responsive.

Also, you need to make sure you have proper web hosting as it’ll help your site handle all the traffic when your business grows.

And if you’re wondering how to do this? Then don’t worry, because I got your back.

You can get your website up and running in no time on e-commerce platforms like Shopify and Woocommerce. And then decide what’s right for you based on your needs.

2. Work on your pricing and discounts

You already know how much each product costs you, and so you should make your selling prices clear for each one.

If possible, you can offer discounts while taking care of the profit margins. Great way to promote your store.

While there is no fixed way to decide the price you should sell at. However, knowing your target audience and making a business plan before starting out will help you fix that. 

3. Display your best work

Either pick out the best designs from your personal art collection or simply choose from the design sourcing hubs. However possible, get your best work out there.

Did you know most of the fashion brands you and I adore are from Italy?

Why is that?

Because they do things with quality. Let’s learn from the Italians. Besides, it will make you and your brand stand out in a cutthroat competition.

So repeat what I say – No shitty designs from today!

4. Stay updated with trends

Remember, your likes and dislikes may or may not match that of your customers’. 

So instead of relying solely upon your instincts while choosing your designs, just step out. 

Look for what people are buying, appreciating, liking or looking for. You can use Google Trends for this.

You can also find out what’s trending by checking out your competitor’s best selling products.

Therefore, as a thumb rule, go according to the trends your customers are following. And soon you’ll start to build loyal customers who come back and buy again and again. 

5. Invest in marketing your brand

When everything’s ready, you need to focus on marketing your brand. 

Remember, the dropshipping company packs and ships to your customers under the name of your brand. 

So what actually spreads around is your brand name. People are most likely to trust a brand when they have already heard or seen them online. 

Above all, correctly marketing your brand will help you get more customers and increase your ROI dramatically. 

6. Increase the number of design options

Hey, you already know that in a POD model, you don’t have to stock even a single piece of your product. 

Doesn’t this give you a golden opportunity?

What? How?

Think about it. People love variety. I do!

With all operations taken care of by them, you can focus on giving your customers a great number of design options to choose from.

Why stick with 10 designs when you may have 100 or more? 

Find out now how you can source designs for your online store.

How to find a Dropshipping company for your POD store?

We love talking to and serving entrepreneurs like you who are always on their toes to get things done.

So, we decided to build a process through which any artist or designer could just focus on creating awesome artwork.

And the rest – printing, packaging, shipping – could be handled under their brand name.

We call it Printrove.

There’re also other POD companies you can check out-

• Qikink
• Vendorboat
• Printaura

Choose the one that fits your needs best.

And if you need more help, you can read – How to find drop shipping wholesale suppliers for your e-commerce business?

Conclusion – Why Print on Demand?

Setting up your own offline retail store offline is a hectic job and we all know that. 

It’s something you don’t want to get into. And if you’re already stuck there, you want to come out of it. 

Print on Demand model simply gives you the freedom to work out on the artist inside you and breaks your financial limits of all kinds.

To know how you can be a merchpreneur at Printrove, with the least investment you ever imagined, reach out here.

If you have any questions, leave a comment below. I would love to answer them. Also, I’m curious to know what do you think is the best e-commerce business model?

The decision to choose between shopify and woocommerce is all a matter of what your current priorities are for your store.

Our choices make us what we are and when it comes to growing your business, there is no room for- “ I didn’t have a choice”. You always have a choice to go beyond substandard means of accomplishing tasks and choosing what is best for your business.

We understand your business is your baby and you would want the best for it, which is why if you are looking to set up an ecommerce business, we have options for you and comparisons.

Overview of Shopify and Woocommerce

Before jumping right into the comparison, let us begin with what these stores do individually.

Shopify

You are rid of the tension of web hosting, caching, security etc because Shopify does it for you. It is an ecommerce platform for entrepreneurs to set up their own stores and accept payments in one place so you don’t have to be on multiple platforms to get things done.

Woocommerce

It is an e-commerce plugin that has been built for WordPress which gives you a Content Management System to run your online business. There is enough liberty to customize your store because of Woocommerce’s open-source nature.

While they are both wonderful in their own capacity, you can choose the one for you based on your needs.

Things to Consider for Your E-commerce platform

Since you are starting out with your store, it is important to lay down objectives and determine your metrics that represent your growth scale. Along with this, for your e-commerce store, you need to decide the following:

Budget- The primary decision since that will decide how much initial cost you are agreeing to spend for a fully functional ecommerce store.

User Interface- As you are just a beginner, find a portal that is user-friendly so you won’t be spending too much time in learning the software.

Scalability- The platform should be able to support your business efficiently as it grows and expands in terms of business and product expansions.

Integration- Decide the number of services and third-party tools you want to use and integrate them to grow your business.

Payment Options- Any business should be able to offer multiple payment options so the customer can pay in the method that suits them.

Basis of Comparison: Shopify vs Woocommerce

Cost of the platform

Starting a business, you need to consider all kinds of costs that you will have to incur with initial capital, variable costs and setting up the e-commerce store.

Shopify- The basic plan starts at $29 monthly and if you decide to upgrade it will be $79. There is also an advanced Shopify Plan for $299. This is a good option if you want to start right away and have Shopify help you out.

Woocommerce- It is freely available as it is a wordpress plug-in. You will need a domain name, SSL Certificate and WordPress account to use Woocommerce. A domain will cost approximately $14.99, certificate of $69.99 and an account for $7.99 based on the services you choose. If you already have this, then Woocommerce doesn’t cost anything.

If you are someone who is just starting out then it would better to choose shopify as it looks after all the technical aspects.

Is it easy to use?

Shopify- It’s very easy to use because Shopify by itself manages your products, sales and inventory, so you don’t have to worry about it. While this is a plus, it can also mean you don’t have enough control over the functions of your website.

This may not be as problematic because hopify also provides a lot of options which are good enough to start off with.

Woocommerce- There is complete freedom to design and manage all the operations of the website exactly how you want it to be. However, woocommerce is not a hosting platform which means you will need to install it and manage the website security as well as updates. Backing up your content would also be a regular function with Woocommerce but they do have some automation options.

The Features

With Shopify, there are a lot of existing ecommerce tools that come in the basic version. They are helpful in selling, some of them are:

• Website and blog
• Discount codes
• Unlimited products
• Abandoned Cart recovery
• Built in Inventory Management

The one thing Shopify has and Woocommerce doesn’t is the abandoned cart recovery option. This is very important with ecommerce business because the customer will have a better website experience. They won’t have to fill in the details of the products they had selected again. This way you don’t lose sales.

Woocommerce, on the other hand also has a great set of features, such as:

• No restriction on customization
• Built-in Blogging
• Free WordPress plug-ins
• No shortage of themes
• Uptime and Pagespeed
• SEO optimization

Designs and Themes available

Shopify

The designs and themes available on Shopify are outsourced which means they have been made by professionals. The quality of design is supreme and the themes are current and engaging. The colour palette has ample options and it is also mobile responsive.

If you aren’t happy with the design, customizing them is easy.

Woocommerce

It opens a window to the world of possibilities because you can do anything you want with your website. It would be a perfect fit for you if you are wanting to experiment and make something of your own from scratch. However, you really need to invest a lot of time when using Woocommerce.

The time it takes to build

You first need to determine if you need a website setup fast so you can begin with selling or you want to spend more time on the set up to let it match your expectations.

If you are choosing the former, Shopify is an option for you. Your store will get live sooner and as a beginner it will be easier to manage the operations because Shopify manages most of it.

If you are choosing the latter, Woocommerce is your best bet. You need to have a higher degree of knowledge in website building and designing to use Woocommerce. If you have someone with the technical know-how, you will have the website you are dreaming of. Only drawback is that it will take longer to make.

Payment Options Provided

This is a crucial option you need to provide for your customers because they will find freedom is choosing payment method convenient for them. The more convenience you give, the more sales it drives.

Both Shopify and Woocommerce provide around 100 payment gateways. In India, they work on third party gateways such as:

• PayU
• PayTM
• PayPal
• RazorPay
• CCAvenue
• Cashfree

They also accept different payment methods like Cash on Delivery, Net Banking, Credit/Debit Card, EMI, Wallet, UPI and PayPal.

These third party payment gateways charge a 2% transaction fee on your transactions, so here, shopify and woocommerce stand on the same position!

Customer support

Shopify wins here, again!

A 24/7 customer support available over the phone, email and chat. You just need to give some helpful guides, forums and setup wizard, Shopify looks after the rest.

Acknowledging your customer queries and grievances is a very big part of managing your business. It expands your scope of improvement and helps you retain customers despite their issue with your company. This is your way of keeping your customers happy.

Woocommerce does not have any customer support option as it is more about making your own website. The focus is placed entirely on the building of a website. Since you already have a technical expert on board for Woocommerce, the customer support would be managed by them.

Shopify customer support is good for people who need engineers and advisers.

Have you reached your decision yet?

Let us summarize it for you:

Shopify

• Faster website building
• Abandoned cart recovery
• Customer support services
• Easy to use

Woocommerce

• Freedom of customizing website
• WordPress plug in
• Create own designs and themes
• Suitable for advanced use

If you have arrived at a decision of which platform to pick and are looking to dropship, then we are happy to tell you Printrove has an integration with both Shopify and Woocommerce! You can effortlessly push products from the Printrove Merchant Panel directly to the store of your choice. If you are choosing Shopify, then we can help you with getting started by providing a Free Shopify Trial.

The integration of a dropshipping business with Shopify is your best bet on starting a business that will rapidly grow.

The booming e-commerce industry has multiplied the competition level for online sellers which has led to the rise of various platforms. Shopify is one such platform that helps a business grow to its maximum potential, and if it’s a dropshipping business, there is an added advantage.

Let’s understand the concepts of dropshipping and Shopify, and explore how they work together.

Understanding Dropshipping

Dropshipping is a business model that involves 3 parties – seller, dropshipper and customer. The seller owns a store (online/offline) which works in association with a dropshipper.

When the customer places an order, the seller transfers the details to the dropshipper who makes the product, packages it and delivers it to the customer.

The seller does not have a readily available inventory, so when an order is placed, the seller purchases it from a third party which is the dropshipper.

Read more- What is Dropshipping- Guide 101

Understanding Shopify

Shopify is a Canadian based e-commerce company that helps businesses start, manage and run an ecommerce store in its full capacity. It is a completely cloud based system which eliminates the work of upgrading and maintaining the software. This also makes it easy for people to access their store from anywhere in the world.

If you are looking to start a dropshipping business, then shopify would work surprisingly well for that.

Why Choose Shopify for Dropshipping

People who choose to go ahead with a dropshipping business model have already considered the costs, target audience and niche product line that would sell online. By using a platform like Shopify, dropshipping becomes much easier to manage and growth is guaranteed.

Why are we so confident about Shopify working well with dropshipping? Here is why:

Ease of website setup and design

If you are someone who is just starting out with not enough knowledge about website development and design, then Shopify is made for you. The setup is very easy and it offers a variety of design themes to get your store customized and ready to go live.

Faster to Build

Since most of the operational functions like store management and inventory control are taken care of by Shopify, it is built faster and is extremely easy to use.

Wonderful features

There are a million features available on Shopify for your store. Their design themes are built by professionals so there is very little need for any modification.

Exclusive dropshipping apps

Shopify provides exclusive dropshipping apps such as Printrove in India which has an integration for the store set up and takes care of operations such as adding products, fulfillment and sending shipping updates to customers.

If you are choosing between Shopify and Woocommerce, you can read Shopify vs Woocommerce: Which platform to choose?

How does Dropshipping with Shopify work?

Since Shopify already has a setup for dropshippers, its interface and functions are also specific to dropshipping. For example, Printrove has an integration with Shopify which helps the customers to start a store using Shopify as a trial.

This integration of Printrove with Shopify helps the seller in this way :

• Seller gets a fully functional store and then has to install the Printrove App to have their operations in sync.
• The seller can easily connect his domain to the store which will become personalised and give a complete brand experience for his online store.
• Many third-party Payment gateway options are available with Shopify, to accept payments through cards, wallets and net banking, covering all the digital payment methods.
• An SSL Certificate comes as a standard security protocol for a Shopify store.
• Smooth functioning of the business because Shopify looks after everything such as web hosting, caching and security along with dropshipping and ecommerce aspect.

You can get a Shopify Trial with Printrove.

7 Steps For Creating a Dropshipping Store on Shopify

Step 1: Create an account

The most obvious beginning to any store, create an account on Shopify and choose a free trial to get started. Here, you should have your product niche and brand name fixed. Once you fill in the details, Shopify will ask a few more questions like physical address, and if you have any existing products on sale.

With Printrove, you get a free Shopify trial store so you get started with your business immediately and don’t need to create an account separately on Shopify.

Step 2: Add products

Once you have registered, you will be directed to the Shopify dashboard where all your operations will happen. You can begin by choosing design theme, adding a domain name and products. By adding products first, you will be able to easily decide on the design of the store and the domain name.

Printrove’s integration with Shopify helps you add products to your store in single click.

Step 3: Design your website

Your products are now uploaded so you can move to designing and setting up your store. You can click on the “Online Store” in your backend and get started. Shopify offers a variety of themes that are free. If you have the budget, you can also explore their marketplace for more theme options.

Step 4: Add a domain

You will be getting a URL from Shopify regardless of your domain set up. It is better to have a personalized domain name as that will make your business look professional.

Click on “Online Store” where you will get 3 options- 1) Transfer third party domain 2) Transfer a domain 3) Purchase a new domain.

Step 5: Choose a Drop Shipper and Set Up Payment

Shopify already gives you app integrations of a variety of dropshippers that you can choose from as mentioned above. You just have to select on a dropshipper and then set up payment. Shopify has some default third party payment options which you can select and set up your payment mechanism.

Printrove Dropshipping works with Shopify well, because:

• You get a Shopify trial store for free so you can explore
• Getting the Printrove App for Shopify will automate all your functions
• You can easily import products from your Merchant panel to your Shopify store for print on demand and drop shipping.
• Order fulfillment and delivery will be handled by Printrove so you don’t have to manage inventory. The collaboration of Printrove with various delivery companies ensures on time delivery.
• Automatic updates will be sent to the customer regarding the shipping details.
• Tracking the shipment options helps you locate your orders directly from the Merchant panel.
• You can get your team on board based on their roles because of the multiple user support on Shopify

Step 6: Select a Plan

If you have registered for the 14 day free trial, you can now scale up to having a paid plan by just entering your credit card details. If you get your Shopify store with Printrove, then you get a trial account.

Step 7: Customer Support

The reason dropshipping and shopify work remarkably well together is that they both understand the importance of marketing and after sales services. When its an online store, you are answerable to your clients in more ways than just one.

With dropshipping, you get more time to market as the production and fulfillment is done by a dropshipper. With shopify, your store is managed and well set up, which again, gives you time to brand it well.

Use the advantage of both to grow your business by knowing How to Market Your Dropshipping Business Online.

Shopify provides you with customer support services that are imperative for your business to establish trust with the customers and improve from their feedback.

To Conclude…

Dropshipping and Shopify work well together and can be considered as the best option for your ecommerce business start. To be able to use the robust Shopify platform at the very beginning of your business can be an added advantage for you, and that’s why Printrove offers the shopify trial. Huge opportunities come your way as you get to experiment and play with your product designs as well as the architecture of your Shopify store.

How well you’re able to manage your orders with your dropshipping supplier can also be tested right here. Need help in picking up the right dropshipping supplier for your ecommerce business? Check this out.