Essentials

India’s e-commerce ecosystem has expanded rapidly over the past few years, powered by widespread smartphone usage, faster internet access, digital payments, and a growing comfort with online shopping across cities and smaller towns. Consumers today rely on e-commerce not just for convenience, but for everyday essentials, fashion, electronics, and lifestyle products. This shift has created clear patterns around which products consistently perform well online, making best-selling categories a strong reflection of real consumer demand in India.

For print-on-demand sellers, merchpreneurs, and beginners entering e-commerce, understanding best-selling products in India is critical to making smarter decisions from the start. Instead of guessing product ideas or chasing short-lived trends, sellers who focus on proven demand reduce risk and improve their chances of traction. In this blog, we’ll explore how best-selling products are identified, the market trends shaping consumer buying behavior, and the top product categories—especially daily-use products in India—that new and growing sellers should watch closely.

Understanding India’s Online Buying Trends Before You Start Selling

Before choosing what to sell online, it’s important to understand how Indian consumers actually shop today. Online demand in India isn’t random—it’s shaped by access to mobile internet, changing lifestyles, regional preferences, and how marketplaces surface products. Sellers who understand these underlying trends are better positioned to choose products that don’t just trend briefly but sell consistently.

Growth of Online Shopping in India

India’s e-commerce growth has been largely powered by mobile-first users and changing consumption habits.

Key factors driving this growth include:

• Rise of mobile internet: Affordable smartphones and low-cost data plans have brought millions of first-time buyers online, especially from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities.
• Mobile-first buying behavior: Most purchases now happen through apps, leading to quicker decisions influenced by visibility, reviews, and pricing.
• Trust in online platforms: Easy returns, cashless payments, and improved logistics have reduced hesitation around online purchases.

As a result, online shopping has shifted from being occasional to habitual. Consumers increasingly rely on e-commerce for:

• Daily-use products
• Fashion and basic apparel
• Personal care and grooming items
• Home and kitchen essentials

This shift explains why certain best-selling products in India see steady, repeat demand rather than seasonal or one-time purchases.

How Trends Are Shaping What Sells Most?

What sells online in India is heavily influenced by how marketplaces surface and promote products.

Platforms like Amazon and Flipkart shape demand through:

• Bestseller rankings and trending sections
• Algorithm-based recommendations
• “Frequently bought together” and repeat-purchase signals

Once a product starts selling well, these systems amplify its visibility, creating a cycle where demand grows because the product is already performing.

Beyond marketplaces, social and local buying behavior also plays a major role:

• Consumers prefer products that solve everyday, practical problems
• Regional usage patterns and price sensitivity strongly influence demand
• Social media, local creators, and word-of-mouth accelerate the adoption of relatable products

For new sellers, this means success isn’t just about copying trending products—it’s about understanding why in India certain products in demand resonate with Indian buyers and how trends are reinforced through platforms and social influence.

How Products Become Best Sellers in the Indian Market?

Best-selling products in India rarely succeed by chance. They usually follow a repeatable pattern shaped by consumer behavior, pricing sensitivity, daily relevance, and how easily sellers can scale them online. Understanding these signals helps sellers avoid chasing hype and instead focus on products in demand in India that have long-term potential.

Consistent Consumer Demand, Not Just Short-Term Trends

Best sellers are built on demand that repeats over time rather than spikes that fade quickly.

• These products are tied to everyday needs or habits, which means people continue buying them regardless of season or promotions.
• They often serve practical purposes or emotional needs that don’t change frequently, making demand more predictable.
• Unlike trend-based products, they don’t rely on viral moments or short-lived popularity to generate sales.

Price, Utility & Everyday Relevance

Indian buyers tend to make practical decisions, especially when shopping online.

• Products that offer clear usefulness at an accessible price point convert better because customers immediately understand their value.
• Items that fit into daily routines—home, personal care, work, or lifestyle—require less convincing and face fewer objections.
• When a product feels reasonably priced for its utility, it’s more likely to be purchased on impulse.

Emotional Appeal, Personalisation & Gifting Value

Many high-selling products succeed because they connect emotionally, not just functionally.

• Products that reflect identity, beliefs, or personal style often create stronger attachment and repeat purchases.
• Personalised or customizable items feel more meaningful, making them popular for gifting across festivals, birthdays, and special occasions.
• In a culture where gifting is common throughout the year, emotional relevance plays a major role in sustained demand.

Ease of Fulfilment & Scalability for Online Sellers

From a seller’s point of view, products that scale easily tend to perform better over time.

• Items that are lightweight, compact, and easy to package reduce shipping costs and operational complexity.
• Products with fewer variations or sizing issues face fewer returns and customer complaints.
• Simple fulfilment allows sellers to focus more on marketing and less on logistics problems.

Market Visibility Through Marketplaces & Social Platforms

Visibility often determines whether a product becomes a best seller in India or stays unnoticed.

• Products that gain early traction on marketplaces get pushed further through recommendations and bestseller sections.
• Positive reviews and consistent sales signals improve trust and conversion rates.
• Social platforms amplify demand by exposing products to wider audiences through shares, reels, and influencer content.

Profit Margins That Allow Advertising & Growth

Sustainable best sellers usually have enough margin to support paid promotion and scaling.

• Products that can absorb ad costs, platform commissions, and logistics expenses give sellers room to grow.
• Without healthy margins, even products with good demand become difficult to scale profitably.
• Margin flexibility allows reinvestment into better creatives, ads, and product expansion.

Why Print-On-Demand Products Fit These Best-Seller Signals?

Print on demand products naturally align with many of the characteristics seen in Indian best sellers.

• They reduce inventory risk, allowing sellers to test ideas without heavy upfront investment.
  
• Customisation and design-based appeal make them well-suited for emotional buying and gifting.
  
• Pricing and margins are easier to control, which supports advertising and long-term scaling when demand is validated.

Products in demand in India: big categories to watch

When you look at long-term e-commerce success in India, the strongest brands are usually built around categories, not single winning products. Certain product buckets show steady, repeat demand because they align with daily habits, lifestyle needs, and India’s strong gifting culture. These categories don’t depend on short-lived trends or seasonal hype—they remain relevant year after year. For print on demand sellers and merchpreneurs, these evergreen demand buckets offer the best foundation to test designs, build a niche identity, and scale gradually without heavy inventory risk.

Clothing & accessories – India’s highest-selling online category

Clothing and accessories continue to be the highest-selling products in India because apparel combines necessity with self-expression. Consumers regularly buy T-shirts, hoodies, caps, tote bags, and fashion accessories for daily wear, casual outings, work-from-home use, and gifting. Style refresh cycles are frequent, and buyers are open to experimenting with designs, messages, and themes.

For POD sellers, this category works especially well because designs can be niche-driven—based on interests, professions, humor, culture, or beliefs – without worrying about stocking inventory. Apparel also allows brands to evolve creatively while staying anchored in consistent demand.

Home & living – small ticket, high repeat purchase

Home and living products perform strongly in India because buyers are constantly looking to improve or personalize their living spaces. Items like wall décor, cushions, posters, organizers, and small utility products are affordable, easy to understand, and don’t require complex buying decisions. Purchases in this category are often incremental – people buy multiple items over time rather than one large product.

From a print-on-demand perspective, home products offer creative flexibility and strong gifting appeal, especially during festivals, housewarmings, or seasonal refreshes. Since sizing issues and returns are minimal, this category is easier to manage operationally while still offering room for branding and design differentiation.

Drinkware & small accessories – perfect for daily use and gifting

Drinkware and compact lifestyle accessories succeed because they sit at the intersection of utility and emotion. Products like mugs, bottles, tumblers, and small desk or travel accessories are used daily, which increases their perceived value. At the same time, they are commonly purchased as gifts for birthdays, office occasions, and festivals.

These products work well online because buyers don’t need extensive research—they understand the use instantly. For POD brands, drinkware allows easy customization with names, messages, or niche themes, making it ideal for gifting-led demand and repeat purchases.

Tech & desk accessories – impulse buys with huge volume

With India’s growing digital workforce, student population, and content consumption habits, tech and desk accessories have become high-volume sellers. Products like mouse pads, laptop sleeves, desk mats, phone stands, and organizers are affordable, practical, and often bought on impulse.

Buyers in this category look for functionality first, but design and personalization influence the final decision. For POD sellers, these products are attractive because they’re lightweight, easy to ship, rarely returned, and well-suited for niche targeting—such as work-from-home users, students, gamers, or professionals.

Sports, fitness & athleisure – lifestyle plus routine

The sports and fitness category has grown steadily as health, wellness, and active lifestyles become part of everyday routines. Apparel and accessories linked to workouts, yoga, walking, or casual athleisure wear benefit from repeat usage and strong identity-based buying.

Consumers in this segment often connect emotionally with fitness goals, routines, or communities. That makes this category ideal for POD sellers who focus on motivational messaging, lifestyle branding, or niche fitness audiences rather than generic designs. Demand here is less seasonal and more habit-driven.

Kids, baby & gifting categories

Kids and baby-related products remain consistently in demand due to frequent gifting, fast usage cycles, and emotional purchase decisions. Parents, relatives, and friends regularly buy products for birthdays, milestones, and celebrations. Buyers prioritize relevance, safety perception, and emotional value over experimentation.

For POD sellers, this category offers year-round demand without depending heavily on discounts or trends. Personalised designs, age-specific themes, and gifting-oriented products perform especially well, allowing brands to build trust and repeat purchases over time.

Top 10 Daily-Use Products in India You Can Build a Print on Demand Brand Around

From a print-on-demand perspective, daily-use products are ideal because they combine repeat exposure, low inventory risk, and scalable branding. Unlike trend-driven items that peak and disappear, the top 10 daily use products in India allow POD sellers to test designs quickly, refine messaging, and grow niche-led brands without large upfront investments. These categories work especially well for Print on Demand because they support frequent design refreshes, personalization, and predictable demand—three pillars of a sustainable Print on Demand business.

Everyday Apparel Staples

T-shirts, oversized tees, polos, hoodies, and joggers are the backbone of most successful Print on Demand brands globally—and India is no different. From a Print on Demand standpoint, apparel offers unmatched flexibility. Designs can be swapped instantly, collections can be niche-focused, and sellers can test multiple themes without holding stock.

Because apparel is worn repeatedly, customers don’t just buy for utility—they buy for identity. This allows POD brands to move beyond single-product selling and build communities around interests, professions, humor, or lifestyle positioning, which is critical for long-term brand value.

Innerwear & Loungewear (Print-Friendly Styles)

Loungewear is an underrated POD opportunity in India because it aligns perfectly with comfort-driven consumption and repeat usage. Pyjamas, sleep tees, and lounge shorts are worn daily and replaced often, yet branding in this category is still relatively untapped.

For POD sellers, this category works best with subtle, comfort-led designs rather than loud graphics. Operationally, these products benefit from simple fits and fewer style complications, making them easier to scale once demand is validated. Brands that get comfort, fabric quality, and messaging right can build strong repeat purchase cycles here.

Daily Carry Bags & Fabric Accessories

Fabric-based accessories like tote bags, sling bags, backpacks, and pouches are POD-friendly because they don’t rely on sizing and have long usage lifecycles. From a branding point of view, these products act as moving billboards, giving designs daily public exposure.

For Print on Demand businesses, bags allow niche targeting at scale – college students, office-goers, travelers, creators, or eco-conscious buyers—without complex inventory management. They also support premium pricing when designs connect with purpose or identity, improving margins over time.

Work-From-Home & Desk Merchandise

Desk merchandise is particularly strong for Print on Demand due to its high daily visibility. Mousepads, desk mats, and fabric organizers sit in front of users for hours, reinforcing brand recall constantly.

From a POD business lens, these products are easy to print, ship, and customize. They also unlock B2B and corporate gifting opportunities, where bulk orders and repeat contracts become possible. This makes desk merchandise one of the few POD categories that can naturally expand beyond direct-to-consumer sales.

Drinkware & Hydration Merchandise

Drinkware works exceptionally well for Print On Demand because it blends routine usage with emotional value. Mugs, bottles, and sippers are habit-based products—used every day—yet buyers are willing to pay more for designs that feel personal or meaningful.

For POD sellers, this category supports personalization, gifting, and themed collections. Since these products are often bought as gifts, designs don’t need frequent trend changes; strong messaging and emotional relevance drive long-term demand and repeat orders.

Phone-Adjacent POD Products

Phone cases are an ideal POD product because they avoid the risks associated with electronics while benefiting from daily, constant interaction. Users engage with their phone cases multiple times a day, making unique and differentiated designs essential.

From a POD perspective, phone cases are lightweight, affordable, and rarely returned. This allows sellers to experiment freely with different niches, aesthetics, and messaging, all while keeping operational risk low—perfect for testing and scaling micro-brands.

Stationery & Paper Products

Stationery products like planners, journals, notebooks, and calendars are excellent for Print On Demand because they naturally align with theme-based branding. Productivity, mindfulness, goal-setting, creativity, and self-growth are all strong angles that perform well year-round.

POD sellers benefit from predictable print workflows and the ability to refresh designs on a seasonal or annual basis. Once customers resonate with a brand’s philosophy or design style, repeat purchases become easier to drive.

Athleisure and Streetwear

Athleisure and streetwear have become key elements of modern fashion, offering the perfect blend of comfort and style. As fitness culture and street style gain popularity in India, products like leggings, joggers, hoodies, and graphic tees are becoming essential wardrobe staples.

For POD sellers, these categories provide an opportunity to create unique, trend-driven designs with low inventory risk. Whether for workouts or casual wear, athleisure and streetwear appeal to a wide audience, making them ideal for experimenting with fresh, niche concepts that resonate with consumers.

Kids’ Printed Clothing for Everyday Wear

Everyday kidswear is driven by parental priorities like comfort, durability, and emotional appeal. Printed clothing for toddlers and children aged 6–10 fits naturally into daily routines, as kids outgrow clothes quickly and parents regularly refresh essentials such as t-shirts, sets, and sleepwear.

From a Print on Demand perspective, custom-printed kids clothing with names, playful artwork, or age-appropriate themes increases perceived value and repeat purchases. With soft fabrics and child-safe printing standards, POD brands can build trust, consistency, and long-term demand in everyday kidswear.

Home Décor Merchandise

Home décor POD products succeed because they stay visible every day and influence the emotional feel of a space. Posters, wall art, and coasters, in particular, are among the most frequently refreshed décor elements, making them ideal for Print on Demand. People update wall visuals and coasters to match moods, seasons, or trends rather than replacing core furniture.

For POD sellers, posters and coasters offer low return rates, high creative freedom, and zero inventory risk. With a defined visual style, poster and coaster-focused brands can build strong recognition and 

Trending products in India are shaped less by sudden global fads and more by visibility, timing, and cultural relevance. Unlike evergreen best sellers, trending products reflect what consumers are reacting to right now – through social platforms, festivals, lifestyle shifts, and changing routines. For POD sellers, trends are not about copying what’s viral, but about identifying patterns that can be adapted into designs quickly and tested without inventory risk.

Products Currently Trending in India

Trending products in India are shaped less by sudden global fads and more by visibility, timing, and cultural relevance. Unlike evergreen best sellers, trending products reflect what consumers are reacting to right now – through social platforms, festivals, lifestyle shifts, and changing routines. For POD sellers, trends are not about copying what’s viral, but about identifying patterns that can be adapted into designs quickly and tested without inventory risk.

Social Media Influenced Trends

Social media plays a powerful role in accelerating product demand in India, especially on platforms where short-form content and creator-driven discovery dominate. Products gain momentum when they are visually appealing, emotionally relatable, or tied to identity-based messaging.

From a POD perspective, social-media-led trends often show up as:

• Quotes, humor, or statements that resonate with a specific audience (students, professionals, fitness enthusiasts, creators)
• Aesthetic-driven themes such as minimalism, nostalgia, pop culture references, or regional pride
• Community-based identity signals around professions, hobbies, or lifestyles

What makes these trends valuable for POD sellers is speed. Designs can be created, launched, and iterated quickly in response to what people are engaging with online. Instead of betting on one viral design, successful Print on Demand brands observe engagement patterns and translate them into scalable design themes that can evolve.

Seasonal & Cultural Trends

Seasonality and culture play a much bigger role in Indian buying behavior than in many global markets. Festivals, weddings, travel seasons, and regional celebrations regularly influence what products people buy and give as gifts.

Trending demand in this segment often revolves around:

• Festival-specific gifting and décor during Diwali, Rakhi, Christmas, Eid, and regional festivals
• Wedding and celebration seasons, where customized and thoughtful products are preferred
• Weather-driven trends such as summer hydration products or winter apparel,  and home textiles

For POD sellers, seasonal and cultural trends offer predictable demand windows rather than unpredictable spikes. The key is preparation – building adaptable designs that can be refreshed with festival-specific messaging or cultural cues. Print on Demand allows sellers to participate in these trends without overstocking or heavy upfront investment, making seasonal demand a growth opportunity rather than a risk.

Why Print On Demand is Ideal for New Sellers?

For new sellers entering the Indian e-commerce space, print-on-demand offers one of the most practical and forgiving entry models. Instead of managing inventory, forecasting demand, or risking capital on unsold stock, POD allows sellers to focus on ideas, design, and marketing. It’s especially effective in a market like India, where demand is diverse, trends move quickly, and price sensitivity makes experimentation risky with traditional inventory-based models.

Zero Inventory, Low Risk

One of the biggest barriers for new sellers is inventory risk – buying stock upfront without knowing what will sell. Print on demand removes this problem entirely.

With POD:

• Products are manufactured only after an order is placed, so there’s no unsold stock.
• Sellers don’t need warehouse space or large upfront capital.
• Product failures cost time and learning, not financial losses.

This low-risk structure allows beginners to experiment freely, test niches, and learn the market without the pressure of clearing inventory or running heavy discounts to recover costs.

Quick Test-and-Scale Model

Print on Demand is well-suited to fast experimentation, which is critical in the Indian market where preferences vary by region, language, and culture.

Using POD, sellers can:

• Launch multiple designs or themes quickly within the same product category.
• Test what resonates through ads, organic traffic, or marketplaces.
• Scale only the designs and categories that show real demand.

Instead of committing to a single “winning product,” sellers can let data guide decisions. Designs that convert can be expanded into collections, while underperforming ideas can be dropped without operational complications. This test-and-scale flexibility is one of POD’s strongest advantages for new sellers.

Product Ideas You Can Start With Quickly

Print on demand works best when sellers begin with products that are simple, familiar, and easy to brand. New sellers don’t need complex catalogs to start.

Common starting points include:

• Everyday apparel like T-shirts or oversized tees with niche-focused designs.
• Drinkware such as mugs or bottles for gifting and daily use.
• Desk merchandise like mousepads or planners for students and professionals.
• Fabric accessories like tote bags or pouches that avoid sizing issues.

These products are easy for customers to understand, quick to launch, and flexible enough to support different design directions. Starting simple allows new sellers to focus on learning customer behavior, pricing, and marketing – skills that matter far more than having a large product range early on.

Why Does POD Make Sense in the Indian Market?

India’s diversity makes print-on-demand especially effective because buying preferences vary widely across cities, age groups, and communities. POD allows sellers to customize designs for specific audiences without changing the core product, making it easier to start small, test locally, and expand gradually. If a niche underperforms, sellers can pivot quickly without financial pressure. Instead of competing on scale or price from day one, Print On Demand enables new brands to win through creativity, relevance, and speed.

Print On Demand Vs Traditional E-commerce in India

For anyone starting an online business in India, one of the earliest decisions is whether to follow a traditional inventory-based e-commerce model or start with print-on-demand. While both models can work, they come with very different risk profiles, cost structures, and learning curves. Understanding these differences is critical before you invest time or money into sourcing products.

How Print-On-Demand Works For Beginners (No Inventory, No Bulk Printing, No Printing Machine)?

Print on demand works on a simple principle: products are created only after a customer places an order. There is no need to buy inventory in advance, no bulk printing, and no storage or warehousing.

For beginners, this means:

• You don’t need capital tied up in stock that may or may not sell
• There’s no pressure to predict demand accurately from day one
• You can focus on designs, branding, and marketing instead of logistics

In the Indian context – where demand varies across regions and audiences – this flexibility makes POD especially beginner-friendly. Sellers can list products online, test interest, and fulfill orders without operational complexity.

Why POD is safer for testing best-selling products (low risk, fast iterations)?

While POD is excellent for testing and early growth, there are situations where transitioning to bulk inventory makes sense.

Typically, sellers consider moving away from POD when:

• A product shows consistent sales volume over time
• Margins need to improve beyond what POD pricing allows
• Demand becomes predictable and repeatable

At this stage, POD has already done its job – it has validated demand, pricing, and positioning. Moving to bulk inventory then becomes a calculated business decision rather than a risky bet. Many successful Indian e-commerce brands start with POD to learn what sells and later shift selected products to traditional sourcing for higher profitability.

When it makes sense to move from POD tests to bulk inventory.

While POD is excellent for testing and early growth, there are situations where transitioning to bulk inventory makes sense.

Typically, sellers consider moving away from POD when:

• A product shows consistent sales volume over time
• Margins need to improve beyond what Print On Demand pricing allows
• Demand becomes predictable and repeatable

At this stage, POD has already done its job—it has validated demand, pricing, and positioning. Moving to bulk inventory then becomes a calculated business decision rather than a risky bet. Many successful Indian e-commerce brands start with Print on Demand to learn what sells and later shift selected products to traditional sourcing for higher profitability.

Best-selling products in India that fit perfectly with Printrove

Printrove fits naturally into the Indian POD ecosystem because its product catalog aligns closely with categories that already show strong and repeat demand. Instead of forcing sellers to chase niche or experimental products, Printrove enables them to launch within proven best-selling segments while still leveraging the flexibility of print on demand. This makes it especially useful for beginners, merchpreneurs, and existing store owners who want to grow without increasing inventory risk.

Apparel you can launch with Printrove

Apparel remains the strongest Print On Demand category in India, and Printrove’s apparel range maps directly to what Indian consumers already buy online. Products like T-shirts, oversized tees, hoodies, sweatshirts.,and kids’ tees are worn frequently, replaced often, and driven by identity-based buying.

From a POD standpoint, these products are ideal because:

• They support frequent design refreshes without inventory pressure
• They work across multiple niches such as college culture, startups, fitness, pop culture, and regional themes
• They allow sellers to build collections instead of relying on single designs

This makes apparel a natural starting point for anyone launching a Printrove-powered print-on-demand brand.

Home & living and lifestyle products

Beyond apparel, Printrove’s home and lifestyle catalog aligns well with India’s gifting habits and daily-use demand. Products such as posters, framed prints, mugs, sipper bottles, and desk accessories are easy for customers to understand and purchase without heavy consideration.

These products work well for POD because:

• They combine utility with emotional or aesthetic appeal
• They’re commonly purchased as gifts or for personal spaces
• They don’t involve sizing complexity, which reduces returns

For sellers, this category opens opportunities to build theme-based or aesthetic-led brands that rely more on design and storytelling than discounts.

How Existing Merchpreneurs And Small Store Owners Can Plug Printrove In?

Printrove isn’t just for new sellers – it’s especially powerful for existing ecommerce businesses looking to expand intelligently.

For store owners already running a Shopify or WooCommerce store, Printrove can be integrated to:

• Add POD SKUs alongside existing inventory without operational disruption
• Launch limited-edition or experimental designs without stocking risk
• Test new niches, collections, or design ideas before committing to bulk production

Merchpreneurs can use POD as a testing layer – letting real customer demand decide which designs deserve scale. Instead of guessing what will work, Printrove allows sellers to validate ideas in the market first, then double down on proven winners.

Conclusion

India’s e-commerce market is booming, and understanding consumer demand is crucial for success. By focusing on evergreen categories like apparel, home décor, and lifestyle products, sellers can tap into steady demand and avoid the risks of chasing fleeting trends. Print-on-demand offers a flexible, low-risk model, allowing sellers to test, adapt, and scale without upfront inventory costs.

For new sellers, POD is an ideal way to enter the market, test ideas quickly, and build a brand that resonates with Indian consumers. With the right approach, POD opens doors to consistent growth and long-term success.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is most in demand in India?

Popular categories in India include apparel, home décor, drinkware, tech accessories, and lifestyle products. These consistently meet consumer needs and see high repeat demand.

Q: How much money do you need to start a print-on-demand business in India?

You can start a print-on-demand business in India with minimal investment. Platforms like Printrove are free; most spending goes toward marketing and selling products, not inventory or setup.

Q: Should you focus on one winning product or multiple categories at the start?

Focus on one or two product categories initially to build your brand. Once demand is validated, expand to more products to diversify and capture broader markets.

Q: How long should you test a product before deciding to scale or stop?

Test for at least 2–3 months, allowing time for customer feedback, marketing adjustments, and sales data. This period helps determine demand stability before scaling.

Q: Which product is good for print-on-demand?

Apparel is the most popular choice in print-on-demand. Items like t-shirts, hoodies, and sweatshirts sell quickly. Many sellers also do well with simple home and gift items such as mugs, tote bags, stickers, and candles.

Q: How can I find out what products are trending?

Use tools like Google Trends, Amazon best-sellers, and social media platforms. Monitor marketplaces and influencers for emerging trends and consumer interests, adjusting quickly for relevance.

Gen Z includes individuals born between 1997 and 2012 – the first generation raised with the internet, smartphones, and social media as everyday life, not special technology. They’re masters of comparison because information has always been within reach. They’re quick to call out anything that feels outdated, forced, or fake.

But it’s not just about trends or aesthetics. Gen Z cares deeply about mental health, identity, sustainability, inclusivity, and cultural expression. Clothes aren’t just something they wear. They’re something they feel. Fashion becomes a reflection of mood, values, belonging, individuality, and emotional grounding. That’s what makes Gen Z fashion feel personal and fast-evolving at the same time.

Difference Between Millennials vs Gen Z

Millennials and Gen Z are two distinct generations with unique behaviours, values, and expectations. Understanding their differences helps brands, businesses, and marketers connect with each group more effectively. Here’s a clear comparison of the two:

The Gen Z Influence: Fashion Trends to Expect in 2026

The increasing economic capabilities and unique online influence of generation Z millennials entering into 2026 have triggered a mighty shift in the fashion industry. They are the ones that are dictating what fashion gets created, what gets produced and what sells. The most critical focus characteristics of redesigned fashion are style, comfort, and ethical values.

Their Buying Power & Spending Habits

Gen Z is entering its peak spending years, and a massive chunk of that money flows straight into fashion, beauty, and lifestyle categories.

They’re willing to spend extra when something feels special – better fabrics, sharper fits, more sustainable production, and intentional designs matter to them more than generic fast fashion.

Impulse purchases still happen, but they aren’t careless buyers. They check reviews, follow creators for try-ons, and evaluate how relevant a brand feels digitally. It’s not about price, it’s about value and vibe.

Limited drops, creator collabs, and capsule collections influence them more than thousand-page catalogues full of repetitive looks.

How Gen Z Shops Fashion

In most cases, the shopping experience for Gen Z begins well in advance of their arrival at a store—which is, in some cases, a step they choose to forgo entirely—and begins online. From search results to Reels to TikTok videos to Creator content, they view how a piece of apparel moves, fits, and feels in the real world as opposed to just being showcased unanimated on a mannequin.

Fluent in digital technologies, they head to sites and apps that are quick and mobile-responsive and that take the time to explain shipping and return policies, sizing guides, and the return processes.

To this cohort, social proof weighs heavily when balanced against the marketing of a product. Buy impulses are triggered by the use of unpolished social media marketing and by the inclusion of real photos, peer-generated content, try-on videos, and unfiltered content from likable influencers.

When they are ready to make a purchase, it’s common for them to search for a trending product on social media, add the item to a wishlist, browse for lower prices on other apps, take their time to consider the item, and then hit ‘buy’ when the time feels right.

Gen Z & Sustainability

Many Gen Z shoppers genuinely care where and how their clothes are made, not just how they look in selfies. They’re open to buying thrifted, upcycled, and print on demand pieces because these feel less wasteful and more thoughtful than mass‑produced fast fashion that ends up forgotten in a corner.

Buzzwords alone don’t impress them anymore. They want clear proof: what fabrics are used, how much waste is reduced, and whether people behind the clothes are treated fairly. For many of them, sustainability has shifted from a nice‑to‑have to a baseline filter- especially for big‑ticket items or brands they keep going back to.

Fashion as Identity & Social Signal

Outfits are one of Gen Z’s quickest ways to say, “This is who I am today.”

They shift stylistically based on mood and moment – streetwear one day, ethnic the next, minimalist the day after. No single identity is the identity.

Statement pieces like printed shirts, graphic tees, and unusual accessories become personality badges both offline and online.

Fashion becomes a way to align with values like body positivity, cultural pride, mental-health awareness, diversity, and self-acceptance.

TikTok, Instagram & Fast Trend Cycles

Short videos and Reels can take a tiny micro trend and turn it into a must‑have wardrobe staple in just a few weeks. A sound, a filter, or a challenge can decide what becomes “viral fashion” long before runway shows catch up.

Gen Z is quick to jump on new trends because it’s fun, but they’re just as quick to drop them the moment they feel overused, forced, or inauthentic. Brands that learn to move at this pace—and respond with smaller, quicker drops instead of slow, seasonal updates—stay closer to Gen Z’s constantly shifting attention and mood.

The Biggest Fashion Trends Taking Over Right Now

Right now, Indian fashion for Gen Z is all about relaxed silhouettes, playful layering, and tiny details that carry a big personality. You’ll see a mix of streetwear, Indo‑Western fits, and subtle luxury elements, all styled for everyday comfort and high social‑media impact.

Latest Clothing Trends in India You’ll See Everywhere

• Across Indian campuses, cafés, and coworking spaces, relaxed fits completely rule.
• Wide‑leg jeans, straight‑cut trousers, cargos, and baggy denims are paired with oversized t‑shirts, crop tops, and boxy shirts that let you move, breathe, and exist without feeling restricted.
• Co‑ord sets—especially matching shirts and shorts or shirts and pants—are huge in both casual and semi‑formal settings because they look put together with almost zero effort.
• The latest clothing trends in India for youth lean heavily on breathable fabrics, pastel tones, and versatile pieces that can move with you from class to coffee dates to weekend plans.
• The goal isn’t to look perfect; it’s to feel like yourself in every space you walk into, often with a casual tote bag slung over the shoulder.

Gen Z Fashion Trends Shaping the Future of Style

• Gen Z fashion trends are pulling the entire industry toward comfort‑first designs and individuality‑first styling.
• Instead of obsessively matching everything, Gen Z loves intentional mismatching—playing with textures, prints, and silhouettes in ways that feel more honest than “polished.”
• Gender‑fluid silhouettes, unisex oversized fits, and non‑traditional colour choices are slowly becoming the new normal.
• This generation is also making space for both loud, expressive looks and quiet, minimal wardrobes, proving that there’s no single way to be stylish anymore—and no one right way to be seen.

Formal Party Wear for Men – What’s In & What’s Out

• In formal party wear for men, stiff three‑piece suits and heavy, shiny fabrics are slowly losing their grip.
• What feels right now is relaxed tailoring, soft shoulders, slightly wider trousers, and muted or earthy colours that feel grown‑up without being loud.
• Bandhgalas, Nehru jackets, layered kurta‑jacket sets, and Indo‑western blazers teamed with smart trousers—or even clean sneakers—feel fresh, modern, and age‑appropriate for Gen Z.
• Subtle textures, simple accessories, and comfort‑driven cuts are taking over from flashy logos and overly tight fits that feel more like costumes than clothes.

Ladies’ Dress Design Trends You’ll Want in Your Wardrobe

• Ladies dress design latest trends are all about movement, ease, and that “I can actually breathe in this” feeling.
• Slip dresses, bias‑cut midis, flowy maxi dresses, and co‑ord sets are everywhere – from brunches and birthdays to sangeet nights and intimate weddings.
• Cut‑outs, interesting necklines, statement sleeves, and tie‑ups add drama without making the outfit uncomfortable or fussy.
• Many designs blend Indian elements like block prints, zari, or embroidery with Western silhouettes so you can dress for reels, weddings, and weekend plans without needing a completely separate wardrobe for each.

Types of Styles You’ll Notice Across Indian Fashion This Year

• This year, you’ll see a mash‑up of styles walking side by side, and that’s exactly the point.
• There’s laid‑back streetwear with oversized tees and cargos, bomber jackets, soft‑feminine aesthetics with bows and florals, sharp minimalism with clean monochrome looks, and nostalgia‑driven Y2K fashion with low‑rise pieces and playful accessories.
• Some people lean into sporty athleisure, others into dreamy cottagecore or low‑key quiet luxury.
• Most Gen Z wardrobes blend several of these types of styles so they can switch energy based on mood, occasion, or even the playlist they’re listening to that day.

Sustainable & Ethical Fashion – Gen Z’s Non‑Negotiable Standard

• For many Gen Z shoppers, sustainability isn’t a cute bonus anymore; it’s a non‑negotiable baseline.
• They look for brands that use organic cotton, recycled fabrics, or on‑demand production so clothes aren’t made just to end up as dead stock.
• Thrifting, clothes swaps, rental outfits, and upcycling are becoming normal, especially in bigger cities, where conscious consumers are thinking about the footprint of every purchase.
• Instead of buying ten cheap tops that fall apart after a few washes, many prefer a smaller rotation of pieces they can re‑wear, restyle, and repair.
• For brands, this means being transparent about sourcing, fabrics, and worker welfare—and backing big sustainability claims with real proof, not just marketing buzzwords.

Oversized + Relaxed Fits Are Still Winning

• Oversized silhouettes are still the comfort kings of Gen Z wardrobes and will stay strong in 2026.
• Baggy jeans, wide‑leg trousers, oversized shirts, and slouchy hoodies and women’s crop hoodies create that effortless, laid‑back look Gen Z loves—like wearing your safe space on your body.
• When styled with chunky sneakers or platform loafers, these outfits feel casual but intentional, not sloppy.
• Even workplaces and semi‑formal settings are slowly accepting relaxed fits, making them one of the longest‑running Gen Z fashion trends that bridge comfort and confidence.

Indo‑Western Fusion Wear Takes Over Party Season

• Indo‑Western fusion wear is becoming the go‑to choice for weddings, festivals, and family events where you want to look traditional without feeling weighed down.
• Think crop‑top lehengas with jackets, draped saree‑gowns, kurtas paired with denim, or structured blazers thrown over traditional sets.
• These pieces let Gen Z honour cultural roots while still moving, dancing, and socialising comfortably.
• The result is party wear that’s lighter, camera‑ready, and easy to wear from early ceremonies to late‑night dance floors without constant outfit stress.

Quiet Luxury & Timeless Neutrals Replace Loud Logos

• Quiet luxury is rising fast as Gen Z becomes more selective about what they buy.
• Instead of huge logos and in‑your‑face branding, they’re choosing well‑cut shirts, tailored trousers, simple dresses, and high‑quality fabrics in neutral shades that whisper “put together” without shouting for attention.
• Beige, cream, black, navy, and soft greys dominate this mood.
• The idea is to look polished and expensive in a low‑key way—perfect for office days, dates, interviews, and events where subtlety feels more powerful than shine.

Loud Prints, Graphic Fits & Y2K Nostalgia Take Over Fashion

• On the flip side, there’s still plenty of space for chaos, colour, and fun.
• Loud prints, graphic tees, quirky slogans, and Y2K‑inspired pieces are everywhere in casual wear.
• Mini skirts, cargo pants, baby tees, and statement shirts tap into early‑2000s nostalgia while still feeling fresh for today’s camera‑ready world.
• These pieces are made for Reels, concerts, college corridors, and late‑night hangouts—perfect for anyone who wants their clothes to match their bold, loud, playful personality.

Athleisure Isn’t Going Anywhere – It’s Getting Smarter

• Athleisure has shifted from a passing trend to a full‑on lifestyle.
• Leggings, joggers, sports bras, and performance t‑shirts are no longer limited to the gym; they’re styled with oversized hoodies, shirts, jackets, and smart sneakers for everyday life.
• Newer fabrics are lighter, stretchier, and more breathable, making them ideal for long college days, travel, and work‑from‑home life.
• Gen Z loves how athleisure lets them stay comfortable, active, and stylish without having to pick between looking good and feeling good.

Accessories & Footwear Trends That Complete the Look

• For Gen Z, accessories and shoes can completely flip the energy of an outfit.
• Baguette bags, belt bags, mini backpacks, and tote bags are everyday staples that hold more than just essentials—they hold personality.
• Layered chains, chunky rings, hair bows, and tinted sunglasses add character even to a basic jeans‑and‑tee combo.
• Stylish face masks are now a fashionable and essential accessory, blending safety with self-expression.
• On the footwear side, chunky sneakers, platform loafers, block heels, and sporty sandals dominate.
• With the right accessories and footwear, the same set of clothes can create totally different vibes throughout the week.

Turn the Latest Fashion Trends into Sellable Products with Printrove

The best part about these trends is that they’re not just made for moodboards – they’re product ideas waiting to be turned into reality. With print‑on‑demand and smart production, you can design pieces Gen Z actually wants to wear, without getting stuck with dead stock or huge upfront costs.

Use oversized t‑shirts, hoodies, sweatshirts and co‑ord sets as your base, then layer on graphics inspired by Y2K, streetwear, or quiet luxury, depending on the mood you want your collection to carry. Offer customisation options—names, colours, slogans, or artwork—so every piece feels unique, not mass‑produced. Build mini collections around search‑friendly themes like “ladies dress design latest”, “formal party wear for men”, or “types of styles Gen Z loves”, so your products are discoverable as well as desirable.

Let a fulfillment partner handle printing and shipping so you can focus on what Gen Z cares about most: design, storytelling, and community. That way, you spend more time building a brand that feels like a friend and less time worrying about operations.

Conclusion

Trends will keep changing, but the one rule Gen Z follows is simple: fashion should feel like you. Whether your vibe is minimal neutrals, loud graphics, Indo‑Western fusion, or a daily mix of everything, the best wardrobe is the one that matches your story, not someone else’s.

Brands and creators who respect that individuality—who don’t try to force Gen Z into one box—will stay relevant long after any single trend fades out of the feed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What is the basic outfit of Gen Z?

A typical Gen Z base look is relaxed jeans or cargos, an oversized t‑shirt or crop top, comfy sneakers, and a small bag or layered jewellery that adds a bit of personality to the whole fit.

Q. What are the fashion trends for Gen Z 2026?

Oversized fits, smarter athleisure, Indo‑Western fusion, quiet luxury neutrals, bold Y2K‑inspired prints, and sustainable, ethical fashion are all set to be big in 2026, both online and offline.

Q. Do Gen Z shoppers prefer luxury brands?

They enjoy luxury, but only when it feels authentic, wearable, and aligned with their values. Most mix one or two premium pieces with affordable streetwear, thrifted finds, or customised basics to build a look that still feels personal.

Q. Which Indian brands are popular among Gen Z?

Gen Z gravitates towards agile D2C labels, streetwear collectives, fusion designers, and sustainable brands that communicate clearly online, feel relatable, and genuinely align with their values.

Finding the perfect t-shirt size isn’t just about comfort – it’s about making sure you look good and feel confident. Whether you’re shopping for daily wear, workwear, or street style, the right fit can completely change how a t-shirt looks on you.

In India, online shopping is booming, but size confusion still leads to frustrating returns. This guide breaks down everything you need to know about t-shirt size charts for men and women, helping you shop smarter and wear better—no more guesswork, just the perfect fit.

What is a T-shirt Size Chart?

A T-shirt size chart is a reference tool that helps shoppers match their body measurements to the correct clothing size. It typically includes dimensions like chest, length, shoulder width, and sleeve length.

• Removes Guesswork:
  A size chart eliminates the uncertainty when choosing a size, helping you avoid buying shirts that are too tight or too loose.
• Essential for Online Shopping:
  Since you can’t try clothes on while shopping online, a size chart gives you a trustworthy way to pick the right fit.
• Covers a Range of Sizes:
  Most charts include sizes from XS to XXL or larger, with detailed measurements for each to suit all body types.
• Measurements in Standard Units:
  Sizes are usually given in inches or centimeters. It’s important to check which unit is being used to avoid confusion.
• Brand Variations Exist:
  Different brands may have slightly different sizing standards, so it’s best to always use their specific chart, not a generic one.
• Guides You on How to Measure:
  Good charts come with instructions on measuring your chest, shoulder, and shirt length to ensure you compare the right numbers.
• Creates Consistency for Brands:
  Brands use size charts to keep their products consistent, so customers can expect the same fit across different items.
• Different Fits Have Unique Specs:
  Unisex, men’s, and women’s styles are cut differently, and each has its own size chart tailored for the fit.
• Considers Fabric and Style:
  Quality charts factor in fabric stretch, shrinkage, and style cuts (e.g., slim vs. regular), which affect how a shirt fits.
• Reduces Returns and Complaints:
  Accurate sizing helps shoppers get the right fit the first time, lowering return rates and boosting customer satisfaction in online stores.

Why a T-shirt Size Chart is Essential for Your Online Store?

A clear T-shirt size chart helps customers pick the right fit with confidence. It reduces confusion, improves shopping experience, lowers return rates, and builds trust in your online clothing store.

Reduces Returns and Exchanges

Customers who use a size chart are less likely to order the wrong size, helping brands reduce costly returns and boost satisfaction.

Builds Customer Trust

A clearly displayed and accurate size chart shows professionalism and attention to detail, which increases customer trust.

Improves Shopping Experience

When shoppers can confidently choose their size, they’re more likely to convert and complete a purchase without hesitation.

Boosts Brand Loyalty

Accurate sizing boosts customer satisfaction, leading to repeat purchases and long-term loyalty to your brand.

How to Choose the Right T-Shirt Size for You?

Choosing the right T-shirt size starts with measuring your chest, shoulders, and length. Compare your measurements with the size chart to find a comfortable, flattering fit that suits your style.

Know Your Body Measurements

• Use a tape measure to get your chest, shoulder, and shirt length.

Consider Fit Preferences

• Decide if you prefer a slim fit, regular fit, or oversized look before selecting a size.

Check Fabric Type

• Stretchy fabrics might allow a snugger fit; stiff cotton needs exact sizing.

Refer to Brand-Specific Charts

• Always compare your body measurements with the brand’s own size chart.

T-Shirt Size Chart for Men

This section includes visual size chart images to help you quickly compare measurements and find the perfect men’s T-shirt fit.

Unisex Classic Crew T-Shirt Size Chart

Men’s V Neck Half Sleeve T-Shirt Size Chart

Men’s Longline Curved Tee Size Chart

Men’s Polo Size Chart

Unisex Raglan T-Shirt Size Chart

Men’s Full Sleeve T-Shirt Size Chart

T shirt size chart for women

This section features women’s T-shirt size chart images to help you compare measurements easily and choose the most comfortable, flattering fit.

Women’s Round Neck Half Sleeve

Cropped Hoodie Size chart

Crop Tank Size Chart

Crop Top Size Chart

T-Shirt Dress Size Chart

Maternity Dress Size Chart

Women’s Raglan T-Shirt Size Chart

What Are the Different Types of T-Shirts?

T-shirts come in different styles for different occasions and preferences. Each type offers a unique fit, cut, and vibe.

• Crew Neck – Classic, round neckline, ideal for everyday wear.
• V Neck – Adds a modern edge and is flattering for many body types.
• Polo – Collared shirt with buttons, perfect for semi-casual occasions.
• Raglan – Features contrasting sleeves and diagonal seams from underarm to collarbone.
• Longline – Longer length tees, trendy and ideal for layering.
• Crop Top – Shorter length, ideal for casual or summer looks.
• Tank Tops – Sleeveless and cool, great for workouts or hot days.
• Full Sleeve – Coverage and style for cooler weather or layering.

Start Your Print on Demand T-Shirt Store with Printrove

Are you planning to start your own print-on-demand t-shirt business? Printrove is one of the leading platforms in India to help you launch and grow your custom apparel brand. With easy store integrations, high-quality printing, and doorstep delivery, Printrove makes it simple to sell custom t-shirts without managing inventory or printing equipment.

Why Choose Printrove for Your Print-on-Demand Business?

1. Wide Range of Products: Printrove offers a large collection of products to customize – from men’s, women’s, and kids’ t-shirts to oversized tees, hoodies, sweatshirts, tote bags, phone cases, and more. You get plenty of options to build your own branded catalog.
2. Premium Printing Quality: Printrove uses high-quality printing methods like DTG (Direct to Garment) and Screen Printing to make sure your designs look sharp, vibrant, and long-lasting. Whether you want a single piece or bulk orders, the print quality stays consistent.
3. No Inventory or Upfront Cost: You don’t need to buy stock or invest in printing machines. Printrove prints your orders only after a customer places an order – helping you avoid storage costs and risks.
4. Seamless Store Integration: Printrove easily connects with Shopify, WooCommerce, and other e-commerce platforms. This allows your orders to get processed automatically, saving time and reducing manual work.
5. Branding Options: You can add your custom brand tags, packaging slips, and labels to your orders. Your customers will receive the package as if it came directly from your brand, not Printrove.
6. Pan-India Shipping: Printrove ships all orders across India, ensuring your customers get fast and reliable delivery. Tracking details are also provided for smooth order management.

Conclusion

Choosing the right t-shirt size is more than guessing a label. It’s about comfort, confidence, and saving time while shopping online. Whether you’re buying for yourself or your brand, a size chart is essential.

Use this guide and the linked charts to make smarter purchases. Know your fit, know your fabric – and wear it well.

Measure yourself today and find your perfect fit. Check out our size charts and shop with confidence now!

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How do I determine my T-shirt size?
A. To find your size, measure your chest, shoulder width, and shirt length using a tape measure. Then, compare those measurements with the brand’s specific size chart for the most accurate fit.

Q: Are size charts universal across brands?
No, T-shirt size charts can vary between brands. It’s important to always check the size guide provided by the brand you’re buying from, as their fit and measurement standards may differ.

Q: What if I’m between sizes?
If your measurements fall between two sizes, choose based on your fit preference—go smaller for a tighter fit or size up for a relaxed, more comfortable feel, especially if the fabric isn’t stretchy.

Q: How can I ensure a T-shirt fits well?
Make sure your measurements match the chart, consider the fabric type, and review customer feedback if possible. A good fit should feel comfortable in the chest, shoulders, and length without feeling tight.

Did you know you can source designs for free without legal issues or hire a graphic designer to do it inexpensively for your e-commerce store?

Yes, in this post, we’ll share how and why designs influence your branding, how and where to hire a designer and the various free platforms out there for you to get the ultimate designs for your e-commerce store.

Why should you have unique designs on your e-commerce store?

“Design creates culture. Culture shapes values. Values determine the future.” — Robert L. Peters, designer and author

To sell online on your eCommerce store, Design is the main factor to consider for amazing user experience (UX).

But, can you use just any design on your products for selling on the eCommerce store and marketplaces?

Poor quality images can kill your Business.

Moreover, the market is flooded with a lot of products. So how do you make your brand stand unique from others?

You guessed it right. Your designs can make your brand stand unique from others. It expresses your mighty vision to the right audience.

Additionally, according to the norms of a lot of online selling platforms, it is mandatory that the products should be unique.

For instance, the characters of Batman, Spiderman and the kinds cannot be used on product designs legally, even if it may look different from others. It is because there are copyright issues waiting for you if you do it.

So, by uploading your own designs for every product you sell

• Your store will be exclusive and
• You can sell products without any fear of copyright and legal issues.

But, how to actually source designs to sell on your eCommerce store?

Don’t worry, we have brainstormed some nice options for you to pick from. These can be helpful for you to create unique designs for your store without any issues.

Source Designs by Hiring a Graphic Designer for your E-commerce Store

A graphic designer can make a normal-looking raw design into a masterpiece. For this, you can either hire a full-time graphic designer, a freelancer or just an intern.

Your design requirements will be fulfilled if you have any one of them who is talented enough to take care of your design needs.

You just have to pay for the designer’s salary, that’s it.

So, if you go for sourcing designs through a freelancer or an intern for your e-commerce store, keep in mind that the quality of work must not be compromised.

Noting all that, here’s a list where you can find graphic designers online. Check out their past work, discuss the requirements in detail and then, hire the one who fits best.

• Dribbble
• Behance
• 99 designs
• Upwork
• People Per Hour
• Fiverr

Advantages of Hiring a Graphic Designer:

You will-

• save time
• save money
• know it’s done right, the first time
• gain a brand new source of ideas
• stand out from the crowd
• make a better first impression
• be consistent and memorable
• get better sales and results

Source Free Designs for your E-commerce Store

Free stock image websites provide you a huge range of images and designs.

These vectors and graphic artworks are often created by graphic artists and designers. They share their work to be used for free on these websites.

For sure, you can get high-quality vector images and graphics here.

But before downloading these, just double-check the license on them that whether they can be used for commercial purposes which basically means anyone can use them.

Therefore, you can simply pick the designs from these websites, create product mockups and upload to your store.

Here is the list of websites from where you can source free stock graphic artworks:

• Freepik
• Png tree
• Pixabay
• VectorStock
• Shutterstock
• Rawpixel
• Kisspng

However, downloading free design resources or buying them online doesn’t mean that other businesses will not use the same.

Of course, other businesses can love the same image and use it for their own purposes.

So what do you do then?

Simply edit the designs to make them yours.

For this, you can try out a free tool, named Canva that can be used to make the basic editing possible by even a beginner or a non-designer.

Things to keep in mind while using stock design resources:

• Use high-quality designs
• Ensure that the design communicates what you are sharing
• Use colors that spark the right emotion in your target audience.
• Be conscious about the color you use on the image and the background for good contrast.

In conclusion, if you’ve got a graphic designer to work along with you on the product designs, it should be a cakewalk, then.

But it’s nothing to worry about even if you don’t as long as you’re passionate about starting your online store.

Lastly..!

Printrove is all about making things easier for Merchants.

We come up with awesome new features regularly and we’re not stopping anywhere. We understand how your eCommerce business largely depends upon creative designs.

So, we got you some ways for you to get your own designs easily.

The above-listed methods can simply help you in exploring the immense possibilities you can do with design. The ones that are not listed are the ones that you have to identify for yourself.

Moreover, this post is giving you a direction, but when you’ll walk in that direction, you’ll find better resources, tricks, and techniques that will make your store stand out from the rest.

So, that re-emphasizes our motto, in a way, which is-

You design, we print. You sell, we drop-ship!

Do the legalities of a Dropshipping Business scare you as a business owner? Or are you just starting out and curious to figure out everything? In this post, I’ve tried to answer all your questions about GST for a Dropshipping Business in India.

Today’s eCommerce is moving towards a different dimension and the Goods and Services Tax (GST) is a part of it.

Did you know the Indian eCommerce industry is expected to hit $100 billion online retail revenue by the year 2020? 

Which basically means more opportunity and success to you. 

However, you as a seller must abide by the registration requirements and declare your turnover to tax departments to play it fair. 

You can always win by playing fair. Didn’t you see those movies where the hero goes just a bit against the law and that costs him his fortune? 

Well, in this case, what happens in the movies happens in reality too, mostly. But it won’t happen to you if you abide by it. From my end, I’ll try to keep it super simple by sharing only what you need to know.

What is GST?

GST – Goods and Services Tax is an indirect tax which took over many indirect taxes in India. 

Now, what is an indirect tax? 

First, let’s understand how the direct tax (income tax) works to get better clarity of indirect tax.

A tax levied on your actual income earned is Income Tax. So if I earned an x amount of money as income, the tax levied would be a % of x.

An indirect tax (GST) is levied (charged) on the goods and services, that’s why the name- Goods and Services Tax. It was passed in the parliament in the year 2017.

Why GST for a Dropshipping Business in India?

I know what you might be thinking. Why do I need to pay tax? It’s my hard-earned money. Why should I pay a share to the Government? Good question.

I don’t think I can answer that, however, let me share a few insights which might help you take a good view towards GST.

Did you know GST is implemented to cut off all the indirect taxes that were earlier applied to goods and services?

These were a few indirect taxes in India before GST came into the picture:-

• Service Tax
• Excise Duty
• Value Added Tax
• Customs Duty
• Stamp Duty
• Entertainment Tax

Now with GST, you don’t have to pay each tax separately for your dropshipping business in India.

Most importantly, there is no double taxation. In other words, you don’t have to pay tax twice on the same source of income after GST’s introduction.

The following are a few other benefits of GST:-

GST is advantageous in the following ways:

• Removes cascading tax effect
• Higher threshold for registration
• Composition scheme for small businesses
• Online simple procedure
• Lesser compliance
• Defined treatment for eCommerce
• Increased efficiency in logistics
• Regulating the unauthorized sector
• Completely technologically driven

Hopefully, now you have a positive viewpoint towards GST. And now you’re all pumped to register your dropshipping business.

It’s quite simple. Just a few more crucial concepts that you need to know before you can get going. 

Important Concepts to calculate GST for a Dropshipping Business in India

There exist 3 tax components under GST namely CGST, SGST, and IGST.

CGST:

CGST is Central Goods and Services Tax. It is collected by the Central Government on an intra-state sale (Tamil Nadu – Tamil Nadu).

SGST:

SGST is State Goods and Services Tax. It is collected by the State Government on an intra-state sale (Tamil Nadu – Tamil Nadu).

IGST:

IGST stands for Integrated Goods and Services Tax. It is collected by the Central Government on an inter-state sale (Tamil Nadu – Other States).

So basically, when you sell within the state, CGST and SGST both are applied.

And when you sell to other states, IGST applies.

How is the GST tax rate calculated?

The rate depends on the HSN codes of the items.HSN stands for the Harmonized System of Nomenclature.

It is a way of classifying all the goods in the world to differentiate them logically. Similar to how you assign SKUs to your inventory or in other words tags to clothes.

Another interesting point to note is that the tax rate of CGST and SGST is always half of that of IGST.

So if you’re selling a t-shirt and the tax rate is 18%, CGST and SGST would be 9% each. Similarly, IGST would be 18%.

Place of Supply – GST

To better understand how GST is charged, you need to know the concept of Place of Supply

Place of supply simply means the place where the goods and services are consumed. The place of consumption is different from the place of origin.

It is crucial because this place determines if a transaction is inter or intrastate and accordingly CGST/SGST or IGST is levied.

GST Number– GSTIN

GSTIN stands for GST Identification Number. It is a 15 digit number that has replaced the Tax Identification Number. (TIN)

Your business can be a One Person Company (OPC) or sole proprietorship or can be both. In any case, you will require the GSTIN to carry on your business in India lawfully.

Remember, you have to play fair and win to avoid costly mistakes.

Paying GST vs Filling GST

There is a common misconception between paying GST and filing GST. Actually, they both are different.

You don’t have to pay GST if you’re not selling your products to Indians. But it is mandatory to file GST if you’re an Indian resident doing business.

In order to file the GST, you can approach a chartered accountant. They will automatically file your GST when the time comes for a nominal fee.

GST implementation with an example:-

Printrove operates under a Business to Business (B2B) model.

In other words, we offer our services to merchants who run their businesses. These merchants (sellers) receive orders from their customers and then place an order in turn with Printrove (drop shipper/manufacturer).

Printrove produces these products, packs, and ships them directly to the location of the customers (ship-to address) on behalf of the merchant.

A single order, from beginning to end, involves three parties:

1. Printrove, being the principal manufacturer and distributor of the products;
2. Merchant, being the business that places an order with Printrove, and;
3. End customer, being the source of the order.

There are two separate transactions.

The first transaction is between Merchant and End- Customer, who places an order with Merchant. In the next transaction, the merchant places an order with Printrove.

The tax applicable to each of these transactions depends on the place of supply and location of the parties.

Here are a few scenarios to understand GST better. Since Printrove operates from the state of Tamil Nadu, all the scenarios are explained with respect to Tamil Nadu.

The left side talks about how GST applies to Printrove. Whereas the right side explains how GST applies for a merchant/seller.

Additional Conditions for a sale to be classified as Export:-

Export, as defined by the IGST Act, occurs when:

• A supplier is within India – seller
• A recipient is outside India – end customer
• Place of supply is outside India
• The customer pays in convertible foreign exchange.

Conclusion

The above-mentioned cases make it clear how the GST applies to various circumstances in the case of dropshipping in India.

GST opens a lot of opportunities by increasing the number of sales channels and enabling us to do business with other registered businesses.

For more info on registering for GSTIN please get in touch with a chartered accountant who can help you get a GSTIN and monthly filing.

Well, this is all about GST — Goods and Services Tax. Hope this answered all your questions. If not, let me know in the comments section below and I’d be happy to answer.

The many facets of the e-commerce industry give birth to new business models: Drop shipping, Print on demand, Warehousing and Fulfillment.

The Growth of E-commerce Industry

India saw a catapulting growth in the e-commerce sector in the last decade and the reasons behind this are many. The value of e-commerce industry is expected to touch the 200 billion dollars mark by 2026.

An upward growth is predicted for Indian e-commerce industry which will surpass the US by becoming the 2nd largest e-commerce market in the world by 2034.

The sector has already established its success by allowing industry tycoons to build vast empires and experiment with consolidation. E-commerce is now seen as a long term business plan rather than an emerging market because the world has moved to digital.

Your products/services are easily accessible, available and convenient to purchase because the customer is ordering while sitting at home. You are providing the customers with maximum delight by bringing everything at their fingertips.

If you are someone who is looking to set foot in the e-commerce industry, it can be very intimidating considering the level of competition and the unfamiliarity of the digital space. But, there is not much to worry because along with difficulty of creating brand awareness, e-commerce gives you a million options on how to go about your business.

Let’s read about them.

Understanding Drop shipping

Why Drop shipping?model that works without an inventory. There are 3 parties involved: Seller, Buyer and Drop shipping Company. The seller owns an online store from where customers place an order. Once the order is placed, the seller buys this product from the drop shipping company which makes the product and delivers it to the end customer. The package can or cannot be in the name of the original seller.

Seller gets an order for a product

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Seller buys product from the dropshipping company

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Drop shipping company delivers the product

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Customer gets the product with original seller name (optional)

Why Dropshipping?

Most businesses have to use up huge amounts of their funds for the initial investment of space and inventory, but with dropshipping you are saving on that cost. It is cost-effective and easier to manage for new companies.

You will be able to afford a wider range of products and services since they will be outsourced from a company that already makes them. The risk level in dropshipping is minimal in comparison to other business models.

The Drawbacks

You have less control over the operation of the business since you are dependent on the third party to make products for you. There is definitely a profit but you need to decide the margins very intelligently so that you don’t shoo your customers always.

Another problem is that if the demand increases and your drop shipping supplier isn’t able to supply the products to your customers on time, it questions the efficiency of your business.

You can read extensively about the pros and cons of Drop shipping here.

Understanding Print on Demand

The term is quite self explanatory. Print on Demand is when the designs are printed only when orders come in.

Just like drop shipping, there is no need to keep a stock in place because even the products are bought based on the demand quantity.

Customer places an order

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Printing is done

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Shipped to customer

Why Print on Demand?

1. Less Technical Requirements: If you have outsourced printing then your Print on demand partner will look after maintaining the correct technology and printing system because of their expertise in the field. So, you don’t have to worry about the technical aspects of it.
2. It is similar to drop shipping so it would also be a good option to consider when you are beginning with your business model dimensions. There will be no excess inventory lying in your storage space. Even though the profit margin is less, you can ensure that you don’t bring upon yourself a huge loss.
3. Experimental Freedom: Since you haven’t already printed designs on your products, you have more liberty to experiment with the design and its placement on the product. There is a lot of space to try out new things since you won’t be investing as much. You can ascertain if it’s doing well based on the demand it garners. If not, you can move to try the next design.
4. Customization: When your customers are able to get exactly what they want, they like you. The option of customization of design as well as product is available for you as a seller, so you don’t have to depend on any ready made designs. You are able to personalize the product so the buyer is happy.
5. Saving Space and Environment Friendly: When you aren’t keeping a bull stock, you won’t be needing a storage space. If you are printing notebooks, then it becomes an environment friendly option as you won’t be printing more than required.

The Drawbacks

1. Your are paralyzed without your printing partner: If you are running a business that is reliant on an external source, it can be a little risky. Your business operations and smooth shipping will be stalled if your partner does not give you the right products on time and in good quality. However, if you’re handling the printing in-house, it’ll be fine.
2. Less control over demand fulfillment: If you are dependent on a third party to fulfill the printing demand, you will be helpless when there is more demand and not enough inventory of raw products to speed up the process.
3. Time Consuming: The one thing customers absolutely love is when they order and receive it immediately. Time is a very important aspect of business and delays are looked down upon terribly. Since you are printing on demand it will take a while before you can deliver your product. This can hamper your brand image.
4. Return Policy: You will be investing a lot in the shipment, both in terms of money and time. When there are returns on your product, your return policy framework should be thorough where you should add the situations where you will accept and won’t accept returns. This way you can ensure that you don’t attract a huge loss.

Understanding Warehousing and Fulfillment

Your inventory is stored at your warehouse or your partner’s warehouse from where all the orders you receive will get fulfilled. This means that this business model is third party logistics but it can be done individually too.

Seller receives order

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Partner packages inventory from warehouse

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Order is shipped to end customer

Why Warehousing?

1. Saves time: With a responsible warehousing partner, your packaging and shipment is looked after by them, so you are not lagging behind on schedule. You will get more time to concentrate on your marketing and business plans.
2. It is cheaper: If you have a warehousing partner then you won’t be needing a place and employees to run your business. You can handle all your operations from home and the warehouse takes care of the rest. Your business grows and hence you earn a good profit.
3. Saves space: You don’t have to build a physical office space to have regular business operations in place. Storing in a warehouse helps you track your stock and keep the business going.
4. Ease of shipment: The packaging and delivery are done at the same place so there are less chances of in-coordination. The more orders you ship, the more reasonable shipping rates you get. This way you save a lot of money.

The Drawback

1. Customer experience: Regardless of where your products are delivered from, the essential marketing and customer experience efforts rely on you. So you will need to invest a lot of time in that on your own.
2. Less control: At the end of the day, you are highly dependent on the third party logistics to float your business. You have less control over the packaging and delivery operations. There will be no inventory accessible to you on-hand.
3. Underutilized Inventory: If a product does not perform well, you are left with a huge stock inventory that won’t be used and it will be a loss for the business. Until your finished products are sold, they are still a huge investment.
4. Difficult without a partner: If the responsibility to fulfill the orders completely rests on your shoulders, then it can be a herculean task. Warehousing is better only when you partner with someone to distribute the work.

Which is the Better Option: Drop shipping and Print on Demand or Warehousing and Fulfillment

If you are a new store, then we recommend:

Drop shipping

Since you are just starting out, it will be an ideal choice to choose a model that will not eat up much of your capital investment. You will have more freedom to experiment and manage your expenses. You can fix your own profit margins if you market your brand well.

Print on Demand

It is similar to drop shipping so it would also be a good option to consider when you are beginning with your business model dimensions. There will be no excess inventory lying in your storage space. Even though the profit margin is less, you can ensure that you don’t bring upon yourself a huge loss.

If you are an established company, we recommend:

Warehousing and Fulfillment

You already have a lot of orders coming your way and warehousing would be a great option to deliver products on time. It helps you divide the delivery operation and regular business operation into different segments so there is equal attention on both. You just have to be careful about your reliance on a third party logistics partner.

How it Works for Our Merchants

Printrove is a combination of Drop shipping and Print on Demand model. We have a variety of products that are printed upon when there is an order placed on our seller’s store. Once the printing is done, we package the product and deliver it to the end customer under the brand name of the seller.

Seller gets an order

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Seller informs Printrove

(Printrove offers integration with Shopify and Woocommerce store to make the order placing process quick and easy)

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Design is printed on the product at Printrove

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Your Brand Packaging is also done

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Printrove’s Delivery partners deliver to the end customer

To find out more, you can visit our website. To start a dropshipping business, read this.

Let us know if this post has helped clarify the concepts of drop shipping, print on demand, warehousing and fulfillment for you in the comments section below. Also, if you need any help making a decision, we are here.

Until a decade back, e-commerce was only the unrealistic imagination of businesspersons but it has now become a reality. Along with its surprising growth, it has brought into existence some fascinating business models.

A brand that outsources its products and has them delivered under their brand name- that is drop shipping! Interesting, isn’t it?

For most of the people who enter the e-commerce industry as drop shippers, it starts as a side game. And, eventually, if they’re focusing well and doing all the right things, it becomes their major work, moving everything else to the side. Sounds like the perfect entrepreneurial life… but, hey, it isn’t that easy. This demands dedication and some smartness.

Here’s a quick view of the 9 drop shipping tips we have for you, explained later –

Tip #1. Find Your Niche

Tip #2. Handle Your Logistics

Tip #3. Get A Sample Of The Product

Tip #4. Establish Good Retailer-Supplier Relationship

Tip #5. Optimize Your Website

Tip #6. Marketing Is Imperative

Tip #7. Ask Suppliers For Reviews

Tip #8. Plan For Returns And Other Issues

Tip #9. Monitor Your Competition

71% of consumers who’ve had a good social media experience with a brand are likely to recommend it to others. According to The 2018 Omnichannel Buying Report, consumers spend 69% of their discretionary income to shop in-store. At the same time, Gen Z consumers spend 8% more of their discretionary income each month online than the global average. Despite the competition being so tough, e-commerce is posing as a threat to in-stores because of its rocketing growth.

Hundred mouths will speak hundred different things. And, we being the facilitators of more than 300+ drop shipping brands in India, have learnt about it through experience. Summarizing our learning into nine drop shipping tips, we are trying to throw some light on the parts of the drop shipping path that remains invisible for most people.

Here are the top drop shipping tips for e commerce entrepreneurs you must know –

Dropshipping Tip #1. Find Your Niche

This is the first decision you need to make as a drop shipper so make sure it’s a good one because it will either make or break your business. You need to believe in the product you are selling because if you don’t, it will show.

Find something that you are passionate about or that your customers would be passionate about, for example- Printrove drop ships regular products like t-shirts, phone cases, notebooks, mugs, coasters etc and the seller gets to choose his design. Here, design becomes personal to the seller and to his audience, and hence, he sells more.

Dropshipping Tip #2. Choose Your Product Wisely

It will be exciting and more profitable to sell everything that comes your way but you need to be very inquisitive about the price of these products and if the supplier can make them available to you anytime you want.

If you are just starting out, it would be recommended you choose a product that isn’t fragile and doesn’t require much technical assistance.

Dropshipping Tip #3. Get A Sample Of The Product

By ordering a sample you are not only checking the quality for yourself but also understanding the product’s dimensions, and the look-and-feel better. When you have sample products, you have more power over how to photograph it and how to make it look more appealing to your customers.

Your product descriptions will be accurate as you will have a first hand reference point. It will also help while writing or recording product reviews. You can make all the necessary changes or adjustments.

Dropshipping Tip #4. Establish Good Retailer-Supplier Relationship

This is a very self explanatory tip but we place special emphasis on it because in a drop shipping business, coordination is everything.

List down all the aspects of the business that you and your supplier need to consider and together land on an agreed sales strategy.

Cognizance of what is happening in your business is crucial and thus, communication with all divisions of your business is a must. Maintain absolute transparency with your supplier so there is mutual respect and trust.

Dropshipping Tip #5. Optimize Your Website

The first interaction you have with your customer is through your website. It is essential that you develop a user-friendly and automated website so both of you are benefited at the same time.

Refer to competitor websites and analyse how they are doubling sales with their ease of website navigation. Only once your website is uploaded with all the relevant information should you market it.

It would be a marketing failure if you lead customers to your website and it isn’t efficient enough.

Dropshipping Tip #6. Marketing Is Imperative

Buying, selling and delivering is just one part of your job but if you want to develop a strong brand presence, you need to be available to your customers all the time.

Your social media is your direct connect to the audience, so be sure to answer their doubts or just have a conversation.

When you personally acknowledge people, conversion rates are higher because your brand becomes more authentic and professional.

Dropshipping Tip #7. Ask Customers For Reviews

You can have the maximum number of ads all across the city but what truly gets a customer to believe you is real testimonials. If you don’t have enough product reviews then people will assume that you aren’t doing as great.

The conversions will be low if there is no one to testify that they have used your brand’s product and it has worked out well for them.

The easiest way to get testimonials to ask your customer for a feedback once the product has been delivered.

Dropshipping Tip #8. Plan For Returns And Other Issues

Just like any other business, drop shipping also has its set of potential risks like lost or stolen shipment.

Returns can be complicated because you don’t exercise direct control over what the product is and how it will reach your customer.

Nevertheless, planning for these hypothetical scenarios is a great way to control damage if it happens. Develop a policy framework with your drop shipper at the start so both of you are clear of the consequences and work harder at reducing risks.

Dropshipping Tip #9. Monitor Your Competition

Don’t look at your competition as a negative, instead look at what they are doing right. When you practice a balanced observation, it helps you learn and grow.

Observe how they handle their social media profiles, what campaigns they are running and what is their target audience’s response.

You will get a sense of what kind of products work in the niche and how should they be marketed.

Do you think you’re ready to take on this thrilling journey of drop shipping? No? Do you think you’ll ever be ready for it? Start your Dropshipping business right away!

Well, there’s no perfect time. You will learn and improve along the way. Take these drop shipping tips along for guidance, and make up your mind. Other than print-on-demand drop shipping, there will be no other easier way to reach millions of people and serve them with awesome products that you can design on your own. What do you think?

It is always a good idea to be safe rather than sorry later. Ordering samples from your drop shipping company is a plus for your business awareness and responsibilities.

Entering the e-commerce world requires you to have a fresh set of skills and business sense to deal with the digitally advanced interaction platforms. The potential risks in e-commerce are quite similar to offline businesses which is why you should have a contingency plan in place. Taking a chance can be very stressful and anticipatory, but if you aren’t taking a chance, then what are you even doing?

What is Drop shipping?

The e-commerce market has made it possible to have more kinds of business models and one of the most promising one is drop shipping. This is a model in which the seller does not have the products before an order comes in and when an order comes in he outsources the product from a drop shipping company and has it delivered to the customer. The seller does not have a ready stock and doesn’t even see the product when it is shipped.

To read more about drop shipping, click here.

Why Order A Sample First From Your Drop Shipper

Whichever designation you hold in a company or in a business of your own, being careful is the first thing about any business. Why? Because of the large impact the potential risks could have on you and your business.

Even with drop shipping, you are placing a huge amount of faith in your drop shipper with the primary function of your business – production and delivery.

So, it wouldn’t hurt to invest in the cost of a sample product instead of directly placing an order for your paying customer and also bulk orders. Additionally, you will become sure about a bunch of essential things when you order a sample.

What To Look For In The Sample Order

• First and foremost, the quality of the product that you are planning to sell will become determined once you actually hold the product in your hands.

• Place yourself in the customer’s shoes and understand how the entire process works out for them. This way you will be sure of the customer experience and if you want to change something.

• You will get a personal tour of how the fulfillment and shipment process works when you drop ship, which would help resolve all your doubts regarding drop shipping.

• You will understand if your drop shipper is trustworthy and can be relied upon. You can know what to expect in high demand scenarios and build a relationship with the drop shipper accordingly.

• You will be able to photograph the products personally and put it up on your website which would be great for marketing and brand presence.

• The pricing, tracking of the shipment, automated messages, your branding, packaging and more will become clear to you to confirm on the partnership.

How To Order A Sample

First of all, check with your drop shipper whether they provide sample orders before partnership. Every drop shipper has different methods of order placement. A lot of traditional manufacturers-turned-drop shippers might have some constraints on that, so it’s better to clarify beforehand.

Next, inquire about the process they have for placing sample orders – through emails, calls website forms etc. Look for any contracts they want you to agree on for placing the sample order.

Also, make sure about the prices of the products.

Printrove, as a drop shipping company, has evolved its process of placing sample orders. And, now, it is as simple and similar as placing orders for your actual customers. This is how things work at Printrove for placing the sample orders –

Step 1 Visit the Printrove website and register as a merchant with your email id.

Step 2 You will be directed to your Merchant Panel Dashboard which will look after every single aspect of your association with drop shipping like design, orders, revenue generation etc. By default, the account gets created on the Free plan.

Step 3 On the left side of the screen, you will find Orders. Click on “Create Your Own Order”.

Step 4 Under the “Create Your Order” section, you have to fill in all the details of the product, the design, number of items you want, etc.

Step 5 Once you have filled in the details, place your order and keep track of the shipment in the “Manage Your Orders” section.

At Printrove, the sample order placing process is exactly the same as the order placement process for your customer. The only difference is the pricing.

When you place an order without activating your account, you have to pay the regular price. Whereas, when you activate your Merchant account with ₹5000 and then place the order, you get access to the wholesale price which is obviously lower.

However, when you’re joining Printrove or any drop shipper company as a Seller, we’d recommend you to test their processes and the products before committing to anything further. Hence, you must first order a sample and look for all the points we’ve mentioned above. Once you feel satisfied about the experience, you can activate your Merchant account and start placing orders immediately for your customers.

Before anything else, your relationship with your drop shipper matters as they will form the major machine for your business.

You are now all set to begin with drop shipping and checking for sample products for your e-commerce store.