What Is Print on Demand?

Print on demand is a business model in which you create a design and a supplier prints it on a product, such as a shirt, mug or poster, only after a customer buys. You hold no stock. The supplier prints, packs and ships the order.

How it works

You upload a design to a print-on-demand service, choose products and connect a sales channel, such as a marketplace listing or your own store. When a customer orders, the service charges you its cost for the item and shipping, prints it and ships it to the customer. You keep the difference between the price you charged and your costs.

What you are responsible for

You are responsible for the design and your right to use it, the listing, the price, customer service, refunds and tax. The supplier handles production and shipping, but customers see your store as the seller.

Main risks

Margins are often modest after base cost, platform fees and shipping. Print quality can differ from what you see on screen, so order samples. Using logos, characters, lyrics or other protected material without permission can lead to takedowns and legal claims.

An example

A student designs an original poster and lists it on a marketplace. A customer orders it, the service prints it on demand and ships it, and the student keeps what remains after costs and fees.

Related terms

See dropshipping, payment processor and chargeback. For the full picture, read print on demand explained.