What is print on demand?
Print on Demand (POD) means that an item that is purchased by a customer is made on demand for that specific customer. As in, the item does not even exist in the world, until it is ordered. These items are made, and printed, literally, on demand as the orders come in.
pod companies
I’ve been working with Print on Demand companies since 2014. I have had varying experiences with a few different ones, but over time have fine tuned the ones that I like. The factors that go into me liking them are many, but the main considerations are; quality and consistency of products, customer service, and company efficiency.
The very first company that I started with was Cafe Press. They were recommended to me by a friend, but I quickly learned that their products are mostly from China, and I wasn’t really comfortable with the quality. I do still technically have a store with them, but I think I have only made about $20 in commissions as I don’t promote that store at all.
The next company was Society 6. Their products are made in the USA and when I first started with them, I ordered quite a few of their items and was able to determine that they were good quality, which made me very happy. Back in 2014 their focus was mostly on home decor, and while that is still the same, they have expanded their product line to also include items for offices, and other accessories like backpacks, fanny packs, cell phone cases and much more. There are now over 40 different items that I can upload my designs onto.
They have amazing customer service and they get back to me very quickly with questions or concerns. They also are very quick to refund money or make replacements of items if there are printing defects or problems at all.
When I decided to get my Etsy shop going again in 2017, I decided that I wanted to have my designs put onto clothing. This lead me to Printful and Zazzle. For various reasons, my relationship with Zazzle was short lived and I didn’t really get a chance to experience their products, but I have had a great run with Printful.
The best part about Printful is that it integrates directly with my Etsy Shop. (They integrate with MANY onine shopping platforms.) This means that when a customer orders an item, printful picks up the order, makes the item, and ships it out. It is completely hands free and very seemless. Imagine my joy when I am sitting on the beach or walking in a market and I hear my phone go CHA CHING! I know, without a doubt, that printful has things totally under control, and I can enjoy the rest of my day without a worry in the world!
Their products are mostly made in the USA, but they also have manufacturing warehouses in Latvia and Mexico (with more on the way!) and if a customer who orders is close to one of those facilities, then the items get made as close as possible to them, which means less environmental impact with shipping. But I will get into that more later!
Printful also has a warehousing option so you can order bulk quantities of your top sellers and have them stored for you. Or you can get products from elsewhere stored for you, that you can then integrate with your online shop. They will fullfill the orders with your warehoused items, as if they were their own.
They also allow you to brand your tags and packaging, their products are of great quality, and their customer service is definitely on par with Society 6. Of course, I highly recommend Printful as well!
I should point out here that I have heard murmurings that Printful is more expensive than other POD companies out there. But I have also heard many complaints about terrible customer service, wrong orders turning up and shipping nightmares from those other companies. With Printful I know, without a doubt, that they have great quality items, their customer service is excellent, and they ship items on time. The peace of mind that they bring me, in my opinion, is worth a few extra dollars for their products.
Art of Where is, so far, the only Canadian company I have come across that is doing full scale POD. Of course, being Canadian myself, not only am I happy to support them just for that reason, but they have amazing products as well.
They actually manufacture their own materials, many of which use eco friendly practices that use much less water in the manufacturing process than conventional fabric does. Their products are of excellent quality, and the print stays bright and vibrant for a really long time.
They also are integrated directly with my Etsy Shop, so the orders are picked up and processed automatically, which is great!
Art of Where has recently introduced cottong tapestries and bedding to their mix. While their required file sizes are MUCH bigger than I use with Society 6, I am slowly adjusting and working towards using their products instead of the polyester products from Society 6.
benefits of print on demand
There are a few different reasons that I am happy to be using print on demand companies, but the main, all encompassing, reason is that they are less harmful to the environment than the old way of doing things.
I am passionate about our evironment and I firmly beleive that we should all be consuming less stuff. So how is it that I can rest on my morals with regards to, in fact, selling stuff? It’s because I conciously have chosen a method of production that has much less impact on the environment than traditional manufacturing methods.
Yes, I know, I know, putting more fabric and clothing out into the world is, in general, NOT good for the environment. However, as an artist and creator, it is imperative that my designs get out into the world SOMEHOW. It’s just up to me to figure out a more responsible way to do it.
Read on to learn why I think Print on Demand is the more responsible solution!
#1. Items are made for each customer as they NEED them. There aren’t thousands of one item made in Taiwan, China or India and then shipped over in huge barges that are then shipped from the port and stored. There are no warehouses that have to be built to store these items that may, or may not, be sold, and there is no need to dispose of unsold items if they aren’t sold. Instead, as a customer orders an item, it is made just for them on site.
#2. Each item, once ordered, is shipped in ONE direction only, from the manufacturer to the customer. In normal curcumstances, items are mass produced, shipped across the ocean in containers on barges, sent to a massive warehouse, that then seperates the orders to go to different stores. From the stores, items are sometimes also shipped to customers who purchase online. Of course, the environmental impacts of this are far greater than the Print On Demand model.
#3. I have fine tuned and filtered through companies over time and have stuck with the ones that produce excellent quality products. I don’t personally purchase cheap junk, and I refuse to put that out into the world. There are many companies that are doing this, but I don’t support those. I know that the products my POD companies make are good quality and will last my customers many years.
#4. My items are produced in the USA or Canada, or in the case of Printful, quite often in a facility that is much closer to the customer (ie. Latvia). As most of my customers are from North America and Europe, I am satisfied that my items are not harming the environment on a scale that traditional clothing production would be.
#5. Of course, this is the BIGGEST reason that many people start a Print on Demand company, there is ZERO start up costs! You only pay for the items that get purchased. To me, this is so important! It allows you to take risks with no financial comittment. I can’t think of a better way to get to try out a new business.
moving forward
Like all business owners, I am constantly tweaking and adjusting, looking to the future to try and figure out my next moves to grow my business.
A major focus of mine is to push for more eco-friendly and environmentally sustainable products. Slowly but surely these products are coming into the mainstream and I eagerly anticipate a day when all of my products are made with natural fibers that are sustainalby grown and harvested.
I truly beleive in a healthy planet, and this beleif is at the forefront of most of how I live my life.
Do you want to start your own pod shop?
I won’t lie, starting your own online business is lots of work. But with the increase in online shopping, now is a great time to get on board. I suggest starting out with companies like Printful who will guide you right through the process of setting up and integrating your online store. While I choose to sell my items through Etsy, there are many online platforms that you can use.
While all the things you need to do may seem daunting now, try to imagine yourself 5 years down the road, when all the hard work is finished, and you are sitting back and watching your sales roll in.
Okay, okay, I will admit, you will NEVER be just sitting back! But you will have created an online business that you can enjoy and get satisfaction from, and THAT is very rewarding!
Why not get started today? Below is a link that will take you Printful and all you need to know to get started!
Please know that I am cheering you on! If I can do this, anybody can!
ONLINE SHOPS
(click on each photo to go straight to the store!)
Our online sales are our primary income source! By purchasing from our shops, and sharing them with your friends, you are helping us to follow our dreams!
Thank you for your support!
We were interviewed on the Zero To Travel Podcast! Check it out by clicking below!
