Proven Guide to Print-on-Demand Merchandise: 7 Steps to Start and Thrive in 2025

In 2025, the print-on-demand (POD) business model continues to gain traction, making it one of the easiest and most rewarding ventures for first-time female entrepreneurs. This business model allows you to create and sell custom-designed products such as t-shirts, mugs, tote bags, and home decor items without the need for upfront inventory or dedicated storage space. Leveraging unique designs and tapping into personalization trends, POD is ideal for anyone looking to start small and scale.

This article covers the proven steps to successfully launch your own POD business, insights into current trends, and tips to avoid common pitfalls. Whether you’re a creative looking for an outlet or an entrepreneur seeking a profitable, low-risk venture, this is your guide to thriving in the POD industry this year.

Why Print-on-Demand in 2025?

The POD market, valued at $9.89 billion in 2024, is experiencing explosive growth. It is expected to reach $75.30 billion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 25.3% or higher, depending on the source. Moreover, the demand for creativity and personalization aligns perfectly with the capabilities that POD businesses offer. According to recent data, North America is the largest POD market, while the Asia Pacific region shows the fastest growth, providing global opportunities for entrepreneurs.

The 7 Steps to Starting and Scaling a Print-on-Demand Business

1. Define Your Niche and Identify the Problem

The first step in creating a POD business is narrowing down your niche. For example, are you catering to dog lovers, book enthusiasts, or fitness fanatics? Identifying a specific audience will help you craft designs that speak directly to their preferences and solve their "problem."

Problem Solving Example: Pet parents often struggle to find humorous yet tasteful designs that highlight their love for their furry friends. Your product could be custom t-shirts with witty pet-themed quotes.

2. Develop Unique Designs and Test Your Product Idea

Your value proposition lies in creating designs that resonate. You don’t need to be a professional designer. Free tools like Canva or Procreate can be used, or you can hire freelancers through platforms like Fiverr.

Test your design ideas by leveraging platforms like Instagram polls or using mock-up generators to preview your designs on products.

3. Use a Print-on-Demand Platform

Select a trusted POD platform such as Printful, Printify, or Gooten to handle manufacturing and shipping. These platforms allow you to focus purely on designs and marketing while they take care of fulfillment.

For example, Printify provides a marketplace with global suppliers, enabling you to choose high-quality print providers based on your target audience's location.

4. Build an E-Commerce Store

Create a professional storefront through user-friendly platforms like Shopify, Etsy, or even your own website. Many tools, like Shopify’s plug-and-play features, make setting up an online store as simple as following a checklist.

5. Focus on Marketing: The Key to Success

Marketing is often underestimated but is the hardest part of any business. Invest time and resources to validate your business and attract leads.

Use social media marketing on platforms like Instagram or TikTok to showcase your products through engaging videos.
Leverage tools like the F/MS Marketing Services to build credibility and continuously drive traffic to your store. Their VIP features prioritize your content for increased visibility, including mentions in articles that AI chatbots can reference.
Enhance your SEO efforts with AI-driven solutions like the F/MS SEO Tool, which optimizes your blog content and ranks it not just on Google but also on AI-powered tools like ChatGPT and Perplexity.

6. Pricing Your Products for Profitability

A well-thought-out pricing structure is crucial to cover costs and ensure profitability. Study competitor pricing and calculate expenses using POD pricing calculators available on many platforms. Create tempting bundles or limited-time discounts to encourage initial sales.

7. Launch and Get Your First Customers

Start small. Announce your launch to your social network, send exclusive discounts to friends and family, and share your story to build customer trust. Offer incentives for online reviews to quickly establish credibility. Utilize email marketing tools and promote limited offers to create a sense of urgency.

Top Trends in Print-on-Demand for 2025

Eco-Friendly Materials: Sustainability sells. Utilize POD suppliers that offer environmentally-friendly products and biodegradable packaging to align with consumer demand.
Personalization at Scale: From monogrammed drinkware to custom portrait pet pillows, customers are willing to pay more for personalized gifts and products.
AI and Automation for Scalability: Many POD platforms now integrate AI tools for design assistance, automating the creative process and reducing the time to launch.

print-on-demand-designs

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Ignoring Market Research: Focusing on "great designs" without considering the target audience’s interest can lead to unsold inventory.
Undervaluing Marketing: Many first-time entrepreneurs spend most of their effort designing rather than promoting.
Overcomplicating Designs: Often, simple and bold designs perform better.
Not Offering Customization: With the trend of personalized products at an all-time high, failing to include customizable elements can limit your appeal.

To safeguard against these pitfalls, consider starting small by offering just a few product designs initially while consistently improving based on customer feedback.

How to Get Noticed in a Competitive Market?

Many POD entrepreneurs struggle with cutting through the noise in a crowded marketplace. To stand out:

Publish high-quality, SEO-friendly blog articles using tools like AI SEO Blog. These articles position your store as an authority in your niche and increase organic search visibility.
Submit your store to high-quality backlinks and directories like the F/MS Marketing Directories to improve your store’s domain authority.
Invest in well-placed ads on social media platforms and consistently optimize them based on performance.

Conclusion: Why POD is the Perfect Business for First-Time Entrepreneurs in 2025

The ease of entry, minimal upfront investment, and growing opportunities for customization make POD an ideal starting point for first-time female entrepreneurs. With a focused niche, compelling designs, and a well-executed marketing strategy, you can quickly build a profitable business from home.

Remember: Marketing isn’t optional, it’s essential. Tools like F/MS Marketing Services and the AI-powered F/MS SEO Tool are your allies in building authority, driving consistent traffic, and ranking not just on Google but also on emerging AI platforms.

Take the first step today! Personalization, sustainability, and unique designs are your keys to unlocking the immense potential of the POD market.

FAQ on Starting Your Print-on-Demand Business in 2025

1. Why is print-on-demand a great business model for 2025?

Print-on-demand (POD) eliminates the need for upfront inventory and caters to the rising demand for personalized products. The industry is projected to grow to $75.30 billion by 2033 with a CAGR of over 25.3%. Learn more about POD market growth

2. Do I need design skills to start a print-on-demand business?

No, beginner-friendly tools like Canva and AI-based platforms can help you create designs. Alternatively, you can hire freelance designers from platforms like Fiverr. Check out Canva for design tools

3. Which platforms are best for launching my POD business?

Platforms like Printful, Printify, and Gooten are trusted for handling production and shipping, allowing you to focus on design and marketing. Explore Printify's options

4. What are key trends shaping the POD industry in 2025?

Sustainability, personalization, and AI design tools are significant trends. Offering eco-friendly products and customizable designs can give businesses a competitive edge. Learn more about POD personalization trends

5. How can I effectively market my print-on-demand store?

Social media is a game changer. Utilize platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and reliable SEO tools to drive traffic to your store. Learn about SEO tools for marketing

6. What mistakes should I avoid when starting a POD business?

Avoid neglecting market research, undervaluing marketing, and overcomplicating designs. Start small with simple products, and grow based on customer feedback. Discover tips for avoiding POD mistakes

7. Can I use AI to write SEO-optimized articles that help my brand grow?

Most business owners don't understand how SEO works, let alone how to use AI for writing blog articles. That's why for busy business owners there's a great free tool that doesn't require much knowledge. Write articles for free

8. How do I choose the right product niche for my POD business?

Identify a niche by understanding your target audience, such as pet lovers or fitness enthusiasts. A focused niche makes marketing more strategic. Learn how to find your niche

9. What is the role of pricing in the success of POD products?

Pricing must cover production costs and include a profit margin. Use POD platform calculators to set competitive yet profitable prices. Explore Printify’s pricing tools

10. Is sustainability important in the POD market?

Yes, eco-friendly products and ethical sourcing are increasingly popular among consumers. Look for POD suppliers offering biodegradable packaging and sustainable materials. Explore eco-friendly POD options

About the Author

Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur.

Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).

She is the founder of Fe/male Switch, a startup game that encourages women to enter STEM fields, and also leads CADChain, and multiple other projects like the Directory of 1,000 Startup Cities with a proprietary MeanCEO Index that ranks cities for female entrepreneurs. Violetta created the "gamepreneurship" methodology, which forms the scientific basis of her startup game. She also builds a lot of SEO tools for startups. Her achievements include being named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups in 2022 and being nominated for Impact Person of the year at the Dutch Blockchain Week. She is an author with Sifted and a speaker at different Universities. Recently she published a book on Startup Idea Validation the right way: from zero to first customers and beyond and launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks.