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Business models

What is print on demand?

Print on demand is selling custom-printed products, like shirts or mugs, that a partner prints and ships only after each order comes in.

Getting print on demand right

  1. Order your own samples

    Print quality and fit vary by product and partner. Check them before you show them to buyers.

  2. Lead with the design, not the blank

    Shoppers buy the idea on the shirt. Show it in use, on real people.

  3. Price for production time

    Each item is made after the order, so tell buyers the ship date and price in the extra days.

Ask Replo: "build a store for my t-shirt designs".

Build my store

Print on demand questions

Is print on demand profitable?
It can be for distinctive designs with a loyal audience. Unit costs are higher than printing in bulk, so margins are thinner. Most profitable stores sell to a niche that cares about the design.
Do I need to hold inventory for print on demand?
No. The partner prints each item after it's ordered and ships it to the customer. You pay per item, with no stock to buy or store.
How long does print on demand shipping take?
Production usually adds a few business days before shipping starts. Check your partner's stated production times, and show the total delivery estimate on your product pages.

Related terms

Browse the glossary

Dropshipping

Dropshipping is a way to run a store without holding inventory: you sell the product, and a supplier ships it straight to the customer.

Private label

Private label is selling a product made by a manufacturer under your own brand name, often with your own packaging or formula.

DTC

DTC (direct to consumer) is a brand selling straight to shoppers through its own site instead of through retailers or wholesalers.

Pre-order

A pre-order is a purchase of a product before it's in stock or released, paid now or at shipping.

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