How I Made $500,000 Selling Print-On-Demand Gifts in One Year
If you want to learn how to start a print-on-demand business that focuses on gifts, this interview is for you.
1. Please give us a little background on yourself and how you got started with a print-on-demand business. How much do you earn monthly from print-on-demand?
Hi there! My name is Emily, and I am your average mom of two young girls with a background in education. My story is similar to many side hustlers–I was awake in the middle of the night doom scrolling on Instagram searching for avenues to make a little extra money and the possibility to spend more time with my kids.
My oldest daughter was going to be starting kindergarten the following year, and I knew that it was going to be challenging having to juggle two working parent schedules, and I really wanted to be involved in her class, go on field trips, and be there to pick her up everyday at the bus stop.
I dabbled in a few different side hustles before I stumbled upon a YouTube video about print-on-demand, and I was hooked! It was low-risk, low-cost, and didn’t require me to hold any inventory…it was perfect for a working parent.
In January 2023, I committed to making it work, and in under two years I hit $500,000 in revenue on Etsy.
Each month varies depending on the season, in 2024, I averaged a profit of $7,500 per month. I never imagined when I opened my Etsy shop that it would lead to where it is today!
2. What is print-on-demand? How does print-on-demand work?
Selling print-on-demand products is a way to sell your designs on products without keeping any inventory.
You can sell a wide range of products from t-shirts to candles to tote bags to even door mats!
First, you research what Etsy buyers are looking for, think of something like a teacher appreciation gift. Then, you create a simple design using a tool like Canva and upload it to a print-on-demand company website, like Printify. When a customer places an order, the print-on-demand company takes over and does all of the printing, packing, and shipping!
You just focus on creating designs, and the print-on-demand company does the rest!
3. What led you to focus on giftable items like candles, journals, and mugs?
When I first started my print-on-demand shop, I focused on apparel like shirts and sweatshirts, which is common for many sellers. I was getting daily sales, but not at the level I wanted.
A few months in, I decided to try other products and quickly noticed a trend—customers kept mentioning how much their friends, family, or coworkers loved the items as gifts.
That’s when the lightbulb went on, and I shifted to selling gift-focused products.
Once I made the switch, my sales grew each month, and as a bonus, I didn’t have to deal with sizing issues that come with selling apparel anymore!
4. What do you like about print-on-demand? Is it worth it?
I absolutely LOVE print-on-demand! The fact that I can create a design, and it can sell for months (and years!) without ever having to touch a single product still is mindblowing to me.
There is one product that I spent 15 minutes designing & listing, and this year it brought in over $27,000 in revenue.
I genuinely love and have so much fun with this business! Some of my favorite days are spent researching, designing, and listing for hours—it feels like a scavenger hunt for new ideas, which I enjoy. Plus, hearing from customers about how a gift made their day or brought joy to their loved ones is the best.
5. What’s an average day like for you running your print-on-demand business?
One of the best things about print-on-demand is that once your shop is established, it takes less time to manage.
I now spend just 1–2 hours a day processing orders on Printify, responding to messages, and listing new products. I like to start early in the morning before my daughters wake up to get most of my work done. Later in the day, I’ll check in to answer messages or spend time on fun tasks like research or designing!
6. How much can a new person make selling print-on-demand?
How much a new Etsy seller can make selling print-on-demand really depends on a few things, like how much time they can invest, the type of products they’re selling, etc.
Some new sellers start making a few hundred dollars a month pretty quickly, while others grow their shops to bring in thousands over time. The key is consistency—adding new products regularly, improving your listings, and learning what works for your shop.
7. Can a person start a print-on-demand business with no money? When do you pay the company who is actually making and shipping the product?
Print-on-demand requires very little upfront investment to start! I typically advise that new sellers have $30 to be able to pay for the Etsy shop opening fee & Canva Pro.
Most print-on-demand partners, like Printify, offer a free plan, and you don’t need to buy any inventory upfront. You only pay the print-on-demand company after a customer places an order. This means you don’t have to spend any money until you’ve already made a sale! It’s a low-risk way to start a business.
8. What are your expenses with your gift print-on-demand business?
My current expenses include Printify Premium, Canva Pro, and a few Etsy research tools that help me find in-demand product ideas. I spend less than $100 each month of the tools to support my business!
As I mentioned, I do cover the costs of the products with Printify when I receive an order. I use a business credit card, and I pay it off immediately once I receive my Etsy payouts. Plus, I get to take advantage of earning points!
9. Can someone with no computer skills start a print-on-demand business?
Absolutely! This business is very accessible for all skill levels. Print-on-demand services like Printify guide you step-by-step through setting up products, and design tools like Canva are super easy to use—even if you’re not a designer, like me!
If you’re willing to learn as you go, you can absolutely succeed. Start simple, and as you get more comfortable, you can explore more advanced strategies!
10. What’s your advice for someone who feels they aren’t artistic or creative but still wants to try print-on-demand?
I love this question! If you’re worried about not being artistic or creative, don’t stress. When I started my Etsy shop, I had no graphic design experience either, but if you are willing to take time to learn, those skills will grow.
Success as a print-on-demand seller comes from combining the ability to identify in-demand product ideas and niches with creating simple designs that appeal to your customers.
