Print-on-demand store
Sell custom-designed shirts, mugs and prints that a supplier produces and ships per order.
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01 / Why it can workThe upside
No inventory, so a new design can be tested for little more than the cost of an ad or listing.
02 / Watch forThe hard part
Thin margins, copycat designs and supplier quality issues make it hard to stand out.
03 / CostsWhat the first budget covers
Design tools, sample orders, marketplace or store fees and a small ad test budget. Expect roughly $100–$1,500 for a lean first version, before your own living costs.
04 / First customerYour first paying step
Launch a handful of designs for one tightly defined audience and order samples before promoting them.
05 / GrowthHow it grows
Double down on the designs that sell and build an email list so you depend less on marketplace ranking.
Business snapshot
Print-on-demand store scores
Startup difficulty2/10
Operating difficulty3/10
Economic potential3/10
Scalability5/10
Resale potential3/10
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