Print on Demand
Last edited on October 19 2023
Always wondered what Print on Demand means? We will shed some light to the topic and explain to you how it works, the pros and cons and how Print on Demand can scale up your ecommerce business.
Print on Demand what is it?
Print on Demand (POD) is a method of printing where items, such as books, clothing or gifts are only produced after an order has been placed by a customer. This is in contrast to traditional printing methods, where items are produced in bulk and then stored in inventory until they are sold.
The process of POD typically involves digital printing technology, which allows for small runs of items to be produced quickly and at a lower cost than traditional offset printing. This means that there is no need for a large upfront investment in inventory, as items are only produced when an order is placed.
Pros and Cons of using Print on Demand
So let’s say you are starting a WooCommerce store to sell customized T-shirts using POD. The T-shirt automatically gets printed, packaged and shipped out once the order is being placed on your website. This is not only a sustainable solution, but it also ensures that as a business owner you don’t have to invest in printers, keep stock and experience inventory risks.
Selling your products on demand also has a few disadvantages. Print providers usually have a higher cost per unit than bulk production, so it might not be the best option for products with a low price point. Also, shipping times tend to be slightly longer compared to shelf products ready to be shipped out. But then again, customers are often willing to wait a little longer for a personalized product.
How Print on Demand works
It starts with choosing the best print provider for your business. Depending on your product line, service expectations and quality standards. There are a lot of ways to connect your online store with a production facility. You can choose an API or plugin for example.
If you choose to connect through an API (application programming interface), Orders from your website or platform, will be automatically forwarded to the printing partner. Once the order is being produced, packaged and shipped white-label you can manage orders and receive tracking information. In short, you can have your entire supply chain managed and you can focus on generating more sales for your store.
Print on Demand and customized products
With the software of Instant Design Tool you can let your customers customize all sorts of print on demand products, using clipart, text and predesigned templates. The software exports a print-ready file ready to be send to your selected print provider. Looking for an easy integration solution? Integrate our print-on-demand services and have all your orders being processed automatically.
Sell your Print on Demand product on marketplaces
For an online store or marketplace, POD allows for a more efficient use of resources, as it eliminated the need for maintaining large inventories of products. It also allows for a greater degree of flexibility, as items can be produced in a variety of sizes, colors, or styles, depending on a customer demand.
Selling your store products on a marketplace is a great way to expand your customer base and increase your visibility. Marketplaces like Etsy, Amazon or Bol.com (Dutch) have millions of customers which means you don’t have to spend much time and money on marketing and advertising to attract customers.
