What is Print on Demand?
Selling product design files without physical products is described as the On-demand approach, where the manufacturer or supplier submits the product design only to a platform like Printfuse or Printful. When an online customer places an order, the print provider receives the order details, prints the product, packs it, and sends it directly to the customer.
This print-on-demand technology allows sellers to print products on order after the buyer determines their design. Instead of managing inventory and logistics internally, sellers can offer print products to buyers with just-in-time printing. This consequently means that there will be no high expected returns to the seller with low marketing exposure.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Print-on-Demand Company
1. Types of Print Products Offered
Evaluate the product catalog for breadth and depth across categories like apparel. For instance, Printfuse offers over 500+ custom products to choose from. Having more options allows the creation of a diverse catalog to attract customers.
2. Print Quality
Assess printing technology, color accuracy, image resolutions, etc., to ensure quality. For example, Printfuse promises gallery quality prints and incorporates color profile checks. High print quality builds credibility and brand image.
3. Order Fulfillment Rates
Faster order execution enables quicker delivery to end customers. For instance, Printfuse’s average fulfillment duration is 2 days. Analyze supply chain agility, facilities’ proximity, production partners, etc., to determine the fastest order turnaround.
4. Integrations with E-commerce Platforms
Seamless POD integrations allow selling products instantly from online stores. For instance, Printfuse has direct integrations with Shopify, WooCommerce, etc. The breadth and depth of integrations impact platform selection.
5. Pricing and Commissions
POD costs include production charges and commissions on sale. Comparing overall costs is crucial for maintaining profit margins. Domestic providers mostly offer very cost-competitive rates.
6. Domestic Shipping and Delivery
Assessing warehousing locations and logistics partnerships for domestic fulfillment ensures quick delivery and easy returns.
7. Customer Support
Evaluate support channels like email, chat, and call support, response times, and resolution levels. For instance, Printfuse provides multi-channel customer support via email, chat, and phone. After-sales support is vital for order issues.
Start selling custom products online with Printfuse.
Create a snapstore and sell products instantly!
8. Product Customization Options
Check the POD platform offering advanced design tools, templates, and the ability to upload personal artwork. Such flexibility leads to the creation of unique and personalized items.
9. Branding and White Labelling
Analyze whether the POD company can offer private labeling options, such as branded packaging, labels, and marketing materials. This will build your brand identity.
10. Inventory Management
Examine the POD platform's inventory tracking, stock level notifications, and reordering functions. These functions support the creation of a perfect product catalog and prevent shortages.
11. Analytics And Reporting
Robust sales, performance, and order analytics give rise to data-driven management. It is the comprehensive reporting dashboard of POD providers, which is in demand.
12. Intellectual Property Protection
Take measures to protect your designs and artwork from unauthorized use or copying.
13. Sustainability and Eco-Friendly Brands
Consumers pay more attention to the ecological footprint of the brands they buy. POD organizations with sustainable, biodegradable, or recycled products can be beneficial.
14. Global Distribution And Shipping Capabilities
If you're ready to go international, seek POD providers with a global distribution network and shipping network. This simplifies cross-border logistics.
15. Financial Stability and Consistency
The company's financial standing, the sustainability of services, or the company's dependability should be considered. These factors guarantee the survival of businesses for a long time.
Top Print-on-Demand Companies in India for Online Sellers
1. Printfuse
Key Features:
- Free snap store to sell online
- Seller panel to manage orders
- Variety of products to sell
- Integrated design tools with a robust mockup generator
- Automated order processing and fulfillment
- Seamless integrations with Shopify, and WooCommerce
- Detailed sales analytics and reporting
- Excellent and reliable customer support
Pros:
- Wide selection of high-quality, customizable products
- Real time shipping cost calculation
- Intuitive and feature-rich design tools
- Fast turnaround times for order fulfillment
- Competitive pricing structure
- Excellent integration capabilities with popular e-commerce platforms
2. Printful
Pros:
- Wide product selection
- High-quality printing and materials
- Fast shipping
- User-friendly platform
- Compatible with e-commerce platforms.
- Higher prices than some competitors.
- Few products have no customization options.
- Takes time to set up the integration with your shop.
3. Printify
Pros:
- Multiple products and print providers
- Competitive pricing
- Integration with e-commerce platforms
- Flexible shipping options
- Detailed order tracking and fulfillment
- Quality varies depending on the print provider
- Limited control over the production process
- Slow customer support
Start selling custom products online with Printfuse.
Create a snapstore and sell products instantly!
A step-by-step process for seller onboarding on Printfuse
Step 1: Create an Account Sign up for an account with Printfuse.
Step 2: Create a snap store or connect Your Online Store Printfuse offers direct integrations with eCommerce platforms like Shopify and WooCommerce. You can connect your existing store or create a new Snap Store for free.
Step 3: Add & Customize Products Use the Printfuse product designer to create customized products or choose from existing templates. Configure pricing, variants, and other options.
That's it! Once your store is connected, Printfuse will automatically pull all print-on-demand orders for fulfillment. Their online support is also available for any assistance.
Uploading Designs
Use the built-in Product Customizer to customize products or upload ready designs/files. Printfuse is compatible with formats like PNG and JPG. Ensure a minimum 300 dpi resolution for the best print quality.Syncing Product Listings
While adding customized products, Printfuse automatically posts to your connected Shopify/WooCommerce store listings.Tips on Promoting Your Print-on-Demand Products
- Focus on social media marketing, including Facebook and Instagram, to increase user engagement. Run contests and giveaways.
- Use influencers and micro-influencers to advertise products to their audiences. Provide considerable commissions or free goods.
- Increase online shop traffic through optimization of content for search engines by using relevant keywords, meta descriptions, and high-quality images. This boosts site visibility.
- Send out emails and SMS to retarget the previous site visitors and buyers. Offer special discounts or preview new designs.
- We use paid advertising within Google and Facebook to target the likely buyer categories. Start small testing budgets.
- Request satisfied customers to write up positive reviews that serve as social proof.
Why Is Print on Demand Popular in India?
1. Growing Demand for stomized Products: Print-on-demand allows businesses and individuals to create custom products without maintaining inventory. This is an attractive feature in the Indian market, where demand for individualized items across categories is on the rise.
2. Expansion of E-commerce and Digital Platforms: With India's digital sales channel and e-commerce rapidly increasing, print-on-demand has been widely adopted. Platforms such as Shopify and WooCommerce ease the creation and handling of an online store with print-on-demand integration for small business owners and entrepreneurs.
3. Increasing Printer Shipments and Accessibility: According to IDC statistics, printer shipments in India increased 20.5% year-on-year during the June quarter, indicating that printers are being preferred more. These elevated printing technologies contribute to the boom of print-on-demand services.
4. Shift in Consumer Preferences: Trends like increasing demand for 3BHK accommodation in Bengaluru and fuel-efficient SUVs show that Indian consumers expect customized and personalized products to match their growing needs and lifestyles.
5. Advancements in Printing Technology: According to Acumen Research and Consulting's report, India’s print-on-demand market will experience sizable growth and is projected to reach $59.3 billion by 2032. This indicates that technological improvements and the cost-effectiveness of print-on-demand services are causing their adoption in the nation.
6.Entrepreneurial Opportunities: Print-on-demand platforms, with their flexible and low-barrier entry, have attracted Indian entrepreneurs and small businesses to start and grow customized product ventures without requiring huge initial investments.
According to FICCI's report, the print-on-demand market in India will be valued at $350 billion by 2030 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 18% between 2020 and 2024.
An important factor contributing to this development is an increasing incidence of e-commerce in India. India's e-commerce market is expected to reach USD 120 billion by 2025, up from USD 46 billion in 2020, according to a report by Bain & Company. Thus, there has been a rise in demand for custom-made, on-demand printed products readily available for e-commerce.
Developed printing systems, prompt delivery, low cost, and so on are responsible for the rise of print-on-demand in India. To illustrate, the average cost of printing a t-shirt has dropped by 30-40% in the past 5 years, according to statistics from the industry.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What kind of things can I sell through print-on-demand services?
Some popular printable items are t-shirts, sweatshirts, phone cases, towels, home decor products, canvas prints, journals, laptop sleeves, and clocks.
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Do I need design experience to use print-on-demand services?
No, most print-on-demand platforms provide easy-to-use design programs. Furthermore, you can hire designs or use templates to kick-start.
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How can I combine print-on-demand services with my online shop?
The major platforms provide the plugins and integrations for Shopify, WooCommerce, Squarespace, and Etsy, permitting automated order routing.
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Do print-on-demand companies deal with shipping?
Print providers have direct control over printing, packing, and delivering orders directly to customers. Shipping rates are also calculated at the time of checkout.
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How do printing services charge customers?
Platforms perform clients' payments at checkout and after paying sellers their share, production charges and commissions are deducted.
