Print-on-demand store was the first phrase I typed into Google one restless evening, hoping to find a side hustle that could fit around my 9-to-5.
Little did I know that in just 30 days, this simple search would lead me to a new revenue stream, valuable lessons in online marketing, and an unexpected confidence boost in my creative abilities.
Why I Chose a Print-on-Demand Store
I’d always loved graphic design as a hobby, experimenting with fonts, colors, and quirky illustrations.
But the thought of inventory management, upfront costs, and shipping logistics kept me from launching any physical-product idea.
When I stumbled upon the concept of a print-on-demand store, it felt like the perfect compromise,
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Zero inventory risk. Products are printed and shipped only after a customer buys.
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Low upfront cost. I only needed design software (many free options exist) and a platform subscription.
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Scalability. I could add new designs any time without worrying about storage.
That evening, I signed up with a popular POD platform, created my seller account, and sketched out my first concept.
I was both excited and nervous, would anyone buy my designs?
Setting Up My Print-on-Demand Store in a Week
Day 1-2: Platform Selection and Account Setup
I compared three leading platforms based on fees, product variety, and integration options with Shopify and Etsy.
Ultimately, I chose a service that offered,
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A straightforward dashboard
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No subscription fee (only a commission per sale)
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Seamless integration with my existing Shopify site
Within a few hours, I had my account verified, payment details entered, and basic store settings configured.
Day 3-4: Branding and Storefront Design
I picked a store name that reflected my style “Artful Impressions” and designed a simple logo using free design tools.
I customized my storefront theme to match my brand colors and wrote a concise “About Me” section to build trust with potential customers.
Day 5-7: Product Selection and Upload
I decided to start with three product types,
- T-shirts with typography quotes
- Art prints of minimalist line drawings
- Mugs with playful coffee puns
Over two days, I created 10 unique designs, formatted them for print (300 DPI PNGs), and uploaded them with compelling product descriptions highlighting quality, fit, and care instructions.
Creating Designs That Sell
While I loved my initial ideas, I knew successful products solve a problem or tap into a trend.
To refine my offering, I,
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Researched trending niches on Pinterest and Instagram.
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Analyzed competitor best-selling designs on Etsy.
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Solicited feedback from friends via quick polls on Instagram Stories.
This led me to create two new design lines,
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Motivational gym slogans – “Lift Heavy, Live Light”
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Pet lover art prints – simple line drawings of dogs and cats
By Day 14, my store featured 25 designs across five product types.
Marketing Strategies That Worked
I dedicated Days 8-30 to driving traffic and learning as I went,
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Social Media Launch
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Posted mockups on Instagram and Facebook
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Used targeted hashtags like #fitnessgear, #homedecor, #giftsforher
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Collaborations
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Partnered with two micro-influencers (5K–10K followers) who shared discount codes with their audiences.
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Paid Ads
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Ran a small Facebook Ads campaign ($5/day) targeting interests aligned with my niches (e.g., “gym motivation,” “pet moms”).
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Email Capture
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Added a pop-up offering 10% off first orders in exchange for email sign-ups.
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Sent weekly newsletters featuring new designs, behind-the-scenes sketches, and customer testimonials.
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By Day 30, my email list had grown to 120 subscribers, with an average open rate of 45%.
What I Earned – My 30-Day Print-on-Demand Store Results
When I tallied my sales on Day 31, I couldn’t believe it,
| Product Type | Units Sold | Revenue (after fees) |
| T-shirts | 18 | $216 |
| Art prints | 12 | $144 |
| Mugs | 9 | $81 |
| Gym slogan tees | 14 | $168 |
| Pet art prints | 10 | $120 |
| Total | 63 | $729 |
- Ad spend: $150
- Net profit: $579
Seeing nearly $600 in net profit from a side project felt surreal.
More importantly, I gained hands-on experience in design iteration, ad targeting, and customer engagement.
Lessons Learned from My Print-on-Demand Store Journey
1. Test before scaling
Launch a few designs, see what resonates, then expand.
2. Engage your community.
Authentic interaction (polls, questions, behind-the-scenes) builds loyalty.
3. Optimize product pages.
Clear photos, concise descriptions, and honest sizing info reduce returns.
4. Monitor ad performance daily.
Pause underperforming ads and reallocate budget to winners.
5. Iterate constantly.
Trends change, refresh your catalog every 2-4 weeks.
Conclusion
Starting a print-on-demand store was one of the most rewarding side hustles I’ve tried.
In just 30 days, I learned valuable marketing and design skills, built an engaged audience, and earned nearly $600 in profit.
If you’re looking for a low-risk way to turn your creativity into cash, a print-on-demand store might be exactly what you need.
Ready to start your own journey? Grab your favorite design software, pick a niche you love, and let your creativity launch your next side hustle.
