Two Roads! How Print-on-Demand Works
LYNNIE VERSION
Would you like to read this article in more grown-up words, still easy to understand? Jump here.
Hi! I’m Lynnie! Today I’m explaining how print on demand works, step by step. Like a little train ride, with stops!
Grown-ups call it a process flow. And there are two roads!
Stop 1: set up your design, once
First, you put your design on a blank product, like a plain T-shirt, and pick your price. Just once!
There are two roads here:
- Road A: you connect a printing helper to the back of your own website. Customers only see your website.
- Road B: you use a helper that sells your product on its own big online mall.
Stop 2: bring eyeballs!
On both roads, next comes your most important job: bringing eyeballs. That’s a funny grown-up word for people looking at your stuff!
Posts, ads, Pinterest, search engines, even a QR code in a shop window! And this stop never ends.
Stop 3: somebody buys!
When people see your product and like it, they buy it. Yay!
Stop 4: the helper does the work
The moment somebody buys, the helper prints your design on the product, and sends it right to your customer. You never even touch it! That’s the best part of print-on-demand.
Stop 5 on Road A: you help the customer
On Road A, helping customers is your job. You don’t send the package yourself. But you’re responsible for it arriving safely, because the customer only knows YOU.
If a package is late or squished, the customer writes to you, and you fix it with your helper.
Stop 6 on Road B: the helper helps the customer
On Road B, the helper takes care of delivery and customer help. And because the helper does more work, it keeps a bigger piece of the money. How big is agreed before you start.
Where your time goes
Mostly into making designs and bringing people. And one great design can sell for years!
Bringing people
The helper doesn’t bring you buyers. You do! Free posts work great, like videos of you designing. Ads can come later. Just check that each sale earns more than the ad costs.
Three oopsies
- Showing ads in countries the helper doesn’t deliver to. Check first!
- Forgetting printing time. Tell customers how long it really takes.
- On Road A, ignoring customers because “the helper ships.” Your customer only sees you. Answer fast and kindly!
A story
A cat lover draws funny cats. On a big online mall, she puts her drawings on mugs and T-shirts, just once. She shares short videos of herself drawing, with a link to her shop.
Somebody buys a mug. The helper prints it, sends it, and even answers a delivery question. At the end of the month, the helper pays her the agreed piece. Meow!
What’s next?
The next article helps you choose: a big mall like Redbubble or TeePublic, or your own website with a helper like Printful. The whole module is in the book on our products page. Want a grown-up to help? Go to our services page.
What grown-ups usually ask (and I answer)
Do I pay the helper before a sale?
Usually not! You pay only when an order comes in.
Can I change my design later?
Usually yes. Old orders get printed with the old version.
How does print-on-demand work?
Set up your design once, bring people, and the helper prints and sends.
What are the two roads?
Road A: your own website with a helper. Road B: the helper’s own mall.
Who helps customers?
You on Road A. The helper on Road B.
Who’s responsible if a package is late?
You on Road A. The helper on Road B.
Do I ship anything?
Never!
Is setting up a design a one-time job?
Yes! Then it can sell again and again.
What does “eyeballs” mean?
People looking at your stuff. Not real eyeballs. Ew!
Will there be step-by-step lessons for each of the ten ways?
Maybe! If lots of people want them. Join the waitlist and you’ll know first.
Is there a cheap way to start?
Yes! Lynnaider shows you ways that cost nothing, or very little. You’d be surprised! And a free robot helper called Lynnaider Compass helps you step by step.
Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only and should not be regarded as legal, tax, or business advice. Pursuing an online business does not guarantee income; results depend on many factors including the business environment, individual effort, skills, and consistency. Some links on this site may allow Lynnaider to earn a commission at no additional cost to the reader.
