Avoid These 10 Mistakes Before Starting Your Print on Demand Store

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Things to consider before starting a print on demand store
   1. Maximum of five color variations for products
   2. Check print provider options before selling internationally
   3. Have a credit card or money set aside before starting a store
   4. Check if written phrases are trademarked and avoid copyrights
   5. Use lifestyle photos for products, not just generic mockups
   6. Don't just opt for selling t-shirts, explore other products
   7. Check if designs can be printed onto different products
   8. Add scarcity to some products, but not to all
   9. Check if your niche is banned on Facebook
   10. Seek feedback from an honest friend or family member

Important Things to Do Before Starting a Print on Demand Store

Starting a print on demand store can be an exciting venture, but it's important to consider certain factors to ensure success and avoid potential consequences. In this article, we will discuss ten important things you need to do before starting a print on demand store. These steps will help you optimize your store, avoid common pitfalls, and make informed decisions along the way.

1. Maximum of Five Color Variations for Products

One common mistake that many print on demand store owners make is offering too many color variations for their products. This not only affects the aesthetics of your store but can also lead to customer confusion and indecisiveness. It's recommended to limit the color options to a maximum of five for each product. This ensures a visually appealing store and avoids overwhelming customers with too many choices. Additionally, consider choosing darker shades for t-shirts as they tend to perform better, with black being the top-selling color.

2. Check Print Provider Options Before Selling Internationally

When using print on demand services, it's essential to understand how they work and where your products will be sourced from. Some services, like Printify, allow you to choose specific print providers based on location and other factors. Before selling internationally, carefully review the available print provider options, pricing, color variations offered, and production times. Consider the target market you'll be serving and select the print provider that best suits your needs. This ensures efficient fulfillment and customer satisfaction.

3. Have a Credit Card or Money Set Aside Before Starting a Store

To successfully manage a print on demand store, it's important to have a credit card or money set aside for upfront expenses. While customers pay for the products they purchase, you, as the store owner, need to cover production and fulfillment costs. Print on demand services like Printful and Printify charge you for the items your customers buy, and it's your responsibility to ensure sufficient funds are available. Having a credit card or money set aside will help you manage these costs and prevent delays in fulfilling orders.

4. Check if Written Phrases are Trademarked and Avoid Copyrights

Before using any design or written phrase for your print on demand products, it's crucial to check if they are copyrighted or trademarked. While copyright protection automatically applies to any original artwork, trademark registration is specific to certain phrases and logos. To avoid legal issues, refrain from using copyrighted designs directly and instead take inspiration to create your own unique designs. Additionally, conduct a trademark search in your target country to ensure that the phrases you use are not already trademarked.

5. Use Lifestyle Photos for Products, Not Just Generic Mockups

When promoting your print on demand products, it's essential to use high-quality lifestyle photos rather than generic mockups. While plain white background images may be suitable for product listings, they are not engaging enough for advertising purposes. Lifestyle photos provide your customers with a visual representation of how the product would fit into their lives. Platforms like Placeit offer a wide range of customizable lifestyle photos for various print on demand products, including t-shirts, mugs, tote bags, and more.

6. Don't Just Opt for Selling T-Shirts

While t-shirts are a popular and profitable product category for print on demand stores, it's essential to explore other product options as well. Leggings, for example, can have high markup potential due to their unique and hard-to-find designs. By offering products that are not easily available elsewhere, you increase the perceived value and desirability. Consider expanding your product range to include pillowcases, blankets, tote bags, and even novelty items like steampunk hats. Diversifying your offerings can attract a wider audience and enhance your store's profitability.

7. Check if Designs Can Be Printed Onto Different Products

To maximize your product offerings and create effective upsells, it's important to check if your designs can be printed onto different products. Some designs, such as patterns, work well on various items like pillowcases, blankets, leggings, and tote bags. However, single image designs may not translate well onto certain products. Consider the visual compatibility of your designs and choose the appropriate products accordingly. Repurposing designs across different products allows you to expand your inventory without investing in entirely new designs.

8. Add Scarcity to Some Products, but Not to All

Scarcity can be a powerful marketing tool to create a sense of urgency and prompt customers to make immediate purchase decisions. However, it's important to use scarcity strategically and not overdo it. Instead of applying scarcity to every product, focus on select items or limited-time promotions. This approach maintains credibility and avoids customers becoming skeptical about the legitimacy of sales and inventory levels. Apps like Sales Pop Master offer features to add countdown timers and display low stock indicators, enhancing the perceived value and driving conversions.

9. Check if Your Niche is Banned on Facebook

Facebook advertising is a popular and effective method for promoting print on demand products. However, not all niches are suitable for advertising on the platform due to their advertising policies. Before dedicating effort and resources to advertising on Facebook, ensure that your niche complies with their guidelines. Facebook has restrictions and prohibitions on certain adult and controversial product categories. Familiarize yourself with their advertising policies and ensure your store aligns with their guidelines to avoid potential ad rejections and account suspensions.

10. Seek Feedback from an Honest Friend or Family Member

When creating a print on demand store, it's crucial to seek feedback from an objective and honest source. As creators, we often struggle to evaluate our own work objectively. Engage someone you trust to provide constructive criticism and honest opinions about your store design, product selection, and overall branding. This feedback can help identify any flaws or opportunities for improvement that you may have overlooked. By addressing these issues early on, you can optimize your store's performance and enhance customer satisfaction.

In conclusion, starting a print on demand store requires careful consideration and attention to detail. By following these ten important steps, you can lay a solid foundation and increase your chances of success in the competitive print on demand industry.

Highlights

• Limit the color variations for products to a maximum of five to avoid overwhelming customers.
• Choose print providers strategically based on different factors such as pricing, color options, and production times.
• Have a credit card or money set aside to cover production and fulfillment costs when operating a print on demand store.
• Check if your designs and written phrases are copyrighted or trademarked to avoid legal complications.
• Utilize lifestyle photos to showcase your products in real-life settings for effective advertising.
• Explore diverse product options beyond t-shirts, such as leggings, pillows, blankets, and hats.
• Repurpose designs across various products for upselling opportunities and expanded inventory.
• Use scarcity tactics selectively to create urgency without undermining credibility.
• Familiarize yourself with Facebook's advertising policies to ensure your niche complies with their guidelines.
• Seek feedback from a trusted individual to gain objective insights and improve your store's overall performance.

FAQ

Q: How many color variations should I offer for each product in my print on demand store?\ A: It is recommended to limit the color options to a maximum of five for each product. This helps maintain a visually appealing store and prevents overwhelming customers with too many choices.

Q: Can I use copyrighted designs for my print on demand products?\ A: No, it is important to avoid using copyrighted designs directly. Instead, take inspiration from existing designs and create your own unique versions. This ensures that your products do not infringe on any copyrights.

Q: How can I create lifestyle photos for my print on demand products?\ A: Platforms like Placeit offer customizable lifestyle photos that allow you to showcase your products in real-life settings. Simply upload your designs to their pre-designed templates and generate compelling lifestyle images for your advertising campaigns.

Q: Are t-shirts the only profitable product category for print on demand stores?\ A: While t-shirts are popular and profitable, it is advisable to explore other product options as well. Leggings, pillowcases, blankets, tote bags, and novelty items can offer high markup potential and attract a wider audience.

Q: How can I create a sense of urgency for my print on demand products?\ A: Adding scarcity to select products or running time-limited promotions can create a sense of urgency among customers. Utilize countdown timers, low stock indicators, and other techniques to drive conversions without compromising credibility.

Q: Can I advertise all types of print on demand products on Facebook?\ A: No, it is essential to review Facebook's advertising policies before promoting your products. Certain niches and product categories may be restricted or prohibited, so ensure that your store aligns with their guidelines to avoid ad rejections and account suspensions.

Q: How can I get feedback on my print on demand store and products?\ A: It is beneficial to seek feedback from an honest friend or family member who can provide constructive criticism and objective opinions. Their insights can help identify any flaws or areas for improvement that may have been overlooked.

Q: Can I repurpose designs from one product to another in my print on demand store?\ A: Yes, repurposing designs across different products within your store can offer upselling opportunities and expand your inventory. However, consider the visual compatibility of the design with each product to ensure optimal results.

Q: How do I check if a written phrase is trademarked?\ A: Each country has its own trademark search engine, where you can search for specific phrases to check if they are trademarked. Conduct thorough research using the relevant search engines to ensure that the phrases you use are not already trademarked in your target market.