As the name suggests, print-on-demand (POD) is a printing technique that allows you to print products only when they are ordered. This means that there is no need to keep inventory or worry about overstock, as everything is printed to order.
POD is an ideal solution for anyone selling physical products, such as t-shirts, posters, mugs, and more. In this article, we’ll show you how to create a POD shop in WordPress.
But first, let's discuss some of the benefits of the print-on-demand approach.
Print-On-Demand vs. Traditional Printing
If you’re selling physical products, then you’ll need to find a printer who can produce them for you. With traditional printing, you’ll need to order a minimum quantity of products (usually in the hundreds or thousands), and hope that you can sell them all.
This approach has several disadvantages:
You have to pay for the entire print run upfront, which can be expensive.
You have to store the inventory somewhere, which can be a hassle (and cost money).
You run the risk of overstock, which means wasted money and resources.
With print-on-demand, on the other hand, there is no minimum order quantity. You can print just one product at a time, which means that you only pay for what you need. There is also no risk of overstock, as everything is printed to order.
Another advantage of print-on-demand is that it’s much easier to get started. With traditional printing, you often need expensive equipment and a lot of experience. With POD, all you need is a design and someone to print it for you.
POD is also more flexible than traditional printing.
For example, with traditional printing, if you want to offer a new product or design, you have to print a whole new batch (which can be expensive). With POD, you can simply upload the new design and start selling it right away.
Finally, POD allows you to sell custom products. With traditional printing, you’re usually limited to standard sizes and designs. With POD, you can print anything you want, which means that you can offer a truly unique product.
All of this isn't to say traditional printing doesn't have a clear role in many industries and spaces. For instance, if you want to have custom packaging created, opting for traditional printing is likely going to be more effective and cost-efficient, especially since you're working with large quantities.
But for those selling a small quantity of items -- or a limited run -- POD is the way to go.
Now that we’ve covered some of the advantages of print-on-demand, let’s take a look at a couple of printing types so you can select the appropriate print-on-demand service for your needs.
