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Do you want to launch your own online side hustle without any upfront investment? I completely understand. One of the greatest advantages of the internet is the multitude of ways to kickstart a side hustle with minimal or no financial commitment, and print-on-demand is one of my top picks. You…
Do you want to launch your own online side hustle without any upfront investment?
I completely understand.
One of the greatest advantages of the internet is the multitude of ways to kickstart a side hustle with minimal or no financial commitment, and print-on-demand is one of my top picks. You don’t need to purchase inventory, manage a warehouse, or handle shipping yourself.
If you have a few hours, an internet connection, and a creative idea, you can establish your own POD (print-on-demand) business this week.
In today’s blog post, I’ll guide you through the process of starting a POD side hustle with $0 – step-by-step, using popular print-on-demand companies like Printify and Printful.
Whether you’re interested in selling T-shirts, sweatshirts, mugs, tote bags, or even phone cases, you can create a legitimate brand without any initial costs. I’ll also explain how you get paid, how to create designs (even if you’re not particularly artistic), and how to list your products online for free.
How To Start a Print On Demand Side Hustle With $0
Below is how you can start a POD business with no financial investment.
Recommended reading:
Step 1: Understand what print on demand is
Print-on-demand is a business model where you design custom graphics, and those designs are printed on products only after a customer places an order.
This means:
No inventory to purchase upfront
No packing or shipping for you to manage
No warehouse to oversee
A third-party company (like Printify or Printful) takes care of everything behind the scenes.
You can focus solely on creating your products and promoting your shop.
Step 2: Sign up for a free POD platform (Printify or Printful)
Next, you’ll want to select a POD platform to collaborate with.
Print-on-demand platforms are websites that offer a print-on-demand service where you upload your design/artwork, and when an item sells, Printify or Printful produces and ships the product.
Two of the most popular options are:
Printify – Offers low base costs and a vast selection of products. You can learn more about Printify in my Printify Review here.
Printful – Features branding options like custom packaging and labels, along with high-quality printing and quick fulfillment.
I suggest trying both (they’re free to join) to determine which one suits your needs best. You can even connect both to your store and experiment with different suppliers and products.
How payments work with Printful and Printify:
You are only charged the production cost when a customer places an order. Simultaneously, your customer pays the full retail price through your sales channel. From that payout, any marketplace or payment processing fees (like Etsy transaction fees) are deducted. The difference between the retail price and the production cost (minus fees) is your profit.
Example:
Customer pays $30 for your product.
Printful/Printify charges you $15 for production and shipping (at the moment of order).
Etsy fees total $3
Your profit = $12
This is an example of a candle that you could add text or a graphic to and sell.
Step 3: Pick a niche (this helps you stand out)
Your niche is the specific theme or audience you’ll focus on. Choosing a niche makes your shop feel more cohesive and helps attract the right customers.
Examples of popular print-on-demand niches:
Dog moms or cat lovers
Teachers
Funny quotes for moms
Travel
Fitness motivation
Outdoor adventures
You don’t have to stick with one forever, but starting with a focused niche simplifies things.
If you’re unsure what to choose, consider:
What types of gifts would you personally purchase?
Who do you enjoy creating for?
What kind of designs or phrases do you often see go viral?
Even something as straightforward as “funny quotes for teachers” can be a niche worth exploring.
Step 4: Create a free store (Etsy is a great option)
Now it’s time to set up your shop!
If you want to keep it simple and start with minimal investment, Etsy is an excellent platform to begin. It offers:
Built-in traffic (people are already searching for products!)
No monthly fees
A quick setup process
Etsy’s listing cost is a flat fee of $0.20 USD per item, charged when you publish or renew a listing, regardless of whether it sells.
Just visit Etsy.com, create a seller account, and follow the steps to name your shop, write your bio, and connect your payment information.
You can also use Shopify or launch your own website later, but Etsy is perfect for beginners.
I’ve personally purchased numerous print-on-demand items on Etsy over the years, simply by searching for products like mugs, T-shirts, greeting cards, and more, so I can vouch for its effectiveness as a starting point!
Here’s an example from Printful’s website of a shirt you could design.
Step 5: Design your products (even if you’re not a designer)
You might be thinking: “But I’m not creative … how am I supposed to create designs?”
Good news: You don’t need to be an artist to profit from print-on-demand.
Here are a few simple ways to create designs:
Use Canva to make text-based designs.
Purchase templates from Creative Market or Etsy.
Hire a designer on Fiverr (this can be done affordably once you start making sales).
Utilize AI design tools for ideas and layout inspiration.
Simple text-based designs often become bestsellers on Etsy. Think: “Dog Mom,” “Good Vibes Only,” or “Coffee First, Grade Papers Later.”
After you create your design, upload it to Printify or Printful, and the platform will automatically generate product mockups for you.
This allows you to see what your design looks like on a shirt, hoodie, mug, or bag before you even list it.
Step 6: List your products for sale
Once your product mockups are ready, it’s time to publish them to your store!
If you’re using Etsy, you can connect your Printify or Printful account and push your products directly to your Etsy listings.
Here’s what you’ll need to include:
Product title – Incorporate keywords people might search for (example: Funny Teacher Coffee Shirt).
Description – Inform potential buyers who it’s for, sizing details, care instructions, etc.
Tags – Use relevant keywords to help people discover your listing.
Price – Consider the cost from your supplier, Etsy fees, and your desired profit margin.
You can start with just a few listings or add 10–20 designs if you have the time. More listings can help you get noticed by potential buyers more quickly.
Step 7: Promote your products for free
Once your listings are live, it’s time to drive traffic to your shop. And no, you don’t have to spend money on ads.
Here are free methods to promote your print-on-demand business:
Pinterest – Create pins featuring your product mockups.
Instagram or TikTok – Share behind-the-scenes content of your shop or design process.
Facebook groups – Join niche groups and share your shop (while adhering to group rules).
Etsy SEO – Use strong keywords in your titles and tags to enhance discoverability.
Even dedicating just 15–20 minutes a day to promoting your shop can yield significant results.
Step 8: Learn, improve, and keep going
Your first design might not become a bestseller, and that’s perfectly fine!
It’s essential to treat print-on-demand as an experiment:
Try different niches.
Test various phrases or styles.
Update product photos or mockups.
The more listings you create, the better you’ll understand what resonates with your audience. As your sales increase, you can reinvest in more designs or even enhance your store.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are answers to common questions about starting a POD business with no financial investment.
How do I start a POD business with no money?
You can utilize free tools like Printify or Printful, open an Etsy shop, and create designs using Canva. You won’t incur any costs until you make a sale, which is a great advantage.
How much does it cost to start a print on demand business?
It can cost $0 to get started. There are optional upgrades and tools available later, but you can launch your first product for free.
Do I need a license or business registration to start a print on demand business?
In most cases, no. You can begin selling on Etsy without a license.
What if I’m not creative?
Many successful POD sellers use text-based designs, templates, or hire freelancers. You don’t have to be a designer!
Can I really make money with print on demand?
Yes! Like any business, it requires time and effort. However, many individuals earn extra income each month with just a few successful designs. The more quality designs you create, the better your chances of generating income.
How To Start a Print On Demand Side Hustle With $0 – Summary
I hope you found my article on how to start a print-on-demand side hustle with $0 helpful.
If you’ve been eager to start a business but didn’t know where to begin, print-on-demand is a fun, beginner-friendly, low-risk option.
If you’re interested in this avenue for making extra money, I encourage you to start now by testing just one design. Discover what you enjoy, and if you like it, you can expand from there. You can try it out right now by visiting Printify or Printful.
Are you interested in starting a print-on-demand side hustle? What would you sell?
Want to learn how to make money selling print-on-demand products on Etsy? Check out this free workshop and learn how Emily made $500,000 in just two years.
Recommended reading:
Feel free to adjust any specific phrases or sections as needed!
