Starting a print on demand business sounds simple enough. You come up with a few designs, set up a Shopify store, and start making money while you sleep. But before you dive in, it’s important to understand what it actually costs to get started.
Print on demand has one of the lowest barriers to entry in e-commerce, but it isn’t free. There are real expenses that can sneak up on beginners if they don’t plan ahead. The good news is that once you know what to expect, you can launch confidently without wasting money.
Let’s break down what you really need before you launch your first POD store.
Your Platform Costs
The first thing you’ll need is a home for your store. Most sellers start with Shopify because it’s easy to use, integrates perfectly with print on demand apps, and gives you full control over your brand.
Shopify starts at $39 per month for the basic plan. You’ll also need to pay for your domain name, which usually costs about $15 per year.
If you go with Etsy instead, you’ll pay 20 cents per listing and a 6.5% transaction fee on each sale. It’s cheaper upfront but offers less brand control compared to Shopify.
No matter which route you take, make sure you understand the ongoing platform costs before you launch.
Design Costs
If you’re a designer, this part is easy. You can create your own artwork using tools like Canva or Photoshop, which start free, but will end up being $15-$30/month. But if design isn’t someone’s strong suit, some hire a freelancer (which I do not recommend to start… do not hire a freelancer to start).
Platforms like Fiverr or Upwork have designers who can create print-ready designs for anywhere between $10 and $100 per graphic, depending on complexity. Again, don’t do this to start.
Check out our online course to learn about how to get started using a combination of templates and AI tools to build elements of designs before you splurge on a freelancer.
A smart move is to start with three to five solid designs before you go live. That gives you enough variety to test different audiences and products without overinvesting early on.
Print Provider Fees
With print on demand, you don’t pay for products until you make a sale. That’s the beauty of the model. However, you should still understand the base costs of your products so you can price them correctly.
For example, a standard t-shirt might cost $12 from Printful or Printify. A hoodie could run you $25, and a mug might be around $8. You’ll sell these products at a markup, but keep in mind that each sale also includes payment processing fees, usually around 2.9% plus 30 cents.
You’ll need to decide if shipping is a pass-through cost to the customer, or if you free shipping is part of your discount strategy.
By default you’re paying taxes, but the online course will teach you how to minimize your tax burden.
Knowing these numbers helps you set realistic prices and profit margins before you start running ads or promotions.
Branding and Store Setup
Even with great designs, your store still needs to look professional. Shopify offers free themes, but you may want to invest in a premium one for a cleaner layout and better conversion rates. Premium themes usually cost between $150 and $350 as a one-time purchase. Do not start with a premium theme.
You might also want a logo, a brand color palette, and product mockups. You can handle these yourself using Canva or pay a designer around $50 to $150 to create a cohesive brand identity for you.
Remember, customers aren’t just buying a shirt. They’re buying into a brand.
Marketing and Ads
This is where most new sellers underestimate costs. Even if your products are amazing, nobody will see them without marketing.
At the very least, you’ll want to create social media accounts and post regularly. That’s free, but it takes time and effort. If you plan to run paid ads on Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok, expect to spend at least $100 to $300 to test your first campaigns.
Email marketing platforms like Klaviyo or ConvertKit are free up to a certain number of subscribers, but you’ll eventually pay around $30 a month as you grow.
You don’t need to spend thousands, but having a small budget for ads or content creation helps your brand stand out early.
Optional Tools and Subscriptions
As your store grows, there are a few tools that can make your life easier. Here are some common ones:
- Mockup generators: Placeit or Smartmockups ($10–$15 per month)
- SEO apps: Tools like Plug in SEO or Yoast for optimizing your pages ($10–$20 per month)
- Upsell apps: Zipify or Frequently Bought Together to increase order value ($15–$30 per month)
You can skip these at the start, but they’re worth noting for future scaling.
So, How Much Does It Really Cost to Start?
Here’s a rough estimate for launching your first POD business:
| Category | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Shopify plan | $39/month |
| Domain name | $15/year |
| Initial designs | $50–$300 |
| Theme or branding | $150–$350 |
| Ad testing budget | $100–$300 |
| Misc. tools or apps | $30–$50/month |
All in, most new sellers spend between $300 and $800 to get a fully functioning store live. That’s far less than what it costs to start a traditional retail business, yet you still have the potential to earn just as much over time.
What next?
Starting a print on demand business is one of the most affordable ways to step into e-commerce, but it’s not completely free. The key is to treat it like a real business from day one.
Set a clear budget, invest in solid branding, and plan for marketing. The more intentional you are upfront, the faster you’ll build momentum once your first orders start rolling in.
If you want to learn how to set up your POD store the right way, check out more guides at ShopConsultant.com, where we break down every step of building a successful print on demand business from scratch.
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