Make Money Selling Custom T-Shirts and Mugs
Blog post description.
Make Money Selling Custom T-Shirts and Mugs
Digital income
Saleh Amin
Do you love designing things, but don’t have the money to print products and ship them yourself? Print-on-demand (POD) might just be your perfect business model. You can sell t-shirts, mugs, hoodies, tote bags, and more—without ever touching the product or worrying about packaging.
In this beginner-friendly guide, you'll learn how the print-on-demand business works, the tools you need to start, and how you can make your first sale—even if you’re not a designer.
What is Print-on-Demand?
Print-on-demand is an online business model where you design graphics, and a third-party company prints those designs on products only when someone places an order. They also handle shipping, so you don’t need to keep any inventory.
Here’s how it works:
You upload a design to a POD platform.
A customer buys a product with your design.
The POD company prints the item and ships it directly to the customer.
You keep the profit.
You just focus on creating designs and promoting your store. It’s like running your own brand—with no upfront investment in stock.
POD Platforms: Printful, Printify, or Teespring?
There are many print-on-demand platforms available, but these three are most beginner-friendly:
✅ Printful
High-quality products and printing
Integrates with Shopify, Etsy, and more
Offers branding options like custom packaging
Slightly more expensive, but excellent quality
✅ Printify
Offers access to a wide network of print providers
Lower base prices (better for profit margins)
Integrates with Shopify, Etsy, WooCommerce
Free plan available
✅ Teespring (now Spring)
All-in-one platform—you don't need to connect to Shopify
Great for creators and influencers
Easy to start, but less control over branding and pricing
If you're just testing the waters, Printify + Etsy is a great combo. For more control and branding, Shopify + Printful is a long-term winner.
Creating Simple Designs Using Canva
You don’t have to be a professional designer to succeed in POD. Free tools like Canva make it super easy to create eye-catching designs for t-shirts, mugs, and phone cases.
Here’s a simple way to start:
Use Canva’s free t-shirt templates or start with a blank canvas (4500 x 5400 px for shirts)
Add simple quotes, symbols, or illustrations
Keep it clean and readable—minimal designs often sell better
Download as PNG with transparent background
You can also explore trending slogans on sites like Pinterest, Etsy, and Instagram for design inspiration.
💡 Tip: Use humor, motivation, or niche-specific themes (like dog lovers, gamers, nurses) to connect with passionate buyers.
Connecting Your POD Store with Etsy or Shopify
Once your designs are ready, it’s time to open your online store. You have two great options:
🧵 Etsy
Free to start (just a small listing fee per product)
Great for beginners with handmade or artistic products
Built-in traffic from people looking for unique gifts
🛒 Shopify
Monthly fee ($39/mo) but more professional
Full control over branding and layout
Works great if you want to build a real brand and scale with ads
You’ll connect your POD provider (like Printify or Printful) with your Etsy or Shopify store. This way, when someone places an order, it’s fulfilled automatically.
Free Ways to Market Your Products
You don’t need to run ads right away. Many beginners start getting sales by promoting on visual platforms like:
Create pins with your product mockups
Use keywords in your pin title and description
Link each pin to your Etsy or Shopify store
Join group boards in your niche
Post product photos, mockups, and customer reviews
Use niche hashtags like #catmomshirt or #plantlovermug
Follow and engage with accounts in your niche
Add your store link in bio
Consistency is key. Try to post daily or schedule content weekly using tools like Buffer or Later.
How Much Can You Earn? (Realistic Example)
Let’s say you create a simple “Coffee Before Talkie” mug design and sell it for $19.99 on Etsy.
Here’s a basic breakdown:
Printify production cost: $7.50
Etsy + payment fees: ~$3.00
Your profit per mug: ~$9.50
If you sell just 30 mugs per month, that’s around $285/month—from one design.
As you add more designs and improve your store’s visibility, your income can grow. Some POD sellers earn $500–$5,000+ monthly after a few consistent months of effort.
Final Thoughts
Print-on-demand is one of the easiest ways to start an online business in 2025. You don’t need inventory, storage space, or even design skills to get going. With the right tools, some creativity, and consistent marketing, you can build a real brand from your bedroom.
Whether you want to earn a side income or grow a full-time eCommerce business, POD is worth exploring.
