When considering a product for your Print-On-Demand (POD) business, it's crucial to approach the decision with an open mind. This is particularly true if you're just starting out and uncertain about what to sell. If you already have a specific product or product line in mind due to a strong preference, the approach is more straightforward: simply evaluate your product idea. However, for those at the beginning stages without a clear direction, a good starting point is to consider the shipping origin of your product. This decision significantly impacts your research, as the shipping location can affect delivery times, costs, and customer satisfaction.
Most reputable POD companies are based in the US, Europe, China, and Vietnam. For inexperienced sellers new to Etsy, I recommend sticking with products that ship from the US to ensure faster delivery to your customers, thereby reducing the risk of negative feedback due to slow shipping. However, be mindful that products shipped from the US will be more expensive than those from Asia, sometimes significantly so.
For those with more experience on Etsy or other sales platforms, or those comfortable managing customer expectations and resolving conflicts, exploring products that ship from Asia might be beneficial. The larger product selection and price advantage can help boost your sales, but be prepared to dedicate more time to customer service to address delivery-related inquiries.
Assuming you opt for American products, Printify, a leading POD company, offers an extensive range of products organized into various categories, from clothing to home accessories, tech accessories, and stationery. I would recommend to explore every section of Printify's catalog to familiarize yourself with the available products. Consider the simplicity of products during this exploration; items with many sizes or those typically tried on before purchase (like clothing and shoes) may be more challenging for a POD business due to potential returns for incorrect sizes. Instead, focus on simpler products that don't face this issue.
Another aspect to consider while browsing the catalog is the ease of design. Products with a defined shape (e.g., rectangular notebooks, rugs, tablecloths, tapestries) are generally easier and quicker to design for than items with more complex shapes, like hats or mugs.
The potential margin is a critical factor and can be roughly assessed even when you are just browsing the catalog. Smaller, less expensive items like stickers or keychains will offer very limited profit per order. It's often just as challenging to sell a $10 item as it is a $50 item, so it's more advantageous to focus on products that can yield a margin of $15-20 after all expenses. From my own review of Printify's offerings, three products immediately stood out, based on margin potential: outdoor rugs, bean bag covers, and suitcase covers.
After identifying a few promising products, the next step involves a deeper evaluation, including assessing demand and competition and conducting price research. This article will discuss these evaluation strategies using the aforementioned products as examples.
A few additional tips: Personalization is a key differentiator in the POD business. Successful POD stores often offer personalized items, such as products featuring names, custom logos, dates, or photos. Products that allow for customization, like a baby blanket with the child's name, tend to have a competitive edge. Additionally, selling multiples of the same item can significantly reduce shipping costs, allowing for more competitive pricing and better profit margins. Examples include custom shot glasses for a bridal party or keychains as memorabilia for a family reunion.
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