The Smartest Way for Artists & Designers to Sell

4 Reasons Artists and Designers Thrive with Print-on-Demand 

1. No Big Costs to Get Started

One of the hardest parts of starting a business is the cost. Traditionally, you’d have to buy stock, rent space, maybe even buy equipment - all before you’ve sold a single item.

With print-on-demand, those upfront costs disappear. Some platforms let you set up an account and list your designs for free, while others, like Shopify, charge a small monthly fee. You only pay for a product once a customer places an order. That means less risk and more freedom to test ideas without losing money if they don’t sell. For a low-cost option, consider an Inkthreadable Storefront! 

Even your design tools can be budget-friendly. Canva is free to use, and Procreate is a one-time purchase that lets iPad users create professional-quality t-shirt designs from the comfort of their sofa.

2. You Can Focus on What You Love: Creating

Let’s face it, most creatives didn’t choose their path to spend time packing parcels or sorting out customer emails. You likely started because you love making art, not managing logistics. With print-on-demand, all the behind-the-scenes work - like printing, shipping, and handling returns, is done for you. That leaves you free to focus on what matters most: creating new designs, building your brand, and enjoying the process.

3. Low Risk, High Reward

With traditional selling, you’d need to make guesses about what people will buy. You might print 100 t-shirts with your design and only sell 5. That’s money lost and creates a storage problem.

With POD, you don’t need to gamble. If a design doesn’t sell, you haven’t lost anything. You can keep testing new ideas, swapping out what doesn’t work, and learning what your audience loves.

4. Turn One Design Into Many Products

Here’s where things get exciting! You can sell one design on dozens of different products: clothing, tote bags, mugs, art prints, stickers or even home décor.

This means you’re not limited to just selling prints. You can offer a full product range that caters to different tastes and budgets, all from a single design file.

More options for customers = more chances to make a sale.

Surprising Extras That Make All the Difference 

Environmentally Friendlier (If You Pick the Right Partner)

POD is generally more sustainable than bulk production. Because items are only made when needed, there’s less waste. And if you work with a POD company that uses eco-friendly inks and offers organic products *like we do at Inkthreadable* you’re creating goods that your customers can feel good about buying.

Room to Grow

You can start a POD business in an afternoon and grow it at your own pace. Want to keep it as a side hustle while you work your day job? No problem. Want to turn it into your full-time income? Totally doable - with time, effort, and smart marketing.

There’s no pressure to “go big” right away, which makes POD ideal for creatives who want to test the waters before diving in.

Getting Started: A Quick Guide 🌿

Starting your own POD business is easier than you might think. Here’s a simple step-by-step:

✅ Pick a partner – Choose one with products you love and reliable service (hello, is it us you’re looking for??)
✅ Create your designs – Start with a few strong ideas that reflect your style.
✅ Choose your products – T-shirts are a classic, but don’t forget prints, mugs, and bags!
✅ Set up a shop – You can use platforms like Etsy, Shopify, or even integrate directly with your website.
✅ Promote – Share your work on social media, use email newsletters, or try a few paid ads if you like..

That’s it. Once your first sale comes in, the platform takes care of the rest.

Final Thoughts

Print-on-demand isn’t just a way to sell products, it’s a business model that empowers artists and designers to do what they love, on their own terms.

Whether you're a student, a full-time freelancer, or someone rediscovering their creativity later in life, POD gives you the freedom to turn your designs into income - without the stress.

You stay creative. You stay in control. And best of all? You stay excited about your work.

Ready to turn your art into something more? There’s no better time, or better way, to start than with print-on-demand.