Why Print on Demand is One of the Best Lucrative Online Businesses in 2025: Free Quick Start Guide & 100+ Free Product Ideas
The Print on Demand (POD) industry is seriously having a moment right now, and 2025 is hands down one of the best times to start your own POD business.
With eCommerce booming year after year, more and more people are searching for unique, one-of-a-kind, personalized products. They want products that feel special, meaningful, and tailored just for them.
Gone are the days of mass-produced, cookie-cutter gifts! Shoppers today crave customized, sentimental, and personal items, and that’s exactly what a Print on Demand business on Etsy can offer. This is why a POD & Etsy business isn’t just a fun and creative business model—it’s also HIGHLY PROFITABLE AND INCREDIBLY SCALABLE.
IN THIS BLOG POST, I’M GOING TO BREAK DOWN:
-What Print on Demand is & Why It’s One of the Hottest Online Businesses Right Now
- How to Start Your Own POD Business!
- 100+ Free Niche & Product Ideas to Help You Launch In my free ebook!
But before we dive into the nitty-gritty, let me introduce myself!
Hi there! I’m Shay Lynn
Hi, I’m Shay Lynn, a multi-6-figure Print on Demand business owner, Top 1% Etsy shop owner, and creator of The Print on Demand Playbook.
Check out my sales my first year!👇
When I first started, I had zero experience, no design background, and no clue how to run an eCommerce business. For real, I was a teacher before I did this! But through trial, error, and a lot of learning, I figured out exactly what works—and turned my Etsy shop into a highly profitable, scalable business.
Now, I help aspiring entrepreneurs (particularly women and mamas) like YOU do the same. I’ve sold thousands of POD products, tested countless niches, and learned what actually makes money—so you don’t have to waste time guessing. That’s why I created my free guide to help you start and set up your business for success today!
DON’T WANT TO READ? JUST WANT THE FREE GUIDE WITH ALL THE GOODIES?
I GOT YOU!
Check out my FREE EBOOK:
THE POD PLAYBOOK QUICK START GUIDE & 100+ PRODUCT AND NICHE IDEAS TO GET YOU STARTED
LEARN HOW TO START A POD BUSINESS FOR FREE TODAY!
Alrighty now let’s get to the meat and potatoes of this post:
#1) Why Print on Demand is One of the Best Businesses to Start in 2025
SOME COLD HARD FACTS ABOUT PRINT ON DEMAND:
1) E-commerce sales are projected to hit $7.9 trillion by 2027
According to Statista, online shopping continues to just dominate the world, and platforms like Etsy, Amazon, and Shopify make it easier than ever to tap into this growing market.
2) The global Print on Demand market is expected to grow at over 26% annually
Demand for personalized, custom-made products is rising, and Print on Demand eliminates the need for large upfront investments because the printing companies print, pack, and ship your product for you!
3) No inventory, no upfront costs
Unlike traditional retail, where you have to buy and store products, POD allows you to only produce items when a customer orders, keeping your costs low and profits high.
4) Passive income potential
Once your designs are uploaded and listed, they can sell repeatedly without additional work. This means you can create multiple revenue streams quickly!
5) Work from anywhere, anytime
Whether you want to run your shop full-time or as a side hustle, POD offers complete flexibility. You control your schedule and can manage your business from anywhere in the world.
#2) Why Etsy is One of the Best Platforms for Print on Demand
While you can sell POD products on various platforms, Etsy is one of the easiest and most profitable places to start, especially for beginners and here’s why:
1) THERE ARE 90+ million active buyers and 180 MILlion Visitors to etsy a year!
Etsy has a massive built-in audience actively searching for unique, creative products. Unlike running your own website, you don’t need to spend money on ads just to get seen. Trust me, I have gone about it both ways, starting on my own Shopify store and an Etsy store front. The immediate audience you get with Etsy is truly unbeatable.
RELATED: Etsy Vs Shopify: Which Platform Should You Choose For Your Print on Demand Business?
2) Easy to set up
No tech skills? That is seriously no problem! When I first started I had NO CLUE what I was doing. Etsy makes it super simple, to set up your shop and list your products to start selling. Honestly it is a cake walk compared to other websites.
3) High demand for Personalized products
Personalization is huge on Etsy, and POD allows you to offer custom designs with little extra effort. Seriously, making a personalized order is so simple when you run a POD business.
5) Low Startup costs
Etsy’s listing fees are pretty minimal, and you only have to pay a one time fee to open a shop making it one of the most affordable ways to test and launch your shop.
#3 How to Get Started Today for Free & What’s Inside My Free Ebook!
If you’re serious about launching your own POD business, curious as to what you could possibly sell, or just want to learn more, my free eBook is packed with everything you need to hit the ground running.
Here’s what you’ll learn inside:
A STEP BY STEP QUICK START GUIDE–
Get a clear, no-fluff breakdown of how POD works and what you need to launch your shop successfully.
ANSWERS TO THE MOST COMMON NEW SELLER FAQs –
Confused about fees, business structure, or how much it costs to start this business? I cover it all.
100+ PROVEN NICHE & PRODUCT IDEAS -
No idea what to sell? I’m giving you over 100+ product and niche ideas that have already made me money, so you can start with proven winners. NO GATEKEEPING HERE. I am giving you the exact niches that I make sales in and have worked for me!
Let me get real with you & tell you why I love running a POD & Etsy Business
The number one reason I love running a POD and Etsy business is the freedom it gives you. Unlike a traditional 9-to-5 job, where you’re stuck at a desk or tied to a schedule, Print on Demand lets you work on your own terms.
1) Work from anywhere – I work from home, on the go, or on vacation. As long as you have wifi access, you can run this type of business. I started this business when I was taking care of my newborn baby and could only work in the night or during his naps!
2) Set your own hours – Want to work part-time, full-time, or just a few hours a week? It’s completely up to you. Personally, I work when my toddler is sleeping or in the dead of night because I am a night owl! But that’s the beauty of this business, you don’t have to clock in at specific time, its when you have time.
3) Scale at your own pace – There’s no limit to how much you can earn. The more effort you put in, the more your business can grow. Don’t get me wrong, this is not a get rich scheme. This takes effort, but what you put in is what you get out!
Ready to Get Started? Download Your Free Guide Today!
If you’ve been thinking about starting a Print on Demand business but don’t know where to begin, this eBook will give you the clarity and direction you need.
Instead of spending months trying to figure it out on your own, you’ll get a clear, step-by-step roadmap that will help you launch faster and smarter.
Inside, you’ll discover:
How to start a POD business with zero inventory or upfront costs
The best niches and products that are proven to sell + 100 product ideas to get you started!
Common beginner mistakes questions answered
Conclusion
Phew! I think that covers all the points I wanted to hit about why starting a POD and Etsy business is so freaking awesome! When I was starting out, I really struggled and had so many questions and had no idea what to design so I wanted to make this guide to help anyone out there who just wants to know how to get started ❤️
I hope this post helps you on your Print on Demand journey. If you are new to print on demand, curious about selling products online, want to make your first best-seller, and want to learn how to start your Etsy business the right way in 2024, then dive on it and check out my course The Print On Demand Playbook. I have over 40 videos and 9 hours of Print on Demand video tutorials and information on how to start your very own shop, Keywords/ Etsy SEO, product selection, research validation, design tutorials, content calendars, customer service templates, and so much more!
👇👇👇👇
And as always, please remember to conduct market research and Trademark searches to ensure you are not infringing on anyone’s intellectual property before posting your listings 😊
Take care for now my fellow designers! Talk to you soon!
-Shay Lynn ❤️
RELATED:
How to Prep Your POD and Etsy Shop in the Summer/Early Fall to Maximize Q4 Sales
How to Start a Print On Demand Business With No Money or Experience: The Free Guide