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Best print on demand products

Most Profitable Print on Demand Products

Photo of Brandon
Brandon - Author
1 week ago

Imagine spotting next year’s best-sellers before they flood the market—and building your store around them first.

That’s the promise of print on demand products. These are custom-made items—t-shirts, mugs, books, journals—that only get produced after a customer places an order. No inventory. No warehouse. Just design, list, and fulfill through a supplier.

But here’s the truth: POD success isn’t about launching any product. It’s about picking the right ones—items with strong demand, healthy margins, and space to stand out in a crowded market. This guide breaks down what print on demand products are, which ones are best sellers, what’s trending in 2025, and how to price and market them for real profitability.


Quick Look: Best Print on Demand Products 2025

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Category Best Seller 2025 Why It Sells Profit Potential
Apparel Hoodies Higher margins, year-round demand Medium
Home Décor Blankets High gifting appeal, strong markup High
Pet Products Bandanas Personalization + gifting potential Medium
Stationery Calendars Low cost, 80%+ margins Very High
Accessories Phone Cases Constant demand as new models launch High

What Are Print on Demand Products?

Print on demand products are created only after an order is placed. You upload a design, a supplier prints it on a blank item, and the customer receives it directly.

Categories include:

  • Apparel – t-shirts, hoodies, hats
  • Drinkware – mugs, tumblers, water bottles
  • Accessories – tote bags, phone cases, socks
  • Home décor – pillows, blankets, posters, wall art
  • Stationery – journals, planners, calendars
  • Books – notebooks and self-published titles

Benefits:

  • Low risk: no upfront inventory.
  • Scalable: global reach with fulfillment partners.
  • Personalized: unique, custom-made items customers can’t find at big-box stores.

Challenges:

  • Lower margins than wholesale.
  • Reliance on supplier quality and shipping.

Why Product Choice Matters in POD Success

In POD, product choice isn’t just important—it’s survival. Pick wrong, and you drown in competition. Pick right, and you own a corner of the market.

Margins Vary

  • T-shirts: ~40–50% margins.
  • Mugs, candles, journals: 60–70%+.
  • Calendars lead POD margins—often hitting 80%.

Demand vs Competition

  • High demand, high competition: T-shirts are everywhere.
  • High demand, low competition: On Etsy, unique niches like wedding favors or pet bandanas often dominate.
  • Niche demand, lower competition: Yoga mats or fitness towels sell fewer units but face less saturation.

Best Selling Print on Demand Products (2024–2025)

Based on recent data, these categories dominate sales and will carry momentum into 2025:

1. Apparel: T-Shirts, Hoodies & Hats

T-shirts remain the undisputed king of POD—but kings attract rivals. To succeed, you can’t sell “just another graphic tee.” You need a niche audience or fresh twist.

  • Hoodies & sweatshirts: Higher price points and year-round demand.
  • Hats: Dad caps and trucker hats are trendy and event-friendly.

2. Home Décor: Posters, Wall Art, Pillows & Blankets

  • Posters and prints let artists monetize designs affordably.
  • Custom pillows—even pet-shaped—create novelty gifting opportunities.
  • Blankets exploded in 2023 and remain high-margin favorites.

3. Accessories: Tote Bags & Phone Cases

  • Tote bags ride the eco-friendly wave.
  • Phone cases offer ~60% margins and constant demand.
  • Mugs and drinkware are evergreen gift products.

4. Stationery & Paper Products

  • Journals and planners tie into wellness and productivity niches.
  • Calendars offer high margins (up to 80%).
  • Greeting cards and stationery packs are strong upsells.

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The trends shaping POD this year include:

  • Eco friendly print on demand products: Organic cotton apparel, recycled totes, bamboo gear. Over 50% of consumers say they’ll pay more for sustainable products.
  • Digital-inspired: Planners, calendars, and art prints adapted from digital download trends.
  • Wellness & fitness: Custom yoga mats, gym towels, water bottles.
  • Weddings & events: Bridal party shirts, guestbooks, personalized favors.
  • Personalization everywhere: Names, photos, and niche-specific customization are becoming the norm.

Unique Print on Demand Products & Niches

To win in POD, serve passionate communities with unique print on demand products that mass retailers overlook.

  • Custom bandanas, collars, bowls, and pet-themed décor.
  • Personalized items with pet names drive gifting demand.

Fitness & Health Products

  • Printed yoga mats and gym towels.
  • Motivational designs for sports water bottles.

Lifestyle & Hobby Products

  • Gaming desk mats, grilling aprons, fishing hats.

High-Ticket & Luxury POD

  • Jewelry with engravings: $30–$50 profit per piece.
  • Custom footwear or watches: premium-priced emotional buys.
  • Luxury home décor: framed metal prints, custom wall art.

Where to Sell Print on Demand Products

Where you sell shapes who you reach.

  • Etsy: Best for niche, personalized items. Many sellers thrive with high demand, low competition print on demand products on Etsy 2024–2025 like pet gear or wedding gifts.
  • Amazon: Huge reach via Merch by Amazon or synced POD fulfillment.
  • Shopify print on demand products: Best for brand control and long-term growth.
  • Other marketplaces:
    • Redbubble – art-focused.
    • Zazzle – invitations & gifts.
    • TeePublic, Society6 – art communities.
    • TikTok Shop – viral-ready.

Pro tip: Don’t rely on one platform. Diversify across channels to spread risk and boost visibility.


How to Price Print on Demand Products

Think of your catalog like a menu: fast-selling snacks (stickers, mugs) alongside entrées (blankets, jewelry) that deliver big profits per bite.

  • Calculate costs: product + print + shipping + platform fees.
  • Target 40–50% margins for apparel, 60–70%+ for mugs, journals, calendars.
  • Bundle items or offer free shipping thresholds to raise cart value.

How to Market Print on Demand Products

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“Build it and they will come” doesn’t exist in ecommerce—you must market.

  • Optimize listings: Keywords in titles, tags, descriptions.
  • Social media: TikTok, Instagram, Pinterest.
  • Ads: Facebook, Instagram, Etsy ads.
  • Influencers: Micro-influencers are cost-effective.
  • Great visuals: Lifestyle photos > flat mockups.
  • Proof: Reviews and testimonials drive trust.

Looking ahead, expect:

  • Eco-friendly boom in sustainable POD.
  • Tech integration: custom smartwatch bands, AR-enhanced designs.
  • Personalization surge: AI-assisted co-design.
  • Emerging niches: pickleball, van life, new hobbies.
  • Global expansion: More fulfillment centers = faster shipping.
  • Brand-driven growth: Storytelling and loyal communities will define winners.

Conclusion

Every POD empire began with a single design that clicked. The next bestseller isn’t waiting in someone else’s catalog—it’s waiting in your imagination.

Print on demand in 2025 is brimming with opportunity. Whether you’re chasing eco friendly print on demand products, building a pet-focused line, or crafting premium home décor, the path is the same: test, refine, and scale what works.

So ask yourself: what’s the one product you could launch today that might become tomorrow’s hit? The next breakout success could be yours.


FAQ

Q: What are the most profitable print on demand products?
A: Jewelry, luxury home décor, blankets, and paper goods like calendars.

Q: What sells best on Etsy?
A: Personalized apparel, mugs, pet products, and wedding merch dominate best selling print on demand products Etsy 2025.

Q: Can you sell print on demand products on Amazon?
A: Yes—through Merch by Amazon or third-party fulfillment.

Q: What are some unique POD niches for 2025?
A: Pet accessories, fitness gear, golf products, wedding gifts, and occupational humor.

Q: How do I price POD products for profit?
A: Aim for 40–50% margins, with premium items supporting 60–70%+.

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