Want to grow your print-on-demand business in 2025? The industry is moving lightning-fast, and keeping up can be tricky. You need to spot trends early and turn them into sales before your competitors catch on!
However, no stress. In this guide, you’ll discover the top niches and products to focus on, why personalization is key, and how automation can save you time. Spoiler alert: AI isn’t just for tech giants anymore. You’ll learn practical ways to scale your business with smart tools, multichannel strategies, and influencer partnerships.
Think you’ve got it all figured out? You might miss out on strategies others are using right now to scale faster than ever. This guide breaks it all down so you can act and plan, right away.
If you’re in web2print customization, you know the struggle: endless edits, back-and-forth, wasted hours. Zakeke lets you automate personalized orders and skip the chaos, so you can sell custom without the headache.
What is Print on Demand?
Print on demand is a business model where you sell custom products without keeping inventory. Instead of pre-printing items, products like t-shirts, mugs, or posters are created only after a customer places an order. This means you don’t have to worry about stock, storage, or upfront costs.
The process is simple: you design a product, list it on your e-store, and when someone buys it, a printing partner produces and ships it directly to the customer. It’s a low-risk way to start or expand a business.
That said, POD is growing fast. In fact, the global custom printing market was valued at $3.9 billion in 2022, and it’s projected to reach $30 billion by 2030.
It doesn’t matter if you’re a solo entrepreneur or part of a team, POD offers flexibility and scalability. It’s perfect if you want to sell creative designs, test new ideas, or build a business with minimal overhead.
Who Can Start a Print on Demand Business?
Anyone with a creative idea or entrepreneurial spirit can start a print-on-demand business. You don’t need advanced technical skills or a large budget. Just a willingness to learn and experiment.
If you’re a designer, artist, or photographer, print on demand allows you to turn your work into products like t-shirts, mugs, or posters. If you’re a marketer or influencer, you can create branded merchandise for your audience. Even if you’re not that creative, you can hire designers or use templates from platforms like Canva to develop unique product ideas.
This business model is also perfect for side hustlers. It’s low-risk because you don’t need to hold inventory. All you need is to set up an eCommerce store (or use an e-commerce platform like Shopify), and a plan to promote your products.
Best 8 Print on Demand Niches to Explore in 2025
Choosing the right niche for your print-on-demand business can be tricky. Some markets are consistently in demand, while others grow with emerging trends.
Below are the top niches and events to focus on, and the products that sell best in each.
- 2025 FIFA Club World Cup
The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup is set to be one of the most anticipated football events of the year, drawing fans from all over the world. This is a perfect opportunity for creating products that celebrate team spirit, fan loyalty, and global competition.
Best Products:
- Apparel: t-shirts, jerseys, and hoodies featuring team-inspired designs, tournament dates, or catchy slogans.
- Accessories: caps, scarves, and tote bags with soccer-themed graphics or national flags.
- Memorabilia: posters, stickers, and mugs commemorating the event or featuring iconic players.
Fans love merchandise that shows their support for their favorite teams or the tournament itself. Focus on bold, energetic designs, and consider incorporating country colors or references to host cities. Limited-edition or tournament-exclusive products can create a sense of urgency and excitement.
- 2025 World Athletics Championships
The 2025 World Athletics Championships will attract sports fans and fitness enthusiasts who admire the world’s best athletes. This niche focuses on celebrating athleticism, competition, and national pride.
Best Products:
- Apparel: t-shirts, tank tops, and hoodies with track-and-field graphics, event dates, or motivational slogans.
- Accessories: water bottles, headbands, and tote bags for fans attending the championships or inspired by the sport.
- Posters and prints: artistic representations of events like sprints, hurdles, or long jumps.
Athletics fans value dynamic, action-packed designs that reflect the energy of the competition. Use imagery like running tracks, medals, or iconic moments in athletics to make your products stand out. Custom designs featuring specific events, like marathons or relays, can target audiences within this category.
- Fitness and Wellness Enthusiasts
Fitness and wellness products are evergreen, with new trends sparking fresh demand every year. From gym-goers to yoga lovers, this niche covers a wide audience looking for gear that fits their active lifestyle and promotes personal health goals.
Best Products:
- Gym wear: custom leggings, tank tops, and sweatshirts.
- Accessories: water bottles, gym bags, and phone cases with motivational quotes.
- Yoga products: mats with unique designs, tote bags, and meditation journals.
Fitness apps and online workouts have skyrocketed in popularity, with 2023 seeing a 34% growth in home fitness programs. This creates an opportunity for products catering to individuals working out at home or in small community settings. Focus on bold, motivational designs or calming wellness themes to stand out in this niche.
- Pet Lovers
Pet owners love spoiling their furry friends (who wouldn’t love Pia?), making this niche a lucrative option. Whether it’s quirky pet-themed merchandise or products for their pets, there’s always a market here.
Best Products:
- Pet accessories: bandanas, collars, and leashes.
- Apparel for owners: t-shirts, hoodies, and caps with fun pet slogans or custom pet portraits.
- Home decor: throw pillows, mugs, and wall art featuring pet breeds or witty pet-related sayings.
Pet ownership continues to rise, with 66% of U.S. households owning a pet in 2023. This translates to millions of potential buyers looking for unique ways to celebrate their furry companions. Offer customizable options, like pet portraits on mugs or prints, to tap into the emotional connection owners have with their pets. People love sharing their pet pride, so keep your designs playful and relatable.
- Gamers and Tech Enthusiasts
Gaming is a massive and ever-growing industry, and gamers are always on the lookout for cool gear and merch. This niche includes casual players, e-sports fans, and tech enthusiasts who love expressing their passion through unique products.
Best Products:
- Apparel: graphic t-shirts, hoodies, and hats with gaming memes or designs inspired by popular games.
- Accessories: mousepads, phone cases, and desk mats with bold, vibrant artwork.
- Home decor: posters, wall art, and throw blankets featuring gaming themes or retro designs.
Gamers love products that feel exclusive and personalized. Focus on creating designs that speak to their hobbies, whether it’s retro gaming, PC building, or competitive e-sports. This audience is also highly active online, so consider offering themed bundles or designs inspired by trending games to keep your products relevant.
- Eco-Conscious Shoppers
Sustainability isn’t just a trend; it’s a lifestyle many people embrace fully. Eco-conscious shoppers want products that align with their values while still being stylish and practical.
Best Products:
- Reusable items: tote bags, water bottles, and coffee mugs with eco-friendly slogans or designs.
- Organic apparel: t-shirts, hoodies, and caps made from sustainable materials.
- Stationery: notebooks, planners, pencils and journals with nature-inspired or minimalist aesthetics.
In this niche, quality and message matter. Customers want products that show their commitment to protecting the planet, so choose sustainable printing partners and highlight those aspects in your listings.
Nature-inspired designs, subtle typography, and empowering messages about conservation can resonate deeply with this audience. Packaging can also play a role here. Eco-conscious buyers love brands that use recycled or minimal materials.
- Travel Enthusiasts
Travelers and adventurers love products that remind them of their favorite destinations or inspire their next journey. Whether they’re globetrotters or weekend road trippers, this niche appeals to a wide range of customers.
Best Products:
- Apparel: t-shirts, hoodies, and hats with travel-themed quotes or designs featuring maps, landmarks, or adventure icons.
- Accessories: travel journals, passport covers, and tote bags for packing essentials.
- Wall art: posters, canvas prints, and framed maps of popular destinations or travel bucket lists.
Travel-inspired products tap into the emotions of wanderlust and exploration. Focus on creating designs that evoke nostalgia or excitement, such as minimalist maps, bold destination names, or hand-drawn illustrations of iconic places.
Customizable options, like highlighting specific countries or states, can make these products even more appealing to travelers looking for a personal touch.
- Hobbyists and Crafters
People passionate about hobbies, from painting to gardening, love showcasing their interests with products that reflect their creative spirit. This niche connects directly to the growing community of makers and DIY enthusiasts.
Best Products:
- Apparel: t-shirts, aprons, and sweatshirts with clever sayings or graphics related to specific hobbies.
- Accessories: mugs, tote bags, and stickers for crafters and hobbyists.
- Home decor: art prints, posters, and throw pillows featuring craft-themed designs.
Designs that celebrate creativity, skill, and passion resonate deeply with hobbyists. Find specific groups like knitters, scrapbookers, or gardeners, to target niche audiences. Playful quotes or detailed illustrations can set your products apart, making them perfect for gifting or personal use.
Engaging with online crafting communities can also help you spot emerging trends and create designs your audience will love.
Set Your Print on Demand Business for Success
Success in print-on-demand is all about selling great products, but to do it, you need to stay ahead of trends and make smart decisions. With the right strategies and tools you can simplify operations, boost sales, and deliver better customer experiences.
Let’s dive into how you can apply these advanced tactics step by step.
1. Use Personalization and Product Customization for Your Products
Adding personalization and customization to your products can set your print-on-demand business apart. People love unique items, and when you offer them the chance to create something truly theirs, it’s a win-win.
This process can be really simple with tools like Zakeke Visual Product Customizer. You can add a product customizer to your store that will allow customers to upload images, add text, or choose colors directly on your products. How about selling mugs where customers can upload their pet’s photo and add a name? It’s that easy with Zakeke.
Next, you can further customize by including specific templates or themes for holidays, weddings, or niche interests, so your customers have inspiration to start.
Personalization also means you can charge a premium because these items feel special and exclusive. By streamlining product customization with a tool, you save time while offering a unique shopping experience your competitors might not.
2. Use AR and VR for Better Customer Experience
Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality are changing the way customers shop online. With AR and VR integrated in your e-store you let buyers visualize how your products look in real life before making a purchase. This builds trust and reduces returns.
For example, with AR, customers can see how your wall art will look on their home walls, or how a mug design will appear on their table. A VR-enabled store can allow your shoppers to “try on” the shoes they want to buy with hyper-realistic details. This gives them confidence in fit and design.
While AR and VR sound high-tech, these tools are designed to be user-friendly and often come with templates to help you get started. Offering this feature makes your store stand out and builds a professional, future-forward impression for your brand.
3. Sell on Multiple Channels
Relying on a single sales channel can limit your reach. Selling across platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Shopify lets you connect with new audiences and drive more sales.
So, you can start with selling on Instagram and TikTok with their built-in shops. Then, use tools like Later to schedule posts or Shopify to sync inventory across channels. For example, create shoppable posts on Instagram that let customers buy directly without leaving the app.
On TikTok, focus on short, engaging videos featuring your products. Partner with creators to showcase designs in real-life scenarios. Each channel offers unique ways to engage, so tailor your approach to fit the platform’s strengths. Selling on multiple channels keeps your brand visible and boosts your chances of conversion.
4. Automate Processes With Artificial Intelligence
AI and automation can save you time and help grow your e-store by streamlining repetitive tasks and improving decision-making. For example, AI tools like Printify or GearLaunch can automatically sync product updates, pricing, and inventory across your store, reducing manual work.
To grow your business, you can use AI-driven email tools like Klaviyo to create personalized campaigns. Imagine sending targeted emails with product recommendations based on customer browsing history—this increases conversions and engagement.
Automation also applies to order processing. Platforms like Zapier can connect your store to printing partners, ensuring seamless order fulfillment without you lifting a finger. By letting AI handle routine tasks, you can focus on scaling your store and developing new ideas instead of managing logistics.
5. Partner Up With Influencers
Collaborating with influencers can help you reach new audiences quickly. But instead of choosing just anyone with a big following, focus on influencers who align with your niche and target customers. For instance, if your store sells pet-themed products, work with a pet influencer whose followers are likely to buy your items.
To simplify this process, use platforms like Upfluence or Heepsy. These tools help you identify influencers by niche, audience demographics, and engagement rates.
Next, set up affiliate partnerships instead of one-time posts. Influencers earn a percentage of each sale they drive, incentivizing them to promote your products long-term. Automation tools like Refersion can track these sales, handle payouts, and free up your time to manage other parts of your business.
6. Don’t Do Everything Yourself
Running an e-store doesn’t mean you need to handle every task. Hiring skilled remote workers can help you focus on scaling while they manage time-consuming jobs like graphic design, social media, or customer service.
To make hiring easier, you can use an employer of record provider. These platforms handle contracts, compliance, and payroll globally, so you can hire talent from anywhere without worrying about legal issues.
If you need a designer for custom t-shirt artwork, you can find them through Upwork, while EOR services take care of taxes and paperwork. This way you’ll free up time to focus on strategy, allowing your business to grow faster without the risk of burnout.
7. Track and Measure Results
Tracking your results is critical if you want to grow your POD business. You can’t improve what you don’t measure, so focus on monitoring key metrics like conversion rates, sales trends, and customer engagement.
Google Analytics can help you understand where your traffic is coming from and how visitors interact with your site. Then, you can use Hotjar to see heatmaps and recordings of how users navigate your pages, helping you identify bottlenecks.
For your marketing efforts, almost all email sending tools allow you to track email campaign performance. Make sure you track open rates, click-throughs, and sales from each campaign.
Finally, you can use Shopify Analytics or Looker Studio (formerly Google Data Studio) to set up automated dashboards that pull real-time data. For example, create a dashboard that tracks daily revenue, top-selling products, and ad performance. All in one place.
Wrap Up
Building a successful print-on-demand business in 2025 comes down to smart strategies, keeping up with trends, and using the right tools to simplify your work. From exploring profitable niches to adopting advanced technologies like AR, VR, and AI, you have everything you need to stand out.
Focus on personalization to give customers a unique shopping experience, sell across multiple channels to maximize your reach, and partner with influencers to drive targeted traffic. Most importantly, don’t try to do it all alone. Delegate tasks and track your results to keep improving. With these steps, you’ll be ready to grow your business confidently.
If you’re in web2print customization, you know the struggle: endless edits, back-and-forth, wasted hours. Zakeke lets you automate personalized orders and skip the chaos, so you can sell custom without the headache.
