What Is The Meaning Of Print On Demand ?
You have a dream to start your own online business. However, you don’t have the resources to build up a stock. Don’t worry, because the Print-on-Demand concept makes your wish come true. Every year, thousands of people go into this business without really understanding it. In order to maximize your chances of success, we’ll give you the basics about Print-on-Demand.
What Is The Meaning Of Print On Demand ?
Also known as POD, Print-on-Demand is an ecommerce technique that consists of marketing custom-made objects on demand. Here, no stock is required beforehand.
All the products you customize will be printed only after your customers order them. The digital printing process used here is called offset. It consists in spreading ink on a support with wet and dry areas.
It is noticeable that on the printed object, the ink sticks to the surface, which improves the quality of the print. With Print-on-Demand, customized objects are usually originally in white.
The advantages of Print-on-Demand
Print-on-Demand is a growing business opportunity. Many people consider this technique to be a real asset for any online sales activity. The advantages of Print-on-Demand can be summarized as follows:
1. Affordable investment
Print-on-Demand is a concept that does not require huge costs for its implementation. All you need is an internet connection and a computer to set up your sales platform. You can therefore monetize your talent in graphic design at a lower cost.
2. No stock
Print-on-Demand is a type of dropshipping, with a more advanced level of customization. It works according to a logic different from mass production. This means that there is no need to build up stock, and all risks of unsold products are reduced to zero.
3. Better flexibility
The absence of physical stock gives you more flexibility to choose your products. T-shirts, business cards, cups, mugs, cell phone cases… you can test several products at the same time. Your flexibility is even greater when it comes to design, since you can try out new formats or ideas without experiencing any loss.
4. Less burden on order management and logistics
In Print-on-Demand, your supplier’s role is not limited to producing your products. In addition to printing, your supplier will also pack and ship all your orders. He makes sure that the customer does not suspect the origin of his package.
Weaknesses of Print-on-Demand
Although Print-on-Demand has many advantages, it does have some significant weaknesses.
1. Low profit per item
With Print-on-Demand, the profit margin per item is quite small. The production costs per item are higher, because the goods are not produced with mass storage in mind. This reduces the final profit.
2. Customization ability is limited
The ability to customize your products will depend on your supplier. If your supplier imposes a limit on the number of customizable items (which is often the case), you will be restricted in your activity. Also, the type of product can push him to limit the production.
3. Processing time
Before being delivered, the ordered products must be manufactured. The production time associated with the shipping time can be relatively long. On average, it takes 7 to 10 days for the order to be fully processed. This detail can, in the long run, put off customers.
Tools that can be used to build Print-on-Demand business
On the Print-on-Demand market, two tools for creating online stores seem to stand out from the rest. They are : Shopify and Woocommerce. Despite their similarity, these two tools differ from each other on several points.
Shopify is an ecommerce platform that offers you a package of several features in one. It helps you design your online store and offers you the possibility to be quickly operational.
Woocommerce, on the other hand, is a variation of the WordPress website. It allows you to design your online store and start your business. Although it is more expensive because of the services provided, it offers you a better control of your store. Also, it will put the great WordPress community at your disposal.
What Is Print On Demand Dropshipping ?
You have a dream to start your own online business. However, you don’t have the resources to build up a stock. Don’t worry, because the Print-on-Demand concept makes your wish come true. Every year, thousands of people go into this business without really understanding it. In order to maximize your chances of success, we’ll give you the …