Making Sense of Print On Demand
Print-on-demand (POD) platforms, like Redbubble, can be a great way for artists to showcase and sell their artwork without the need to manage inventory or fulfill orders themselves.
These platforms give artists the opportunity to find local and international buyers for their work, including both retail and wholesale customers.
All without having to manufacture, package, warehouse, ship and market the goods.
So this skills sharing story is about how to make these POD sites work for you.
6 Popular Print On Demand Platforms
Print On Demand allows artists to transform their digitalised artwork into a wide range of products, from T-shirts and posters to phone cases and home decor.
Here are six popular print-on-demand (POD) websites that artists often use to sell their artwork on various products:
1. Redbubble
Redbubble is known for its wide range of products, including apparel, home decor, stickers, and more. Artists can upload their designs, and Redbubble handles the printing, shipping, and customer service.
Redbubble was started in Australia and has grown into being one of the largest POD platforms.
2. Society6
Society6 offers a variety of products, including art prints, home decor, apparel, and tech accessories. Artists can upload high-resolution images of their artwork, and Society6 takes care of printing and shipping.
This has more of a USA customer base.
3. Etsy
While not a traditional print-on-demand platform, Etsy allows artists to sell their handmade and custom items. Many artists use Etsy to sell prints, art cards, and other products featuring their designs.
Many artists are becoming increasingly frustrated with the fees charged by Etsy for physical products but the printable artworks, where customers download a file of the artwork and print themselves, could be a better online option.
4. Spoonflower
Spoonflower is a popular online platform that allows individuals to design, create, and purchase custom fabric, wallpaper, and home decor products designed by artists.
Many textile artists will use it for printing their designs onto fabric for use in their work.
5. Printful
Printful integrates with popular e-commerce platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, and Etsy. Artists can upload their designs and choose from a wide range of products to sell, including apparel, home decor, and promotional items.
6. Zazzle
Zazzle offers a broad selection of customisable products, from clothing and accessories to home decor and office supplies. Artists can create and sell their designs on Zazzle’s platform.
Making Your Choice of Print on Demand Websites
There are dozens of print on demand websites to choose from and all approach the one idea from a different angle as well as having their own unique range of products.
Why Artists Need Online Selling Platforms
All of us artists, who desire to earn an income from our creativity, need channels to find our buyers so we can sell our work (and then buy more art supplies usually!).
A big lesson from the covid period was the need to have an online shop (aka distrubtion channel) to sell our work, especially as our wholesale customers, the galleries and shops, were required to close for a period.
On top of that, manufacturing, packaging, storing (warehousing) and shipping our work to customers is a lot of work and additional cost.
Alongside all of this is the marketing and advertising required to find the audience and THEN convert them to buying customers.
This is where print on demonad websites come into play. Yes, there is work in setting them up, but the potential for sales to flow seamlessly for a long time is very appealing. The print on demand platforms do all of the manufacturing, shipping and customer service.
5 Ways to Make Print on Demand Platforms Work
To make these platforms that are revolutionising the art scene work effectively for artists, here are five tips:
1. Create High-Quality Artwork
Start with high-resolution artwork to ensure that your designs look crisp and professional when printed. Many make the mistake of uploading a lower grade image and it ends up looking terrible for the customer. Make repeat customers for yourself by starting with hig quality images.
Pay attention to design aesthetics, colour choices, and composition to make your artwork visually appealing.
2. Diverse Portfolio
Offer a variety of designs and products to cater to a broad audience. Experiment with different styles, themes, and niches to see what resonates with buyers.
Consider seasonal or trending topics to stay relevant and attract more customers. (This is important, especially being aware of the seasonal events and holidays for customers in other countries – think of how big Halloween is commercially in the USA.)
3. Optimise Product Listings
Write compelling product descriptions that provide information about your artwork, its inspiration, and any unique selling points.
Use relevant keywords in your titles and descriptions to improve search visibility. Research popular search terms related to your niche.
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4. Promote Your Work
Leverage social media, your own website, and other online channels to promote your Redbubble shop and individual products.
Be sure to include the link to your POD store in your Artist listing on Discover the Artists so our readers can go directly to your store.
Engage with your audience through regular updates, behind-the-scenes content, and interactions to build a loyal following.
5. Price Competitively and Monitor Trends
Keep an eye on pricing trends within your niche. While you should value your work appropriately, pricing competitively can attract more buyers.
Redbubble may run promotions or discounts from time to time; consider participating in these events to boost sales. As with all platforms, Redbubble rewards store owners who are active and get involved by giving showing more visitors their work.
Bonus Tip:
6. Quality Assurance
Regularly order samples of your own products to ensure the print quality meets your standards. This allows you to identify and address any issues promptly.
Plus, it gives you the opportunity to wear your products. At the Bruny Island Bird Festival markets a lady wearing a tee-shirt with her how bird art work on it had many conversations about it with potential customers.
Encourage customer feedback and reviews, as positive reviews can boost your credibility and sales.
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Success Takes Time and Momentum
Remember that success on print-on-demand platforms often takes time and consistent effort. Building a strong brand presence and customer base can be a gradual process, so stay patient and persistent. This will put you ahead of the pack.
Keep refining your art, marketing strategies, and customer service to improve your chances of success.
Be mindful that it usually takes at least three to five years of consistentently turning up for a creative income stream to grow and flow.
But along the way, you are still creating an additional income stream for yourself and investing in your future.
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