How to Start a Print-on-Demand Business from India

Are you looking for a low-investment, high-potential online business from the comfort of your home? Starting a Print-on-Demand (POD) business from India might be your best bet. It allows you to sell custom-designed products without managing inventory or shipping logistics. Whether you’re an artist, graphic designer, or entrepreneur, POD offers a scalable way to turn creativity into cash.

In this guide, we’ll take you through every step of launching a successful print-on-demand business in India.

What is Print-on-Demand?

Print-on-demand is a dropshipping model where you sell custom-designed products (like t-shirts, mugs, phone cases, hoodies, etc.) online. When a customer places an order, a third-party supplier prints and ships the product directly to them—you never touch the inventory.

Why Start a POD Business in India?

India’s growing internet penetration, booming e-commerce industry, and rising interest in custom products make it an ideal place to start a POD business. Benefits include:

•  Low startup cost

• No need for storage or inventory

•  Easy to scale globally

•  Flexibility and creative freedom

Step-by-Step Guide to Starting Your POD Business from India

Choose Your Niche

Identify a niche that you’re passionate about and that has a market demand. Examples:

• Fitness and gym wear

• Pop culture and memes

• Motivational quotes

• Travel or pet lovers

• Indian festivals or regional themes

Tip: Use Google Trends, Etsy, or social media to research what’s trending.

Create Your Designs

You can either create your own designs or hire a freelance designer.

Tools to design:

• Canva (Beginner-friendly)

• Adobe Illustrator or Photoshop (Advanced)

• Placeit (For mockups)

Where to hire designers:

• Fiverr

• Upwork

• Freelancer

Ensure your designs are original and visually appealing. Simpler designs often sell better than overly complex ones.

Select Your POD Platform

Here are popular platforms that support Indian sellers:

International Platforms:

• Printful – High quality, integrates with Etsy, Shopify

• Printify – Large catalog, cheaper options

• Teespring (now Spring) – Free to start, built-in marketplace

• Redbubble / TeePublic – Great for artists, built-in traffic

Indian POD Companies:

• Qikink – India-based, fast delivery, wide catalog

• Printrove – Based in Chennai, great support

• Blinkstore – Free storefront, easy setup

• PODly – Offers global fulfillment as well

Choose based on shipping location (India vs international), product quality, pricing, and integration options.

Set Up Your Online Store

You can sell on marketplaces or create your own store:

Marketplaces (easier for beginners):

• Etsy

• Amazon (via Amazon Merch or self-fulfillment)

• Meesho or Flipkart (if your POD provider allows)

Create your own store:

• Shopify (Paid, customizable)

• WooCommerce (Free with WordPress)

• Blinkstore (Free, India-focused)

Integrate your POD provider with your store so that orders are automatically fulfilled.

Price Your Products

Consider the following when pricing:

• Base cost from the POD provider

• Shipping fees

• Marketplace/store commission

• Your desired profit margin

Example:

• T-shirt base cost = ₹300

• Shipping = ₹70

• Total cost = ₹370

• Final price = ₹599–699 (₹229–329 profit)

Promote Your Business

Marketing is key! Here’s how you can start:

Social Media Marketing:

• Instagram Reels showcasing products

• Pinterest boards for visual appeal

• Facebook groups related to your niche

Paid Ads:

• Facebook/Instagram Ads for targeting

• Google Shopping Ads

• Etsy promoted listings

Organic Growth:

• Run giveaways

• Partner with influencers

• Use SEO-friendly product descriptions

Handle Customer Service

Though the printing and shipping are outsourced, you are still the face of your brand. Make sure to:

• Communicate shipping times clearly

• Respond to queries on time

• Handle refunds or replacements professionally