Do you want to start your own online side hustle, but don’t want to spend any money upfront? I get it. One of the best things about the internet is that there are now many ways to start a side hustle with little to no money, and print-on-demand is one of my favorite examples. You…
Do you want to start your own online side hustle, but don’t want to spend any money upfront?
I get it.
One of the best things about the internet is that there are now many ways to start a side hustle with little to no money, and print-on-demand is one of my favorite examples. You don’t need to buy any inventory, you don’t need a warehouse, and you don’t have to ship anything yourself.
If you have a few hours, an internet connection, and an idea, then you can start your own POD (print-on-demand) business this week.
In today’s blog post, I’m going to walk you through exactly how to start a POD side hustle with $0 – step-by-step and by using popular print-on-demand companies like Printify and Printful.
Whether you want to sell T-shirts, sweatshirts, mugs, tote bags, or even phone cases, you can launch a real brand with no upfront cost. I’ll also share how you get paid, how to make designs (even if you’re not creative), and how to list your products online for free.
How To Start a Print On Demand Side Hustle With $0
Below is how you can start a POD business with no money.
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Step 1: Understand what print on demand is
Print-on-demand is a business model where you create custom designs, and those designs are printed onto products only after a customer places an order.
This means:
- No inventory to buy upfront
- No packing or shipping for you to handle
- No warehouse to manage
A third-party company (like Printify or Printful) handles everything behind the scenes.
You just focus on creating your products and promoting your shop.
Step 2: Sign up for a free POD platform (Printify or Printful)
Next, you’ll want to choose a POD platform to work with.
Print-on-demand platforms are sites that have a print-on-demand service where you upload your design/artwork to their platform, and when an item sells, Printify or Printful are the ones who make the product and ship it.
Two of the most popular are:
- Printify – Has low base costs and a huge selection of products. You can learn more about Printify in my Printify Review here.
- Printful – Includes branding features like custom packaging and labels. Has high-quality printing and fast fulfillment.
I recommend trying both (they’re free to join) to see which one fits your needs. You can even connect both to your store and test different suppliers and products.
How payments work with Printful and Printify:
You are only charged the production cost when a customer places an order. At the same time, your customer pays the full retail price through your sales channel. From that payout, any marketplace or payment processing fees (like Etsy transaction fees) are deducted. The difference between the retail price and the production cost (minus fees) is your profit.
Example:
- Customer pays $30 for your product.
- Printful/Printify charges you $15 for production and shipping (at the moment of order).
- Etsy fees total $3
- Your profit = $12
Step 3: Pick a niche (this helps you stand out)
Your niche is the specific theme or audience you’ll focus on. Picking a niche makes your shop feel more cohesive and helps you attract the right customers.
Examples of popular print-on-demand niches:
- Dog moms or cat lovers
- Teachers
- Funny quotes for moms
- Travel
- Fitness motivation
- Outdoor adventures
You don’t have to stick with one forever, but starting with a focused niche makes things easier.
If you’re not sure what to choose, think about:
- What kinds of gifts would you personally buy?
- Who do you enjoy making things for?
- What kind of designs or phrases do you always see go viral?
Even something as simple as “funny quotes for teachers” can be a niche to try out.
Step 4: Create a free store (Etsy is a great option)
Now it’s time to open your shop!
If you want to keep it simple and start with a low amount of money, Etsy is a great place to begin. It has:
- Built-in traffic (people are already searching for products!)
- No monthly fee
- A quick setup process
Now, Etsy’s listing cost is a flat fee of $0.20 USD per item, charged when you publish or renew a listing, regardless of whether it sells.
Just go to Etsy.com, create a seller account, and walk through the steps to name your shop, write your bio, and connect your payment info.
You can also use Shopify or launch your own website later, but Etsy is great for beginners.
I have bought so many print-on-demand items on Etsy over the years, simply by searching for items in their search bar – such as mugs, T-shirts, greeting cards, and more, so I know it’s a good place to start because I have bought a lot personally!
Step 5: Design your products (even if you’re not a designer)
You might be thinking: “But I’m not creative … how am I supposed to make designs?”
Good news: You don’t need to be an artist to make money with print-on-demand.
Here are a few easy ways to create designs:
- Use Canva to make text-based designs.
- Purchase templates from Creative Market or Etsy.
- Hire a designer on Fiverr (this can be done cheaply once you make some sales).
- Use AI design tools for ideas and layout inspiration.
Simple text-based designs are usually bestsellers on Etsy. Think: “Dog Mom,” “Good Vibes Only,” or “Coffee First, Grade Papers Later.”
After you create your design, upload it to Printify or Printful, and the platform will automatically create product mockups for you.
This means you can see what your design looks like on a shirt, hoodie, mug, or bag before you even list it.
Step 6: List your products for sale
Once your product mockups are ready, it’s time to publish them to your store!
If you’re using Etsy, you can connect your Printify or Printful account and push your products directly to your Etsy listings.
Here’s what you’ll need to add:
- Product title – Include keywords people might search (example: Funny Teacher Coffee Shirt).
- Description – Let people know who it’s for, sizing info, care instructions, etc.
- Tags – Use relevant keywords to help people find your listing.
- Price – Factor in the cost from your supplier, Etsy fees, and your profit margin.
You can start with just a few listings, or add 10–20 designs if you have the time. More listings can help you get found by potential buyers faster.
Step 7: Promote your products for free
Once your listings are live, it’s time to get traffic to your shop. And no, you don’t have to run ads.
Here are free ways to promote your print-on-demand business:
- Pinterest – Create pins with your product mockups.
- Instagram or TikTok – Share behind-the-scenes of your shop or design process.
- Facebook groups – Join niche groups and share your shop (follow group rules).
- Etsy SEO – Use strong keywords in your titles and tags so people find you.
Even spending just 15–20 minutes a day promoting your shop can make a difference.
Step 8: Learn, improve, and keep going
Your first design might not be a bestseller, and that’s okay!
It’s important with print-on-demand to treat it like an experiment:
- Try different niches.
- Test different phrases or styles.
- Update product photos or mockups.
The more listings you create, the more you learn what your audience likes. And as your sales grow, you can reinvest into more designs or even upgrade your store.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are answers to common questions about starting a POD business with no money.
How do I start a POD business with no money?
You can use free tools like Printify or Printful, open an Etsy shop, and create designs using Canva. You don’t have to pay for anything until you make a sale, which is helpful.
How much does it cost to start a print on demand business?
It can cost $0 to start. There are optional upgrades and tools later, but you can launch your first product for free.
Do I need a license or business registration to start a print on demand business?
In most cases, no. You can start selling on Etsy without a license.
What if I’m not creative?
Many successful POD sellers use text-based designs, templates, or hire freelancers. You don’t have to be a designer!
Can I really make money with print on demand?
Yes! Like any business, it takes time and effort. But many people earn extra income each month with just a few winning designs. That being said, the more quality designs you create, the better your chance of earning income with it.
How To Start a Print On Demand Side Hustle With $0 – Summary
I hope you enjoyed my article on how to start a print-on-demand side hustle with $0.
If you’ve been wanting to start a business but didn’t know where to begin, print-on-demand is a fun, beginner-friendly, low-risk place to start.
If you’re interested in this way to make extra money, I recommend that you start now by testing just one design. See what you like, and if you like it, then you can grow from there. You can test it out right now by just going to Printify or Printful.
Are you interested in starting a print-on-demand side hustle? What would you sell?
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Want to learn how to make money selling print-on-demand products on Etsy? Check out this free workshop and learn how Emily made $500,000 in just two years.
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