Make Money Online With These 7 Popular Print On Demand Sites

Have you always secretly dreamed of being a fashion designer, or the next interior-designer-turned-Oprah-favorite-turned-Target-interiors-designer, à la Nate Berkus? Well, now you can, and not just because we gave you permission, and compiled this handy list!

The following websites make it possible to earn a bit of extra income on the side, all the while, of course, working remotely.

The catch is that in order to make said income, your designs have to sell, but that shouldn’t be too difficult for you creative types out there! Read on to discover how you can make your dream designs become tangible.

Spreadshirt

Spreadshirt is one of our favorites, with its unique, trendy website layout and easy-to-use interface, as well as the myriad of other options that you, the designer, can play around with!

You can make phone cases, kids’ clothing, tablet cases, group wear – nearly anything and everything under the sun. This team seems right on the cutting edge of what’s trending, as their sample designs are modern and perfect for personal creations or that new hip business you need promotional materials for.

To sell your designs, you can utilize the website’s online marketplace or start your own shop. While it is entirely free to do either on Spreadshirt, the company does take a percentage, though users earn a 20% commission from each sale.

Go here to learn more about Spreadshirt.

CafePress

From custom magnets, to tote bags, to baby clothing, to stickers, to dog clothing, CafePress has anything and everything you could imagine to design on or for!

It’s one of the “big box” print websites, which means that their prices are more than fair (for example, pricing for a standard, 11 oz. ceramic mug start around $10.95) , and you can rest easy knowing that your shipment will be on its way to you soon.

Additionally, CafePress has international sections of its website and a drop-down menu at the top right-hand corner, making it easy for users to switch between USD, CAD, AUD, EUR, and GBP.

If you have a website, blog, or “built-in audience,” CafePress can set you up so that you can get your own branded online shop and receive royalties on every sale from your shop.

In addition to being able to sell your designs on CafePress, artists can become affiliates as a part of their Affiliate Partner Program (which basically means you’d be promoting CafePress products and can get a percentage from every item that you sell). Commissions run up to 15%, and the program is free to join.

A third option through CafePress is to make celebrity designs in their Fan Portal. Design t-shirts and items for your favorite films, TV shows, games, or organizations, and earn some extra dough (while having a blast!).

Go here if you'd like to know more about CafePress.

Zazzle

Zazzle gets our vote for printing, not only because of its popularity, but also because of how well the items hold up over the years, based on customer reviews.

Reportedly, printed mugs last quite a long time (for several years, even!), and are dishwasher-safe. T-shirts can run around $24.95 per custom shirt, depending on how you customize it, the type of shirt, etc.

Zazzle also allows sellers to set their own royalty rates, publish your designs, earn referrals on any purchases, and is free to use (i.e., there aren’t any listing, monthly, or annual fees). You can join as a Designer, a Maker, or an Associate.

The Zazzle Associates Program also allows you to become an Affiliate with the company, meaning, of course, that you get “paid a percentage of sales when you share Zazzle products on your blog, website, social media, or email. Minimum payout is $50, and you can get referral payments of 15% per sale and volume bonuses of up to 17% per sale.

Go here if you'd like to learn more about Zazzle.

Custom Ink

Custom Ink is a great site that’s been around for a while. Its interface is incredibly easy to use, and you can sell your designs online by “starting a fundraiser.”

It may feel a bit odd to do a fundraiser for a t-shirt, especially if it’s for your business, but think of your business as your baby.

You’re helping to grow and nurture it by creating these promotional materials. Your contributors are like your VC backers, minus the millions of dollars!

Go here if you'd like to learn more about Custom Ink.

Design By Humans

Design By Humans, is yet another cool website that has affiliate and ambassador programs, as well as allows artists to create their own online stores!

They produce, fill, and ship all orders, and allow artists access to millions of people globally on a daily basis. Once you are approved as an artist, the DBH team provides you with an online “storefront” to sell your designs through, and offers you the option of doubling your royalties in the first 90 days.

DBH has a great support team, licensing opportunities, worldwide shipping, and even handles returns and exchanges. What more could you ask for?

Go here to learn more about Design By Humans.

Teepublic

A super cool, independent t-shirt design company, Teepublic is dedicated to indie designers, and fond of hilarious, going-against-the-grain art. The self-described “digital storefront and fulfillment house” makes it its mission to showcase the work of “the world’s best designers.”

When an artist signs up with Teepublic, they receive a digital storefront where they can sell their designs (similar to Design By Humans), and no Teepublic artist has to worry about shipping or printing – the company does it all for you!

Teepublic guarantees high-quality products and professionalism, and provides excellent customer service for their artists. Designs go on sale the first 72 hours they are on the website. Create notebooks, laptop cases, mugs, tapestries, wall art, and so much more!

Go here to learn more about Teepublic.

You may have to open up a new bank account for all that extra dough you’ll soon be getting!

It could take a while to come up with some ideas, particularly if you decide to design for a TV show or film, but take an afternoon in a coffee shop, grab a decadent snack, and let those creative juices flow! 

Good luck!