How to Turn a $0 Investment into $1,000 in 7 Days with a Print on Demand Side Hustle

Breaking into the world of a print on demand side hustle can seem like a daunting task, especially when you’re starting with zero capital. But imagine turning that $0 into $1,000 in just seven days using a print on demand side hustle. It’s not just a dream—it’s entirely possible with the right tools, strategies, and mindset. In this blog post, I’ll walk you through a step-by-step guide on how to achieve this, based on proven methods and practical advice for your print on demand side hustle.

We strongly recommend that you check out our guide on how to take advantage of AI in today’s passive income economy.

Getting Started with Print on Demand

Print on demand side hustle offers a unique opportunity to generate income without needing to invest in inventory or manage shipping logistics. At its core, print on demand involves creating designs, uploading them to a platform, and letting a third-party company handle the production and shipping of your products. Your job is to create appealing designs, drive traffic to your listings, and make sales. This may sound simple, but success requires a strategic approach and the right tools.

Essential Tools for Success

The first tool you’ll want to utilize is the Allura Chrome extension. This tool is crucial for analyzing trends and understanding what designs are performing well. Allura is available for free, and once added to Chrome, it allows you to assess listings on Etsy and other platforms. Etsy is a particularly useful resource for research because it’s one of the largest marketplaces for print on demand products.

When you browse Etsy, you can see the performance metrics of various listings. For example, you might find a t-shirt design that has generated over $3,000 in revenue and has made more than 200 sales. This insight helps you understand which designs are popular and in demand.

Next, I recommend using Raindrop to keep track of trending designs. Raindrop is another free tool that allows you to organize and manage your research. Create a folder specifically for print on demand designs. As you come across successful designs, save them in this folder. This way, you have a repository of inspiration and trending ideas to refer back to.

For example, if you find a bestseller t-shirt design on Etsy, simply open Raindrop, add the design to your print on demand folder, and categorize it accordingly. This helps you track popular trends and replicate successful designs.

Exploring Trends with Google

To stay ahead of the curve, check out Google Trends. This tool shows you what topics are currently popular. For instance, if the UFC is trending, it’s a good opportunity to create designs related to mixed martial arts. By aligning your designs with trending topics, you increase the chances of your products catching the attention of potential buyers.

Combine the bestselling designs with current trends to create unique and appealing products. If you find a top-selling design and it aligns with a trending topic, consider creating a similar design using tools like Canva or Kreate. These platforms allow you to easily customize t-shirt and mug designs.

Designing with Canva and Kreate

For those new to design, Canva is an excellent tool. It offers a range of t-shirt templates and design elements that you can customize. You can start with a free account and explore numerous design options. If you’re willing to invest a little, Canva Pro offers advanced features and a broader selection of templates.

Alternatively, Kreate is another tool that simplifies the design process. It provides templates that you can customize with text and graphics related to your niche. Download your design as a PNG file and, if needed, use a premium account to remove the background.

Accessing Pre-Made Designs

If creating designs isn’t your strong suit, don’t worry. I’ve invested over $1,000 in pre-made designs, which I’ve shared in a free online community. This community provides access to millions of designs that you can use for your print on demand side hustle. Just join the community, navigate to the tools section, and access the mega packs of designs.

These designs might not be as high-quality as custom creations, but they can be a good starting point. Use them to test different niches and see what resonates with your audience before investing in custom designs.

Choosing the Right Supplier

Once you have your designs ready, it’s time to select a supplier. Printify is a top choice for many entrepreneurs starting their print on demand side hustle. Printify offers a vast selection of customizable products and integrates seamlessly with platforms like Shopify, Etsy, and TikTok Shop. It’s free to start, and the platform provides access to over 900 products with a global print network, ensuring high-quality production and efficient shipping.

To get started with Printify, sign up for an account and explore the catalog. You can design your products directly on Printify’s platform or use its AI image generator to create custom graphics. Adjust the design, add text or graphics, and save your product. You can also customize pricing and profit margins before publishing your product.

Setting Up Your Online Store

After designing your products, it’s time to set up your online store. Platforms like Etsy are popular choices for selling print on demand products. However, Etsy charges $0.20 per listing. To save on listing fees, search for promotions offering free listings. You can often find sellers providing 40 free listings through referral links, allowing you to start without upfront costs.

Additionally, use tools like S Samurai to find relevant keywords for your Etsy listings. This tool helps you identify popular search terms, which you can incorporate into your product titles and descriptions for better visibility.

Promoting Your Products

To boost sales and reach your $1,000 goal quickly, use free promotion platforms like Pinterest. Create engaging pins related to your niche and link them to your Etsy store. Pinterest can drive significant traffic to your listings, especially if you target specific niches effectively.

Remember, building a successful print on demand side hustle takes time and effort. It’s a simple process, but it’s not necessarily easy. Stay persistent, continuously optimize your listings, and explore new marketing strategies to maximize your results.

Final Thoughts

Starting a print on demand side hustle with zero capital and scaling it to $1,000 in seven days is entirely achievable. With the right tools, such as Allura and Raindrop, combined with strategic design and marketing, you can reach your financial goals quickly. Use platforms like Printify for product fulfillment and leverage free promotional tools to drive traffic to your store.

The journey may be challenging, but with dedication and the right approach, your print on demand side hustle can become a profitable venture. Keep refining your strategies, stay updated on trends, and most importantly, remain persistent. Your success is just around the corner.

FAQs:

Can you actually make money with print-on-demand?

Absolutely, you can make money with print-on-demand (POD). Many people successfully earn income by selling custom-designed products through POD services. The key to making money is to create designs that resonate with your target audience and to effectively market your products. While some achieve substantial profits, it’s important to note that results can vary based on factors like niche, design quality, marketing strategies, and consistency. Success often requires time, effort, and a solid understanding of your market.

How do I start a print-on-demand side hustle?

Starting a print-on-demand side hustle involves several steps:

Choose a Niche: Identify a niche or target audience for your designs. This could be based on your interests or market trends.
Create Designs: Use design tools like Canva or Adobe Illustrator to create eye-catching designs. If you’re not confident in your design skills, you can purchase designs or hire a designer.
Select a POD Platform: Choose a platform such as Printify, Redbubble, or Teespring. These platforms handle printing, shipping, and customer service.
Set Up Your Store: Create your online store on the chosen platform. Add your designs to various products like t-shirts, mugs, or phone cases.
Market Your Products: Promote your store through social media, email marketing, or paid ads. Utilize SEO strategies to increase visibility.
Track and Optimize: Monitor your sales and customer feedback. Adjust your marketing strategies and product offerings based on performance data.

Can you really make money on Printify?

Yes, you can make money on Printify. Printify is a popular POD platform that allows you to create and sell custom products without handling inventory or shipping. Your earnings depend on several factors, including the quality of your designs, the competitiveness of your pricing, and your marketing efforts. Printify offers a wide range of products, and with effective marketing and high-quality designs, many users have built successful side hustles or businesses using the platform.

How much does print-on-demand pay?

The income from print-on-demand varies widely. Your earnings depend on your product prices, production costs, and sales volume. Generally, POD platforms pay you the profit from each sale after deducting production and shipping costs. For example, if you sell a t-shirt for $25, and the cost to produce and ship it is $15, your profit would be $10 per shirt. The key to maximizing your earnings is to find a balance between competitive pricing and high-quality designs, along with effective marketing strategies to drive sales.

We strongly recommend that you check out our guide on how to take advantage of AI in today’s passive income economy.