How to Actually Make Money with Printify in 2025 (Step-by-Step Guide)

Print-on-demand is still one of the easiest online businesses to start in 2025. And if you’re serious about building a real income stream with minimal risk, Printify is one of the best platforms to make it happen.

But here’s the truth: just opening a store won’t make you money. You need the right products, marketing, and strategy. This guide walks you through how to actually make money with Printify, even if you’re starting from scratch. Let’s get into it.

Watch the full video guide here for a walkthrough:

 

Step 1: Understand How Printify Works

Printify is a print-on-demand platform. Here’s what that means:

• You create designs and list products (like t-shirts or mugs) in your online store.
• When a customer places an order, Printify prints, packs, and ships it for you.
• You only pay after the sale is made, so there’s no upfront inventory or risk.
• Printify integrates easily with Shopify, Etsy, eBay, and other selling platforms.

Your main focus is designing great products, listing them, and driving traffic. Printify handles the rest.

 

Step 2: Choose the Right Products to Sell

Not all products are created equal. Picking the right items is key to making sales.

Best Products for Beginners:

• T-shirts and hoodies
• Mugs and tumblers
• Tote bags
• Phone cases
• Stickers

How to Pick Winning Products:

• Browse Etsy, Amazon Handmade, and Redbubble to see what’s trending.
• Focus on niche audiences (dog lovers, gamers, teachers, fitness enthusiasts).
• Think about seasonal trends like holidays, graduations, or special events.

Pro Tip: Niche beats general every time. It’s easier to sell a “Funny Nursing Student Mug” than just a “funny mug.”

 

Step 3: Create Your Designs

You don’t need to be a graphic designer to create sellable designs.

Here’s How to Start:

• Use Canva (free and beginner-friendly) to create simple, bold designs.
• Browse Pinterest and Etsy for inspiration. Look at styles, phrases, and trends.
• If you want next-level designs, hire a freelancer on Fiverr or Upwork for $5–$20. 

Keep your designs clean, easy to read, and attractive when shrunk down to mobile screens because most people will shop from their phones.

 

Step 4: Set Up Your Printify Store

Setting up with Printify is simple and free.

Steps:

1. Create a free account on Printify.com.

 

2. Connect your selling platform (Shopify, Etsy, or others). We recommend using Shopify if you want full ownership, flexibility, and the ability to scale your business, and using Etsy if you want faster, easier access to customers. Some sellers start on Etsy to build momentum, then later open a Shopify store to grow into a real brand.

 

 

Get Started with Etsy 

 

3. Create product listings:

• Use compelling titles (“Funny Cat Mom Mug – Perfect Gift for Cat Lovers”).
• Write keyword-rich descriptions explaining who the product is for and why it’s awesome.
• Upload high-quality mockup images (Printify provides these automatically).

 

Pricing Strategy:

• Research your competition.
• The price is slightly higher if you can differentiate with better designs or messaging.
• Include shipping costs in your pricing, if possible, for “Free Shipping” promotions.

 

Example:

If your cost from Printify is $10, list the item at $24.99. That gives you about $12–$13 profit after platform fees.

 

Step 5: Choose Where to Sell

Two Strong Paths:

1. Sell on Etsy 

• Built-in traffic
• Faster access to buyers looking for handmade or niche products
• Easier to start without needing big marketing budgets

2. Create Your Own Shopify Store

• Full control over branding and pricing
• More flexibility with upsells, bundles, and email marketing
• Best for scaling long-term

How to Drive Traffic:

• Post your products on Pinterest. Product pins still get massive traffic for free.
• Use TikTok or Instagram Reels to create quick videos showcasing your designs.
• Partner with micro-influencers (small accounts with loyal audiences) to promote your products.

 

Step 6: Master Marketplace and Social Media Marketing

Even the best designs won’t sell if no one sees them.

Marketing Tips:

• Use the right keywords in your Etsy or eBay titles and tags. Think like a customer. (“Funny graduation gift mug” instead of just “mug.”)
• Post consistently on social media.
• Offer promotions during holidays (15% off sales for Mother’s Day, Christmas, etc.).
• Encourage reviews by providing great service and fast communication.

If you want to go faster, run basic Facebook or Instagram ads to promote best-selling designs.

 

Final Thoughts

Printify makes it easier than ever to launch a real online business without inventory, warehousing, or major upfront costs. But you need the right game plan to win.

Quick Recap:

• Pick proven products like t-shirts, mugs, or totes.
• Create clean, niche-specific designs with Canva or Fiverr.
• Set up your Printify store and optimize your listings.
• Sell through Etsy, eBay, or Shopify.
• Drive traffic using SEO, social media, and influencer partnerships.
• Focus on great service and continuous improvement.