In 2013, while living in Mexico, I ran out of money. I didn’t want to return home, and I couldn’t legally work on a tourist visa. So, I came up with a not very well thought out plan to use my crafting skills and make papier-mâché bowls. I wanted to sell them to cruise ship tourists, with the help of a local friend. I already had a pile of paperback books and a bag of acrylic paints, so the startup costs were minimal.
My landlady, who was heavily invested in my solvency, suggested I open an Etsy shop instead, which turned out to be a much better idea.
A year later, I moved to Guatemala. My Etsy shop was growing, and I was deeply grateful for the modest but steady income, which was just enough to get by in Central America. I loved making the bowls and jewelry by hand in my rooftop studio overlooking Lake Atitlán. My customers were kind, and I was slowly learning the ropes of running a small online business.
Then, Guatemala’s postal service shut down. Without an affordable way to ship internationally, my handmade business hit a wall. That’s when I discovered Print-on-Demand (POD)—and it changed everything.
What Print-on-Demand Is
(and What It Isn’t)
Print-on-Demand is a business model where products are only printed and shipped after an order is placed. There are no order minimums, making it appealing for small businesses and solo entrepreneurs.
But despite what countless YouTube gurus claim, POD is not passive income. It’s not a shortcut to easy money. Like any business, it takes time, effort, and resilience.
POD Pros
✓ Low Startup Costs
If you have a computer and some graphic design skills, you’re off to a decent start. (More on the hidden costs below.)
✓ Fulfillment Is Handled for You
For me, living in a place where shipping is unreliable, this is essential.
✓ No Inventory Required
Ideal for travelers, digital nomads, or anyone without space to store products.
✓ Work from Anywhere
POD is a great solution for stay at home parents, retirees, or anyone looking to build a flexible, location-independent income stream.
POD Cons
✗ No Control Over Fulfillment Quality
This is the biggest downside for me. POD forces you to trust many other people in the fulfillment chain. Mistakes will occasionally happen. For instance, you can spend hours creating a perfect design only to have it misprinted or delivered on the wrong product. Add in any unexpected shipping issues and it can quickly test your customer service skills to the max through no fault of your own.
Mitigation strategies:
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I highly recommend pre-ordering samples of your designs on the products you sell. Remember, each product type is made from a different material, and designs don’t always transfer well from one to another. For instance, fine detail that looks great on a shower curtain may not translate well to a textured rug. Tip: Place more than one design on each sample you order to save on costs.
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Get to know your print provider as much as possible before committing. Search online for all the reviews you can find. Check out their website to find where they are located and ship from. Join their Meta group. In short, spy on them, and if you see any red flags—steer clear.
✗ Slim Profit Margins
No matter where you sell—Etsy, Amazon, your own site, or social media—you’ll face fees. Once you include monthly costs for design software, video editing tools, social media schedulers, and advertising, profits shrink fast.
Pricing realistically is crucial. Your $60 t-shirt might be worth it to you, but convincing buyers is another matter. Undercutting the competition often backfires. Not only do you lose profit, but you also leave no room for discounts or free shipping. And raising prices later risks alienating customers.
I usually price my products slightly above average and still only make about 30–35% of the retail price per sale.
Final Thoughts
You probably won’t get rich with POD. But if you create unique designs in an unsaturated niche, work hard, keep learning, and accept that mistakes will happen—then yes, you can make a living. All while working in your pajamas.
