When I first looked into starting a print-on-demand business, I thought I could launch it without spending a single dollar.
Technically, you can start for free, but let me be honest, if you want it to look like a real business, and not just a random hobby, youโre probably going to spend somewhere between $50 and $500 in your first month.
That includes everything from samples and listings to your store setup and marketing.
The good news is, compared to other business models, die startup cost is still very low.
But there are choices to make that affect how much youโll spend upfront. In this article, Iโll break it all down based on my experience and research, including the platforms, tools, and real costs that most people donโt talk about.
Where You Sell: Marketplace vs Your Own Store
One of the first and most important decisions youโll make is where to sell your products.
This is your main fixed cost, and it can vary depending on whether you choose a marketplace like Etsy or build your own store on Shopify.
Etsy (Marketplace Option)
Etsy is a great place to start if you want access to millions of buyers right away. You donโt need to build a website or drive your own traffic, but you do pay for the convenience.
Hereโs what it costs to sell on Etsy:
| Koste Tipe | bedrag |
|---|---|
| Lysfooi | $ 0.20 per item |
| Transaksie fooi | 6.5% of item price + shipping |
| Die verwerking van betalings | 3% + $0.25 per order (US only) |
| Offsite ads (optional) | 12% to 15% on attributed sales |
These fees add up quickly. For example, if I sell a $30 item with $5 shipping, the fees alone can come out to $3.78 before I even pay my POD supplier. And if Etsy decides to push your product through Offsite Ads, the fee jumps even higher.
Steeds, for beginners who want to test ideas without building a store, Etsy is an easy entry point. You only pay when you make sales (except the listing fee), and you donโt need to worry about setting up a website or dealing with tech.
Shopify (Your Own Store)
If you want full control over your branding, customer data, and marketing, Shopify is the better route. It gives you a dedicated storefront that looks and feels professional. But it also comes with monthly fees.
Hier is 'n uiteensetting van Shopifyse pryse:
| plan | Kos |
|---|---|
| Shopify Starter plan | $ 5 / maand |
| Shopify Basiese Plan | $29/maand (jaarliks โโgefaktureer) |
| Domain name (optional) | $ 10 20 tot $ XNUMX XNUMX / jaar |
With the Starter plan, you donโt get a full online store. Instead, you get a simple link-in-bio storefront you can share on social media or in emails. Itโs great for testing or for creators who sell directly from Instagram or TikTok.
The Basic plan is what most people use when theyโre ready to launch a full ecommerce site. It gives you access to themes, apps, and checkout features that you can customize. Adding a domain name makes your brand look more legit, and most people go that route.
Summary: Choosing Your Selling Platform
If you want the lowest upfront cost and instant access to traffic, Etsy is the way to go. But if you want long-term control and higher margins, Shopify is die moeite werd om in te belรช. Personally, Iโve tested both, and I think they each serve different stages of the business.
POD Supplier Costs
Most people assume that the print-on-demand supplier will be the biggest cost. But in most cases, itโs free to start. You only pay when you make a sale. Thatโs the beauty of the modelโno inventory, no upfront production.
Still, there are premium plans that can help you save money or unlock better features.
Printful
Printful is one of the most popular POD platforms. It connects directly with Etsy, Shopify, en ander platforms. You can start for free, but they also offer a paid plan.
| plan | Kos |
|---|---|
| Vrye plan | $ 0 / maand |
| Groeiplan | $ 24.99 / maand |
The free plan works just fine if you're just starting out. But if you start selling volume, the Growth plan gives you better product discounts, advanced mockups, and branding tools.
Printify
Printify is another great option. Their network of global print partners gives you more flexibility on shipping and pricing. They also have a free and premium plan.
| plan | Kos |
|---|---|
| Vrye plan | $ 0 / maand |
| Premie plan | $24.99/maand (jaarlikse fakturering) |
| Monthly Premium (2026) | $39/month (from Feb 17, 2026) |
If youโre on the free plan, you get access to their entire network but at retail rates.
The Premium plan gives you up to 20% off per product, which adds up if youโre selling regularly. If youโre planning to make more than 30 sales a month, it can be worth it.
Optional One-Time and Early Costs
Now letโs talk about the stuff nobody tells you aboutโthose first expenses that arenโt required but actually matter if you want to stand out. These are the costs that make your shop look like a real brand instead of a side hustle.
Here are some common early-phase expenses:
Monsters
- Verwag om te spandeer $ 30 tot $ 200 depending on what you order and how many.
- Getting physical samples helps you test quality and fit.
- You can use them to take custom produkfoto's, create videos, or check packaging.
Mockups, Logos, and Design Tools
- Free tools like Canva and Photopea can get you started.
- Premium mockup generators like Placeit or Canva Pro cost around $10 tot $50/maand.
- A basic logo from Fiverr or Looka can run $ 5 tot $ 50.
Brand Photos or DIY Photography
- If youโre handy with your phone, you can DIY a lightbox and shoot great product photos.
- A simple tripod and lighting setup can cost $ 50 tot $ 200.
- If you want a photographer, that could go higher, but itโs optional at the start.
Initial Marketing Budget
You donโt need to spend money on ads, but if you want to scale faster or test product demand, it helps.
- Test Facebook or Instagram ads with $5 to $10/day vir 'n week.
- Try TikTok influencer shoutouts with $ 50 tot $ 150 depending on niche and reach.
- Total early ad spend can range from $ 0 tot $ 500, depending on how fast you want results.
Even though these costs are technically optional, they can make a huge difference in how professional your store looks and how quickly you gain traction. Spending a little upfront on branding, photos, or samples can save you time and lost sales later.
What You Pay Per Sale
Letโs walk through what you actually pay when you sell a product on a marketplace like Etsy. It helps you figure out your pricing and margins.
Voorbeeld uiteensetting
Letโs say you sell a hoodie for $30, and you charge $5 vir aflewering.
Totale inkomste: $35
Etsy fees:
- 6.5% of $35 = $2.28
- 3% + $0.25 payment processing = $1.30
- $0.20 listing fee
Total Etsy fees: $3.78
If your supplier charges $15 for the hoodie and $4 for shipping, your cost is $19.
Total cost per sale:
| item | bedrag |
|---|---|
| Etsy fees | $3.78 |
| Supplier + shipping | $19.00 |
| Totale koste | $22.78 |
| Your profit | $12.22 |
This doesnโt include ad spend. If youโre running paid ads, your margin could drop to $5 or less unless your ads are converting well.
Sample First-Month Budgets
Here are three realistic first-month budget scenarios based on where and how you want to start.
1. Etsy + POD (Lean Test Model)
| item | Kostebereik |
|---|---|
| Etsy listing fees | $ 5 tot $ 10 |
| Monsters | $ 30 tot $ 100 |
| Mockups/branding | $ 0 tot $ 30 |
| Bemarking (opsioneel) | $ 0 tot $ 100 |
| Totaal | $ 30 tot $ 250 |
This setup is best if you want to test designs with low risk.
2. Shopify Starter + POD
| item | Kostebereik |
|---|---|
| Shopify Starter | $5 |
| Domain (optional) | $ 10 tot $ 20 |
| Monsters | $ 30 tot $ 100 |
| Mockups/branding | $ 0 tot $ 30 |
| Bemarking (opsioneel) | $ 0 tot $ 100 |
| Totaal | $ 45 tot $ 250 |
This setup is ideal if you want to drive traffic from TikTok, Instagram, or YouTube using a link-in-bio store.
3. Shopify Basic + POD (Full Store)
| item | Kostebereik |
|---|---|
| Shopify Basiese Plan | $29 |
| Domain | $ 10 tot $ 20 |
| Monsters | $ 50 tot $ 150 |
| Mockups/branding | $ 20 tot $ 50 |
| bemarking | $ 50 tot $ 150 |
| Totaal | $ 60 tot $ 400 + |
This setup is what most serious sellers choose when theyโre ready to build a full brand. It gives you complete control over your customer experience, product presentation, and marketing strategy.
Met toegang tot Shopify apps, custom themes, and better analytics, youโre able to scale more efficiently and test what works.
If you're planning to grow beyond a side hustle, this is the structure that sets the foundation for long-term success.
Final Thoughts: What It Really Costs
You can technically start a POD business with almost no money, but if you want to make sales and build something that lasts, you're likely going to spend around $150 to $400 in the first month.
That gives you the tools, products, and testing power to actually see results.
My advies? Start lean but realistic. Spend just enough to look like a brand, get a few samples in hand, and reinvest any early profits into better assets and faster growth.
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