Print More, Spend Less: The Growth Playbook for Print-on-Demand Businesses

One of the notable trends in recent years is a growing desire for authentic, real-life experiences and tangible products—an intentional shift away from the constant stimulation of the online “TikTok-era” attention economy. This shift presents a valuable opportunity for businesses, particularly those in the print-on-demand (POD) space.

But here’s the catch: while opportunities are endless, so are the challenges. Rising customer expectations, fierce competition, and mounting pressure to scale without overspending are forcing POD businesses to evolve fast, or get left behind.

That’s where our insights come in. With 15+ years of experience serving various companies worldwide—and print-on-demand being one of the key focus areas—Depositphotos understands the challenges.

This smart, actionable guide gives POD sellers what they really need: creative content strategies, licensing tips and next-gen tools. What’s even better, it’s available for free!

Smarter content starts with smarter licensing

If you’re unsure whether you’re using the right license for your designs, you’re not alone. It’s one of the most overlooked (and risky) aspects of the POD world. The playbook breaks it down in simple terms and gives you a way to source content legally and cost-effectively.

Upgrade your customer experience

Customers today expect to personalize, preview, and purchase—all in one seamless flow. Building that kind of UX from scratch? Time-consuming and pricey. But what if you could plug in ready-made tools, complete with a modern online editor and a library of trend-savvy images?

Spoiler alert: You can.

Streamline your creative processes by integrating a reliable API. Let your users edit designs, remove backgrounds, generate new visuals using just a prompt, and more. Shortcut your way to an elevated shopping experience that feels custom, but is powered by off-the-shelf solutions.

Ready for the next holiday rush? Most aren’t

When the peak season hits, your workflow will be tested. Between new orders, shipping deadlines, and customer support, the last thing you need is to scramble for images or chase down approvals.

We offer a clever prep strategy POD sellers can steal: think ahead with curated seasonal content that’s fresh, on-trend, and ready when you are.

High-quality prints start before the printer

Even the sharpest designs can fall flat when printed poorly. Large-format orders like banners, backdrops, or bulk apparel demand not just high resolution, but the right resolution. Find out how to prototype so you can guarantee wow-worthy results every time.

Small marketing budget, big impact

You don’t need an ad agency or a five-figure budget to market like a pro. What you do need is fast, flexible creative options—and that’s where generative AI steps in.

Want a visual that no one else in your niche is using? Now you can make it yourself. No library scrolling. No design fees. Just original content tailored to your campaign.

Print belongs to the fast and the flexible

The secret to thriving isn’t printing more—it’s printing smarter. Whether you’re a POD rookie or scaling your tenth store, with Depositphotos, you’ll always get useful advice, strategies, and tools to level up your brand. Stay tuned for more!