How Much Does It Cost to Start a POD Business?

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, you’re 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, the startup cost is still very low.

But there are choices to make that affect how much you’ll spend upfront. In this article, I’ll break it all down based on my experience and research, including the platforms, tools, and real costs that most people don’t talk about.

Where You Sell: Marketplace vs Your Own Store

One of the first and most important decisions you’ll 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 don’t need to build a website or drive your own traffic, but you do pay for the convenience.

Here’s what it costs to sell on Etsy:

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.

Still, 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 don’t 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.

Here’s a breakdown of Shopify’s pricing:

With the Starter plan, you don’t get a full online store. Instead, you get a simple link-in-bio storefront you can share on social media or in emails. It’s great for testing or for creators who sell directly from Instagram or TikTok.

The Basic plan is what most people use when they’re 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 worth investing in. Personally, I’ve 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, it’s free to start. You only pay when you make a sale. That’s the beauty of the model—no 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, and other platforms. You can start for free, but they also offer a paid plan.

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.

If you’re 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 you’re selling regularly. If you’re planning to make more than 30 sales a month, it can be worth it.

Optional One-Time and Early Costs

Now let’s talk about the stuff nobody tells you about—those first expenses that aren’t 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:

Samples

• Expect to spend $30 to $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 product photos, 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 to $50/month.
• A basic logo from Fiverr or Looka can run $5 to $50.

Brand Photos or DIY Photography

• If you’re handy with your phone, you can DIY a lightbox and shoot great product photos.
• A simple tripod and lighting setup can cost $50 to $200.
• If you want a photographer, that could go higher, but it’s optional at the start.

Initial Marketing Budget

You don’t 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 for a week.
• Try TikTok influencer shoutouts with $50 to $150 depending on niche and reach.
• Total early ad spend can range from $0 to $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

Let’s 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.

Example Breakdown

Let’s say you sell a hoodie for $30, and you charge $5 for shipping.

Total revenue: $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:

This doesn’t include ad spend. If you’re 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)

This setup is best if you want to test designs with low risk.

2. Shopify Starter + POD

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)

This setup is what most serious sellers choose when they’re ready to build a full brand. It gives you complete control over your customer experience, product presentation, and marketing strategy.

With access to Shopify apps, custom themes, and better analytics, you’re 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 advice? 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.