We’ve seen too many shop owners make the same print on demand mistakes time and time again.
Common and avoidable print on demand (POD) mistakes prevent a lot of people from meeting their merch goals. Understanding and addressing these issues is crucial for any POD business to achieve long-term success.
Print on Demand merch gives anyone the power to sell custom merchandise and earn a profit with extra hassles (printing, shipping, fulfillment). All you have to do is customize your products and effectively market to your audience. However, the path to a successful POD business isn’t without its potential pitfalls.
In this blog, we’ll take a deep dive into the top 13 print on demand mistakes people make in the industry. We’ll also offer solutions to help you achieve long-term success!
1. Designing for “Everyone” Instead of Finding a Niche
Many sellers make the print on demand mistake of trying to cater and appeal to everyone. In a saturated e-commerce market, specificity is your best friend. Find a niche that you’re passionate about and allows you to create a unique space with your brand. This makes it easier for your target audience to find and connect with you.
What to do instead: Identify your passions and expertise areas – could be anything. We’ve seen all types of POD sellers thrive with different niches, no matter how small – funny cat content, bushcraft survival tips, plant parent products, the list is endless.
Once you’ve picked a niche for your merch, it’s important to do market research. Use this information to craft a brand identity that resonates with your target demographic.This includes your brand’s tone of voice, visual style, and overall messaging.
Consistency across all platforms and products strengthens your brand identity and helps build trust with your audience.
Get further insights on profitable print-on-demand niches to help you sell more and engage with the right shoppers by visiting our blog.
2. Ignoring Social Selling (TikTok Shop, Reels, Shorts)
Short-form video has completely changed how creators and small businesses sell online. More customers discover and buy merch through TikTok Shop, Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts than traditional search. If you only rely on your shop domain to get sales, you’re likely missing your biggest and most active audience.
Creators today want merch that integrates directly into their content – not something their followers have to hunt for. That’s why social commerce is such a powerful tool for POD sellers.
Spreadconnect is our merch plugin tool that allows users to sell their products directly to their audience. With Spreadconnect, you can seamlessly connect your store to TikTok Shop, Squarespace, Shopify or your own website with our customizable API.
When you go directly to your user with tailored content, the path to purchasing your merch becomes much easier – which dramatically increases your chances of monetizing.
Selling through TikTok Shop is especially valuable because fans can purchase your merch without ever leaving the app. Spreadconnect handles the printing, packing and shipping, so all you have to do is post consistently and keep engaging your audience.
Want to set up TikTok Shop the right way?
Selling successfully with TikTok Shop can be tricky. That’s why we’ve created a step-by-step selling guide to walk you through the setup process, including account requirements so you don’t lose access to monetization opportunities. We also provide you with insights on how to list your products for maximum visibility.
3. Not Ordering Samples Before Launching
Samples are an often overlooked aspect when it comes to print-on-demand success. Creators think making designs and customizing products is all it takes, but how are you going to successfully promote your merch without seeing it in-person?
Sharing stock model images and screenshots from your shop is an easy out, but it feels detached. Making your merch tangible to potential customers is key to driving sales. They want to see how your merch looks like in real life and you can integrate products into your existing content.
Ordering merch samples also allows you to check print quality, color accuracy and fit. Get feedback from people in your circle to see if they’re happy with the print and feel of the product before it goes LIVE.
How to order merch samples with Spreadshop:
- Preview your shop in your dashboard and click “order product samples”
- Add your items to your cart
- Place your order and buy samples at base price
4. Using Overcrowded or Low-Contrast Designs
One of the simplest ways to tell a strong merch design from a weak one is how easy it is to understand. Most customers will find your merch shop from their phones.
Small text, overloaded graphic element and muddy colors that blend together can make your design confusing at first glance. And when a design is overcrowded and confusing, shoppers move on quickly.
Print-on-demand products need clean lines, bold shapes and colors that stand out on the right products.
Prioritize clarity over complexity: Your design should communicate its message in one second. Use fewer elements and make the main visual or phrase the focus.
Pick strong, contrasting colors: High-contrast combinations — like black on cream, white on forest green, or red on tan — print beautifully and stay readable from a distance. Avoid pairing colors that are too similar, such as navy on black or yellow on white.
Use clean, readable typography: Bold fonts, retro block lettering, and simple script styles perform best. Thin or overly decorative fonts often disappear when printed.
Need help designing? We’ve got you covered.
You don’t need expensive software or professional skills. Spreadshop has compiled beginner-friendly design tools and tips to help you create print-ready artwork fast.
Download our Ultimate Merch Design Guide to learn more about file requirements, recommended image sizes, and best practices for top-selling print-on-demand shops.
And check out our full blog ranking the Best Merch Design Tools (including Canva, Kittl, Vectr, and Adobe Express) to find the right tool for your merch needs. We break down key features, pros/cons and pricing.
4. Not Aware of Design File Requirements
Blurry designs, fuzzy edges and pixelated prints are some of the most common issues new merch creators run into. And they almost always come from uploading images that aren’t the right size or format. Even if your artwork looks sharp on your computer screen, it may not print clearly on fabric unless the file meets certain quality standards.
When you upload low-resolution artwork, the printer has to “stretch” or interpolate the pixels. This results in soft edges, muted details, or a grainy appearance. Designs with transparent elements or fine lines can also print poorly if saved in the wrong file type.
The good news? File quality is one of the easiest POD issues to fix.
Use PNG format with a transparent background: PNGs are the preferred file type for apparel because they support transparency. This prevents unwanted white boxes or backgrounds from appearing behind your design. All major design tools have a transparency feature.
Make sure your design is at least 300 DPI: DPI (dots per inch) affects printing clarity. At 300 DPI, your artwork will look crisp and professional on hoodies, tees, totes, and more. If you design at a lower DPI and try to scale up, the image will become blurry.
Export your file at the right dimensions: Larger designs require larger files. For a standard front print, aim for at least:
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4,000 px wide for apparel, like hoodies or t-shirts.
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2,500 px wide for smaller items, like mugs or stickers.
Avoid screenshots or images grabbed from social media: Seem like a quick way to get merch designs, but these images are heavily compressed and rarely meet print standards.
Need more info? Check out our help center page for print file requirements.
6. Posting About Your Merch Once and Quitting
One of the biggest misconceptions about selling merch is thinking that one announcement is enough. Many creators post about their shop once, don’t see immediate sales, and assume their merch “isn’t working.” But in reality, even your most loyal followers need multiple reminders before they click and shop.
Think about your own habits: You often need to see a product several times before you even think about purchasing it. Your audience is the same. With so much content competing for attention, consistency is what helps your merch stand out and stick in people’s minds.
Promote your merch consistently and naturally
Instead of a single announcement post, build a steady cadence of content that keeps your merch top-of-mind. Here are easy ideas you can rotate through:
Create simple unboxing videos: Film yourself (or a friend) unboxing your own merch. These videos feel personal and authentic — and they perform extremely well on TikTok and Instagram.
Share customer photos or reviews: Social proof goes a long way. When someone sees others enjoying your merch, it makes them more likely to buy.
Remind your audience during seasonal moments: Holiday gifting, birthdays, back-to-school, game days — these are natural opportunities to reshare your products.
7. Overlook SEO and Online Marketing
Many POD businesses underestimate the power/potential of SEO and online marketing. You can’t rely solely on the visibility of sales platforms and social media for longtime success. Optimizing your online presence for search engines can increase your visibility and bring more organic traffic to your store.
What to do instead: Research keywords related to your niche and incorporate them into your product descriptions, and content. Utilize SEO best practices on your website to improve its ranking in search results. Consider starting a blog related to your niche to drive more traffic to your site and establish yourself as an authority in your field.
8. Ignore Customer Service Concerns
Exceptional customer service can set your POD business apart from competitors. Many online businesses lose sight of the importance of human interaction and responsive customer service. This can lead to unsatisfied customers and cause potential damage to your brand’s reputation.
What to do instead: Implement a clear, easy-to-find, and responsive customer service system. This can include a FAQ section on your website, a dedicated customer service email, and live chat support. Train yourself or your team to handle inquiries professionally and efficiently.
It’s important to always follow up with customers to ensure their issues have been resolved. Having satisfied customers is top-priority.
If you don’t have time to handle customer service, find a POD providers that has their own customer service team. They’ll work on your behalf to address order or product concerns to find a solution.
9. Inadequate Pricing Strategies
Pricing your products correctly is crucial for ensuring profitability while still being attractive to your customers. Incorrect pricing can deter potential buyers or cut into your margins.
What to do instead: Conduct thorough market research to understand the pricing landscape within your niche. Consider your costs, including production, shipping, and any additional fees, and then add a reasonable profit margin. Don’t forget to factor in promotional offers and discounts.
Regularly review your prices to ensure they remain competitive and profitable.
10. Fail to Adapt and Evolve
The POD industry is ever-changing, with new trends and customer preferences emerging constantly. Sticking rigidly to your original plans without adapting to market changes is a recipe for stagnation and decline.
What to do instead: Stay informed about industry trends and shifts in consumer behavior. Be open to experimenting with new product types, designs, or marketing strategies. Collect and analyze data from your sales and customer feedback to identify what’s working and what isn’t. This proactive approach allows you to adapt your business strategy effectively to meet the evolving demands of the market.
By understanding and avoiding these ten common mistakes, you can position your Print on Demand business for success. Remember, a successful POD venture requires more than just creative designs. It demands a strategic approach to niche selection, audience understanding, marketing, and customer service.
With dedication, adaptability, and attention to detail, you can build a thriving POD business that stands out in the crowded online marketplace.
11. Ignore the Importance of Brand Storytelling
One of the most overlooked aspects of a successful Print on Demand business is the power of storytelling. A compelling brand story can connect emotionally with your audience, and allow you stand apart from competitors. This helps build long-term customer loyalty. However, many POD sellers focus solely on their products without conveying the story behind their brand or the inspiration behind their designs.
What to do instead: Craft a compelling brand narrative that encompasses your mission, values, and the unique aspects of your journey. Share this story through your website, product descriptions, and social media platforms. Incorporate storytelling into your marketing campaigns, highlighting the people, ideas, or causes behind your products. Engaging your audience with a narrative that resonates with them can transform passive shoppers into passionate brand advocates.
12. Fail to Leverage Customer Feedback
Customer feedback is an invaluable resource for any business, yet many POD entrepreneurs fail to capitalize on it. Whether positive or negative, feedback provides direct insights into your customers’ experiences, preferences, and pain points. Ignoring this feedback can lead to repeated mistakes, unsatisfied customers, and missed opportunities for improvement and innovation.
What to do instead: Actively seek out and encourage customer feedback through surveys, reviews, and social media engagement. Monitor and analyze this feedback to identify common themes and areas for improvement.
Show your customers that their opinions are valued by acknowledging and responding to their feedback. Implement changes based on customer insights to refine your products, improve customer service, and enhance the overall shopping experience.
13. Neglect Upselling and Cross-Selling Opportunities
Upselling and cross-selling are effective strategies for increasing the average order value and boosting overall sales. However, many POD sellers miss out on these opportunities by not suggesting related products or upgrades to their customers. This oversight can lead to lost revenue and lessened customer engagement.
What to do instead: Develop a strategic approach to upselling and cross-selling by identifying products that complement each other. Consider offering premium versions of existing products. Highlight these opportunities on your product pages, in your shopping cart, and during the checkout process.
Use targeted email campaigns to promote related products to customers based on their purchase history. By making relevant suggestions, you can enhance the shopping experience while increasing your revenue.
We hope identifying these common mistakes makes it easier to navigate the POD world and set your merch shop up for success. Finding a niche you’re passionate about is a core pillar to your POD business. This makes it easier to connect with your audience and allows you to have fun while you earn with your merch!