For business-minded people, a brand-new year can be an indication of fresh starts and new business ideas. If you’re from Australia and you’ve been thinking about starting your own business at home, you may want to look into the industry of print-on-demand.

Print-on-demand is a business model that lets you sell products like t-shirts, mugs, backpacks, hoodies, and many others. As the owner, you’ll be designing and creating custom prints that you’ll put on your products and sell them to customers. The concept of print-on-demand is that you won’t have to hold any items in stock. This is because the provider will be the one to take care of processing, handling, and even shipping the items to your customers.

If you think you have what it takes to start your own print-on-demand business in Australia but have no idea where and how to start, read on to find out more about it.

Segment your potential niche

Print on demand caters to a variety of products or niche markets. It might be exciting to offer as many products as you can, but, in the long run, you’ll realize that it’s exhausting and time-consuming. As an alternative, determine which niche will be perfect for your business idea.

Here are some tips on determining your potential niche:

• Go with what you’re passionate about: Are you into clothes? If yes, you’ll probably do well in the t-shirt and other clothing accessories niche. If you’re a coffee lover and you think you can design unique prints on mugs, that should be your target product.
• Be updated with the latest trends: If you’re more after the profit, you can choose a niche that’s been trending for some time, such as memes and Korean-inspired merchandise. Trending niches are very easy to sell and you’ll most likely build a fan base faster and easier.
• Know your audience: If you’re starting an Australian print-on-demand business, you should direct your focus to Australian consumers. Observe their shopping behaviour as well as their taste for various products.

While others may say that diversifying your niche or products can be a good tactic, it’s not always the case for all print-on-demand businesses. If you’re just starting, it’s best to test the waters first by segmenting your niche and see how things will eventually pan out. You can easily add more niches or products once your business is already established.

Finding the right provider

Since you’re from Australia, this means you’ll need to find a print-on-demand provider that can ship to Australia or, better yet, find one that already has a printing facility or warehouse in the country. That way, products will be delivered faster and you won’t need to worry about charging expensive shipping costs to your customers.

Setting up your store

Now that you already have a niche and a provider, it’s time to move forward to the next step, which is to set up your online store. By having an online store, your business can be built on any eCommerce platform, such as Shopify and Magento.

A reliable platform for your print-on-demand business can significantly impact your brand. The right platform won’t only increase your operational efficiency but also provide you with features, like various payment options. Such features will enhance customer experience and help you win their loyalty in the long run.

Promoting your print on demand business

Once your E-commerce store is up and running, here comes the nitty-gritty of marketing and promoting your business. Thanks to the advent of technology, it’s now easier and cheaper to promote products and services.

You can get the word out to your potential customers by simply using your social media accounts. You can also create a Facebook business page where you can post engaging content, go live, and upload videos to attract customers.

Another way to increase digital presence is to have an official website for your business. You can post blogs and updates on your website about your products and, of course, it’s also a convenient way for your customers to find out more about your business. Additionally, having a website for your print-on-demand business helps establish a more professional and efficient image for your consumers.

Final words

Despite the challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, 2020 has been a fruitful year for the Australian print-on-demand industry. This is why in 2021, it’s expected to see exponential growth in online sales, including print-on-demand businesses.

If you’re looking for a profitable business idea for 2021, an Australian print-on-demand business could be a perfect fit. As with any other kind of business venture, it can be difficult to get started. But, hopefully, with the help of the tips above, you’ll find it easier to set forth on the promising industry.