Emma ParkerLooking to make real money online in 2025 with zero inventory, zero shipping stress, and no upfront product cost? You’re in the right place. This is your step-by-step guide to starting a profitable Shopify print-on-demand store using Printful and Printify — even if you’re a complete beginner.
Whether you’re a student, stay-at-home mom, digital nomad, or side hustler looking for a legit income stream, Shopify with Printful or Printify makes it possible to build a sustainable eCommerce business with low risk and unlimited growth.
🚀 What Is Print-on-Demand and Why Use Shopify?
Print-on-demand (POD) is a business model where you sell custom products (like T-shirts, mugs, phone cases, etc.) without keeping inventory. Your supplier prints and ships the item only after the customer buys it.
🛒 Shopify is the eCommerce platform where you build your storefront.
🎨 Printful and Printify are your production and shipping partners.
Together, Shopify + Printful + Printify allow you to:
- Sell products worldwide with no stock
- Offer custom branded packaging
- Automate fulfillment and shipping
- Keep startup costs under $100
🔧 Printful vs Printify – Which One Should You Use?
You don’t have to choose just one — many top stores use both!
✅ Printful
- Premium quality products and in-house fulfillment
- Custom branding options (labels, packaging, etc.)
- Higher base cost but excellent quality
- Ships from the U.S., EU, and Japan
✅ Printify
- Cheapest base prices with multiple suppliers
- Greater product variety (800+ SKUs)
- Ability to choose faster or cheaper suppliers
- Ideal for testing pricing, quality, and delivery speed
Pro Tip: Start with Printify for lower costs, then scale with Printful for premium customers and branding.
💡 Step-by-Step: How to Start Your Shopify POD Side Hustle
1. Choose a Profitable Niche
Pick something you’re passionate about AND people already spend money on:
- Pet lovers (dogs, cats, horses)
- Fitness motivation
- Funny quotes and memes
- Travel or van life
- Mental health support
- Cultural pride / national identity
Use tools like Ubersuggest, Google Trends, or AnswerThePublic to find hot keyword ideas.
2. Set Up Your Shopify Store
- Go to Shopify and start a free trial
- Pick a clean theme (like Debut or Sense) for POD
- Customize your homepage, add policies, and optimize for mobile
Install the Printful and Printify apps directly from the Shopify App Store.
3. Connect Printful and Printify
- Sign up on Printful and Printify
- Link both to your Shopify account
- Start importing mockups directly into your store
Use Printful’s branding tools and Printify’s pricing tools to experiment with products and margins.
4. Design Winning Products
You don’t need to be a designer. Try:
- Canva
- Kittl
- Midjourney (AI)
- Creative Market
Or use AI tools like DALL·E, Jasper Art, or Looka for logos.
Upload your design to Printful or Printify, select mockups, and publish directly to Shopify.
5. Launch & Promote
You can start with:
- Pinterest (great for visual products)
- TikTok (trending audio + product reveals)
- Instagram Reels or Stories
- SEO blog content targeting keywords like:
🔍 Common Questions Answered
❓ Can I use both Printful and Printify in one Shopify store?
Yes! It’s a smart strategy. Use Printify for budget-friendly products and Printful for branded, high-end offers.
❓ Do I need to pay for Printful or Printify?
No! Both platforms are free to start. Printify has a free plan and a paid Premium plan (worth it if you sell high volume). Printful charges only when you make a sale.
❓ Which is better in 2025: Printful or Printify?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Choose:
- Printful for quality control and custom branding.
- Printify for low-cost testing, speed, and global suppliers.
Many successful Shopify POD stores use BOTH.
📈 Why This Side Hustle Works in 2025
- No shipping headaches — Printful and Printify handle it all
- No inventory or upfront bulk cost
- AI tools make design and content easier than ever
- Global demand for custom products is exploding
Whether you want $300/month extra or a full-time business, Shopify with Printful and Printify is one of the best opportunities in 2025.
🏁 Final Tips for Success
- Always order samples before selling
- Use SEO blog content on your Shopify store to drive traffic
- Combine email marketing + discount offers
- Reinforce your niche on social media
- Optimize product titles and descriptions with high-search keywords like “funny gym shirt,” “custom travel mug,” etc.
