27 best print on demand products for 2026

Looking to start a print on demand business? Read this article for the best print on demand products that you can sell.

Ever had a design idea for a t-shirt, hoodie, or even a coffee mug and thought, “I could totally sell this online”? 

That’s where print-on-demand (POD) comes in. It's one of the easiest ways to start a business with little to no upfront cost.

You create the design, the supplier handles printing and shipping, and you make money every time someone buys – no inventory required.

In this guide, we’ll cover exactly what print-on-demand is, the pros and cons of starting a POD business, and the best print-on-demand products to sell in 2026.

What is print on demand?

Print on demand is a business model in which a seller (you) makes a design, puts it on a product (water bottles, t-shirts, etc.), and markets it online - all without ever having to buy the physical product or worry about shipping it.

POD is similar to dropshipping, but you’re selling unique items, which gives you a competitive edge. The only things you have to focus on are creating killer graphics, choosing the right products, and marketing them effectively.

How does print-on-demand work?

Print on demand is a three-player game: the seller, the supplier, and the customer.

• Seller: That’s you (an entrepreneur, creator, or brand) who makes the designs and markets the products.
• Supplier: Services like Printful or Printify that connect to your online store, handle production, and ship everything out.
• Customer: The person buying your product online (usually individuals, not big companies ordering in bulk).

In essence, you (the seller) upload a design, plug into a supplier, and drive traffic to your store through ads or organic content. 

When a customer checks out, payment hits your account, the supplier prints and ships the product automatically, and you pocket the margin. 

You still manage customer support, but the heavy lifting (inventory, printing, and logistics) is handled for you.

Pros of print on demand ✅

Print on demand has a lot of advantages that make it a great business to start.

Easy to get started

A print-on-demand business is simple to get started, especially with today’s tools. It also provides a great place to test certain ideas or designs if you don’t want to have a lot of money at risk or tied up in inventory.

No inventory or shipping headaches

Because the supplier manages the products, from warehousing to shipping, it’s easy for sellers to run print-on-demand businesses. If you don’t have much physical space, print on demand takes that problem away.

Low startup costs

There are really only a few investments needed to start a print-on-demand business: Creating designs (which can be done with a wide range of free tools and softwares), starting an online store, and marketing (you can set daily ad budgets).

You don’t need to buy inventory because the supplier has that covered!

Cash flow management

You’ll rarely, if ever, get into a tight cash position because the only time you buy inventory is when a customer has already placed an order and paid. So, when the supplier requests payment you’ll already have the cash available.

Contrast this with a traditional ecommerce brand where you could overbuy inventory and risk the whole business if you can’t convert that to cash quickly enough to pay your bills.

Cons of print on demand ❌ 

While print on demand has a lot of advantages, there are also some difficulties to look out for.

High competition

Because of its ease, a lot of people are trying to start and run print-on-demand businesses. This means that you need to have better designs, better marketing, and better customer service to beat out other players.

You don’t own the supply chain

While there are plenty of positives of outsourcing the production and distribution processes, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. There is value in connecting with your manufacturers and fulfilling orders yourself.

Low margins

Because someone else is handling a lot of the hard work, they want to get paid. Print-on-demand businesses have lower margins than if you were to source the products yourself.

The 27 best print on demand products in 2026

Now that you understand how print on demand works, let's take a look at some of the best print-on-demand ideas this year.

1. T-shirts

T-shirts are perhaps one of the most purchased products of all time, regardless of whether they are sold online or in a brick-and-mortar store. They can range from just a few bucks to hundreds of dollars and there will be customers at each and every price point.

For creators and artists, t-shirts are great because they act as a literal canvas for your imagination. There are plenty of material compositions, fits, and colors so that you can create a unique garment that isn’t available anywhere else. Not to mention, they’re lightweight, so they keep shipping costs to a minimum.

2. Tote bags

As sustainability and waste-reduction trends continue to rise, tote bags are a fun fashion statement and utility for everyday use. They’re also extremely versatile — they can be used to hold groceries or even as a purse.

While they don’t have as many options as t-shirts or other apparel, they still offer a massive blank space for your creations.

3. Candles

Candles are a great print-on-demand option because they fulfill a genuine need in homes. There’s nothing better than going to someone’s house or apartment and smelling a fresh scent.

Additionally, candles can command high prices. While you can certainly go to your nearest dollar store and get a cheap candle, luxury candles are a popular online category, sometimes even in the $30 to $50 price range.

4. Bomber jackets

If you’re looking to totally stand out from the crowd (both socially and in the business market), bomber jackets are an old-school favorite that shouldn’t be ignored. With Printful, bomber jackets are created using a process called “dye-sublimation,” which basically means that you can put any design and color on a garment because it uses a similar technology to that of office printers, compared to other apparel, which often uses a process called “screen printing” that only allows for a few different colors and within limited dimensions.

Especially if you’re selling in industries that have intricate design components like cartoons, landscapes, and people, bomber jackets that use sublimation are a great way to differentiate yourself from basic limited-color aesthetics.

5. Area rugs

Area rugs are an interesting product because everyone likes to make their homes pop — no one wants to live and work in a boring environment. These household staples provide an easy opportunity for funny sayings or beautiful designs.

6. Kiss-cut stickers

Kiss-cut, or “die-cut,” stickers are awesome because they’re totally unique to the seller, they can be placed just about anywhere (laptops, signposts, etc.), and they’re inexpensive to ship. If you have a special character or logo, kiss-cut stickers allow you to make the actual sticker in the shape of your design. You’re not limited to a square or circle shape.

7. Onesies

Baby bodysuits are a cute way for proud parents to show off their favorite brands, teams, or sayings. Best for simple, text-based designs, onesies are a product that people can easily gift because you can never really have too many of them!

8. Canvases

Canvases are a product that people are always on the lookout to update. They’re not “fine art,” that cost many thousands of dollars, and they provide a good way to refresh your living area or room. Especially if you’re an artist with a large social following, wall art is an easy way for your fanbase to show support and rep your work to their friends and family.

9. Hoodies

The classic hooded sweatshirt is a timeless style that will always have a market, especially during the fall and winter months. Thankfully, people typically have a rotation or get a new top every year. Find a quality material and put your own unique spin on it!

10. Tumblers

Brands like Stanley, Hydroflask, YETI, and Owala have all become super popular (and viral) in the past few years. Drink vessels have become fashion symbols, so now’s the time to capitalize. Most other brands are simply different colors or basic designs, which offers a fun way to differentiate yourself with custom graphics and styles. Also, customers are willing to pay as much as $50 for a new tumbler, based on current top-selling brands.

11. Blankets

Fleece blankets are ultra cozy and have a big customer base — from college students to suburban families. The only downside is that they’re quite large, so product and shipping costs can be high, which leads to higher acquisition costs and lower margins.

12. Socks

While there are plenty of “performance” athletic sock brands and specialty fabrics like wool, socks can be a fun stocking stuffer-type product for simple designs. Especially because of the embroidery, print-on-demand socks are viewed as a premium option so you can command higher prices and customers won’t be opposed.

13. Swimwear

As the temperature heats up what could be better than some custom swimsuits? Brands like Birddogs and Chubbies made a name for themselves for their short shorts and bold designs, so sellers anywhere can take a piece of that market by taking their creativity to a whole new level. They’re also lightweight (made of 100% polyester) and can be shipped in a compact envelope or small box.

14. Slides

To accompany your swimwear, think about offering matching sandals as an upsell or bundle. Slides are also great because you’re competing against either cheaper plastic flip-flops or more expensive leather styles like Birkenstock, so you can position yourself in the middle as an artistic alternative.

15. Pillows

Fluffy, comfortable, and fun. Outdoor pillows make for a nice complement to any outdoor furniture set or campfire. Especially because they’re UV-ray and water-resistant, they’ll last for years to come. If you’re a seller targeting the outdoors market, consider outdoor pillows for your designs.

16. Fanny packs

Didn’t you hear? Crossbody bags are in. From Lululemon to leather bags, seemingly everyone is rocking fanny packs for their style and function. Capitalize on this trend with your own unique spin. Best of all, they’re gender-neutral so you can make inclusive designs and target a wider audience.

17. Golf balls

If you’re trying to get your brand into as many hands as possible, golf balls may be the way to go. They’re small, easily exchangeable between players, and get picked up on the golf course all the time. Especially for casual players, they’re more brand and feature-agnostic, so you’re not necessarily competing against massive golf companies with years of research and development.

18. Greeting cards

If you’re a creator, what could be better than (literally) putting pen to paper and getting your creations out into the world with a card that people give to one another? Greeting cards make for fantastic print-on-demand products for their wide appeal and low shipping costs.

19. Mouse pads

As work-from-home jobs continue to become the norm, mouse pads are traditionally boring products that could use an upgrade. Put your designs on a product that people will use every day for at least eight hours.

20. Dad hats

Dad hats continue to be all the rage for both men and women and across different age ranges. Using the embroidery technique, they also give sellers the ability to put bold, simple ideas on an everyday product that serves a real utility in daily life.

21. Pet bowls

It’s estimated that Americans spend over $1,500 per year on their dogs. Pet Bowls give you a prime chance to get a piece of that revenue. Sell a product for something that other sellers may not be as focused on - our fluffy best friends

22. Coffee mugs

In the office or at home, then you know that people really can never have enough coffee mugs. Slap on a vibrant design or clever saying and bring your creativity to the lives of consumers. Plus, you can sell bundles or sets to increase your average order value!

23. Journals & notebooks

Products like journals are great because they actually get used — they’re not just for looks. Print-on-demand notebooks and journals take a product that simply has a one-color cover and puts a spin on it. And, when they run out of pages they’ll come back to you for more.

24. Buttons

Nothing says team spirit like rocking a pin with a team or school’s logo. Buttons make for fun fashion statements and several can be shipped in one small envelope. If you have a dedicated audience, they’ll love repping you to all their friends.

25. Joggers

If you’re team joggers over regular sweatpants, you’ll appreciate these ultra-comfortable fleece joggers. Use the back pocket for your own sketches and offer something unique and cozy.

26. Phone cases

Phone cases are a great business to be in because a new model is also coming out, but are also tough businesses because you need to carry multiple versions for every design that you make. Print-on-demand eliminates the inventory issue and just lets you focus on creating, not making sure you have enough iPhone 12 cases versus Galaxy S24 cases.

27. Bumper stickers

People who drive a lot know that a good bumper sticker can always attract a honk or a laugh from other drivers on the road. Give customers something they’ll love with bumper stickers. They’re durable enough for outdoor use and easy to apply to any vehicle or outdoor equipment.

Check out the best merch ideas for businesses of all kinds.

Launching your print-on-demand business with Whop

Print on demand is the easiest way to turn your ideas into stuff people actually buy. No inventory, no shipping stress, no bulk orders – just design, market, and sell.

You can drop new products fast, test ideas, and scale without taking on a ton of risk. T-shirts, hoodies, mugs, tote bags: the sky’s the limit, and you only make what sells.

Want to add print-on-demand to your existing offers effortlessly? Sell with Whop and the Merch App, launch a branded storefront, and let production and shipping take care of themselves.

FAQs

Is print on demand good for beginners?

Print on demand is great for those just starting out because it doesn’t require a massive upfront investment, and there are plenty of platforms and tools to aid your business. Unlike starting a brand or creating an innovative product, you’re really only focusing on a few main tasks like design and marketing, not operations. Additionally, you only have to buy a product when it’s already sold, so you’re not limited by your cash flow.

Is print on demand legal?

Absolutely, there is nothing wrong or illegal with print on demand. But, you must ensure that the designs that you’re selling are your own or that you have the rights to use them.

The only time that print on demand could be illegal is if you were using copyrighted designs or stealing from other creators, which you should never do, of course.