Have you wanted to start an eCommerce venture without having to manage inventory and shipping hassles?
Well, this guide is for you.
Print-on-demand dropshipping India is the right place to launch your brand without paying upfront for inventory and managing the packaging and shipping.
Print on demand Dropshipping India is an excellent business concept for new business owners because of this. Entrepreneurs can reduce expenses and devote more time to selling their products by outsourcing manufacturing, warehousing, and shipping.
In this article, we will talk about how print-on-demand dropshipping works. So let’s get started.
What is print-on-demand dropshipping India?
Print on demand
Print-on-demand is an eCommerce business model which allows you to sell custom products online without upfront cost or inventory management. You partner with a print-on-demand provider who prints your designs on products when you receive an order from your customer. You can sell these white-label products under your brand without holding any stock.
Here is how print-on-demand dropshipping India business works in India:
- Set up your online store.
- Partner with a print-on-demand company to fulfil your orders.
- Add your designs to the products and list them on your online store.
- A customer views products on your website and makes a purchase.
- The order is passed on to your print-on-demand supplier, who will print, pack and ship the order to your customer directly.
Also, print-on-demand businesses in India focus on smooth supply chain management to ensure timely order fulfillment, delivery of products, and customer satisfaction.
Dropshipping is a digital business model that allows entrepreneurs to run an e-commerce company without handling inventory or shipping operations. You partner with a supplier who manages the stocks and ships them to your customers.
When a customer purchases your online store, you send the order details to your dropshipping partner, who then fulfills the order on your behalf.
You can also start dropshipping from home or work from any part of the world. Dropshipping lets you focus on marketing and customer acquisition rather than inventory management or fulfillment issues.
Is a "Print on Demand" business model right for you?
With a Print on Demand (POD) company, you can build your brand without worrying about keeping stock on hand. However, it necessitates managing numerous tasks, such as identifying your ideal customer, producing attractive designs, effectively marketing your products, etc.
Knowing whether or not this model is appropriate for you in such a situation is essential. To assist you in making the right decision, the following are some benefits and drawbacks of the POD business model.
Advantages of print-on-demand business model
Let’s explore the advantages of choosing a print-on-demand business strategy.
Minimum investment
The POD business concept can be launched without a physical location or stock. Setting up a physical store, buying equipment, etc., will cost far less. Additionally, it reduces the need to spend time on selling-related duties like packaging and shipping. Finally, you can use this time to market your business and attract repeat customers.
Appropriate for beginners
A technological expert with years of experience in the eCommerce sector is not necessary for a POD firm. Once you choose a trustworthy platform to launch your business, most chores are automated, making it appropriate for beginners.
Minimum risk
No risk is involved since the process starts when a buyer places an order. It relieves the stress of getting rid of extra goods. Moreover, if any chosen designs don’t turn out as expected, there is always room for experimenting.
Choose any niche you want to enter
POD items are available if you prefer a specialisation in clothing, shoes, accessories, or any other subject of interest. When you concentrate on your hobbies and the potential for growth in the chosen niche, choosing a niche becomes simpler.
Disadvantages of print-on-demand business
Here are some drawbacks of selecting this business model.
Low profit
Due to high production and promotional costs coupled with an initially small or limited profit margin.
Delayed shipping
Since the products are printed on demand, providers frequently cannot guarantee prompt delivery. Order fulfilment can take up to a week, which could lose you some clients.
Poor support and communication
POD partners don’t always engage in frequent communication. Sometimes it takes them a whole day to respond to your questions with a generalized statement. In addition, handling consumer complaints during busy days is more difficult due to the limited control over the printing and shipping processes.
Return policy restrictions
Customers frequently buy products from companies having a reliable return policy. In a POD firm, returning things is not an easy task. For example, you cannot just return something because the consumer didn’t like the print when they received them. Returns are typically only accepted for damaged items. As a result, you bear the responsibility or expense in the event of returns.
How to start a print-on-demand dropshipping India online business?
To launch a print-on-demand company, follow these steps:
Step 1. Select a niche
A product niche helps companies focus on a particular product or products that appeal to a particular customer base. It helps you establish credibility and prove your subject-matter expertise. Therefore, it’s preferable to create a generic business. A niche-specific firm reduces the number of rivals you must contend with and boosts your SERP ranking through tailored advertising.
However, how do you choose a niche?
The goods about which you are knowledgeable or passionate.
OR
The goods with the potential to generate revenue.
You can get the solution you need by combining the two. You must choose a profitable niche that sparks your interest and has significant growth potential.
Read the best 25 dropshipping niches with product ideas here.
Step 2. Design and research
You don’t need a qualified designer to launch your POD company. You can either hire a designer or use this straightforward advice to implement your initial design:
Identify your audience
You must thoroughly understand your target market to generate designs that will sell. If your consumer base is diverse, create several segments to understand each group better. Note the person’s needs, interests, characteristics, age, gender, and location.
Find innovative design concepts
Use AI and graphic design tool's selection
To avoid designing graphics from scratch, pick a graphic design tool. Canva is a user-friendly application that helps you create any design you choose. AI tools like Midjourney, Khroma etc., can help you design stunning designs with just a few clicks.
Outsourcing the design process
Sometimes you have brilliant ideas, but the designs fall short of what you had in mind. Outsource your design process to qualified graphic designers to make those thoughts a reality. To find top designers, search online marketplaces like Fiverr or Upwork. Or you can use LinkedIn to look for the appropriate people.
Step 3. Find Indian print on demand sites to fulfil orders
Look for order fulfillment services like renowned Indian print-on-demand sites that provide diverse products and reliable printing services. When choosing a platform, consider product selection, printing quality, price, delivery choices, and customer service.
With the appropriate Indian Print-On-Demand sites, you can give your consumers a wonderful shopping experience while selling high-quality goods. To avoid the inconvenience of transferring partners whenever you plan to scale up, it is essential to choose a POD partner carefully.
3 Top Indian print-on-demand sites are
- Qikink
- Vendorboat
- Printful
Step 4. Create an online store
Utilise a platform like Shopify or WooCommerce to build your online business. In a few easy steps, they help you create your store. These platforms have many free and paid templates to help you build a store with a professional appearance and start selling.
Ensure your website has all the appropriate sections that provide facts about the products, delivery, payment options, brand history, etc. Keep in mind that investing effort in developing a quality eCommerce website or shop will impact how well your POD business performs.
Step 5. Promote your products
You’ll need a solid marketing plan to make your first sale from your print-on-demand store. The main advantage of dropshipping is that since order processing and shipping are largely automated, you have more time to devote to your marketing initiatives.
The key to growth in print-on-demand is differentiating your brand via carefully selecting products that appeal to your target market because products are readily available from various online stores.
Conclusion
Many possibilities for printing on demand for your t-shirts and other fashion products are available. Your decision will be influenced by various elements, such as your financial situation and whether you desire a wider selection of goods than only T-shirts.
Consider whether you would prefer assistance with your marketing or are content to handle it and build your brand.
Read more
Frequently Asked Questions
What is print-on-demand dropshipping, and how does it work in India?
Print-on-demand dropshipping is a business model where you partner with a supplier who prints, packs and ships your orders whenever a customer purchases. You do not hold any stock or manage to ship. Your print-on-demand supplier handles the fulfillment while you focus on adding more products to your website and promoting them.
Here’s how it works:
Step 1: You create stunning graphic designs
Step 2: Partner with a print-on-demand dropshipping site to source and fulfil your orders.
Step 3: Setting up your online store and listing products.
Step 4: Promote your products online
Step 5: When a customer makes a purchase, you send the details to the POD company to fulfil it.
What are the advantages of using print-on-demand dropshipping for an e-commerce venture in India?
The advantages of a print-on-demand dropshipping business are:
- Easy to start as there are no physical stores.
- No inventory management
- Low investment
- Low risk of unsold inventory
- Easy to test new products
How can I start a print-on-demand dropshipping business in India? Are there any legal and logistical considerations?
You can start a print-on-demand dropshipping India business with just a few designs and a platform to sell. Rest everything is taken care of by your print-on-demand dropshipping supplier.
There are no legal or logistical documents required to start a print-on-demand business. However, it is recommended that you register your company to claim the tax amount that you pay. Also, you must register your business to sell on marketplaces, as GSTin is mandatory.
What types of products can be customized and sold through print-on-demand dropshipping in India?
You can sell anything from t-shirts, hoodies, phone cases, mugs, posters, cushion covers, stickers, etc. However, it also depends on your supplier and what products they offer. It is always best to partner with suppliers who own large product categories to target a broader audience in general
How can I ensure the quality of the printed products and the reliability of the dropshipping suppliers in the Indian market?
There are some metrics to track before you partner with a print-on-demand supplier to ensure the product quality and Supplier reliability
- Always order a sample to check the quality of the product and services. Ensure they meet your business requirements.
- Check for reviews on various platforms and see what people say about the company.
- Ensure the fulfillment timeline is as quick as possible so that the customers receive their orders soon.
- Talk to the print-on-demand suppliers’ support team to understand how they manage support.
With over 6+ years of experience in the industry, Ayushi excels in building strong customer relationships and guiding clients toward growth as a Brand Partnership Manager. She enjoys sharing her experience in her content.
