Have you thought about doing eBay print on demand to earn some extra passive income? It’s easier than you think, especially recently, when there are increasing print-on-demand providers integrated with eBay. So, how can you start selling print on demand on eBay? This guide got your back.
After reading this handbook, you will know:
- Is selling print on demand on eBay worth it? If you are searching for a platform with global reach and seller protection policy, selling print-on-demand eBay is worth your choice.
- How to sell print on demand on eBay? Here is quick guide for you:
- Research and find eBay print on demand companies
- Identify selling niches and start design
- Set up your eBay store and integrate with print on demand eBay providers
- List and optimize product listings
- Top eBay print on demand providers: Here are top 4 print on demand companies that have integration with eBay: Printful, Printify, SPOD, and Merchize.
- Best 5 print-on-demand products to sell on eBay: 1. T-shirt and hoodies, 2. Tech accessories, 3. Wall art, 4. Drinkware and 5. Pet products.
Now, let’s dive into the eBay print-on-demand world.
Is eBay Good for Print on Demand?
You cannot decide whether you should sell print on demand for eBay? Refer to the below pros and cons of eBay print on demand before making your final decision.
Pros of print on demand on eBay
1. Go Mobile
The technologies and services behind eBay mobile apps are made to facilitate sellers worldwide in showcasing their inventory virtually. Buyers can also easily find and purchase items, making transactions possible anytime and anywhere.
2. Sell globally
eBay Inc. is a leading global eCommerce platform, connecting millions of buyers and sellers worldwide. With a diverse array of products and competitive prices, eBay offers a unique selection to its users. Hence, for Print on Demand needs, eBay serves as a convenient one-stop solution.
3. Have seller protection
eBay safeguards sellers by removing negative or neutral feedback in situations beyond their control. This includes instances such as weather or carrier delays or when an item arrives late despite timely shipment indicated by tracking information.
Cons of print on demand on eBay
1. Encounter high fees
Fees pose a significant concern for eCommerce sellers considering expansion to eBay. If profit margins are narrow, selling certain products may not be advantageous, particularly in highly competitive markets. It’s crucial to understand the fees associated with selling on eBay in advance. Fortunately, eBay provides a transparent fee structure on its help site and offers a fee calculator for easy reference.
2. Limit listing customization
Some sellers find it frustrating that they can only customize their listings using eBay templates.
If you’ve weighed the pros and cons and determined that eBay is the right platform for you, let’s proceed with setting up your store.
You may also want to read: eBay dropshipping guide.
How to Sell Print on Demand on eBay?
Using eBay is straightforward, but having a step-by-step guide can be beneficial. Let’s review the process of selling print on demand on eBay.
Step 1. Research and find a reliable eBay print on demand provider
The success of your eBay POD business depends on partnering with a reliable POD provider. Hence, you should look for one that offers:
- High-quality products
- Diverse product range
- Fast shipping times
- Reasonable base costs and shipping fees
- Clear return and refund policy
- Customization options
You can consider popular options like Printful and Printify, which are the most famous print on demand companies integrated with eBay. Don’t forget to check customer reviews before deciding.
Step 2. Identify your niche and create unique designs
In the competitive POD market, making yourself outstanding is vital. Studying a specific niche and target audience for your products is essential. Some of the popular niches, according to Printful, are pets/animals, activism, family, and couples. You can also focus on prevalent trends, interests, or hobbies that match your passions and knowledge.
After finding your niche, start creating distinctive and appealing designs for your target audience. If you don’t have graphic design skills, you can hire a freelancer to turn your ideas into desired products.
Step 3. Set up your store and integrate with print on demand eBay providers
Now it’s time for you to open an eBay print on demand store. Begin by registering for an eBay seller account and follow the instructions provided to establish your store. For more details, check our guide on how to sell on eBay.
After setting up your store, start print on demand eBay integration. Many POD platforms facilitate smooth integration with eBay, enabling you to synchronize your product listings, manage inventory, and streamline order fulfillment processes.
Here is an example in case you connect Printify to eBay:
- Create a Printify account
- Head to My Stores > Add a new store > eBay
- Tick the box I have an eBay store if you own an eBay store account and proceed with the instructions provided.
- Lastly, confirm with eBay policies and hit Connect to link your eBay and Printify.
Step 4. List and optimize product listings
After setting up your own store with POD provider integration, it’s time to create product listings. You can add your design to the mockup provided by your eBay print-on-demand provider on the site. Once you’ve done this, you can easily submit them to the store, which most eBay print-on-demand providers allow.
While eBay Print on Demand offers a creative way to sell custom products, savvy sellers might also explore eBay arbitrage strategies to maximize profits by identifying undervalued items and reselling them at higher prices, combining both approaches to diversify their eBay business model.
Top eBay Print-on-Demand Providers
With a wide range of eBay POD providers, you might struggle to find the one for your business. So, take a quick look at our list of top print-on-demand providers that integrate with integration.
1. Printful
Printful is one of the top choices among eBay print on demand companies. With over 220 various products available, it offers a variety of printing methods like direct-to-garment, cut-and-sew, sublimation, and embroidery. Additionally, you have the option to personalize your products with custom tags and include stickers and inserts in the packaging.
Pros
- Support personalized branding, including custom packing slips, packaging inserts, labels, stickers, and branded packages.
- Powerful design maker with 3,000+ free clipart graphics, 250+ fonts, and 230+ colors and patterns.
- Warehousing & fulfillment all over the world.
- Provide creative services (graphic design, photography, video, and store setup).
- Accept Paypal, credit cards, and Printful Wallet.
Cons
- Might need up to 7 business days to finish printing products.
Pricing
- Products: $6.95/t-shirts, $20.75 hoodies, $7.50/mugs, $22.50/canvas, etc.
- Shipping costs: Starting from $3.99 to the US, $4.39 to the EU, and $8.99 to Asian countries.
- Subscription fees: Start dropshipping for free. However, you can upgrade to the $9/month Plus plan or $49/month for the Pro plan
2. Printify
Printify is another great choice for your eBay POD business. It offers access to a wide network of print-on-demand suppliers globally with over 700 products in many categories. This allows you to select the most suitable supplier in your country for quick and economical shipping. However, it’s important to note that shipping times and product quality may differ based on the supplier you choose.
Pros:
- Great customer service and merchant protection policy.
- Tailored solutions for students, established influencers, and creators.
- Free design library.
- Accept Paypal and credit cards.
Cons:
- Up to 7 business days of production times.
- No personalized labeling or packaging.
Pricing:
- Products: $8.67/t-shirts, $20.34/hoodies, $4.40/mugs, $9.19/canvas, etc
- Shipping Costs: From about $4.5 to the US and $6.9 to the rest of the world.
- Subscription Fees: Free or you can upgrade to the $24.99/month Premium plan to get up to 20% discounts on all products.
3. SPOD
SPOD top quickest print-on-demand providers, promising a swift two-day turnaround. It also features a convenient shipping calculator.
With SPOD, you have access to a wide range of printing options for eBay print on demand, including digital direct, laser transfer, special flex, and sublimation. You can leverage the service to sell over 200 products and even allow customers to personalize items with their own designs and images.
Pros:
- 48-hour order fulfillment
- Easy-to-use mockup tool
- 50,000 free designs
- Payment after getting the order, means more funds in your bank account and a healthier cash flow
Cons:
- No packaging customization
- Rapidly sold-out popular items
- Sometimes misprints or delays in production
Pricing:
- Products: $12.66/t-shirts, $20.69/hoodies, $8.11/mugs, $8.92/wall art, etc
- Shipping Costs: From about $4.5 to the US and $6.9 to the rest of the world.
- Subscription Fees: Free, or you can upgrade to the $24.99/month Premium plan to get up to 20% discounts on all products.
4. Merchize
Merchize is a cheap eBay print-on-demand service that stands out for its pre-built storefront solution, allowing you to effortlessly manage orders across multiple marketplaces like eBay, Amazon, Etsy, or Google Shopping and automatically sync, fulfill, and track shipments.
Pros:
- Global shipping within 4-20 days.
- SEO-optimized & fast pre-made storefronts with SSL certificates, powerful marketing tools, 2-day payouts, and customer support handling.
- 20% discounts for sample products.
- Pay with Paypal and Payoneer.
Cons:
- Might need 10 days to produce merchandise.
Pricing:
- Products: $5.49/t-shirts, $15.49/hoodies, 3.75/mugs, $7.49wall art, etc.
- Shipping Costs: From $5.4 to the US, $9.3 to the EU, and $14.3 to the rest of the world.
- Subscription Fees: $6.99/month-$229/month.
Best print-on-demand products to sell on eBay
Finding the best eBay print-on-demand products can take you some time. Hence, we’re here to help. Below is a carefully selected list of items that are popularly sold as POD goods on eBay. You can refer to them to get inspired.
You can find more top products to sell on eBay by checking our eBay business ideas to sell.
1. T-shirts and Hoodies
T-shirts and hoodies or sweatshirts have become essential items in many people’s wardrobes, serving as go-to casual wear. With the surge in remote work and the popularity of loungewear, the demand for comfortable clothing has skyrocketed.
An average profit margin can fall between 20% to 60% and most basic tees sold on eBay are priced ranging from $10-$20. Given you aim for a 60% profit margin on a t-shirt priced at $20, the base cost should ideally be around $8 (40% of $20). Similarly, if you target a 20% profit margin on a t-shirt priced at $10, the base cost should be around $2 (20% of $10). You can consider Printify or Merchize, which offers t-shirts with low base cost, around $5-$8, to ensure your product margin.
2. Tech accessories
Investing in new devices can be expensive and infrequent, but accessories provide a budget-friendly way to refresh your everyday gadgets. Why not tap into this tempting market by offering personalized protective gear and add-ons?
In the tech accessories niche, phone cases, laptop sleeves, mouse pads, and earphone cases are excellent choices for eBay POD sellers. These items offer great customization potential and would be ideal for eBay’s tech-savvy audience.
Let’s take phone cases as an example, the average price is around $10, and up to $15 if you offer customized options. Similarly, if you get phone cases at a cost of $7.00 and sell them at an average price of $10, your profit margin would be approximately 43%. You can earn higher if you offer customized options. And Merchize, again, is a great choice for cheap eBay print on demand phone cases. However, if you want to offer items made of diverse material, Printify or Printful is a better choice.
3. Wall art
Another sought-after option for eBay sales is personalized wall art products such as paper posters, canvas prints, and metal prints. eBay print-on-demand providers offer a variety of wall art options in different sizes, and you have the choice to include framing for paper or canvas prints.
If you are interested in selling canvas wall art, we will explain the profit margin you can earn a bit further. Most eBay print-on-demand wall art is offered at $6-$25, depending on size. The average price that POD providers offer Canvas is around $13 for all sizes. If you sell canvas wall art at a price of $20 with a cost price of around $13, you can potentially earn a profit margin of approximately 54%.
4. Drinkware
Customized drinkware remains a timeless favorite, offering a blend of practicality and personal style. These products are a perfect fit for eBay, where users often seek unique items for personal use or gifting. The platform’s diverse audience, from office workers to fitness enthusiasts, appreciates tailored offerings.
If you are selling the most basic drinkware, mug, here are some insights for you. The average price for an eBay POD mug is $10-$15. You can find cheap POD mugs provided starting from $3.75 (Merchize) or $4.99 (Printify). Let’s say you offer your items at $14.99 with a base cost of $4.99; you can earn a profit margin of around 200%.
5. Pet products
Many of us view our furry companions as more than just pets—they’re part of the family. This sentiment is reflected in the booming pet industry, expected to grow from $320 billion in 2023 to nearly $500 billion by 2030. Selling print on demand on eBay to pet enthusiasts presents a lucrative opportunity, particularly considering the emotional bond many people share with their pets.
Specifically, eBay stands out as an ideal platform for this niche due to its diverse user base, which includes a significant number of pet owners seeking unique products to spoil their pets. Additionally, many of these items are dropshipping products with substantial profit margins, offering potential profits of 60–70%.
eBay and Print on Demand: FAQs
Certainly! eBay allows sellers to offer print on demand products. Just ensure you can ship within the designated time frame you’ve chosen for shipping and delivery. eBay can be a good platform for print-on-demand businesses. It offers a large and diverse audience, including users actively seeking unique and customized products. Additionally, eBay’s robust marketplace infrastructure and global reach can provide ample opportunities for print-on-demand sellers to showcase their products and attract customers. Yes, eBay print-on-demand can be profitable. Sellers can profit if they offer unique designs, and competitive prices. Yet, in order to profit, you should prepare to leverage eBay’s large customer base, minimize production costs, and provide excellent customer service to encourage repeat purchases. Printify provides seamless integrations with major eCommerce platforms and marketplaces, including eBay. After designing your products, you can easily integrate them into your eBay store with pre-prepared product descriptions. In eBay and print on demand , sellers receive payment from customers upfront when they purchase products. The payment covers the production and shipping costs, which are deducted by the print-on-demand provider before fulfilling the order. Therefore, sellers need funds for product creation and shipping expenses.
eBay Print on Demand: A Round-up
Now, it is your job to start eBay print on demand business. Take an actionable step today and build from there. You can try various products, dedicate time to optimize your listings, and discover what resonates best for your store. We wish you the utmost success with print on demand on eBay and offer our support along the way. If you want to try different platforms for print-on-demand business, LitCommerce will be your top go-to choice for a tool of integration. Contact us anytime if you need more assistance. Also, don’t forget to check out our eCommerce blog for additional online business guides and ideas.
