title: "Best Print-on-Demand Tools Under $137 for Beginners (2025)"
date: 2025-01-15
excerpt: "Discover the best print-on-demand tools under $137 for beginners in 2025, offering affordable options for launching your side hustle. Maximize your creativity and profits with our expert insights."
tags: ["side-hustles"]
image: ""

Best Print-on-Demand Tools Under $137 for Beginners (2025)

Starting a print-on-demand (POD) business can be an exciting venture, especially for those looking to turn their creativity into a side hustle. With the right tools at your disposal, you can easily design and sell custom products without the need for inventory or upfront costs. In this guide, we will explore the best print-on-demand tools available for beginners in 2025, all priced under $137.

Overview

Print-on-demand is a fulfillment model that allows you to sell your custom designs on various products, such as t-shirts, mugs, and phone cases, without holding any inventory. This method is particularly advantageous for beginners as it minimizes financial risk while providing the flexibility to scale your business. In this guide, we have curated a selection of the best print-on-demand tools that are user-friendly, effective, and budget-friendly, making them perfect for novice entrepreneurs.

Top Picks

Here are our top picks for print-on-demand tools under $137:

In-Depth Reviews

1. Printful

Best For: Diverse Product Range
Price: $0 (Pay per order)

Printful offers a wide variety of products, from apparel to home decor. This platform integrates seamlessly with popular e-commerce sites like Shopify, Etsy, and WooCommerce, making it a favorite among beginners. You can design your products directly on the website and fulfill orders without any upfront costs.

Pros:

• High-quality printing and materials
• Wide product selection
• Excellent customer support

Cons:

• Shipping costs can vary
• Limited control over branding on packaging

2. Teespring

Best For: T-Shirt Design
Price: $0 (Pay per order)

Teespring is a straightforward platform that allows users to create and sell custom apparel, particularly t-shirts. The built-in design tools are user-friendly, making it easy for beginners to bring their ideas to life. Teespring handles production and shipping, allowing you to focus on marketing your designs.

Pros:

• No upfront costs
• Simple design process
• Built-in marketing tools

Cons:

• Limited product range compared to other platforms
• Fees on sales can affect profit margins

3. Canva Pro

Best For: Graphic Design
Price: $12.99/month

Canva Pro is an excellent design tool for creating striking visuals for your print-on-demand products. With thousands of templates, stock images, and editing features, it allows you to easily create professional-grade designs. While the monthly fee is just under our budget, the value it provides in design capabilities makes it a worthy investment.

Pros:

• Extensive library of templates and elements
• User-friendly interface
• Collaboration features for teams

Cons:

• Limited features in the free version
• Monthly subscription can add up

4. Redbubble

Best For: Art & Illustration
Price: $0 (Pay per order)

Redbubble is a marketplace where artists can upload their designs and create a variety of products. This platform is ideal for illustrators and graphic designers looking for a way to showcase their work to a broader audience. Redbubble takes care of manufacturing and shipping, allowing artists to earn royalties on sales.

Pros:

• Large, built-in customer base
• Variety of products available
• Artist-friendly royalty structure

Cons:

• Less control over product quality
• Limited marketing tools for sellers

5. GIMP

Best For: Advanced Editing
Price: $0

GIMP is a free and open-source image editing software that offers powerful tools for creating and editing designs. Ideal for users with some experience in graphic design, GIMP can handle everything from photo retouching to creating complex illustrations.

Pros:

• Comprehensive editing capabilities
• Free to use
• Active community for support

Cons:

• Steeper learning curve for beginners
• Interface can be overwhelming

6. Placeit

Best For: Mockup Generation
Price: $14.95/month

Placeit is a user-friendly tool for creating product mockups, which is essential for marketing your print-on-demand products. With thousands of templates and a straightforward interface, you can create professional-looking mockups in minutes.

Pros:

• Large library of mockup templates
• Easy to use
• No design skills required

Cons:

• Subscription cost may be a barrier for some
• Limited customization options for mockups

7. Zazzle

Best For: Custom Products
Price: $0 (Pay per order)

Zazzle allows users to create and sell custom products ranging from clothing to home goods. The platform provides a unique opportunity for creators to set their own prices and earn royalties on every sale. It also features a robust marketplace with built-in traffic.

Pros:

• Wide product selection
• Flexible pricing model
• Large marketplace

Cons:

• Competition can be high
• Zazzle takes a percentage of sales

8. Inkscape

Best For: Vector Graphics
Price: $0

Inkscape is a free vector graphic editor that is perfect for creating scalable designs for print-on-demand products. With a range of advanced features, it’s suitable for users looking to create professional-quality graphics.

Pros:

• Free and open-source
• Powerful vector editing tools
• Active user community

Cons:

• Learning curve may be steep for beginners
• Limited support compared to paid tools

How We Picked

In selecting the best print-on-demand tools for beginners, we evaluated several key factors:

• User-Friendliness: We prioritized tools that are easy to use and have intuitive interfaces, making them suitable for beginners.
• Features: We looked for tools that offer essential features such as design capabilities, product variety, and integration with e-commerce platforms.
• Cost: All tools listed are under $137, ensuring affordability for new entrepreneurs.
• Customer Support: We considered the availability and quality of customer support, which is crucial for beginners who may need assistance.
• Community and Resources: Tools with active user communities and ample resources (tutorials, forums) were favored.

Alternatives

If the top picks do not meet your needs, consider these additional options:

• Society6: Focused on artists, Society6 offers a range of home decor products. It’s free to start, but the artist’s margin is lower.
• Printify: Similar to Printful, Printify offers a wide selection of products and integrations but has a more complex pricing structure.
• TeePublic: Mainly focused on apparel, TeePublic allows artists to upload their designs with no upfront costs, but the product range is limited.

FAQs

1. What is print-on-demand?

Print-on-demand is a business model that allows you to sell custom designs on various products without holding inventory. Products are printed and shipped only when an order is placed.

2. Do I need design skills to start a print-on-demand business?

While having design skills can be helpful, many print-on-demand tools offer user-friendly interfaces, templates, and resources that allow beginners to create appealing designs.

3. Are there any upfront costs with print-on-demand?

Most print-on-demand platforms do not require upfront costs. You pay for products only after you make sales, making it a low-risk option for new entrepreneurs.

4. How much can I earn from a print-on-demand business?

Earnings vary based on product pricing, sales volume, and marketing efforts. It's possible to earn a decent income, especially if you effectively promote your designs.

5. Which platform is best for t-shirt sales?

Platforms like Teespring, Printful, and Redbubble are popular for t-shirt sales, each offering unique features that cater to different needs and audiences.

6. Can I use multiple print-on-demand services?

Yes, many entrepreneurs use multiple print-on-demand services to diversify their product offerings and reach different markets.

Final Verdict

Choosing the right print-on-demand tool can significantly impact your success as a beginner in the e-commerce space. Our top picks, including Printful, Teespring, and Canva Pro, offer a mix of affordability, features, and ease of use that make them ideal for those just starting out. By leveraging these tools, you can effectively turn your creative ideas into profitable products and embark on your journey as an online entrepreneur. Whether you’re focused on apparel, accessories, or home decor, the right print-on-demand service is out there for you. Happy selling!