Best Print-on-Demand Tools Under $56 for Beginners (2025)

Overview

In today's digital age, starting a side hustle has never been more accessible. Print-on-demand (POD) services allow budding entrepreneurs to sell custom-designed products without the need for inventory or upfront costs. With numerous platforms and tools available, selecting the right print-on-demand tools can be overwhelming, especially for beginners.

This guide will explore the best print-on-demand tools under $56 that cater to beginners looking to launch their own POD business in 2025. We'll provide in-depth reviews, expert insights, and a comparison table to help you make an informed decision.

Top Picks

Here’s a quick comparison of the top print-on-demand tools for beginners, each priced under $56:

In-Depth Reviews

1. Printful

Price: $0

Best For: Versatile product range

Overview

Printful is a leading print-on-demand service that offers a wide array of products including clothing, accessories, and home goods. Its seamless integration with popular e-commerce platforms like Shopify and WooCommerce makes it an excellent choice for beginners.

Key Features

• No Minimum Orders: You can sell one item at a time without worrying about inventory.
• Global Shipping: Printful ships products worldwide, broadening your customer base.
• Mockup Generator: Easily create product mockups for your store.

Pros

• Extensive product catalog
• Excellent customer service
• User-friendly interface

Cons

• Shipping costs can be high for international orders

2. Canva Pro

Price: $12.99/month

Best For: Designing graphics

Overview

Canva Pro offers powerful design tools that are perfect for creating custom graphics for print-on-demand products. Its intuitive interface allows beginners to produce professional-quality designs with ease.

Key Features

• Templates: Thousands of customizable templates for various product types.
• Collaboration Tools: Work with team members on designs in real-time.
• Brand Kit: Store your brand colors, logos, and fonts for easy access.

Pros

• User-friendly design platform
• Extensive library of assets
• Affordable subscription model

Cons

• Limited exporting options on the free plan

3. TeeSpring

Price: $0

Best For: T-shirt and apparel

Overview

TeeSpring, now known as Spring, specializes in custom apparel and merchandise. It's an excellent platform for beginners who want to focus on clothing without upfront costs.

Key Features

• No Upfront Costs: Create and sell products without financial risk.
• User-Friendly Design Interface: Simple tools to create designs directly on the platform.
• Marketing Tools: Built-in tools to promote and sell your products.

Pros

• Easy to set up and use
• No inventory management required
• Strong community support

Cons

• Limited product range compared to other platforms

4. GIMP

Price: $0

Best For: Graphic design

Overview

GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) is a free, open-source graphics editor that provides advanced editing capabilities for creating custom designs.

Key Features

• Robust Editing Tools: Advanced features comparable to Adobe Photoshop.
• Customizable Interface: Tailor the workspace to your liking.
• Extensive Community Resources: Tutorials and forums for support.

Pros

• No cost for full functionality
• Highly customizable
• Powerful capabilities for experienced users

Cons

• Steeper learning curve for beginners

5. Airtable

Price: Free tier available

Best For: Project management

Overview

Airtable is a flexible database tool that can streamline the management of your print-on-demand projects. It helps keep track of designs, orders, and customer information.

Key Features

• Customizable Tables: Create tables for various aspects of your business.
• Collaboration Features: Share your database with team members.
• Integration Options: Connect with other apps and services.

Pros

• Easy to organize and manage projects
• User-friendly interface
• Free tier available for beginners

Cons

• Advanced features require a paid plan

6. Etsy

Price: $0.20 listing fee

Best For: Selling handmade goods

Overview

Etsy is a popular marketplace for handmade and unique items, making it an excellent platform for selling custom print-on-demand products.

Key Features

• Large Audience: Millions of buyers looking for unique goods.
• User-Friendly Setup: Easy to create a shop and list products.
• Built-In Marketing Tools: Promote your listings through Etsy Ads.

Pros

• Established platform with a large user base
• Simple to set up a store
• Strong community of sellers

Cons

• Listing fees can add up for multiple products

7. Shopify

Price: $29/month

Best For: E-commerce platform

Overview

Shopify is a comprehensive e-commerce platform that allows you to create your own online store, making it easy to sell print-on-demand products.

Key Features

• Customizable Themes: Choose from a variety of store designs.
• Integrated Payment Processing: Accept payments easily.
• App Marketplace: Extend functionality with various apps, including POD services.

Pros

• Extensive features for e-commerce
• Good customer support
• Scalability for growing businesses

Cons

• Monthly fees can be high for beginners

8. Placeit

Price: $14.95/month

Best For: Mockup designs

Overview

Placeit is an online tool that allows users to create professional mockups for their products easily. It's perfect for marketing your print-on-demand items.

Key Features

• Instant Mockups: Choose from thousands of templates to showcase your designs.
• Video Mockups: Create engaging video content for promotions.
• User-Friendly Interface: Simple drag-and-drop features.

Pros

• Quick and easy mockup generation
• Wide range of templates
• Affordable pricing

Cons

• Limited advanced design features

How We Picked

Our selection of the best print-on-demand tools under $56 for beginners was based on several criteria:

1. User-Friendliness: The tools must have an intuitive interface suitable for beginners.
2. Cost Effectiveness: Each tool should be priced under $56, with clear value for money.
3. Key Features: We evaluated the essential features that enhance the POD process for new entrepreneurs.
4. Customer Feedback: User reviews and ratings were considered to gauge overall satisfaction and reliability.
5. Integration Capabilities: Tools that integrate well with e-commerce platforms and other essential services were prioritized.

Alternatives

While the tools listed above are some of the best for beginners, several alternatives exist that may fit your specific needs better:

• Redbubble: A POD platform allowing artists to sell their designs on a variety of products.
• Zazzle: Offers customizable products and a large marketplace for sellers.
• Society6: Focuses on art prints and home decor, ideal for artists looking to sell artwork.

FAQs

1. What is print-on-demand?

Print-on-demand is a retail fulfillment method where products are printed only after an order is placed, allowing for customized designs without inventory costs.

2. Do I need to have design skills to start a POD business?

While design skills are beneficial, many platforms offer templates and tools that make it easy for beginners to create professional-looking designs.

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

Some platforms may have listing fees, transaction fees, or shipping costs that you should consider when pricing your products.

4. How do I market my print-on-demand products?

Use social media, email marketing, and SEO strategies to promote your products. Collaborating with influencers can also help increase visibility.

5. Can I sell print-on-demand products on multiple platforms?

Yes, many POD services allow you to integrate with multiple e-commerce platforms simultaneously, maximizing your reach.

6. What should I consider when choosing a POD tool?

Consider your budget, the types of products you want to sell, the ease of use, and how well the tool integrates with other services you plan to use.

Final Verdict

Embarking on a print-on-demand journey can be an exciting and profitable venture for beginners interested in side hustles. With a variety of tools available under $56, you have the flexibility to choose options that best suit your needs and expertise.

From versatile platforms like Printful to user-friendly design tools like Canva Pro, each tool offers unique features that can help you create and sell custom products effectively. By leveraging these resources, you can kickstart your print-on-demand business and turn your creative ideas into reality.