AI for Print-on-Demand: 6 Genius Ways to Use it

So, you’re sitting there scrolling through your feed, seeing all these rad print-on-demand products and thinking, “Man, I wish I could do that, but with a twist of AI magic!” Guess what? You totally can, and it’s not some sci-fi dream—it’s today’s reality!

AI is like the secret sauce that takes your print-on-demand business from “meh” to “mind-blowing.” I’m talking about game-changing stuff here—next-level designs, customer service that never sleeps, and marketing that’s like a magnet for your target audience.

I’m gonna break it all down for you, from the nitty-gritty of how AI is shaking up the print-on-demand world to all the ways you can use AI to make your business the next big thing. And trust me, it’s not rocket science; it’s just smart business.

So grab your coffee, put your thinking cap on, and let’s dive into the 6 ways to use AI for print-on-demand. By the end, you’ll be itching to get started.

The Rise of AI in Print-on-Demand

Look, it’s 2023, and if you’re not buddying up with AI, you’re basically setting yourself up to be the last kid picked in gym class. For your print-on-demand biz, AI isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s a must-have.

Art generators are leveling up every day, and you need a ton of fresh designs to stay ahead of the game. But let’s not forget, there’s more to this gig than just slapping some art on a tee. You’ve got product ideas to come up with, snappy descriptions to write, and marketing campaigns to launch.

You’re already using plenty of tools in your POD business, so don’t sleep on their AI alternatives. You bet your competitors are already setting their alarms.

The Competitive Edge

Here’s the good news: you can still be the cool kid on the block. A lot of businesses are still fumbling around with AI like it’s a Rubik’s Cube. If you get the hang of it fast, you can totally steal the spotlight.

Big companies are like cruise ships; they take forever to change direction. But you? You’re a speedboat. You can adopt new AI tools in no time and start cruising.

When you blend these AI tools into your workflow, you’ll be running your biz like you’ve got a team of pros, even if it’s just you in your PJs.

How Can You AI for Print-on-Demand

There it is, the BIG question. Well, I won’t make you wait any longer, let’s take a look at all the ways you can use AI in your POD business.

I know that’s a lot of ways to incorporate AI into your POD business. At this point, the AI might as well start its own store huh? Well not yet at least.

So let’s jump in and take a look at how AI boosts each of these areas of your business, and my favorite tools to do each.

Design Generation

Creating your own designs takes a while, and if you outsource it, well, I’m sure you know how costly it can be. That’s where these AI art generators come to the rescue.

Tools like Midjourney or Dall-E can make stunning designs for all of your print-on-demand products based on a prompt you give it. I personally really like to use these tools in combo with ChatGPT.

Using ChatGPT, you can ask it to describe an image for a specific design you had in mind. It’s great at explaining things in detail that AI can understand.

Here’s an example of me taking an idea in ChatGPT and the image it created in Midjourney.

In this example, I typed this prompt into ChatGPT:

“I am using Midjourney AI art generator to create print-on-demand designs. Can you take my idea and turn it into a single-lined prompt that has a detailed design description that an AI would understand? I want this design to be a cat riding a surfboard with a pair of sunglasses on, in a cartoonish style”

In response, it provided me with a more detailed prompt I can plug into Midjourney. I then plugged that into Midjourney and it gave me these cool designs:

How long would it have taken you to make? Even if you’re a skilled designer, I’m sure it wouldn’t be too fast.
How long did it take MidJourney? About 20 seconds.

Crop it out to your liking in your preferred tool, and boom. New print designs, just like that.

Idea Generation

Similar to creating designs, not only can coming up with new ideas take a while, but it can be hard sometimes. This is where I like to use AI chatbots.

You can talk to chatbots such as ChatGPT or Google Bard like you’re their friend. Explain to them your store, niche, or just about some designs, and ask them for more ideas. Trust me these bots can generate hundreds of ideas in just seconds.

And if you thought you’ve explored every corner of your niche or made every variation. You definitely haven’t.

Here’s exactly how I use ChatGPT for idea generation:

And that is just a fraction of what it can do. Did you like one more than the rest? Ask it to make more like that. Plus if you change the prompt just a little bit, it’ll give you completely different ideas.

Customer Support

You know that little helper that pops up when you’re shopping online? Yeah, that’s usually AI, not some dude sitting in an office.

So, why should you care? Well, when people land on your online store, they’ve got questions. Could be about your products, returns, or just what your brand’s all about. Chatbots are like your 24/7 customer service and sales squad rolled into one.

Now, there are a ton of chatbots out there, but let me spill the tea: Chatfuel is where it’s at. Why? Because it’s the ultimate AI wingman for anyone juggling customer support across different platforms. It syncs up with pretty much all your social accounts and your site. Plus, it takes care of 98% of customer questions.

If you’re looking for a budget-friendly way to level up your customer service game, AI chatbots have your back. Who needs an entire staff when you could have one bot to do it all (at a fraction of the price)?

Product Titles and Descriptions

So you’ve got your online store up and running, but let’s face it, writing product descriptions and titles can be a real drag. It’s not just about listing specs; you’ve gotta make that stuff sing! That’s where these AI pals come in.

Whether you’re tweaking an existing description or crafting a new one, just feed the details to either ChatGPT or Bard and watch them turn it into gold. No more staring at a blank screen or settling for “good enough.”

And if something doesn’t quite hit the mark? Just tell the bot to give it another go. It’s like having an on-demand copywriter who’s always up for a revision.

Now, about those titles. You know as well as I do that a killer title can make or break a sale. These bots are your go-to for cranking out titles that not only grab attention but hold it. Just toss in some keywords or ideas, and you’ll get a list of options that’ll make your products the stars of the show.

Pricing Strategies

AI isn’t just good for making your products sound awesome; it’s a game-changer for pricing strategies too.

AI can analyze a mountain of data in seconds—stuff like market trends, competitor pricing, and even customer behavior. It takes the guesswork (or hours of research) out of pricing and replaces it with cold, hard facts. No more shooting in the dark or relying on gut feelings.

Let’s look at RepricerExpress for example. This bad boy is like your pricing watchdog. It’s constantly sniffing around the market and auto-adjusts your prices to keep you competitive. Imagine not having to manually check and update prices all day. Yeah, it’s that good.

AI pricing tools like these aren’t just nice-to-haves; they’re must-haves for anyone serious about nailing their pricing strategy. They give you the kind of insights and automation that used to be the domain of big corporations with deep pockets.

If you’re still setting prices the old-fashioned way, it’s time to step into the future. Trust me, your profit margins will thank you.

Marketing and Ads

The sexy side of e-commerce: marketing and ads. Yeah, I said sexy, ’cause nothing’s hotter than seeing those sales numbers go up, am I right? You can’t be running any business in 2023 without a good marketing strategy.

Enter the world of AI-powered marketing. I’m talking next-level targeting, personalization, and automation that’ll make your campaigns sizzle. Let’s take a look at my favorite AI marketing tool, Klaviyo.

Let’s chat about Klaviyo. This isn’t just another email marketing platform; it’s like your personal email whisperer. Klaviyo uses AI to slice and dice your email list into super-targeted segments. So, instead of blasting the same “Buy Now!” email to everyone, you’re sending personalized messages that actually resonate. It’s like having a one-on-one convo with each customer but without the carpal tunnel from typing (I think I’m getting there with this article).

So, if you’re still running your marketing like it’s 2010, it’s time for an upgrade. Get with the AI program and watch your ROI go through the roof. Trust me, your sales chart will start looking like a hockey stick, and who doesn’t love that?

Essential AI Tools

We’ve covered a lot of ground, from designing to marketing and all the jazz in between. But listen up, ’cause this next part is crucial.

If you zone out on everything else, at least pay attention to this: there are two AI tools you absolutely, positively can’t afford to ignore. Seriously, if you’re not using these, you’re basically driving a horse and buggy in a Formula 1 race.

ChatGPT

This isn’t just a chatbot; it’s your virtual Swiss Army knife for copywriting and ideas. Need killer product descriptions? Check. Want to automate customer service without sounding like a robot? Double-check. How about generating catchy email subject lines that actually get clicked? Triple-check.

ChatGPT can do it all, and then some. It’s like having an extra team member who never sleeps, never complains, and—best of all—doesn’t raid the office fridge.

MidJourney

In today’s fast-paced, ever-changing landscape, you can’t be manually creating designs. MidJourney AI art generator is like your personal Picasso but without the weird ear thing. Creating killer designs that look like they came from a pro artist in seconds. Even if it isn’t MidJourney, get on the AI art train, your competitors certainly are.

So here’s the deal: these aren’t just “nice-to-have” tools; they’re “must-haves.” If you’re not leveraging the power of ChatGPT and Midjourney, you’re not just missing out—you’re falling behind. And trust me, catching up is a lot harder than keeping pace.

Bottom line? Get on the ChatGPT and Midjourney train, like, yesterday. Your future self will thank you, and so will your bottom line. Don’t get left in the dust; make these tools a non-negotiable part of your workflow.

The Future of AI in Print-on-Demand

I’ve been yapping about how AI is the now, but let’s talk about how it’s also the future—especially in the print-on-demand game. If you’re not already on this train (how many times have I said train now?), you better hop on, ’cause it’s leaving the station, and you don’t wanna be left on the platform.

AI is gonna make everything faster and smarter. Imagine a world where your designs are not just cool but mind-blowingly awesome, and they’re churned out in seconds. Or a customer service that’s so on point, it knows what you want before you do. That’s not sci-fi; that’s the near future, my friend.

The Risks Of Using AI

But hold up, it’s not all rainbows and unicorns. Let’s talk risks. Relying too much on AI can make you lazy. Yeah, I said it. If you let the bots do all the work, you might forget how to handle things yourself.

Plus, AI can mess up. It’s rare, but it happens. You don’t want to list a design that’s, well, less than perfect, right?

And let’s not forget, AI learns from data. If that data’s biased or flawed, your AI’s gonna inherit those bad habits. So, keep an eye out and always double-check. A little human touch never hurt anyone.

Using AI for Print-on-Demand: Final Thoughts

I’ve been through the nitty-gritty, and if you’re still on the fence about AI, let me lay it out for you: You can’t afford to ignore it. Seriously, it’s like ignoring the invention of the wheel while everyone else is cruising past you. Don’t be that guy.

AI’s gonna make your life easier, your designs snazzier, and your customers happier. It’s a triple win! But remember, it’s not a set-it-and-forget-it deal. Keep your hands on the wheel and your eyes on the road.

So, what are you waiting for? Don’t just sit there like a bump on a log. Dive into the AI pool and start splashing around. Check out our top picks like ChatGPT for your content and customer service, and Midjourney for those killer designs. Trust me, future you will high-five present you for making the move.