How to Make Print-on-Demand Designs In 3 Easy Steps Without Design Skills

So, you’re just chilling, thinking about how you want to make some cool designs. But then it hits you, you have no design skills.

Don’t worry, I was in your shoes too. And guess what? I still managed to create designs that people loved. That’s where this guide comes in, I’m going to show you how to create killer designs without those master design skills.

So, whether you’re a complete newbie or you’re just looking to get better, stick around. I promise you’ll learn something new and useful.

Now let’s jump into how to make print-on-demand designs in 3 easy steps.

How to Make Print-on-Demand Designs: Step-By-Step

Alright, let’s get down to business. I’m going to guide you through the entire process of making print-on-demand designs. I’ll start from the very beginning, so even if you’re a total newbie, you’ll be able to follow along.

Sounds exciting, right? Let’s dive into choosing the right ideas!

Choosing the Right Idea

Choosing the right idea for your design is the first and one of the most crucial steps in the process. It’s like the foundation of a building—if it’s solid, everything you build on top of it will be strong.

So, let’s take a deep dive into how to choose the right design idea for your print-on-demand business.

Understanding Your Target Audience

The first thing you need to do is understand your target audience.

Who are they? What are their interests, hobbies, or passions? What kind of humor do they appreciate? What social or cultural references would they understand?

For example, if you’re targeting dog lovers, you might consider designs featuring funny or heartwarming quotes about dogs. Or if your audience is made up of gamers, designs referencing popular video games or gaming culture could be a hit.

Understanding your audience will not only help you come up with design and product ideas that resonate with them but also help you market your products effectively later on.

Keeping Up with Trends

Trends can be a goldmine for design ideas. These could be anything from popular memes and catchphrases to trending topics in pop culture, fashion, or current events.

For instance, if a particular TV show or movie is trending, you could create designs inspired by it. Or if there’s a meme that’s currently popular, you could put your own spin on it.

Just remember, trends come and go, so it’s important to keep your finger on the pulse and continually update your designs to stay relevant.

Drawing from Your Interests and Passions

Your own interests and passions can be a great source of design inspiration and ideas. After all, if you’re passionate about something, chances are there are others out there who share your passion.

For example, if you’re passionate about environmental conservation, you could create designs that promote this cause. Or if you’re a big fan of a certain music genre, you could create designs that other fans would appreciate.

Designing something you’re passionate about will not only make the process more enjoyable but also result in designs that are authentic and resonate with like-minded individuals.

Tools for Brainstorming

When it comes to brainstorming, there are plenty of tools and techniques that can help you generate and organize your ideas. Here are a few you might find helpful:

1. Mind Maps: Mind Maps are a visual tool that can help you explore different aspects of a central idea. For example, if your central idea is “dogs”, a mind map could help you explore different breeds, dog-related activities, popular dog names, etc.

2. Inspiration Boards: This is a collection of images, quotes, and other items that inspire you. You can create a physical board or use a digital tool like Pinterest. This can be particularly helpful when you’re trying to establish a certain aesthetic for your designs.

3. Note-Taking Apps: Apps like Evernote or Google Keep are perfect for jotting down ideas as they come to you. You never know when inspiration will strike, so it’s a good idea to have a place where you can easily record your ideas.

Remember, the goal of brainstorming is quantity over quality. Don’t judge your ideas at this stage—just let your creativity flow and see where it takes you!

Creating Your Design

Now that you’ve got a solid idea, it’s time to bring it to life. This is where your creativity really gets to shine.

But before I dive into the design process, let me reassure you: You don’t need to be a professional designer to create awesome print-on-demand designs.

With the right tools, a bit of patience, and a willingness to learn, anyone can do it. So, let’s break down the process:

Sketching Your Idea

Before you jump into your design software, it’s a good idea to sketch out your design on paper. This gives you a chance to play around with different layouts, fonts, and images without the constraints of a digital platform.

Your sketch doesn’t have to be perfect—it’s just a rough visual representation of your idea. Feel free to make as many sketches as you need until you’re happy with the concept. Remember, this is your design, so make it something you’re proud of!

Choosing Your Design Software

Once you’re happy with your sketch, it’s time to choose your design software. There are plenty of options out there, from free tools like Canva and GIMP to professional software like Adobe Illustrator.

If you’re just starting out, a free tool like Canva is a great option. It’s user-friendly and offers plenty of features that make design a breeze. You can choose from a wide range of free images, fonts, images, and templates, or you can upload your own elements.

But here’s a cool twist: Some companies, such as Printify and Printful, even allow you to create designs right on their sites. That means you don’t have to upload them separately, making the process even more streamlined.

On the other hand, if you’re ready to take your designs to the next level, you might want to consider investing in a professional tool like Adobe Illustrator. It’s more complex, but it offers a lot more flexibility and control over your designs. Plus, there are plenty of tutorials online to help you learn the ropes.

Creating Your Design

So, you know what to make and where you’re going to make it, but how do you do it? Let’s jump right into it.

Start by setting up your online canvas to the right size (your print-on-demand platform should provide guidelines for this). Then, using your sketch as a guide, start building your design.

Take your time with this step. Play around with different fonts, colors, and images until you’re happy with the result. Don’t be afraid to experiment and try different things. Remember, the undo button is your friend!

Also, keep in mind the principles of good design. Use contrast to make important elements stand out. Use repetition to create a sense of unity and consistency. Align elements to create a sense of order. And don’t forget about white space—it can help your design breathe.

And remember, you’re creating a brand so find your style and don’t be afraid to let it stand out. If people see something unique that they like, they’ll probably buy multiple or refer friends.

Saving Your Design

Once you’re happy with your design, it’s time to save it. Most print-on-demand platforms require you to save your design in a specific format, usually PNG or JPEG. They may also have specific requirements for resolution and size, so make sure to check their guidelines.

When saving your design, make sure to choose the highest quality settings. This will ensure your design looks crisp and clear when printed.

Design Software Examples

As I mentioned earlier, there are plenty of design software options out there. Here’s a bit more detail about the ones I mentioned + GIMP:

1. Canva: This is a completely free, web-based tool that’s great for beginners. It’s easy to use and offers a wide range of features. Plus, it has a library of templates, fonts, and images that you can use in your designs.

2. GIMP: This is a free, open-source image editor that’s a good alternative to Adobe. It’s a bit more complex than Canva, but it offers similar flexibility and control as Adobe, without the cost.

3. Adobe Illustrator: This is a professional vector graphics editor. It’s complex and has a steep learning curve, but it’s the industry standard for graphic design. If you’re serious about print-on-demand, it might be worth the investment.

Remember, the best tool for you depends on your needs and comfort level. Don’t be afraid to try different options and see what works best for you!

Selling Your Design

Congratulations! You’ve brainstormed an idea and brought it to life with your design. Now comes the thrilling part: selling your design! This is where you get to see your hard work pay off. But how exactly do you go about it? Let’s break it down:

Creating Your Product

Once you’ve got your designs, it’s time to create your product. This involves uploading your design and choosing the products you want to sell (like t-shirts, mugs, etc.).

When choosing products, think about what your target market would like. If you’re targeting coffee lovers, for example, mugs might be a good choice. If you’re targeting fitness enthusiasts, workout gear might be a better fit.

After you’ve got your products picked out and paired with your designs, you can create your listings and add them to your store.

Setting the Right Price

Pricing your products can be a bit tricky. You want to make a profit, but you also don’t want to scare off potential customers with high prices.

A good starting point is to look at what similar products are selling for on your chosen platform. This will give you an idea of what customers are willing to pay.

From there, consider your costs. This includes the base price of the product, any additional costs (like shipping or taxes), and your desired profit margin. Keep in mind that the customers don’t know the cost or care that you want to make X% profit, your prices need to make sense in the market.

Remember, pricing is something you can experiment with. Don’t be afraid to adjust your prices and see what works best.

Promoting Your Product

Now that your product is live, it’s time to get the word out. Unfortunately, even if your designs are perfect, no one will find them without a little marketing. There are plenty of ways to promote your products, from social media and emails to Google ads and search engine optimization (SEO).

Remember, promotion is an ongoing process. It’s not enough to just set up your shop and hope people will find it. You need to actively promote your products and engage with your audience.

Key Considerations For Making Print-on-Demand Designs

You’ve got the basics down, but your designs aren’t going to pop off overnight. Here are some key considerations that if you keep in mind, you can be sure you’re on the journey to success:

Quality Matters

First and foremost, the quality of your designs is crucial. This doesn’t just mean the aesthetic quality, but also the technical quality. Your designs need to be clear, crisp, and correctly sized for printing. A design that looks great on your computer screen might not look so good when printed on a t-shirt if the resolution isn’t high enough.

Know Your Audience

I touched on this before, but it’s worth repeating: knowing your audience is key. The more you understand about your target audience, the better you can tailor your designs and marketing efforts to their interests, needs, and behaviors.

Stay Current

Keeping up with trends and pop culture can give you a leg up in the print-on-demand business. This doesn’t mean you should jump on every trend that comes along, but being aware of what’s popular can help you come up with designs that resonate with people.

Be Patient

Success in the print-on-demand industry doesn’t happen overnight. It takes time to build up a portfolio of designs, attract customers, and start making sales. Don’t get discouraged if things start slow. Keep on creating designs, keep learning, and keep going!

Alternatives to Creating Your Own Print-on-Demand Designs

Creating your own designs for print-on-demand is a rewarding process, but it’s not the only route you can take. If you’re looking to get involved in the print-on-demand industry but don’t want to create your own designs, there are alternatives you might consider:

Hiring a Designer

If you have a clear vision for your designs but lack the skills or time to create them yourself, hiring a designer could be a good option.

Websites like Upwork, Fiverr, and 99designs can connect you with freelance designers who can bring your vision to life.

Purchasing Pre-Made Designs

There are many websites where you can purchase pre-made designs that are ready to be printed. Sites like Creative Market, Design Bundles, and Shutterstock offer a wide range of designs in various styles and themes.

Just make sure to check the license agreement to ensure you can use the design for print-on-demand products.

Collaborating with Artists

Another option is to collaborate with artists. This could involve partnering with an artist to create designs for your print-on-demand products or selling products featuring an artist’s existing work.

This can be a win-win situation, as the artist gets exposure and a share of the profits, and you get unique designs for your products. Just be sure you get permission to use the designs to avoid any legal issues.

Remember, hiring a designer or purchasing pre-made designs can save you time, but it also involves an upfront investment. Collaborating with artists can give you access to unique designs, but it also involves reaching out to many and managing partnerships.

How to Take It To The Next Level

Once you’ve mastered the basics and started seeing some success with your print-on-demand designs, you might start wondering how to take things to the next level.

Well, I see 2 ways you can move forward to take your business to the next level.

1. Focus on designing: This is for you if you want to keep costs low and build your brand a little slower.

Focusing on the design aspect of your business allows you to create a very personal brand that people can relate to. If you’re already making sales, reach out to your customers, see what they want to see, and give it to them. This is an easy way to create consistent and relevant designs that fit in with your brand.

If you have really consistent designs, you could build up a following and become a real brand, after all, that is what I want to do. People recommend what they love, and creating a stylish brand that people really relate with, will get you those recommendations.

2. Focus on marketing: This is for you if you want to reinvest that capital and really make things skyrocket.

Focusing on marketing allows you to expand your brand rapidly, but can be quite costly. While you’re focusing on marketing you can either completely halt the production of new designs, or outsource it. The problem here is you might miss some trends but you’ll be making up that loss in traffic with ads, SEO, and collabs.

If you’re doing a lot of really well-crafted marketing and your products are high quality, you are sure to grow rapidly. Keep in mind marketing isn’t an easy task though, it takes a lot of calculated risks and knowledge of your customer base.

How to Make Print-on-Demand Designs: Final Thoughts

Jumping into creating your own designs isn’t just a small task; it’s a part of POD that can make or break your business. When you on creating your own high-quality designs, you’re setting yourself up for success. Trust me, I’ve seen countless businesses fail because they thought they could create mediocre designs, this stuff really matters.

Understanding your target audience is key. You gotta know what they’re into so you can create designs they’ll actually wanna buy. And don’t think you can just set it and forget it—you need to keep up with trends in your niche to keep you ahead of the curve.

Customer feedback? Huge. This is where you can get input on your designs, quality, and what they want. It is also a great way to come up with new designs you may not have thought of. It’s always good to keep up with your customers wants.

Just remember, POD isn’t a get-rich-quick scheme and these designs aren’t going to carry your business to the moon overnight. You need to remember that things take time and you need to be persistent with the strategies I gave you.

So if you’re eager to let that creative side go, you’re already on the right path. It’s a solid move for those ready to roll up their sleeves and get to work. With these tips on creating designs, not only will your customers like them, but you will too.