How COVID saw the price of the side hustle with print-on-demand

However hard the COVID-19 pandemic has been for entrepreneurs, there was one industry that not only became somewhat immune to the pandemic but also grew at an amazingly impressive pace: Print-on-demand. What used to be a side hustle for entrepreneurs turned out to be their primary source of income during and after the pandemic.

2020 has been a challenging year for all industries with traditional retail sales experiencing a sharp decline and online shopping gaining momentum. During the pandemic, cost control became more important than increasing sales. Businesses became more inclined to enter the less risky territory. That’s when the COVID-19 pandemic saw the price of the side hustle with print-on-demand. The incredible growth that the print-on-demand industry has witnessed is not merely because customers shifted to online shopping but also because it’s a considerably less risky business to do.

The global printing industry experienced a heavy strain during the lockdown days. According to research conducted by Smithers, the total value of the global printing industry fell to $743.4 billion from $814.7 billion primarily due to the risk of failure faced by businesses because of the restrictions. However, agility saved the day for businesses that were quick to adapt to the changing circumstance and market demands. Flexible businesses survived the pandemic by shifting completely to the online market.

Personalization has become a new trend in the printing industry and solopreneurs, particularly digital artists, are counting on this trend to make a living. Gone are the days when print-on-demand was pursued only as a side hustle. We have entered a time when POD has the highest potential for product range expansion and growth. To order amazing customized products, visit OGO.

People who were already doing print-on-demand adjusted their business trajectory to adapt to the market conditions engendered by the pandemic. However, people who started their e-commerce journey during the pandemic saw print-on-demand as a less risky and lucrative option. Though the profitability depends on many factors in the print-on-demand businesses, it proved to be a considerably safe territory to be in as it didn’t include any giant risks.

Besides consumer’s demand for customization, low overhead costs, good margin potential, and low investments, the industry also grew due to the massive influx of solopreneurs who entered the industry to make a living by selling their art. In recent years, the way print-on-demand works has changed significantly. The industry used to rely on screen printing and therefore used to require a minimum volume for printing. However, with the introduction of digital printing into the market, the printing process has become very quick and inexpensive. Moreover, the range of products that print-on-demand businesses offer now has increased considerably from the past. The print-on-demand product that is most trendy right now is a customized mask.