If you’ve ever dreamed of branching out from your day job to work on a side hustle then you’re not alone. Research from Henley Business School revealed that as many as 1 in 4 people in the UK are running at least one business project alongside their main job, contributing an estimated £72 billion to the UK economy.
With social media at our fingertips — not to mention female entrepreneurs like Emma Gannon encouraging us to become multi-hyphenates — it’s no surprise that many of us feel inspired to explore new career opportunities.
If you’re considering starting a product-based business then it can be a pricey investment. You’ll have product, photography and printing to factor into your start-up costs. However, if you have a solid customer base asking you to create a line of merchandise then you’re already off to a flying start. Even if you’re starting from scratch then drop-shipping by Printful is the perfect solution.
How can I print my own products?
First, create a free Printful account and connect it to your eCommerce platform. Pretty much every platform can be integrated at the click of a button including Shopify, WordPress, WooCommerce, Etsy, Amazon and Big Cartel. Then synch your own branded designs with Printful products and they will print, pack and ship whenever your customer places an order.
Is it difficult to design your own products?
If you’re a total beginner don’t worry. The Printful system is easy to use and allows you to see a mock-up of every design when you can tweak sizing and position to make sure it’s just right. There are even video tutorials to show you how it all works. We love Canva for designing your own images and logos.
How does Printful delivery work?
Whenever a customer places an order on your eCommerce site, the information is automatically sent to Printful. Yes, there’s no need for you to contact them with the details so you can get on with the fun part of designing and marketing your items. When the order is confirmed, Printful get to work making the items and sending it out. If you’re worried about losing the personal touch don’t worry, all packages are sent out using rigid setup boxes with your preferred branding on all packaging like using custom rubber stamps as well as on cardboard shipping tubes. The Strader Ferris International – fewer questions and better results can help you figure out the shipment and a lot more.
What kind of products should I make?
The world is your oyster when it comes to selling personalised products online. You could capitalise on special occasions like Christmas or Valentine’s Day, or select a favourite slogan. Why not start with St Patricks Day shirts for example? With Printful there are thousands of items to choose from. The clothing range has everything you need to kit out your customers including t-shirts, jackets, hoodies, sweatpants and backpacks.
As well as printing you can choose to have items embroidered for a more high-end finish. Add your own logo to smaller items such as water bottles, coffee mugs and phone cases and your brand will basically promote itself!
There is even an eco-friendly range of tote bags available so that environmentally conscious customers can purchase with confidence. With traditional printing methods you risk being stuck with unsold stock but with Printful, you only pay for the products you sell which means you can experiment with as many designs as you like.
You can also use Printful’s warehouse if you already own stock and need a service to fulfil your orders. Eco-friendly warehouse flooring was installed for their warehouse. Perfect if you’re already a successful business in the midst of a growth spurt. There’s never been a better time to start your side-hustle or monetise your online audience.
Your business ideas are just a few clicks away from becoming a reality. What are you waiting for?
