July 24, 2023
What is Print on Demand and How Does It Benefit Businesses?
Time is of the essence, and people see instant gratification’s importance in more ways than one. The same could be said about the printing industry. Print-on-demand (POD) emerged as a transformative force in the printing industry, revolutionizing how businesses approach their printing needs.
With POD, you can print only the quantities required, eliminating excess inventory and minimizing waste. This approach empowers businesses with cost reduction, efficiency gains, customization, and rapid turnaround times in their printing processes.
The global print-on-demand market reached $4.9 billion in 2021, with a projected CAGR of 26.1% from 2022 to 2030. As advanced digital printing technologies continue to evolve and the demand for more efficient and cost-effective solutions grows, POD has quickly gained prominence.
Discover the incredible value of print-on-demand for your business and join this growing trend.
What is Print on Demand (POD)?
Print-on-demand (POD) is a dynamic printing method that enables businesses to produce customized materials on an “as-needed” basis. It eliminates the need for a large upfront inventory and allows for cost savings, reduced waste, and greater flexibility in meeting customer demands.
With POD, you can print items such as brochures, flyers, and t-shirts right as you receive orders.
Different types of POD exist to cater to varying needs and preferences. Other printing types include:
- Commercial printing
- Direct mail printing
- Labels and packaging printing
- Direct-to-garment (DTG) printing
- Print-on-demand books
- Promotional items
Applications of POD in businesses include:
- In the packaging industry
- Personalized apparel
- On-demand book printing for self-publishing or niche titles
- Production of promotional items
POD also finds use in e-commerce, enabling online stores to offer a wide range of customizable products without inventory and dropshipping models.
5 Benefits of Print on Demand
POD provides more than just fast printing. Here are some of the notable benefits of POD to your business.
1. Low entry point for businesses
POD is a cost-effective option for businesses to enter and expand in the printing industry. With reduced upfront costs, no minimum order requirements, and affordability, it eliminates financial barriers and enables companies to benefit from printing services.
2. Customizable products
You can tailor materials to meet specific customer preferences, allowing for personalized and targeted offerings that resonate with your audience, ultimately enhancing customer satisfaction and engagement.
3. Easy to use and set up
POD can give you a seamless transition through user-friendly platforms and streamlined procedures. This printing method simplifies printing processes, reducing setup complexity and ensuring that your printing requirements are effectively met. Further, this allows for lesser setup costs.
4. Scalable
You can easily adjust your printing operations to meet changing demands, scaling up or down as needed. This flexibility allows you to optimize resource allocation, avoid excessive inventory, and adapt to market fluctuations, resulting in efficient and cost-effective operations.
5. Rapid turnaround times
Thanks to effective on-demand production and digital printing procedures, you can instantly provide greater order versatility. Guaranteeing prompt completion and delivery enables you to fulfill strict deadlines, react quickly to client demands, and increase customer satisfaction.
5 Steps on How POD Works
Understanding the process behind POD will provide valuable insights into how you can leverage this method to optimize your printing operations and cater to the unique needs of your business. In this section, explore the step-by-step process of how POD works, unraveling its efficient and flexible printing solution.
1. Set up an online store
An online store is a foundation for your POD business, attracting customers, showcasing your products, and facilitating order acceptance. Utilizing an online store can streamline interactions with customers and POD providers, creating a seamless process.
2. Choose a POD supplier
Selecting a reliable POD supplier is crucial for a smooth POD workflow. Research and partner with a reputable supplier that offers the services and product options you require. They will handle the printing, packaging, and shipping processes on your behalf.
3. List the products you wish to sell online
Once you set up your online store and have chosen a POD supplier, it’s time to list the products you want to sell. Create detailed product descriptions, upload high-quality images, and set competitive prices to attract customers.
4. Receive orders and transmit them to the POD supplier
You’ll receive a notification once your customers finish placing their orders. Forward these orders to your POD supplier, including all relevant details such as product specifications, quantities, and shipping addresses.
5. Monitor and track order fulfillment
Efficiently track the status of each order by utilizing your online store's dashboard or the integration with your POD supplier. It allows you to monitor how the fulfillment process is progressing closely.
Supercharge Your Business with POD
POD offers various benefits, including reduced inventory costs, low entry barriers, product customization, easy setup, scalability, and rapid turnaround times. By leveraging POD, you can optimize your printing operations, adapt to market demands, and provide personalized offerings to your customers.
While the benefits of POD in the printing industry are significant, it's crucial not to overlook the importance of corrugated packaging. This type of packaging plays a vital role in protecting printed materials during shipping and storage, ensuring their quality and enhancing brand reputation.
Improve the protection and presentation of your materials by pairing them with durable packaging, giving your customers the best service from order to delivery. Revolutionize your business’s printing capabilities with Intermedia Print Solutions’ printing products. Unlock new possibilities for your printing needs today!
