Print-on-demand (POD) lets you sell T-shirts, mugs, stickers and posters without holding stock. You upload a design; the platform prints and ships when someone orders. The only thing you need to produce is great artwork in the right format — and that can be done entirely with free tools.
1. Find a niche
Successful POD shops focus: nurses, teachers, cyclists, dog breeds, regional humour, hobbies. Browse marketplace bestsellers in your niche for themes, never to copy designs.
2. Create the design
Draw it, design it in a free editor, or generate a base with AI using flat, bold styles (see AI art to vector).
3. Make it print-ready
Printers need large, sharp files. Two routes:
Vector route (best for text and flat art). Trace your design into an SVG with the image to vector converter, then export PNG 4K for a crisp, large transparent print file.
Raster route (painterly art). Enlarge with the AI upscaler and set 300 DPI with the DPI changer.
Typical requirements:
| Product | File size |
|---|---|
| T-shirt front | 4500 × 5400 px, 300 DPI, transparent PNG |
| Sticker | 2000 × 2000 px or larger |
| Poster 18×24 in | 5400 × 7200 px |
Check each platform's template for exact numbers.