Hustlable

Comparison

Dropshipping vs Print on Demand

Compare dropshipping and print on demand side hustles. Which e-commerce model is better for beginners?

📦

Dropshipping

E-Commerce

👕

Print on Demand

E-Commerce

Income Comparison

$0-$500
Beginner / mo
$50-$300
$1k-$5k
Intermediate / mo
$500-$2k
$5k-$30k
Advanced / mo
$3k-$10k
$50-$200/hr
Hourly (adv.)
$30-$100/hr

Ratings Comparison

Difficulty

Dropshipping3/5
3/5
Print on Demand2/5
2/5

Flexibility

Dropshipping4/5
4/5
Print on Demand5/5
5/5

Scalability

Dropshipping5/5
5/5
Print on Demand4/5
4/5

Income Stability

Dropshipping2/5
2/5
Print on Demand2/5
2/5

Passive Income

Dropshipping3/5
3/5
Print on Demand4/5
4/5

Quick Facts

2–8 weeks
Time to first $
2–6 weeks
10-30
Hours / week
5-20
$251
Min. startup cost
Free

Skills Needed

Dropshipping

marketingresearchanalyticscustomer service

Print on Demand

designcreativitymarketing

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which makes more money, dropshipping or print on demand?

At the advanced level, dropshipping has higher earning potential at up to $30k/month compared to $10k/month for print on demand. However, beginners may earn more quickly with print on demand.

Is dropshipping or print on demand easier to start?

Dropshipping has a difficulty of 3/5 while Print on Demand is 2/5. Print on Demand is generally easier to start. Time to first dollar: Dropshipping (2–8 weeks) vs Print on Demand (2–6 weeks).

Which has better passive income potential?

Dropshipping scores 3/5 for passive income while Print on Demand scores 4/5. Print on Demand offers more opportunity for passive income. Scalability: Dropshipping (5/5) vs Print on Demand (4/5).

Can I do both dropshipping and print on demand at the same time?

Yes, many people combine multiple side hustles. Dropshipping requires 10-30 hours/week and Print on Demand requires 5-20 hours/week. Consider starting with one and adding the other once you're comfortable.