Side Hustle Guide

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Print on Demand

E-Commerce

Design t-shirts, mugs, and merch. Products print and ship when orders come in — no inventory.

2–6 weeks

Time to first $

5-20

Hours / week

2/5

Difficulty

Free

Min. startup cost

Income Breakdown

LevelMonthlyHourly
Beginner$50 - $300/mo$5 - $15/hr
Intermediate$500 - $2k/mo$15 - $40/hr
Advanced$3k - $10k/mo$30 - $100/hr

Startup Costs

Design tool (Canva free)Required
Free
Printful/Printify accountRequired
Free
Etsy listing fees
$5
Shopify store
$39
Mockup generator
$15
Required minimumFree
With all optionals+$59

Ratings

Difficulty
Flexibility
Scalability
Income Stability
Passive Income Potential

Skills Needed

designcreativitymarketing

Ready to start print on demand?

Use our free tools to plan your income, estimate costs, and get started.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much can you make with print on demand?

Beginners typically earn $50-$300/month. Intermediate practitioners make $500-$2,000/month. Advanced print on demand professionals can earn $3,000-$10,000/month. Hourly rates range from $5 to $100.

How hard is it to start print on demand?

Print on Demand has a difficulty rating of 2/5. It's one of the easier side hustles to get started with. You can start for free with no upfront investment.

How long until I make money with print on demand?

Most people see their first earnings within 2–6 weeks. This varies based on your experience level, time invested (5-20 hours/week recommended), and market conditions. Income stability is rated 2/5.

What skills do I need for print on demand?

The key skills for print on demand include design, creativity, marketing. Many of these skills can be learned quickly as you go.