Print-on-Demand vs. Dropshipping: Which Side Hustle Reigns Supreme?

Are you looking to start a side hustle but can’t decide between print-on-demand and dropshipping? I’ve tried both, and after reading this, you’ll see which side hustle reigns supreme.

The Basics: What Are We Talking About?

Before we get into it, let’s break down these two side hustles.

Print-on-Demand (POD): This is where you create designs, slap them on products like t-shirts, mugs, or phone cases, and sell them online. The cool part? The products only get made when someone buys them. There is no inventory, and there is no risk.

Dropshipping: With this model, you set up an online store and sell products but don’t keep any inventory. When someone buys from you, you purchase the item from a supplier. Then, the supplier ships it directly to your customer.

Now that we’ve got that sorted let’s get into the good stuff.

Round 1: Startup Costs

Print-on-Demand: 

Starting a POD business is like finding spare change on your couch. It’s practically free. You need a computer, an internet connection, and some basic design skills (or the ability to hire a designer). Most POD platforms, like Printful or Printify, are free to join. You only pay when you make a sale.

Dropshipping:

Dropshipping isn’t exactly breaking the bank either, but it has some upfront costs. You’ll need to pay for a Shopify store (around $29/month). Or maybe some apps to help run your store smoothly. You might also need to buy some sample products to check quality.

Winner: Print-on-Demand

It’s hard to beat practically zero startup costs. POD takes this round.

Round 2: Time Investment

Print-on-Demand:

POD can be a time-suck upfront. You need to create designs, set up your store, and market your products. But once that’s done, it’s pretty hands-off. Orders are automatically sent to the printer and shipped to the customer.

Dropshipping:

Dropshipping can be more time-intensive. You need to find reliable suppliers and manage inventory levels (even if you’re not holding the inventory). Also, you’ll deal with customer service issues like shipping delays or quality problems.

Winner: Print-on-Demand

While both require time investment, POD is generally less demanding once you’re up and running.

Round 3: Profit Margins

Print-on-Demand:

POD margins can be pretty sweet. For example, if you sell t-shirts for $24.99 and cost around $12, that’s about a 50% profit margin, which is not too shabby.

Dropshipping:

Dropshipping margins can vary wildly depending on your niche and suppliers. In general, you’re looking at 15-45% profit margins. Some Dads average about 30% on most products in my store.

Winner: Print-on-Demand

Dropshipping sometimes yields higher margins on individual products. On the other hand, POD is generally more consistent and offers good margins.

Round 4: Creative Control

Print-on-Demand:

This is where POD really shines. You have total control over your designs. Want to make a shirt with your kid’s drawings? Go for it. Feel like creating a mug with your favorite dad joke? The world is your oyster.

Dropshipping:

With dropshipping, you’re limited to what your suppliers offer. You can choose which products to sell but can’t customize them. It’s more about finding trending products than creating something unique.

Winner: Print-on-Demand

If you’re creative, POD is definitely the way to go. The ability to create unique products is a huge advantage.

Round 5: Scalability

Print-on-Demand:

Scaling a POD business is relatively easy. Want to add new products? Just upload new designs. Need to handle more orders? Your POD supplier takes care of production and shipping. The main limit is your ability to create designs and market them.

Dropshipping:

Dropshipping can scale big and fast. You can add hundreds of products to your store quickly. The hard part is managing that growth and keeping track of inventory across multiple suppliers. Also, dealing with more customer service issues and managing cash flow.

Winner: Tie

Both models can scale well but in different ways. POD scales smoothly but may have a lower ceiling. Dropshipping can scale bigger but comes with more challenges.

Round 6: Market Saturation

Print-on-Demand:

I won’t sugarcoat it – the POD market is pretty saturated. But here’s the thing – there’s always room for unique designs. You just need to find your niche.

Dropshipping:

Dropshipping isn’t exactly a secret anymore, either. Because you can sell a wider variety of products, it’s easier to find less saturated niches. The hard part is staying ahead of trends.

Winner: Dropshipping

Both markets are competitive. However, dropshipping gives you more opportunities to find unique niches.

Round 7: Learning Curve

Print-on-Demand:

POD has a gentler learning curve. The basics of designing and uploading products are pretty simple. The main skills you need to learn are design and marketing.

Dropshipping:

Dropshipping has a steeper learning curve. You need to learn about finding and managing suppliers. You also have to optimize your store, handle customer service, and often run ads. It’s like running a traditional retail business.

Winner: Print-on-Demand

For beginners, POD is definitely easier to get started with.

Round 8: Fulfillment and Customer Service

Print-on-Demand:

This is where POD really shines. Once you set up your designs, the POD company handles everything else. That is printing, packing, and shipping. You rarely have to deal with customer service issues. It’ll maybe just be the occasional return or exchange.

Dropshipping:

Dropshipping requires more hands-on management. You’re responsible for customer service and often have to deal with shipping delays. 

You may also deal with quality issues or products that look different from the photos. It can be time-consuming and sometimes frustrating.

Winner: Print-on-Demand

The hands-off nature of POD fulfillment is hard to beat.

And the Winner Is…

After eight rounds of intense competition, we have a winner. While both side hustles have their strengths, Print-on-Demand takes the crown.

POD wins on startup costs, time investment, profit margins, creative control, ease of learning, and fulfillment. It’s the perfect side hustle for busy dads. It’s great for flexing your creative muscles. It’s also perfect for making extra cash without sacrificing family time.

That said, dropshipping shouldn’t be ruled out. It wins on market saturation and ties on scalability. It could be your ticket if you want to build a larger e-commerce business and don’t mind the learning curve.

The Ultimate Side Hustle

At the end of the day, the best side hustle is the one that fits your skills and lifestyle. Both can be great options for dads looking to boost their income.

My advice? Start with POD. It’s easier to get into, requires less time, and allows you to be creative. Remember, the most important thing is to start. Whether it’s POD or dropshipping, the best time to begin your side hustle journey is now.