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Print on Demand Calculator | POD Profit Calculator 2026

Calculate your print on demand profits per product

$

What the POD platform charges you

$

What you charge customers

$

What the platform charges for shipping

$

What you charge customers for shipping

Number of units you expect to sell

Profit per Item

Your margin on each sale

$0.00

Profit Margin

Percentage of sale you keep

0%

Monthly Profit

Expected monthly earnings

$0

Annual Profit

Projected yearly earnings

$0

How to Use This Print on Demand Calculator

This free print on demand calculator helps you estimate profits per product before launching your POD business. Unlike traditional retail, POD has no inventory costs, but lower margins require volume to be profitable.

  1. Enter base cost: What your POD platform charges per item.
  2. Set retail price: What you will charge customers.
  3. Add shipping costs: Both what you pay and what you charge.
  4. Estimate sales: Start conservative (10-50/month for new stores).

Who Is This Print on Demand Calculator For?

  • New POD entrepreneurs: Validate product ideas before designing.
  • Etsy sellers: Calculate shirt and mug profitability.
  • Influencers: Price merch for your audience.
  • Artists and designers: Turn designs into passive income.
  • Side hustlers: Compare POD to other income streams.

Print on Demand Platform Comparison

PlatformT-Shirt BaseQualityBest For
Printful$12-15PremiumQuality-focused brands
Printify$8-12VariesBudget-conscious sellers
Gooten$9-13GoodScaling operations
RedbubbleSet by platformGoodArtists (built-in traffic)
Merch by AmazonN/AGoodAmazon traffic (invite only)

Print on Demand Calculator FAQs

What is print on demand (POD)?

Print on demand is a business model where products (t-shirts, mugs, posters) are only printed when a customer orders. You design the products, a third-party prints and ships them, and you keep the profit margin. No inventory, no upfront investment.

How much profit can I make per item with POD?

Typical profit margins: T-shirts $5-15, Hoodies $10-25, Mugs $3-8, Posters $5-15, Phone Cases $3-10. Your profit depends on your retail price minus the base cost. Higher-quality products and unique designs command premium prices.

What are the best print on demand platforms?

Printful (best quality, integrates with Shopify/Etsy), Printify (more suppliers, lower prices), Gooten (good for scaling), Redbubble (built-in marketplace), TeeSpring/Spring (best for influencers), and Merch by Amazon (highest traffic, hardest to get into).

How do I price my print on demand products?

Price = Base Cost + Shipping Markup + Profit Margin. For t-shirts with $12 base cost, price at $22-28 for $10-16 profit. Research competitor pricing on Etsy and Amazon. Premium designs and niches can charge 20-50% more.

What sells best in print on demand?

Niche products outperform generic designs. Best sellers: hobby/interest themed (fishing, yoga, gaming), pet-related, occupation pride (nurses, teachers), funny quotes, and trending memes. The more specific the niche, the less competition.

How much does it cost to start a POD business?

POD can start at $0 if you use free platforms like Redbubble. For a professional store: Domain ($12/year), Shopify ($29/month), design tools ($0-15/month for Canva Pro), and ordering samples ($30-100). Total: $0-200 to launch.

Is print on demand still profitable in 2026?

Yes, but it is more competitive. Success requires: unique designs (not generic clip art), strong niche targeting, quality mockups, SEO optimization, and marketing. The days of uploading random designs and making money are over.

Should I use Printful or Printify?

Printful offers higher quality and better customer service but higher base costs. Printify offers lower prices through multiple suppliers but quality varies. Most sellers recommend Printful for premium brands and Printify for budget-conscious customers.