How to Succeed with Print on Demand in the UK: A Complete Beginner’s Guide

If you’re running a POD business overseas or planning to launch one soon, now is the perfect moment to expand into the booming print on demand in the UK market. The UK’s eCommerce revenue is projected to hit $131.38bn in 2025, with steady annual growth expected to reach $159.31bn by 2030. That’s a market you definitely don’t want to miss.

With a strong appetite for personalised products and a business model that only charges you after an order is placed, expanding into the UK lets you test designs, avoid upfront inventory, and scale with low risk.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the essentials, from choosing your niche and fulfillment partners to tools, top products, and setup steps, to help you confidently launch your print on demand in the UK business .

Why Start a Print on Demand Business in the UK?

The UK is one of the most attractive markets for eCommerce sellers, ranking as the third-largest eCommerce market in the world, just after China and the United States, with 80% of UK shoppers buying online.

According to Shopify’s State of Commerce report, half of UK customers are highly cost-conscious, often switching brands if they find a better price elsewhere. This creates opportunities for new entrepreneurs like you to offer competitively priced, niche products that appeal to price-sensitive shoppers.

For international sellers, the UK is also an appealing choice because of its cultural and language similarities with countries like the US. 

Also, the UK is widely regarded as one of the easiest countries to set up a business, supported by a highly developed eCommerce infrastructure, reliable payment systems, and efficient shipping networks. 

Best Print on Demand Companies in the UK 

Let’s start by looking at the top Print on Demand companies in the UK, as they play a key role in the success of your POD business.

1. Printful

Printful is a premium brand with global customers

Printful is one of the most reliable partners for print on demand in the UK, thanks to its dedicated global fulfillment network, all fully owned and operated by Printful, not third-party providers. No matter where your customers are, product quality and production standards remain consistent.

Its UK fulfillment center, located in Birmingham, ensures fast turnaround times, with most orders reaching customers within just a few days.

Printful also offers an impressive catalogue of 455 dropshipping products, from bestselling apparel like T-shirts and hoodies to embroidered hats, accessories, home décor, and more. Creating products is simple: you can use Printful’s built-in Design Maker or upload your own artwork directly to their product templates.

Once your designs are ready, you can push products straight to your store and begin selling instantly. Printful also integrates seamlessly with major eCommerce platforms, including Shopify, WooCommerce, Wix, Squarespace, Etsy, and many others, making setup smooth for both beginners and experienced sellers expanding into the UK.

2. Inkthreadable

Inkthreadable’s built-in product designer is powerful yet beginner-friendly

Founded in 2013, Inkthreadable is a fully UK-based fulfilment provider and a strong contender for anyone exploring print on demand in the UK options, especially if you’re looking to sell activewear. Their catalogue includes 250+ customizable products, covering all the essentials like T-shirts, hoodies, mugs, and wall art.

Sustainability is a core part of their brand. Inkthreadable carries multiple eco-friendly product lines, such as garments made from organic and recycled materials. Thus, go for Inkthreadable if you’re targeting environmentally conscious shoppers.

What’s more, it’s free to sign up for Inkthreadable, you only pay for items after they’ve sold.

3. Contrado

Contrado offers selection of unique and high-end materials

Contrado is one of the most established names in the print on demand UK market. It has built a strong reputation for empowering artists, designers, and POD entrepreneurs with a wide range of premium products and advanced printing services.

Contrado offers an impressive catalogue of 450+ print on demand products, all produced in their UK-based fulfilment center. 

This print on demand company in the UK stands out for its printing techniques:

• Reactive printing delivers bold, vibrant colours on natural fibres like cotton and linen.
• Pigment printing offers a softer, more muted look suitable for many fabric types.
• Sublimation printing ensures vivid, permanent designs on polyester and synthetic materials.

Beyond typical POD items like apparel and accessories, Contrado allows you to print on leather, cotton, canvas, silk, velvet, and a variety of specialised fabrics. These options open the door to niche, premium, and custom-made product lines that other providers simply can’t offer.

4. Printify

Printify’s catalogue is one of the largest product ranges in the POD industry

Printify is another leading platform to consider when exploring print on demand UK services, especially if you want flexible pricing and a massive product range. Its catalogue is one of the biggest in the industry, offering 1,300+ customizable products across clothing, accessories, kitchenware, pet items, home décor, and more. 

Like Printful, Printify integrates seamlessly with top eCommerce platforms, so you can sell products directly through your online store. You’re only charged for fulfillment once you make a sale.

Besides, Printify partners with a global network of third-party print providers, including several located in the UK. While this model gives you more freedom in choosing suppliers, it also means that product quality can vary depending on the partner you select. Sellers who take time to test and compare providers often get the best results.

5. Two Fifteen

Two Fifteen connects easily with major eCommerce platforms, allowing you to automate orders and fulfilment.

Last on the list, Two Fifteen is a local print on demand supplier with products are fully manufactured within their UK-based fulfilment centre. Depending on the item, Two Fifteen uses either sublimation printing or DTG printing to deliver sharp, durable designs.

Two Fifteen is also an official UK supplier of the full Stanley/Stella clothing range, a top choice for environmentally conscious brands. 

They also offer complete white-label service. You can upload your branding, and Two Fifteen will ship orders with custom packaging slips, branded neck labels, and no mention of Two Fifteen anywhere. This makes it easy to create a professional, cohesive brand experience for customers while keeping your fulfillment partner invisible.

Top POD Products for Sale in the UK

We’ve researched and compiled a list of the top POD products to consider when starting print on demand in the UK.

Product	Why popular in UK	Avg. selling price	Profit margin (typical)	Best seasons/themes	Competition level
T-shirts	Universal wardrobe staple; endless customization for humor, fandoms, events	£18 - £25	35 - 45%	Year-round; peaks in summer/festivals	High
Mugs	Daily-use gift item; perfect for quotes, photos, workplace gags	£10 - £16	40 - 50%	Christmas, birthdays, Father’s/Mother’s Day	Medium
Hoodies	Essential for UK’s cool, damp climate; streetwear & university merch	£32 - £45	30 - 40%	Autumn/Winter; freshers’ week	High
Phone cases	High phone penetration; protection + style; frequent upgrades	£12 - £20	45 - 55%	Year-round; spikes with new iPhone launches	High
Stickers	Low-cost impulse buy; vinyl waterproof trend; laptop/school appeal	£2 - £5 (packs)	55 - 65%	Back-to-school, festivals	Medium
Posters	Affordable wall art; rising “gallery wall” trend in rentals	£8 - £18	40 - 50%	Year-round; student move-in	Medium
Blankets	Cozy home essential; large print area for photos/patterns	£35 - £55	30 - 40%	Winter/Christmas gifting	Low - medium
Tote bags	Eco-conscious shopping; banned plastic bags drive reusable demand	£10 - £18	45 - 55%	Year-round; summer markets	Medium
Hats	Weather protection + fashion; festival/urban style	£15 - £25	35 - 45%	Winter (beanies), summer (caps)	Medium
Water bottles	Hydration + sustainability; gym & office essential	£18 - £30	40 - 50%	Fitness, summer	Medium

 

How to Start Print on Demand in the UK in 7 Steps

Ready to get started? It’s time to turn your idea into a profitable print on demand business. Follow these 7 steps to launch your products and start reaching your customers.

Step 1: Pick a niche 

First and foremost, you need to decide what direction your brand will take.

Many eCommerce stores struggle because they jump into ideas without checking if there’s real demand. Actually, you don’t need a brand-new invention to succeed. Most profitable POD stores simply offer high-quality products within an existing niche.

Start by choosing a niche you genuinely care about. Maybe it's minimalist line art, pet illustrations, vintage travel prints, or motivational quotes. Then use tools like Google Trends, Etsy searches, or Instagram hashtags to check if people are actively looking for products in that category. This helps you make sure your niche has both demand and profit potential.

Instagram hashtag is a great tool that helps you discover trending niche thanks to social trends

Once you’ve chosen a niche, learn more about the people who might buy from you. Browse other print on demand in the UK stores in your niche and pay attention to:

• Their best-selling products
• Pricing strategies
• Design style
• Customer reviews
• Their ads or social media content

This will show you where you can stand out. It could be better designs, more competitive pricing, eco-friendly materials, or a stronger brand identity.

Step 2: Choose POD products to sell

With your niche in place, make sure your product ideas match your niche. The items you offer should speak directly to your target audience so your store doesn’t get lost in the crowded UK market.

For example:

• If your niche is yoga and mindfulness, you might offer products like all-over-print leggings, yoga mats, tote bags, and soft microfiber towels.
• If you're targeting beach lovers, your designs could work well on beach towels, swimwear, tote bags, or even deck chairs.

For more product ideas, browse our earlier list of top print on demand products for the UK market. It’s a great starting point to see what customers are actively buying.

To kick off your product research, explore platforms such as:

• Popular UK marketplaces (Etsy UK, Amazon UK)
• Trending sections on POD suppliers
• Social platforms like TikTok, Pinterest, or Instagram
• Niche-specific communities and forums

No matter what you choose, make sure each product fits your niche and appeals to the customers you want to attract. The more focused your product line is, the easier it becomes to build a brand that stands out.

Step 3: Create your designs

Designing your products is one of the most exciting parts of launching print on demand in the UK, but it can also feel overwhelming if you’re not naturally creative. If you already have an eye for design, POD gives you the freedom to turn your artwork, illustrations, photography, or typography into sellable products that customers across the UK (and beyond) will love.

But if design isn’t your strongest skill, don’t worry, there are plenty of ways to bridge the gap.

You can start by using the pre-made graphics, fonts, and templates offered by many print on demand platforms. Design tools like Canva, DesignWizard, or Piktochart can also help you create clean, professional-looking artwork without advanced design knowledge. 

Canva offers plenty of inspiring templates that make it easy to design your products even if you don’t have advanced design skills.

For inspiration, explore what’s currently trending. Browse marketplaces, Pinterest boards, TikTok creators, Instagram shops, or design platforms like Dribbble and Designious.

Or, if you’re aiming for more customised designs and have a slightly larger budget, you can hire a professional designer from platforms like Fiverr or 99designs to turn your ideas into polished artwork.

Step 4: Select a print on demand supplier in the UK

When looking to start print on demand in the UK, choosing a reliable supplier is crucial. Your POD partner directly impacts product quality, shipping speed, and, ultimately, your brand’s reputation.

We’ve covered some of the most trusted print on demand companies in the UK later in this article, so you can choose the right one for your store with confidence.

Step 5: Decide where to sell

Once your products and designs are ready, the next step is to choose where to sell them. The easiest approach is to use either a dedicated eCommerce platform or an online marketplace, each with its own pros and cons.

eCommerce platforms

eCommerce platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, and BigCommerce - best website builders for small businesses - provide everything you need to create and manage your own online store. You can design your site, upload products, manage content, and have full control over your store’s appearance and user experience.

Pros:

• Full control over your store’s design and branding
• Ability to set your own pricing and policies
• Access to a wide range of apps and integrations to grow your business

Cons:

• Requires more effort to drive traffic to your store
• Monthly fees and app costs can add up

Online marketplaces

Online marketplaces such as Etsy, Amazon, and eBay are major eCommerce hubs where multiple sellers showcase their products on a shared platform. With millions of active shoppers already browsing, these marketplaces are perfect for new sellers seeking fast exposure.

Pros:

• Access to an existing audience of shoppers
• Lower upfront costs to start selling
• Easier to gain visibility for your products

Cons:

• Less control over branding and customer experience
• Fees on sales and listings
• High competition within popular marketplaces

However, you don’t have to pick just one. Many successful POD sellers use a combination of an eCommerce platform and marketplaces to maximize reach and sales as their business grows.

Step 6: Set up your online store

This is the stage where your print on demand in the UK business starts to take shape as a real brand. Designing your store’s layout and incorporating consistent branding elements is essential to make a strong first impression on potential customers.

Think from a first-time visitor’s perspective:

• Tell your story: Create a clear About Us page that explains your brand and mission.
• Brand consistently: Upload your logo, header images, fonts, and colors to match your brand identity across the site.
• Set store policies: Clearly outline returns, shipping, and FAQs to ensure a smooth buying experience.
• Organize navigation: Use product categories to keep your store clean, and feature bestsellers prominently.

If you’re using an eCommerce platform to start your POD business in the UK, many integrated tools make this process quick and easy. For example, GemPages Landing Page Builder for Shopify is trusted by over 165,000 merchants worldwide with its drag-and-drop builder and AI-powered design tools that allow you to:

• Create pages from scratch or use pre-designed templates optimized for conversions and product showcases
• Ensure your store loads fast and looks great on mobile
• Support your marketing goals with layouts designed for sales funnels and promotions

You can use GemPages for great flexibility in designing your store with its visual drag-and-drop editor.

With the right tools and a strong brand presence, your online store can turn casual visitors into loyal customers.

Step 7: Market your store

Good marketing is how you reach, attract, and connect with potential customers. There are plenty of ways to promote your print on demand business in the UK, but the key is knowing where your audience spends their time online and showing up on those platforms.

Make sure to track your results so you can see which strategies are performing well and which ones aren’t. This helps you invest your marketing budget where it makes the biggest impact.

Here are some of the most effective marketing methods to consider:

1. Paid ads (Facebook, Google)

Paid ads are the quickest way to get traffic. Start with $10 - $20 per day and test multiple creatives to see which product resonates best.

Once your site gets traffic, run retargeting ads. They’re cheaper and great for turning warm visitors into buyers.

2. Influencer marketing

Work with influencers from Instagram, TikTok, or YouTube who fit your niche. Instead of paying a flat fee upfront, offer an affiliate commission so you only pay when they generate a sale

Influencer marketing helps you reach a targeted audience quickly, build trust through social proof.

3. Content marketing

If you can create content yourself, this can be totally free. Also, content builds long-term trust and organic traffic. You can produce valuable or entertaining content related to your niche:

• Blog posts
• TikTok videos
• Instagram Reels
• YouTube shorts
• A podcast

4. Email &marketing

Use email marketing to stay connected with your most engaged customers. You can grow your email list by offering pop-ups or special discounts directly on your website.

Within your email, you can include:

• New product announcements
• Exclusive deals
• Cart reminder emails
• Weekly or monthly newsletters

How Much Does It Cost to Start Print on Demand in the UK?

Since you don’t need to purchase inventory upfront or manage fulfillment, the initial investment is relatively low.

Technically, starting a print on demand in the UK can be free, but having some budget will give you a stronger start. Based on what we’ve discussed, a rough estimate is around $400 - $500 to cover essentials like your designs, website, product samples, and marketing.

Of course, this isn’t a fixed number, it depends on your goals, priorities, and how you choose to run your store. As your business grows and you gain experience, you can adjust your spending accordingly.

Let’s break these down further.

1. Online store fees

Your platform choice largely determines your setup costs.

• Shopify UK starts at around $30/month for a basic plan, providing full control and scalability.
• Marketplaces like Etsy have low upfront fees, but listing, transaction, and payment processing fees still apply.
• Amazon Handmade is another option with minimal monthly cost, but referral fees can add up.

Expect $0 - $30/month depending on your platform.

2. Design costs

If you create designs yourself using tools like Canva Pro or Adobe Illustrator, your cost is mostly the software subscription.

But if you need to hire a designer to be in charge of all the design tasks, the typical design costs are quite high, at $15 - $100 per design.

3. Sample products

Ordering samples helps you check product quality, printing, and packaging. Sample costs vary by product type and quantity, typically $25 - $80+.

Also, most POD platforms also provide discounted samples to help you test products:

• Printful: 20% off sample products, plus flat-rate shipping (e.g., $4.69 for shirts in the US).
• Printify: Free plan includes access to samples, while Premium members can enjoy up to 20% off.

4. Production costs

When a customer places an order, your POD provider prints and ships the product. Base costs range from $6 - $25 for standard items (mugs, t-shirts) to $25 - $50+ for premium items (hoodies, all-over prints, specialty products).

5. Marketing and advertising

You have two main options: focus on organic traffic for sustainable, long-term growth, or use paid ads to get quicker results. Hence, Your marketing budget can vary widely:

• Paid ads (Meta, TikTok, Google) usually start at $5 - $35/day.
• Influencer marketing ranges from gifted items to $50 - $300+ per post, depending on reach.
• Organic social media marketing is free but time-intensive.

Advertising costs may be around $0 - $500/month depending on strategy.

6. Apps & integrations

For expanding print on demand businesses in the UK, you may need third-party apps and integrations to handle advanced store management, such as: 

• Email marketing
• Abandoned cart recovery
• SEO
• Product bundling

These typically cost $10 - $40/month, helping you run your store efficiently.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid & How to Fix

Starting print on demand in the UK can be straightforward, but there are some common mistakes new sellers make:

• Shipping delays and unexpected taxes: Cross-border orders or overseas suppliers can lead to delayed deliveries, customs fees, or import taxes, frustrating UK customers. To avoid this, work with POD suppliers that have UK-based fulfillment centers or reliable shipping partners with clear tracking and delivery estimates.
• Design copyright and trademark issues: Using copyrighted images, logos, or designs without permission can lead to legal problems. Always create original artwork or purchase licenses from verified creators. Consider registering your own brand assets to protect your designs.
• Not registering your business properly: Operating without registering as a sole trader or limited company can cause legal and tax issues. Always register your business with HMRC or Companies House before starting sales.
• Ignoring VAT obligations: Selling in the UK may require you to charge VAT once you exceed the threshold (£85,000). Failing to account for VAT can result in fines or penalties. Keep accurate records and consider consulting an accountant.
• Not protecting your brand legally: Skipping trademark registration may leave your brand vulnerable to copying. Consider trademarking your logo and key product designs to secure your intellectual property in the UK.

Conclusion

So, are you ready to launch your own print on demand business in the UK?

This guide has walked you through all the essential steps, from picking your niche and designing products to choosing suppliers, setting up your online store, and marketing effectively. By following these steps and leveraging the right tools and resources, you can build a POD business that’s not only manageable but also highly profitable.

Whether you’re an artist, content creator, or entrepreneur, print on demand offers an accessible way to turn your creativity into a real business. With low startup costs, minimal risk, and the potential to reach customers worldwide, it’s a business model worth exploring.

Now it’s time to take action, bring your ideas to life, and start printing your way to success.

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