Print on demand India made simple. Learn how to start your own t-shirt business without stock, risk, or big investment.
A few years ago, I wanted to start something of my own. I didn’t have a big budget, and I had no clue how to store products or deal with shipping. One evening, while scrolling through YouTube, I found a video about a business where you could sell t-shirts online without printing or packing anything yourself. It was called print on demand. That moment changed everything for me.
I gave it a shot. I created a simple design using a free app and uploaded it to a website that worked with Indian suppliers. A week later, I got my first order. I didn’t have to touch the product. The company printed it and sent it directly to the customer. Slowly, I started making more designs, and my store began to grow.
If you’re wondering how this works in India, or if it even works at all, this post is for you. I’ll walk you through what I learned and what most people ask about print on demand in India.
Print on Demand India: Is it Working?
Yes, it’s working well in India. In fact, it’s growing fast. More people are buying custom t-shirts, phone covers, mugs, and posters. Many Indian startups have made it easy to start a store without needing your own printer or warehouse.
What makes it work here is that people enjoy wearing clothes with fun, local designs. Sellers are also getting smarter with using Instagram and YouTube to promote their products. There are also many Indian print-on-demand platforms that take care of printing and delivery for you.
So yes, print on demand is not just available in India—it’s also a growing business opportunity.
Is Print on Demand Available in India?
Absolutely. There are platforms based in India that handle everything—from printing your design to delivering the product to your customer.
Some popular print-on-demand platforms in India include:
Printrove
Qikink
Blinkstore
Shopify (with Indian print-on-demand apps added)
WooCommerce (using services like Owlprints)
These companies let you upload your designs, pick the products you want to sell, and connect to your online store. Once someone buys from you, the platform prints the item and ships it out.
You don’t need to buy anything upfront. You only pay when someone places an order. That’s why many people start print-on-demand as a side business without much risk.
Do We Have Printify in India?
Printify is a popular print-on-demand platform based outside India. You can use it from India, but most of its printing partners are in the US and Europe.
This means:
Shipping can take longer
Delivery charges might be higher
It may not be the best option if you want to sell only to Indian customers
However, if you plan to sell to buyers in the US or UK, Printify can work well. You can run your business from India, while your customers get their products shipped from printers closer to them.
Can You Use Printful in India?
Yes, you can use Printful from India, just like Printify. You can sign up, connect your store, and start adding products. But again, most of their printing centers are not in India.
If your buyers are mostly in India, the delivery times might be slow and shipping fees high. If your buyers are in the US, Canada, or Europe, Printful is a great option.
There are a few Indian print partners that sometimes work with Printful, but not for all products.
For faster local delivery and better profit margins in India, it’s better to go with Indian platforms like Printrove or Qikink.
5 Best Print on Demand Websites in India
There is no one best platform. It depends on what you need. But here are some good options used by many people in India:
1. Printrove
Printrove is a popular choice. It is based in Chennai. They offer products like t-shirts, hoodies, phone covers, and notebooks. You can connect Printrove to your Shopify store. They also have good support. Many sellers say their print quality is nice and delivery is fast.
2. Qikink
Qikink is based in Coimbatore. They offer a wide range of products, like t-shirts, posters, coasters, tote bags, and more. They also offer custom branding, like your own tags and packaging. This helps you grow your brand.
3. Blinkstore
Blinkstore is another Indian company. You can set up a store for free, upload your designs, and start selling. Blinkstore takes care of the printing and shipping. It is good for beginners because you do not need to buy a domain or pay for hosting.
4. Owlprints
Owlprints is newer but growing fast. They have fewer products than others, but the quality is good. They also offer custom branding.
5. Shopify with Indian Apps
If you want more control, you can build your own store on Shopify and connect it with Indian apps like Printrove or Qikink. This gives you more freedom to design your store.
Each platform has its own pros and cons. Try a few and see what works for your business.
Which Is Better, DTG or DTF?
DTG means Direct to Garment. DTF means Direct to Film. These are two printing methods used in print on demand.
DTG prints the design directly on the cloth using a special printer. It is best for cotton clothes. The print feels soft and smooth. It is good for designs with many colors. But it may not look good on dark clothes if the print is not done well.
DTF prints the design on a special film first. Then it is transferred to the cloth using heat. It works on many types of cloth, like polyester and blends. The colors are bright and it works well on dark clothes too. But the print may feel a bit thicker than DTG.
In short:
DTG is soft and great for cotton
DTF works on more fabric types and has bright colors
Most Indian platforms now use both methods depending on the product.
How Long Does Printify Take to Deliver in India?
Printify does not have any printing partners in India right now. So if someone in India orders a product through Printify, it is printed in another country and then shipped to India.
This can take a long time. Delivery might take between 2 to 4 weeks. Also, the shipping cost is high. In some cases, the buyer may have to pay customs charges.
Because of this, Printify is not the best choice if your customers are in India. It is better if you are selling to people in the US or Europe. For Indian buyers, go with a local print-on-demand company.
What Countries Does Printful Not Ship To?
Printful ships to many countries, but not all. Here are some places they do not ship to:
North Korea
Iran
Syria
Crimea
Cuba
These places have shipping or trade restrictions. Also, sometimes they cannot ship to remote areas even in countries they support.
But yes, they do ship to India. Still, like with Printify, the shipping cost and time are not good for Indian customers.
If you are in India and selling to Indian buyers, local platforms are better.
Cheapest Print on Demand India
If you are starting and want to keep your costs low, here are some of the more affordable platforms in India:
Blinkstore: No monthly cost. They handle everything. You earn from the profit margin you set.
Qikink: They offer good prices on bulk orders and decent pricing for single pieces.
Printrove: Not the cheapest, but still affordable and reliable.
Most platforms do not charge a setup fee. You only pay when a customer places an order. But your profit depends on how you price the product.
For example:
If a t-shirt costs you Rs. 300 from the platform
You sell it for Rs. 499
Your profit is Rs. 199
Look at the product base prices and shipping charges before choosing a platform.
Print on Demand Dropshipping in India
Print on demand is also a type of dropshipping. In normal dropshipping, you sell products made by others. In print on demand, you sell your own designs, but someone else handles everything else.
Here’s how it works in India:
You create your design
You upload it to a product on the platform (like a t-shirt or mug)
Someone places an order from your store
The print on demand company prints the item
They ship it directly to your customer
This is why many students, designers, and part-time sellers are trying print on demand in India.
How to Set Up Your First Print on Demand Store
Starting your store is not hard. You just need a few basic steps.
Step 1: Pick a niche
Think about what kind of designs you want to sell. Funny quotes? Anime? Travel? Fitness? Target a small group of people who like the same thing.
Step 2: Make some designs
You don’t need to be an artist. You can use free tools like Canva or paid ones like Photoshop. Keep the design simple and clear.
Step 3: Choose a print on demand platform
Pick a company like Printrove, Qikink, or Blinkstore. Create a free account. Upload your design on products like t-shirts or mugs.
Step 4: Open your online store
You can make a store using:
Shopify (paid but has many features)
WooCommerce (free with WordPress)
Blinkstore (free, quick to set up)
Add your products, set your prices, and write simple product descriptions.
Step 5: Test your store
Before you tell others, try buying one product yourself. This helps check the print and delivery quality.
Now your store is ready.
How to Promote Your Products Easily
You don’t need a big budget to get people to visit your store. You can start small and grow slowly.
1. Use Instagram
Make a free business account. Post your product photos and designs. Use simple captions and post often. You can also post reels wearing your products.
2. Share on WhatsApp
Tell your friends and family. Ask them to share with others. Sometimes your first few customers come from people you already know.
3. Sell on marketplaces
You can also sell your designs on marketplaces like Amazon, Etsy, or Flipkart. But you need to follow their rules and pay fees.
4. Run small ads
Once you make a few sales, you can try Facebook or Instagram ads. Start with a small amount, like Rs. 100 per day. Test which design gets more clicks.
5. Use YouTube Shorts or reels
Many sellers post short videos showing their t-shirts or behind-the-scenes videos of packing. This helps build trust.
6. Ask buyers for photos
If a customer is happy, ask them to send a photo wearing the product. Post it on your page. This shows that real people are buying from you.
Mistakes to Avoid in Print on Demand
Starting a print on demand business is simple, but some mistakes can cost you time and money. Here are some common mistakes to avoid:
1. Using low-quality designs
If your design is blurry or too small, the final product will look bad. Always use high-quality files. Use a tool like Canva and download the file in PNG or SVG format.
2. Choosing the wrong product colors
Light designs don’t look good on light-colored clothes. The same goes for dark designs on dark clothes. Try to match your design with the right product color.
3. Pricing too low
It’s okay to keep prices low in the beginning, but don’t forget to add your profit. You also need to cover shipping and taxes. If you price too low, you will not make any money.
4. Not checking samples
Always place a test order. This helps you check how the product looks, how long it takes to deliver, and what the packaging looks like.
5. Using only one platform
You can start with one print-on-demand platform. But after some time, try others too. This helps you get better prices or more product choices.
6. Ignoring customer messages
If you don’t reply to your customers on time, they may cancel the order or leave a bad review. Always check your messages every day.
How to Handle Customer Questions
Customers may ask questions like:
When will my order arrive?
Can I get a bigger size?
My order is delayed. What should I do?
Here’s how you can answer simply and clearly:
1. Be polite and honest
Even if you are tired or busy, reply kindly. Say thank you, and give clear answers.
2. Use tracking numbers
Most platforms like Printrove or Qikink give you a tracking link. Share it with the customer when their order is shipped.
3. Say sorry if there is a delay
Sometimes shipping companies take longer. If that happens, say sorry and let the customer know you are checking.
4. Offer help
If a customer gets a damaged item, ask for a photo and send it to your print-on-demand company. Most of them will send a replacement.
Quick and kind replies can turn an unhappy customer into a loyal one.
Profit Margin Tips
You want to make money, but also keep prices fair. Here’s how you can plan your pricing:
1. Know your product cost
For example, if a t-shirt costs you Rs. 300 (including GST and shipping), you need to sell it for more than that.
2. Add your profit
You can add Rs. 150 to Rs. 300 as profit. So your selling price can be between Rs. 449 and Rs. 599.
3. Offer discounts smartly
If you offer a discount, make sure your final price still gives you profit.
4. Sell combos or bundles
You can offer a pack of two t-shirts for a lower price. This increases your total sale value.
5. Avoid free shipping if it cuts all your profit
You can add the shipping cost into the product price if you want to offer “free shipping.”
Keep checking what others are charging. That helps you set your own price wisely.
Remember This…
Starting a print on demand business in India is simple, low-risk, and possible for anyone with a little time and effort. You don’t need to rent a shop or buy machines. You just need some ideas and a platform to help you.
Start with a small goal. Maybe just sell 10 t-shirts in your first month. Then try to reach 50. Step by step, your store can grow.
It’s normal to feel tired or worried when you are just starting. You might not get any orders for some days or even weeks. But don’t give up. Keep uploading your designs. Try different ideas. Reply to your customers when they ask something.
There are many people in India who are already making money with print on demand. You can also do the same.
Just take the first step. Make one design. Choose a platform. Open your store.
This is how I began. If I was able to do it, then you can too.
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