1. Quiz
  2. Your result
  3. Your plan
  4. Your guide

Step-by-step guide

Print-on-demand designs: your step-by-step start

Upload designs to platforms that print and ship T-shirts, mugs and posters when someone orders.

  • 19 lessons
  • 5 modules
  • about 1 hour in total

Is this guide for you?

Good fit if

  • Designers who want a low-risk side project and accept slow, small earnings.

Think twice if

  • You need money within the next two weeks: first income usually takes about 120 days.
  • You have no laptop or computer to work on.
  • You have no way yet to receive payments from overseas.

Honest expectations

  • First income usually takes about 120 days.
  • Part time, most people earn a modest top-up from this. Treat bigger numbers you see online with care.
  • The main risk to plan for: very low earnings.

What is inside

  1. Module 1

    Is this right for you?

    What it involves, who pays, and honest expectations.

    1. How print-on-demand designs worksFree · 5 min
    2. Honest expectations4 min (in the full guide)
  2. Module 2

    Set up and price

    What you need and what to charge.

    1. Your startup kit, costs and skills5 min (in the full guide)
    2. Pricing and getting paid5 min (in the full guide)
    3. Your numbers: a worked example in rands5 min (in the full guide)
  3. Module 3

    Your first week

    The first steps, in order.

    1. Your first week, step by step6 min (in the full guide)
    2. Week one, step 2: Aim for 10 designs uploaded3 min (in the full guide)
    3. Week one, step 3: Pick one niche you know well and sketch ten designs3 min (in the full guide)
    4. Finding your first customers: who to message5 min (in the full guide)
    5. Messages to copy: your first customers5 min (in the full guide)
  4. Module 4

    Your first month

    A routine that brings in customers.

    1. Your first 30 days: build a routine4 min (in the full guide)
    2. Month one, task 1: Aim for 30 designs3 min (in the full guide)
    3. Month one, task 2: Order one sample to check print quality3 min (in the full guide)
    4. Month one, task 3: Share designs where your niche hangs out online3 min (in the full guide)
  5. Module 5

    Months two and three

    Repeat what works, grow and stay safe.

    1. Days 31 to 90: repeat what works and grow4 min (in the full guide)
    2. Months two and three, task 1: Keep only if sales appear3 min (in the full guide)
    3. Months two and three, task 2: Keep the designs that sell and retire the rest3 min (in the full guide)
    4. Getting paid safely and spotting scams4 min (in the full guide)
    5. Risks, rules, tax and staying safe5 min (in the full guide)

What it costs to start

R0 to R500 to get started, from our research

What you will use:

  • Redbubble
  • Canva/Procreate
  • Canva or a free design app

Prices change and differ by area, so check two places near you before you buy.

Try it before you buy

Lesson one is free. If it helps, the whole guide is R149 once-off.

Start the free lesson

Reviewed 24 October 2026 by the Earn Path team. Next review due 24 October 2027.