Print-on-demand designs
Upload designs to platforms that print and ship T-shirts, mugs and posters when someone orders.
- To startR0 to R500
- First randabout 4 months
- WhereOnline
- Effort Easy to start
Is this for you?
Best for
Designers who want a low-risk side project and accept slow, small earnings.
In South Africa: Weak for local buyers; international only.
What you need
- A laptop or computer
- Reliable internet
- No camera needed
- No cold selling
- At least 2 hours a week · age 18+
- Graphic design (learning or better)
- A way to receive payments from abroad
The money
What it can earn
- Pocket money
- A top-up
- A second income
- Can become a full income
Part time, most people earn a modest top-up from this. Treat bigger numbers you see online with care.
What people charge
No reliable SA figure yet
No reliable current SA data.
Costs to plan for
- Start-up
- R0 to R500
- Every month
- Data and airtime.
- Payment fees
- PayPal routes cost several percent.
- Margin
- Low per item.
How it is paid: Royalty or margin per item. Our viability score for it: 38 out of 100 (how we score).
How to start
Test it cheaply Before you spend
- Upload 30 designs in one niche
- Success signal: organic sales within 90 days
First week Days 1 to 7
- Pick niche
- 10 designs uploaded
- Pick one niche you know well and sketch ten designs
First month Days 8 to 30
- 30 designs
- Order one sample to check print quality
- Share designs where your niche hangs out online
By three months Days 31 to 90
- Keep only if sales appear
- Keep the designs that sell and retire the rest
Often needs 50+ designs. First income usually takes 30 to 365 days. A day-by-day version for your situation is in the full plan.
Print-on-demand designs: your step-by-step start
19 short lessons with scripts, templates and rand prices to copy. R149 once-off, and the first lesson is free.
See what is insideCustomers and demand
Who pays
International shoppers.
Niche, personalised merchandise.
Is there demand?
Redbubble and similar platforms accept international artists; earnings are typically small and printing happens overseas, so SA buyers are poorly served.
RedbubblePrintful/Printify with Etsy
Getting customers
Marketplace search.
Listing on online marketplaces (Takealot, Bob Shop, Etsy, Teacha!)Being found through search or content
Risks and rules
Watch out for
- Very low earnings
- IP infringement claims
Competition: Very high.
Room to grow: Asset-based but low value.
Legal and tax in South Africa
Never use trademarked characters, logos or brand names.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start print-on-demand designs in South Africa?
Our research puts start-up costs at about R0 to R500. Recurring costs: Data and airtime.
How long until the first income?
Typically about 120 days, and between 30 and 365 days. Often needs 50+ designs.
Can I do it with only a phone?
Not really. You will need a laptop or computer for most of the work.
What about tax and legal rules?
Never use trademarked characters, logos or brand names.
Sources (3)
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Read next
- How to make money online in South Africa
- How much to charge as a freelancer in South Africa
- Provisional tax for freelancers in South Africa, simply explained
- Getting paid from overseas in South Africa
- Ideas by situation
Researched by the Earn Path team · editorial policy