Your art is finally getting noticed. People want to buy prints. But now you're stuck with a choice that could make or break your art business: print-on-demand (POD) or bulk printing?
Choose wrong, and you might lose money or miss out on sales.
Most artists face this decision without knowing the real costs, risks, and benefits of each option. The wrong choice can mean wasted money, unhappy customers, or missed opportunities.
This guide breaks down both printing methods in simple terms. You'll learn when each works best, how much they really cost, and which option fits your situation right now.
POD vs. Bulk Printing Decision Helper
- Just starting out? Try print-on-demand first
- Have a proven bestseller? Consider bulk printing
- Limited budget? Print-on-demand has no upfront costs
- Need fast shipping? Bulk printing ships same day
- Testing new designs? Print-on-demand lets you experiment risk-free
- Want higher profits? Bulk printing costs less per print
- No storage space? Print-on-demand handles everything
- Selling at art fairs? Bulk printing works better for events
Share this with fellow artists who need help choosing between printing methods.
How Does Print-on-Demand Actually Work?
Print-on-demand is simple. You upload your art, someone orders it, then it gets printed and shipped. No inventory. No upfront costs. No storage space needed.
Here's what happens: You create the art and set prices. The POD company prints, packages, and ships everything. Customer service, too.
Think of it like having a printing assistant who only works when you make a sale. They handle all the boring stuff so you can focus on creating.
What Can You Print with Print-on-Demand?
Art prints are the most popular choice. But you can also do:
- Canvas prints
- Posters
- Greeting cards
- Stickers
- Apparel with your designs
- Home decor items
- Phone cases
- Mugs
The options keep growing as companies add new products.
Popular POD Platforms Artists Use
Printful - Integrates with your website. You keep control of your brand and customer relationships.
Redbubble - Built-in marketplace with millions of visitors. Easy to start, but more competition.
Fine Art America - Art-focused community. Good for traditional art styles and photography.
Society6 - Lifestyle products like home decor. Great for designs that work on multiple items.
Each platform has different products, pricing, and audiences. Test a few to see what works for your art style.
Print-on-Demand: The Good and Bad
Why Artists Love Print-on-Demand
No Money Down
Start selling immediately. No investment in inventory. Test designs in your online shop with minimal risk.
Sarah, a digital artist, uploaded 20 designs in her first month. Only 3 sold well. She didn't lose money on the 17 that flopped—her time, creative energy, and original art materials were the only investments.
Zero Storage Headaches
No boxes in your garage. No worrying about damaged inventory. No counting stock.
Hands-Off Fulfillment
Upload an open edition print once, earn forever. Focus on creating art instead of shipping orders.
Try Everything
Test dozens of designs. See what sells. Remove what doesn't work.
Global Reach
Many POD companies ship worldwide. Expand your market without international shipping knowledge.
The Downsides Artists Face
Higher Per-Unit Costs
Each print costs more than bulk printing. Lower profit margins per sale.
An 8x10 print might cost you $4+ with POD versus $1.50 with bulk printing.
Less Control Over Quality
You trust someone else to print your art. Quality can vary between orders, and most artists will want to order a sample print to ensure it meets their standards.
Slower Shipping
Takes 3-7 days to print, then ship. Can't offer same-day shipping.
Limited Customization
Stuck with available paper types and standard art print sizes. Can't do special finishes easily.
Competition on Marketplaces
Your art sits next to thousands of others. Hard to stand out.
How Does Bulk Printing Work?
Bulk printing means ordering hundreds or thousands of prints at once. You pay upfront. Store them yourself. Ship orders as they come in.
You're hands-on with inventory management and shipping, which can be space- and time-consuming.
More work, but potentially more profit.
What Types of Bulk Printing Work Best for Art?
Offset printing works best for large quantities (500+ prints). Lowest cost per print but high setup fees.
Digital printing is good for smaller bulk runs (50-500 prints). Higher cost per print but lower setup fees.
Giclée printing offers premium quality for fine art. Perfect for galleries and collectors who want museum-quality prints.
Your Responsibilities with Bulk Printing
- Order management
- Storage space
- Shipping supplies
- Customer service
- Inventory tracking
You handle everything a normal business does. More control, but more work.
When Artists Choose Bulk Printing
- Art fairs and markets
- Gallery exhibitions
- Proven bestselling designs
- Local art shows
- Wholesale to retailers
If you're selling in person or have proven demand, bulk printing often makes sense.
Bulk Printing: The Good and Bad
Why Artists Choose Bulk Printing
Lowest Cost Per Print
The more you print, the cheaper each one gets. Better profit margins.
That same 8x10 print costs $1.50 instead of $4. Big difference when you sell hundreds.
Complete Quality Control
You see and approve everything before it ships. Consistent results.
Fast Shipping
Orders ship same day or next day. Great for art fairs and events.
More Options
Choose paper types, finishes, and sizes. Create exactly what you want.
Professional printing services offer specialty papers, metallic inks, and custom sizes you can't get with POD.
Professional Presentation
High-quality prints make your art look more valuable. Customers notice the difference.
The Challenges Artists Face
Big Upfront Investment
Pay for hundreds of prints before selling any. Risky for new designs.
A run of 500 8x10 prints might cost $750 upfront.
Storage Space Needed
Boxes of prints take up room. Need dry, safe storage.
You Handle Everything
Pack orders. Deal with shipping problems. Answer customer questions.
Risk of Unsold Inventory
If designs don't sell, you're stuck with expensive prints.
Time-Consuming
Managing inventory and shipping takes time away from creating art.
Cost Comparison: Real Numbers
Print-on-Demand Cost Breakdown
Example: 8x10 art print
- Your cost: $3–$5 per print
- Selling price: $15–$25
- Your profit: $10–$22 per print
- No upfront costs
Bulk Printing Cost Breakdown
Example: 100 8x10 prints
- Your cost: $1–$2 per print
- Selling price: $15–$25
- Your profit: $13–$24 per print
- Upfront cost: $100–$200
The Break-Even Point
If you sell 50+ prints of the same design, bulk printing usually costs less overall.
But that assumes you can sell all 50. If you only sell 25, you might lose money.
Hidden Costs to Consider
Print-on-Demand Hidden Costs:
- Platform fees (if using marketplaces)
- Payment processing fees
- Marketing costs to stand out
Bulk Printing Hidden Costs:
- Storage space
- Packaging materials
- Shipping supplies
- Your time handling orders
- Risk of unsold inventory
Profit Scenarios
Scenario 1, New artist, testing designs: POD wins. No risk, test everything.
Scenario 2, Established artist, popular design: Depends entirely on your operational preference. POD wins for minimal storage, order fulfillment, and shipping. Bulk wins for higher profits, better margins.
Scenario 3: Art fair vendor Bulk wins. Immediate fulfillment, professional quality.
Which Option Fits Your Situation?
You're Just Starting Out
Choose print-on-demand. Here's why:
- No money at risk
- Test different designs
- Learn what customers want
- Build an audience first
Don't guess what people want. Let the market tell you.
You Have a Proven Bestseller
Consider bulk printing when:- One design sells 50+ copies
- You can afford the upfront cost
- You have storage space
- You want higher profits
Print-on-demand is better if:
- You don’t have the space for inventory management
- You don’t have the time and motivation to fulfill orders and ship
- You don’t want to invest in upfront costs
You Sell at Art Fairs
Bulk printing works better:
- Customers want to buy immediately
- You can show actual print quality
- No waiting for shipping
- Professional presentation matters
People at art fairs want to touch and feel before buying. Having actual prints helps close sales.
You're Building an Online Business
Start with print-on-demand, then incorporate bulk printing in certain cases:
- Begin with POD to test market
- Identify bestselling designs
- Switch those designs to bulk
- Keep testing new designs and ordering original or limited edition prints with POD
You Have Limited Time
Print-on-demand saves time:
- No packing orders
- No trips to the post office
- No inventory management
- More time for creating art
You Want Maximum Profit
Bulk printing for established designs:
- Lower per-unit costs
- Better margins
- Professional quality
- Complete control
Common Mistakes Artists Make
Print-on-Demand Mistakes
Choosing the Wrong Platform
Research print quality before committing. Order samples first.
Not all POD companies are equal. Some have better color accuracy, paper quality, or shipping times.
Ignoring Profit Margins
Factor in all fees. Make sure you're actually making money.
A $15 print that costs $5 to make and has $3 in fees only nets you $7.
Setting Prices Too Low
Don't compete on price alone. Focus on unique designs and quality.
Bulk Printing Mistakes
Ordering Too Many Too Soon
Start with smaller quantities. Test demand first.
Better to reorder than get stuck with 500 prints that don't sell.
Skipping Quality Checks
Always order samples before big runs. Check colors and paper quality.
Not Planning for Storage
Have a dry, safe place ready before prints arrive.
Mixing Up Print Types
Match the printing method to your art style. Watercolors need different handling than digital art.
The Hybrid Approach: Using Both Methods
Many successful artists use both methods strategically.
Start with Print-on-Demand
- Test 10-20 designs
- Track which ones sell best
- Build your audience
- Learn customer preferences
Switch Winners to Bulk
- When a design sells 50+ copies
- Calculate if bulk printing saves money
- Order smaller bulk runs first
- Keep testing new designs with POD
Seasonal Strategy
- Use POD for year-round sales
- Bulk print for holiday seasons
- POD for custom orders
- Bulk for art fair inventory
Product Mix Strategy
- POD for experimental designs
- Bulk for signature pieces
- POD for international customers
- Bulk for local market
Making Your Decision: Step-by-Step
Step 1: Assess Your Situation
- How much can you invest upfront?
- Do you have storage space?
- How many designs do you want to sell?
- How much time do you have?
Step 2: Start Small
- Begin with print-on-demand
- Test 5-10 designs
- See what sells
- Learn your market
Step 3: Analyze Your Results
- Which designs sell best?
- What's your profit per sale?
- How many of each design sold?
- What do customers like most?
Step 4: Make Strategic Switches
- Keep slow sellers and limited edition prints on POD
- Switch bestsellers to bulk
- Test new designs with POD
- Adjust as you learn
Make the Most of POD & Bulk Printing
There's no single right answer. Your best choice depends on where you are in your art journey.
Most artists should start with print-on-demand. Test your market. Learn what sells. Then consider bulk printing for proven designs.
Ready to begin? Pick one design you're confident about. Try it on a print-on-demand platform. See what happens. Learn from the results.
Remember: You can always change your approach. Many successful artists use both methods for different situations.
Your art deserves to be seen. The printing method is just the tool to get it there.