Starting something of your own, in today’s time, has never been easier. With the rise of small businesses in Pakistan, many people are looking for side hustles or full-time small businesses that don’t require a huge investment. One such business that has been gaining slow yet steady popularity in recent years, with a stable income, is Print-on-Demand (POD). This is a great option if you have creative ideas and want to turn them into a business.
What is Print-On-Demand?
A Print-on-demand business allows entrepreneurs to sell customised products like T-shirts, mugs, phone cases, and tote bags without having to maintain inventory. The best part? You only produce an item when a customer places an order. This makes it a low-risk, high-reward business model.
Print-on-demand is a business model where products are printed with custom designs only when an order is placed. Unlike traditional businesses that require stock, storage and bulk manufacturing, POD eliminates all these concerns. Instead, you collaborate with suppliers who handle the printing, packaging, and shipping directly to the customer for you, which means all you need to focus on is creating great designs and marketing your brand.
Why Start a Print-on-Demand Business in Pakistan?
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Low Startup Costs
You don’t need a huge investment to start this business since there is no need to buy any stock or manage warehouses for the inventory. All you need is an online store and good designs.
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Growing E-commerce Market
In recent years, more Pakistanis are moving towards online shopping since it is easier for users as they allow you to shop from anywhere at any time, so having an online platform can increase your chances of a successful business. There are many platforms available, such as Daraz, Shopify and Instagram Shops, which have made online selling so much easier for entrepreneurs.
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Customisation Demand is Rising
People love personalised products! Whether it’s a T-shirt with a funny quote, a phone cover with a favourite character, or a mug with a name, customised items are always on trend.
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Work from Anywhere
Since everything is handled online, you don’t need a physical store. You can run your print-on-demand business easily from home, a café, or while travelling!
Read more: Business Ideas in Pakistan: Opportunities for 2025
Steps to Start Your Print-on-Demand Business
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Choose a Niche and Target Audience
Instead of selling everything, pick a specific niche. For example:
Anime Lovers—T-shirts and hoodies with anime characters or designs.
Cricket Fans—Mugs and caps with the Pakistani cricket team and slogans/quotes.
Desi Humour—Trendy Urdu phrases on phone covers.
These are just general examples to emphasise the need for a specific niche. Having a niche helps you stand out and attract the right customers for your business.
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Find a Reliable Print-on-Demand Supplier
Since you’re not handling the production work of printing, packaging and shipping yourself, choosing the right supplier is crucial. Some options to consider:
Local Suppliers: Brands like Printox.pk and Ink Factory offer POD services in Pakistan.
International Suppliers: If you want global reach for your business, Printful and Printify integrate with online stores and ship worldwide.
It is also important to compare their prices, product quality and shipping times before finalising.
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Design your Products
You don’t need to be a professional designer. Tools like Canva, Adobe Illustrator, or even Fiverr (to hire a designer) can help you create eye-catching designs. Make sure your designs are:
- Simple yet appealing.
- Relevant to your niche.
- High-resolution for quality prints.
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Set Up your Online Store
You can set up your store and sell your products through:
- Shopify—User-friendly but has monthly costs.
- Daraz—Good for local reach.
- Instagram/Facebook Shops—Great for direct engagement.
- Your Own Website—Using WordPress and WooCommerce.
Improve your store with product descriptions, high-quality images of the product, and easy navigation and buttons.
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Market Your Brand
A business without marketing is like a shop without a signboard. Here’s how you can promote your POD store:
- Social Media Ads: Run Facebook and Instagram ads to target your audience.
- Influencer Marketing: Partner with renowned Pakistani influencers to showcase your products.
- SEO & Blogging: Write about fashion trends, gift ideas, and styling tips to attract organic traffic.
- TikTok & Reels: Create engaging videos showcasing your designs in real-life use on Instagram and TikTok.
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Handle Orders & Customer Service
Even though suppliers handle shipping, you still need to manage customer queries, complaints and returns. It is important to provide good customer service, as it builds trust and repeat buyers.
Some Challenges and How to Overcome Them
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Shipping Costs & Delays
One of the biggest challenges in running a print-on-demand business in Pakistan is high shipping costs and long delivery times. Since often some POD suppliers are international, shipping fees can be expensive, making products less affordable for local customers. Additionally, international shipments may take weeks to arrive, leading to frustrated buyers.
To reduce costs and delivery times, it is best to partner with local POD suppliers who print and ship quickly within Pakistan. This not only saves money but also ensures customers receive their orders faster. If you must work with international suppliers, clearly communicate estimated delivery times on your website to manage customer expectations.
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Design Theft
The online business industry is full of copycats, and one of the biggest concerns for POD sellers is design theft. Competitors or even random individuals may steal your designs and sell them as their own, reducing your originality and sales.
Protect your designs by adding watermarks before posting them online. Register your brand and designs for copyright protection to take legal action against theft. Platforms like Instagram and Facebook allow you to report intellectual property violations, so make sure to monitor your content regularly.
Read More: Shark Tank Pakistan Breaks World Record With The Biggest Deal In ST History!
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Marketing Budget
Many beginners often struggle with a limited marketing budget, making it hard to reach a larger audience. Paid advertisements, which are effective, can be costly for small businesses that are just starting.
The easiest solution for this is to focus on organic marketing strategies before investing in paid ads. This includes SEO, engaging social media content, influencer collaborations and word-of-mouth marketing. A very big chunk of organic reach can be done by utilising TikTok and Instagram Reels to create viral content for free exposure. Once you generate consistent sales, reinvest a portion of your profits into targeted paid ads for better reach.
Conclusion
Starting a print-on-demand business in Pakistan is an easy and profitable opportunity. With low investment, no inventory hassle and a growing online market, it’s easier than ever to turn your small idea into a business. By choosing the right niche, supplier and marketing strategies, you can easily build a successful brand and enjoy the flexibility of working on your own terms, from anywhere!
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