Just a few years ago, print-on-demand was largely marketed as a side-hustle solution — a low-risk way for creators, artists, and entrepreneurs to bring their ideas to life without holding inventory. The messaging focused on the basics: What is POD? How does it work? Who can use it? It catered to individuals—YouTubers, Etsy sellers, designers—looking for supplemental income or creative expression.
But today, the conversation has shifted. The most forward-thinking brands are using print-on-demand not as a novelty, but as an infrastructure layer. It’s a tool for scaling product launches, testing new markets, expanding SKUs with minimal overhead, and de-risking fulfillment—especially in industries where speed, customization, and supply chain flexibility are key.
The real questions now are more strategic and more pressing:
Who truly benefits from print-on-demand? How can it unlock growth, adaptability, and resilience? And why has it become an operational advantage across industries that never previously considered it?
This shift represents the maturation of an entire industry. Print-on-demand has graduated from a niche solution for independent creators to a scalable business model that’s reshaping how companies across multiple sectors approach inventory, customization, and customer fulfillment.
From Education to Enablement
We’re no longer just talking to first-time sellers or side-hustlers. Today, print-on-demand is being embraced by fast-growing DTC brands, niche online shops, and even household names looking to expand their product lines without overcommitting to inventory. They’re approaching POD as a smart, scalable way to test new ideas, improve margins, and stay agile in a constantly changing market.
Demonstrating how POD scales with demand.
- Positioning POD as a strategic addition to traditional supply chain
- Highlighting the operational value, not just the creative freedom.
For brands and marketers in the space, the challenge—and opportunity—is moving beyond the basics and leaning into solutions-based storytelling.
Print-on-Demand Across New Verticals
Print-on-demand is now a growth driver in industries far beyond eCommerce, enabling businesses to create personalized, scalable products without traditional overhead: And the value proposition and timeline to adoption of POD to each of these have nuances which marketers must keep in mind.
Corporate gifting:
Companies are turning to POD to deliver premium, personalized gifts to employees, clients, and partners—without managing inventory or bulk ordering.
Promotional products:
Enterprise marketing and sales teams are using POD to create on-brand materials for campaigns, events, and outreach that can be produced quickly and locally.
Festivals, conferences, and sports events are using on-demand production to offer exclusive merch tied to specific moments, reducing excess inventory and increasing relevance.
Clubs and communities:
From school groups to alumni associations and niche online communities, POD allows groups to monetize engagement with custom items that reflect their shared identity.
Tourism and hospitality:
Destination-based brands and experiences are embracing POD to produce regionally specific merchandise in real-time, matching seasonal demand and reducing logistics complexity.
In each of these verticals, the value of print-on-demand lies in its flexibility, speed, and ability to support customized experiences at scale.
Ready to future-proof your e-commerce logistics? Sign up today and discover how we can help you navigate industry changes seamlessly.
From Fragile to Flexible: The Supply Chain Case for POD
POD’s Role in a Volatile Market
In today’s unpredictable landscape—rising tariffs, labor shortages, and global disruptions—businesses are under pressure to become more agile. While I’m not a supply chain expert, I’ve seen firsthand how marketing conversations increasingly include questions around fulfillment speed, production risk, and operational flexibility.
That’s where print-on-demand becomes more than a product strategy—it becomes a business advantage. By removing inventory risk and offering flexible, scalable fulfillment, POD helps brands navigate uncertainty while still delivering personalized, high-quality products to their customers.
Marketing to a More Sophisticated Buyer
As print-on-demand matures, so does the profile of the people evaluating it. Today’s buyers are no longer just founders or creators looking for a creative outlet—they’re operations leaders, supply chain directors, CMOs, and procurement teams who are assessing the long-term business value of the model.
They’re not seeking a vendor; they’re seeking a partner. One who can help them scale efficiently, reduce risk, and integrate seamlessly into their existing systems. The conversation has moved beyond product features or customization options—it’s about infrastructure, automation, fulfillment speed, and operational control.
To reach these decision-makers, marketing must speak to the things they care about most: reducing manual touchpoints, increasing supply chain agility, simplifying vendor management, and supporting revenue growth without added complexity. In short, we must position print-on-demand not as a creative solution—but as a strategic one.
The New Frontier of POD Marketing
At Gooten, we believe marketing in this industry is no longer about awareness. It’s about empowerment.
The most exciting conversations we’re having aren’t about what print-on-demand is. They’re about what it can do—for growth-stage brands, for enterprise operators, for teams navigating supply chain disruption, and for anyone building a smarter business model.
Print-on-demand isn’t just a tool. It’s a transformation lever.
Gooten may be a perfect match for your business. Contact our sales team today to find out!
The post The Evolution of Print-on-Demand Marketing: From Explanation to Transformation appeared first on Gooten.
