Finding Joy in Creation

The Realities of Running a Print-on-Demand Business

Starting a side business isn’t for everyone - trust me - and that’s okay. But for those of us who are just crazy enough to find joy in creativity, design, and seeing our ideas come to life, running a print-on-demand (POD) business can be one of the most rewarding ventures out there. I know this firsthand, because that’s exactly what I do with my business, Hey, Y’all Designs. [NOTE: If you’re in this solely for realizing a huge profit every month, meh…start with the joy and see if it turns into something financially rewarding would be my advice.]

I started Hey, Y’all Designs as a creative outlet in addition to my full-time job. What began as a small experiment in t-shirt design has grown to include sweatshirts, hoodies, and now mugs. Each product starts with a concept - a phrase, an image, or a funny idea that pops into my head. From there, I bring it to life using tools like Canva, Kittl, and PlaceIt. Seeing that design come to life on a product never gets old. What’s fun is I’m delving deeper into Canva (since I’m already paying for it, LOL) and I pick up new ways to make designs every time I turn on a YouTube video or watch a TikTok series.

Creativity with Purpose

There’s something deeply satisfying about taking a concept from your imagination and turning it into something real. Every time I create a new design, I think about the person who might wear it or sip coffee from it. Maybe it will make them smile, or maybe it will become their favorite go-to shirt. That connection - even if it’s indirect - is what makes this ‘work’ so special.

Designing is the fun part, but hear me when I tell you that running a print-on-demand business is about much more than just creativity. It requires patience, organization, and a willingness to keep learning. You have to understand your audience, experiment with new ideas, and, most importantly, market your products. The designs won’t sell themselves - no matter how good they are.

If you’re even the least bit eagle-eyed, you’ll notice the dates of these blog posts are in no way super close together. To try and combat that desert of information, I’m implementing a weekly calendar whereby I can update my businesses (Hey, Y’all Designs, Be Well Written, and The Afterwork Affiliate…two new names for you, maybe?) in a more conscious way and certainly aimed at getting information to you timely.

But, I digress.

The Not-So-Glamorous Side

Let’s be honest: POD isn’t a “set it and forget it” type of business. It takes time to conceptualize, create, edit, scrap, and then re-create designs to upload, write product descriptions, create mockups, and manage your online storefront. I run my store through Shopify, which makes it easy to organize and sell products, but there are still plenty of moving parts.

And then there’s marketing - a crucial part of the process that can feel like a full-time job on its own and one I’m never been super consistent with. From creating social media posts to running promotions, it takes consistent effort to attract and retain customers. I’ve begun testing an AI marketing tool, but the jury is still out at this point. Even with all the challenges, there’s a deep sense of pride that comes from knowing you built something from scratch.

Why It’s Worth It

Despite the hard work, I wouldn’t trade it for anything. My POD business allows me to express myself creatively while also building something meaningful. It’s a space where I can test ideas, refine my skills, and learn what resonates with people. And even if a design doesn’t take off, it’s still part of the creative journey - one that keeps me motivated and inspired.

Running a print-on-demand business isn’t easy, but it can be incredibly fulfilling. If you love to create, enjoy the process of bringing ideas to life, and are willing to put in the work to market and grow your shop, it might just be the perfect side hustle for you. For me, it’s more than just a business - it’s a labor of love, one design at a time.

Where do you Hey, Y’all? 😊