If you’ve spent any time researching online side hustles over the last few years, you’ve definitely run across Print-on-Demand (POD). The pitch is always incredibly alluring: Design a digital file, upload it to a blank t-shirt, and watch the passive income roll in while a fulfillment partner handles the shipping.
But let’s be honest for a second. If you try to launch a POD store using the 2020 playbook—slapping basic text memes onto low-cost, generic Gildan t-shirts—your store will stall out before you make your first sale.
The global print-on-demand market has exploded, on track to surge from $13 billion this year toward an estimated $100 billion by 2035. The opportunity is massive, but the barrier to entry is so low that the competition is fierce.
To thrive in 2026, you have to change how you play the game. POD is no longer a "passive hobby"—it’s a serious ecommerce engine powered by advanced AI, micro-niches, and premium product customization.
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