What if My Print on Demand Designs Suck?

Welcome to the second season of Lissa Talks Print on Demand! A professional photographer since 2011 and a print on demand shop owner since 2022, I have so much to share with you!

This morning, we are talking about a really important topic that can feel a little daunting but is also really exciting: Working with Print on Demand designs that may not be the best when you're first starting. Here's what we'll be chatting about!

• Your Designs Are Going to Suck at First
• It's Okay if Your Designs Aren't Great!
• Listing Products Helps With Growth
• Sometimes, Bad Designs Sell!
• You Will Get Better if You Start and Stay Consistent!

And a link to that wolf shirt I mentioned!

Want to know this episode in one quote? You know I've always got you!

"When you start Print on Demand, there is a LOT to learn. You need to learn the platform you’re selling on, you need to learn what you like to design and, most importantly, you need to learn how to design. And when that’s done? You need to get a read on how people receive your designs.

Does that mean you should wait to start listing your design? Does it mean that you should overthink the designs? Does it mean that you should be embarrassed of what you’re creating. Absolutely not! I think it means the exact opposite: Get started! Because your designs? They’re probably going to suck. It might just be the first ten. It might just be the first hundred. Or it might be the first thousand. Whatever it is, that’s okay!

In any creative - or honestly just business - field, it is very common to hear stories of success. Those stories are incredible and so inspiring, too! But! Just because someone else had things click immediately, it doesn’t mean every seller will. What we can do, though, is pay attention to what works for our individual shops over time. When we start, our designs are not going to be incredible out of the gate."

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NEW EPISODES EVERY MONDAY: JULY 8TH TO OCTOBER 7TH

*Marked explicit for accidental swears.

Mockup Photos | Your Photographer Mom Podcast | Photography Website | Instagram

And best of all? Three free mocks!

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More Information + Links About Print On Demand!
Total Disclosure: A few of these are affiliate links.

Literally forever obsessed with Printify. I use Printify for all of my print on demand printing and I'll never stop singing their praises. They're incredible!

For design work, I'm totally in love with Canva and also love finding extra artwork + fonts on Creative Fabrica and Creative Market.

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Support the show

Episode 26: Two Months of Selling Print on Demand on TikTok Shop

Welcome to the second season of Lissa Talks Print on Demand! A professional photographer since 2011 and a print on demand shop owner since 2022, I have so much to share with you!

We've got a different format than usual today! In this episode, I'm popping in with TikTok Shop updates from my first two months selling Print on Demand via the platform. Here's the recording dates!

• June 25th
• July 25th
• August 29th

Should You Sell Print on Demand on TikTok Shop?

Honestly, I've loved it! So excited to share my thoughts with you!

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NEW EPISODES EVERY MONDAY: JULY 8TH TO OCTOBER 7TH // NO EPISODE FOR THE WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 9TH!

*Marked explicit for accidental swears.

Mockup Photos | Your Photographer Mom Podcast | Photography Website | Instagram

Opal and June Mocks: Use the code LISSATALKSPOD for 20% off!

And best of all? Three free mocks!

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More Information + Links About Print On Demand!
Total Disclosure: A few of these are affiliate links.

Literally forever obsessed with Printify. I use Printify for all of my print on demand printing and I'll never stop singing their praises. They're incredible!

For design work, I'm totally in love with Canva and also love finding extra artwork + fonts on Creative Fabrica and Creative Market.

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Support the show

What's an Ideal Customer in My Print on Demand Business?

Welcome to the second season of Lissa Talks Print on Demand! A professional photographer since 2011 and a print on demand shop owner since 2022, I have so much to share with you!

Today, we are talking about something that's super similar to niching down but with a totally different approach: identifying your ideal customer for you print on demand business. This is a really fun episode and I hope you have so much fun listening to this + identifying your ideal customer. Here's a few things we'll be chatting about!

• Why You Should Have an Ideal Customer
• An Ideal Customer Should be Pretty Specific
• Forget About Age, Think About Interests
• Are You Your Own Ideal Customer?
• Should I Expect My Friends and Family To Buy My Stuff?
• Picking Three Words to Define Your Items

Want to know this episode in one quote? I've got you!

"Once you’ve started learning the ins and out of designing, when your first sales have been made, you’ve added low cost and high cost items to your store, and you can spot a trend happening in your sales, it’s time to ask yourself: who’s my ideal customer?

... When we boil down the idea of an ideal customer, it really comes down to this: it’s easier to build your designs, items, and vibe if you have a specific type of person you’re creating items for."

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NEW EPISODES EVERY MONDAY: JULY 8TH TO OCTOBER 7TH

*Marked explicit for accidental swears.

Mockup Photos | Your Photographer Mom Podcast | Photography Website | Instagram

Opal and June Mocks: Use the code LISSATALKSPOD for 20% off!

And best of all? Three free mocks!

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More Information + Links About Print On Demand!
Total Disclosure: A few of these are affiliate links.

Literally forever obsessed with Printify. I use Printify for all of my print on demand printing and I'll never stop singing their praises. They're incredible!

For design work, I'm totally in love with Canva and also love finding extra artwork + fonts on Creative Fabrica and Creative Market.

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Support the show

Offering High Cost and Low Cost Items in Your Print on Demand Business

Welcome to the second season of Lissa Talks Print on Demand! A professional photographer since 2011 and a print on demand shop owner since 2022, I have so much to share with you!

Today, we are talking about a really fun topic (as always!). That topic? It's about offering high cost and low cost items in your inventory as a way to build up your business and trust in your business, too! Here's a few of the topics we cover!

• Diversifying works best when you can identify buying patterns
• If people love your items, they'll pay for them
• Different shirt brands have different costs
• Selling a sticker v selling a tee shirt
• Why selling low cost items can build trust in your shop

Want to know this episode in one quote? Hooray!

"When we start with print on demand, it’s really easy to get laser focused on one thing. Whether that’s a specific niche, design style, or item type, it’s hard to pull away from the idea of what we want our shop and items to be. Once you start seeing buying patterns, though, you’ll see your shop start to evolve.

As you identify buying habits, you’ll have more data and more room to grow. To do this, you don’t need thousands - or even hundreds - of sales but, when you start to see patterns come to life, adding low cost and high cost items can really help with your shop growth. And when I’m talking about shop growth? I’m not necessarily talking about profit - I’m talking about creating a consistent, awesome experience for your customers at different price points with different items."

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NEW EPISODES EVERY MONDAY: JULY 8TH TO OCTOBER 7TH

*Marked explicit for accidental swears.

Mockup Photos | Your Photographer Mom Podcast | Photography Website | Instagram

Opal and June Mocks: Use the code LISSATALKSPOD for 20% off!

And best of all? Three free mocks!

--------

More Information + Links About Print On Demand!
Total Disclosure: A few of these are affiliate links.

Literally forever obsessed with Printify. I use Printify for all of my print on demand printing and I'll never stop singing their praises. They're incredible!

For design work, I'm totally in love with Canva and also love finding extra artwork + fonts on Creative Fabrica and Creative Market.

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Support the show

Creating Collections in Your Print on Demand Business

Welcome to the second season of Lissa Talks Print on Demand! A professional photographer since 2011 and a print on demand shop owner since 2022, I have so much to share with you!

As always, this episode today is a freaking blast! We are talking all about creating collections - basically design niches and topic niches - within our print on demand listings. Here's the topics we cover!

• How Collections Make Design Work More Fun
• Can Collections Help with Burnout?
• How Can Collections Expand Creativity?
• How Can Collections Expand Inventory?
• What if the Collections Don't All Go Together?
• Will My Store Keep a Vibe if I Embrace a Different Design Style?

Want To Know This Episode in One Quote? You Know I've Got You!

Creating collections - whether you’re literally making collections or just kind of grouping styles - is a great way to approach print on demand. First, it keeps design fresh and fun. Second, it’s easier to avoid burnout. Third, it’s an awesome way to expand your creativity.

As a digital collage creator (lol) / shirt designer, I just really like making fun stuff. And if you’re here? I’m guessing you do, too! Don’t feel like you need to put yourself in a box when you hit a groove. Think of different styles as a way to grow and blend your inventory instead!

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NEW EPISODES EVERY MONDAY: JULY 8TH TO OCTOBER 7TH

*Marked explicit for accidental swears.

Mockup Photos | Your Photographer Mom Podcast | Photography Website | Instagram

Opal and June Mocks: Use the code LISSATALKSPOD for 20% off!

And best of all? Three free mocks!

--------

More Information + Links About Print On Demand!
Total Disclosure: A few of these are affiliate links.

Literally forever obsessed with Printify. I use Printify for all of my print on demand printing and I'll never stop singing their praises. They're incredible!

For design work, I'm totally in love with Canva and also love finding extra artwork + fonts on Creative Fabrica and Creative Market.

--------

Support the show

Should I Follow Trends in My Print on Demand Business?

Welcome to the second season of Lissa Talks Print on Demand! A professional photographer since 2011 and a print on demand shop owner since 2022, I have so much to share with you!

Today, I am so excited to chat with y'all about one of my favorite creative topics: Trends! I love a trend and also am so passionate about carving out your own individual style. Here's what we are talking about today!

• Trends Are Awesome
• Ask Yourself: Do You Like a Trend?
• The Ask Yourself: What Do You Like?
• Trends are Good; Style is Better
• Why is Style Better?
• Make the Weird Stuff

Want To Know This Episode in One Quote? Wonderful!

Y’all! This topic is so close to my heart. It’s something I’m so passionate about with photography and something I’ve become even more passionate through selling mockups and print on demand. And that topic? It’s this! How important is it to follow trends?

If you start to listen to a lot of content about print on demand, you’ll see a ton of content about trends. There’s absolutely value in this and it’s also a great place to start. However, if you want to build something that has more opportunity for expansion, you’ll want to dig a little deeper. It’s a little scary and a lot of vulnerable but, trust me, you’ll be so much happier in the long run.

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NEW EPISODES EVERY MONDAY: JULY 8TH TO OCTOBER 7TH

*I definitely swear in this one.

Mockup Photos | Your Photographer Mom Podcast | Photography Website | Instagram

Opal and June Mocks: Use the code LISSATALKSPOD for 20% off!

And best of all? Three free mocks!

--------

More Information + Links About Print On Demand!
Total Disclosure: A few of these are affiliate links.

Literally forever obsessed with Printify. I use Printify for all of my print on demand printing and I'll never stop singing their praises. They're incredible!

For design work, I'm totally in love with Canva and also love finding extra artwork + fonts on Creative Fabrica and Creative Market.

--------

Support the show

Do I Really Need To Order Samples for My Print on Demand Business?

Welcome to the second season of Lissa Talks Print on Demand! A professional photographer since 2011 and a print on demand shop owner since 2022, I have so much to share with you!

Today, we are talking about one of my very favorite subjects. The subject? Ordering samples for your print on demand business. Personally, I think samples are SO important to print on demand businesses and can't wait to share my thoughts with you! Here's a few points we'll it!

• Yes! You Totally Need To Order Samples
• Being Aware of What Your Clients are Buying is Important
• A Complaint Here and There? That Should Be Expected
• Multiple Complaints About the Same Item? That's a Red Flag
• Sample Your Products Before Diving Totally In!

Want To Know This Episode in One Quote? Wonderful!

"Yes. Point Blank. If you are running a print on demand business, you need to order samples."

Lol. That's the only note I had for the episode today! Also full disclosure: I recorded this in the car in the middle of a parking lot. But! It's a fun one I promise!

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NEW EPISODES EVERY MONDAY: JULY 8TH TO OCTOBER 7TH

*I definitely swear in this one.

Mockup Photos | Your Photographer Mom Podcast | Photography Website | Instagram

Opal and June Mocks: Use the code LISSATALKSPOD for 20% off!

And best of all? Three free mocks!

--------

More Information + Links About Print On Demand!
Total Disclosure: A few of these are affiliate links.

Literally forever obsessed with Printify. I use Printify for all of my print on demand printing and I'll never stop singing their praises. They're incredible!

For design work, I'm totally in love with Canva and also love finding extra artwork + fonts on Creative Fabrica and Creative Market.

--------

Support the show

How Can I Use Print on Demand in My Creative Business?

Welcome to the second season of Lissa Talks Print on Demand! A professional photographer since 2011 and a print on demand shop owner since 2022, I have so much to share with you!

Today, we are talking all about using print on demand as a way to expand your creative business. Here's a few things we'll address!

• More About My Print on Demand Background
• What Kind of Items Would You Like to See Your Work On?
• Focus on Your Designs + Your Art
• It's Okay if Your Designs Come in Waves!
• Building a Print on Demand Shop is Going to Take Time
• Remember! There's No One Right Way to Do Anything

Want to Know This Episode in One Quote? You Know I've Always Got You!

"Often, we see print on demand recommended as a side hustle or a way to leave your desk job. What if you want something different? As a longtime photographer, I knew two things:

1. I Wanted to Diversify My Income
2. I Didn’t Want to Stop Shooting

Yes! I wanted to diversify but I also didn’t want to leave my career. While I’ve never had a traditional desk job, leaving my job was never something I wanted. Instead, I wanted to supplement my income in a different way. Personally, I set out to design a few photographer shirts. Instead, I ended up with two enormous Etsy shops. And it’s been fantastic! I feel so strongly that any creative - a designer, a painter, an illustrator, a photographer, a writer - can take print on demand and use it an a way to fit into their career.

Maybe for one person that’s creating tote bags with your paintings. Maybe for another it’s a huge shop full of items with witty phrases. For me, it’s a bunch of fun collages that spiraled into a brand new genre of photography. Remember, there’s no one right way to do anything. And the way print on demand is set up? The sky is really the limit!"

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NEW EPISODES EVERY MONDAY: JULY 8TH TO OCTOBER 7TH

*I definitely swear in this one.

Mockup Photos | Your Photographer Mom Podcast | Photography Website | Instagram

Opal and June Mocks: Use the code LISSATALKSPOD for 20% off!

And best of all? Three free mocks!

--------

More Information + Links About Print On Demand!
Total Disclosure: A few of these are affiliate links.

Literally forever obsessed with Printify. I use Printify for all of my print on demand printing and I'll never stop singing their praises. They're incredible!

For design work, I'm totally in love with Canva and also love finding extra artwork + fonts on Creative Fabrica and Creative Market.

--------

Support the show