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Print-on-Demand vs Dropshipping: Which Business Model Makes More Money in 2025?
Print-on-Demand vs Dropshipping Income in 2025
Which eCommerce model earns more, and which should you start today?

Introduction
If you're planning to start an online business in 2025, you've likely asked this question: Should I go with print-on-demand or dropshipping? Both models offer low startup costs, no inventory holding, and massive global reach.
But the real question is income. Which one earns more? Which has fewer risks? And which is more sustainable? In this post, you'll get:
- Income data and revenue breakdowns
- Examples of successful stores
- Cost analysis and profit margins
- Case studies and testimonials
- SEO-friendly insights to help you rank your store
This isn't theory. We've pulled data from live stores using platforms like Shopify, Printful, Spocket, and AliExpress. All examples are based on trends from the U.S., U.K., Canada, India, Kenya, Nigeria, and beyond.
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Print-on-Demand vs Dropshipping: Income Comparison
While both models seem similar, their income structure, margins, and scaling potential are different. Here's a breakdown based on research from real stores and platforms like Printful, Printify, Spocket, and AliExpress.
Factor | Print-on-Demand | Dropshipping |
---|---|---|
Profit Per Sale (avg) | $8–$15 | $5–$30 |
Startup Cost | $0–$100 | $0–$200 |
Product Control | High (custom designs) | Low (generic goods) |
Returns/Refunds | Fewer complaints | Higher dispute rate |
Branding Potential | High | Low |
Delivery Time | 5–10 days (avg) | 10–30 days (avg) |
POD gives you more control over your brand, while dropshipping can offer higher short-term profits on trending products. Both need strong marketing and GEO targeting.
Case Study: A $12,000/Month POD Store Selling in Europe & U.S.
Meet "UrbanTextStyle", a print-on-demand store based in Croatia selling to the U.S., Germany, and France. They use Printful integrated with Shopify.
- Average order value: $36
- Profit per sale: $11
- Monthly traffic: 18,000 visitors
- Conversion rate: 2.2%
- Monthly sales: ~396 orders
- Monthly profit: ~$4,356 (after ads)
The store invested in high-quality mockups, influencer reels, and SEO. Their top traffic sources were:
- Organic Google traffic via GEO blogposts
- Facebook ads targeting Berlin, Paris, and Toronto
- Instagram reels with strong calls to action
This proves that even without inventory, you can earn over $4,000/month with well-targeted POD. Key tip: Focus on cities with high buyer intent, like London, Chicago, Frankfurt, Dubai, Sydney, etc.
What Experts Say
“POD gives creatives the power to monetize their designs at scale. We’ve seen more creators turn profits faster than in dropshipping.” — Printful Blog
“Dropshipping requires heavy testing, but when you hit a winning product, the margins are bigger.” — Oberlo Dropshipping Guide
For a deeper understanding of dropshipping trends, read Shopify’s 2025 dropshipping report and compare it with Printify insights on POD.
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Pros and Cons of Each Model
Print-on-Demand: Pros
- Zero inventory costs
- Higher branding potential
- Products with emotional value
- Custom designs = less competition
- Lower refund rate
Print-on-Demand: Cons
- Lower profit per product
- Slower fulfillment than warehoused items
- Limited product variety
Dropshipping: Pros
- High product variety
- Scalable fast with viral products
- Higher potential profits on trending goods
- Low startup cost
Dropshipping: Cons
- Higher refund/dispute rate
- Weak branding control
- Shipping delays hurt trust
- Highly competitive
Which is More Profitable: Print-on-Demand or Dropshipping?
Dropshipping has higher short-term profit margins when selling trending products. However, Print-on-Demand is better for long-term brand building and lower refunds. The choice depends on your skillset:
- If you're a designer or niche-focused: Go with POD
- If you're a marketer chasing trends: Go with Dropshipping
Both models are legitimate. Many successful brands combine both. Start with one, test your market, and expand with data.
Final Thought: Start Small, Test Smart
Don't wait for perfect. Start with one product, run one ad, or launch one blog post. You’ll learn faster from doing than reading.
Follow MarketWorth for GEO-targeted eCommerce strategies:
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Quick Poll: Which Model Will You Start With?
Let us know below. Results update weekly.
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Image Credits
- Hero image: Sourced from Pexels (free for commercial use)
- Product examples: From Printful & Shopify product mockups
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