Sweet friends, T-shirts are not the workhorse most artists assume they are. They are saturated, the margins are thinner than you think, and the sizing math (S through 5XL across multiple colors) makes them a customer service headache. Meanwhile, there are seven products sitting right next to tees in every print-on-demand catalog that consistently outsell them. Let’s chat about what they are and why you should list them in your shop.

1. Wall Art and Posters

The most natural fit for artists, and the one most underused. As artists, having our art on someone’s wall is one of our biggest goals. Art Prints in 12”x18” and 18”x24” sell beautifully on Pinterest and Etsy because buyers searching for art typically think of wall art, not apparel. Margins clear ten to fifteen dollars per sale and can even run into the hundreds depending on the demand for your art as you scale and grow.

2. Throw Pillows

Print-on-demand throw pillows have GREAT margins. A 16”x16” pillow gives you around $18 per sale at a modest price. People love to change out their throw pillows over time, and customers can become repeat customers as they collect more of your art on pillows. It’s also a product that customers are willing to be more daring with in terms of color and design. A very beige home often still has some colorful, artistic throw pillows for a pop of color and contrast. In addition, home buyers spend more and complain less than apparel buyers. 

3. Tote Bags

Who doesn’t love a good tote bag? They make great shopping bags; they have a wide appeal because they can be used for a plethora of tasks, and like the pillows, people are willing to go bolder with a tote bag. It doesn’t have to be their whole style, and it doesn’t have to match their outfit. Margins are around $12 per tote at a modest price and often sell in clusters because people buy them as gifts. You can even offer a set of them for a discount off of the normal price to encourage multiple purchases.

4. Phone Cases

Phone cases are one of the highest-converting categories on Pinterest. People change their phone covers more often than they change sheets. ha! Buyers know their phone model and the purchase is low-commitment, and the price point keeps them impulse-friendly. Typically, these bring in around $7-$12 each.

5. Journals and Notebooks

Notebooks and journals pull in non-art buyers. Everyone loves a pretty journal or notebook, and something that is unique and striking is a must-purchase. There is a whole niche of people who LOVE stationery and collect it (um, I may or may not be one of them). They make great gifts, and they are an awesome back-to-school item too! You’ll make at least $10 each on these, and the perceived value is high because they can be used for months or even a year.

6. Puzzles

Don’t sleep on puzzles. They solve the “what to give the person who has everything” problem, and your artwork on a puzzle is a gift that takes hours (or days) to enjoy. You’ll enjoy higher price points and a higher margin with far less competition than apparel. Puzzle lovers are always looking for something unique that they can’t find elsewhere – that’s where your art comes in!

7. Blankets

Blankets are a big-ticket item that can lift your average order value. Bundle them with a matching throw pillow and gather even more margin per sale! A unique printed blanket lists at around $60-80, leaving you a margin of $20-$30. One blanket sale can be the equivalent of three t-shirt sales. As a side note, pet owners LOVE throw blankets. They put them out for their little fur babies to rest comfortably, and they replace them frequently as they get worn out and dingy more quickly if their animals are indoor/outdoor. 

Why It’s Easy to Default to T-Shirts When Using Print-on-Demand

Graphic tees have been all the rage for some time now, and they are purchased en masse. The very first thing a print-on-demand shop will point you to is t-shirts. The entire POD industry has trained us to think apparel first. But they often need more than pretty art. People want their shirt to SAY something. Art paired with a funny phrase or quote that speaks to them will sell over just art on a t-shirt. This makes them a harder market to sell in, with a lot more competition. Buyers who want art on their walls, their couches, their phones, and their desks are a calmer, higher-spending, easier-to-please audience than the apparel crowd.

What to Do This Week

Check out your favorite POD’s catalogue. Look for sneaky items that you think your art might look great on and that you’d be proud to sell. Being excited about your products is half the battle when it comes to marketing and selling them. 

Pick 2-3 new products this week and start adding your art to them to put in your shop. You’re likely to see a difference in your traffic and sales within a month or two. 🍋