Unique Print-on-Demand Products for Creatives: 10 Unusual Items to Sell Your Art On
Unique print-on-demand products go beyond tees and mugs; artists can put their art on doormats, puzzles, furniture, pet beds, metal posters, and more through print-on-demand (POD) companies like Merchize, Prodigi, and Society6.
Hello, sweet friend! If you think print-on-demand (POD) is only tees and mugs, I have wonderful news: the category is much, much larger. Your art can end up on a doormat, a puzzle tin, a chair, and a pair of sunglasses (yes, sunglasses!).
Here are 10 delightfully unusual products that real POD companies offer. One rule before we dive in, and it's my most-repeated rule for a reason: always order a sample, and make sure the quality and printing meet your standards before you list anything.
Custom-Shaped Doormats (Merchize). Merchize offers die-cut doormats in whatever shape you choose. Imagine your mushroom illustration as the actual mat. Your art says "welcome" before anyone even knocks. They print from the US and Vietnam, and their catalog also includes plush pet pillows cut in the shape of the pet. Order a sample first and check that the print and the edges are up to your standards.
Custom Tissue Paper and Helium Balloons (Zazzle, Blume-Tested). Zazzle is the king of "wait, you can do THAT?" My own best sellers there are custom gift-wrapping tissue paper and custom helium balloons. Nobody expects them, so nobody else is selling them. They also carry sunglasses, cornhole boards, and cake plates. I've been happy with what I've ordered, but I haven't tried the whole catalog. Sample each new product type before you list it.
Jigsaw Puzzles in Printed Metal Tins (Prodigi). Puzzles are an artist's dream because your art becomes something people literally spend an evening with. Prodigi's come in printed metal tins with a matching lid design, from 30 to 1,000 pieces. They print from the UK, US, EU, and Australia and lean premium, so price accordingly. Order a sample so you can judge the print and the tin for yourself. Bonus tip: if you're in the States, order it from their US facility, because UK sample shipping can sting.
Dog Beds, Ceramic Pet Bowls, and Bandanas (Gooten). Pet people will buy anything for their fur babies, and I say that with love. Gooten has a standout pet catalog: dog beds in three sizes, ceramic bowls, bandanas, and placemats. They print from the US, Canada, UK, and EU. Always order a sample and make sure it meets your standards, especially for anything a pet will chew on.
Bluetooth Speakers and Cordless Chargers (Teelaunch). Your art on a speaker is the best accessory since the lanyard. Teelaunch offers items most POD companies don't, including Bluetooth speakers and cordless chargers, plus journals. Their catalog is smaller (around 50 products), which makes it great for a curated shop. They print from the US, Canada, UK, Spain, and Australia. Sample first. With tech items, quality matters extra.
Clear Cross-Body Bags (JetPrint). These are popular for stadium and festival days, and an art-printed one is a real fashion moment. JetPrint also offers engraved jewelry and heart-shaped wooden candle holders. They print from China and the US. Order a sample and check the print and the construction before you commit.
Actual Furniture (Society6). You read that right: chairs, credenzas, coffee tables, and benches printed with your art. Society6 has a curated, boutique feel, and furniture is rare in the marketplace world. They print from the US, EU, and Australia. Order a sample of any new product type and make sure the quality and printing are up to your standards.
Fabric and Wallpaper, Including Peel-and-Stick (Spoonflower, Blume-Tested). Spoonflower is a triple threat: sell your patterns as a marketplace artist, order fabric to make your own products, or use their sister site Roostery for finished home goods like pillows and tea towels. They print from the US and Germany. Their weekly design challenges are great for visibility and, if I may say so, just plain fun. Even with a favorite, sample each new fabric or wallpaper type.
Metal Posters That Stick to the Wall (Displate). Displate prints on magnetic metal panels that mount without frames or nails. They print from Poland. Metal posters. Period. Order a sample, because metal prints can look different from your screen.
Recycled-Material Swimwear and Skater Dresses (Printful, Blume-Tested). Printful has recycled polyester swimwear and skater dresses, plus water-based inks and an eco apparel line, which is a lovely story for eco-minded customers. They print from the US, Canada, UK, Latvia, Spain, Mexico, Australia, and Japan, and they're one of the suppliers I use and trust. (That's my affiliate link: printful.com/a/TheYellowStudio. If you sign up through it, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.)
A Final Word From Your POD Expert, Blume
Where a company prints from affects shipping time, shipping cost, customs, quality, and which customers make sense to target, and nobody tells you that without hours of digging. I've done the digging for you.
I haven't personally tried every company on this list. The ones marked Blume-Tested are ones I've ordered from; the rest are worth exploring, not promises. That's why I always recommend getting a sample of a new product. You’ll want to make sure you’ve formatted your art properly for the product, and that their printing and product quality is up to your standards.
Frequently Asked Questions About Unique Print-on-Demand Products
Can artists sell products beyond t-shirts and mugs with print-on-demand (POD)?
Yes. POD companies print artwork on doormats, jigsaw puzzles, furniture, pet beds, metal posters, bags, fabric, wallpaper, and swimwear, among many other products. Which products you can offer depends on the company, so check each catalog before you plan a collection.
Do I need to order a sample before I sell a POD product?
Yes. Order a sample of each new product type before you list it. A sample is the only way to check that your art is formatted correctly for the product and that the print quality, materials, and shipping time meet your standards. You only need a sample of the first design on each product type (the first mug, the first puzzle, the first tote), not every design. If you're choosing between two styles, such as two kinds of mug, order both and keep your favorite.
Where do print-on-demand companies print and ship from?
It depends on the company. Some print in one country, and others send each order to a facility near the customer. Displate prints in Poland, Merchize prints in the US and Vietnam, and Printful prints in several countries, including the US, Canada, the UK, and Australia. Print location affects shipping time, shipping cost, customs, quality, and which customers make sense to target, so check it before you choose a supplier.
Which print-on-demand companies offer unusual products like furniture and puzzles?
Society6 offers furniture, including chairs, credenzas, coffee tables, and benches. Prodigi makes jigsaw puzzles in printed metal tins. Merchize offers custom-shaped doormats, Gooten has dog beds and ceramic pet bowls, and Spoonflower prints custom fabric and wallpaper.
Comments