Why AI Just Changed Print on Demand Forever

POD + AI = your 2025 unfair advantage

Author

Miroslav Novohradsky
August 24, 2025

In partnership with

Let’s start with the blunt truth:

Print on Demand isn’t dead. But it sure isn’t the gold rush it used to be.

The people yelling “too saturated!” aren’t wrong. The ones shouting “best time ever to start!” aren’t wrong either.

Confused yet? Good.

Because the real answer, like most things in online business, is nuanced.

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The Golden Days Are Gone

If you opened an Etsy shop in 2020, you probably sneezed and made a sale.

  • Lockdowns created a tidal wave of online buyers.

  • Everyone wanted cozy hoodies, funny mugs, and personalized gifts.

  • Demand exploded, but supply (sellers) lagged behind.

Result? Easy money.

You could copy a “dog dad mug” design, toss it on Etsy, and you get sales.

Fast forward to 2025? That strategy is dead.

Type “dog mug” into Etsy today and you’ll scroll for 27 hours before finding daylight.

This isn’t bad news.

It’s normal.

Every opportunity matures. The same way you can’t get rich dropshipping generic phone cases anymore, you won’t win by selling generic POD staples either.

The era of “copy and cash out” is gone. What’s replacing it? Creativity, strategy, and niche depth.

The AI Factor

A decade ago, coming up with clever t-shirt slogans was an Olympic sport. You had to be funny, smart, and lucky enough to think of a joke that clicked with buyers.

Now?

You have AI in your back pocket.

  • Need 50 pun-based gardening shirt ideas? Ask ChatGPT.

  • Want original clip art in a style nobody else has? Generate it with MidJourney or DALL·E.

  • Need product descriptions optimized for SEO? AI can spit them out in seconds.

Instead of killing POD, AI is supercharging it.

The winners in 2025 will be the sellers who use AI as leverage, not just to copy, but to invent.

A clever example: Take the “funny double entendre” shirt trend. AI can brainstorm versions for different niches (gardening, accounting, fitness) in seconds. That’s how you spot fresh micro-niches before they saturate.

It’s not about the dog mug. It’s about the dog mug for retired veterinarians who also crochet.

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Margins: The “But Digital Products Pay More!” Debate

AI and pod are your advantage

Let’s talk money.

Critics love to say: “Why bother with POD when digital products have higher margins?”

True. Digital products are 70–90% profit. POD, on average, lands between 15–30% after fees and costs.

  • Digital products are cheaper (think $20 for a digital download pack).

  • POD products can be priced higher ($20–$40 for a single shirt, $30+ for a hoodie).

So yes, digital is more scalable and passive. But POD offers higher perceived value and often more revenue per sale.

And here’s a little secret: you don’t have to choose. In 2025, the savviest sellers are hybrid creators.

They sell:

  • POD shirts on Etsy.

  • Matching digital SVG files on their Shopify store.

  • Bundled offers (“Buy the hoodie, get the digital print for free”).

It’s not POD vs. digital. It’s POD and digital.

Do You Need Ads?

Another complaint floating around:

“Paid ads are too expensive! You can’t make sales without them.”

Wrong. But also… kind of right.

Yes, ads are faster. You can throw $200 into Meta ads and test a design instantly. But in 2025, free traffic is still alive and kicking.

Examples:

  • TikTok & Reels: POD stores posting funny sticker videos or niche memes are still hitting millions of views.

  • Faceless content: You don’t even need to show your face, just showcase products in creative ways.

  • SEO: Stores ranking for “funny gardening t-shirts” are pulling in free Google traffic daily.

The real marketing shift?

Consistency beats virality. You don’t need one viral video to “make it.” You need a steady stream of decent content feeding into your store every week.

If you can commit to producing content, you can bypass paid ads entirely.

POD and the “Passive Income” Myth

Let’s kill another myth: POD is not passive.

Sure, you don’t touch inventory. The print provider handles shipping. But:

  • You’ll answer customer emails.

  • You’ll deal with bad reviews when a print job sucks.

  • You’ll update listings and optimize SEO.

Yes, you can automate pieces. Yes, you can reduce your workload. But don’t expect to sip margaritas in Bali while your Etsy shop runs on autopilot.

It’s a business, not a slot machine.

That said, compared to traditional e-commerce (inventory, warehouses, returns)? POD is still one of the easiest low-risk ways to start.

So… Is POD Still Worth It in 2025?

Short answer: Yes. With conditions.

It’s worth it if you:

  • Niche down: Don’t sell “dog mugs.” Sell “funny rescue dog mugs for vet techs.”

  • Use AI: Treat AI as your design assistant, idea generator, and copywriter.

  • Think hybrid: Pair POD with digital products for better margins.

  • Play the long game: Commit to marketing, whether content, SEO, or ads.

  • Focus on quality: Don’t pick the cheapest printer. A bad review can tank your shop.

It’s not worth it if you:

  • Think it’s still 2020.

  • Plan to copy bestsellers and hope for the best.

  • Want “passive income” with zero effort.

  • Refuse to learn marketing.

In 2020, POD was a lottery ticket. In 2025, it’s a skill game.

The people who win today aren’t the ones who get lucky,they’re the ones who treat POD like a craft.

So, is Print on Demand still worth it in 2025?

Absolutely.

But only if you’re willing to play smarter than the people who quit.

Have a great day,

Miroslav from The Design Nexus

TOOLS YOU SHOULD TRY

Even if you sell products other than mugs or t-shirts, it doesn't mean it will cost you more.

There are tools that can help you with the tasks, and most of them have free versions.

Disclaimer: Within the article, you will find affiliate links. If you decide to purchase through these links, I want to sincerely assure you that I will receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

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