2025-09-18 18:19:53 -0400 EDT
Table of Contents
Introduction
Print-on-demand (POD) is a fulfillment method that allows one to send an order for merch to a merch fulfillment centre to made after the order has been submitted. POD has made it easier than ever for creators and merchants to sell custom merch. It makes it easier for anyone in the world to showcase their support for causes, organizations, and individuals as POD allows more people to offer ways to showcase their support.
It also allows customers to buy from artists without having the artists deal with logistics. This enables more artists to provide designs for production while allowing customers more choice in designs and how they choose to express themselves.
POD fulfillment are usually done by large companies. The most well known are Printify (link: https://printify.com) and Printful (link: https://printful.com). By moving production of merch to large fulfillment centres, it reduces the viability of local print shops. Using services causes a delay between purchase and arrival of the product due to shipping, and since the merch is made to order, if it does not fit there almost no ways to remedy the problem. The current POD marketplace has some area of improvement that can be undertaken.
Idea
The idea is to localize merch production. This will then allow one to both support the local economy and artists around the world. The idea of how to do this can be modeled after SkipTheDishes (link: https://skipthedishes.com) and UberEats (link: https://ubereats.com). Where a person can order from nearby stores and have the merch delivered by couriers. This greatly reduces shipping time and cost. It also increases competition by increasing the number of service providers. It increases access to accountability as those stores will be known to the end customer have to stand on their reputation. And finally, it boosts the local economy and allows money to circulate locally. Furthermore, by localizing production, any customer service problems can be handled by the local store and not by artists/organization thereby reducing overhead for those providing the artwork.
This idea also some traction among some customers. See below.
THE SHIRTS ARE BACK IN STOCK worldwithoutcaesars.com
— Bluesky (@bsky.app) 2025-03-18T18:55:06.016Z
Looks fantastic. Unfortunately shipping to NZ doubles to cost. Can’t do that!
— Sarb (@sarb.bsky.social) 2025-03-18T19:06:33.792712Z
Decided to buy @bsky.app 's "MUNDUS SINE CAUSARIBUS" T-shirt. Shirt: $40 USD Shipping: $25 USD Taxes (QC): $10 USD Transaction fee: $5 CAD ------------------------------ Total: $112 CAD ($75 USD) That's expensive. Hopefully they're made with good working conditions. Looking forward to wearing it.
— Tauheed Elahee (@tauheed-elahee.ca) 2025-03-20T02:38:44.621Z
When Bluesky PBC announced that they will be selling merchandise, they stated that their merchandise would be made locally (to them) in Los Angeles. This then meant that there would be high shipping costs and long shipping times. Some commenters from Australia, New Zealand, and Europe pointed this out and stated their wish to purchase the design from the shop but have the merch produced locally.
By having a place where organizations and artists can post designs for supporters to buy, and for those buyers to have the merchandise made locally benefits all three involved, the artists/organizations, customers, and local businesses.
Implementation
Print-on-demand are usually sold on two platforms. Shopify (link: https://shopify.com) and Etsy (link https://etsy.com). The reason for this is that Shopify is a popular business website software and Etsy is a platform known for a place to support small artists.
The goal would then be to make a Shopify extension and Etsy add-on that interacts with a database of local print shops so that orders can be routed to those print shops. A connection to Uber Direct (link: https://merchants.uber.com/uber-direct.html) can be made. This then allow for quick point to point real-time delivery and provide the possibility of same-day delivery of orders.
I have done work on a Shopify extension. Currently, the extension waits for an address to be entered or location and then show a list of local print shops. The user can then choose local delivery or pick-up and then select the desired print shop. When the order is completed, the order is saved to a database and forwarded to the appropriate print shop. Right now, the goal will be to offer pick up at near by shops. Connection with Uber delivery API to offer delivery will be added after.
As seen in the Idea section of this article, some end consumers want this idea. I have talked with some print shops local to my area, and some are interested in becoming a part of it. The next step is to talk with merchandise store owners and get the extension installed to test an order made.
- customers
- print shops
- PoD stores
Video of how the extension works:
Updates
Updates will be provided as the project continues.