Print-on-Demand Pitfalls: A Funny Look at the Real Artist Life

Print-on-Demand: Because Who Doesn’t Want to Be a Designer, Logistics Manager, Social Media Guru, and Therapist All at Once?

Ah, print-on-demand. That magical land where you upload your art, click a few buttons, and poof!—millions (or possibly two) adoring fans stumble across your masterpiece, instantly buy twelve mugs, three canvases, and a yoga mat with your painting of a sad duck on it. Retirement is imminent. You’ve made it.

Except… no. Welcome to the actual world of print-on-demand—where the only thing truly printing on demand is your patience.

1. The Algorithm Is Your Frenemy

You’ll spend more time trying to please the algorithm than you ever did trying to please your ex. Is your art trending? Is it tagged correctly? Is your keyword “forest moonlit deer dreamscape” or “night woodland antler vibes”? Guess wrong and your design will disappear faster than biscuits at a British tea party.

2. Tagging: A Cry for Help in Disguise

You sit there, hunched over your keyboard, desperately typing “sunset,” “romantic,” “cottagecore,” “bird with personality,” hoping one of them will be the magic spell to summon sales. You don’t know if you’re describing the art, the mood, or your own emotional state.

3. Customer Reviews from the Seventh Circle

You finally get a sale. Huzzah! Two weeks later, a one-star review arrives:
“The pillow didn’t match my curtains and also my cat didn’t like it.”
Thank you, Sharon from Dorset. I’ll be sure to factor in your cat’s décor preferences for the next collection.

4. Returns You Didn’t Know You Could Get

Print-on-demand means you never handle the product. So when someone returns a t-shirt because “the colour of the shirt reminded them of their ex’s aura,” you’re the one who gets the refund taken off your account. And no, you still don’t get to see the shirt.

5. Social Media: The Eternal Scream

“You need to post three times a day on all platforms!” they say.
“That’s how you build a brand!” they say.
You try. You schedule. You post a reel of your art being applied to a mug, set to lo-fi beats. It gets 3 views. Meanwhile, some bloke drops his sandwich on the floor and goes viral.

6. Copyright Infringement or Coincidence?

You’re diligently uploading original designs when—gasp!—suddenly you get an email from the platform:
“Your work violates our copyright policies.”
Apparently, your abstract swirl is too reminiscent of a 1997 television test card. Who knew.

7. Everyday is a Surprise

Because who doesn’t enjoy logging in to see they’ve made exactly £1.73 today across eight platforms, all while paying out £12.99 for advertising that reached precisely no one except your mum?

8. Print Quality Roulette

Sometimes, the printing gods smile. Sometimes… your intricately detailed artwork turns up looking like it was drawn by a sleepy penguin using a wax crayon. And no, the customer won’t believe you didn’t personally pack it in your kitchen.

So Why Do We Do It?

Because we’re artists. Because seeing your work on a product is magical. Because somewhere out there, someone has your tote bag slung over their shoulder, and it brings them joy.

Also, because we’ve already paid for Canva Pro and now we’re in too deep.

So raise your misprinted mug to the chaos, fellow POD warriors. May your tags be accurate, your reviews be kind, and your yoga mats always roll flat.

“Print-on-demand: where your art goes global, your income goes local, and Sharon’s cat has the final say.”

— Abbie Shores