Print-on-Demand vs. Digital Products: Which One Is Better for Artists?

Watch the video below or read this 5 min article :)

If you’ve ever dreamt of making passive income as an artist, chances are you’ve considered two big options: print-on-demand merch and digital products. They both sound amazing—you make something once, and it (theoretically) sells forever. But which one actually makes you more money? And more importantly, which one is right for you?

I’ve sold both, and let me tell you—one is way easier to set up, but the other can make you way more money in the long run. So let’s break it down: what’s the deal with print-on-demand vs. digital products?

What Is Print-on-Demand?

Print-on-demand (POD) is like the instant ramen of passive income—it’s easy, it’s convenient, and you don’t need much to get started.

How It Works:

1. You upload your artwork to a POD platform like Printful (this is what I use.)

2. Customers browse your designs and order products like T-shirts, mugs, posters, and stickers.

3. The POD company prints, packs, and ships everything for you—you never have to touch a single box.

4. You make money and only pay for the products to be made after you have made a sale.

Pros of Print-on-Demand:

1. Zero upfront cost – You don’t need to pay for inventory, so you can start for free.

2. People love physical products – A cute T-shirt or a cool art print? Instant crowd-pleaser.

3. No shipping or fulfillment stress – The POD company handles everything. You just design and collect your (tiny) paycheck.

Cons of Print-on-Demand:

1. More Customer Service - You are in charge of returns and all customer support.

2. Intense competition – Every artist with an iPad is uploading T-shirt designs these days.

3. Traffic isn’t automatic – Unlike Etsy, where people search for digital downloads, POD platforms won’t push your work in front of customers. You’ll need to market your own stuff.

Who Print-on-Demand Is Best For:

• Artists who love designing but don’t want to deal with shipping.

• People with an existing audience (hello, Instagram followers!).

• Anyone willing to grind a little on marketing and trend research to stand out.

What Are Digital Products?

If print-on-demand is instant ramen, digital products are a slow-cooked meal—they take more time upfront, but the results are way more satisfying (and profitable).

How It Works:

1. You create a digital file—this could be art prints, Procreate brushes, templates, fonts, or even sticker sets.

2. You upload it to a marketplace like your own website, Creative Market, or Gumroad.

3. Customers buy and instantly download their purchase—no shipping, no fulfillment, just pure profit.

4. Once your product is up, it can sell forever without any extra work.

Pros of Digital Products:

1. High profit margins – Sell a $15 download, keep all $15 (minus tiny platform fees).

2. No inventory, no shipping – Once it’s made, your work is done.

3. Scalable AF – One file can sell thousands of times without extra effort.

Cons of Digital Products:

1. Takes work upfront – Your product needs to be good enough for people to actually want it.

2. Price expectations are low – People are used to $2 Etsy printables, which makes it harder to sell premium products.

3. Some platforms take hefty fees – Etsy, for example, charges listing fees + transaction fees + payment processing fees (ugh). Etsy is the worst, just don’t use it! Use Shopify instead!

Who Digital Products Are Best For:

• Artists who want to make more money per sale (without selling their soul to the algorithm).

• People who enjoy creating resources—think brushes, templates, fonts, or graphics.

• Anyone who likes the idea of doing the work once and getting paid forever.

Common Mistakes Artists Make with passive income (and How to Avoid Them)

No matter which route you take, there are some classic mistakes that can trip you up. Let’s avoid them, shall we?

Mistake #1: Pricing Too Low

Whether you’re selling T-shirts or digital downloads, undervaluing your work is a fast track to burnout. Artists often think, “If I price it low, more people will buy it!” But here’s the thing: low prices attract bargain hunters, and bargain hunters are usually the toughest customers (hello, refund requests and endless questions).

What to do instead: Research pricing in your niche and charge what your work is worth. People who truly value your art will pay for it.

Mistake #2: Thinking "If I Build It, They Will Come"

You can have the best designs in the world, but if no one sees them, they won’t sell. Many artists upload their first product, get crickets, and give up.

What to do instead: Treat your art business like a business. Use social media, email marketing, and SEO (hello, Etsy keywords!) to bring in buyers.

Mistake #3: Ignoring Trends

Artists sometimes get too caught up in making what they love and forget that sometimes in the beginning trending/niche designs sell best. If you’re selling POD T-shirts, but you’re ignoring popular aesthetics, you’re making it harder on yourself.

What to do instead: Balance your style with what’s trending. Tools like Everbee for Etsy and Google Trends can help you figure out what people are actively searching for.

Mistake #4: Relying on One Income Stream

Only selling on one platform? That’s risky. Platforms change their rules, and accounts get banned for no reason (hello, Etsy horror stories).

What to do instead: Diversify! Sell your work on multiple platforms or mix print-on-demand with digital products. That way, if one stream slows down, you still have others bringing in cash.

The Final Verdict

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer—just different paths based on what you want:
✔ Want quick, passive income with no upfront cost? Go with print-on-demand.
✔ Want higher profits and sales that last forever? Digital products are your best bet.
✔ Want to go all in? Mix both to create a diverse, profitable art business.

Ready to Start Earning Passive Income?

If you’re serious about making money from your art, I’ve got something for you: a free audio course on how to start building passive income as an artist.

All you have to do? Subscribe to my newsletter (you’ll see the signup at the bottom of every page). Once you’re in, I’ll send you the exact steps I wish I knew when I started.

Sign up now and start building the art business of your dreams!

P.S. What are you leaning toward—print-on-demand, digital products, or both? Drop a comment below, and let’s talk art business!