Best Print on Demand for Photographers

Print on demand photography offers a transformative opportunity for photographers to monetize their craft with minimal risk and upfront investment. By leveraging this innovative business model, photographers can turn their captivating images into a diverse array of products—from prints and canvases to photo books and beyond.

Discover why print on demand photography is a game-changer, and how it can help photographers reach new audiences, diversify their income, and focus more on their creative passions.

Why should photographers join print on demand?

Print on demand provides a flexible, scalable, and low-risk way for photographers to monetize their work and build personal brands.

Diversify income streams

Print on demand lets photographers tap into new revenue sources. Besides commissioned work, you can sell prints, canvases, photo books, and more. Think about it: while you’re out capturing the golden hour, your print-on-demand store is busy selling your art.

Diversifying income streams will help artists become less dependent on a single income and establish greater financial stability. In a way, it can reduce the financial burden and leave space for the artists to do what they do best – create.

Low upfront cost, low barriers

Unlike the conventional business where you have to put up front a big investment, print on demand requires no more than your original artwork.

Just list and sell your art. The rest, from printing to packing and shipping, print on demand providers will handle on your behalf. Everything is printed on demand—only when a customer orders. There is no need to invest money in printing up front and keeping inventory.

This option erases the risk of unsold stock collecting dust and maximizes your creative freedom. Isn’t that the dream?

Strengthen your personal branding and artistic identity

POD helps you carve out a niche and build a brand that stands tall in the crowded photography market. Your prints, featuring your unique style, tell your story. Every sale reinforces your brand identity, making it easier for people to recognize and appreciate your work.

Besides, print-on-demand platforms boast extensive global networks, allowing your photographs to find new audiences worldwide. Imagine collectors in Tokyo or Paris admiring your work!

Develop connections with your audience

The Internet can connect you to a wider audience and find people who are interested in your work. With e-commerce and online marketing, you can turn these followers into customers who love to own a piece of your work.

And more than just a commercial exchange, selling print on demand offers a way for you to develop a deeper connection with your audience.  Your customers aren’t just buying art—they’re buying a piece of your vision.

When your customers display and cherish your artwork in their own space, it will help to develop a special connection that no talking and exhibitions can beat.

Best print on demand sites for photographers

The best and easiest way to start print on demand for photographers is through a print on demand website.

Users just have to upload their artwork and select the products they want to print photos on, and the rest will be handled by the print-on-demand sites, from processing, printing, and packaging to shipping orders.

Fine Art America

Fine Art America stands as a photographer’s favorite place to sell their art. Unlike more generalized platforms, it prioritizes and caters to the specific needs of photographers and artists.

• High-quality prints: Rather than agreeing with whatever quality, Fine Art America doesn’t compromise and brings forth only the best quality products. The site offers a wide range of top-notch materials with the highest printing quality. Such things ensure that the digital artwork can preserve its original quality when transformed into physical form.
• Extensive customization options: Fine Art America offers extensive customization options for prints, including different framing styles, matting options, and sizes. Normally, such specific, advanced options are not available on generic print-on-demand sites. These options meet the specific needs of customers who are looking for elegant and premium photography wall decor to display at their places.
• A strong community of artists and photographers: Besides developing a marketplace for art lovers to browse for new art piece decoration, Fine Art America also cultivates a growing community of artists and photographers. Artists can join groups, participate in contests, and engage with other artists, providing valuable opportunities for networking and future collaboration.

Redbubble

With an estimated monthly traffic of 26 million visits, Redbubble is one of the top print-on-demand websites for artists and photographers. It is the obvious go-to choice for artists who want to earn extra bugs for their artworks.

• Low entry barrier: Redbubble remains a lower entry requirement for all, allowing artists to access and sell their products easily.
• Marketing support: The best part about entering Redbubble is that you can take advantage of the large existing audience on this platform. It offers a free way to promote your art and products. Besides Redbubble also carries its own marketing campaign, which will subsequently benefit artists and sellers on the platform.
• Broad product range: Redbubble provides a wide range of products. All of these are great for displaying creative artwork and appeal to the target audience of customers who love artsy products.
• Easy-to-use platform: One of the pluses of Redbubble is its easy-to-use operation and interface, which is friendly to the newbies first entering print on demand market.
• Ability to adjust pricing: Redbubble sets the default margin for all their product at 20%. However, it’s within your power to raise or lower your profit margin.

Zazzle

Zazzle is a direct competitor of Redbubble. It stands out as an excellent choice for creatives looking to monetize their work effectively.

• Extensive Product Range: Zazzle offers a wide variety of products, from traditional prints and canvases to unique items like skateboards and fabric.
• High Customization: Photographers can adjust design placement, size, and color across many product types. This allows for a high degree of personalization, ensuring that each product accurately reflects the photographer’s vision.
• Broad Audience: Zazzle’s diverse product catalog attracts a wide-ranging audience, including those looking for unique, customizable items.
• High-quality production: Zazzle partners with reliable manufacturers to ensure that products meet high standards, which is crucial for maintaining the integrity of a photographer’s work.

Society6

Even though Society6 is not as big as Zazzle or Redbubble, it has become an important platform where artists hang.

• Unique Art Focus: Unlike platforms with a broader range of products and artists, Society6 emphasizes a refined, highly-curated selection of artwork, creating a premium environment for artists. This is also why Society6 appeals to high-profile artists, illustrators, and photographers.

• Premium print options: Society6 offers a range of high-quality art prints and home decor items, such as framed prints, canvas prints, and tapestries. The platform’s emphasis on premium materials and production standards helps maintain the integrity and impact of photographic work. The platform’s commitment to high-quality production ensures that photographs are reproduced with accuracy and vibrancy, appealing to customers who seek premium art pieces.
• Featured Collections and Curations: Society6 regularly features curated collections and artist spotlights, providing additional exposure for featured artists. The platform’s marketing team actively promotes these collections through social media and other channels.

Being featured in curated collections or artist spotlights can significantly boost visibility and sales. This exposure helps photographers reach a larger audience and gain recognition within the art community.

Amazon

If you want your artwork to reach a broader audience, then don’t overlook Amazon – the largest e-commerce platform in the world. Amazon’s dedicated print on demand service, Merch by Amazon, will give you access to a massive customer base of over 310 million shoppers globally.

As the production and distribution are all handled by Amazon, there is no need to worry about the quality of the products.

One limitation of Merch by Amazon is that it only provides a handful of products, and most of these products are apparel. It lacks home decoration or wall art products which are more natural to showcase photography artwork.

In addition, the competition on Amazon is also stiff, making it harder for your art to stand out. Not to mention that copyright violations on this platform are rampant.

That being said, the potential to reach millions of customers can easily outweigh any other challenge.

If you want to diversify products to sell on Amazon, don’t forget that you can rely on third-party print on demand providers like Merchize.

Merchize offers direct integration with Amazon, allowing a seamless fulfillment order process. Moreover, with our extensive catalog of wall art and home decoration products, photographers can easily find a suitable medium for their artwork to shine.

Etsy

Etsy is a leading online marketplace renowned for its focus on handmade, vintage, and unique goods. This platform remains the top online attraction for shoppers who are looking for unique, original art pieces.

This emphasis aligns perfectly with the nature of photographic art, allowing photographers to showcase their unique styles and limited-edition prints to a niche audience that values originality and craftsmanship.

In order to sell print on demand on Etsy, you must integrate your Etsy store with a third-party supplier. At Merchize, we provide seamless integration with Etsy, allowing a smooth and automated fulfillment process.

Print on demand products for photographers

Photography is a powerful standalone art piece. For this line of artwork, there is no need for fancy additions and accessories. Simple products like canvas or posters are more than enough to deliver the essence of photography.

Here are the best products that make a perfect medium for photographers to showcase their work.

Canvas

Canvas prints are no doubt a classic choice for displaying photographs. They exude a gallery-like aura, perfect for showcasing artistic work. Whether it’s an exhibition, at home, or office, canvas prints can adapt effortlessly, adding a highlight to the space and capturing all eyes.

• Timeless Appeal: Canvas prints have a textured surface that adds depth to photos. They transform images into art pieces.
• Durable: High-quality canvas material ensures longevity. It will keep the photography intact for endless seasons. No glass means no glare or reflections.
• Versatile Display: Canvas prints fit any room. They blend seamlessly with various decor styles and can be used to decorate different settings.

Poster

Posters are a popular and affordable way to bring art into any space. Agreeably, posters are not as durable and timeless as canvas prints are. Still, they are versatile, easy to produce, and more accessible.

From a business standpoint, this affordable pricing allows you to reach more customers and sell more products.

• Cost-effective: Posters are budget-friendly. This makes them accessible to a wider audience.
• Size Variety: Available in multiple sizes, they can fit any wall space.
• Lightweight: Easy to hang and replace, making them perfect for renters and students.

Metal sign

Metal signs offer a modern, industrial look that stands out. They are perfect for creating bold, eye-catching displays.

• Sleek and Modern: Metal gives photos a contemporary edge. It’s ideal for urban and modern settings.
• Sturdy and Durable: Metal prints are resistant to fading and scratches. They last a long time.
• Vibrant colors: The printing process on metal can enhance color vibrancy, making images pop.

Metal signs can be a unique offering that provides a unique look that some customers desire to add to their space.

>>> Also read: Canvas vs Metal Prints: Which Art Decor Product is Better?

Acrylic

Acrylic prints offer a sleek, high-gloss finish that adds a touch of sophistication to any photograph. Acrylic is a less popular option when it comes to printing photography since the materials are not the best to showcase high-quality prints.

Yet, there are still some unique traits to this material that might give it an edge over other traditional printing materials:

• High Gloss Finish: Acrylic enhances the depth and detail of photos. It gives a modern, polished look.
• Durable: Scratch-resistant and long-lasting, acrylic prints maintain their quality over time.
• Floating Effect: When mounted, acrylic prints can appear to float on the wall, adding a unique visual appeal.

Here are some acrylic print products that photographers can use to print their works:

• Custom Shape Acrylic Plaque
• Custom Shape Photo Night Light
• Engraved Custom Shape Photo Night Light (Beech wood base)
• Photo Frame Light Box

Merchandise

Beyond traditional prints, photographers can also expand their offerings to a wide variety of everyday item products, such as mugs, phone cases, tote bags, and so on.

• Broad Reach: Such practical everyday items can appeal to a wider mass audience and not just the art collectors.
• Brand Promotion: Merchandise is a great way to spread your brand. Your art goes wherever the customer does. This way, your artwork can reach more people, have a life of its own, and not just a piece of decoration hanging on the wall.
• Personal Connection: These items make your art part of daily life. It’s a way for fans to carry a piece of your work with them everywhere.

Tips for Selling Photography Arts

For many photographers out there who aren’t familiar with the world of commercials, here are a few simple tips that can help maximize the economic potential of your artwork and increase your revenue stream from selling print-on-demand photography products.

Provide customization options

By adding more customization options, you can meet more customers’ expectations, increase the appeal, and motivate customers to make purchases. Here are two common ways to diverse your offers:

• Add more sizes and variants: List your products in different sizes and types to make your products more versatile and suitable for different demands and purposes.
• Allow personalization: You can add options that allow customers to customize products, such as adding text or choosing specific parts of an image. It will make the art piece more special and unique.

Deliver high-quality products

Premium products with high-quality printing guarantee that your photos can keep their original quality and show up in the best light.

• Print Quality: Ensuring the POD service provides high-resolution, color-accurate prints that do justice to their photography.
• Material Quality: The durability and feel of the materials used will also decide the overall quality of your photography products.

To examine the quality of the print on demand product, you can order the sample yourself. At Merchize, for example, we offer special discounts for sample orders from our sellers, allowing them to experience and evaluate the quality before starting fulfillment.

Be aware of legal and copyright issues

Copyright violation is a big concern in print on demand industry. As originality is especially important for photography work, photographers should pay extra attention to copyright aspects. It’s best to avoid being on either side of a copyright dispute—whether as the violator or the victim.

• Select platforms that have strict copyright regulations: The best way to safeguard your art from unauthorized use is to choose the platforms that act tough on the issues.
• Avoid infringing copyright: At the same time, you must make sure to avoid violating copyright at all costs. Such violations can lead to a permanent ban from the platform or even complicated and costly legal procedures.

Strategize your marketing attempt

In the online space, to expand your impact and maximize profitability, you must take full advantage of marketing. It is not only beneficial to your print on demand business but also for your personal branding as an artist.

• • Identify target audience: Before everything, you must identify and understand your target market to tailor marketing efforts effectively.
  • Promote via social media: For artists, platforms like Instagram and Pinterest are their forte where the interested audience usually hangs. It is the best place to showcase their photography as well as promote their art-related products.
  • Leverage content marketing: You can increase engagement with the audience through unique content, such as blog posts or video tutorials, that highlights your photography skills and attracts potential customers.
• Develop your online portfolio: Besides increasing your income, your online presence also helps to establish your personal brand as a photographer. Building an online portfolio that highlights their photography style and encourages potential customers to make purchases is a great way to achieve both goals. Don’t forget to wear your badge every place you show up.

Print on demand photography opens up exciting avenues for photographers to expand their reach and boost their income. With its low-risk setup and the ability to sell a variety of products, this model allows you to focus on what you do best—creating stunning images—while generating revenue effortlessly.

Embrace the opportunity to showcase your work to a global audience and build a brand that stands out. Don’t wait—unlock the potential of your art and begin your print on demand journey now!