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Is selling digital products in the print-on-demand space still a viable niche for making a profit in 2025? Currently, most high-revenue POD niches, such as t-shirts and mugs, have already been dominated by major suppliers. In contrast, the growing demand for digital products presents a less saturated path for new sellers to follow. If you’re working with a small budget and struggling to compete with well-established stores, offering customisable digital products can help you generate your first stream of income and lay the groundwork for a long-term business.
What are digital products?
Digital products are intangible goods delivered electronically, often in the form of downloadable files such as graphics, templates, designs, or other virtual assets. In the print-on-demand industry, digital products typically include product design files, mockups, digital planners, templates, and artwork. (Wikipedia)
These files can be instantly transferred between sellers and buyers. In most cases, buyers preview the digital assets they need and reach out to the seller for purchase. This approach can also help reduce marketing costs if you’re offering exclusive designs.
Today, there are plenty of tools that make it easier to create digital designs, including Canva, Adobe Photoshop, and Adobe Illustrator. In addition, AI technologies now allow you to generate custom visuals based on specific prompts. Each of these digital assets has the potential to become a source of revenue.
Why sell digital products?
For many sellers entering the print-on-demand space, offering digital products is the most accessible and low-risk option, especially with limited starting capital. It also serves as a practical way to get familiar with the industry and learn directly from customer feedback. Over time, this experience can help sellers gradually build their brand and transition into selling physical print-on-demand products.
Selling digital products offers several strategic advantages for POD sellers:
Fully online transactions: Because digital products are not physical items, you can handle the entire buying and selling process online. You do not need to pay for production, shipping, or logistics.
Low or no production costs: If you create the digital products yourself, such as design files or mockups, you will incur little to no cost. In cases where you use paid tools to produce these assets, the cost can be factored into your final product price.
Profit margins under your control: You can price your product based on the time and effort you invest. This allows you to maintain healthy profit margins and build a long-term business strategy.
A wide and global customer base: Since digital products are delivered electronically, you can sell them on any platform and to any market as long as they meet the buyer’s needs. This makes it easier to expand your business internationally.
Easy to test and refine ideas: Creating a digital item like a print file or mockup takes less time, which enables you to test multiple ideas quickly. This increases your chances of finding a product that performs well and generates revenue.
Top 10 digital products to sell online
If you’re still unsure which digital products are best suited for your POD niche, explore the digital products list below featuring the top 10 best-sellers specifically curated for POD sellers.
1. T-shirt designs
The custom t-shirt niche consistently ranks among the highest revenue-generating categories for top-performing POD stores. As a result, t-shirt design files are always in high demand, especially those with creative concepts, minimalist aesthetics, vintage styles, or meme-based cultural themes.
To make a t-shirt design a sellable digital product, your design file should meet the following criteria:
- File format: PNG or SVG
- Design themes: Focus on a specific niche such as pets, gaming, or motorcycle enthusiasts
- Design style: Tailor the visual elements to match your chosen niche. For example, for the motorcycle community, incorporate imagery like bikes, group names, or slogans
- Where to sell: Etsy, Fiverr, Creative Market, eBay
- Price range: $2 to $30
To maximize revenue, consider bundling your designs into themed packages rather than selling them individually. This not only increases the perceived value but also helps attract more potential buyers.
2. Wall art printables
Wall art prints are one of the most common decorative pieces found in homes and offices. These artworks can feature inspirational quotes, abstract illustrations, boho patterns, or seasonal themes. When tailored specifically for custom printing, they become even more desirable and highly in demand.
A digital file for wall art should include the following:
- File format: PNG or PDF (300 DPI for high-quality printing)
- Design focus: Target specific niches such as nature scenes, motivational quotes, or boho-style aesthetics
- Where to sell: Etsy, Amazon, Shopify
- Price range: $5 to $25
3. Hoodie designs
Hoodie design is a specific sub-niche within t-shirt design, ideal for stores focusing on streetwear or seasonal apparel. Since hoodies offer a larger print area, such as the front, back, and sleeves, designs tend to be more detailed and visually impactful compared to t-shirts.
Hoodie designs are highly sought after when they feature bold, expressive styles such as grunge, gothic, retro Y2K, or trending themes from TikTok.
A hoodie design file should meet the following requirements:
- File format: PNG 4500×5400 or SVG
- Themes: Streetwear trends, seasonal designs (fall/winter), fandoms, or abstract art
- Design style: Dark tones, bold typography, and large visual elements
- Where to sell: Etsy, Creative Market
- Price range: $4 to $35
4. Product mockup templates
For print-on-demand sellers, mockup templates are essential tools for customising product visuals, especially for custom t-shirts. A high-quality mockup can elevate a product’s presentation and attract more buyers.
Popular mockup types today include minimalist flatlays, lifestyle settings, or diverse human models representing different genders and ethnicities.
Your mockup template should be created with the following standards:
- File format: High-resolution PSD, JPG, or PNG
- Product focus: T-shirts, mugs, hoodies, stickers, sweatshirts, candles, and more
- Mockup style: Minimalist white backgrounds, boho aesthetics, or lifestyle settings with natural lighting
- Where to sell: Creative Market, Etsy, DesignBundles, Fiverr
- Price range: $5 to $45
5. Digital art prints
The digital art prints niche is one of the most consistently profitable segments in the digital product market, especially on platforms like Etsy and Creative Market. This is because buyers in this category are art lovers who value creativity and are willing to pay for pieces that deliver artistic value.
To create a digital art print that resonates and sells well, make sure it meets the following standards:
- File format: High-resolution JPG, PDF, or PNG (300 DPI or higher)
- Theme: Inspirational quotes, abstract art, nature, zodiac elements
- Design style: Emphasize visual aesthetics that align with the niche’s target audience
- Where to sell: Etsy, Creative Market, Redbubble
- Price range: $3 to $35
6. Phone case designs
Phone cases are small items, but they have strong viral potential and are highly sought after seasonally. Almost every smartphone user owns at least one case, making this a promising niche in the print-on-demand space. Designs that help users express their style or personalise their devices can perform particularly well.
To successfully sell a phone case design as a digital product, make sure you prepare:
- File format: PNG with transparent background, 300 DPI, optimized dimensions such as 1187×2532 (depending on the phone model)
- Theme: Pet lovers, boho patterns, quotes, zodiac signs, fandom designs
- Design style: Print-friendly, edge-safe layout, bold colors that pop on the case
- Where to sell: Etsy, Redbubble, Creative Market, Gumroad
- Price range: $3 to $20
7. Poster designs
Poster designs are in high demand as more people seek to decorate their homes, offices, and personal spaces. Ready-made posters are especially popular for their convenience, affordability, and ease of printing – either at home or through POD services.
The most sought-after poster styles today include retro typography, motivational quotes, modern abstract art, and artistic interpretations of movies or music.
To turn poster designs into sellable digital products, make sure to include:
- File format: JPG, PNG, or PDF with at least 300 DPI resolution; popular sizes include 18×24 and 16×20 inches
- Theme: Inspirational quotes, abstract art, music/film references, nature
- Design style: Retro, minimalist, vintage, bold typography
- Where to sell: Etsy, Creative Market, eBay
- Price range: $4 to $35
8. Sticker designs
Stickers may seem like simple decorative items used for fun or events, but they are a highly profitable niche in the digital product space.
The most popular sticker designs today often feature cute (kawaii) aesthetics, uplifting themes like mental health and self-love, or niche cultural symbols and event-specific graphics.
To create digital sticker products that sell, you’ll need:
- File format: PNG with transparent background, print-ready PDF, or SVG cut files
- Design format: Sticker packs built around a specific theme
- Design style: Cute, pastel, retro pop-art, hand-drawn
- Where to sell: Etsy, Creative Market, Design Bundles
- Price range: $2 to $20
9. Mug designs
Mug design remains a reliable goldmine for many POD sellers thanks to consistent demand year-round, especially during gift-giving seasons like Valentine’s Day, Christmas, and Mother’s Day.
Popular mug designs often feature short, easy-to-read text with a humorous or emotional touch. Many sellers have found success by offering simple yet relatable designs that resonate with buyers and lead to repeat sales.
To sell a mug design as a digital product, your file should meet the following standards:
- File format: PNG or SVG at 300 DPI for high-quality prints
- Design style: Minimalist, retro vintage, hand-lettered, or boho, depending on your niche
- Where to sell: Etsy, Creative Fabrica, Design Bundles
- Price range: $3 to $20
10. Tote bag designs
Tote bags remain one of the best-selling POD products thanks to their practicality, fashion appeal, and eco-friendly nature.
Current design trends for tote bags lean toward a clean, modern aesthetic with eye-catching typography, boho or floral elements, and themes that reflect personal identity, such as profession, hobbies, or community groups.
To create a tote bag design that sells, make sure your file meets these criteria:
- File format: PNG or SVG with transparent background; vector preferred for print clarity
- Design content: Light statement slogans, quotes, or simple graphics suitable for everyday use
- Design style: Minimal, boho, retro, or hand-drawn, depending on the target niche
- Where to sell: Etsy, Creative Fabrica, Design Bundles, TheHungryJPEG
- Price range: $2 to $25
How to create digital product designs in Canva
If you’re new to creating product designs, Canva is a great platform to practise and build your design skills.
Step 1: Choose a digital product idea
The first step is to choose a niche to inspire your designs, such as:
- T-shirt graphics
- Printable wall art
- Digital stickers or tote bag designs
If you’re still lacking inspiration at this stage, take a look around Pinterest or explore communities where your target customers hang out to gather more ideas.
Step 2: Start your design in Canva
Once you have a design idea, open Canva and start creating with the right dimensions. For example:
- For t-shirts: 4500 x 5400 px
- For printable art or digital downloads: 4:5 ratio or A4 size
Choose a blank canvas for more flexibility, or use a pre-made template if you want to save time. Don’t forget to name your file clearly for easier organisation.
Step 3: Customize your design
Once you’ve set up the basic layout, start adding:
- Images
- Fonts
- Relevant icons or illustrations
Make sure every element stays consistent with the style you’ve chosen for your niche. Canva offers a wide range of easy drag-and-drop assets, so feel free to test different layouts until everything looks balanced and visually appealing.
Step 4: Canva Licensing
Before exporting your file and listing it for sale, make sure you understand the copyright rules:
- Use only elements from Canva Free or Canva Pro that allow commercial use
- Avoid using templates or images without making significant changes
- Do not include any elements marked “for personal use only”
Upgrading to Canva Pro gives you access to a wider range of assets that are safe to use for commercial purposes across platforms.
Step 5: Export and prepare for sale
Finally, export your design in a high-quality format:
- PNG, JPG, or PDF (300 DPI is recommended for sharp print results).
If you’re selling on a POD platform, double-check the size requirements for each one. Then:
- Create a mockup to showcase the product
- Write a compelling product description
- List it on platforms like Etsy, Shopify, or your social media channels
Marketing tips for selling digital products
Most of your marketing efforts to reach customers when selling digital products will depend on the platform you choose and the niche you’re targeting.
To maximise sales, it’s important to actively seek out potential buyers and introduce your products directly, as passive methods like SEO often take longer to generate results.
Here are a few strategies you can use for your digital products:
- Optimize SEO: Use keyword-rich titles and descriptions (e.g., “minimalist T-shirt design”)
- Leverage Social Media: Promote designs on Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok with engaging visuals and videos
- Email Marketing: Build a mailing list with tools like Mailchimp to nurture repeat customers
- Collaborate with Influencers: Partner with niche influencers to boost product visibility
- Use Analytics: Track performance on Etsy or Shopify to refine marketing strategies
- Create Mockups: Showcase products in realistic settings to attract buyers
- Offer Discounts: Run limited-time promotions to drive sales on platforms like Gumroad
- Cross-Promote: Bundle related products (e.g., stickers and T-shirts) to increase order value
Digital products FAQ
1. Which digital products are most profitable for POD sellers?
High-ticket digital products often include canvas wall art and framed prints, especially in niches like wellness, pets, vintage, and gaming. These items typically sell for anywhere between $5 and $35.
2. Can you make money selling digital products in 2025?
Absolutely, and many creators already are. As long as you stay consistent and focus on meeting customer demand for personalised products, there’s strong potential to generate revenue throughout 2025.
