POD | Not All Gold And Rainbows

POD There Are Negatives Too

Though we don't think of it a lot or see a lot of problems they are there.

Even though we may not have inventory and are using a non-dropship source we are still going to have problems.

Problems come in all types and if you think you can make money, but not problems, well that's a problem.

 I don't bring them up in my articles simply because I'm not selling anything,  I am not doing false reviews, I have zero affiliate links and am only trying to give back. 

So just to keep things even, we will discuss problems we run into in POD.

Problems With Printing

 This is probably the most common, I think, one with new designers.         

Some of the elements in your design may be unprintable. Sometimes (I have done this) we get in a hurry and forget to take things out that weren't supposed to be there.

If you're like me, I have so many pieces floating around that sometimes I may grab one while grouping and not check before uploading, or after, not embarrassing at all :P.

A lot of times I am lazy and do several designs at one sitting on the same page, without deleting everything after a save. 

POD Are Not Editors

What you have sent in is what gets printed. POD companies are busy, even though there is a lot, they also usually do offline work too. 

The POD biz is estimated to grow to a staggering 10 Billion USD by 2025, personally, I think that will happen quite a few years early. Remember Amazon.

Basically, there are a few steps you will need to take:

• Create Outlines (this is just good practice, text)
• Make sure your designs are grouped, or paths 
• Upload as PNG Transparent Background (Unless....)
• Double check everything  ( make sure no bits are in the mix)
• Make Sure everything is centered or were you intend it to be

There are usually size, both megabyte, and area for design limits etc associated with each different pod.

Don't worry you won't be able to upload (it will give an error) if size or measurements are not proper.

Refunds

Yes, this is a big one, Amazon a year ago decided to take the money back from the creators, and rightly so. They happen, not all the time but yeah.

There is nothing you can do, so far I don't have this problem in other POD`s but it does exist.

If you dropship using Printful or other PODS like that you are responsible for customer care.

Which means refunds, and honestly, sometimes the reasons aren't really good ones.

Sometimes it is the POD`s fault so you will be reimbursed, other times its all om you, so be prepared.

Sometimes sizes are too small, just because of the make, sometimes the customer makes the mistake, you still end up eating that. Just double check and put it in your listing to order one size up or down or what have you, this will reduce the number of returns on that count.

Slow Sales               

This is and always will be a problem for all e-com and brick and mortar sales outlets. Certain times are so unbelievably bust (Q4, October till Dec, usually 10 days or so before Christmas)

While other months are like molasses.

You can spread this out over more than one active POD if you have 10 you will feel a slow down less than if you work only on one or two.

PPC campaigns should not be ramped up during the slowdowns, but rather cut back as well. If your organic traffic is building and you are getting somewhat of a brand loyalty thing going on it helps too.

 Uploading

This is a huge thing in POD though there are some useful software apps to help in this, be careful, some POD`s do not like that kind of activity and will ban you for uploading too much at a time.

Sometimes its just not worth it.

Why is it a pain, because after you upload you have all the tags, KW, descriptions etc, its a ton of work. 

One of the ways is to write one copy for the same listing on all POD`s and just C&C it, but a lot you will have to tag too.

If you are in decent profit hire a family member or a VA (virtual assistant) to help out with a lot of the mundane tasks.

HINT: VA`s could also be designers, admins, etc. Look offshore, say the Philippines if you don't have family to help.

There are online agencies, but rest assured finding good ones isn't easy when you do treat them right.

Loads Of Designs                                                

This is pretty common as well, to actually get some traction and make sakes that can be considered an income, you will need to upload a lot.

As mentioned earlier it's tedious, but a must do right, that's your business.

You will need on most POD sites at least 700-1000 designs and keep building on that, removing stuff to make room or doesn't sell at all.

There is the old 80/20 rule 80% of your work is for nothing, its the 20% that does well that carries you.

So you can see the need for numbers.

Inventory Shortages       

This happens a lot. If a supplier or fulfillment POD  is experiencing high volumes at certain times of the year it is really common to run out of stock.

This reflects on you as the seller, or on your sales, if it's a non-dropship POD. 

Some companies do offer up replacements or as I call them "What If`s" if we run out what if we use...

This is not on them entirely but also the distributors themselves,  but all in all its an imperfect world so sh** happens.

Concentrate on things you can control.

Copy Right

If you break this, you will be banned on a few POD`s, though at this writing not all, unfortunately.

There is future in this type of approach, think of it this way, you hit a lucky break, your shirt or, goes viral, you get sued then banned maybe from more than one POD. Your business future done, stick a fork in it.

All the work you hopefully are putting into your brand does not warrant a reckless moment of grab it quick cash.

Don't copy cat designs either, though it happens, the original creator if they spot you can issue a takedown, its relatively easy, though as I state, not all POD`s are straight up at this moment.

This is actually not all the problems you will encounter along the way but pretty common ones. 

You can see there is no easy money, work, and problems that`s life in a nutshell. The POD is a lucrative and fairly unsaturated (yet) business with a low threshold to entry, heck pretty much no threshold.

But to think you throw a design up and it sells is the wrong thinking.

Hopefully, I have shed some light on this business so no GURUS can fool you into thinking rainbows and unicorns await problem free, just upload and make money. Yeah Sure.

As usual, if you have comments or questions leave them below and I will try to answer when I can

Best To All and the Very Best in your POD journey

EJ