CONS OF PRINT ON DEMAND

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CONS OF PRINT ON DEMAND

Cons of Print on Demand

There’s a plethora of advantages that makes print on demand perfect for everyone.
However, like with anything, there are some drawbacks to this system. You should take these downsides into consideration when deciding if print on demand is the right choice for you.

Reduced Control 
Print on demand reduces your control of the actual products. Unlike personally examining products before buying bulk, print on demand vendors have complete control over this process. You have to trust their judgement on quality control, manufacturers, etc.

For many, this matters very little. The goal is simply to get your ideas/designs out into the world. Others may feel differently and pause for reconsideration. If you are someone who can release control in this area, this is no big deal. 

Limitations in Product Options

Although the variety of product options is large, at times, print on demand suppliers have a limited product selection. Perhaps you want a specific color (lime green for example) or a specific style for pants (faded for example), they may not be able to accommodate these preferences. You are left with the options they do offer and have to be flexible in this way.

Shipping Procedures Happen Elsewhere

When your customer orders your product from the print on demand supplier, they ship it to your customer. You do not oversee this aspect. This part can cause issues when dealing with customer service situations. 
Although some print on demand vendors will put your logo and company info - they still have control over prompt shipping and tracking systems. But if a problem arises, you have to face your customers and provide answers - not the supplier. This can be a little more difficult than if you had total control over the shipping process. 

Possibly Lower Profit Margins

From a general perspective, the price of inventory per item can be at a higher cost than if you purchase wholesale items. This leads to one of two options: either you charge more per item, in which case the consumer will absorb the cost, or your profit per item is slightly less. 

This can honestly be justified by the quality of your custom product. Remember, you are providing unique designs on a variety of products - they are worth the slightly higher cost. 

Overall Assessment

All of these drawbacks are worth considering in your decision. 

If you are someone who is hesitant to charge more for custom products and the type of person who cannot deal with a more hands off system, you might want to reassess whether print on demand accommodates your needs. 
If you are someone who is confident in the value of their custom products and is willing to accept less control of the process, then print on demand is still a great option for you.

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