Shopify Print On Demand Tutorial for Beginners
Starting a Shopify print on demand (POD) store can be a lucrative and creative way to build a business. This step-by-step guide will help beginners set up their Shopify POD store efficiently and effectively. Follow these steps to get your store up and running:
1. Shopify Print On Demand Store
Print on demand allows you to sell custom products without holding inventory. You design the products, and a third-party company handles printing and shipping. Shopify is an excellent platform for setting up your POD store because of its user-friendly interface and integration capabilities.
2. Get A Free Shopify Store
Begin by signing up for a free Shopify trial. Visit Shopify’s website and click on “Start Free Trial.” Follow the prompts to create your account. This trial will give you enough time to set up your store and test its functionality before committing to a paid plan.
3. Install The Free Theme Craft
Once you’ve signed up, log in to your Shopify dashboard. Navigate to the “Online Store” section and click on “Themes.” Search for the free theme called “Craft” and click “Add to Theme Library.” Once added, click “Publish” to make it your active theme.
4. Edit Store Design & Theme Settings
Customise the appearance of your store by editing the theme settings. Go to “Online Store” > “Themes” > “Customise.” Here, you can adjust colours, fonts, and layout to match your brand.
Store Header
Start with the store header. Add your logo, adjust the menu, and set up your announcement bar. This is the first thing customers see, so make it appealing.
5. Install Printify
Printify is a popular POD app that integrates seamlessly with Shopify. To install Printify, go to the Shopify App Store, search for Printify, and click “Add app.” Follow the installation prompts and create a Printify account if you don’t have one.
6. Add Products In With Printify
With Printify installed, you can start adding products to your store. Choose from a wide range of items like t-shirts, mugs, and phone cases. Use Printify’s design tool to upload your designs and create product mockups.
Create Lifestyle Product Mockup Photos
Lifestyle product mockups show your products in real-life scenarios, making them more appealing. Use Printify’s mockup generator or other tools like Placeit to create high-quality lifestyle images.
7. Edit Products
After adding products, edit the product details to optimise for search and customer appeal. Include high-quality images, detailed descriptions, and relevant tags. Adjust pricing to ensure profitability.
8. Add Product Collections
Organise your products into collections to make it easier for customers to navigate your store. For example, you can create collections like “Best Sellers,” “New Arrivals,” or “Gift Ideas.” Go to “Products” > “Collections” and click “Create Collection.”
9. Edit Store Layout & Homepage
Customise the layout of your store and homepage to enhance user experience. Go to “Online Store” > “Themes” > “Customise.” Here, you can drag and drop different sections, such as featured products, collections, and testimonials.
10. Add Legal Pages
Legal pages are essential for any e-commerce store. Go to “Settings” > “Legal” and create pages for your refund policy, privacy policy, and terms of service. Shopify provides templates that you can customise to fit your business.
11. Add In Store Pages
Create additional pages to provide more information about your store. Common pages include “About Us,” “Contact Us,” and “FAQ.” Go to “Online Store” > “Pages” and click “Add Page.”
Store Menus & Navigation
Organise your menus and navigation to help customers find what they need. Go to “Online Store” > “Navigation” and edit your main menu and footer menu. Add links to your collections, pages, and legal policies.
12. Edit Store Footer
Customise your store’s footer to include important information and links. This can include social media icons, a newsletter signup form, and links to legal pages. Go to “Online Store” > “Themes” > “Customise” and select the footer section.
13. Add Payment Processors & Shopify Payments
Set up your payment processors to accept payments from customers. Go to “Settings” > “Payments” and activate Shopify Payments for a seamless checkout experience. You can also add other payment methods like PayPal or third-party providers.
14. Edit Shipping Settings
Configure your shipping settings to ensure accurate shipping rates and delivery times. Go to “Settings” > “Shipping and delivery” and set up shipping zones, rates, and methods.
15. Pick A Plan
Before launching your store, choose a Shopify plan that fits your needs. Go to “Settings” > “Account” and select a plan. The Basic Shopify plan is a good starting point for most new stores.
16. Add A Domain Name & Custom URL
A custom domain name gives your store a professional appearance. Go to “Settings” > “Domains” and purchase a domain through Shopify or connect an existing one. Set your custom URL as the primary domain.
17. Privacy Pop-Up Compliance
Ensure your store complies with privacy regulations by adding a privacy pop-up. Use apps like GDPR Cookie Consent to inform customers about data collection and obtain consent.
18. Remove Store Password & Send Store LIVE!
Finally, remove the password protection to make your store live. Go to “Online Store” > “Preferences” and disable the password. Share your store’s URL and start promoting your new Shopify POD business!
By following these steps, you will have a fully functional Shopify print on demand store ready to attract customers and generate sales. Happy selling!